Petition to save Jacksonville Suns name gets thousands of supporters

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A petition has started to save the Jacksonville Suns following the announcement of the team's name change.

The team changed their name Wednesday to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Photos: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp uniforms 

The Change.org petition said:

"The Jacksonville Suns have been an institution here in Jacksonville since 1962. The name and iconic theme song are as much as part of Jacksonville as the St. Johns River and the Jaguars. Oh, I 'member going to so many games as a child and rooting for the Suns.  Easily some of the best times of my life, and I've continued that tradition as an adult, and I can not fathom the idea of this glorious  team having their name changed to the "Jumbo Shrimp". If you 'member what it's like to root for the Suns, sign this petition. I, for one, 'member."

The petition is asking for 2,500 signatures. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, it had 6,300.

The team, which is the AA affiliate of the Miami Marlins, was purchased in 2015 by Ken Babby in 2015 from longtime owner Peter Bragan Jr.

Cox Media Group