Baseball in Lansing, Michigan

Overview

The record of the Midwest League franchise in Lansing, Michigan.

In 1997, a Lugnut nine qualified for the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, then scampered off with the League Championship trophy. Then it happened again in 2003. Olds Park hosted teams which were probably stronger in 2002 and 2004, and the 2002 team nearly won another playoff series, but neither won a pennant.

Considered as a development system, they've done well: Several Lugnut alumni promise to star at the big league level. Corey Patterson, Carlos Zambrano, Mark Quinn, Carlos Beltran (briefly), Carlos Febles, Jeremy Giambi, Dan Reichert, and Jeff Wallace all wore Lugnut colors on their way to the majors.

Olds Park favors hitters. The team holds a number of MWL slugging records; there are also a couple of fielding records. And they've had excellent attendance.

Lansing hosted Midwest League All-Star Games in 1997, 1999, and 2002.

Summary

• Midwest League seasons: 14
• Won/Lost overall: 986/955, .508
• Best season: 78/61, .561 (2007)
• Championship Playoffs Won: 2
  • Championship Series Won/Lost: 25/22, .532
• Best MWL Won/Lost Record: no seasons

Lansing joined the Midwest League in 1996. It was the successor to the third Springfield franchise. Historically, this is the Waterloo franchise. Lansing is still represented in the MWL.

Seasonal Results
Other Leagues

Team Names

• Lansing Lugnuts (1996-present)

Affiliations

• Kansas City Royals, 1996-98
• Chicago Cubs, 1999-2004
• Toronto Blue Jays, 2005-present (PDC through 2010)

Officers, Managers, & Coaches

Ballpark

• Oldsmobile Park (new 1996)

Attendance record

• 538,325 (1996)

Ballparks & Attendance

Best Seasons

• Hitter: Brian Dopirak (2004) .307, 39 HR, 120 RBI
• Pitcher: Blaine Mull (1996) 3.25, 15-8, 114 strikeouts

Best Big League Career

• Carlos Zambrano (1999)
  • Carlos Beltran played a few games at Lansing in 1996.

Awards

• none

Lansing Highlights

Team Records

Hitters

• Batting: Tony Miranda (1997) & Ray Sadler (2001) .341
• Home Runs: Brian Dopirak (2004) 39
• Runs Batted In: Ryan Gripp (2000) & Jason Dubois (2001) 92

Seasonal Hitting Leaders

Pitchers

• Wins: Blaine Mull (1996) 15
• Won/Lost (10 decisions): Edwin Gonzalez (1998) 8/3, .727
• Earned Run Average: John Webb (2000) 2.47
• Strikeouts: Aaron Krawiec (2001) 170
• Saves: Jose Santiago (1996) 19

Seasonal Pitching Leaders

Note

This summary originated as the November 13, 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.