View source for Great Lakes Loons

{{short description|American Minor League baseball team}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
|name=Great Lakes Loons
|founded=1982
|city=Midland, Michigan
|founding city = Springfield, Illinois
|based = 2007
|logo=GreatLakesLoons.PNG
|uniformlogo = Great Lakes Loons Cap.png
|class level=[[High-A]] (2021–present)
|past class level=[[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] (1982–2020)
|current league=[[Midwest League]] (1982–present)
|conference=
|division=East Division
|past league=
|majorleague=[[Los Angeles Dodgers]] (2007–present)
|pastmajorleague={{plainlist |
* [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] (2005–2006)
* [[New York Yankees]] (2003–2004)
* [[Houston Astros]] (1999–2002)
* [[Boston Red Sox]] (1995–1998)
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] (1982–1994)
}}
|nickname={{plainlist |
* Great Lakes Loons (2007–present)
* [[Southwest Michigan Devil Rays]] (2005–2006)
* [[Battle Creek Yankees]] (2003–2004)
* [[Michigan Battle Cats]] (1995–2002)
* [[Madison Hatters]] (1994)
* [[Springfield (IL) Cardinals|Springfield Cardinals]] (1982–1993)
}}
| colors= Desert red, metallic black, Green Bay green, cool gray, white<ref>{{cite web |title=Midwest League Official Colors (1956 through present) |url=https://www.trucolor.net/portfolio/midwest-league-official-colors-1956-through-present/ |website=TruColor.net |access-date=25 October 2025}}</ref><br>{{Color box|#AF272F}} {{Color box|#010101}} {{Color box|#006747}} {{Color box|#A7A8A9}} {{Color box|#FFFFFF}}
|pastnames=
|ballpark=[[Dow Diamond]] (2007–present)
|pastparks={{plainlist |
* [[C.O. Brown Stadium]] (1995–2006)
* [[Warner Park]] (1994)
* [[Lanphier Park]] (1982–1993)
}}
|mascot= Lou E. Loon (2007–present)<br /> Rall E. Camel (2012–present)<br /> Doodle the Eagle (2003–2006)<br /> Rally Cat (1995–2002)
|leaguenum=2
|leaguechamps={{hlist|2000|2016}}
|divnum=1
|divisionchamps={{hlist|2023}}
|firsthalfnum= 2
|firsthalfchamps= {{hlist|2022|2023}}
|secondhalfnum= 
|secondhalfchamps= 
|owner=Michigan Baseball Foundation 
|manager=Jair Fernandez
|gm=Chris Mundhenk<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/mundhenk-president-and-gm-announcement|title=Chris Mundhenk Named Great Lakes Loons President & General Manager|website= milb|date=April 6, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2022}}</ref>
|website = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/great-lakes|milb.com/great-lakes}}
}}

The '''Great Lakes Loons''' are a [[Minor League Baseball]] team of the [[Midwest League]] and the [[High-A]] affiliate of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/great-lakes/ballpark/club-info|title=Club Information|website=Great Lakes Loons|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref> They are located in [[Midland, Michigan]], and play their home games at [[Dow Diamond]], which opened in April 2007.

==History==
[[File:Dow Diamond.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|The Loons play at [[Dow Diamond]] in [[Midland, Michigan]].]]
The Midwest League came to [[Battle Creek, Michigan|Battle Creek]], in 1995 after the franchise formerly known as the '''[[Madison Hatters]]''' moved. The team was first known as the '''Battle Creek Golden Kazoos'''. Due to a trademark dispute and general fan dissatisfaction with the name (which is a nickname for the nearby city of [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]]), the name was changed to the '''Michigan Battle Cats''' on March 9, 1995. {{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}

The team was affiliated with the [[Boston Red Sox]] (1995–98) and [[Houston Astros]] (1999–2002). The team changed its name to the '''Battle Creek Yankees''' after becoming an affiliate of the [[New York Yankees]] in 2003. The [[Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] took over affiliation of the team after the 2004 season, and the team name was changed to the '''Southwest Michigan Devil Rays'''.

In January 2006, the Devil Rays were sold to the non-profit Michigan Baseball Foundation and relocated to [[Midland, Michigan|Midland]], Michigan, in 2007. The team was renamed the Great Lakes Loons. A lack of interest from the Battle Creek community was the main reason for the move. Reduced ticket prices (even a night when fans were actually ''offered'' a dollar to come to that night's game) failed to pique the interest of local residents.

Naming rights for the Loons' stadium were purchased by [[Dow Chemical]], which is headquartered in Midland. The company named the stadium "[[Dow Diamond]]." Ground was broken on the stadium on April 11, 2006, with construction taking 367 days to complete. In September 2006, the team announced its new affiliation with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]. In November 2006, the Loons named [[Lance Parrish]] as the team's first manager since the move to Michigan's Tri-City Area. The first home game was played on April 13, 2007.

After nine seasons in Midland, the Loons went through an overhaul of their logos and brand to give the franchise a fresh, updated look heading into its 10th season in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.sportslogos.net/2016/02/13/new-great-lake-loons-logo-evokes-summertime-in-michigan/|title=New Great Lake Loons logo evokes summertime in Michigan|website=Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net News and Blog : New Logos and New Uniforms news, photos, and rumours|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref>

On September 18, 2016, the Loons clinched their first [[List of Midwest League champions|Midwest League championship]] following a 9–8 victory over the [[Seattle Mariners]]-affiliated  [[Clinton LumberKings]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/18/12960456/great-lakes-loons-midwest-league-champions-dodgers-minors|title=Loons win 2016 Midwest League title|last=Stephen|first=Eric|date=2016-09-18|website=True Blue LA|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref> The Loons won the championship series 3–1, following three-game series victories over the [[Bowling Green Hot Rods]] ([[Tampa Bay Rays]]) and [[West Michigan Whitecaps]] ([[Detroit Tigers]]) in the previous rounds. The Loons were managed by [[Gil Velazquez]].

The Loons have hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game on two occasions (2008 and 2017).

On August 23, 2019, the Loons hosted their largest crowd ever of 6,671 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/08/26/great-lakes-loons-set-single-game-attendance-record/|title=Great Lakes Loons Set Single-Game Attendance Record|date=26 August 2019}}</ref>

In conjunction with [[Major League Baseball]]'s restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Loons were organized into the [[High-A Central]].<ref name=JMayo2-12-2021>{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|title=MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-minor-league-baseball-structure|website=Major League Baseball|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, the High-A Central became known as the Midwest League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.<ref name=MWLrename>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022|title=Historical League Names to Return in 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2022}}</ref>

==Season-by-season records==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="5" | Michigan Battle Cats (1995–2002)
|- style="background: #F2F2F2;"
! Season !! Record !! Finish !! Manager !! Playoffs
|- align=center
| 1995 || 75–62 || 4th || [[DeMarlo Hale]] || Lost League Finals
|- align=center
| 1996 || 60–78 || 11th || [[Tom Barrett (baseball)|Tom Barrett]] || 
|- align=center
| 1997 || 70–67 || 4th || [[Billy Gardner, Jr.]] || Lost in 1st round
|- align=center
| 1998 || 79–61 || 2nd (t) || [[Billy Gardner, Jr.]] || Lost in 1st round
|- align=center
| 1999 || 76–62 || 3rd || [[Al Pedrique]] || Lost in 1st round
|- align=center
| 2000 || 82–56 || 2nd || [[Al Pedrique]] || '''League Champs'''
|- align=center
| 2001 || 82–55 || 3rd || [[John Massarelli]] || Lost in 1st round
|- align=center
| 2002 || 79–61 || 4th || [[John Massarelli]] || Lost in 1st round
|-
! colspan="5" | Battle Creek Yankees (2003–2004)
|- style="background: #F2F2F2;"
! Year !! Record !! Finish !! Manager !! Playoffs
|- align=center
| 2003 || 73–64 || 3rd || [[Mitch Seoane]] || Lost in 2nd round
|- align=center
| 2004 || 71–68 || 9th || [[Mitch Seoane]] (13–18) / [[Bill Mosiello]] (58–50) || 
|-
! colspan="5" | Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (2005–2006)
|- style="background: #F2F2F2;"
! Year !! Record !! Finish !! Manager !! Playoffs
|- align=center
| 2005 || 72–67 || 4th (t) || [[Joe Szekely (minors)|Joe Szekely]] || Lost in 1st round to SB
|- align=center
| 2006 || 62–77 || 12th || [[Skeeter Barnes]] || 
|-
! colspan="5" | Great Lakes Loons (2007–present)
|- style="background: #F2F2F2;"
! Year !! Record !! Finish !! Manager !! Playoffs
|- align=center
| 2007 || 57–82 || 5th || [[Lance Parrish]] || 
|- align=center
| 2008 || 54–85 || 6th || [[Juan Bustabad]] || 
|- align=center
| 2009 || 81–59 || 2nd || [[Juan Bustabad]] || Lost in 2nd round to FW
|- align=center
| 2010 || 90–49 || 1st || [[Juan Bustabad]] || Lost in 2nd round to LC
|- align=center
| 2011 || 72–67 || 4th || [[John Shoemaker]] || 
|- align=center
| 2012 || 67–73 || 6th || [[John Shoemaker]] || 
|- align=center
| 2013 || 67–72 || 5th || [[Razor Shines]] || Lost in 1st round to SB
|- align=center
| 2014 || 66–73 || 4th || [[Bill Haselman]] || 
|- align=center
| 2015 || 68–69 || 7th || [[Luis Matos (baseball, born 1978)|Luis Matos]] || Lost in 1st round to LAN
|- align=center
| 2016 || 65–75 || 6th || [[Gil Velazquez]] || '''League Champions'''
|- align=center
| 2017 || 69–70 || 5th || [[Jeremy Rodriguez]] || 
|- align=center
| 2018 || 60–77 || 6th || [[John Shoemaker]] || Lost in 1st round to WM
|- align=center
| 2019 || 58–79|| 4th || [[John Shoemaker]] || Lost in 2nd Round to SB
|}

==Mascot==
Lou E. Loon is the team mascot and Ambassador of Fun for the team. He's an energetic bird who loves to dance at home games and make public appearances. The kids' play area at the diamond is named ''Lou E.'s Lookout'' in his honor. He often leads fans in his signature cheer, the "Funky Feather", which won "Best In-Game Promotion of the Year" in 2009 for Minor League Baseball.

"Rall E. Camel" was introduced as the team's second mascot in April 2012. He is an honorary deputy ambassador of mischief and is an ostensibly goofy addition to the staff of the Great Lakes Loons.

==Roster==

{{Great Lakes Loons roster}}

==Notable Great Lakes Loons alumni==

{{div col|colwidth=33em}}

* [[Scott Barlow (baseball)|Scott Barlow]]<ref name="test">{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-133271220|title = Loons in the Majors}}</ref>
* [[Rafael Betancourt]] (1996)
* [[John Buck (baseball)|John Buck]] (1999–2000) MLB All-Star
* [[Walker Buehler]] (2016) Combined [[no-hitter]]
* [[Melky Cabrera]] (2004) MLB All-Star
* [[Tyler Clippard]] (2004) 2-time MLB All-Star
* [[Wade Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]] (2006) 3-time MLB All-Star
* [[Justin Duchscherer]] (1997) 2-time MLB All-Star
* [[Dee Gordon]] (2009) 2-time MLB All-Star; 2015 NL batting title
* [[Shea Hillenbrand]] (1997–1998) 2-time MLB All-Star
* [[Kenley Jansen]] (2007–2008) 2-time MLB All-Star
* [[John Jaso]] (2005)
* [[Clayton Kershaw]] (2007) 8-time MLB All-Star; 5-time NL ERA title (2011–2014, 2016); 3-time NL Cy Young Award (2011, 2013–2014) 2020 World Series Champion
* [[Jason Lane]] (2000)
* [[Aaron Miles]] (1997)
* [[Roy Oswalt]] (1999) 3-time MLB All-Star; 2006 NL ERA title
* [[Lance Parrish]] (2007, MGR) 8-time MLB All-Star
* [[Carl Pavano]] (1997) MLB All-Star
* [[Joc Pederson]] (2011) 2-time MLB All-Star
* [[Chad Qualls]] (2001)
* [[Tim Redding]] (1999)
*[[Bubby Rossman]] (2015)
* [[Carlos Santana (baseball)|Carlos Santana]] (2007) All-Star
* [[Johan Santana]] 4-time MLB All-Star; 3-time AL ERA title (2004, 2006, 2008); 2-time AL Cy Young Award (2004, 2006)
* [[Corey Seager]] (2014) 5-time MLB All-Star (2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024); 2016 NL Rookie of the Year
 2-time World Series MVP (2020, 2023)
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[WLUN]] ''(sports radio station owned by the Loons)''

==Sources==
*{{cite web |last=Dinda |first=J. |title=Battle Creek, Michigan, in the Midwest League |url=http://www.mwlguide.com/cities/battlecreek/index.html |date=2003}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Great Lakes Loons}}
* [http://www.loons.com Official website]

{{Los Angeles Dodgers}}
{{Midwest League}}
{{Michigan Sports}}

[[Category:1982 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1982]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:High-A Central teams]]
[[Category:Houston Astros minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Midland, Michigan]]
[[Category:Midwest League teams]]
[[Category:New York Yankees minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Michigan]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Rays minor league affiliates]]