West Michigan Whitecaps

Franchise history

The Midwest League 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 before they joined the Tigers' farm system in 1997.

Their home ballpark is LMCU Ballpark 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 in the history of the Midwest League to hit for the cycle twice. The Whitecaps went on to defeat the Kane County Cougars in four games to win their fourth Midwest League Championship.

In 2009, the team drew the attention of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine after a 4 lb, 4,800-calorie hamburger 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's "Man v. Food" 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'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.

In 2025, the Whitecaps won the Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year Award.

Regular season

Postseason

The Whitecaps won the best-of-five Midwest League championship six times in six opportunities. They defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 1996, the Rockford Cubbies in 1998, the Kane County Cougars twice (2004 and 2006), the Beloit Snappers in 2007, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels twice, in 2015 and again in 2025. West Michigan is 59–32 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 1997–2000 (331–220)
• Brent Gates 2001 (65–72)
• Phil Regan 2002–2003 (150–130)
• Matt Walbeck 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 2017 (91-45)
• Lance Parrish 2018-2019 (118-160)
• Brayan Peña 2020-2023 (198-183)
• Tony Cappuccilli 2024–present

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 1996
• Jason Beverlin 1995
• Emil Brown 1995
• Ryan Christenson 1996
• Steve Cox 1994
• D. T. Cromer 1994
• Jeff D'Amico 1994, 1995
• Jeff DaVanon 1996
• Mario Encarnacion 1996
• Ben Grieve 1995
• Ramon Hernandez 1996
• Tim Kubinski 1994
• Jason McDonald 1994
• Chris Michalak 1994
• Willie Morales 1994
• Juan Moreno 1996
• David Newhan 1995
• Derrick White 1996
• George Williams 1994

Detroit Tigers affiliation (1997–present)

• Burke Badenhop 2006
• Adam Bernero 1999
• Willie Blair 1997 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
• Brennan Boesch 2007
• Jeremy Bonderman 2009 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
• Dave Borkowski 1997
• Brent Clevlen 2003
• Francisco Cordero 1997
• Nate Cornejo 1999
• Casey Crosby 2009
• Freddy Dolsi 2005
• Eulogio de la Cruz 2004
• Eric Eckenstahler 2000
• Robert Fick 1997
• Jason Frasor 1999, 2000
• Tony Giarratano 2004
• Curtis Granderson 2008 Played three games on rehab assignment
• Jack Hannahan 2001
• Michael Hollimon 2006
• Omar Infante 2000
• Brandon Inge 1999
• Matt Joyce 2006
• Jair Jurrjens 2005
• Kris Keller 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 1999
• Magglio Ordóñez 2008 Played one game on rehab assignment
• Adam Pettyjohn 1998
• Luis Pineda 1999
• Mike Rabelo 2002, 2003
• Ryan Raburn 2002, 2003
• Mike Rivera 1998
• Fernando Rodney 2000
• Kenny Rogers 2007 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
• Cody Ross 2000
• Pedro Santana 1997, 1998
• Ramón Santiago 2000
• Jordan Tata 2004
• Clete Thomas 2005
• Andres Torres 1999
• Andy Van Hekken 2000
• Virgil Vasquez 2004
• Chris Wakeland 1997
• Jeff Weaver 1998
• Joel Zumaya 2003
• Nicholas Castellanos 2011
• Reese Olson 2021

Broadcasting

The Whitecaps returned to "The Ticket West Michigan" for the 2024 season with radio simulcast on four stations: 106.1-FM and 1340-AM in Grand Rapids. For home games, they produce a Radio/TV Simulcast, while the road games are produced as a traditional radio broadcast. Dan Hasty is the Voice of the Whitecaps and has also filled in on Detroit Tigers Radio Play-by-Play, as well as hosting the Road to Detroit Podcast from 2019-2022, as well as serving as TV broadcast voice of Men's Basketball for the University of Detroit Mercy, the Grand Rapids Rise of Major League Volleyball and the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G-League.

In popular culture

B-Roll footage of a game between the Whitecaps and South Bend Silver Hawks at Fifth Third Ballpark, 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

References

1. [https://www.espn.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=4031453 Doctors Have Beef With Burger] ESPN, March 31, 2009
2. MiLB Whitecaps' ballpark damaged in fire: https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-66298102
3. WZZM Whitecaps: We will play baseball April 8: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/277494/2/Whitecaps-We-will-place-baseball-April-8
4. Mayo, Jonathan. (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".
5. (March 16, 2022). "Historical League Names to Return in 2022".
6. (October 6, 2025). "Minor League Baseball Announces 2025 Award Winners".
7. "New podcast gives Tigers' farm system a voice".
8. "Dan Hasty - Voice Of Detroit Mercy MBB On 910 AM Superstation - Staff Directory".
9. "Whammy! 'Anchorman 2' features unexpected footage of West Michigan Whitecaps".