West Michigan Whitecaps

Last updated
West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps Logo.svg WestMichiganWhiteCapsCapLogo.PNG
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class High-A (2021–present)
Previous classes Class A (1994–2020)
League Midwest League (2022–present)
DivisionEast Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Team Detroit Tigers (1997–present)
Previous teams Oakland Athletics (1994–1996)
Minor league titles
League titles (6)
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 2004
  • 2006
  • 2007
  • 2015
Division titles (6)
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 2004
  • 2006
  • 2007
  • 2015
Team data
NameWest Michigan Whitecaps (1994–present)
Ballpark LMCU Ballpark (1994–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter
General managerJim Jarecki
Manager Brayan Peña

The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids, and play their home games at LMCU Ballpark.

Contents

Franchise history

The Midwest League came to the Grand Rapids area in 1994 upon the arrival of the former Madison Muskies. The Whitecaps were brought to West Michigan by local businessmen Lew Chamberlin and Dennis Baxter. The Whitecaps were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics before they joined the Tigers' farm system in 1997.

Their home ballpark is LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. Before the 2002 season it was known as Old Kent Park; the name was changed when the park's title sponsor, Old Kent Bank, was purchased by Fifth Third Bank. Before the 2021 season, the Lake Michigan Credit Union renamed the venue "LMCU Ballpark". The team's official mascots are Crash the River Rascal, Roxy the River Rascal and Franky the Swimming Pig.

The franchise's attendance record of 547,401 was set in 1996.

Several league and team records were set during the 2006 season. The team posted the second best record in franchise history, going 89–48, including going 23–6 in July. Michael Hollimon hit 3 home runs in one game. Cameron Maybin hit 2 grand slams in the season. Michael Hernandez became the first person ever in the history of the Midwest League to hit for the cycle twice. The Whitecaps went on to defeat the Kane County Cougars in four games to win their fourth Midwest League Championship.

In 2009, the team drew the attention of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine after a 4-pound (1.8 kg), 4,800-calorie hamburger called the Fifth Third Burger was placed on the menu of the team's concession stand. It was so named in part for the ballpark sponsor and part for its 1.6666 (or 5/3) pounds of meat. The Committee requested that the team put a label on the burger indicating that it was a "dietary disaster". [1] To date, more than 100 fans, or about a half of the people who have attempted the challenge, have conquered the burger and earned a commemorative T-shirt. On July 15, 2009, Travel Channel's "Man v. Food" and its host Adam Richman came to Fifth Third Ballpark to attempt to conquer the burger in an episode of the popular show. The episode aired on September 30, 2009, wherein he successfully met the challenge. In 2012, The Whitecaps installed a new scoreboard and high resolution video display screen which was installed by TS Sports out of Dallas, Texas.

On January 3, 2014, a fire started in one of the suites. It spread and caused extensive damage, close to one half of the suites and 1st base concourse were destroyed. [2] Thanks to extensive work, the park was restored and up and running by opening day. [3]

Whitecaps at home in Fifth Third Ballpark WestMichigan Whitecaps DSCN8265.JPG
Whitecaps at home in Fifth Third Ballpark

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Whitecaps were organized into the High-A Central. [4] In 2022, the High-A Central became known as the Midwest League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization. [5]

Regular season

SeasonWLPct.
19947465.532
19956769.492
19967761.557MWL Champions
19979239.702
19988357.593MWL Champions
19996872.485
20008852.629
20016572.474
20028357.593
20036773.478
20046970.496MWL Champions
20057370.510
20068948.649MWL Champions
20078357.593MWL Champions
20087376.532
20098357.593
20106277.446
20117069.504
20127268.514
20136970.496
20148258.586
20157564.540MWL Champions
20167165.522
20179145.669
20186970.496

Postseason

The Whitecaps won the best-of-five Midwest League championship six times in six opportunities. They defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 1996, the Rockford Cubbies in 1998, the Kane County Cougars twice (2004 and 2006), the Beloit Snappers in 2007, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2015. West Michigan is 55–32 all-time in playoff games.

Oakland Athletics affiliation

YearRecordResultsOpponents
19940–2Lost in First RoundRockford (0–2)
19953–3Lost in Second RoundKane County (2–1), Michigan (1–2)
19967–2Won ChampionshipLansing (2–1), Rockford (2–0), Wisconsin (3–1)

Detroit Tigers affiliation

YearRecordResultsOpponents
19970–2Lost in First RoundFort Wayne (0–2)
19987–2Won ChampionshipMichigan (2–1), Clinton (2–0), Rockford (3–1)
20001–2Lost in First RoundDayton (1–2)
20023–2Lost in Second RoundDayton (2–0), Lansing (1–2)
20047–3Won ChampionshipLansing (2–1), South Bend (2–0), Kane County (3–2)
20052–2Lost in Second RoundFort Wayne (2–0), South Bend (0–2)
20067–2Won ChampionshipFort Wayne (2–1), Lansing (2–0), Kane County (3–1)
20077–2Won ChampionshipLansing (2–0), South Bend (2–0), Beloit (3–2)
20141–2Lost in First RoundFort Wayne (1–2)
20157–3Won ChampionshipFort Wayne (2–0), Lansing (2–1), Cedar Rapids (3–2)
20163–3Lost in Second RoundSouth Bend (2–1), Great Lakes (1–2)
20171-2Lost in First RoundDayton (1-2)
20182-2Lost in Second RoundGreat Lakes (2-0), Bowling Green (0-2)

Managers

Since 1994, the Whitecaps have had nine managers. In 2007, former Tigers' third baseman Tom Brookens became the fifth manager in the history of the Whitecaps.

Listed here is each manager and their won/loss record:

Detroit Tigers affiliation

Roster

West Michigan Whitecaps roster
PlayersCoaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 22 Jack Anderson
  • 15 Cam Brown
  • 35 Garrett Burhenn
  • 36 Dario Gardea
  • 40 Aaron Haase Injury icon 2.svg
  • 32 Wilkel Hernandez
  • 15 Blake Holub
  •  2 Jackson Jobe Injury icon 2.svg
  • -- Tanner Kohlhepp Injury icon 2.svg
  • 14 Jordan Marks
  • 18 Tyler Mattison
  • 20 Troy Melton
  • 26 Trevin Michael
  • 33 Williander Moreno
  •  4 Carlos Pena
  • 30 Erick Pinales
  • 17 Angel Reyes
  • 13 Gabriel Sequeira
  • 37 Bryce Tassin
  • 19 Cristhian Tortosa

Catchers

  •  3 Eliezer Alfonzo
  • 23 Colin Burgess
  • 10 Josh Crouch

Infielders

Outfielders

  • 16 Brady Allen
  • 11 Roberto Campos
  •  5 Esney Chacon


Manager

Coaches

  • 44 Trevor Fitts (pitching)
  • 24 Tim Garland (bench)
  • 43 Daniel Ricabal (pitching)
  • 46 CJ Wamsley (hitting)

60-day injured list

  • 41 Eduardo Valencia
  • -- Matt Walker

Injury icon 2.svg 7-day injured list
* On Detroit Tigers 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated June 14, 2023
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB  •  Midwest League
→ Detroit Tigers minor league players

Former Whitecaps in the majors

Below is a list of West Michigan Whitecaps who have played in the major leagues.

Oakland Athletics affiliation (1994–1996)

Detroit Tigers affiliation (1997–present)

Broadcasting

In February 2019, the Whitecaps extended their broadcasting contract with Cumulus Media, but switched radio frequencies to air games on the newly-launched "The Ticket" for the 2019 season with radio simulcast on four stations: 106.1-FM and 1340-AM in Grand Rapids, and 99.1-FM and 1490-AM in Muskegon. [6] Select games are aired in Holland, Michigan, on WHTC on 1450-AM and 99.7-FM. Dan Hasty is the Voice of the Whitecaps and also serves as the Host of the Detroit Tigers' Road to Detroit podcast, [7] as well as serving as radio voice of Men's Basketball for the University of Detroit Mercy. [8]

B-Roll footage of a game between the Whitecaps and South Bend Silver Hawks at Fifth Third Ballpark, was aired in Champ's Whammy! home runs scene in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues . Officials with the West Michigan Whitecaps were unaware they would be featured in the movie and only found out after the movie was released in December 2013. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midwest League</span> American Minor League baseball league

The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quad Cities River Bandits</span> American Minor League baseball team

The Quad Cities River Bandits are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Their home games are played at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa, one of the Quad Cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Lakes Loons</span> American Minor League baseball team

The Great Lakes Loons are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Midland, Michigan, and play their home games at Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan Battle Cats</span> Minor league baseball team

The Michigan Battle Cats were a Minor League Baseball team which began playing in the Midwest League in 1995 and called C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan, home. The franchise had previously been located in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1994 where they were called the Madison Hatters. Prior to that the team was located in Springfield, Illinois, and was known as the Springfield Cardinals. Upon moving to Battle Creek the team initially sought the name Battle Creek Golden Kazoos to help create a regional tie-in with the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, but legal disputes led to the adoption of the Battle Cats moniker. The team became known as the Battle Creek Yankees beginning with their affiliation with the New York Yankees in 2003, and again changed names and affiliations in 2005 and became the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. In 2007, citing declining attendance, the team moved to Midland, Michigan and became the Great Lakes Loons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake County Captains</span> American Minor League baseball team

The Lake County Captains are a Minor League Baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, that plays in the Midwest League as the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LMCU Ballpark</span> Home venue of the West Michigan Whitecaps

LMCU Ballpark is a ballpark located in Comstock Park, Michigan, just north of Grand Rapids. Established as Old Kent Park in 1994, the stadium hosts a minor league baseball team, the West Michigan Whitecaps, and other sporting events. The ballpark's Fifth Third Burger was featured on an episode of Man v. Food. A fire damaged some of the first base side of the stadium on January 3, 2014, but the stadium re-opened in time to host the Whitecaps for the 2014 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Blair</span> American baseball player (born 1965)

William Allen Blair is an American former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball and current pitching coach for the West Michigan Whitecaps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Walbeck</span> American baseball player

Matthew Lovick Walbeck is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for five different teams, primarily in the American League, from 1993 to 2003. He served as third base coach for the Texas Rangers in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Fields</span> American baseball player and coach (born 1960)

Bruce Alan Fields is an American former professional baseball outfielder and the former hitting coach of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played during three seasons in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Hollimon</span> American baseball player (born 1982)

Michael T. Hollimon is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and shortstop. After a collegiate baseball career at the University of Texas and Oral Roberts University, Hollimon entered professional baseball with the Detroit Tigers organization in 2005. He played professionally through 2012, including a short stint with the 2008 Tigers, during which he played 11 major-league games.

Below is a partial list of minor league baseball players in the Detroit Tigers system.

Gary Gillette is a baseball writer, author, and editor. He is co-editor of both the ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia and the ESPN Football Encyclopedia. For both series of books, he partnered with noted statistician Pete Palmer, as well as writers Sean Lahman and Matt Silverman.

Shane Timothy Heams is an American former professional baseball pitcher and Olympic gold medalist. His minor league baseball career spanned from 1996 to 2005.

The Rockford Expos was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams located in Rockford, Illinois, from 1988 to 1999. The Expos were Rockford's first entity in the Midwest League and Rockford teams were minor league affiliates of the Montreal Expos (1988–1992), Kansas City Royals (1993–1994), Chicago Cubs (1995–1998) and Cincinnati Reds (1999), hosting home games at Marinelli Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Thompson</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Jacob Keith Thompson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beau Burrows</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

Beau Van Burrows is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Manning</span> American baseball player (born 1998)

Matthew George Manning is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Tigers selected him in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut in 2021.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Doctors Have Beef With Burger ESPN, March 31, 2009
  2. ↑ MiLB Whitecaps' ballpark damaged in fire: http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140103&content_id=66298102&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb
  3. ↑ WZZM Whitecaps: We will play baseball April 8: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/277494/2/Whitecaps-We-will-place-baseball-April-8
  4. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  6. ↑ Wallner, Peter J. (2019-02-08). "West Michigan Whitecaps find new radio stations for 2019 season". mlive.com. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  7. ↑ "New podcast gives Tigers' farm system a voice". MLB.com. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  8. ↑ "Dan Hasty - Voice Of Detroit Mercy MBB On 910 AM Superstation - Staff Directory". University of Detroit Mercy Athletics. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  9. ↑ "Whammy! 'Anchorman 2' features unexpected footage of West Michigan Whitecaps". M Live. Retrieved 2021-03-07.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.