Great Lakes Loons

History

The Midwest League came to Battle Creek, in 1995 after the franchise formerly known as the Madison Hatters moved. The team was first known as the Battle Creek Golden Kazoos. Due to a trademark dispute and general fan dissatisfaction with the name (which is a nickname for the nearby city of Kalamazoo), the name was changed to the Michigan Battle Cats on March 9, 1995.

The team was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox (1995–98) and Houston Astros (1999–2002). The team changed its name to the Battle Creek Yankees after becoming an affiliate of the New York Yankees in 2003. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays took over affiliation of the team after the 2004 season, and the team name was changed to the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays.

In January 2006, the Devil Rays were sold to the non-profit Michigan Baseball Foundation and relocated to Midland, Michigan, in 2007. The team was renamed the Great Lakes Loons. A lack of interest from the Battle Creek community was the main reason for the move. Reduced ticket prices (even a night when fans were actually offered a dollar to come to that night's game) failed to pique the interest of local residents.

Naming rights for the Loons' stadium were purchased by Dow Chemical, which is headquartered in Midland. The company named the stadium "Dow Diamond." Ground was broken on the stadium on April 11, 2006, with construction taking 367 days to complete. In September 2006, the team announced its new affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In November 2006, the Loons named Lance Parrish as the team's first manager since the move to Michigan's Tri-City Area. The first home game was played on April 13, 2007.

After nine seasons in Midland, the Loons went through an overhaul of their logos and brand to give the franchise a fresh, updated look heading into its 10th season in 2016.

On September 18, 2016, the Loons clinched their first Midwest League championship following a 9–8 victory over the Seattle Mariners-affiliated Clinton LumberKings. The Loons won the championship series 3–1, following three-game series victories over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays) and West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers) in the previous rounds. The Loons were managed by Gil Velazquez.

The Loons have hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game on two occasions (2008 and 2017).

On August 23, 2019, the Loons hosted their largest crowd ever of 6,671 people.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Loons 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.

Season-by-season records

Mascot

Lou E. Loon is the team mascot and Ambassador of Fun for the team. He's an energetic bird who loves to dance at home games and make public appearances. The kids' play area at the diamond is named Lou E.'s Lookout in his honor. He often leads fans in his signature cheer, the "Funky Feather", which won "Best In-Game Promotion of the Year" in 2009 for Minor League Baseball. In 2024, Lou E Loon was voted as runner up for the best minor league mascot by USA Today's Reader Choice Awards.

"Rall E. Camel" was introduced as the team's second mascot in April 2012. He is an honorary deputy ambassador of mischief and is an ostensibly goofy addition to the staff of the Great Lakes Loons.

Roster

Notable Great Lakes Loons alumni

• Scott Barlow
• Rafael Betancourt (1996)
• John Buck (1999–2000) MLB All-Star
• Walker Buehler (2016) Combined no-hitter
• Melky Cabrera (2004) MLB All-Star
• Tyler Clippard (2004) 2-time MLB All-Star
• Wade Davis (2006) 3-time MLB All-Star
• Justin Duchscherer (1997) 2-time MLB All-Star
• Dee Gordon (2009) 2-time MLB All-Star; 2015 NL batting title
• Shea Hillenbrand (1997–1998) 2-time MLB All-Star
• Kenley Jansen (2007–2008) 2-time MLB All-Star
• John Jaso (2005)
• Clayton Kershaw (2007) 8-time MLB All-Star; 5-time NL ERA title (2011–2014, 2016); 3-time NL Cy Young Award (2011, 2013–2014) 2020 World Series Champion
• Jason Lane (2000)
• Aaron Miles (1997)
• Roy Oswalt (1999) 3-time MLB All-Star; 2006 NL ERA title
• Lance Parrish (2007, MGR) 8-time MLB All-Star
• Carl Pavano (1997) MLB All-Star
• Joc Pederson (2011) 2-time MLB All-Star
• Chad Qualls (2001)
• Tim Redding (1999)
• Bubby Rossman (2015)
• Carlos Santana (2007) All-Star
• Johan Santana 4-time MLB All-Star; 3-time AL ERA title (2004, 2006, 2008); 2-time AL Cy Young Award (2004, 2006)
• Corey Seager (2014) 5-time MLB All-Star (2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024); 2016 NL Rookie of the Year 2-time World Series MVP (2020, 2023)

Sources

References

References

1. "Midwest League Official Colors (1956 through present)".
2. (April 6, 2021). "Chris Mundhenk Named Great Lakes Loons President & General Manager".
3. "Club Information". Minor League Baseball.
4. "New Great Lake Loons logo evokes summertime in Michigan".
5. Stephen, Eric. (2016-09-18). "Loons win 2016 Midwest League title".
6. Barnhart, Joel. (April 7, 2017). "Loons excited to host Midwest League All-Star Game in June".
7. (26 August 2019). "Great Lakes Loons Set Single-Game Attendance Record".
8. Mayo, Jonathan. (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".
9. (March 16, 2022). "Historical League Names to Return in 2022".
10. Till, Katherine. (February 16, 2023). "Lou E. Loon {{!}} Mascot Hall of Fame".
11. "Lou E. Loon".
12. "Rall E. Camel".
13. "Loons in the Majors".