Batavia Muckdogs

Batavia Muckdogs
Founded in 1939
Batavia, New York
Team logoCap insignia
Class-level
Current Short-Season A
Previous Class-D
Minor league affiliations
League New York–Penn League (1939–1953, 1957–1959, 1961–present)
Division Pinckney Division
Major league affiliations
Current Miami Marlins (2013–present)
Previous
Minor league titles
League titles (4)
  • 1945
  • 1946
  • 1963
  • 2008
Division titles (5)
  • 1977
  • 1995
  • 1998
  • 2008
  • 2010
Team data
Nickname Batavia Muckdogs (1998–present)
Previous names
  • Batavia Clippers (1939–1953, 1988–1997)
  • Batavia Trojans (1966–1987)
  • Batavia Pirates (1961–1965)
  • Batavia Indians (1957–1959)
Ballpark Dwyer Stadium
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Genesee County Baseball Club, INC & Rochester Red Wings
Manager Ángel Espada
General Manager Travis Sick

The Batavia Muckdogs are a minor league baseball team, the Short-Season Class-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, based in Batavia, a city in Genesee County, New York, United States. Their home field is Dwyer Stadium in a rural part of Batavia. The team plays in, and is the only in-place charter member of, the New York–Penn League of Professional Baseball.

Brief history

The Muckdogs were founded in 1939 as the Batavia Clippers playing in the PONY (Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York) League until 1953 before suspending operations from 1954–1956. The franshise returned to play in 1957 as the Batavia Indians when the PONY League became the New York–Pennsylvania League. The team continued as the Indians until suspending operations again for the 1960 season only to return to the league in 1961 as the Batavia Pirates. Batavia was known as the Pirates until changing their name to the Batavia Trojans in 1966 continuing with the name through the 1987 season. From 1988 through the 1997 season the team returned to their original name the Batavia Clippers before changing to the Muckdogs in 1998 based on a fan poll that chose the nickname and logo.

1800s

Prior to the current Batavia franchise professional baseball in the city dates back 126 years to 1887 when Batavia played in the Western New York League along with teams in nearby LeRoy, Perry and Warsaw. 1897 the Batavia Giants and Geneva Alhambras had a co-op team in the Class-C New York State League that also consisted of teams in Canandaigua, Cortland, Lyons, Palmyra, and current NYPL rival Auburn.

League formation

The history of the New York–Penn League originated in Batavia as the league, then known as the Pennsylvania–Ontario–New York League (PONY League), was formed in a local hotel that has since been demolished. Of the current franchises, Batavia is the only original member of the league that also consisted of teams in Bradford, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, and Olean.

Logo and mascot

The Muckdogs logo adopted in 1998 is a dog on a crushed fence in the shape of an "M" surrounded by muck with baseballs on either side that is one of the most popular in all of Minor League Baseball. The team also has an alternate logo of a B with a dog.

The Muckdogs have three mascots who make appearances throughout the season at Dwyer Stadium. The team's original mascot Maxwell T. Chomper, who boasts he is semi-retired while the newest addition Homer has taken over game to game duties. The team also features a third mascot named Slider.[1]

Affiliation

The Muckdogs were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies from their inception in 1998, having been already affiliated with the Phillies since 1988, and remained so through the 2006 season. Beginning with the 2007 season, the Phillies chose to move their Short-Season A affiliate closer to Philadelphia with the Williamsport Crosscutters. Meanwhile, the Muckdogs signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Prior to the Cardinals and Phillies affiliation Batavia was also affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1952–53; 1961–65), Detroit Tigers (1968–71), New York Mets (1972–74), and Cleveland Indians (1942–51; 1957–59; 1976–86). The team also fielded a co-op team in 1966 featuring players from 12 different organizations, most notably Cito Gaston of the Atlanta Braves. In 1975 the team fielded another co-op team with players from 8 organizations including Don McCormack from the Philadelphia Phillies. 1987 was the final co-op team in Batavia.

After the 2012 season the St. Louis Cardinals announced they would move their affiliation to the State College Spikes, who they had previously been affiliated with before coming to Batavia. On September 28, 2012, the Muckdogs announced that they had signed a two-year player development contract with the Miami Marlins who were affiliated with the Jamestown Jammers from 2002–2011.[2] Jamestown signed an affiliation agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates who had left State College.[3]

Affiliation Wins Losses Seasons
Cardinals 240 209 6
Phillies 756 756 20
Indians 1,191 1,260 24
Mets 82 125 3
Marlins 104 122 1
Pirates 362 511 7
Tigers 146 143 4
Co-Op 265 316 6

Operations/ownership

On March 12, 2008, it was announced that the Rochester Red Wings would take over operational control running every aspect of operations: concessions, media, community relations and promotions. The team had previously been operated by the Genesee County Baseball Club (G.C.B.C) who remain majority owner though the Red Wings gain a share of ownership with each season they operate the franchise. In 2010 the Red Wings announced an extension of their operations with the Muckdogs.[4]

Record

As of the 2015 season Batavia has played 73 seasons of professional baseball in its current location amassing 3,145 wins and 3,434 losses (.478).

The teams 3,000th win came in form of a 5–3 decision on June 23, 2012 against the Jamestown Jammers at Russell Diethrick Park in Jamestown, New York. Jamestown is the only other city of the league's original six currently in the circuit, although it does not host the same franchise. Relief pitcher Jose Almarante earned the win.

Managerial history

Ángel Espada was named Muckdogs manager for the 2013 seasons and remained in that position through the 2015 season.

Jack Tighe holds the All-Time record for wins in Batavia with a record of 298 wins and 239 losses in four seasons.

Dann Bilardello holds the modern era (short-season) record with 126 wins and 99 losses in three seasons.

Gene Baker was the first African-American manager in affiliated baseball during the 1961 season with the Batavia Pirates.[5]

Gene Baker was named Batavia manager June 19, 1961.

All-time managerial records

Manager Wins Losses Seasons
Al LeBoeuf 119 107 3 (1993–1995)
Ángel Espada 104 122 1 (2013–2015)
Art Mazmanian 23 54 1 (1987)
Bob Clear 51 67 1 (1962)
Bob Dustal 79 71 2 (1968–1969)
Brian Doyle 32 43 1 (1983)
Buddy Hancken 63 67 1 (1963)
Dann Bilardello 126 99 3 (2010–2012)
Dave Oliver 49 99 2 (1981–1982)
Don McCormack 68 83 2 (1988–1989)
Don Richmond 118 124 2 (1957–1958)
Ed Kobesky 127 124 2 (1949–1950)
Earl Wolgamot 49 61 1 (1943)
Ed Kobesky / Joe Vosmick 49 77 1 (1951)
Eddie Bane 74 80 2 (1984–1985)
Eddie Howard 54 54 1 (1941)
Floyd Rayford 42 33 1 (1996)
Frank Klebe 119 109 3 (1998, 2000–2001)
Gene Baker 33 97 1 (1964)
Gene Dusan 42 28 1 (1977)
George Genovese 57 68 1 (1952)
George Kinnamon 46 78 1 (1953)
George Susce 65 64 1 (1948)
Greg Legg 89 61 2 (1997, 1999)
Hal White 24 43 1 (1975)
Jack Cassini 30 40 1 (1976)
Jack Sanford 130 101 2 (1940, 1942)
Jack Tighe 298 239 4 (1944–1947)
James Adlam / Gene Baker 65 59 1 (1961)
Joe Lewis 67 72 2 (1970–1971)
Luis Isaac 34 38 1 (1978)
Luis Melendez 58 91 2 (2003–2004)
Manny Amador 36 39 1 (2005)
Mark DeJohn 114 110 3 (2007–2009)
Max Lanier 99 99 2 (1966–1967)
Paul O'Dea 54 71 1 (1959)
Ramón Avilés 74 74 2 (1991–1992)
Ramón Avilés / Dave Cash / Tony Scott 41 35 1 (1990)
Rick Colzie 31 42 1 (1980)
Ronnie Ortegon 34 42 1 (2002)
Steve Roadcap 35 38 1 (2006)
Tom Chandler 30 45 1 (1986)
Tom Saffell 47 75 1 (1965)
Tom Trebelhorn 37 34 1 (1979)
Wilber Huckle 82 125 3 (1972–1974)
William Buckley 48 54 1 (1939)

Most MLB players on a Short-Season team

The 1986 Batavia Trojans featured a short-season team record of nine future Major Leaguers on the roster including Jim Bruske, Tommy Hinzo, Tom Lampkin, Troy Neel, Bruce Egloff, Jeff Shaw, Joe Skalski, and Kevin Wickander while affiliated with the Cleveland Indians.[6]

No-hitters

Batavia has been no-hit 15 times and thrown 5 no-hitters, however they are one of only two teams in league history who went on to win a game they had been no hit in when they defeated Newark 2–0 on August 3, 1973, for a record of 5–13 overall. Batavia was also part of the first ever league dual no-hitter where on August 25, 1952 Jim Mitchell of the Batavia Clippers and Frank Etchberger of the Bradford Phillies each no-hit the others team in opposite ends of a double header. The Clippers no-hit effort was not without controversy as it was a change by the official scorer that gave Mitchell his no-no. The Bradford paper reported the ball hit the glove of an outfielder and rolled to the wall where Bradford's Tommy Keane was originally given a double, it was then changed to an error after the game. On June 24, 2015 three Batavia pitchers (Gabriel Castellanos, Brett Lilek, Steven Farnworth) combined for the teams first perfect game in history against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.[7][8]

List of No-hitters

Date Pitcher Team Opponent Batavia Result Innings
6/7/1943 Bob Vetter Jamestown Batavia Lost 9 Innings
8/20/1953 Jim Mitchell Batavia Bradford Won 9 Innings
8/20/1953 Frank Etcherberger Bradford Batavia Lost 9 Innings
6/31/1961 Fred Wolff Olean Batavia Lost 9 Innings
8/18/1969 Nils Lambert, Ron Thomas Batavia Geneva Won 9 Innings
7/12/1972 Steven Avers Jamestown Batavia Lost 7 Innings
8/3/1972 Thomas Deidel Newark Batavia Won (2–0) 5 Innings
8/26/1972 Timothy Juran Batavia Niagara Falls Won 7 Innings
8/25/1974 James Wright Auburn Batavia Lost 7 Innings
6/30/1976 Laurence Kienzle Niagara Falls Batavia Lost 7 Innings
8/15/1978 Randall Bozeman Little Falls Batavia Lost 7 Innings
8/3/1981 Gregory Dunn Erie Batavia Lost 9 Innings
8/28/1989 Ray Doss Welland Batavia Lost 9 Innings
9/1/1993 Peter Agostinelli Batavia Welland Won 7 Innings
7/28/1996 Luis De Los Santos Oneonta Batavia Lost 9 Innings
8/26/2005 Robert Ray, Adrian Martin Auburn Batavia Lost (5–0) 9 Innings
9/6/2006 Henry Cabrera, Olivo Astacio Williamsport Batavia Lost (1–0) 9 Innings
7/15/2007 Guillermo Moscoso* Oneonta Batavia Lost (6–0) 9 Innings
9/1/2013 Luis Gomez, Carlos Melo, Kerry Doane Mahoning Valley Batavia Lost (6–0) 9 Innings
6/24/2015 Gabriel Castellanos, Brett Lilek, Steven Farnworth* Mahoning Valley Batavia Won (1–0) 9 Innings

Playoff history

In the team's storied history they have made a total of 19 playoff appearances.

Overview

Batavia has won four league championships including 2008 as the Muckdogs, 1963 season as the Batavia Pirates and the 1945 & 1946 seasons as the Batavia Clippers.[9][10] Batavia has won five division championships since the league adapted divisional play starting in the 1977 season, these titles include the Pinckney Division in 1995, 2008, and 2010, the Stedler in 1998, and the Western Division in 1977. The team also made playoff appearances as the Wild Card in 1999 and 2000 where they lost in the semi-finals, as well as 1997 when they advanced to the league championship where they were defeated by the Pittsfield Mets.[11]

Playoff appearances

Jack Tighe lead Batavia to their first two championships in 1945 & 1946.
YEAR RESULT MANAGER DIVISION
1939 Lost in first round William Buckley 4th*
1940 Lost in league finals Jack Sanford 2nd*
1941 Lost in first round Eddie Howard 3rd*
1942 Lost in first round Jack Sanford 3rd*
1944 Lost in first round Jack Tighe 3rd*
1945 League Champions Jack Tighe 1st*
1946 League Champions Jack Tighe 1st(t)*
1949 Lost in first round Ed Kobesky 4th*
1957 Lost league finals Don Richmond 4th*
1961 Lost league finals James Adlam/Gene Baker 3rd*
1963 League Champions Buddy Hancken 3rd*
1977 Lost league finals Gene Dusan 1st
1995 Lost in first round Al LeBoeuf 1st
1997 Lost in league finals Greg Legg 2nd
1998 Lost in first round Frank Klebe 1st
1999 Lost in first round Greg Legg 2nd
2000 Lost in first round Frank Klebe 2nd
2008 League Champions Mark DeJohn 1st
2010 Lost in first round Dann Bilardello 1st

1945 league and playoff champions

During the PONY League seasons from 1939–1956 there was a league champion and playoff champion format; the 1945 season saw Batavia finish with a record of 84 wins and 40 losses to clinch the league championship by nine games over the Jamestown Falcons. The Clippers defeated the Bradford Blue Wings three games to one in the first round of the playoffs before defeating the Lockport White Sox four games to three in the playoff championship. Batavia had a league best 1.40 ERA during the season.[12]

1946 league and playoff champions

The 1946 season saw Batavia and Jamestown finish tied with a record of 84 wins and 41 losses to claim a share of the league championship. Jamestown defeated Batavia in a one-game playoff by a score of 6–2. Batavia then defeated the Olean Oilers in the playoffs four games to three before defeating Jamestown four games to two in the championship. Batavia's Dick Kokos lead the league during the 1946 season in runs with 118, hits with 166, RBIs with 114, and tied for home runs with 21.[12]

1963 playoff champions

The 1963 Batavia Pirates were an unlikely Championship team that entered the playoffs with 42 wins and 67 losses during the regular season. Facing the Jamestown Tigers in the best of three series the Pirates opened with a home loss by the score of 4–3 before heading to Jamestown to defeat the Tigers by a score of 2–1. During game two pitchers Bob Lee and Bob Baird shut down Jamestown as Fred Michalski hit a home run early and Norm Housley drove in a run in the seventh that gave Batavia all the runs the pitching due would need, the Tigers scored their loan run in the bottom of the seventh. In the series finale the Pirates won handily by the score of 7–3 before a home crowd of 1,305 at MacArthur Stadium. Byron Brown, who led the league with 32 home runs in the regular season, hit a two run home run in the first inning and then drove in two more with a single in the fourth. Lefty Ron Fiorella was the winning pitcher for the Pirates while Jim Hassett also hit a home run during the deciding game. Leading the Pirates for the playoffs was José Martínez with 8 hits as Fiorella picked up two wins.[13]

1977 West Division Champions

In 1957 the PONY League adapted the name the New–York Pennsylvania League and continued to do a league champion and playoff champion until 1974 when it was changed to a first half and second half champion until the 1976 season. During the 1977 season the league did a first half and second half champion within two divisions instead of a league format, Batavia won the Western Division in both halves.[14] The following season, 1978, the league changed to solely one season division format.[15]

1995 Pinckney Division Champions

Batavia won the Stedler Division with a record of 41 wins and 34 losses under manager Al LeBoeuf before losing in the semifinals to eventual champion the Watertown Indians. Team leaders included Walt Dawkins with a .315 average; Steve Carver with 41 RBIs, 7 home runs and 13 doubles which tied with Jon Cornelius; future major leaguer Marlon Anderson with 92 hits and 52 runs; Gary Yeager with 9 wins; Brian Ford with a 1.18 ERA and 10 saves. The team also featured future major leaguer Anthony Shumaker.

1997 Wild Card

Batavia clinched the Wild Card playoff spot in 1997 finishing with a record of 47 wins and 27 losses under manager Greg Legg. The Clippers defeated the Erie Seawolves in the semifinals before falling to the Pittsfield Mets in the league championship. Team leaders included Gary Burham with a .325 average, 22 doubles, and 94 hits; future major leaguer Andy Dominique with 14 home runs; Jason Johnson with 20 stolen bases and 5 triples; Rusty McNamara with 54 RBIs; Derek Adair with 7 wins; Clay Eason with a 0.92 ERA; and Brett Black with 15 saves. The team also included future major leaguers Randy Wolf, Thomas Jacquez, and Johnny Estrada.

1998 Stedler Division Champions

Batavia finished with a record of 43 wins and 33 losses winning the Stedler Division under manager Frank Klebe before losing to the Auburn Doubledays in the semifinals. 1998 was one of the only times in league history there would be co-champions as the weather made fields unplayable, Auburn and the Oneonta Yankees were named co-champions. Team leaders for Batavia included future major leaguer Jason Michaels with 11 home runs; Shayne Carnes with a .329 average and 78 hits; Carlos Duncan with 23 doubles and 55 runs; Nick Punto with 19 stolen bases; Geoff Geary with 9 wins and 1.60 ERA; Cary Hiles with 10 saves. The team also featured future major leaguer Carlos Silva.

1999 Wild Card

Batavia finished with a record of 42 wins and 34 losses one game behind division champion the Mahoning Valley Scrappers under manager Greg Legg. Batavia lost to the Scrappers in the semi-finals. Team leaders include future major league outfielder Marlon Byrd with 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, 72 hits; Shomari Beverly with 13 doubles; Tom Batson with a .298 average; Brad Pautz with 8 wins; Ryan Brookman with a 0.46 ERA; Justin Fry with 6 saves. The team also featured major leaguers Frank Brooks, Ryan Madson, and Jorge Padilla.

2000 Wild Card

Batavia finished with a record of 39 wins and 37 losses during the 2000 season under manager Frank Klebe earning a playoff spot as a Wild Card eventually losing to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the semi-finals for the second year in a row. Future major leaguer Travis Chapman lead the team in hitting with a .316 average, other team leaders included Dario Delgado with 40 RBIs and 7 home runs; Scott Youngbauer with 16 doubles; Jason Barnette with 67 hits; Anthony Hensley with 43 stolen bases; Dan Adams with a 2.17 ERA; Trevor Bullock with six wins. The team featured future Phillies All-Star Chase Utley as well as Miguel Asencio and Eude Brito.

2008 NY–Penn League Champions

Under manager Mark DeJohn during the 2008 season the team finished the regular season with 46 wins and 28 losses to clinch the Pinckney Division title. Batavia swept the Florida Marlins affiliate the Jamestown Jammers to claim the 2008 NY–Penn League championship on September 14, 2008 by a score of 9–3,[16] after defeating the Boston Red Sox affiliate the Lowell Spinners two games to one in the semi-finals. Team leaders included Jermaine Curtis & Colt Sedbrook with a .305 average; Chris Swauger with 7 home runs; Shane Peterson with 20 doubles and 67 hits; Jose Garcia with 48 runs; Ramón Delgado with 6 wins; Thomas Eager with a 1.76 ERA; and Adam Reifer 22 saves

2010 Pinckney Division Champions

The Muckdogs won the 2010 Pinckney Division Championship under manager Dann Bilardello with a record of 45 wins and 29 losses, clinching against the Jamestown Jammers on September 1 at Russell Diethrick Park in Jamestown, New York.[17] Batavia lost in the semi-finals to eventual league champion the Tri-City ValleyCats two games to one. Team leaders include Rainel Rosario with a .321 average; Jonathan Rodriguez with 12 home runs; Victor Sanchez with 19 doubles; Nick Longmire with 76 hits, 7 triples, and 53 runs; Andrew Moss with 8 wins; Jose Rada with a 1.12 ERA and ten saves.

Attendance

Largest crowd

The largest crowd to attend a professional game in Batavia is 3,000 on opening day 1939.

Batavia had one of its largest crowds on July 29, 2011 against the Staten Island Yankees. The packed house saw local Rochester native Cito Culver score 2 runs for the Yankees and also bat another run in. The official attendance was 2,445.

Last ten years

As teams move to larger markets, and western New York area residency dwindling, the Muckdogs find themselves ranking last in attendance,[18] though in 2008 a new policy was put forth by the Red Wings management to only report through the gate fans and not add on like several teams do to pad attendance records.

Year Openings Total Average
2015 35 32,221 921
2014 35 33,376 954
2013 35 33,909 969
2012 37 33,443 904
2011 35 37,029 1,058
2010 36 36,601 1,017
2009 37 35,620 963
2008 36 43,167 1,199
2007 37 44,270 1,230
2006 34 39,094 1,150
2005 36 40,557 1,127

Roster

Batavia Muckdogs roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- Jose Diaz
  • 47 Jordan Hillyer
  • 56 Jordan Holloway
  • -- Patrick Hovis
  • 35 Kyle Keller
  • 19 Justin Langley
  • 40 Ryley MacEachern
  • -- Mattt Milroy
  • 13 Travis Neubeck
  • -- Cecil Tanner
  • -- Jose Velez

Catchers

  • 26 Blake Anderson

Infielders

  •  8 Giovanny Alfonzo
  •  5 Javier Lopez

Outfielders

  • -- Ryan Aper
  • -- Kyle Barrett
  • 27 Galvi Moscat
  • -- Jhonny Santos

Manager

  •  4 Angel Espada

Coaches


7-day disabled list
* On Miami Marlins 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated May 1, 2016
Transactions
More MiLB rosters
Miami Marlins minor league players

Phillies All-Star Chase Utley made his pro debut in Batavia during the 2000 season.

Notable Major League alumni

Ricky Williams

NFL tailback Ricky Williams played for the team during the 1998 season for thirteen games before returning to Texas to prepare for the upcoming NCAA football season where he was a strong candidate for the Heisman Award, which he would receive.

Local ties

Fourteen Genesee County Baseball Players have played for their local Batavia team.[19]

In popular culture

At the end of the 2001 movie, Summer Catch, Freddie Prinze, Jr.'s character, Ryan Dunne is signed by the Phillies and assigned to the Muckdogs to start his professional career. In the scene Dunne is given a Muckdogs hat by scout Hugh Alexander, played by John C. McGinley, as he explains Batavia is a small city outside of Buffalo, New York. After getting the hat Dunne's friends grab it from his hands and yells the team name.

References

  1. "Security Check Required". facebook.com.
  2. "Muckdogs, Marlins Sign Affiliation Agreement Through 2014 – Batavia Muckdogs News". Batavia Muckdogs.
  3. "Jamestown becomes Class-A affiliate of Pirates". Pittsburgh Pirates.
  4. http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_415fb986-e116-11df-9b1c-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=image&photo=0
  5. "Article – Florida State League News". Florida State League.
  6. "Gary Jarvis' Dwyer Stadium I – Batavia New York – Home of the Batavia Clippers / Trojans (NY-Penn-PONY)". digitalballparks.com.
  7. http://www.milb.com/history/page.jsp?ymd=20080314&content_id=359489&vkey=history_l127&fext=.jsp&sid=l127
  8. WIL fan. "WIL Baseball — 1952". wilbaseball52.blogspot.com.
  9. "Batavia Pirates". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "Batavia Clippers". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/seasons/review.asp?Y=1997&L=NYPL
  12. 1 2 "PONY League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. http://thedailynewsonline.com/blogs/mark_my_words/article_ff69a2d6-d60e-11e1-b1e6-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=image
  14. "Register League Encyclopedia – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "Register League Encyclopedia – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. http://www.futureredbirds.net/2008/09/14/muckdogs-win/
  17. "Muckdogs clinch Pinckney Division title with win in Jamestown". The Batavian.
  18. "New York–Penn League Attendance – New York–Penn League Stats". New York–Penn League.
  19. "History – Batavia Muckdogs Dwyer Stadium". Batavia Muckdogs.

External links

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