SM Sarja - Finnish Baseball League & Suomi Sarja - Finnish Baseball First Division
2024
SM Sarja: Third Place
Suomi Sarja: Third place Softball: N/A
Juniors: N/A
Tampere Tigers is a baseball and softball club from Tampere, Finland. The club competes in the two Finnish Baseball Leagues, Suomi Sarja and SM Sarja. Tampere Tigers were founded in 2004 by Arni Hukari and Lassi Autio. The Tigers have also a female softball team and a juniors program for kids 7-13.
The Tigers, named after the Japanese Hanshin Tigers, began in 2005, entering the Finnish Baseball League with 18 players. Despite finishing 5th in their debut season, they celebrated Rookie of the Year honors for Tomi Krogerus. In 2006, the Tigers aimed for a top-3 spot, narrowly missing it but showing marked improvement, with Tuomo Mesimäki and Niko Wirgentius earning league awards. By 2008, they had qualified for their first postseason, proving themselves in hard-fought games against the dominant Espoo Expos.
Key Individual Performances and League Progression (2009-2012)
Despite challenging seasons, the Tigers boasted standout individual achievements, including Tommi Harala’s league-best .514 batting average in 2009 and a league-high fielding percentage in 2010. Shifting to Suomi Sarja (First Division) in 2011, they achieved a solid 3-1-1 record before returning to SM Sarja in 2012, with Andres Mena leading the league with a .512 average.
Consistent Improvement and Suomi Sarja Playoff Success (2013-2015)
The Tampere Tigers became Suomi Sarjaa Champions for the first time in 2016.
The Tigers continued to rise in the standings, with Andres Mena and Yoan Martinez consistently topping the league in batting averages. In 2015, the Tigers returned to Suomi Sarja, earning their second playoff appearance and finishing the season as runners-up, marking another high point in their early history.
Historic Championship and New Horizons (2016-2018)
2016 was a landmark year for the Tigers, who clinched their first Suomi Sarja title following an exceptional 13-2 regular season. In 2017, they expanded to both SM Sarja and Suomi Sarja, achieving a strong 3rd place in SM Sarja and back-to-back Suomi Sarja championships. They also established their first women’s softball team, playing three exhibition games and underscoring the club’s growth in both performance and structure. By 2018, the Tigers’ roster was at a record high, and they reached the Suomi Sarja playoffs once more, only to fall in the semifinals to rivals Espoo XL5.
First SM Sarja Finals and Continued Success (2019-2021)
The 2021 Tampere Tigers softball, National Champions
In 2019, the Tigers reached the SM Sarja finals for the first time, finishing as runners-up in a hard-fought five-game series. While they opted out of the SM Sarja finals in 2020 due to disputes with league management, they returned in 2021 to claim their first SM Sarja title, defeating the Espoo Expos. The Tigers’ softball team also won the Finnish national title, earning both baseball and softball championships in a single season—a club milestone.
European Representation and Record-Breaking Seasons (2022-2023)
2022 was a record-breaking year with a 14-1 regular season, though the Tigers fell in the SM Sarja finals. Their first appearance in the European Cup Qualifiers in Poland highlighted the club's growing international presence. In 2023, they returned to the European Cup in Budapest, achieving their first international win against Sofia Leaders. Both Superbaseball and Fat Lizard teams topped the regular season in Finland, though both fell just short in the finals. A notable 11-game win streak in Superbaseball underscored their continued local dominance.
Strengthened Juniors and International Play (2024)
The Tigers faced a challenging Superbaseball season in 2024, finishing 3rd due to bullpen gaps, but they advanced to the Suomi Sarja semifinals with a mid-season roster boost. Competing in their third European Cup Qualifier in Stockholm, they faced some of Europe’s strongest teams. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ juniors program celebrated its second year in the Baltic Junior Games in Estonia, marking their first international win—a promising step for the next generation of Tigers players.
Players 2024
A combination of experienced players and talented young faces have brought strength and confidence to the team.
Finnish International Sergio Fernandez, considered one of the best players in the history of baseball in Finland and a regular in the Finnish National Team plays with the Tigers
Official list of players
Roynet Perez
Jose Mesa
Sergio Fernandez
Mauricio Rosales
Niko Mäki
Gabriel Rosell
Willys Reyes
Jose Gonzales
Juan Carlos Mendez
Corey Niemi
Adunais Perez
Leodanys Ramos
Jyri Portin
Janne Pihlajaniemi
Sakari Keskitalo
Israel Perez
Raynel Corporan
Samuel Figueroa
Emiliano Rivero
Yi-Chen Li
Danis Garcia
Aleksandr Igitov
Ergo Rohi
Tauno Koppel
Aleks Koppel
Silvio Quevedo
Yoan Martinez
On DL:
Henri Santala
Andres Mena of Cuban origin is one of the best players in the league and in the Finnish National Team roster. He started his career in Finland playing as a short stop for the Tigers
Managers
The Tigers have had a great selection of managers and coaches. Working together with the Club's board, their main objectives have always been the development of new talents and building up a competitive team for each season.
Tiger's pregame meeting, getting ready to take on their rivals
2004 Lassi Autio
2005 Lassi Autio
2006 Lassi Autio
2007 Oliver Paredes
2008 Tuomo Mesimäki
2009 Lassi Autio
2010 Aki Ropo
2011 Lassi Autio
2012 Aki Ropo
2013 Andres Mena
2014 Luis Noyola
2015 Lassi Autio
2016 Mauricio Rosales
2017 Mauricio Rosales
2018 Mauricio Rosales
2019 Mauricio Rosales
2020 Mauricio Rosales
2021 Mauricio Rosales
2022 Mauricio Rosales
2023 Mauricio Rosales
2024 Mauricio Rosales
Former or not currently active players
Throughout its history, the team has had an array of extra ordinary players. Some are still active in other teams in Finland and some are playing overseas. Some of the players have had previous experience playing baseball while some others learned to play in the club.
List of former players
Yendrys Serrano Pasi Tulonen Tuomas Virtanen Luis Diaz Janne Ylänkö Miikka Aaltonen Juha-Pekka Niemi Tommi Harala Einieri Mainegra Luis Noyola Andres Mena Williams Kelly Remberto Martinez Niklas Palander Santeri Heino Toni Kemppainen Duviel Fernandez Harvey Fernandez Severi Lehtimäki Tuomo Vestola Simon Visser Cassie Andersen Anssi Rämä Riku Sjöroos Tuomas Lemmetty Markus Blommendahl Jarkko Vilkkilä Otto Nojonen Jarkko Juutilainen Tomi Krogerus Tommi Harala Arni Hukari Akira Ropo Aki Ropo Toni Sjöman Oliver Paredes Juha Kurki Mikko Salmensuo Mauno Ahlgren Jarmo Rintala Aarne Juutilainen Olli Mehtonen Klaus Tamminen Niko Wirgentius Tuomo Mesimäki Abel Maranon Julian Hasegawa Ton Sjöman Jyrki Nummenmaa Samuli Ikola Tomi Karppinen Kari Harjunniemi Jarkko Kettunen Carlos Ardila Tommi Tuominen Juha Antikainen Alberto Martinez Tommi Sakki Victor Viloria Simopekka Vänskä Marc Phillipe Tomi Mäntymaa Tuomas Miskala Jarkko Mällinen Harri Moisio Edvin Suarez Konsta Eskelinen Otto Eskelinen Victor Maso Antony De la Cruz Atro-Matti Puruskainen Heikki Valkama Toivo Aaltonen Dayron Lester Markku Tikka Teemu Takala Antti Kiviniemi Markus Kailanto Don Kilpela Jake Binney Markku Tikka Henri Virinsalo Juuso Valkeala Jarmo Rintala Jarkko Vilkkilä Mikko Helin Joni Holmberg Dennys King Roope Korhonen Mikko Siltanen Samuel Kivi Narender Kumar Rafael Espinal Gilberto Ruiz Silvio Guarat Jeremi Rannikko Riku Katajamäki Eemi Huhtinen Jani Aaltonen Wilmer Wilson Elwin Rosario Martin Magris Lassi Autio Teo Scheepstra Tauno Koppel Camilla Lehtimäki Roberto Martinez Sidney Kitchen Vicente Herrera Heidi Rimpi Yuber Fajardo Petteri Peijonen Tuomas Virtanen Patrick Carney Christian Camacho
Some of the players in this list become available and return to the team to play in a particular season while some others have already retired from the sport.
Statistics
Tigers SM Sarja record (Including post season)
Tampere Tigers in 2016
Year
Games
Win
Loss
2005
15
4
11
2006
12
4
8
2007
12
1
11
2008
14
4
10
2009
16
3
13
2010
15
3
12
2012
12
3
9
2013
15
4
11
2014
15
5
10
2017
16
9
7
2018
16
6
10
2019
20
15
5
2020
17
12
5
2021
20
15
5
2022
18
14
4
2023
17
13
4
2024
14
3
11
Total
264
118
139
Tigers Suomi Sarja record
Year
Games
Win
Tie
Loss
2004
4
1
1
2
2011
5
3
1
1
2015
13
7
1
5
2016
16
14
0
2
2017
15
14
0
1
2018
12
7
1
4
2019
12
8
0
4
2020
14
9
0
5
2021
14
10
0
4
2022
12
5
1
6
2023
12
8
0
4
2024
16
8
0
8
Total
144
94
5
46
Post-season record
The Tigers celebrating the 2017 title after defeating XL5 in Turku
The team won its first final in 2016.
2008:
SM Sarja playoff
Lost playoff series 0-2 vs Espoo Expos
2015:
Suomi Sarja final
Lost single final game 14-5 vs Espoo XL5
2016:
Suomi Sarja Final
Win single final game 8-5 vs Helsinki City
Note: In 2017 there was no post-season scheduled. The team won the title by winning more games (14) than the rest of the teams in the regular season
2018:
Suomi Sarja Playoffs
Win wildcard game 15-5 vs Nokia White Sox
Lost final series 0-2 vs Espoo XL5
2019:
Suomi Sarja final series
Lost final series 0-2 vs Espoo XL5
SM Sarja 2021 National Champions
SM Sarja final series
Lost final series 1-3 vs Espoo Expos
2020:
SM Sarja final series
Lost final series 0-3 vs Espoo Expos (Forfeiting games 2 and 3)
2021:
SM Sarja final series
Win final series 3-1 vs Espoo Expos
Suomi Sarja final series
Lost final series 0-2 vs Espoo XL5
Softball Championship game
Win final game 14-9 against Helsinki Sandstorm
2022:
SM Sarja final series
Lost final series 0-3 vs Espoo Expos
2023:
SM Sarja final series (Superbaseball)
Lost final series 2-3 vs Espoo Expos
2024:
Quarter Final single game win 14-4 vs Helsinki Mets
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Mauricio Rosales
