Trash Pandas make history: Team with the viral nickname wins first league championship

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The Rocket City Trash Pandas lift up the championship trophy after defeating the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

The Rocket City Trash Pandas celebrate on the field after defeating the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas pitcher Kenyon Yovan (27) holds up the championship trophy on the field after his team defeated the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

The Rocket City Trash Pandas celebrate on the field after defeating the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

The Rocket City Trash Pandas celebrate on the field after defeating the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas right fielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. (24) rounds third base against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas right fielder Tucker Flint (22) reaches up for a ball against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas pitcher Austin Gordon (52) pitches against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

The Rocket City Trash Pandas take on the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Two Rocket City Trash Pandas fans hold hands as they sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series against the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas shortstop Arjun Nimmala (17) is congratulated by his team after scoring a run against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Stephan Stidfole high-fives his son Kyle Stidfole during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas right fielder Tucker Flint (22) is tagged out by Biloxi Shuckers third baseman Eric Bitonti (39) during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas right fielder Tucker Flint (22) runs for third base against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas catcher Jacob Cozart (28) swings against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

The Watanabe family claps during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series against the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

A young fan cheers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas catcher Jacob Cozart (28) runs for first base against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

A Rocket City Trash Pandas fan seen with a branded hat over his heart as the national anthem is played during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series against the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas pitcher Austin Gordon (52) pitches against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas pitcher Austin Gordon (52) pitches against Biloxi Shuckers right fielder Damon Keith (5) during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas pitcher Kenyon Yovan (27) pitches against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Fans fill the stands during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Rocket City Trash Pandas fans cheer on their team against the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

A graphic displaying the Rocket City Trash Pandas as Southern League Champions is seen after they defeated the Biloxi Shuckers during Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

The Rocket City Trash Pandas won the Southern League Championship for the first time in franchise history. The team defeated the Biloxi Shuckers in a decisive Game 3 win, 3-1, on Wednesday.

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