The Lake County Captains are a Minor League Baseball team in

Eastlake, Ohio Eastlake is a city in Lake County, Ohio, Lake County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,577 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. Dennis Morley is the current mayor of Eastlake. The city was named for the fact it is northeast of ...

, a suburb of

Cleveland Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...

, that plays in the

Midwest 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 reorganizat ...

as the

High-A High-A (officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing) is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A and Double-A, and abov ...

affiliate of the

Cleveland Guardians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central division. Since , they have ...

. The Captains joined the Class A Midwest League following the 2009 season in a shuffle caused by the

Columbus Catfish The Columbus Catfish were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The Catfish relocated to Bowling Green, ...

's move to

Bowling Green, Kentucky Bowling Green is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States. Founded by pioneers in 1798, Bowling Green was the provisional capital of Confederate Kentucky during the American Civil War. As of the 2 ...

, for the 2009 season. The move alleviated travel costs and time, as it was the

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its ...

's northernmost team. Prior to the 2003 season, the club was based in

Columbus, Georgia Columbus is a consolidated city-county located on the west-central border of the U.S. state of Georgia. Columbus lies on the Chattahoochee River directly across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the county seat of Muscogee County, with which it ...

, and known as the

Columbus RedStixx The Columbus RedStixx were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and a farm team of the Cleveland Indians. The RedStixx played home games at Golden Park, except during 1996. The ...

. The Captains play their home games in

Classic Park Classic Park is a stadium in Eastlake, Ohio, in suburban Cleveland. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Lake County Captains minor league baseball team. It was built in 2003 at a cost of $22 million under the name Eastl ...

, which has a capacity of 6,157 and opened in 2003 as Eastlake Stadium. The current stadium name is the result of a

naming rights Naming rights are a financial transaction and form of advertising or memorialization whereby a corporation, person, or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, object, location, program, or event, typically for a defined period of t ...

arrangement; the sponsor is Classic Automotive Group, a major area chain of auto dealerships. Classic Park hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 20, 2006.

Franchise regular season win–loss records

Columbus Indians (73–69) *1991: 73–69 Columbus RedStixx (823–711) *1992: 77–62 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) *1993: 86–56 *1994: 87–51 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) *1995: 80–62 (2nd Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) *1996: 79–63 (2nd Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) *1997: 62–76 *1998: 59–81 *1999: 70–71 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) *2000: 67–70 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) *2001: 77–59 *2002: 79–60 (2nd Half Southern Division Champions – SAL) Lake County Captains (853–810 entering 2016) *2003: 97–43 (1st & 2nd Half Northern Division Champions – SAL) (Best regular season record in pro baseball in 2003, min 120 games) *2004: 73–66 *2005: 72–66 *2006: 64–74 *2007: 64–74 *2008: 75–65 (1st Half Northern Division Champions – SAL) *2009: 71–66 *2010: 77–62 (1st Half Eastern Division Champions – MWL & Midwest League Champions) *2011: 53–86 *2012: 71–68 (2nd Half; Clinched MWL Wild Card - Lost in Semifinal Round) *2013: 54–83 *2014: 65–74 (2nd Half; Clinched MWL Wild Card - Lost in Championship Round) *2015: 71–66 *2016: 72–68 *2017: 54–85 *2018: 60–79 *2019: 74–64 (1st Half; Clinched MWL Wild Card - Lost in Quarterfinal Round) *2020: Season Suspended due to Covid-19 Pandemic *2021: 65-55

Franchise records

*Win–loss record entering 2017: 1821-1658 (979–961 as the Lake County Captains) *Longest winning streak: 13 games (May 27 – June 8, 2003) *Longest losing streak: 10 games (June 8–18, 2011) & (April 10–19, 2012) *Pitcher with most wins in a season: Steve Kline, 18 in 1994 (also league leader that year) *Hitter with most home runs in a season:

Russell Branyan Russell Oles Branyan (born December 19, 1975) is an American former professional baseball first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians (two occasions), Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers (two occasions), Ta ...

, 40 in 1996 (also league leader that year)

Playoffs (since 2005)

*2008: Lost to

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...

2-1 in semifinals *2010: Defeated

West Michigan West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrary region in the U.S. state of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Most narrowly it refers to the Grand Rapids- Muskegon-Holland area, and more broadly to most of the region along the Lower Pe ...

2-1 in quarterfinals; Defeated

Great Lakes The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the mid-east region of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. There are five lakes ...

2-1 in semifinals *2012: Defeated

Bowling Green A bowling green is a finely laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of turf for playing the game of bowls. Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding of Thrupp, near Stroud, UK, invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep ...

2–0 in quarterfinals; lost to

Fort Wayne Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 Censu ...

2-0 in semifinals *2014: Defeated

South Bend South Bend is a city in and the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total of 103,453 residents and is the fourt ...

2–0 in quarterfinals; defeated

2–0 in semifinals; lost to Kane County 3–0 in finals *2019: Lost to

2-1 in quarterfinals

Roster

Notable franchise alumni

Chris Archer Christopher Alan Archer (born September 26, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins. Archer attended Cla ...

(2007-2009) 2x MLB All-Star * David Bell (1991) *

(1995-1996) * Roberto HernandezKnown as Fausto Carmona during his tenure with Lake County (2003, 2008-2009, 2012) MLB All-Star * Einar Diaz (1993-1994) *

Alan Embree Alan Duane Embree (born January 23, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Embree played for the Cleveland Indians (1992–1996), Atlanta Braves (1997–1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998), San Francisco Giants (1999–2001), Chic ...

(1991) *

Maicer Izturis Maicer Eduardo Izturis (; born September 12, 1980) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. During his career he played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB ...

(1999-2000) * Steve Kline (1994) *

Ted Kubiak Theodore Rodger Kubiak (born May 12, 1942) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He played as an infielder in Major League Baseball from through , most notably as a member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...

(2010-2011, MGR) *

Tim Laker Timothy John Laker (born November 27, 1969) is an American professional baseball catcher and coach. He was most recently the hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Montreal Expos, Baltimor ...

(2002) *

Francisco Lindor Francisco Miguel Lindor Serrano (born November 14, 1993), nicknamed "Paquito" and "Mr. Smile", is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Cleveland Indian ...

(2012) 2x MLB All-Star *

Albie Lopez Albert Anthony "Albie" Lopez (born August 18, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He graduated from Mesa Community College. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 20th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft. Lopez spent ...

(1992) *

Torey Lovullo Salvatore Anthony "Torey" Lovullo ( ; born July 25, 1965) is an American professional baseball manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB), appointed November 4, 2016. Lovullo served as the first base coach for the Toron ...

(2002, MGR) 2017 NL Manager of the Year * Víctor Martínez (2000) 5x MLB All-Star *

Dave Mlicki David John Mlicki (born June 8, 1968) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). Between 1992 and 2002, he played for the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros. Career Aft ...

(1991) *

Eli Morgan Elijah Allan Morgan (born May 13, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Morgan was selected by the Indians in the eigh ...

(2018) *

Jhonny Peralta Jhonny Antonio Peralta (born May 28, 1982) is a Dominican former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Cleveland Indians signed him as an amateur free agent in his native D ...

(2000) 3x MLB All-Star *

Scott Radinsky Scott David Radinsky (born March 3, 1968) is an American left-handed former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, who had an 11-year career from – and –. Radinsky is also the lead singer of the punk rock band Pulley, former lead singer of ...

(2005, coach) * Jose Ramirez (2012) MLB All-Star *

CC Sabathia Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. (born July 21, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the New York Yankees. He also played for the Cleveland Indians and Milwauk ...

(1999) 6x MLB All-Star; 2007 AL Cy Young Award *

Danny Salazar Danny Dariel Salazar (born January 11, 1990) is a Dominican professional baseball starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. Career Cleveland Indians Salazar signed with the Indians as an international free agent in 2006. He spent two years ...

(2009-2010) MLB All-Star *

Marco Scutaro Marcos Scutaro, better known as Marco Scutaro, (; born October 30, 1975) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. He bats and throws right-handed. Scutaro made his major league debut with the New York Mets in 2002, and subsequentl ...

(1996) MLB All-Star *

Richie Sexson Richmond Lockwood Sexson (born December 29, 1974), nicknamed "Big Sexy", is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for five teams from 1997 to 2008. He is also the field manager for the Windy City ThunderBolts in the ...

(1994) 2x MLB All-Star *

Kelly Stinnett Kelly Lee Stinnett (born February 14, 1970) is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or parts of 14 seasons in the majors, from until . High school years Stinnett attended Lawton High School in Lawton, Oklahoma and was a letter ...

(1991) *

Eric Wedge Eric Michael Wedge (born January 27, 1968) is an American former baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and manager. As a player, Wedge attended Northrop High School in Fort Wayne and played on the school's state champion baseball team in ...

(1998, MGR) 2007 AL Manager of the Year *

Jaret Wright Jaret Samuel Wright (born December 29, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or parts of 11 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Balt ...

(1995) *

Steven Wright Steven Alexander Wright (born December 6, 1955) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and film producer. He is known for his distinctly lethargic voice and slow, deadpan delivery of ironic, philosophical and sometimes nonsensical jok ...

(2007, 2011) MLB All-Star

Captains Call-Up Club

The names of all Captains players and franchise alumni who have advanced to play Major League Baseball are all enshrined in the Lake County Captains Call-Up Club at Classic Park. The Call-Up Club also includes former Captains coaches and managers who've made it to Major League Baseball coaching staffs as well. A new wall of bronze plaques was installed at the main entrance of Classic Park in August of the 2017 season. The previous "Walk of Fame" started in the outfield of Classic Park and was moved to an interior wall of the ballpark near the right field corner of the stadium.

References

External links

*
Statistics from Baseball-Reference
{{Midwest League Baseball teams established in 2003 Midwest League teams Defunct South Atlantic League teams Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates Lake County, Ohio Baseball teams in Cleveland Professional baseball teams in Ohio 2003 establishments in Ohio High-A Central teams