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History

West Michigan Whitecaps History

When the West Michigan Whitecaps began play in the Grand Rapids area in 1994, it was the culmination of a 10-year labor of love for local businessmen Lew Chamberlin and Dennis Baxter. The two took on the challenge of bringing a minor league team to the area in 1984 (see chronology below), and in February of 1993, finally reached the proverbial pot of gold when they announced the purchase of the Midwest League's Madison Muskies franchise with the intent to move the team the following year to Comstock Park, Michigan.

In addition to the purchase of the team, Chamberlin and Baxter, along with 26 limited partners, were able to secure private financing for the construction of Fifth Third Ballpark. The financing is significant in that Fifth Third Ballpark is one of the only professional baseball stadiums in the country to be constructed strictly with private funds - and without taxpayer dollars.

How The Whitecaps Were Named

West Michigan Baseball, Inc. (as the fledgling team was then called) ran a lengthy Name The Team Contest to allow the West Michigan public to cast their vote on a name for the team. The contest, in which 1,800 fans entered, concluded on September 26, 1993, when Chamberlin and Baxter selected the name Whitecaps.

Twenty-two fans chose the name Whitecaps, and Brian Glass of Rockford was chosen the winner based on how well the name ties the team to the area, the originality of the name and the creativity of the explanation.

His winning entry read: "...Historically, there have been major league teams nicknamed after their attire (i.e. White Sox, Red Sox, Redlegs). So, the West Michigan Whitecaps has some connection with baseball tradition.

"The moniker is also relevant in geographic sense since Grand Rapids is situated next to the Grand River and east of Lake Michigan. 'Whitecapping' is a common occurrence on the river and lake due to turbulent or rough wind and water conditions...Besides, giving the team the moniker gives fans performing the 'Wave' more meaning."

More than 100 names were suggested for the team during the contest. Some of the most popular were the Waves, Robins, Grand Slammers, Lumbermen, River Rats, Mitts, Mittens, Muskies, Lakers and Diamonds.

Some of the more unusual entries included: Apple Knockers, Beach fleas, Chicken Hawks, Fruit Flies, ET's, Aardvarks, Hunks, Mud Sox, Mug-wumps, Office Workers, Nimrods, Sand Burrs, Steelheaders and Wet Sox.

Glass received two season tickets for the inaugural 1994 season, a team jacket and free luxury suite for a night as grand prize winner.

 

The History of Baseball in West Michigan

Until the West Michigan Whitecaps began their inaugural season in 1994, Grand Rapids had been without a professional baseball team for 40 years, since the Grand Rapids Chicks disbanded in 1954. But Grand Rapids has a strong history of baseball as more than 30 professional teams, both men's and women's, and dozens of amateur leagues have called this area home since 1883.

Playing in a variety of leagues, the teams went by such nicknames as Furnituremakers, Rustlers, Gold Bugs, Ganzeloids, Braves, Black Sox, Bissell Sweepers, Bill-Eds, Billberts, Billbobs, Dodger Colts, Chicks, Orphans, Jets and Joshers.

The original professional team in Grand Rapids was organized in late 1882 and played as a charter franchise in the Northwestern League in 1883. The team had no nickname and played home games at Recreation Park on weekdays and at Alger Park on Reeds Lake on weekends.

Many teams came and went in the early 1900's, but with the onset of the Great Depression in the late '20's, professional baseball all but ended in Grand Rapids.

Fans were still able to enjoy semi-pro baseball in the area during the Depression. When the Brooklyn Dodgers barnstormed through Grand Rapids in 1939, they discovered more than 50 teams playing in six city leagues. Because enthusiasm for the game was so high, the Dodgers decided to place a farm team in Grand Rapids for the 1940 season. The Dodger Colts, as the team was called, played at Bigelow Field on South Division until the outbreak of World War II ended their stay.

Toward the end of the war, the Chicks of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (immortalized in the movie "A League of Their Own") came to Grand Rapids from Milwaukee. The Chicks were popular and played excellent baseball, winning the AAGPBL playoff pennant in 1947 and again in 1953, but were forced to disband when the league folded in 1954.

For a time, the Chicks had competition from a men's team, the Grand Rapids Jets, who played minor league baseball in the Central League from 1948 through 1951.

Locally-sponsored professional baseball all but disappeared in this country during the 1950's as television brought major league baseball into the home. But local baseball legend Bob Sullivan successfully bucked this trend. His team, the Sullivans, were noted for their success in amateur baseball play and in sending players to the majors for almost four decades.

Another local hero, Ted Rasberry, owned the Grand Rapids Black Sox and later the Detroit Stars and the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. Rasberry fought to keep black baseball alive until 1960, when the league, which at one point consisted of 16 teams, shrunk to only four (two of them being Rasberry's Stars and Monarchs) due to the falling of the racial barrier.

The West Michigan Whitecaps are keeping the century-old baseball tradition alive. The Whitecaps recognized the rich history of baseball in Grand Rapids with six "Turn Back The Clock" tribute games in 1996. Players dressed in old-time uniforms and played one game each as the 1899 Furnituremakers, the 1903 Orphans, the 1921 Joshers, the 1922 Billbobs, the 1948 Black Sox and the 1950 Jets. The Whitecaps have also represented the Holland Flying Dutchmen and the Ludington Mariners in special "Turn Back The Clock" games.

Despite the number of teams that have called Grand Rapids home, the Whitecaps became Grand Rapids' first professional sports team to win a championship in 1996. They won the Midwest League championship again in 1998, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2015, and 2025.

Whitecaps Chronology

Construction begins on a ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan. Photograph taken in the fall of 1993.
The line outside the Whitecaps front office to purchase tickets to the first Opening Day!
Construction continues on the 3rd base Concourse at Old Kent Park, just three weeks before Opening Day!

1980

Columnist Corky Meinecke poses question in Grand Rapids Press of why can't Grand Rapids support minor league baseball like Evansville, Indiana (the AAA Detroit Tigers affiliate at that time). Lew Chamberlin likes the idea, and it sticks in his mind.

1984

Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter begin independently pursuing a baseball franchise to bring to West Michigan.

1986

News reports link Baxter to efforts to bring a team to Lamar Park in Wyoming. Initially discouraged, Chamberlin gives Baxter a call and they hit it off well after two phone calls and a meeting.

1987

West Michigan Baseball Development, Inc. is formed.

1988-89

Negotiations with the city of Wyoming on a $5 million, 12,000 seat stadium adjacent to Lamar Park begin.

Nov. '89

Chamberlin and Baxter purchase Wasau Timbers of the Midwest League as part of Wisconsin Baseball Partnership with about 5 people from Chicago. Lew leaves his job at Alro Steel and devotes himself full-time to West Michigan Baseball.

1991

Timbers move to Geneva, Illinois to become the Kane County Cougars. Cougars begin play in a new 3,600 seat stadium that had been built to attract a franchise.

1991-93

Cougars become one of the top organizations in baseball.

Fall '92

West Michigan Baseball Development, Inc. begins negotiations with the Madison Muskies of the Midwest League.

Feb. '93

Announcement made that Muskies will move to West Michigan in 1994. Construction begins on a privately financed, 5,700 seat stadium in Comstock Park, MI. Naming rights were sold to Old Kent Bank and the ballpark was named Old Kent Park.

An aerial photograph of Old Kent Park on Opening Day, April 12, 1994.
1995 West Michigan Whitecaps All Stars Brendan Hause, Emil Brown, and Bill King.
Crash the River Rascal stretches on the field with Whitecaps pitcher Brian Moehler before a May 2000 game.

April 12, 1994

West Michigan Whitecaps play their first home game, defeating the Burlington Bees, 5-2.

September 1, 1994

Whitecaps break the all-time Class A attendance record of 463,039 set in 1949 by the Denver Bears. West Michigan fans total 475,212 by the regular season's end the following day.

September 2, 1994

Whitecaps qualify for Midwest League playoffs on the final day of the regular season.

September 1995

Whitecaps again break Class A attendance record, drawing 507,989 fans to Old Kent Park.

September 1996

For the third straight season, the Whitecaps break the Class A attendance record, drawing 547,401 fans to Old Kent Park.

September 1996

The Whitecaps win the Midwest League Championship, defeating the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3-1 in the best of 5 league finals.

April 20, 1997

Whitecaps pitcher Dave Borkowski throws the first no-hitter in team history, a 6-0 victory at Kane County.

September 1997

The Whitecaps finish the 1997 season with a 92-39 record, the best winning percentage in all of professional baseball, but are eliminated in the first round of the Midwest League playoffs. The Whitecaps are named Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year.

September 18, 1997

The Whitecaps win their second Midwest League Championship, defeating the Rockford Cubbies 5-3 in Game 4 of the best-of-5 league finals.

April 17, 1999

Sean Buller and Luis Pineda combine to throw a 7-inning no-hitter, the second no-no in Whitecaps history, in the second game of a doubleheader at South Bend. The Whitecaps won the game 2-0.

May 17, 1999

The Detroit Tigers make their first appearance in West Michigan in 53 years, playing an exhibition game against the Class A affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps at Old Kent Park. The Tigers won, 5-2, in front of the largest Whitecaps crowd ever (11,006 fans).

September 1999

The Whitecaps fail to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

December 1999

Baseball America bestows some of its highest honors on the Whitecaps, naming it the Class A Organization of the Decade. In addition, the 1997 Whitecaps were named the Third-Best Minor League Team of the Decade, and General Manager Scott Lane was named General Manager of the Decade.

June 10, 2000

Whitecaps pitcher Tommy Marx throws the third no-hitter in team history (and first at Old Kent Park), an 8-0 victory vs. Kane County.

June 13, 2000

Whitecaps pitcher Calvin Chipperfield throws the fourth no-hitter in team history (and second in a four-day span!), a 2-0 seven-inning victory vs. Kane County.

November 15, 2000

Detroit names local major league star Brent Gates as the Whitecaps' next manager, replacing Bruce Fields. Gates is the fourth manager in franchise history.

Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline poses for a photo with Whitecaps Catcher Mike Rabelo during the 2003 Midwest League All Star Game at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Fans fill Fifth Third Ballpark for an August 2003 game.
West Michigan celebrates a 4-3 10th inning walkoff victory over The Swing of the Quad Cities on May 18, 2004

October 11, 2001

Detroit names Phil Regan, former major league player and manager and 2000 Olympic baseball coach, as the Whitecaps' fifth manager. Regan is the second straight local star to be named Whitecaps manager.

October 18, 2001

Fifth Third Bank acquires naming rights to Old Kent Park as part of their purchase of Old Kent Bank. The stadium's name is changed to Fifth Third Ballpark.

September 2002

Regan leads the Whitecaps to a strong 83-57 finish before being upset in the second round of the playoffs.

November 20, 2002

The Whitecaps gear up for their 10th anniversary by introducing a new collection of logos and new team uniforms.

April 2003

More stadium expansion as the Whitecaps added a second private party deck - behind the left field wall.

July 17, 2003

The Whitecaps hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game for the second time in franchise history. The Eastern Division defeated the Western Division by a 5-4 score, on a bottom-of-the-ninth RBI by Lansing's†Keith Butler†in front of 10,037 fans.

September 1, 2003

Team Manager Phil Regan managed the final game of his stellar baseball career, which spanned college ball, the major and minor leagues as a player, coach and manager.

September 19, 2004

The Whitecaps win their third Midwest League Championship, defeating the Kane County Cougars 4-2 at home in Game 5 of an exciting best-of-five league finals under first-year manager Matt Walbeck.

June 19, 2005

Josh Lee hits for the cycle against the South Bend Silver Hawks. He becomes the first Whitecap in team history to hit for the cycle.

October 2005

The Whitecaps break ground on the Pepsi Stadium Club and Miller Lite House Deck, which replaced the bleachers in right-centerfield. The project also included adding outdoor seating to the suites and the project cost was approximately $1.4 million.

2006 debuted the Pepsi Stadium Club and Miller Lite Deck, an outfield event center and hospitality section which still stands at the ballpark today.
Kenny Rogers throws five innings with three runs (one earned) allowed in a Major League Rehab Assignment for the Whitecaps on June 15, 2007.
Man v. Food star Adam Richman visits Fifth Third Ballpark on July 15, 2009 to take on the Fifth Third Burger, a famous 5-pound, nearly 5,000-calorie mega-burger featuring five 1/3 pound beef patties and toppings.

June 22, 2006

Whitecaps centerfielder and Detroit Tigers number one draft pick from 2005 Cameron Maybin is selected to play in the Futures Game as part of the Major League Baseball All-Star weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

July 25, 2006

Mike Hernandez hits his second cycle of the season, breaking the team record set in 2005. Hernandez accomplished the feat in a 10-0 win over the Peoria Chiefs and hit his first cycle June 8 at Fort Wayne.

August 24, 2006

Four Whitecaps named to the Midwest League Post-Season All Star Team: Cameron Maybin, Mike Hollimon, Orlando Perdomo and Matt Walbeck. Maybin was also named Prospect of the Year for the league.

September 15, 2006

The Whitecaps capture their fourth Midwest League Championship in the team's 13-year history. The 'Caps downed the Kane County Cougars 8-4 in the final game and took the best-of-five series 3-1 to win the title. The 'Caps ended the season with 96 wins counting the playoffs, which is the most in team history.

September 19, 2006

Whitecaps centerfielder Cameron Maybin was named the Tigers Minor League Player of the Year and pitcher Burke Badenhop was named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

September 27, 2006

Whitecaps Manager Matt Walbeck named Low Class A Manager of the Year by Baseball America. Cameron Maybin named to Baseball America's Low Class A All Star Team.

October 5, 2006

Vice President of Whitecaps Professional Baseball Jim Jarecki named the Midwest League Executive of the Year.

November 6, 2006

Former Detroit Tigers third baseman Tom Brookens is named Whitecaps Manager. Brookens becomes the seventh manager in Whitecaps history, taking over for Matt Walbeck who was promoted to Double-A Erie. Walbeck finishes his three-year stint as Whitecaps manager with 231 wins, currently second in franchise history.

June 5, 2007

A franchise record eight Whitecaps are selected to the Midwest League All-Star game in Geneva, Illinois, on June 19, 2007. The players selected are catcher James Skelton, outfielders†Gorkys Hernandez†and Deik Scram, first baseman Ryan Strieby and pitchers Chris Cody, Duane Below, Brett Jensen and Jeff Gerbe. Scram is named the game's "Star of Stars" Award with a hit, stolen base and two runs scored.

June 15, 2007

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers makes a Major League Rehab Assignment with the Whitecaps as he pitches against Dayton at Fifth Third Ballpark. The sellout crowd of 10,537 watches Rogers throw five innings with three runs (one earned) allowed.

June 21, 2007

Whitecaps center fielder Gorkys Hernandez is selected to play in the Futures Game as part of the Major League Baseball All-Star weekend in San Francisco, California.

July 17, 2007

The Whitecaps reach a franchise milestone by ushering in their sixth millionth fan. Dorothy Metzler of Grand Haven enters Fifth Third Ballpark and is quickly escorted to the field for a pre-game ceremony where she is showered with gifts for being the Whitecaps milestone fan.

August 28, 2007

Three Whitecaps receive post-season honors from the Midwest League as Tom Brookens wins Manager of the Year, Gorkys Hernandez is named MVP of the Midwest League and James Skelton is selected to the post-season All-Star roster as a catcher.

September 15, 2007

With an 11-5 victory over the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field in a decisive game five, the Whitecaps claim back-to-back Midwest League Championships. After sweeping Lansing and South Bend in the first two rounds, the Whitecaps defeat the Snappers in the best-of-five MWL finals 3-2 for their fifth Championshp in team history.

September 16, 2007

Whitecaps LHP Duane Below wins the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. Below posted a 13-5 record with 2.97 ERA in 26 starts and also won two playoff starts for West Michigan.

November 16, 2007

Joe DePastino is named Whitecaps Manager following Tom Brookens' promotion to Double-A Erie. DePastino is the eighth manager in Whitecaps history.

April 18, 2008

Detroit Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson leads off for the Whitecaps against the Burlington Bees in front of 10,056 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark. Granderson hits an infield single in his first at-bat and finishes 2-for-4 with a triple. Granderson ends up playing two more games with the 'Caps on April 21 and 22, hitting .364 (4-for-11) with two triples in the three games.

July 14, 2008

West Michigan fans welcome their second Major League rehab of the year to Fifth Third Ballpark as Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez dons a Whitecaps jersey. Ordonez goes 1-for-4 with a run scored in front of a sellout crowd of 10,592 as the Whitecaps roll over Peoria 10-2.

September 3, 2008

The Whitecaps and the Detroit Tigers announce a four-year extension to their Player Development Contract, continuing their partnership through the 2014 season.

September 12, 2008

Whitecaps LHP Jon Kibler is named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Kibler is the third straight Whitecaps pitcher to capture the award after posting a 14-5 record and 1.75 ERA (second-best ERA in all Minor Leagues). Kibler along with RHP Alfredo Figaro†are also named to the Midwest League Post-Season All-Star team.

October 21, 2008

Fifth Third Ballpark receives a facelift as renovation plans are announced for the offseason. All of the box seats were replaced and padded seats were added to the sections behind home plate. New backstop netting was added for better visibility. The field was also renovated with a new playing surface and drainage system other upgrades included new cash registers, a new roof and repaving of the parking lot.

March 23, 2009

The Fifth Third Burger became an overnight sensation when it was featured on CNBC personality Darren Rovell's blog. The blog post caught the attention of ESPN SportsCenter anchors Steve Levy and John Andersen. They mentioned the burger on the show and the burger's popularity soared. It was featured in hundreds of newspapers, magazines and TV shows around the world.

May 16, 2009

Whitecaps fans were treated to their fourth major league rehab start in three years as Jeremy Bonderman came to town while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. A crowd of 10,023 saw Bonderman and the Whitecaps take on the Great Lakes Loons. Bonderman gave up six hits and two earned runs while striking out four over seven innings as the Whitecaps won 13-6.

June 5, 2009

Six Whitecaps are named to the Midwest League Eastern Division All-Star team. First baseman Ronnie Bourquin was elected to start in the game. He was joined on the team by second baseman Brandon Douglas and pitchers Casey Crosby, Jared Gayhart, Mauricio Robles and Tyler Stohr.

July 5, 2009

The Whitecaps defeated the Dayton Dragons 20-11 in a record setting game. The Whitecaps tied the team record for runs in a game and broke the records for runs in an inning (13) and combined runs (31). The Dragons hit four home runs which tied a record for home runs by a West Michigan opponent. Three of those home runs were hit by Byron Wiley who became the first player to hit three home runs at Fifth Third Ballpark. Also, Whitecaps outfielder Ben Guez tied the record for doubles in a game (3) and Alden Carrithers tied the mark for runs scored (4).

July 5, 2009

The host of the Travel Channel's Man V. Food, Adam Richman, visited the ballpark to tape an episode of this show. He mingled with fans and took on the world-famous Fifth Third Burger.

June 16, 2010

Fifth Third Ballpark welcomed it's 7,000,000 fan Lauren! Lauren received numerous prizes and a presentation on the field.

Whitecaps right fielder Nick Castellanos signs autographs for fans following a September 5, 2011 game.
West Michigan native Kirk Cousins throws out the first pitch on July 7, 2012, prior to making his NFL Debut
Whitecaps pitcher Joe Jiménez celebrates the final pitch of the 2015 season, with the Whitecaps winning their 6th MWL Championship by defeating the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

August 11, 2011

Extended Player Development Contract with the Detroit Tigers another 4 years through 2018.

2011-2012 Offseason

New 54.5'x27' videoboard and manual scoreboard installed.

June 19, 2012

Dean Green, Steven Moya, Eugenio Suarez, Tommy Collier and Michael Torrealba appear in the Midwest League All-Star Game in Kane County

August 31, 2012

Avisail Garcia is called up to the Tigers and becomes the 100th Whitecap to make it to the Major Leagues.

October 2, 2012

Former Tiger and Major League Manager Larry Parrish is named manager of the Whitecaps for the 2013 season.

October 4, 2012

Shortstop Eugenio Suarez wins Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He beat out all other Minor League shortstops with a .971 fielding percentage. He is the first Whitecap to win the award.

Winter 2013

Fifth Third Ballpark is once again updated to add 4Topps premium tables, a Super Suite and more premium padded box seats.

April 3, 2013

The Whitecaps began their 20th season of baseball.

May 3, 2013

The Whitecaps welcomed their 8 millionth fan through the gates.

September 2013

The Whitecaps were nominated for the MWL John H. Johnson President's Award. This award honors a "complete" baseball franchise that has demonstrated franchise stability, and significant contributions to its community, league, and the baseball industry.

January 3, 2014

A devastating fire destroys the entire first base side of Fifth Third Ballpark. With only 3 months to opening day, the rebuild process begins!

January 14, 2014

Andrew Graham is named 11th manager in Whitecaps history, becoming the first former Whitecap to be manager.

April 8, 2014

Home Opener only 95 days after the fire.

May 5, 2014

The Whitecaps beat the Lake County Captains 4-3 in 18 innings, marking the longest game in terms of innings played in franchise history.

June 15, 2014

The Whitecaps clinch the first-half Eastern Division title with a thrilling 4-1 victory in South Bend, becoming the first Whitecaps team to make the playoffs since 2009.

June 17, 2014

Whitecaps host the 50th Midwest League All-Star Game at Fifth Third Ballpark, 164 days after the fire. Seven players are chosen to represent the Whitecaps, including pitchers Jonathon Crawford, Buck Farmer, Chad Green, Austin Kubitza and Joe Mantiply, infielder Javier Betancourt, and outfielder Wynton Bernard.

August 13, 2014

Pitcher Buck Farmer makes his Major League debut with the Tigers less than three weeks after his final game with the Whitecaps, becoming the fastest player to go from West Michigan to the Majors.

August 24, 2014

Outfielder Wynton Bernard records his 159th hit, breaking the franchise record for hits in a single season, formally held by Robert Fink and Nick Castellanos. He would finish the season with a total of 164 hits.

August 2014

RHP Buck Farmer, LHP Kevin Ziomek, and outfielder Wynton Bernard are selected as Post Season All-Stars. Bernard is named League MVP, leading the Midwest League in batting average and hits, and finishing in the top three in runs scored and stolen bases.

September 2014

Whitecaps Vice President of Sales Steve McCarthy has been named the 2014 Midwest League Executive of the Year. The Midwest League Executive of the Year is nominated and selected by the league's member clubs. The award is presented to an individual who has had a successful season in the areas of leadership, attendance accomplishments, marketing initiatives, promotions, stadium projects/enhancements, game day and non-game day events, community/charity involvement and overall baseball operations.

September 2014

The League announced that the Whitecaps have been named the Midwest League's nominee for Minor League Baseball's top award, the John H. Johnson President's Award. This is the second straight year that the Midwest League has nominated the Whitecaps for this top award, which honors a "complete" baseball franchise that has demonstrated franchise stability and significant contributions to its community, league and the baseball industry.

November 2014

The Whitecaps break ground on a new office building along the first base side of Fifth Third Ballpark. The building will also feature a new deck area scheduled to be completed for the 2015 season.

December 2014

Baseball America has named the Whitecaps as the Class A recipient of the 2014 Bob Frietas Award, Dewhich is presented to the organization with the best overall operations.

December 2014

The team earned a Minor League Baseball Presidential Citation,†a special award presented by MiLB President and CEO to recognize exemplary service on behalf of Minor League Baseball. The award was presented to the Whitecaps for the endurance and effort the team and community put forth to recover from the January 3 fire and get the ballpark rebuilt in time for the season opener.

April 2015

Whitecaps new administration front office building is open for business as the staff returns on-site for the first time since the Jan 3, 2014 fire. Located along the first base side of the ballpark, the building hosts the entire front office staff and the Budweiser Bow Tie Deck. Also, the opening of the Founders Brewing Craft Clubhouse where the old souvenir shop used to call home. Craft Clubhouse is home to 16 selected local craft beers and promotes the craft beer industry that makes Grand Rapids Beer City USA.

June 23, 2015

OF Michael Gerber, 3rd Baseman†Zac Shepherd, RHP Spencer Turnbull, and Relief Pitcher Joe Jimenez selected to represent the Whitecaps at the 51st MWL All-Star Game in Peoria, IL.

July 12, 2015

Relief Pitcher Joe Jimenez selected to the World Team and pitches 2/3 of an inning in Cincinnati during the Futures Game which is played the Sunday prior to the MLB All-Star Game.

August 24, 2015

OF Michael Gerber named to the MWL Post Season All-Star team.

August 27, 2015

Whitecaps clinch the 2nd half wild card playoff spot to reach the playoffs for the sixteenth time in 22 seasons.

September 21, 2015

Whitecaps clinch the sixth MWL Championship by defeating the Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-2) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Joe Jimenez struck out the side in the 9th inning. Whitecaps winning run was scored by†Francisco Contreras†on a wild pitch.

Future 2 time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal pitches in a July 2018 game.
An aerial photograph of Fifth Third Ballpark during an August 2018 game.
2019 MLB Draft 5th overall pick Riley Greene makes his Whitecaps debut on August 8, 2019.

April 9, 2016

Whitecaps Home Opener vs. South Bend after receiving 5 inches of snow the night before; staff cleared the snow off the field for the game.

June 21, 2016

Will Maddox, David Gonzalez, Matt Hall, Kyle Dowdy and Gerson Moreno represent the Whitecaps in the Midwest League All-Star Game. Andrew Graham manages the Eastern squad for the game in Cedar Rapids, IA. This is Graham's second time managing the Eastern team in three seasons.

July 22, 2016

Whitecaps and Peoria Chiefs play to a 9-9 14-inning tie when MWL curfew takes effect. The teams do not resume as it was a get-away day and they did not play again in 2016.

August 29, 2016

Will Maddox becomes the Whitecaps All-Time hits leader with 167.†Maddox broke Wynton Bernard's mark that was set two seasons earlier.

October 20, 2016

Mike Rabelo is named the Whitecaps 12th Manager. Rabelo was a catcher for the Whitecaps who played in 2002 and 2003.

November 10, 2016

Whitecaps announce plans to expand the playground and create a new hospitality area down the 3rd base line lower lawn area.†This area will be the ninth private area to provide for exclusive group outings.

June 7, 2017

Seven Whitecaps play in MWL All-Star game. Blaise Salter, Jacob Robson, Josh Lester, Austin Sodders, Gregory Soto, Jason Foley and Danny Woodrow all represented the Whitecaps at the 2017 All-Star game in Midland.

June 15, 2017

The Whitecaps secured a playoff spot by clinching the Eastern Division in first-half of the season. It's the Whitecaps 4th consecutive season in the playoffs and 18th overall appearance.

August 11, 2017

The Whitecaps pitched a Midwest League record 24th shutout in a 6-0 win over Great Lakes. The team would go on throw four more making the team and league record 28 shutouts for a season.

August 18, 2017

Mike Rabelo is named the Midwest League's Manager of the Year and Gregory Soto is named left-handed starter on the Midwest League post-season All-Star team.

September 5, 2017

The Whitecaps beat the Ft. Wayne TinCaps 4-1 to complete the regular season with a record of 91-45. The 91 victories are the second most in franchise history behind the 1997 team.

November 7, 2017

Former Detroit Tigers catcher Lance Parrish is named manager. Parrish, known as Big Wheel, becomes the 13th manager in the Whitecaps storied history.

June 6, 2018

Cole Peterson and Brandyn Sittinger are named to the Midwest League All-Star Team.

June 8, 2018

5 year old Ava Craft was welcomed in as our 10,000,000th fan in Whitecaps history.

June 9, 2018

The Whitecaps announced that for the first time in history will be officially be changing the team name. The name change will be in effect for one game on August 4, 2018. The team will be known as the Beer City Bung Hammers!

August 2019

Whitecaps debut of outfielder Riley Greene—Detroit Tigers 2019 1st round draft pick (5th overall)

September 2019

Mitch Hooten named Midwest League Groundskeeper of the Year

October 2019

Brayan Pena named the 14th Manager in Whitecaps history. Pena follows former Tigers Lance Parrish, Mike Rabelo, Andrew Graham, Larry Parrish, Tom Brookens, Matt Walbeck, Phil Regan, and Bruce Fields that have managed the Whitecaps

December 2019

Mitch Hooten named MiLB’s Class A Groundskeeper of the Year at the Winter Meetings in San Diego

June 3, 2020

MLB officially cancels the 2020 MiLB season due to COVID-19.

September 30, 2020

Official expiration of the PBA (Professional Baseball Agreement) between the MLB and MiLB; Minor League clubs will now be under the direction and management of MLB

November 2020

In an announcement by West Michigan Whitecaps officials, LMCU (Grand Rapids based Credit Union) officially takes over the naming rights and official name change to LMCU Ballpark. This is only the third name change in the 27 year history of the Whitecaps with the previous naming rights of Old Kent Park (1994-2001) and Fifth Third Ballpark (2001-2020).

Whitecaps catcher Dillon Dingler prepares for the 2021 home opener against the Great Lakes Loons on May 11, 2021.
Fans pack LMCU Ballpark during a May 2023 game against the Lake County Captains.
Whitecaps shortstop Kevin McGonigle drives in the first 2 runs of the 2025 season, one which would tie the record for most Midwest League wins in a single season.

May 2021

West Michigan Whitecaps latest home opener in history due to the delayed start of Spring Training for both MLB and MiLB. The Midwest League is renamed the High A Central League for one season and only play 60 home games

May 2021

Whitecaps professional debut of 1B Spencer Torkelson—Detroit Tigers 2020 1st round draft pick (1st overall in MLB)

July 2022

The 11th millionth fan walks through the gates at LMCU Ballpark (exact date and fan name needed)

August 2022

Whitecaps debut of P Jackson Jobe—Detroit Tigers 2022 1st Round Draft Pick (3rd Overall)

October 2022

LMCU Ballpark field lights are replaced with LED field light system

October 2022

Mitch Hooten named Midwest League Groundskeeper of the Year

January 12, 2023

West Michigan Whitecaps announce major Re-Imagine project to LMCU Ballpark that will take place over the next year and a half that will see new clubhouses, new hospitality areas, and a completely renovated playing field.