EVERY SEASON HAS A
STORY.
What’s inside MAKING THE DREAM A REALITY
2-5
2007 TEAM
32
1994 TEAM
6
2008 TEAM
34
1995 TEAM
7
2009 TEAM
35
1996 TEAM
8
2010 TEAM
36
1997 TEAM
9
2011 TEAM
37
11-13
2012 TEAM
39
1998 TEAM
14
2013 TEAM
40
1999 TEAM
15
2014 TEAM
41
2000 TEAM
16
2015 TEAM
42
2001 TEAM
17
2016 TEAM
44
2002 TEAM
19
2017 TEAM
45
2003 TEAM
20
25TH ALL-TIME ROSTER
46
2004 TEAM
21
HONORABLE MENTION
47
2005 TEAM
22
REHAB PLAYERS
48
2006 TEAM
23
DECIDING THE FUTURE
MANAGER MEMORIES
26-31 1
Making the Dream a Reality Familiarity seems to suit the West
their parents before taking children
more than 1,700 home games.
Michigan Whitecaps. Sure, the names
of their own – once again packed the
on the back of the uniforms may
concourse when the Whitecaps hosted
As the team celebrates its 25th
have changed over the years, and
the South Bend Cubs in the home
season, there isn’t much the duo
home debut with a 5-2 win against the
Fifth Third Ballpark has enjoyed a
opener on April 5 and there, somewhere
hasn’t already seen. Sure, another
Burlington Bees on April 12, 1994, but
number of renovations, expansions
in the middle of that throng, were two of
championship would be nice and the fan
the seeds for a franchise located in
and technological improvements, but
the most familiar individuals associated
experience is extremely important, but
West Michigan actually were planted
when the Whitecaps opened the 2018
with the Whitecaps and baseball in
the thing they were really hoping for on
way back in 1980 - if not before even
Midwest League season, fans were
West Michigan.
Opening Night was warm temperatures
then.
and maybe a little sunshine. As most
treated to largely the same welcome
The Whitecaps may have made their
sights, smells and sounds that have
There’s a good chance you’ve
everyone knows, spring in Michigan
Professional
greeted crowds since Minor League
already crossed paths – and perhaps
can be a tad unpredictable and recent
Rapids dates back to the 1880s, when a
Baseball finally returned to the area.
exchanged
experience is no exception.
number of teams came and went during
pleasantries
–
with
Whitecaps owners and founders Denny
2
ago just to bring the franchise to life.
It’s not
baseball
in
Grand
the turn of the century with nicknames
Many of the faces also will be
Baxter and Lew Chamberlin.
downright
like the Furnituremakers and Ganzfelds,
recognizable. Thousands of people
unusual to see them strolling through
That
quaint compared to the hoops and
request
seems
with the Great Depression generally
– many of whom have grown up with
the ballpark, munching on popcorn or a
hurdles Baxter and Chamberlin were
wiping out their existence. Of course,
the team, maybe attending games with
hot dog, during one of the Whitecaps’
forced to navigate more than 30 years
Grand Rapids is also well-known for
the Chicks of the All-American Girls
to bring a team to Wyoming near
Professional Baseball League and “A
Lamar Park.
with curious individuals on the topic,
League of Their Own” movie fame, but
Baxter had plenty of conversations
it, this guy gets it! He knows it all!”
but the project seemed to be spinning
that league disbanded in 1954 and left
Chamberlin, who was then working
its wheels. Nothing clicked until he
that he doesn’t know it all, but he did
West Michigan without a professional
for his family’s business at Alro Steel,
answered the phone and Chamberlin
quickly discover that the pair shared
team for four long decades.
wasn’t exactly thrilled to learn someone
was on the other end.
a vision for a new team and his legal
else was pursuing the same project at
background complemented Baxter’s
It might have stayed that way if
first. Rather than dwell on the prospect,
That hour-long phone conversation
as a Certified Public Accountant. “The
not for a series of columns written by
however, he took some sage advice
led to another, which eventually led to
classic tale of two heads are better than
Corky Meinecke of The Grand Rapids
from his wife, Bettegail Shively.
a sit-down meeting at a restaurant in
one,” Chamberlin said. Chamberlin
Press in 1980 that posited a simple
Chamberlin will be the first to admit
Hudsonville where the fantasy of Grand
then contacted a friend from his law
question: If Minor League Baseball
“When I saw the articles, I was
Rapids Minor League Baseball started
school days to draw up the contract
can work in Evansville, Indiana - then
crestfallen,” Chamberlin said. “Here it
to take shape.
that formed West Michigan Baseball
the home of the Detroit Tigers’ AAA
was, somebody doing exactly what I
affiliate - then why couldn’t it here?
wanted to do. But my wife said, ‘Before
“It was thrilling. I knew from the
Chamberlin read those stories and had
you give up, why don’t you just call the
beginning that not many people knew
the same question. As it turned out, so
guy and see what’s up?’ And that’s what
me and I meant nothing in this town,”
did Baxter.
I did; I called the guy. “I didn’t even
Baxter said. “I didn’t have money,
a stadium, they were having trouble
know what I was looking for.”
I don’t have a business reputation.
finding a team that could relocate to
I’m not (local baseball legend) Bob
West Michigan. Conversely, minus a
Over the next couple of years, Chamberlin
and
Baxter
Development, Inc. and “away we went.” There was only one issue: Without
separately
Baxter, meanwhile, had performed
Sullivan, I’m not Fred Meijer, I’m not
team willing to move to West Michigan,
began pursuing the idea of bringing
a significant amount of initial work,
Rich DeVos. Who was going to listen to
building a new baseball stadium was
Minor League Baseball back to West
investing in preliminary architecture
me? I was desirous of connecting with
going to be a tricky proposition.
Michigan. Neither one had a clue what
plans and a couple marketing studies.
some people. But nobody really came
the other was doing at the time. They
He’d also made a few phone calls of
across as someone who would really
“We’ve always described it as a
were working parallel tracks with the
his own, including one to Pacific Coast
dive in and do this. When I got the call
chicken and egg issue,” Chamberlin
same vision, but progress was painfully
League President Bill Cutler, who had
from Lew, I was really looking for that.
said. “How could you get the county
slow and frequently frustrating. Their
ties to the Grand Rapids area and
I needed someone to help me get this
or the state or whoever to build you
paths might have never crossed if
seemed legitimately excited by the
off the ground. So he came out and we
a stadium if you can’t guarantee them
not for another article in The Grand
prospect of baseball returning to the
talked and it was like he was copying
a team that will play here? And how
Rapids Press, this time written by Greg
area.
my notes. My jaw hit the table. He gets
can we go out and find investors or
Johnson, who linked Baxter to efforts 3
somebody who’s willing to sell us a
Action, to find a way to construct a
the money from investors, get them
there selling air and in some sense
team unless we can honestly say we
stadium, perhaps in Wyoming or Byron
to understand and share your vision.
perhaps so because we didn’t have the
have a place to for them to play? We
Township. Unfortunately, when the
That’s what we did.”
stadium and we didn’t have the team,”
were stuck. We had to pick either the
committee chose to prioritize an arena
Baxter said. “But we had a pretty good
chicken or the egg. So we picked the
– which eventually would become Van
Eventually,
to
case to talk about what Minor League
egg, which was the facility, and went to
Andel Arena - and convention center
secure 26 limited business partners
Baseball in West Michigan could look
work on it.”
- DeVos Place – for public dollar use
and together they purchased a vacant
like and mean to this community.
they
were
able
before a baseball stadium, they realized
piece of land just off highway U.S. 131
Fortunately, we were able to sell that.
For the next six years, the pair
that another path would have to be
in Comstock Park, MI where one of the
What we learned over the course
devoted countless time and energy
found. (For the record, Chamberlin says
only professional baseball stadiums
of those six or seven years is that we
toward finding a way to publicly
the committee was “absolutely right”
constructed strictly with private funding
didn’t have a lot of credibility. We had a
finance a stadium, which is what the
to make those its top two priorities.)
now stands. “We literally went out
great idea, we had the numbers to back
overwhelming majority of minor league
“We pretty quickly came to understand
and found it brick-by-brick. We stuck
it up, we had a plan, but we didn’t have
franchises did at the time. They also
that if we really wanted to get it done
our necks out there, reputation-wise,”
much credibility,” Chamberlin said.
worked with the not-for-profit Grand
in our lifetime we were going to have
Baxter said. “It’s not like it was two guys
“The reason we’re here now is because
Vision Committee, which was founded
to do it another way,” Chamberlin said.
dropping a million dollars each into this
that was the plan all along. Our vision
in 1991 and is now known as Grand
“That other way was to go out and raise
project.”
was that it would always become a tradition in West Michigan and a part of
Of course, there was still the matter
the fabric of our community.”
of finding an actual team to play in this new facility. Fortunately, in the fall
That tradition now includes six
of 1992, Baxter and Chamberlin had
Midwest League championships, 9
started negotiations with the Madison
million fans – and counting - and a
Muskies (Wisconsin) of the Midwest
successful long-term relationship as the
League. Finally, in February 1993,
Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
it was announced that the Muskies would relocate to West Michigan and
construction of a 5,700-seat stadium
have maintained a partnership and
Through it all, Baxter and Chamberlin
that would originally be known as Old
friendship built on a mutual love of the
Kent Park began that spring.
sport. Their personalities may differ slightly – Baxter describes himself as
Above: Stakes marking the future home plate at Old Kent Park. 4
“I always joked that we were out
being a little brasher, while Chamberlin
is more methodical – but the foundation
Looking back, it’s hard to believe
of trust has never wavered. “There’s not
it took this long for Minor League
a better person on the planet,” Baxter
Baseball to find its way back to West
said. “It’s been the biggest blessing
Michigan. If not for an out-of-the-blue
of my life.” Said Chamberlin: “We’ve
phone call from Chamberlin to Baxter,
never been at crosshairs. Ever.”
it may still be only a pipedream instead of an annual destination for thousands
A mutual leap of faith, a little
of fans located throughout the state.
stubbornness and a firm belief that they had the right plan has led to what
is now inarguably one of the most
them once again walking along the
As a result, it won’t be hard to find
successful franchises in all of Minor
concourse, talking to fans, sharing
League Baseball.
memories and, naturally, cheering for the Whitecaps.
“We always said, going back all the
way to the early 80s, that this was not a
bad idea, it was a good idea, just bad
“We’re as big of baseball fans now as
“The passion remains,” Baxter said.
execution,” Chamberlin said. “If it’s
we were back then. It hasn’t gone away.
a good idea, then it’s worth pursuing
The vision lives on.”
until somebody actually drives a nail through the coffin. And nobody could
ever do that.”
quite another thing to turn that into
“It’s one thing to have a dream. It’s
reality,” Chamberlin said. “We still “Believe me, working through this
haven’t seen enough baseball games.
project, there were a lot of folks who
I’m not done watching baseball. I
would literally say to my face, ‘You’re
probably never will be.”
crazy.’” Baxter said. “People did not think that this was going to work. People look at it today, after 25 years, and think it makes perfect sense. Not so much in 1984, ‘85, ‘86 ...”
Top: Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter revealing future plans for Old Kent Ballpark in 1995 Bottom: Old Kent Park 1994
5
1994 RECORD: 74-65 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Rockford (0-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 1994 TEAM: Jason Beverlin Steve Cox D.T. Cromer Jeffrey D’Amico Tim Kubinski Jason McDonald Chris Michalak Willie Morales George Williams (first Whitecap in MLB)
RECORDS & AWARDS: Broke Single A single season attendance record (475,212)
6
1995 RECORD: 67-69 PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-3 Lost in Second Round Opponents: Kane County (2-1) Michigan (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 1995 TEAM: Emil Brown Ben Grieve David Newhan
RECORDS & AWARDS: Broke Single A single season attendance record (507,989)
7
1996 RECORD: 77-61 PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-2 Won Franchise’s 1st MWL Championship Opponents: Lansing (2-1) Rockford (2-0) Wisconsin (3-1)
MLB PLAYERS ON 1996 TEAM: Benito Baez Ryan Christenson Jeff DaVanon Ramon Hernandez Juan Moreno Derrick White
RECORDS & AWARDS: Broke Single A single season attendance record (547,401) 8
1997 RECORD: 92-39 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Fort Wayne (0-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 1997 TEAM: Dave Borkowski Francisco Cordero Mario Encarnacion Robert Fick Pedro Santana Chris Wakeland
RECORDS & AWARDS: Baseball America’s Minor League Team of the Year, Class A Team of the Decade, Third-Best Minor League Team of the Decade, Best record in professional baseball 9
© 2018 Quality Is Our Recipe, LLC.
ECIDING THE FUTURE
to meet with Whitecaps owners Lew
the Whitecaps knew it was time to
Chamberlin and Denny Baxter.
re-evaluate the situation.
“They knew we were thinking
“Frankly,
about changing,” Chamberlin said.
been investing a lot of money in
“Sandy Alderson was a Harvard-
player
educated lawyer, and he was sharp
weren’t focused that way and their
and he was intimidating. He really
minor league system was kind of
couldn’t understand why we would
in shambles and non-competitive
even consider making a move like
and they really weren’t doing much
that. Denny and I kind of explained
about it,” Chamberlin said. “But
what our thinking was, which had
when John McHale was named the
everything to do with the geographic
new president of the Tigers and
proximity and marketing.”
Randy Smith was hired as the GM,
the
Tigers
development.
hadn’t
They
just
they were refocusing on player “Let’s face it: This is a Tiger town.”
development and investing in their amateur scouting and their player
If Sandy Alderson and Billy Beane
that season drew to a close, so did
had their way, the West Michigan
their two-year player development
opportunity
Tigers
really transforming the franchise.
Whitecaps would be celebrating
contract, which gave the Whitecaps
organization after the 1994 season
That’s when we said, ‘OK, this is the
their 25th season as the minor league
a two-week window in September to
when their original one-year contract
time to jump.’ ”
affiliate of the Oakland Athletics
explore new deals with other teams.
with the Athletics ended. But after
instead of their 22nd – and counting
For example, a certain Michigan-
examining the state of Detroit’s
There have been no regrets.
- with the Detroit Tigers.
based major league franchise.
player development system, the
Located only about 160 miles from
Whitecaps didn’t think it was the right
Detroit, the Whitecaps have enjoyed
Exploring a potential partnership
time to switch and instead resigned
a stellar prospect pipeline that
was
with the Tigers certainly was a logical
with Oakland. That appeared to be
has resulted in five more Midwest
unsuccessful. In fact, West Michigan
move. That’s why Alderson, who was
a prudent move, especially after
League titles and scores of talented
won the 1996 Midwest League
then the Athletics’ general manager,
West Michigan won the ’96 crown.
players who would graduate to the
championship as a member of the
and Beane, the assistant GM, flew
But when Tigers owner Mike Ilitch
major leagues, including current
Athletics’ organization. But when
across the country to Grand Rapids
made some new front office hires,
It’s not like the Whitecaps’ original
partnership
with
Oakland
The Whitecaps first had the to
join
the
development system. They were
11
That wasn’t necessarily the case in ’96, Chamberlin said. “It was a tough decision and we agonized with it. In fact, it was such a topic of discussion in our family that (son) Joe made what he called the ‘Decision Maker,’” he said. “It was this oddly shaped papier-mache ball that he put together and devised even without the Tigers because
kind of like a Magic 8-Ball. He cut
this
for
a bunch of little pieces in there and
professional baseball, and because
they all had different answers. ‘What
we had a great staff that was going
should we do?’ Then the answer
to promote it and we had a great
would come out, ‘Ask (Whitecaps
facility, but I think the fact that we
President) Scott Lane.’ Or my favorite
Posthumus, and Tigers GM Randy Smith at a
are affiliated with the Tigers is truly
that I pulled when I looked at it the
press conference in 1996
the icing on the cake.
other day was ‘Cry.’ ”
Above: Denny Baxter, Senator Dick
community
“It’s
probably
was
ready
more
West Michigan had plenty of
Tigers Nicholas Castellanos, Dixon
important than icing. It’s a big part of
even
success during its three-season run
Machado and James McCann.
our success.”
in
Oakland’s
year,
“I think the fact we are a Tigers
Each
established
The current affiliation between
Class A attendance records with
West Michigan and Detroit Player
475,212 and 507,989 fans before
maximize our popularity with the
Development Contract goes through
setting the single-season attendance
baseball fan base here in West
2020.
record of 547,401 during the ’96
Michigan,”
won’t be a difficult decision for the
said.
“I
think we would have done well 12
organization.
Whitecaps
affiliate has really allowed us to
Chamberlin
the
Extending
Whitecaps.
that
contract
Midwest
League
championship
dream.
season. Overall, they went 218-195
“It just makes so much sense.
and reached the playoffs twice as
Let’s face it, the one thing that I
an affiliate of the Athletics, while
think characterizes Denny and me
establishing a foothold in the greater
is that we’re fans,” Chamberlin said.
Grand Rapids sports scene.
“We both grew up Tigers fans and I was one of those kids that went to
“They were great to work with. At
sleep at night with a transistor radio
that time, they were owned by Walter
listening to Ernie Harwell. I’ve been
A. Haas Jr. and they were a really
a Tigers fan all my life.”
great ownership group,” Chamberlin said. “They believed in community service and having the players involved in the communities in which they were playing, which matchedup well with our philosophy.” As
fruitful
relationship
as
may
the have
Oakland been,
a
partnership with the Tigers was always in the plans for Chamberlin and
Baxter,
Whitecaps
even
threw
out
before
the
their
first
pitch in 1994. When you grow up rooting for legends like Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan, it’s hard not to have that Right: Al Kaline throws out a ceremonial first pitch in 1997 13
1998 RECORD: 83-57 PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-2 Won Championship (2nd for franchise) Opponents: Michigan (2–1) Clinton (2–0) Rockford (3–1)
MLB PLAYERS ON 1998 TEAM: Rodney Lindsey Shane Loux Matt Miller Adam Pettyjohn Michael Rivera Jeff Weaver
14
1999 RECORD: 68-72 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-0 Didn’t make playoffs for the first time in franchise history
MLB PLAYERS ON 1999 TEAM: Adam Bernero Nate Cornejo Jason Frasor Brandon Inge Kris Keller Eric Munson Luis Pineda Andres Torres
RECORDS & AWARDS: Baseball America Class A Organization of the Decade 15
2000 RECORD: 88-52 PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Dayton (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2000 TEAM: Eric Eckenstahler Omar Infante Fernando Rodney Cody Ross Ramon Santiago Max St. Pierre Andy Van Hekken
16
2001 RECORD: 65-72 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-0 Didn’t make playoffs
MLB PLAYERS ON 2001 TEAM: Jack Hannahan Nook Logan Mark Woodyard
17
Where Story Happens
2002 RECORD: 83-57 PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-2 Lost in Second Round Opponents: Dayton (2-0) Lansing (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2002 TEAM: Don Kelly Mike Rabelo Ryan Raburn
19
2003 RECORD: 67-73 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-0 Didn’t make playoffs
MLB PLAYERS ON 2003 TEAM: Brent Clevlen Scott Moore Humberto Sanchez Joel Zumaya
20
2004 RECORD: 69-70 PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-3 Won Championship (3rd for franchise) Opponents: Lansing (2–1) South Bend (2–0) Kane County (3–2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2004 TEAM: Eulogio De La Cruz Tony Giarratano Cristhian Martinez Brian Rogers Jordan Tata Virgil Vasquez
21
2005 RECORD: 73-70 PLAYOFF RECORD: 2-2 Lost in Second Round Opponents: Fort Wayne (2–0) South Bend (0–2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2005 TEAM: Randor Bierd Brent Dlugach Freddy Dolsi Jeff Frazier Luke French Jair Jurrjens Wilkin Ramirez Chris Robinson Dusty Ryan Jay Sborz Clete Thomas Kevin Whelan
22
2006 RECORD: 89-48 PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-2 Won Championship (4th for franchise) Opponents: Fort Wayne (2–1) Lansing (2–0) Kane County (3–1)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2006 TEAM: Burke Badenhop Anthony Claggett Michael Hollimon Matt Joyce Cameron Maybin Will Rhymes Jay Sborz RECORDS & AWARDS:
Cameron Maybin named Prospect of the Year for the Midwest League and Tigers Minor League Player of the Year. Pitcher Burke Badenhop named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Whitecaps Manager Matt Walbeck named Low Class A Manager of the Year by Baseball America.
23
Top Left: Whitecaps get ready to storm the field after clinching the 2006 Midwest League Championship Bottom Left: Midwest League President George Spelius speaks to the crowd after the Whitecaps win the 2006 Midwest League Championship Top Right: Players celebrate in the clubhouse with Manager Matt Walbeck 24
25
WHITECAPS MANAGERS LOOK BACK ON THEIR TIME IN WEST MICHIGAN
A seemingly infinite number of
While West Michigan is commonly
manager - Phil Regan, Colborn had
memories already have been packed
used as a springboard up baseball’s
never been to the Grand Rapids area
into 25 seasons of West Michigan
ranks, even for managers, all five were
prior to being hired. Once the blisters
Whitecaps baseball.
all more than happy to take a look back
healed and he arrived in Grand Rapids,
at their time spent at Fifth Third Ballpark.
he was more than impressed with the
Games
played,
player
names,
championships won. It has produced an
JIM COLBORN (1994-95)
and the vision and generosity of the
endless array of stories and recollections,
The Whitecaps’ first-ever manager
especially from the managers tasked
figures the Oakland Athletics picked
with molding young men into major
the perfect person to lead the nascent
“From the beginning they were
league prospects.
franchise in their inaugural season. Either
exceptionally well-organized, had a great
that or they just got lucky.
management team and did things you
Whether they were taking a break
front office.
normally wouldn’t see,” Colborn said.
from roaming the fields down in Florida
“I think they decided to send me off
for spring training or simply moving
into the place they knew the least about,
from tee to tee on a golf course, we
which was the new franchise in West
managed to catch up with five men who
Michigan,” he said with a chuckle. “I
with the results of its new affiliate.
helped shaped the Whitecaps over the
don’t know, maybe I was the lamb being
During Colborn’s first-ever managerial
years - Jim Colborn, Bruce Fields, Matt
sent off to slaughter.”
experience, the Whitecaps qualified for
Walbeck, Tom Brookens and Andrew
26
passion instantly generated by the fans
“They really took care of our players.” Oakland must have been pleased
the playoffs and set a Class A attendance
Graham - to see what they remembered
Despite marching in wooden shoes
record in their debut season. They would
from their time in West Michigan.
during a Tulip Time parade in Holland
repeat those two feats in his second, and
with his friend - and future Whitecaps
ultimately final year at the helm.
Jim Colborn
“From my point of view, it was a
Colborn said. “They were always trying
outfield, hold his own offensively and
marriage from the get-go,” Colborn
to make a great experience for these
knew how to play baseball. He was off
said. “The stuff they wanted to do and
young professional baseball players.”
and running with a utility man career. ”
same. It was wonderful right from the
He also helped several players
BRUCE FIELDS (1997-2000)
beginning.
advance in their careers, including 1998
When he was hired as manager
American League Rookie of the Year
in 1997, Bruce Fields was a little more
Ben Grieve. But it was a lesser known
familiar
player who may have inspired some of
Colborn. Fields had a friend who lived
Colborn’s best work.
in the area and was familiar with Grand
the stuff I wanted to do was exactly the
“I
made
some
missteps,
but
hopefully nobody knew about it.” Following the 1995 season, Oakland
with
West
Michigan
Rapids from his playing days in Detroit.
promoted Colborn to its High A team
During
the
in Modesto in the California League,
Whitecaps
were
where he managed for one season
available infielders when he noticed
after
before spending several years as a scout
a pickup truck in the parking lot with
as
and coach for the Seattle Mariners, Los
a California license plate that read
Jamestown Jammers of
Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
LUVS2TRN2. The vehicle belonged to
the New York-Penn
These days, he is enjoying his retirement
David Newhan, who had been converted
League. He also
by traveling, playing golf and “practicing
from an infielder to an outfielder while at
immediately
being good at doing nothing.”
Pepperdine University.
enjoyed
Still, he has fond memories of his
than
1995
season,
running
short
the on
Bruce Fields
Fields
joined
spending the
the two
manager
of
Whitecaps seasons the
Colborn immediately started giving
time spent with the Whitecaps, whether
Newhan regular infield work, and he
it was hosting the 1995 Midwest League
eventually parlayed that into an eight-
All-Star Game or enjoying a ferry ride
year career in the majors with five teams.
across Lake Michigan for a road trip in Wisconsin.
“Absolutely not a prospect in any
way, shape or form,” Colborn said. “That
was
something
that
was
“But there was absolutely a role for
exemplary of the how the Whitecaps
him as a player who could
worked in connection with the team,”
play infield and 27
success as the Whitecaps went 92-
helping players realize their full potential.
“By the time he comes around third,
39 and finished with the best winning
percentage in all of baseball before
One notable example was Cody
losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Ross, who spent the 2000 season in West
Unbeknownst to the Whitecaps,
Michigan on his way to a 12-year major
however, was the stipulation that it had
They rebounded nicely in 1998,
league career that included a World
to be a player from the home team.
laughing at the memory. “You should
beating Rockford in four games to claim
Series ring with the 2010 San Francisco
So as Dubose was celebrating with his
have seen the look on Brian’s face. It was
the Midwest League championship.
Giants.
teammates in the visitor’s locker room, a
like someone had stolen his dog.”
he’s got that money spent,” Fields said. The celebration didn’t last much longer.
member of the organization’s front office
“That was huge,” Fields said. “That
“He surprised me with the career
approached Dubose, apologized and
was a team that wasn’t quite as good or
he had,” Fields said. “I mean, he was a
handed him a giant stack of Wendy’s
well-rounded as the first team, but we
good player, don’t get me wrong, but
ended up getting the hits at the right
obviously he got better and better and
time, the pitching was a little better and
went on to have a good career. He was a
everything just came together.”
good kid, too.”
Following
another
postseason
Then there was Brian Dubose. The
appearance in 2000, Fields was named
first baseman may not have made it to
manager of Detroit’s AAA affiliate in
the majors, but he did provide Fields
Toledo, where he spent two seasons
with one of his favorite stories from his
before joining the Tigers as hitting
first season.
coach. He also spent several years as a hitting coach in the Cleveland Indians
organization before returning to Detroit,
County, which was running a promotion
where he now holds the title of minor
tied to a giant baseball glove located
league hitting coordinator.
beyond the wall in right-center field. Any
The Whitecaps were playing in Kane
player who hit the bullseye in the center
28
coupons as a consolation prize.
Fields still fondly recalls his time in
of the glove would win $100,000. Or so
Grand Rapids, whether it was enjoying
the thinking went. As luck would have it,
meals at Vitale’s in Comstock Park or
Dubose crushed a ball that was right on target.
Bruce Fields
“It was horrible,” Fields said, still
MATT WALBECK (2004-06)
As it turned out, the Whitecaps
of Rancho Cordova, Calif., where he
The trajectory of Matt Walbeck’s
were fortunate to have him too. In his
enjoys spending time with his family and
managerial career began on the last day
first year at the helm, the Whitecaps
helping young players develop a passion
of the 2003 major league season. That
finished in fifth place in the first-half
for the game.
was the year the Detroit Tigers went 43-
standings, only to close the year on a
119 and came within one loss of tying
24-6 run and win the Midwest League
the 1962 New York Mets for the most in
title. Walbeck and West Michigan won
it,” Walbeck said. “I have a lot of friends
modern baseball history. Walbeck had
another championship in 2006 led by
who are still in the game, but I’m not
appeared in 59 games that season when
future major leaguers Cameron Maybin,
bitter or anything. I just love baseball
he was called to meet with manager
Matt Joyce and Will Rhymes.
and I’ve been lucky to be able to say I’ve
Alan Trammell and general manager Dave Dombrowski.
“I don’t miss the professional side of
done what I love since I was a little kid.” “We had so many good players come through the system. The Tigers’
“They were telling me how much
farm system at that time was just loaded
they appreciated what I brought to the
with talent,” Walbeck said. “They gave
Tigers as a player, but there wasn’t going
me so much freedom. It was just a real
to be a spot for me on their team next
good, wholesome feeling, one that I
year,” Walbeck recalled. “But they did
never really experienced again as a
say they would love to have me stay in
coach in the minor leagues.”
the organization and manage.”
Walbeck was promoted to the Tigers’
“I told my wife, ‘I think I’m going to
AA affiliate in Erie in 2007 and promptly
take it because if I can’t play for one of
won the Eastern League Manager of the
the worst teams in the history of major
Year Award. He then spent a year as the
league baseball, it’s probably time to
third base coach for the Texas Rangers
make a change and move on to the
before returning to the Eastern League
next part of my career in baseball.’ I
as the manager of the Altoona Curve.
was fortunate to get the job with West Michigan.”
These days, he runs the Walbeck
Baseball Academy in his hometown
Matt Walbeck 29
TOM BROOKENS (2007)
mark. Highlighted by eight Midwest
2013. Now, he spends his days golfing,
ANDREW GRAHAM (2014-16)
League All-Stars, the Whitecaps beat
fishing and playing with his grandson in
Beloit in five games to claim back-to-
his native Pennsylvania.
familiar with West Michigan when he
Prior to being named the seventh
manager
in
franchise
history,
Tom
Brookens actually spent a month during
back league titles.
Andrew Graham was already quite
was named manager of the Whitecaps. “It keeps me busy. I never seem to
In 2004, he had won a championship
West Michigan (and not just at one of
“We had a great team that year, there
be at a loss to find something to do,”
playing for Walbeck as a young catching
their favorite mutual places, Boulder
was no doubt about it,” Brookens said.
he said. “I look back on it and think
prospect.
Creek Golf Club).
“I even think the Tigers organization
what a great ride. In all my baseball
could have taken guys from us during
experiences, that year I spent in Grand
He also spent part of the 2005
the summer and moved them up, but
Rapids ranks right there as one of my
season in West Michigan before moving
they didn’t because we were winning.”
most fun summers in all of baseball.”
the 2006 season helping Walbeck in
Brookens
had
returned
to
professional baseball in 2005 and spent two seasons managing the Oneonta Tigers in the New York-Penn League
That team included future major
before replacing Walbeck.
leaguers
Brennan
Boesch,
Gorkys
Hernandez and Scott Sizemore, but “I jumped at that chance because
Brookens said the Whitecaps couldn’t
it was a reason to get out of extended
have won it all without key contributions
spring training and be around the
from lesser-known prospects such as
team and have some fun,” Brookens
Diek Scram.
said. “The Whitecaps have always had a great reputation. Even speaking
“He was a player that maybe
with the young ballplayers at the time,
wouldn’t get projected to get to the big
everybody wants to move up the ladder,
leagues, but this kid came and played
but whenever they found out that they
every day and became such a big part of
were moving to Grand Rapids most of
our success,” Brookens said.
them were pretty happy.”
30
Brookens ultimately only spent one
Following that season, Brookens was
promoted to Erie, where he spent two
season in West Michigan, but that was
seasons before serving as the Tigers’
more than enough time to make his
first base coach until retiring in Pitching coach Ray Burris, Manager Tom Brookens, Hitting Coach Benny Distefano
his way up through the minors. While
day and actually get away from the field
“He always called me his dad. The
“All four years I was there were
rehabbing from Tommy John surgery
was great,” Graham said.
day we traded him (to Tampa Bay), he
special in their own right,” Fields said. “It
came into the office and broke down in
was a good time and I got treated well
in 2008, though, he spent some time working with other catchers in Lakeland
The
Whitecaps
were
able
to
tears because he was excited but also
by the West Michigan folks. Everybody
and it left an impression with the Tigers’
generate results on the field as well,
scared that he was leaving the only little
treated me well.”
brass. After playing for Australia in the
and in Graham’s second season they
family he knew in America,” Graham
2009 World Baseball Classic, Graham
defeated Cedar Rapids in five games to
said. “But he’s going to turn out to be an
arrived at spring training to learn that his
claim their sixth championship in 2015.
amazing big league player.”
said. “I was glad I was there.”
now was going to be honed as the minor
FOND RECOLLECTIONS
league catching coordinator.
wanted to win,” Graham said. “I actually
The future is largely unwritten for
made the comment to somebody,
Lance Parrish as the 13th manager in
talent for working with younger players
“You could just tell that these guys
“They saw there wasn’t room for me
‘We’re going to win this thing.’ The team
franchise history, but it’s a safe bet that
at the higher levels, but they asked me if
came together so well. Obviously, we
his tenure will include two milestones:
I wanted to become a player-coach,” he
had some pieces from the draft, but the
some measure of on-field success and
said. “Then next year they told me I was
guys wanted it and every day I saw them
a lasting admiration for the Whitecaps
going to be a manager. … I’ve basically
want it.”
organization and greater West Michigan
done it all expect pitching coach.”
“They were special days,” Colborn
community. After three seasons, Graham was
He
after
promoted to Lakeland for the 2017
with
season and will serve as the manager for
to find a former manager who would say
Erie in 2018.
otherwise.
an opportunity to explore the West
Despite still being a relatively young
“As a player you always heard
Michigan area a little more thoroughly
manager – he turned 36 on April 22 –
you wanted to go to West Michigan,”
than he did as a player, including trips
Graham already is enjoying positive
Graham said. “It’s great to play at a nice
to the lakeshore for wine tasting with his
feedback from players he helped along
ballpark and in a great city where the
wife.
the way, including former Whitecaps
support is amazing. They made you feel
shortstop Willy Adames, who had a little
at home.”
a
joined
three-year
the
Whitecaps
managerial
stint
Connecticut. Not only did the promotion
After all, you would be hard-pressed
advance his career, but it also gave him
“Having places within an hour drive
where you can enjoy yourself on an off
trouble initially adjusting to life away
Andrew Graham
from his native Dominican Republic. 31
2007 RECORD: 83-57 PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-2 Won Championship (5th for franchise) Opponents: Lansing (2-0) South Bend (2-0) Beloit (3-2) MLB PLAYERS ON 2007 TEAM: Duane Below Brennan Boesch Angel Castro Casey Fien Charlie Furbush Gorkys Hernandez Luis Marte Guillermo Moscoso Scott Sizemore RECORDS & AWARDS: Diek Scram earns the “Star of Stars” Award at the Midwest League AllStar Game, Tom Brookens wins Manager of the Year, Gorkys Hernandez named MVP of the Midwest League, Whitecaps LHP Duane Below wins Tigers Minor League Pitcher of 32
the Year
Top Left: Owner Lew Chamberlin passes out championship t-shirts to the 2007 Midwest League Champions. Top Right: The West Michigan Whitecaps with the 2007 Midwest League Championship flag Bottom Left: Ray Burris, Lew Chamberlin, Tom Brookens, Benny Distefano and Denny Baxter hold the 2007 Championship Trophy 33
2008 RECORD: 73-76 PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: South Bend (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2008 TEAM: Alex Avila Andy Dirks Alfredo Figaro Mauricio Robles Bryan Villareal Thad Weber Casper Wells
RECORDS & AWARDS: Whitecaps LHP Jon Kibler named Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year 34
2009 RECORD: 83-57 PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Great Lakes (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2009 TEAM: Casey Crosby Avisail Garcia Melvin Mercedes Hernan Perez Luke Putkonen Adam Wilk Bryan Villareal
35
2010 RECORD: 62-77 PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Lake County (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2010 TEAM: Rob Brantly Jose Ortega Giovanni Soto Jacob Turner Avisail Garcia Melvin Mercedes Hernan Perez
36
2011 RECORD: 70-69 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-0 Didn’t make playoffs
MLB PLAYERS ON 2011 TEAM: Curt Casali Nick Castellanos Jeff Ferrell Brian Flynn James McCann Steven Moya Bruce Rondon Kyle Ryan Rob Brantly Melvin Mercedes Hernan Perez
37
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2012 RECORD: 72-68 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-0 Didn’t make playoffs
MLB PLAYERS ON 2012 TEAM: Warwick Saupold Chad Smith Eugenio Suarez Steven Moya Kyle Ryan Melvin Mercedes Jeff Ferrell Curt Casali
RECORDS & AWARDS: Shortstop Eugenio Suarez wins Rawlings Gold Glove Award
39
2013 RECORD: 69-70 PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-0 Didn’t make playoffs
MLB PLAYERS ON 2013 TEAM: Corey Knebel Guido Knudson Angel Nesbitt Chad Smith Jake Thompson Devon Travis Jose Valdez
40
2014 RECORD: 82-58 PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Fort Wayne (1-2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2014 TEAM: Chad Green Buck Farmer Artie Lewicki Joe Mantiply Zac Reininger
RECORDS & AWARDS: Wynton Bernard is named Midwest League MVP NOTABLE: Buck Farmer made MLB debut and pitched for the Whitecaps in the same season
41
2015 RECORD: 75-64 PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-3 Won Championship (6th for franchise) Opponents: Fort Wayne (2–0) Lansing (2–1) Cedar Rapids (3–2)
MLB PLAYERS ON 2015 TEAM: Joe Jimenez Artie Lewicki
42
Top Left: Pitcher Joe Jimenez celebrates after the final pitch to clinch the Midwest League Championship in Cedar Rapids, IA against the Kernels. Top Right: Players storm the field to celebrate with pitcher Joe Jimenez Bottom Left: 2015 Whitecaps holding the Midwest League Championship flag and trophy 43
2016 RECORD: 71-65 PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-3 Lost in Second Round Opponents: South Bend (2-1) Great Lakes (1-2)
44
2017 RECORD: 91-45 PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-2 Lost in First Round Opponents: Dayton (1-2)
RECORDS & AWARDS: Best record in professional baseball, Midwest League record of pitching 28 shutouts for a season 45
25th season All-Time Opponents We’ve had the privilege of enjoying many great Whitecaps players throughout our 24 seasons of Midwest League baseball. However, we would be remiss not to pay tribute to the stars from opposing teams who also saw action at Old Kent Park and Fifth Third Ballpark. These were difficult choices, no doubt. But one thing is for sure – many of the greats in recent memory have played right here, in West Michigan!
CF
LF
RF
CARLOS BELTRAN
RAUL IBANEZ
SS
Appleton - 1994
3B MIGUEL CABRERA Kane County - 2001
Lansing - 1996
ALEX RODRIGUEZ
TORII HUNTER
Fort Wayne - 1994
2B IAN KINSLER
Appleton - 1994
1B
Clinton - 2004
P
ALBERT PUJOLS Peoria - 2000
CLAYTON KERSHAW Great Lakes - 2007
CLOSER
STARTING PITCHERS MARK BUEHRLE JAKE PEAVY
46
Burlington -1999 Fort Wayne -2000
ROY OSWALT
Michigan -1999
JOHAN SANTANA
Michigan -1999
C JOE MAUER
Quad Cities - 2002
BILLY WAGNER
Quad Cities -1994
DH DAVID ORTIZ
Wisconsin -1996
Honorable Mention
Future All-Stars (2010-PRESENT)
The following players were up for consideration, but after much debate, came up just a bit short. However, there was no way we could leave this group off the list entirely.
While it might be too early to put these players on our All-Time list, they’re all well on their way to MLB stardom.
PLAYER
TEAM YEAR
PLAYER
TEAM YEAR
MIKE SWEENEY
Rockford 1994
WIL MYERS
Burlington 2010
PLACIDO POLANCO
Peoria 1995
DIDI GREGORIOUS
Dayton 2010
AJ PIERZYNSKI
Fort Wayne
1996
CODY ALLEN
Lake County
AJ BURNETT
Kane County
1998
MIGUEL SANO
Beloit 2012
CARLOS ZAMBRANO
Lansing 1999
JAVIER BAEZ
Peoria
2012
ADAM DUNN
Dayton 2000
FRANCISCO LINDOR
Lake County
2012
JOSH BECKETT
Kane County
2000
JOSE RAMIREZ
Lake County
2012
JOSE VALVERDE
South Bend
2000
NOAH SYNDERGAARD
Lansing 2012
JUSTIN MORNEAU
Quad Cities
2001
AARON SANCHEZ
Lansing 2012
ADRIAN GONZALEZ
Kane County
2001
BYRON BUXTON
Cedar Rapids
2013
JASON BAY
Clinton 2001
COREY SEAGER
Great Lakes
2013
GRADY SIZEMORE
Clinton 2001
CARLOS CORREA
Quad Cities
2013
EDWIN ENCARNACION
Dayton 2002
TREA TURNER
Fort Wayne
2014
YADIER MOLINA
Peoria 2002
PRINCE FIELDER
Beloit 2003
NELSON CRUZ
Kane County
JOEY VOTTO
Dayton 2004
ADAM JONES
Wisconsin 2004
CARLOS GONZALEZ
South Bend
JAY BRUCE
Dayton 2006
JUSTIN UPTON
South Bend
JOHNNY CUETO
Dayton 2006
MIKE MOUSTAKAS
Burlington 2008
2011
2003
2005 2006
47
Major league Rehab Appearances with the Whitecaps WILLIE BLAIR Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on May 23, 1997, at Fort Wayne.
CARLOS GUILLEN Played two games on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on August 6, 2010, against Great Lakes at home and August 7, 2010, at Dayton.
ROBERT FICK Played three games on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on August 2022, 1999, against Clinton at home.
OMAR INFANTE Played two games on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on July 24-25, 2013, against Fort Wayne at home.
BRIAN MOEHLER Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on May 13, 2000, against South Bend at home.
DARIN DOWNS Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on July 25, 2013, against Fort Wayne at home.
DAVE MLICKI Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on August 27, 2000, against Wisconsin at home.
LUKE PUTKONEN Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on May 7, 2014, against Lake County at home and three games on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on August 28, 2014, at Fort Wayne, on August 30, 2014, at home against Great Lakes, and on September 3, 2014, in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs at Fort Wayne.
BRANDON INGE Played one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on August 3, 2010, against Great Lakes at home and four games on July 29-August 1, 2001, against Burlington at home. KENNY ROGERS Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on June 15, 2007, against Dayton at home. CURTIS GRANDERSON Played three games on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on April 18, 2008, against Burlington at home and April 21-22, 2008, against Beloit at home. MAGGLIO ORDONEZ Played one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on July 14, 2008, against Peoria at home. JEREMY BONDERMAN Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on May 16, 2009, against Great Lakes at home.
48
IAN KROL Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on July 4, 2014, at Fort Wayne. ANDY DIRKS Played five games on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment on August 1-3, 2014, against Fort Wayne at home and August 4-5, 2014, at Lake County. SHANE GREEN Pitched for the Whitecaps on May 20, 2016 at Fort Wayne. He pitched three scoreless innings in the Whitecaps 3-1 victory. ANIBAL SANCHEZ Pitched one game on a Tigers’ Major League rehab assignment at South Bend on August 31, 2017.
(All players from the Detroit Tigers)
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