The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a

minor-league Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities/markets. This term is used in No ...

baseball team Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding t ...

based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Goldeyes play in the

American Association of Professional Baseball The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor ...

, which they joined in 2011. Previously, the Goldeyes were members of the

Northern League Northern League may refer to: Sport Baseball * Northern League (baseball, 1902–71), a name used by several minor leagues that operated in the upper midwestern U.S. and Manitoba from 1902 to 1971 * Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010), an indep ...

from 1994 until 2010. The Goldeyes were champions of the Northern League in 1994. They are also three-time champions of the American Association; having won in 2012, and back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. The team is named after the

goldeye The goldeye (''Hiodon alosoides'') is a freshwater fish found in Canada and the northern United States. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hiodontidae, the other species being ''Hiodon tergisus''. The species name ''alosoides'' ...

, a fish usually served as a smoked delicacy and commonly called ''Winnipeg goldeye''.

History

There have been two separate and distinct baseball teams based out of Winnipeg to use the Goldeyes name, each playing in different incarnations of the Northern League. They first played in the original

from 1954 until 1964. During that time, the Goldeyes were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and they won the league championship three times (1957, 1959, and 1960). The Goldeyes returned to the Short Season-A Northern League for one season, 1969, as an affiliate of the

expansion Expansion may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''L'Expansion'', a French monthly business magazine * ''Expansion'' (album), by American jazz pianist Dave Burrell, released in 2004 * ''Expansions'' (McCoy Tyner album), 1970 * ''Expansio ...

Kansas City Royals, but they did not return in 1970, and the entire league shut down after the 1971 season. The Goldeyes name was resurrected in 1994 when the independent league Rochester Aces of the new Northern League relocated to Winnipeg. It was decided the team would take on the name of the former Winnipeg team in honor of the past. In their inaugural season in Winnipeg, the new Goldeyes captured the Northern League championship. The Goldeyes became the longest tenured franchise in the Northern League following the departure of the

St. Paul Saints The St. Paul Saints are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and have played their home games at CHS Field since 2015. They prev ...

Sioux City Explorers The Sioux City Explorers are a professional minor league baseball team based in Sioux City, Iowa, in the United States. The Explorers are members American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball. Si ...

, and

Sioux Falls Canaries The Sioux Falls Canaries are a professional baseball team based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The Canaries are members of the North Division of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major L ...

to the breakaway

American Association American Association may refer to: Baseball * American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891 * American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997 * American Association of Profe ...

in 2005; however, the team would jump to the American Association after the 2010 season. The Goldeyes captured their first American Association championship in 2012, sweeping the

Wichita Wingnuts The Wichita Wingnuts were an independent baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States. The Wingnuts were members of the South Division of the American Association of Professional Baseball. An expansion franchise in the 2008 seas ...

in the finals. The Goldeyes fueled their rivalry with Wichita in 2016, when they defeated the Wingnuts in game five in Wichita for their second American Association championship. Next season, the teams would meet again; this matchup looked as if the Wingnuts won the series in game four after a ground-out won the game and the team began celebrating on the mound. However, the umpire had called a

balk In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. Most of these violations involve pitchers pretending to pitch when they have no intention of doing so. In games played under the Official Baseball R ...

and the strike was re-thrown; the Goldeyes tied the game later in the at-bat and forced a marathon 17-inning game. This was the longest game in American Association history, which they won to play a game five. The Goldeyes would seal back-to-back championships with an 18–2 victory over Wichita at home in Winnipeg. In 2020, the league announced that the Goldeyes would compete as one of six teams in a condensed 60-game season as a result of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

. However, they would not play games at

Shaw Park Shaw Park (formerly CanWest Global Park) is a baseball stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is located adjacent to The Forks, near the city's downtown, and is home to the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. Features Shaw Park ...

, and were instead based at

Newman Outdoor Field Newman Outdoor Field is a baseball stadium in Fargo, North Dakota. It is located on the campus of North Dakota State University and is the home of the independent American Association's Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and the North Dakota State Bison ba ...

(thus sharing a home field with the Fargo Moorhead RedHawks). Due to continued border restrictions, the Goldeyes announced plans to initially play home games during the 2021 season out of The Ballpark at Jackson in

Jackson, Tennessee Jackson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Tennessee, United States. Located east of Memphis, it is a regional center of trade for West Tennessee. Its total population was 68,205 as of the 2020 United States census. Jackson ...

, the former home of the

Jackson Generals The Jackson Generals were a professional baseball team located in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1998 to 2020, they were a part of Minor League Baseball's Southern League (SL) as the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs (1998–2006), Seattle Mari ...

. However, Jackson Mayor Scott Conger notified the teams that the Generals lost their authority to manage the city-owned ballpark when they lost their affiliation with Minor League Baseball and that they were issued an eviction notice to leave the stadium after May 30, nine days after the Goldeyes' May 21 home opener. On June 1, the Goldeyes entered into a new license agreement with the city to continue use of the facility. On July 22, the Goldeyes were granted permission from the federal and provincial governments to return to Shaw Park for games beginning on August 3.

Stadium

From 1994 to 1998, the Goldeyes played their homes games at Winnipeg Stadium, a

Canadian football Canadian football () is a sport played in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed oval-shaped ball into the opposing team's scoring area ( ...

stadium retrofitted for baseball. The team moved into CanWest Global Park (now

), their own baseball-only facility, prior to the 1999 season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Goldeyes played its 2020 season home games at

, and April-July home games in the 2021 season at The Ballpark at Jackson.

Season-by-season records

Playoffs

*1994 season: Defeated

Sioux City Sioux City () is a city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 85,797 in the 2020 census, making it the fourth-largest city in Iowa. The bulk of the city is in Woodbury County ...

3–1 to win championship *1995 season: Lost to

St. Paul Paul; grc, Παῦλος, translit=Paulos; cop, ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ; hbo, פאולוס השליח (previously called Saul of Tarsus;; ar, بولس الطرسوسي; grc, Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς, Saũlos Tarseús; tr, Tarsuslu Pavlus; ...

3–1 in championship *1996 season: Lost to Fargo-Moorhead 2–1 in semifinals *1997 season: Defeated Fargo-Moorhead 3–2 in semifinals; lost to Duluth-Superior 3–2 in championship *1998 season: Lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3–1 in semifinals *1999 season: Defeated

3–0 in quarterfinals; defeated Fargo-Moorhead 3–0 in semifinals; lost to Albany-Colonie 3–1 in championship *2000 season: Lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3–0 in quarterfinals *2001 season: Defeated Fargo-Moorhead 3–2 in quarterfinals; defeated Lincoln 3–1 in semifinals; lost to

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...

3–1 in championship *2002 season: Defeated Lincoln 3–2 in quarterfinals; defeated

3–1 in semifinals; lost to

3–1 in championship *2003 season: Defeated

3–2 in semifinals; lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3–1 in championship *2006 season: Lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3–2 in semifinals *2007 season: Lost to Gary SouthShore 3–2 in semifinals *2008 season: Lost to Gary SouthShore 3–1 in semifinals *2009 season: Lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3–2 in semifinals *2011 season: Lost to

3–2 in semifinals *2012 season: Defeated Fargo-Moorhead 3–0 in semifinals; defeated Wichita 3–0 to win championship *2014 season: Lost to Lincoln 3–2 in semifinals *2016 season: Defeated

3–2 in semifinals; defeated Wichita 3–2 to win championship *2017 season: Defeated Lincoln 3–1 in semifinals; defeated Wichita 3–2 to win championship

Roster

Retired numbers

* 5, Brian Duva * 6, Max Poulin * 21, Donnie Smith * 22, Hal Lanier * 31, Andrew "Ace" Walker

Notable alumni

Dann Bilardello Dann James Bilardello (born May 26, 1959) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and former manager of the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system. A product of Cabrillo College in ...

(1994) * Pete Coachman (1994) * Rich Thompson (1994) * Jim Wilson (1994) *

Jeff Bittiger Jeffrey Scott Bittiger (born April 13, 1962) is a former relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He pitched four seasons in the major leagues, from until . He was the player ...

(1994–1995) *

Mike Cather Michael Peter Cather (born December 17, 1970) is an American professional baseball coach and a former professional baseball right-handed pitcher who appeared in Major League Baseball (MLB) in three seasons (1997–99) for the Atlanta Braves. In ...

(1995) * Steve Springer (1995) * Brad Komminsk (1996) * Terry Lee (1995–1997) *

Steve Pegues Steven Antone Pegues (born May 21, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball player. Career Pegues was drafted in the first round of the 1987 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers and debuted with the Cincinnati Reds on July 6, 1994. During his ro ...

(1997) * Jeff Zimmerman (1997) * Jeff Sparks (1997–1998) *

Scott Lydy Donald Scott Lydy (born October 26, 1968) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Oakland Athletics of the Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the ...

(1998) * Dwayne Hosey (1999) *

Warren Newson Warren Dale Newson (born July 3, 1964) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1991-98. Newson played for the Chicago White Sox (1991–1995), Seattle M ...

(2000) * Erik Plantenberg (2000) * Luis Ortiz (2001) * Bobby Madritsch (2002) *

Pete Rose Jr. Peter Edward "PJ" Rose Jr. (born November 16, 1969) is a former professional baseball player and manager. The son of Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader Pete Rose Sr., Rose Jr. played in the minor leagues for most of his career except ...

(2002) * George Sherrill (2002–2003) * Jalal Leach (2003) *

Wes Chamberlain Wesley Polk Chamberlain (born April 13, 1966) is an American former professional baseball right fielder/left fielder. He played all or parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1990 through 1995, for the Philadelphia Phillies (1990 ...

(1998, 2000, 2004) * Amaury García (2004) * Wilfredo Rodríguez (2004) * Andy Stewart (2004) *

David Manning Sir David Geoffrey Manning, (born 5 December 1949) is a former British diplomat, who was the British Ambassador to the United States from 2003 to 2007. He authored the so-called " Manning Memo", that summarized the details of a meeting between ...

(2005) *

Chad Meyers Chad William Meyers (born August 8, 1975), is a former infielder and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners in parts of four seasons spanning 1999–2003. Career Commonly nicknamed 'Chaddie' ...

(2005) * Shawn Sedlacek (2005) * Reggie Harris (2006) *

Julius Matos Julius Matos (born December 12, 1974) is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in 76 games for the San Diego Padres during the 2002 San Diego Padres season and 28 games for the Kansas City Royals during the 2003 K ...

(2006) * Jimmy Hurst (2006–2007) * Chris Latham (2007) * Walter Young (2007) * Brandon Kintzler (2007 –2008) * Bill Pulsipher (2009) * Juan Díaz (2009–2010) * Bobby Korecky (2010) *

Donzell McDonald Donzell McDonald (born February 20, 1975) is a former outfielder who played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball from 2001 to 2002. Early life Born in Long Beach, California, McDonald grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. He attended Ch ...

(2010) * Brian Myrow (1999–2001, 2011) * Ian Thomas (2009–2011) * Jamie Vermilyea (2011) *

Bárbaro Cañizares Bárbaro Rafael Cañizares Hernandez (; born November 21, 1979) is a Cuban-American former first baseman. Listed at 6' 3", 230 lb., Cañizares batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Havana. Career in Cuba Cañizares played from ...

(2012) * Chris Roberson (2012) *

Yurendell DeCaster Yurendell Eithel DeCaster (born September 26, 1979) is a Dutch professional baseball third baseman. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for Team Netherlands in the 2019 European Baseball Ch ...

(2012–2013) * Tyler Graham (2013) * Ray Sadler (2013–2014) * Ryan Bollinger (2014) * Mike Wilson (2015) *

Jailen Peguero Jailen Lorenzo Peguero (born January 4, 1981) is a Dominican professional baseball relief pitcher who is a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks. His uncle, Leo Peguero, was a minor league player in the Yankee ...

(2015–2016) *

Winston Abreu Winston Leonardo Abreu Soler (born April 5, 1977) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. At age 16, he was signed by the Atlanta Braves as a minor league free agent on July 2, 1993. He bats and throws right-handed. He played in Majo ...

(2016) *

Evan Rutckyj Evan P. Rutckyj (born January 31, 1992) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Niigata Albirex of the Baseball Challenge League. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 16th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Car ...

(2017) * Tyler Herron (2018) * Tommy Mendonca (2018) * Reynaldo Rodríguez (2018) *

Dave Sappelt David J. Sappelt (born January 2, 1987) is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. On June 9, 2015, the Boston Red Sox signed Dave to a Minor League contract. He ...

(2018) *

Reggie Abercrombie Reginald Damascus Abercrombie (born July 15, 1980) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins and Houston Astros. Professional career Abercrombie graduated from Columb ...

(2014–2019) * Josh Romanski (2016-2019) * Willy García (2019) *

Brandon Cumpton Brandon Tyler Cumpton (born November 16, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft and made his MLB debut for them in 2013. He att ...

(2020) *

Josh Lucas Joshua Lucas Easy Dent Maurer (born June 20, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in various films, including ''American Psycho'' (2000), '' You Can Count on Me'' (2000), '' The Deep End'' (2001), '' A Beautiful Mind'' (200 ...

(2020) * Darnell Sweeney (2020) *

Eric Wood Eric Wood (born March 18, 1986) is a former American football center. He played college football at the University of Louisville and was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (28th overall) by the Buffalo Bills of the National Foo ...

(2020) * Kyle Martin (2019–2021) * Bud Norris (2021)

References

Sources

Goldeyes official website

nlfan.com
– yearly league standings and awards

External links

Winnipeg Goldeyes official site

CJNU broadcasts all Winnipeg Goldeyes games

nlfan.com Winnipeg Goldeyes Guide

nlfan.com Rochester Aces Guide
{{Baseball in Canada American Association of Professional Baseball teams Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010) teams Baseball teams established in 1994