The Modesto Nuts are a Minor League Baseball team of the

California League The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major L ...

and the

Single-A Class A, also known as Single-A and sometimes as Low-A, is the fourth-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States, below Triple-A, Double-A, and High-A. There are 30 teams classified at the Single-A level, one for each ...

affiliate of the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion ...

. They are located in

Modesto, California Modesto () is the county seat and largest city of Stanislaus County, California, United States. With a population of 218,464 at the 2020 census, it is the 19th largest city in the state of California and forms part of the Sacramento-Stockton- ...

, and are named for the several types of nuts grown in the region. They play their home games at

John Thurman Field John Thurman Field is a stadium in Modesto, California. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Modesto Nuts minor league baseball team of the California League. It was built in 1955 and holds 4,000 people. It was later n ...

, which opened in 1955. The Nuts adopted their current name in 2005 after the team's affiliation with the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The t ...

ended. Before then, the team was known as the Modesto Athletics (or A's) from 1975 to 2004. The club was also known as the Modesto Reds (1966–1974 and 1946–1961) and Modesto Colts (1962–1964).

History

On June 2, 2006, manager Chad Kreuter resigned to become the head baseball coach of the

University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...

. Kreuter replaced his father-in-law, Mike Gillespie. As of 2012, the club is managed by

Lenn Sakata Lenn Haruki Sakata (born June 8, 1954) is an American former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility player from 1977 to 1987 and was a member of the Baltimore Orioles 1983 World Series Championship tea ...

who replaced the winningest coach in Modesto Nuts history Jerry Weinstein who was promoted to the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fi ...

at the conclusion of the 2011 season. In spring 2008, the team was the subject of

Bush League TV Bush League is a website and Internet video show for young men. The site covers sports, technology, gadgets, video games, girls, and popular culture, with videos consisting of how-tos, interviews, and behind-the-scenes event footage. History ...

's short internet video "Bush League 101: How to Bush League a Bush League Baseball Team." On June 21, 2011, the Modesto Nuts hosted the 2011 California/Carolina All Star Smash. In 2012, Greg Young was replaced by Alex Margulies who did play-by-play for all home and away games from 2012–2013, and ''

Modesto Bee ''The Modesto Bee'' is a California newspaper, founded in 1884 as the ''Daily Evening News'' and published continuously as a daily under a variety of names. Before its purchase by Charles K. McClatchy and McClatchy Newspapers in 1924, it merged ...

'' sports writer Brian VanderBeek did color commentary in the middle innings of most home games. Keaton Gillogly has been doing play-by-play since 2014. The play-by-play position was formerly held by Joshua Suchon, who now works for the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League West, West division. Established in 1883 i ...

. On September 1, 2012, Modesto Nuts 1st Basemen Jared Clark hit his 24th Home Run of the season against the San Jose Giants making him the Modesto Nuts single season Home Run leader passing former Nuts outfielder

Kent Matthes Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces th ...

, who in 2011 set the old record with 23 Home Runs in the season. As of 2011, the Modesto Nuts have set their attendance record for five straight seasons and have been honored as Back to Back California League Organization of the Year for 2010 and 2011. Following the 2016 season, the Seattle Mariners purchased a majority share of the Nuts, and the teams entered into a player development contract making Modesto a Mariners affiliate. HWS Baseball IV, LLC, continues to see to the team's day-to-day operations. The Nuts won the California League championship for 2017, sweeping both the Division Series and the League Series and winning nine games in a row dating back to the last three games of the regular season.Cortez, Joe
"Modesto Nuts sweep way to California League pennant"
''Modesto Bee''. September 16, 2017. Retrieved on October 4, 2017. This was the Nuts' ninth league title and the first as part of the Mariners organization. In conjunction with

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (A ...

's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Nuts were organized into the Low-A West where they continued as a Mariners affiliate at the Low-A classification. In 2022, the Low-A West became known as the California League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a

circuit. On May 11th, 2022 the Seattle Mariners named Veronica Hernandez as General Manager, the first female GM in team history. Additionally, Hernandez is the first Latina GM in minor league baseball history

Mascots

The Modesto Nuts have three mascots: Al the Almond, Wally the Walnut and Shelley the Pistachio.

Roster

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...

alumni *

Sparky Anderson George Lee "Sparky" Anderson (February 22, 1934 – November 4, 2010) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player, coach, and manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third ...

(1967, MGR) Inducted, 2000 *

Rollie Fingers Roland Glen Fingers (born August 25, 1946) is an American former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three teams between 1968 and 1985, when his effectiveness helped to redefine the value of relievers within baseba ...

(1966) Inducted, 1992 *

Rickey Henderson Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is an American retired professional baseball left fielder who played his 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with hi ...

(1977) Inducted, 2009 *

Reggie Jackson Reginald Martinez Jackson (born May 18, 1946) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Cali ...

(1966) Inducted, 1993 * Tony LaRussa (1966) Inducted, 2014 * Joe Morgan (1963) Inducted, 1990 *

Ted Simmons Ted Lyle Simmons (born August 9, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1968–1980), the Milwau ...

(1968) Inducted, 2020 Notable alumni *

Nolan Arenado Nolan James Arenado (; born April 16, 1991) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Arenado is widely recognized as an elite third baseman, both offensively and defensively. ...

(2011) 6 x MLB All-Star * Tony Batista (1994) 2 x MLB All-Star *

Charlie Blackmon Charles Cobb Blackmon (born July 1, 1986), nicknamed "Chuck Nazty", is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2011, as a member of the Rockies. Blackmon throw ...

(2009, 2016) 2 x MLB All-Star; 2017 NL Batting Title * Mike Bordick (1987, 1995) MLB All-Star *

Tom Burgmeier Thomas Henry Burgmeier (born August 2, 1943) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and Oakland A's from 1968 to 1984. He has also served as the p ...

(1962–1963) * Pedro Borbon (1968) *

Jose Canseco José Canseco Capas Jr. (born July 2, 1964), nicknamed Parkway Jose, Mr. 40-40 and El Cañonero Cubano (The Cuban Cannon), is a Cuban-American former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder and designated hitter. During his time with the Oakla ...

(1984) 6 x MLB All-Star; 1986 AL Rookie of the Year; 1988 AL Most Valuable Player * Ron Coomer (1988) MLB All-Star * José Cruz (1968) 2 x MLB All-Star *

Nelson Cruz Nelson Ramón Cruz Martínez Jr. (born July 1, 1980) is a Dominican-American professional baseball designated hitter and right fielder who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas ...

(2004) 5 x MLB All-Star * John Denny (1972) 1976 NL ERA Leader; 1983 NL Cy Young Award *

Corey Dickerson McKenzie Corey Dickerson (born May 22, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies (2013–2015), Tampa Bay Rays (2016–20 ...

(2012, 2015) MLB All-Star * Dave Duncan (1966) MLB All-Star *

Jermaine Dye Jermaine Trevell Dye (born January 28, 1974) is an American former professional baseball right fielder. Dye grew up in Northern California and was a multi-sport star at Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville. Dye attended Cosumnes River College in ...

(2002) MLB All-Star; 2005 World Series Most Valuable Player * Andre Ethier (2004) 2 x MLB All-Star * Dexter Fowler (2007) MLB All-Star * Bob Forsch (1969–1970) * Mike Gallego (1981, 1985) *

Jason Giambi Jason Gilbert Giambi (; born January 8, 1971) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. In his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, which began in 1995, Giambi played for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yan ...

(1993) 5 x MLB All-Star; 2000 AL Most Valuable Player *

Kevin Gregg Kevin Marschall Gregg (born June 20, 1978) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Florida / Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Toronto ...

(1998) *

Ben Grieve Ben Grieve (born May 4, 1976) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He batted left and threw right. In his nine-season career, he played with the Oakland Athletics (–), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (–), Milwaukee Brewers (), and C ...

(1995–1996) MLB All-Star; 1998 Rookie of the Year * Von Hayes (2004, MGR) MLB All-Star *

Jay Howell Jay Canfield Howell (born November 26, 1955) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds (1980), Chicago Cubs (1981), New York Yankees (1982–1984), Oakland Athletics (1985–1987), Los Angeles Dodgers (1988–1992), ...

(1986) 3 x MLB All-Star *

Rick Honeycutt Frederick Wayne Honeycutt (born June 29, 1954) is an American former professional baseball coach and pitcher. Honeycutt pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for six different teams over 21 years, from 1977 to 1997. He pitched in 30 post-season ...

(1991) 2 x MLB All-Star; 1983 AL ERA Leader * Al Hrabosky (1969) * Hisashi Iwakuma (2017) MLB All-Star *

Matt Keough Matthew Lon Keough ( ; July 3, 1955 – May 1, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher from through for the Oakland Athletics (1977–1983), New York Yankees (1983 ...

(1975) MLB All-Star * Darren Lewis (1989) * Ryan Ludwick (2000) MLB All-Star * Bake McBride (1970–1971) MLB All-Star; 1974 NL Rookie of the Year *

Mark McGwire Mark David McGwire (born October 1, 1963), nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 2001 for the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Card ...

(1984–1985) 12 x MLB All-Star; 1987 Rookie of the Year * Willie Montanez (1968) MLB All-Star *

Dwayne Murphy Dwayne Keith Murphy (born March 18, 1955) is an American former player who spent most of his career playing for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder. During much of his time in Oakland, Murphy batted second in t ...

(1975, 1986) * Miguel Olivo (2000) *

Joe Rudi Joseph Oden Rudi (born September 7, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a left fielder between and , most prominently as an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...

(1966) 3 x MLB All-Star *

Dick Stuart Richard Lee Stuart (November 7, 1932 – December 15, 2002), nicknamed "Dr. Strangeglove", was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a first baseman from 1958 to 1966 then, played in the Nippon Prof ...

(1951) MLB All-Star * Nick Swisher (2003) MLB All-Star * Kevin Tapani (1986–1987) *

Miguel Tejada Miguel Odalis Tejada ( Tejeda; born May 25, 1974) is a Dominican former professional baseball shortstop who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for six teams, most notably the Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles, befo ...

(1996) 6 x MLB All-Star; 2002 AL Most Valuable Player * Mickey Tettleton (1981–1983, 1985–1987) 2 x MLB All-Star * Troy Tulowitzki (2005, 2008) 5 x MLB All-Star * Lee Walls (1951) MLB All-Star * Walt Weiss (1985, 1989) MLB All-Star; 1988 AL Rookie of the Year * Brad Ziegler (2004)

References

External links