View source for West Michigan Whitecaps

{{short description|American Minor League baseball team}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name             = West Michigan Whitecaps
| founded          = 1982
| founding city    = Madison, Wisconsin
| based            = 1994
| city             = Comstock Park, Michigan
| misc             = 
| logo             = West Michigan Whitecaps Logo.svg
| uniformlogo      = WestMichiganWhiteCapsCapLogo.PNG
| class level      = [[High-A]] (2021–present)
| past class level = [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] (1994–2020) 
| current league   = [[Midwest League]] (1994–present)
| conference       = 
| division         = East Division
| past league      = 
| majorleague      = [[Detroit Tigers]] (1997–present)
| pastmajorleague  = [[Oakland Athletics]] (1994–1996)
| nickname         = West Michigan Whitecaps (1994–present)
|colors            = Navy, medium blue, light blue, white<br/>{{color box|#0C2340}} {{color box|#012169}} {{color box|#69B3E7}} {{color box|white}}
| ballpark         = [[LMCU Ballpark]] (1994–present)
| pastparks        = 
| leaguenum        = 7
| leaguechamps     = {{hlist|1996|1998|2004|2006|2007|2015|2025}}
| divnum           = 7
| divisionchamps   = {{hlist|1996|1998|2004|2006|2007|2015|2025}}
| firsthalfnum           = 1
| firsthalfchamps   = {{hlist|2025}}
| secondhalfnum           = 1
| secondhalfchamps   = {{hlist|2025}}
| owner            = Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter
| manager          = Tony Cappuccilli
| gm               = Jim Jarecki
| website          = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/west-michigan|milb.com/west-michigan}}
}}

The '''West Michigan Whitecaps''' are a [[Minor League Baseball]] team of the [[Midwest League]] and the [[High-A]] affiliate of the [[Detroit Tigers]]. They are located in [[Comstock Park, Michigan]], a suburb of [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], and play their home games at [[LMCU Ballpark]].

==Franchise history==
The [[Midwest League]] came to the Grand Rapids area in 1994 upon the arrival of the former [[Madison Muskies]]. The Whitecaps were brought to West Michigan by local businessmen Lew Chamberlin and Dennis Baxter. The Whitecaps were affiliated with the [[Oakland Athletics]] before they joined the Tigers' farm system in 1997.

Their home ballpark is [[LMCU Ballpark]] in Comstock Park. Before the 2002 season it was known as Old Kent Park; the name was changed when the park's title sponsor, Old Kent Bank, was purchased by Fifth Third Bank. Before the 2021 season, the Lake Michigan Credit Union renamed the venue "LMCU Ballpark". The team's official mascots are Crash the River Rascal, Roxy the River Rascal and Franky the Swimming Pig.

The franchise's attendance record of 547,401 was set in 1996.

Several league and team records were set during the 2006 season.  The team posted the second best record in franchise history, going 89–48, including going 23–6 in July.  Michael Hollimon hit 3 home runs in one game. [[Cameron Maybin]] hit 2 grand slams in the season. Michael Hernandez became the first person in the history of the Midwest League to hit for the cycle twice.  The Whitecaps went on to defeat the [[Kane County Cougars]] in four games to win their fourth Midwest League Championship.

In 2009, the team drew the attention of the [[Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine]] after a {{convert|4|lb|adj=on}}, 4,800-calorie [[hamburger]] called the Fifth Third Burger was placed on the menu of the team's concession stand. It was so named in part for the ballpark sponsor and part for its 1.6666 (or 5/3) pounds of meat.  The Committee requested that the team put a label on the burger indicating that it was a "dietary disaster".<ref>[https://www.espn.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=4031453 Doctors Have Beef With Burger] ESPN, March 31, 2009</ref>  To date, more than 100 fans, or about a half of the people who have attempted the challenge, have conquered the burger and earned a commemorative T-shirt.  On July 15, 2009, [[Travel Channel]]'s "[[Man v. Food]]" and its host Adam Richman came to Fifth Third Ballpark to attempt to conquer the burger in an episode of the popular show.  The episode aired on September 30, 2009, wherein he successfully met the challenge. In 2012, The Whitecaps installed a new scoreboard and high resolution video display screen which was installed by TS Sports out of Dallas, Texas.

On January 3, 2014, a fire started in one of the suites.  It spread and caused extensive damage, close to one half of the suites and 1st base concourse were destroyed.<ref>MiLB Whitecaps' ballpark damaged in fire: https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-66298102</ref>  Thanks to extensive work, the park was restored and up and running by opening day.<ref>WZZM Whitecaps: We will play baseball April 8: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/277494/2/Whitecaps-We-will-place-baseball-April-8</ref>

[[Image:WestMichigan Whitecaps DSCN8265.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Whitecaps at home in [[Fifth Third Ballpark]]]]

In conjunction with [[Major League Baseball]]'s restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Whitecaps 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>

In 2025, the Whitecaps won the [[Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/minor-league-baseball-announces-2025-award-winners|title=Minor League Baseball Announces 2025 Award Winners|website=Minor League Baseball|date=October 6, 2025|access-date=October 7, 2025|archive-date=October 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007164033/https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/minor-league-baseball-announces-2025-award-winners|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Regular season==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Season || W || L || Pct. ||
|-
| 1994 || 74 || 65 || .532
|-
| 1995 || 67 || 69 || .492
|-
| 1996 || 77 || 61 || .557 || MWL Champions
|-
| 1997 || 92 || 39 || .702
|-
| 1998 || 83 || 57 || .593 || MWL Champions
|-
| 1999 || 68 || 72 || .485
|-
| 2000 || 88 || 52 || .629
|-
| 2001 || 65 || 72 || .474
|-
| 2002 || 83 || 57 || .593
|-
| 2003 || 67 || 73 || .478
|-
| 2004 || 69 || 70 || .496 || MWL Champions
|-
| 2005 || 73 || 70 || .510
|-
| 2006 || 89 || 48 || .649 || MWL Champions
|-
| 2007 || 83 || 57 || .593 || MWL Champions
|-
| 2008 || 73 || 76 || .532
|-
| 2009 || 83 || 57 || .593
|-
| 2010 || 62 || 77 || .446
|-
| 2011 || 70 || 69 || .504
|-
| 2012 || 72 || 68 || .514
|-
| 2013 || 69 || 70 || .496
|-
| 2014 || 82 || 58 || .586
|-
| 2015 || 75 || 64 || .540 || MWL Champions
|-
| 2016 || 71 || 65 || .522
|-
| 2017 || 91 || 45 || .669
|-
| 2018 || 69 || 70 || .496
|-
| 2019 || 49 || 90 || .353
|-
| 2021 || 58 || 62 || .483
|-
| 2022 || 72 || 59 || .550
|-
| 2023 || 68 || 62 || .523
|-
| 2024 || 68 || 63 || .519
|-
| 2025 || 92 || 39 || .702 || MWL Champions
|}

== Postseason ==
The Whitecaps won the best-of-five [[Midwest League]] championship six times in six opportunities.  They defeated the [[Wisconsin Timber Rattlers]] in 1996, the [[Rockford Cubbies]] in 1998, the [[Kane County Cougars]] twice (2004 and 2006), the [[Beloit Snappers]] in 2007, and the [[Cedar Rapids Kernels]] twice, in 2015 and again in 2025.  West Michigan is 59–32 all-time in playoff games.

=== Oakland Athletics affiliation ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Record || Results || Opponents
|-
| 1994 || 0–2 || Lost in First Round || Rockford (0–2)
|-
| 1995 || 3–3 || Lost in Second Round || Kane County (2–1), Michigan (1–2)
|-
| 1996 || 7–2 || '''Won Championship''' || Lansing (2–1), Rockford (2–0), '''Wisconsin''' (3–1)
|}

===Detroit Tigers affiliation===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Record || Results || Opponents
|-
| 1997 || 0–2 || Lost in First Round || Fort Wayne (0–2)
|-
| 1998 || 7–2 || '''Won Championship''' || Michigan (2–1), Clinton (2–0), '''Rockford''' (3–1)
|-
| 2000 || 1–2 || Lost in First Round || Dayton (1–2)
|-
| 2002 || 3–2 || Lost in Second Round || Dayton (2–0), Lansing (1–2)
|-
| 2004 || 7–3 || '''Won Championship''' || Lansing (2–1), South Bend (2–0), '''Kane County''' (3–2)
|-
| 2005 || 2–2 || Lost in Second Round || Fort Wayne (2–0), South Bend (0–2)
|-
| 2006 || 7–2 || '''Won Championship''' || Fort Wayne (2–1), Lansing (2–0), '''Kane County''' (3–1)
|-
| 2007 || 7–2 || '''Won Championship''' || Lansing (2–0), South Bend (2–0), '''Beloit''' (3–2)
|-
| 2014|| 1–2 || Lost in First Round || Fort Wayne (1–2)
|-
| 2015 || 7–3 || '''Won Championship''' || Fort Wayne (2–0), Lansing (2–1), '''Cedar Rapids''' (3–2)
|-
| 2016 || 3–3 || Lost in Second Round || South Bend (2–1), Great Lakes (1–2)
|-
| 2017 || 1-2 || Lost in First Round || Dayton (1-2)
|-
| 2018 || 2-2 || Lost in Second Round || Great Lakes (2-0), Bowling Green (0-2)
|-
| 2025 || 4-0 || '''Won Championship''' ||  Lake County (2–0), '''Cedar Rapids''' (2-0)
|}

==Managers==
Since 1994, the Whitecaps have had nine managers. In 2007, former Tigers' third baseman [[Tom Brookens]] became the fifth manager in the history of the Whitecaps.

Listed here is each manager and their won/loss record:

===Detroit Tigers affiliation===

*[[Bruce Fields]] 1997–2000  (331–220)
*[[Brent Gates]] 2001 (65–72)
*[[Phil Regan (baseball)|Phil Regan]] 2002–2003 (150–130)
*[[Matt Walbeck]] 2004–2006 (231–179)
*[[Tom Brookens]] 2007 (83–57)
*[[Joe DePastino]] 2008–2010 (215–201)
*[[Ernie Young]] 2011–2012 (142–135)
*[[Larry Parrish]] 2013 (69-70)
*[[Andrew Graham (baseball)|Andrew Graham]] 2014–2016 (228-187)
*[[Mike Rabelo]] 2017 (91-45)
*[[Lance Parrish]] 2018-2019 (118-160)
*[[Brayan Peña]] 2020-2023 (198-183)
*Tony Cappuccilli 2024–present

== Roster ==
{{West Michigan Whitecaps roster}}

== Former Whitecaps in the majors ==
Below is a list of West Michigan Whitecaps who have played in the major leagues.
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

===Oakland Athletics affiliation (1994–1996)===

* [[Benito Baez]] 1996
* [[Jason Beverlin]] 1995
* [[Emil Brown]] 1995
* [[Ryan Christenson]] 1996
* [[Steve Cox (baseball)|Steve Cox]] 1994
* [[D. T. Cromer]] 1994 
* [[Jeff D'Amico (Royals)|Jeff D'Amico]] 1994, 1995
* [[Jeff DaVanon]] 1996
* [[Mario Encarnacion]] 1996
* [[Ben Grieve]] 1995
* [[Ramon Hernandez]] 1996
* Tim Kubinski 1994
* [[Jason McDonald]] 1994
* [[Chris Michalak]] 1994
* Willie Morales 1994
* [[Juan Moreno (pitcher)|Juan Moreno]] 1996
* [[David Newhan]] 1995
* [[Derrick White (baseball)|Derrick White]] 1996
* [[George Williams (catcher)|George Williams]] 1994

===Detroit Tigers affiliation (1997–present)===

* [[Burke Badenhop]] 2006
* [[Adam Bernero]] 1999
* [[Willie Blair]] 1997 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
* [[Brennan Boesch]]  2007
* [[Jeremy Bonderman]] 2009 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
* [[Dave Borkowski]] 1997
* [[Brent Clevlen]] 2003
* [[Francisco Cordero]] 1997
* [[Nate Cornejo]] 1999 
* [[Casey Crosby]] 2009
* [[Freddy Dolsi]] 2005
* [[Eulogio de la Cruz]] 2004
* Eric Eckenstahler 2000
* [[Robert Fick]] 1997
* [[Jason Frasor]] 1999, 2000
* [[Tony Giarratano]] 2004
* [[Curtis Granderson]] 2008 Played three games on rehab assignment
* [[Jack Hannahan]] 2001
* [[Michael Hollimon]] 2006
* [[Omar Infante]] 2000
* [[Brandon Inge]] 1999
* [[Matt Joyce (baseball)|Matt Joyce]] 2006
* [[Jair Jurrjens]] 2005
* [[Kris Keller]] 1999
* [[Don Kelly (baseball)|Don Kelly]] 2002
* Rodney Lindsey 1998
* [[Nook Logan]] 2001
* [[Shane Loux]] 1998, 1999 
* Bobby Lynch 2014
* [[Cameron Maybin]] 2006
* Matt Miller 1998
* [[Dave Mlicki]] 2000 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
* [[Brian Moehler]] 2000 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
* [[Scott Moore (baseball)|Scott Moore]] 2003
* [[Eric Munson]] 1999
* [[Magglio Ordóñez]] 2008 Played one game on rehab assignment
* [[Adam Pettyjohn]] 1998
* [[Luis Pineda (baseball)|Luis Pineda]] 1999
* [[Mike Rabelo]] 2002, 2003
* [[Ryan Raburn]] 2002, 2003
* [[Mike Rivera (baseball)|Mike Rivera]] 1998
* [[Fernando Rodney]] 2000
* [[Kenny Rogers (baseball)|Kenny Rogers]] 2007 Pitched one game on rehab assignment
* [[Cody Ross]] 2000
* [[Pedro Santana (baseball)|Pedro Santana]] 1997, 1998
* [[Ramón Santiago]] 2000
* [[Jordan Tata]] 2004
* [[Clete Thomas]] 2005
* [[Andrés Torres (baseball)|Andres Torres]] 1999
* [[Andy Van Hekken]] 2000
* [[Virgil Vasquez]] 2004
* [[Chris Wakeland]] 1997
* [[Jeff Weaver]] 1998
* [[Joel Zumaya]] 2003
* [[Nicholas Castellanos]] 2011
* [[Reese Olson]] 2021
{{Div col end}}

== Broadcasting ==
The Whitecaps returned to "The Ticket West Michigan" for the 2024 season with radio simulcast on four stations: 106.1-FM and 1340-AM in Grand Rapids. For home games, they produce a Radio/TV Simulcast, while the road games are produced as a traditional radio broadcast. Dan Hasty is the Voice of the Whitecaps and has also filled in on Detroit Tigers Radio Play-by-Play, as well as hosting the Road to Detroit Podcast from 2019-2022,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/road-to-detroit-podcast-focuses-on-tigers-prospects|title=New podcast gives Tigers' farm system a voice|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-20}}</ref> as well as serving as TV broadcast voice of [[Detroit Mercy Titans men's basketball|Men's Basketball for the University of Detroit Mercy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://detroittitans.com/staff.aspx?staff=350|title=Dan Hasty - Voice Of Detroit Mercy MBB On 910 AM Superstation - Staff Directory|website=University of Detroit Mercy Athletics|language=en|access-date=2019-06-20}}</ref> the Grand Rapids Rise [[Grand Rapids Rise|of Major League Volleyball]] and the [[Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G-League.]]

== In popular culture ==
B-Roll footage of a game between the Whitecaps and [[South Bend Silver Hawks]] at [[Fifth Third Ballpark]], was aired in Champ's Whammy! home runs scene in 
''[[Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues]]''. Officials with the West Michigan Whitecaps were unaware they would be featured in the movie and only found out after the movie was released in December 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2013/12/whammy_anchorman_2_features_un.html|title=Whammy! 'Anchorman 2' features unexpected footage of West Michigan Whitecaps|website=M Live|language=en|access-date=2021-03-07}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:West Michigan Whitecaps players]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist}}
'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
* Dinda, J. (2003), "Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the Midwest League," http://www.mwlguide.com/cities/grandrapids/index.html
* Official site of the West Michigan Whitecaps, History http://www.whitecaps-baseball.com/BALLPARK/history.html
* Official site of the West Michigan Whitecaps, All-Time Roster http://www.whitecaps-baseball.com/TEAM/allroster.html
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.milb.com/west-michigan}}
* [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Grand+Rapids&state=MI&country=US Statistics from ''Baseball-Reference'']

{{Detroit Tigers}}
{{Midwest League}}
{{Michigan Sports}}
{{Grand Rapids, Michigan}}

[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1994]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Michigan]]
[[Category:Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Midwest League teams]]
[[Category:Kent County, Michigan]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:High-A Central teams]]