Erie SeaWolves

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Erie SeaWolves
Founded in 1989
Erie, Pennsylvania
100px Erie SeaWolves cap logo.png
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current Double-A (1999–Present)
Previous Short-Season A (1989–1998)
Minor league affiliations
League Eastern League (1999-Present)
Division Western Division
Previous leagues
 New York–Penn League (1989–1998)
Major league affiliations
Current Detroit Tigers (2001–Present)
Previous Anaheim Angels (1999–2000) Pittsburgh Pirates (1989–1998)
Minor league titles
Division titles (4)
  • 1997
  • 1999
  • 2001
  • 2007
Team data
Nickname Erie SeaWolves (1995–Present)
Previous names
 Welland Pirates (1989–1994)
Colors Black, red, white, gray, yellow
                        
Ballpark Jerry Uht Park (1995-Present)
Previous parks
 Welland Stadium (1989–1994)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
 Fernando Aguirre
Manager Lance Parrish
General Manager Greg Coleman
Media Erie Times-News

The Erie SeaWolves are an American professional baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Western Division of Minor League Baseball's Eastern League, and the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Since 1995, the team's home has been Jerry Uht Park which is located in downtown Erie, a part of the Louis J. Tullio Plaza along with Erie Insurance Arena and the Warner Theatre. The SeaWolves' inaugural game took place on June 20, 1995 with an Erie win over the Jamestown Jammers. José Guillén, now a Major League Baseball alumnus, hit the decisive home-run for the team.[1]

The "SeaWolves" name refers to the city's location along Lake Erie as well as their original affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "Sea wolf" was a historical epithet for sailors who engaged in piracy.[2]

History

The Erie SeaWolves started in 1989 as the Welland Pirates, based in Welland, Ontario as a member of the short-season New York–Penn League. The team played at Welland Stadium from 1989 to 1994 and were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. When the Welland Pirates relocated to Erie, Pennsylvania in 1995, they were renamed the "Erie SeaWolves." The relocation of the team from Welland to Erie forced the Frontier League incarnation of the Erie Sailors to relocate to Johnstown, Pennsylvania where they became the Johnstown Steal (this team is now known as the Florence Freedom, based in Florence, Kentucky). Before that, there was another team called the Erie Sailors which played in the New York - Penn League. However, they relocated to Wappingers Falls, New York (becoming the Hudson Valley Renegades) because the team's owner Marvin Goldklang did not upgrade Ainsworth Field to Major League Baseball specifications. Once the civic government secured an $8 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to build Jerry Uht Park, the Welland Pirates moved to Erie.[3] While Erie lacked affiliated baseball in 1994, the city fielded an independent baseball franchise in the Frontier League and reused the "Sailors" name. The SeaWolves succeed various Erie-based baseball franchises, namely every version of the Erie Sailors (the New York–Penn League franchise is now called the State College Spikes).

The SeaWolves served as a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate from 1995 to 1998. In 1999, the Double-A Eastern League added two expansion franchises, with Erie gaining one of them. The team joined the Eastern League after it moved up from the Short-Season A level to the Double-A level. Therefore, the current SeaWolves organization is considered a continuation of the former one even though it changed classes. Minor League Baseball allowed Erie to keep their New York–Penn League records and history as a member of the Eastern League. Subsequently, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers replaced them in the New York-Penn League, which is officially considered an expansion franchise rather than a continuation of the SeaWolves.

The SeaWolves became an affiliate of the Anaheim Angels after moving to the Double-A level. The team switched to the Detroit Tigers in 2001, with whom they continue to be affiliated.

Ownership

When the SeaWolves began play in Erie in 1995, the team was owned by Palisades Baseball. In 2003, Palisades sold the team to Mandalay Baseball Properties, the owner of multiple Minor League Baseball teams including the Dayton Dragons and Frisco Roughriders. On March 27, 2015, Fernando Aguirre was introduced as the owner of the SeaWolves. Aguirre, the retired CEO and Chairman of Chiquita Brands International, purchased the team from Mandalay Baseball Properties for an undisclosed amount and announced his intent to keep the team in Erie.[4]

Logos and uniforms

The Erie SeaWolves' primary colors are black, red, white, gray, and yellow. The primary logo comprises a stylized "pirate wolf" superimposed over two crossed baseball bats complete with sword hilts. The "Erie SeaWolves" wordmark is centered above in white, black, and yellow. The team has a secondary logo featuring a weathered black flag on a "bat sword," charged with a red letter "E." This emblem alludes to Erie's nickname, the "Flagship City," referring to the Flagship Niagara that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry commanded during his 1813 victory over the British Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie.[2]

The home uniforms include a black cap charged with the "bandanna wolf" logo and white jerseys featuring black piping. The "SeaWolves" wordmark is centered across the front in black letters with red outline and the crossed "bat sword" logo on the left sleeve. The away uniforms feature a gray jersey with black piping, the "Erie" wordmark in red with black outline, and the crossed "bat sword" logo on the left sleeve. The alternate jersey is red with black piping and includes the "Erie" wordmark in white with black outline. The "tricorne wolf" logo is centered on the left sleeve.[2] Fort the 2014 season, the SeaWolves added a black, white, and red panel cap with a black alternate jersey to match. Both include the "pirate wolf" logo.

Logo gallery

  • Erie SeaWolves original logo.png

    1995-1998

  • Erie SeaWolves former logo.png

    1999-2000

  • Erie SeaWolves old logo.png

    2001–2012

  • Erie SeaWolves new logo.png

    2013–present

Culture

Mascots

File:SeaWolves mascot, June 2015.jpg
C. Wolf with youth softball player in June 2015.

The Erie SeaWolves' official mascot is an anthropomorphic, gray canidae named C. Wolf. He wears the team's official red alternate jersey with a pirate hat, a red and white bandana, and an eye patch. His friends include Paws (the Detroit Tigers' official mascot) as well as three anthropomorphic sausages from the Erie meat producer, Smith's Provisions: Kenny Kiełbasa, Herbie Hot Dog, and Santino the Italian Sausage.[5] In 2012, the SeaWolves introduced a new mascot named Perry (presumably after Oliver Hazard Perry), a nine-foot inflatable fish, to work alongside C. Wolf. The name was decided in a fan poll.[6]

Promotions

"Buck Night" is a highly celebrated promotion by the Erie SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park. It is held several times each season, allowing fans who have paid for reserved seats to purchase specified food items for only $1.00 each.[7] The menu includes hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks, and American-made beer.[8]

Community service

The Erie SeaWolves engage in many philanthropic efforts throughout Erie and its surrounding communities. Key team initiatives include UPMC Health Plan Paint the Park Pink Weekend to benefit local cancer charities, Northwest Savings Bank Gloves for Kids equipment drive, and Sensory-Friendly Day at the Ballpark in partnership with the Autism Society of Northwest Pennsylvania. The team also sponsors youth sports and education programs through the SeaWolves Community Fund. On September 16, 2015, the Erie SeaWolves earned the Erie Times-News Commitment to Erie Award for community service by a business with 50 or fewer employees.[9]

Season-by-season results

Season results in New York–Penn League

Regular season

Welland Pirates – 1989 to 1994
Season Affiliation Manager Record
1989 Pirates U.L. Washington 32-44, 5th place Stedler
1990 Pirates Jack Lind 36-42, 3rd place Stedler
1991 Pirates Lee Driggers 30-47, 6th place Stedler
1992 Pirates Trent Jewett 31-46, 6th place Stedler
1993 Pirates Larry Smith 35-42, 5th place Stedler
1994 Pirates Jeff Banister 30-44, 4th place Stedler
Erie SeaWolves – 1995 to 1998
Season Affiliation Manager Record
1995 Pirates Scott Little 34-41, 3rd place Stedler
1996 Pirates Jeff Richardson 30-46, 4th place Stedler
1997 Pirates Marty Brown 50-26, 1st place Stedler
1998 Pirates Tracy Woodson 26-50, 4th place Stedler

Postseason

Season results in Eastern League

Regular season

Erie SeaWolves – 1999 to 2014
Season Affiliation Manager Record
1999 Angels Garry Templeton 81-61, 1st place South
2000 Angels Don Wakamatsu 47-94, 6th place South
2001 Tigers Luis Pujols 84-58, 1st place South
2002 Tigers Kevin Bradshaw 52-89, 6th place South
2003 Tigers Kevin Bradshaw 72-70, 3rd place South
2004 Tigers Rick Sweet 80-62, 2nd place South
2005 Tigers Duffy Dyer 63-79, 6th place South
2006 Tigers Duffy Dyer 60-81, 6th place South
2007 Tigers Matt Walbeck 81–59, 1st place South
2008 Tigers Tom Brookens 68–74, 4th place South
2009 Tigers Tom Brookens 71-70, 4th place South
2010 Tigers Phil Nevin 66-76, 6th place West
2011 Tigers Chris Cron 67-75, 5th place West
2012 Tigers Chris Cron 57-84, 6th place West
2013 Tigers Chris Cron 76-66, 2nd place West
2014 Tigers Lance Parrish 71-71, 4th place West
2015 Tigers Lance Parrish 64-78, 6th place West

Postseason

Current roster

Erie SeaWolves roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 43 Tommy Collier
  • 27 Matt Crouse
  • 49 Calvin Drummond
  • 18 Chad Green
  • 33 Gabe Hemmer
  • 24 Austin Kubitza
  • 45 Confesor Lara
  • 25 Jonathan Maciel
  • -- Whit Mayberry
  • 38 Joe Rogers
  • 22 Slade Smith
  • 32 Josh Turley
  •  7 Paul Voelker

Catchers

  •  3 Austin Green
  • 49 Drew Longley

Infielders

  •  1 Harold Castro
  • 23 Dominic Ficociello
  • 12 JaCoby Jones
  • 21 James Robbins

Outfielders

  • 15 Connor Harrell
  • -- Jiwan James
  • 14 Jason Krizan
  •  8 Jeff McVaney

Manager

Coaches


10px 7-day disabled list
* On Detroit Tigers 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated December 3, 2015
Transactions
→ More MiLB rosters
→ Detroit Tigers minor league players

Alumni

Major League Baseball alumni of the Erie SeaWolves
(past and present)
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Retired numbers

Sam Jethroe 5 (SeaWolves).png Jackie Robinson 42 (SeaWolves).png
Sam Jethroe Jackie Robinson
CF
Retired by the
Erie SeaWolves
on June 6, 2005		 2B
Retired throughout
professional baseball
on April 15, 1997

References

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  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ http://www.goerie.com/article/20150328/BASEBALL01/303279824/businessman-aguirre-buys-seawolves-plans-to-keep-team-in-erie
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ http://www.goerie.com/smith-provision-waldameer-among-honorees-at-2015-commitment-to-erie-awards

External links

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Preceded by New York-Penn League Stedler Division Champions
Erie SeaWolves
1997		 Succeeded by

Oneonta Yankees 1998
Preceded by Eastern League Southern Division Champions
Erie SeaWolves
1999, 2001, 2007		 Succeeded by

Reading Phillies 2000
Akron Aeros 2002
Bowie Baysox 2008

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