Erie SeaWolves

Erie SeaWolves
Founded in 1989
Erie, Pennsylvania
Team logoCap 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, yellow, gray, white
                        
Ballpark UPMC 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
Fox Sports Radio AM 1330

The Erie SeaWolves are an American professional baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They compete in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as a member of the Eastern League Western Division, serving as the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The team was founded in 1989 and began playing in Erie for the 1995 season. The SeaWolves currently play their home games at UPMC Park in downtown Erie, a part of the Louis J. Tullio Plaza along with Erie Insurance Arena and the Warner Theatre.

The "SeaWolves" name refers to the city's location along Lake Erie as well as their original affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "Sea wolf" is a historical epithet for sailors who engaged in piracy.[1] Coincidentally, the "Pirates" moniker originated with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys' pursuit of second-baseman and Erie native, Lou Bierbauer, in 1891. Bierbauer started his career with the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association, later joining the Brooklyn Ward's Wonders of the newfound Players' League for the 1890 season. When the Players' League folded in 1891, most of the members went back to their former National League or American Association clubs. However, Bierbauer never signed a contract to return to the Athletics, and the Alleghenys were determined to sign him before other teams noticed. Ned Hanlon, manager of the Alleghenys, braved the icy conditions of Erie's Presque Isle peninsula during a snowstorm to commit Bierbauer. When the Athletics learned about this secret deal, they objected to Bierbauer's signing and demanded his return to their club. An official with the American Association also objected to Bierbauer's contract with the Alleghenys, calling their actions "piratical." Yet, the league ruled in favor of the Alleghenys, and they acquired Bierbauer as a free agent. Soon afterward, both players and their fans referred to the team as the "Pittsburgh Pirates." In 1891, the club officially rebranded as the "Pirates," making light of their critics.[2]

History

On June 20, 1995, the Erie SeaWolves defeated the Jamestown Jammers in their inaugural game in Erie. José Guillén, now a Major League Baseball alumnus, hit the decisive home-run for the team.[3] The SeaWolves club 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 in 1995, they were rebranded as 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 UPMC Park (then known as Jerry Uht Park) the Welland Pirates moved to Erie. 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

Palisades Baseball originally owned the Erie SeaWolves when they started play in 1995. In 2003, Palisades sold the team to Mandalay Sports Entertainment, a former owner/operator of several Minor League Baseball clubs. On March 27, 2015, Fernando Aguirre was introduced as the owner of the SeaWolves. Aguirre, a veteran executive of Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Chiquita Brands International, purchased the team from Mandalay for an undisclosed amount and announced his intent to keep the team in Erie.[4][5] Aguirre also owns a minority share of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball, and a one-third share of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in the Carolina League.[6]

Logos and uniforms

The main colors for the Erie SeaWolves are black, red, and white, with minor accents of yellow and gray. The primary logo includes a stylized "pirate wolf" centered over two intersecting baseball bats complete with sword hilts. The wordmark arches in line with the wolf's tricorne in white, black, and yellow. The SeaWolves also have a secondary logo featuring a weathered Jolly Roger on a "bat sword," charged with a red letter "E." This emblem alludes to Erie's nickname, "Flagship City," a reference 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.[1]

The home uniforms include a black cap charged with the "bandanna wolf" logo and white jerseys featuring black piping. The "SeaWolves" wordmark arches across the front in black letters with red outline, and the crossed "bat swords" 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 occupies the left sleeve.[1] For 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. In 2016, the team debuted another alternate cap featuring a black crown with a red bill, charged with the "bandanna wolf" logo.

Culture

Mascots

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 sponsored by the Erie-based Smith's Provision Company: Kenny Kiełbasa, Herbie Hot Dog, and Santino the Italian Sausage.[7]

Promotions

Buck Night

"Buck Night" is a highly celebrated promotion by the Erie SeaWolves at UPMC 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.[8] The menu includes hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks, and American-made beer.

Alternative Facts Night

On March 10, 2017, the Erie SeaWolves made national headlines for their upcoming "Alternative Facts Night" promotion, to be held on Friday, August 25, 2017. Their opponent will be the Akron RubberDucks, whose alternative name will be the "Akron Yellow Bath Toys" for the game. The promotion is a reference to a popular culture trend following a news story in which Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to U.S. president, Donald Trump, coined the phrase "alternative facts" to bolster a disputed claim by White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, that more people attended Trump's presidential inauguration on January 20, 2017 than the first inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009. The SeaWolves will host Alternative Facts Night to "celebrate facts that the team knows to be true — even if some media outlets may dispute them." As part of the promotion, the first 1,000 fans will receive a 2016 SeaWolves Eastern League Championship ring, although the title was actually earned by the RubberDucks. The club also expects to have 1.2 million fans attend the game between Erie and Akron, even though UPMC Park only has a seating capacity of 6,000. The actual proceeds for Alternative Facts Night will go to the cash-strapped Erie City School District.[9][10][11]

In anticipation of "Alternative Facts Night," Fernando Aguirre published a message on Twitter that read, "This is huge! #AlternativeFactsNight. We will build a [right field] wall and Akron will pay for it. I promise."[12] This was a parody of Donald Trump's political campaign, in which he stated, "I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively — I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words."[13]

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.[14]

Broadcasting

In February 2017, the Erie SeaWolves extended their broadcasting contract with Fox Sports Radio AM 1330: The Fan, a local affiliate of Connoisseur Media, to air every game during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.[15]

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 2016
Season Affiliation Manager Record
1999AngelsGarry Templeton81-61, 1st place South
2000AngelsDon Wakamatsu47-94, 6th place South
2001TigersLuis Pujols84-58, 1st place South
2002TigersKevin Bradshaw52-89, 6th place South
2003TigersKevin Bradshaw72-70, 3rd place South
2004TigersRick Sweet80-62, 2nd place South
2005TigersDuffy Dyer63-79, 6th place South
2006TigersDuffy Dyer60-81, 6th place South
2007TigersMatt Walbeck81–59, 1st place South
2008TigersTom Brookens68–74, 4th place South
2009TigersTom Brookens71-70, 4th place South
2010TigersPhil Nevin66-76, 6th place West
2011TigersChris Cron67-75, 5th place West
2012TigersChris Cron57-84, 6th place West
2013TigersChris Cron76-66, 2nd place West
2014TigersLance Parrish71-71, 4th place West
2015TigersLance Parrish64-78, 6th place West
2016TigersLance Parrish62-79, 4th place West

Postseason

Current roster

Erie SeaWolves roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches


7-day disabled list
* On Detroit Tigers 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated August 16, 2017
Transactions
→ More MiLB rosters
→ Detroit Tigers minor league players

Alumni

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

Retired numbers

Sam Jethroe Jackie Robinson
CF
Retired by the
Erie SeaWolves
on June 6, 2005 		2B
Retired throughout
professional baseball
on April 15, 1997

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hill, Benjamin (November 1, 2012). "Double-A Erie updates nautical logo". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  2. ↑ Potter, Chris (August 14, 2003). "Why is our baseball team called the Pirates?". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  3. ↑ "UPMC Park". MiLB.com. 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  4. ↑ Reisenweber, Tom (March 28, 2015). "Businessman Aguirre buys SeaWolves; plans to keep team in Erie". Erie Times-News. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  5. ↑ "SeaWolves Welcome New Owner Fernando Aguirre". MiLB.com. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Ann (July 6, 2015). "Fernando Aguirre Enjoying Life As A Baseball Owner". Cincinnati Public Radio. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Meet C. Wolf!". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Buck Night Package". MiLB.com. January 2, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  9. ↑ "SeaWolves To Host #AlternativeFacts Night at UPMC Park". MiLB.com. March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  10. ↑ Jenkins, Dan (March 10, 2017). "Tigers’ Minor League Team Will Host #AlternativeFacts Night, Celebrating A Championship It Didn’t Win". CBS Broadcasting, Inc. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  11. ↑ Townsend, Mark (March 11, 2017). "Minor league team encourages hyperbole with 'Alternative Facts Night'". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  12. ↑ Hill, Benjamin (March 17, 2017). "The Week That Was: The Truth Resides in Erie". MLBlogs.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ Drew, Kate (January 26, 2017). "This is what Trump's border wall could cost". CNBC. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  14. ↑ Martin, Jim (September 17, 2015). "Smith Provision, Waldameer among honorees at 2015 Commitment to Erie Awards". Erie Times-News. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  15. ↑ "SeaWolves Announce Two-Year Broadcast Agreement". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
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