The Rockford Expos was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams located in

Rockford, Illinois Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, located in the far northern part of the state. Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County (a small portion of the city is located in Ogle County). ...

from 1988 to 1999. The Expos were Rockford's first entity 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 ...

and Rockford teams were minor league affiliates of the

Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...

(1988–1992),

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

(1993–1994),

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

(1995–1998) and

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

(1999), hosting home games at

Marinelli Field Marinelli Field is a stadium in Rockford, Illinois located in Blackhawk Park and is overseen by the Rockford Park District. It is primarily used for baseball. The ball field is in the north end of Blackhawk Park and is bounded by 15th Avenue (n ...

. After minor league first began in Rockford in 1871, Rockford hosted various teams in different minor leagues. The Rockford Expos were immediately preceded in Rockford by the

Rockford Rox The Rockford Rox was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Rockford, Illinois, between 1871 and 1949. In an era of early baseball, Rockford hosted teams in numerous leagues beginning in 1871. From 1916 to 1923, the Rox p ...

(1947–1949) of the

Central Association The Central Association was an American minor league baseball league. It began operations in 1908, as it was essentially renamed from the 1907 Iowa State League. The Central Association ran continuously through 1917. It was reorganized thirty yea ...

. In 2000, the Rockford franchise moved to

Dayton, Ohio Dayton () is the sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County. The 2020 U.S. census estimate put the city population at 137,644, while Greater Day ...

, where the franchise played in the Midwest League and continues play today as the

Dayton Dragons The Dayton Dragons are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Dayton, Ohio, and play their home games at Day Air Ballpark, formerly known as Fifth Third Field. In 2 ...

History

Minor league baseball began in Rockford, Illinois with the 1871

Rockford Forest Citys Rockford Forest Citys (officially the Forest City Club), from Rockford, Illinois was one of the first professional baseball clubs. Rockford played for one season during the National Association inaugural year of . They are not to be confused wit ...

, who were one of the earliest professional teams. In 1947, the

returned minor league baseball to Rockford after a 24–year absence. 34 years after the Rockford Rox last played, Rockford became home to the Rockford Expos in 1988. The Midwest League's expansion occurred in 1988 when the Rockford Expos and

South Bend White Sox South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz' ...

joined the Class A level, 14–team league. The 1988 Expos finished third in attendance (158,674), were second in the northern division in the first half (39–29) and won the division in the second half (45–27). The Expos but lost in the postseason to the

Kenosha Twins The Kenosha Twins were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from 1984 to 1992. They began play in the Midwest League in 1984 when the Wisconsin Rapids Twins relocated. The team played their home games at Simmons Fie ...

. The 1989 Rockford Expos finished with a record 34–32 in the first half, winning the second half with a 40–27 record. Managed by

Mike Quade Gregory Michael Quade (pronounced: KWAH-dee) (born March 12, 1957) is an American professional baseball coach and manager. The manager of the Rochester Red Wings, Triple-A farm system affiliate of the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball fro ...

, the 1989 Expos drew 139,338 fans (6th in the MWL). In the playoffs, the Expos lost to the South Bend White Sox, 2 games to none. In 1990, the Rockford Expos finished the first half with a 34–34 record and were last with a 22–46 second half. The team drew 140,864 fans (5th in the 14–team league). The 1991 Rockford Expos finished second in both halves with a 76–61 overall record. Attendance was 66,524, (12th in the league) as Pat Kelly and Rob Leary managed the team. The 1992 Expos finished with a record of 66–70, with a home attendance total of 50,900 in 1992 (9th place). After the 1992 season, the Rockford franchise agreed to eventually become an affiliate of the

. An existing agreement with the

Peoria Chiefs The Peoria Chiefs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team was established in 1983 as the Peoria Suns. They are located in Peoria, Illinois, and are named for the Peori ...

prevented the Cubs from leaving as a Peoria affiliate until 1994. So, Rockford, became a

affiliate for the next two seasons. The newly named Rockford Royals finished with a 78–54 overall record in 1993, playing under Manager

Mike Jirschele Michael John Jirschele (; born March 3, 1959) is an American professional baseball coach who is the current manager of the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He previously served as manager of the Storm Chasers ...

. The Rockford Royals won the first–half northern division title with a 43–22 record. The Royals finished the regular season 1.0 games behind the

Clinton Giants Clinton is an English toponymic surname, indicating one's ancestors came from English places called Glympton or Glinton.Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. ''A Dictionary of Surnames''. Oxford University Press, 1988 Clinton has frequently been used as a given ...

for the top Midwest League record, with attendance of 68,206. The Royals lost in the 1st round in the playoffs, two-games to zero to the South Bend White Sox. Rockford was dominant in 1994, capturing a first-place finish in both halves (44–25 and 45–25), while drawing 70,527 fans. The Rockford Royals won their opening playoff series, beating the

West Michigan Whitecaps 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. ...

two–games to zero. Rockford then lost 3 games to 1 to the

Cedar Rapids Kernels The Cedar Rapids Kernels are Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and play their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels are owned ...

in the 1994 Midwest League finals. As planned, Rockford became the Rockford Cubbies in 1995. The Rockford Cubbies finished 75–65 overall in 1995 under manager was

Steve Roadcap Steven Craig Roadcap (born September 13, 1960, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA) is the former manager, for two years, of the Reading Phillies, the Double-A affiliate of the Major League Baseball team the Philadelphia Phillies and other minor leagu ...

. Rockford lost in the first round of the playoffs to the

Beloit Brewers Beloit may refer to Places in the United States * Beloit, Alabama * Beloit, Georgia *Beloit, Iowa *Beloit, Kansas * Beloit, Ohio *Beloit, Wisconsin * Beloit (town), Wisconsin, adjacent to the city of Beloit *Beloit Township, Mitchell County, Kansas ...

two–games to zero. The Cubbies drew 110,052 fans, 10th in the league. In 1996 the Cubbies finished 70-65 overall and drew fans 102,479 (11th). They defeated the Beloit Brewers two-games to one in the playoffs, but fell to the West Michigan WhiteCaps two–games to zero in the semifinals. The 1997 Rockford Cubbies finished 66–66 overall under manager Rubén Amaro and missed the playoffs. The team drew 86,716 (11th). In 1997, the Rockford franchise was sold to Sherrie Myers. The plan was announced to eventually move the franchise to

. This move of the franchise eventually took place in 2000. The last year for the Rockford Cubbies was 1998. Rockford finished last in the first half in the central division at 32–39. The Cubbies then won the second half at 39–29. In the playoffs, the Rockford Cubbies beat the

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, a town on the outskirts of Appleton, Wisconsin, Appleton in the Fox ...

(2–1) and the

Fort Wayne Wizards A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...

(2–0) to advance to the Midwest League Finals. The Cubbies lost 3 games to 1 in the finals against the West Michigan Whitecaps. They drew 75,600 (11th). The Rockford Reds played 1999 as a

affiliate in Rockford's final Midwest League season. The Rockford Reds finished 45–24 in the first half to capture the Central Division first half crown. The Reds finished 31–39 in the second half of the season for an overall record of 76–63. The Rockford Reds played the franchises final games in losing in the first round of the postseason to two–games to zero the

. After the 1999 season, Rockford moved to Dayton, Ohio as planned and became the

, who remain as members of the Midwest League.

The ballparks

In 1947–1949, the Rockford Rox played at Blackhawk Park. The ballpark was located within the park, located at 101 15th Avenue. Built in 1988, the Rockford Midwest League teams played at

. Still in use today, Marinelli Field is located at 101 15th Avenue, Rockford, Illinois.

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

Miguel Batista Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez (born February 19, 1971) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Ari ...

(1990-1991) *

Greg Colbrunn Gregory Joseph Colbrunn (born July 26, 1969) is an American former Major League baseball player and hitting coach. Primarily a first baseman during his active career, the Fontana, California, native played in the Major Leagues for 13 seasons (1 ...

(1988) *

Johnny Damon Johnny David Damon (born November 5, 1973) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1995 to 2012. During his MLB career, Damon played for the Kansas City Royals (1995–2000), Oakland ...

(1993) 2x MLB All-Star *

Delino DeShields Delino Lamont DeShields (born January 15, 1969), also nicknamed "Bop", is an American former professional baseball second baseman and current first base coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He played for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ...

(1988) *

Adam Dunn Adam Troy Dunn (born November 9, 1979), nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American former professional baseball left fielder and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nation ...

(1999) 2x MLB All-Star;

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is an entity established by Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds franchise that pays homage to the team's past through displays, photographs and multimedia. It was instituted in 1958 to recognize the ...

Kyle Farnsworth Kyle Lynn Farnsworth (born April 14, 1976) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Chicago Cubs (1999–2004), Detroit Tigers (2005, 2008), Atlanta Braves (2005, 2010), New York Yankees (2006–2008), Kansas City Royals ...

(1996) *

Sal Fasano Salvatore Frank Fasano (; born August 10, 1971) is an American former professional baseball catcher, who played for nine different Major League Baseball (MLB) teams over his 11-year big league career. Upon retiring as a player, he became a coach ...

(1994) * Kevin Foster (1989) *

Geremi Gonzalez Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso (born 20 December 1978), known simply as Geremi, is a Cameroonian former footballer. He was a versatile player able to play at right back, right midfield or defensive midfielder, known for his power, pace, combative st ...

(1995) *

Willie Greene Willie Louis Greene (born September 23, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his nine-year stint in the major leagues, Greene played for four teams: the Cincinnati Reds (1992–1998), th ...

(1990) *

Mark Grudzielanek Mark James Grudzielanek (; born June 30, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop. Grudzielanek played for six different teams during his 15-season career. He batted and threw right-handed. He was most recently the ma ...

(1992) MLB All-Star *

Chris Haney Christopher Deane Haney (born November 19, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1991–2000 and in 2002 for the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Re ...

(1990) *

Eric Hinske Eric Scott Hinske (born August 5, 1977) is an American professional baseball coach and retired outfielder and first baseman who is currently the assistant hitting coach for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hinske played in the ...

(1998) 2002 AL Rookie of the Year *

Austin Kearns Austin Ryan Kearns (born May 20, 1980) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2002 through 2013 for the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and ...

(1999) *

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 ...

(1989–1990) *

Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse (; born October 4, 1978) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers ...

(1998) * Ramon Martinez (1994) *

Corky Miller Corky Abraham Phillip MillerZingler, David"Corky Miller: What's in a name?" ''Minnesota Public Radio'': "The Bleacher Bums" (April 21, 2005). (born March 18, 1976) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and currently coaches the Dayton Drago ...

(1999) * Jose Molina (1996) *

Rodney Myers Rodney Luther Myers (born June 26, 1969) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for ...

(1993) *

Chris Nabholz Christopher William Nabholz (born January 5, 1967) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos (1990–1993), Cleveland Indians (1994), Boston Red Sox (1994) and Chicago Cubs (1995). He batted and threw ...

(1989) *

Will Ohman William McDaniel Ohman (born August 13, 1977) is a German–born American former professional baseball pitcher. He attended Ponderosa High school in Parker, Colorado. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, L ...

(1998) * Carlos Perez (1992) MLB All-Star *

Al Reyes Rafael Alberto "Al" Reyes (born April 10, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-handed pitcher and career reliever, he played for seven teams; debuting on April 27, 1995, with the Milwaukee Brewers and playing for the Baltimore ...

(1991) *

Mel Rojas Melquíades Rojas Medrano (born December 10, 1966) is a Dominican former Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher. From 1990 to 1999, he played for the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League a ...

(1988) *

Kirk Rueter Kirk Wesley Rueter ( ; born December 1, 1970), nicknamed "Woody", is an American former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Rueter played for the Montreal Expos and the San Francisco Giants. Early life Rueter was born in Centralia, Illi ...

(1992)

San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame Oracle Park is a Major League Baseball stadium in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Since 2000, it has been the home of the San Francisco Giants. Previously named Pacific Bell Park, SBC Park, and AT&T Park, the stadium's curren ...

Glendon Rusch Glendon James Rusch (; born November 7, 1974) is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies. Early life Rusch pla ...

(1993–1994) *

Matt Stairs Matthew Wade Stairs (born February 27, 1968) is a Canadian former professional baseball outfielder, first baseman, and designated hitter, who holds the record for most pinch-hit home runs in Major League Baseball (MLB) history with 23. His pinch ...

(1989) *

Mike Sweeney Michael John Sweeney (born July 22, 1973) is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, first as a catcher, then at first base and designated ...

(1994) 5x MLB All-Star;

Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

Gabe White Gabriel Allen White (born November 20, 1971) is a former American professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to . White gave up Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn's final hit of his career, on October 6, 2001, while pitchi ...

(1992) *

Mark Wohlers Mark Edward Wohlers (born January 23, 1970) is a former professional baseball pitcher. A right-hander, he played all or parts of 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, exclusively as a relief pitcher. He is best known for his years with the Atlanta ...

(1999) MLB All-Star

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rockford Rox Defunct baseball teams in Illinois Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in Illinois Sports teams in Rockford, Illinois 1988 establishments in Illinois 1999 disestablishments in Illinois Baseball teams established in 1988 Baseball teams disestablished in 1992 Rockford, Illinois Defunct Midwest League teams Montreal Expos minor league affiliates Winnebago County, Illinois Ogle County, Illinois

History

The ballparks

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

See also

References