Baseball in Grand Rapids, Michigan

known as West Michigan

Overview

The record of the Midwest League franchise in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This team is known as West Michigan.

However you measure, the Whitecaps have been remarkably successful since they've come to West Michigan. They've set attendance records, won four league championships, had MWL MVP Robert Fick, provided early tests for Joel Zumaya and Jeff Weaver, and had some remarkable pitching. The 1997 team was one of the league's best, ever.

Principal owners Lew Chamberlain and Denny Baxter knew they could make this work. I'm sure they're as surprised as everyone how well things have paid off, though.

Summary

• Midwest League seasons: 13
• Won/Lost overall: 995/802, .554
• Best season: 92/39, .702 (1997)
• Championship Playoffs Won: 4
• Best MWL Won/Lost Record: 4 seasons

Grand Rapids joined the Midwest League (as West Michigan) in 1994; it was the direct successor to the original Madison franchise. Grand Rapids/West Michigan remains active in the MWL.

Seasonal Results
Other Leagues

Team Names

• West Michigan Whitecaps (1994-present)

Affiliations

• Oakland Athletics (1994-96)
• Detroit Tigers (1997-present) (PDC through 2014)

Officers, Managers, & Coaches

Ballpark

• Fifth Third Ballpark (new 1994; Old Kent Park until 2001)

Attendance record

• 547,401 (1996)

Ballparks & Attendance

Best Seasons

• Hitter: Robert Fick (1997) .341, 16 HR, 90 RBI; 50 doubles, 100 runs scored
• Pitcher: Francisco Cordero (1997) 35 Saves

Best Big League Career

• Francisco Cordero (1997)

Awards

• 1994
  • Scott Lane (Executive of the Year)
• 1996
  • Scott Lane (Executive of the Year)
• 1997
  • Bruce Fields (Manager of the Year)
  • Robert Fick (Most Valuable Player)
  • Francisco Cordero (Prospect of the Year)

Grand Rapids Highlights

Team Records

Hitters

• Batting: Robert Fick (1997) .341
• Home Runs: Robert Fick (1997), Jacques Landry (1997), & Wilkin Ramirez (2005) 16
• Runs Batted In: Juan Tejeda (2002) 106
• Stolen Bases: Nook Logan (2001) 67

Seasonal Hitting Leaders

Pitchers

• Wins: Andy Van Hekken (2000) 16
• Won/Lost (10 decisions): Jon Connolly (2003) 16/3, .892
• Earned Run Average: Jon Connolly (2003) 1.41
• Strikeouts: Alan Webb (1998) 202
• Saves: Francisco Cordero (1997) 35

Seasonal Pitching Leaders

Note

This summary originated as the February 12, 2000, Midwest League Tidbit on the Midwest League Mailing List.

Sources

These pages draw heavily on several sources:

• Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, eds, The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Durham: Baseball America, 1997)
• Midwest League Media Guide and Record Book (Beloit: Midwest League, various years; title varies)
• Kevin Saldana, Today in Minor League Baseball History (???: SalFam Books, 1999)
• Baseball America's Almanac (Durham: Baseball America, various years)
• News sources.