Battle Creek Yankees
Encyclopedia
The Michigan Battle Cats
of the Midwest League
became the Battle Creek Yankees for the 2003 season. In 2005, their affiliation with the New York Yankees
ended. They became an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
known as the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
. The team played their home games in C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan.
and became an affiliate of the New York Yankees
. Along with the change in affiliation came a change in name, as they became known as the Battle Creek Yankees. Their first half season began inauspiciously as they finished 33–35, placing fifth in the six-team Eastern Division. For the season's second half, they improved to a 40–29 record, but still finished in second place in the division, 3½ games behind the South Bend Silver Hawks
. Despite not winning either half, they qualified for the three-round playoffs as a wildcard team. In the first round they beat the Fort Wayne Wizards
two games to none. In the second round, however, they fell to the Lansing Lugnuts
. First baseman Jason Drobiak hit .293 and led the league with 30 home runs. Pitcher José García went 9–8 with a 2.64 earned run average. The pitcher who would perhaps go on to the most success at the major league level, Manny Acosta
, went 0–8 with a 6.64 earned run average and was released by the Yankees.
In 2004, the Battle Creek Yankees finished third in the first half with a 33–36 record. For the second half, they improved their record to 38–32, but they still finished in fourth place, two games behind, in a tight divisional race. They didn't qualify for the playoffs. Outfielder Melky Cabrera
hit .333 with no home runs in 42 games. Third baseman Eric Duncan
hit .260 with 12 home runs. Catcher Omir Santos
hit .240 with 2 home runs. Pitcher Tyler Clippard
went 10–10 with a 3.44 earned run average and 145 strikeouts.
In September 2004, Battle Creek announced that it had signed a two-year player development contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
. The Devil Rays were new to the Midwest League; the Battle Creek franchise was replacing Charleston RiverDogs
of the South Atlantic League
as Tampa Bay's low-A affiliate. With the announcement, it was obvious that the team's name would need to change, and later they became the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
.
Michigan Battle Cats
The Michigan Battle Cats was a minor league baseball team which began playing in the Midwest League in 1995 and called C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan home. The franchise had previously been located in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994 where they were called the Madison Hatters. Prior to that...
of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
became the Battle Creek Yankees for the 2003 season. In 2005, their affiliation with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
ended. They became an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
known as the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Midwest League in 2005 and 2006. The club began play in 1995 and was previously known as the Michigan Battle Cats and the Battle Creek Yankees. They played their home games at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle...
. The team played their home games in C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Team history
In 2003, the Michigan Battle Cats dropped their affiliation with the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and became an affiliate of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Along with the change in affiliation came a change in name, as they became known as the Battle Creek Yankees. Their first half season began inauspiciously as they finished 33–35, placing fifth in the six-team Eastern Division. For the season's second half, they improved to a 40–29 record, but still finished in second place in the division, 3½ games behind the South Bend Silver Hawks
South Bend Silver Hawks
The South Bend Silver Hawks are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that plays in the Midwest League....
. Despite not winning either half, they qualified for the three-round playoffs as a wildcard team. In the first round they beat the Fort Wayne Wizards
Fort Wayne Wizards
The Fort Wayne TinCaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the San Diego Padres, that plays in the Midwest League. They won their first Midwest League Championship in 2009.-History:...
two games to none. In the second round, however, they fell to the Lansing Lugnuts
Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, that plays in the Midwest League.The Midwest League came to Lansing, Michigan in 1996. The franchise began in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1955; after two seasons it moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where it...
. First baseman Jason Drobiak hit .293 and led the league with 30 home runs. Pitcher José García went 9–8 with a 2.64 earned run average. The pitcher who would perhaps go on to the most success at the major league level, Manny Acosta
Manny Acosta
Manuel Alcides "Manny" Acosta Molina is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
, went 0–8 with a 6.64 earned run average and was released by the Yankees.
In 2004, the Battle Creek Yankees finished third in the first half with a 33–36 record. For the second half, they improved their record to 38–32, but they still finished in fourth place, two games behind, in a tight divisional race. They didn't qualify for the playoffs. Outfielder Melky Cabrera
Melky Cabrera
Melky Astacio Cabrera is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.-Minors:Cabrera was signed by the New York Yankees on November 13, 2001, at age 17...
hit .333 with no home runs in 42 games. Third baseman Eric Duncan
Eric Duncan
Eric Anthony Duncan is an American baseball player who is currently in the Kansas City Royals organization.-Amateur career:...
hit .260 with 12 home runs. Catcher Omir Santos
Omir Santos
Omir Santos Rios is a Major League Baseball catcher. Santos has played for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.-Career:...
hit .240 with 2 home runs. Pitcher Tyler Clippard
Tyler Clippard
Tyler Lee Clippard is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-New York Yankees:Clippard was drafted in the 9th round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees out of J. W. Mitchell High School...
went 10–10 with a 3.44 earned run average and 145 strikeouts.
In September 2004, Battle Creek announced that it had signed a two-year player development contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
. The Devil Rays were new to the Midwest League; the Battle Creek franchise was replacing Charleston RiverDogs
Charleston RiverDogs
The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Charleston, South Carolina. They play in the class A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their home stadium is at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
as Tampa Bay's low-A affiliate. With the announcement, it was obvious that the team's name would need to change, and later they became the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Midwest League in 2005 and 2006. The club began play in 1995 and was previously known as the Michigan Battle Cats and the Battle Creek Yankees. They played their home games at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle...
.
Year-by-year record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 73-64 | 3rd | Mitch Seoane | Lost in 2nd round |
| 2004 | 71-68 | 9th | Mitch Seoane (13-18) / Bill Mosiello (58-50) | |