The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Minor League Baseball team of 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 reorganiza ...

and 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

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...

. They are located in

Comstock Park, Michigan Comstock Park is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,088 at the 2010 census. The community is located within Alpine Township to the west and Plain ...

, a suburb of

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...

, and play their home games at

LMCU Ballpark 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 ballpar ...

Franchise history

The

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 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 ...

before they joined the Tigers' farm system in 1997. Their home ballpark is

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 The Kane County Cougars are an independent professional baseball team located in Geneva, Illinois and are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball (MLB). They play their h ...

in four games to win their fourth Midwest League Championship. In 2009, the team drew the attention of the

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a non-profit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., which promotes a plant-based diet, preventive medicine, and alternatives to animal research, and encourages ...

after a , 4,800-calorie

hamburger A hamburger, or simply burger, is a food consisting of fillings—usually a patty of ground meat, typically Ground beef, beef—placed inside a sliced bun or bread roll. Hamburgers are often served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles ...

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". 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 Travel Channel (stylized as Trvl Channel since 2018) is an American pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which had previously owned the channel from 1997 to 2007. The channel is headquartered in New York, New York, United ...

's "

Man v. Food ''Man v. Food'' is an American food reality television series. It premiered on December 3, 2008 on the Travel Channel. The program was originally hosted by actor and food enthusiast Adam Richman. In each episode, Richman explores the "big food" o ...

" 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. Thanks to extensive work, the park was restored and up and running by opening day. 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 (AL) ...

's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Whitecaps were organized into the High-A Central. 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.

Regular season

Postseason

The Whitecaps won the best-of-five

championship six times in six opportunities. They defeated 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 in the Fox Cities, and are na ...

in 1996, the

Rockford Cubbies Rockford or Rockfords may refer to: Places United States * Rockford, Illinois, a city, the largest municipality of this name * Rockford, Alabama, a town * Rockford, Idaho, a census-designated place * Rockford metropolitan area, Illinois, a United ...

in 1998, the

twice (2004 and 2006), the

Beloit Snappers The Beloit Sky Carp are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Beloit, Wisconsin, and play their home games at ABC Supply Stadium. They previously played at Harry ...

in 2007, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2015. West Michigan is 55–32 all-time in playoff games.

Oakland Athletics affiliation

Detroit Tigers affiliation

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

Bruce Fields Bruce Alan Fields (born October 6, 1960) 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 ...

1997–2000 (331–220) * Brent Gates 2001 (65–72) * Phil Regan 2002–2003 (150–130) *

Matt Walbeck Matthew Lovick Walbeck (born October 2, 1969) 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 coac ...

2004–2006 (231–179) * Tom Brookens 2007 (83–57) * Joe DePastino 2008–2010 (215–201) * Ernie Young 2011–2012 (142–135) * Larry Parrish 2013 (69-70) * Andrew Graham 2014–2016 (228-187) *

Mike Rabelo Michael Gregory Rabelo (born January 17, 1980) is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played with the Detroit Tigers and Florida Marlins from 2006 to 2008. He is currently the Third Base Coach and Major League Field Coordinator for th ...

2017 (91-45) * Lance Parrish 2018-2019 *

Brayan Pena Brayan is a masculine given name. Notable people with this name include: Association football (soccer) * Brayan Angulo (footballer, born 1989), Colombian footballer * Brayan Angulo (footballer, born 1993), Colombian footballer * Brayan Beckeles ( ...

2021

Roster

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)

Benito Baez Benito may refer to: Places * Benito, Kentucky, United States * Benito, Manitoba, Canada * Benito River, a river in Equatorial Guinea Other uses * Benito (name) * ''Benito'' (1993), an Italian film See also * ''Benito Cereno'', a novella by Herm ...

1996 * Jason Beverlin 1995 *

Emil Brown Emil Quincy Brown (born December 29, 1974) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 to 2009 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, ...

1995 *

Ryan Christenson Ryan Alan Christenson (born March 28, 1974) is an American professional baseball former outfielder, minor league manager, and current bench coach for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played six seasons in MLB with the Athl ...

1996 * Steve Cox 1994 *

D. T. Cromer D. T. Cromer (born March 19, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player. He graduated from Lexington High School in Lexington, South Carolina and played baseball in college at the University of South Carolina. He went on to play b ...

1994 * Jeff D'Amico 1994, 1995 * Jeff DaVanon 1996 *

Mario Encarnacion is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the '' Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his cre ...

1996 *

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 Chi ...

1995 * Ramon Hernandez 1996 * Tim Kubinski 1994 * Jason McDonald 1994 *

Chris Michalak Christian Matthew Michalak (born January 4, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) left-handed pitcher who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds between 1998 and 2006, and a c ...

1994 * Willie Morales 1994 * Juan Moreno 1996 * David Newhan 1995 *

Derrick White A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and ...

1996 * George Williams 1994

Detroit Tigers affiliation (1997–present)

* Burke Badenhop 2006 *

Adam Bernero Adam Gino Bernero (born November 28, 1976) is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. Bernero has pitched for the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals. Bernero signed with the ...

1999 *

Willie Blair William Allen Blair (born December 18, 1965) is an American former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball and current pitching coach for the West Michigan Whitecaps. Playing career Blair played baseball for Morehead State University b ...

1997 Pitched one game on rehab assignment * Brennan Boesch 2007 *

Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Allen Bonderman (born October 28, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Bonderman batted and threw right-handed. High school Bonderman attended Pasco High School in Pasco, Washington. In his last year of high school ...

2009 Pitched one game on rehab assignment *

Dave Borkowski David Richard Borkowski (born February 7, 1977) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher He began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career in 1999 with the Detroit Tigers, and briefly appeared with the Baltimore Orioles in 200 ...

1997 *

Brent Clevlen Brent Aaron Clevlen (born October 27, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played parts of four major leagues seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. Personal life Clevlen graduated from Westwood High Sch ...

2003 *

Francisco Cordero Francisco Javier Cordero (born May 11, 1975) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, and Housto ...

1997 *

Nate Cornejo Nathan John Cornejo (born September 24, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2001 to 2004 for the Detroit Tigers. Early life Cornejo was born in Wellington, Kansas. His fath ...

1999 * Casey Crosby 2009 * Freddy Dolsi 2005 * Eulogio de la Cruz 2004 * Eric Eckenstahler 2000 *

Robert Fick Robert Charles Fick (born March 15, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2002, he was named to the American League All-Star Team. Career The left-handed batter, who throws right-handed, attended Ventura College and later tr ...

1997 * Jason Frasor 1999, 2000 * Tony Giarratano 2004 *

Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson Jr. (born March 16, 1981), nicknamed the "Grandyman", is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Ange ...

2008 Played three games on rehab assignment * Jack Hannahan 2001 * Michael Hollimon 2006 *

Omar Infante Omar Rafael Infante n-FAHN-tay(born December 26, 1981) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Miami M ...

2000 *

Brandon Inge Charles Brandon Inge ( ; born May 19, 1977) is an American former professional baseball third baseman and catcher and currently a volunteer assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team. He played 12 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, on ...

1999 * Matt Joyce 2006 * Jair Jurrjens 2005 *

Kris Keller Kristopher Shane Keller (born March 1, 1978) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the majority of his career in the Detroit Tigers organization. High school Although born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Keller attended Duncan ...

1999 * Don Kelly 2002 * Rodney Lindsey 1998 * Nook Logan 2001 * Shane Loux 1998, 1999 * Bobby Lynch 2014 * Cameron Maybin 2006 * Matt Miller 1998 * Dave Mlicki 2000 Pitched one game on rehab assignment * Brian Moehler 2000 Pitched one game on rehab assignment * Scott Moore 2003 *

Eric Munson Eric Walter Munson (born October 3, 1977) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current minor-league baseball coach. He was the third overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers, behind Josh Hamilton and Jos ...

1999 * Magglio Ordóñez 2008 Played one game on rehab assignment * Adam Pettyjohn 1998 * Luis Pineda 1999 *

2002, 2003 * Ryan Raburn 2002, 2003 * Mike Rivera 1998 * Fernando Rodney 2000 *

Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted m ...

2007 Pitched one game on rehab assignment *

Cody Ross Cody Joseph Ross (born December 23, 1980), nicknamed "Toy Cannon" and "Ross the Boss," is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 12 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (2003), Los Angeles Do ...

2000 *

Pedro Santana Pedro Santana y Familias, 1st Marquess of Las Carreras (June 29, 1801June 14, 1864) was a Dominican military commander and royalist politician who served as the president of the junta that had established the First Dominican Republic, a pr ...

1997, 1998 * Ramón Santiago 2000 *

Jordan Tata Jordan Arthur Tata (TAY-ta) (born September 20, 1981) is a retired major league pitcher. Tata made his major league debut on April 6, 2006 against the Texas Rangers in a 10-6 win. For college he attended Sam Houston State. He is 6 feet 6 ...

2004 * Clete Thomas 2005 * Andres Torres 1999 *

Andy Van Hekken Andrew William Van Hekken (born July 31, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Early years He attended Lakeview Elementary School and later Holland High School in Michigan. Professional career Van Hekken was drafted by the ...

2000 * Virgil Vasquez 2004 *

Chris Wakeland Christopher Robert Wakeland (born June 15, 1975) is a former professional baseball player who played Major League Baseball, appearing in ten games for the Detroit Tigers in . Wakeland was drafted by the Tigers out of Oregon State University in t ...

1997 *

Jeff Weaver Jeffrey Charles Weaver (born August 22, 1976) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, he pitched for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinal ...

1998 *

Joel Zumaya Joel Martin Zumaya (born November 9, 1984) is a former American professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers from 2006 through 2010. Baseball career Zumaya was drafted out of Bonita Vista High School ...

2003 *

Nicholas Castellanos Nicholas Alexander Castellanos (; born March 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds ...

2011

Broadcasting

In February 2019, the Whitecaps extended their broadcasting contract with

Cumulus Media Cumulus Media, Inc. is an American broadcasting company and is the third largest owner and operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States behind Audacy and iHeartMedia. As of June 2019, Cumulus lists ownership of 428 stations in 8 ...

, 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. 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, as well as serving as radio voice of Men's Basketball for the University of Detroit Mercy.

In popular culture

B-Roll footage of a game between the Whitecaps and

South Bend Silver Hawks 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 ''*sunþa ...

Fifth Third Ballpark 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 ballpa ...

, 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.

References

Notes Sources * Dinda, J. (2003), "Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the Midwest League," http://www.mwlguide.com/cities/grandrapids/index.html * Official site of the West Michigan Whitecaps, History http://www.whitecaps-baseball.com/BALLPARK/history.html * Official site of the West Michigan Whitecaps, All-Time Roster http://www.whitecaps-baseball.com/TEAM/allroster.html

External links

*
Statistics from ''Baseball-Reference''
{{Grand Rapids, Michigan Baseball teams established in 1994 Professional baseball teams in Michigan Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates Midwest League teams Sports in Grand Rapids, Michigan 1994 establishments in Michigan High-A Central teams