Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | |||||
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Minor league affiliations | |||||
Class | Class A [1](1963–present) | ||||
Previous classes | Class B (1958–1961) Class C (1910–1914) Class D (1909, 1940–1953, 1962) | ||||
League | Midwest League (1962–present) | ||||
Division | Western Division | ||||
Previous leagues | Independent (1891, 1902) Three-I League (1958–1961) Wisconsin State League (1940–1942, 1946–1953) Wisconsin–Illinois League (1909–1914) | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Team | Milwaukee Brewers (2009–present) | ||||
Previous teams | Seattle Mariners (1993–2008) Kansas City Royals (1987–1992) | ||||
Minor league titles | |||||
League titles (10) |
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Team data | |||||
Name | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (1995–present) | ||||
Previous names | Appleton Foxes (1962, 1967–1994) Fox Cities Foxes (1963–1966) Appleton Papermakers (1909–1953) | ||||
Colors | burgundy, black, white, silver | ||||
Mascot | Fang | ||||
Ballpark | Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (1995–present) | ||||
Previous parks | Goodland Field (1940–1994) League Park (1909–1914) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Appleton Baseball Club, Inc. | ||||
General manager | Rob Zerjav | ||||
Manager | Matt Erickson |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/FangWisconsinTimberRattlersMascot.jpg/220px-FangWisconsinTimberRattlersMascot.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/ChrisTillmanWisconsinTimberRattlersPitcher.jpg/220px-ChrisTillmanWisconsinTimberRattlersPitcher.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Goosegossage1.jpg/220px-Goosegossage1.jpg)
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are a minor league baseball team of the Midwest League, and the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The team is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and are named for the timber rattlesnake, which is indigenous to the area.[2] The team plays its home games at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium, which opened in 1995 and seats 5,170 fans (plus grass seating).[3] The Timber Rattlers have won nine league championships, most recently in 2012. World Series-winning Managers Earl Weaver and Jack McKeon were Managers at Appleton. Baseball Hall of Fame members Pat Gillick, Earl Weaver, and Goose Gossage played for Appleton. Five future Cy Young Award winners and three Most Valuable Player recipients were on Appleton/Wisconsin rosters.[4]
History
The team began play as the Appleton Foxes in the Three-I League in 1958, five years after Appleton's previous minor league franchise, the Papermakers, folded along with the rest of the Wisconsin State League. The Papermakers had played in the Wisconsin–Illinois League (1909–1914) before starting the franchise again decades later in the Wisconsin State League (1940–1953). The Foxes joined the Midwest League (MWL) in 1962 after the Three-I League disbanded, and continue play in the MWL today.[4]
The Foxes played at Appleton's Goodland Field and League Park before moving to their current home at Fox Cities Stadium, a larger, more modern ballpark on Appleton's northwest side in the town of Grand Chute. With the move, the Foxes took the new name of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in an effort to attract fans outside the immediate Appleton/Fox Cities area. The franchise set its all-time attendance record of 253,240 in 2009, the first year of their affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers.[3]
The Timber Rattlers are a non-stock club governed by Appleton Baseball Club, Inc., which is community-owned.[3] Appleton Baseball Club has a 12-person board of directors.[3] It has 168 active shareholders and 347 shares as of September 2008.[3]
Alumni: Hall of Fame
Three Timber Rattlers franchise alumni have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame:
- Pat Gillick (1960) MLB player; MLB executive: Baseball Hall of Fame (2011)
- Goose Gossage (1970–71, 1974); Baseball Hall of Fame (2008)
- Earl Weaver (MGR, 1960–61) MLB manager, 3 x AL Pennant; manager, 1970 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles; Baseball Hall of Fame (1996)
Notable alumni
- Juan Agosto (1980)
- Harold Baines (1977) 6 x MLB AS
- Daryl Boston (1982)
- Britt Burns (1978, 1984)
- Asdrúbal Cabrera (2005) 2 x MLB AS
- John Cangelosi (1983)
- Dean Chance (1960) 2 x MLB AS; 1964 AL Cy Young Award
- Shin-Soo Choo (2002)
- Bucky Dent (1970–71) 3 x MLB AS
- Brian Downing (1971) MLB AS
- Shawn Estes (1993) MLB AS
- Terry Forster (1970) 1974 AL saves leader
- Ryan Franklin (1994) MLB AS
- Mike Garcia (1942) 2 X MLB AS; 2 X AL ERA Leader (1949, 1954)
- Tom Gordon (1988) 3 x MLB AS
- Félix Hernández (2003) 5 x MLB AS; 2013 AL Cy Young Award
- Greg Hibbard (1987)
- LaMarr Hoyt (1978) MLB AS 1983 AL Cy Young Award
- Raúl Ibañez (1993–94) MLB AS
- Adam Jones (2004) 4 x GG; 5 X MLB AS
- Brett Lawrie (2009)
- Matt Karchner (1990)
- Ron Kittle (1980) MLB AS; 1983 AL Rookie of the Year
- Alex Liddi (2007)
- Sparky Lyle (1964) 3 x MLB AS; 1977 AL Cy Young Award
- Jack McKeon (Player/MGR, 1959) manager, 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins
- Dave McNally (1961) 3 X MLB AS; 1970 AL wins leader
- Julio Mateo (2000)
- Carlos May (1967) 2 x MLB AS
- Dave May (1963–64) MLB AS
- Gil Meche (1997–98) MLB AS
- Bill Melton (1966) MLB AS; 1971 AL home run leader
- Dan Miceli (1992)
- David Ortiz (1996) 9 x MLB AS; World Series MVP Award (2013); AL Championship Series MVP Award (2004); 2006 AL home run leader; 2005–06 AL RBI leader; 500 home run club
- Joel Piñeiro (1998)
- Boog Powell (1960) 4 x MLB AS; 1970 AL Most Valuable Player
- J. J. Putz (2000) MLB AS
- Joe Randa (1992)
- Cal Ripken Sr. (1962) MLB MGR; father of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken
- Alex Rodriguez (1994) 14 x MLB AS; 3 x AL Most Valuable Player; 5 x AL home run leader; 2 x MLB RBI leader; MLB batting champion (1996); 500 home run club
- Rafael Soriano (2000) MLB AS; 2010 AL saves leader
- Bobby Thigpen (1985) MLB AS
- Steve Trout (1977)
- Zoilo Versalles (1959) 2 X GG; 2 x MLB AS; 1965 AL Most Valuable Player
- Pete Vuckovich (1974) 1982 AL Cy Young Award
- Greg Walker (1980)
- Eddie Watt (1962)
- Kenny Williams (1983–84) general manager, 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox
Yearly results
League Champions † |
Three-I League | |||||||
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Season | Affiliation | Manager | Record | Win % | Finish | Attendance | Playoffs |
1958 | Washington | Pete Suder | 56–73 | .434 | 6th | 58,602 | |
1959 | Washington | Jack McKeon | 59–67 | .468 | 4th | 51,004 | |
1960 † | Baltimore | Earl Weaver | 82–56 | .594 | 1st | 61,062 | Won Title |
1961 | Baltimore | Earl Weaver | 67–62 | .519 | 4th | 47,552 |
Midwest League | |||||||
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Season | Affiliation | Manager | Record | Win % | Finish | Attendance | Playoffs |
1962 | Baltimore | Billy DeMars | 61–63 | .492 | 7th | 41,323 | None |
1963 | Baltimore | Billy DeMars | 55–65 | .458 | 8th | 43,412 | None |
1964 † | Baltimore | Billy DeMars | 81–43 | .653 | 1st | 45,557 | Defeated Clinton 1–0 |
1965 | Baltimore | Billy DeMars | 55–63 | .466 | 7th | 43,412 | None |
1966 † | Chicago (AL) | Stan Wasiak | 77–47 | .621 | 2nd | 57,496 | Defeated Cedar Rapids 2–1 |
1967 † | Chicago (AL) | Alex Cosmidis | 71–46 | .607 | 1st | 48,186 | Defeated Wisconsin Rapids 2–0 |
1968 | Chicago (AL) | Gary Johnson/Tom Umphlett | 57–61 | .483 | 6th | 45,436 | None |
1969 † | Chicago (AL) | Tom Saffell | 84–41 | .672 | 1st | 67,028 | Won both halves |
1970 | Chicago (AL) | Ira Hutchinson | 64–60 | .516 | 5th | — | None |
1971 | Chicago (AL) | Joe Sparks | 79–44 | .642 | 1st | — | Lost to Quad Cities 2–1 |
1972 | Chicago (AL) | Bert Thiel | 76–51 | .598 | 1st | — | Defeated Wisconsin Rapids 1–0; Lost to Danville 2-0 |
1973 | Chicago (AL) | Grover "Deacon" Jones | 44–76 | .367 | 10th | — | None |
1974 | Chicago (AL) | Gordy Lund | 73–50 | .593 | 2nd | — | Defeated Wisconsin Rapid 2–0; Lost to Danville 2–1 |
1975 | Chicago (AL) | Gordy Lund | 50–77 | .394 | 9th | — | None |
1976 | Chicago (AL) | Jim Napier | 56–74 | .431 | 10th | — | None |
1977 | Chicago (AL) | Gordy Lund | 54–84 | .398 | 8th | — | None |
1978 † | Chicago (AL) | Gordy Lund | 97–40 | .708 | 1st | — | Defeated Waterloo 2–0; Defeated Burlington 2–1 |
1979 | Chicago (AL) | Jim Breazeale | 63–72 | .467 | 5th | — | None |
1980 | Chicago (AL) | Gordy Lund | 76–63 | .547 | 2nd | — | None |
1981 | Chicago (AL) | Sam Ewing | 54–80 | .403 | 6th | 66,780 | None |
1982 † | Chicago (AL) | Adrian Garrett | 81–59 | .579 | 3rd | 81,970 | Defeated Springfield 2–0; Defeated Madison 2–1 |
1983 † | Chicago (AL) | John Boles, Jr. | 87–50 | .635 | 1st | 68,751 | Defeated Waterloo 2–1; Defeated Springfield 3–1 |
1984 † | Chicago (AL) | Sal Rende | 87–49 | .640 | 1st | 54,281 | Defeated Madison 2–1; Defeated Springfield 3–2 |
1985 | Chicago (AL) | Sal Rende | 85–54 | .612 | 1st | 76,860 | Lost to Kenosha 2–1 |
1986 | Chicago (AL) | Duke Sims/Rico Petrocelli | 56–83 | .403 | 11th | 60,001 | None |
1987 | Kansas City | Ken Berry | 71–69 | .507 | 6th | 81,208 | None |
1988 | Kansas City | Brian Poldberg | 58–82 | .414 | 13th | 85,310 | None |
1989 | Kansas City | Brian Poldberg | 67–68 | .496 | 7th | 76,223 | None |
1990 | Kansas City | Joe Breeden | 62–71 | .466 | 8th | 84,396 | None |
1991 | Kansas City | Joe Breeden | 58–81 | .417 | 14th | 72,601 | None |
1992 | Kansas City | Tom Poquette | 70–62 | .530 | 6th | 46,576 | Lost to Beloit 2–1 |
1993 | Seattle | Carlos Lezcano | 62–73 | .459 | 9th | 56,036 | None |
1994 | Seattle | Carlos Lezcano | 75–64 | .540 | 4th | 76,281 | None |
1995 | Seattle | Mike Goff | 63–75 | .457 | 12th | 209,159 | None |
1996 | Seattle | Mike Goff | 77–58 | .570 | 2nd | 233,797 | Defeated Peoria 2–1; Defeated Quad City 2–1; Lost to West Michigan 3–1 |
1997 | Seattle | Gary Varsho | 76–63 | .547 | 2nd | 227,104 | Lost to Kane County 2–0 |
1998 | Seattle | Gary Varsho | 72–65 | .526 | 5th | 227,306 | Lost to Rockford 2–1 |
1999 | Seattle | Steve Roadcap | 72–66 | .522 | 5th | 223,814 | Defeated Rockford 2–0; Defeated Lansing 2–0; Lost to Burlington 3–2 |
2000 | Seattle | Gary Thurman | 78–60 | .565 | 3rd | 220,372 | Defeated Kane County 2–1; Lost to Beloit |
2001 | Seattle | Gary Thurman | 84–52 | .618 | 2nd | 207,823 | Defeated Quad City 2–0; Lost to Kane County 2–0 |
2002 | Seattle | Gary Thurman | 53–86 | .381 | 13th | 199,210 | None |
2003 | Seattle | Daren Brown | 69–66 | .511 | 6th | 197,934 | Lost to Beloit 2–0 |
2004 | Seattle | Steve Roadcap | 57–82 | .410 | 12th | 206,487 | None |
2005 | Seattle | Scott Steinmann | 76–63 | .547 | 2nd | 211,927 | Defeated Beloit 2–1; Defeated Clinton 2–0; Lost to South Bend 3–2 |
2006 | Seattle | Jim Horner | 54–86 | .386 | 13th | 209,033 | None |
2007 | Seattle | Jim Horner | 53–85 | .384 | 14th | 197,511 | None |
2008 | Seattle | Terry Pollreisz | 56–80[3] | .412 | 10th | 190,263[3] | None |
2009 | Milwaukee | Jeff Isom | 58-81 | .417 | 12th | 253,240 | None |
2010 | Milwaukee | Jeff Isom | 58-80 | .420 | 14th | 244,331 | None |
2011 | Milwaukee | Matt Erickson | 67-72 | .482 | 11th | 240,998 | None |
2012 † | Milwaukee | Matt Erickson | 78-61 | .561 | 3rd | 240,509 | Defeated Burlington 2–1; Defeated Clinton 2–0; Defeated Fort Wayne 3–1 |
2013 | Milwaukee | Matt Erickson | 59-76 | .437 | 13th | 241,938 | None |
2014 | Milwaukee | Matt Erickson | 72-67 | .518 | T-5th | 250,131 | Lost to Kane County 2–0 |
2015 | Milwaukee | Matt Erickson | .360 | ||||
2016 | Milwaukee | Matt Erickson | 71-69 | .507 | 8th | - | Lost to Cedar Rapids 2-0 |
Roster
Players | Coaches/Other | |||
Pitchers |
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
60-day injured list
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References
- Dinda, J. "Appleton, Wisconsin in the Midwest League." Midwest League Guide. 2003. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.
- "Appleton Baseball Hall of Fame inductees." The Post Crescent. March 25, 2006. Retrieved on September 18, 2008.
- ^ http://www.milb.com/milb/info/classifications.jsp
- ^ http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/critter/reptile/timberrattlesnake.htm
- ^ a b c d e f g Christopherson, Brett (2008-09-24). "Brewers' contract a winner for Rattlers". The Appleton Post-Crescent. pp. A-1, A-6, A-7.
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(help) - ^ a b http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Appleton&state=WI&country=US&empty=0
- ^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=05d79d3b
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official Timber Rattlers website
- Fox Cities Stadium Photos: http://digitalballparks.com/Midwest/FoxCities.html
- Goodland Field Photos: http://www.digitalballparks.com/Midwest/Goodland.html
- Sports clubs established in 1958
- Midwest League teams
- Sports in Appleton, Wisconsin
- Professional baseball teams in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Brewers minor league affiliates
- Seattle Mariners minor league affiliates
- Kansas City Royals minor league affiliates
- Chicago White Sox minor league affiliates
- Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates
- Washington Senators minor league affiliates
- Boston Braves minor league affiliates
- St. Louis Browns minor league affiliates
- Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates
- Cleveland Indians minor league affiliates
- Fan-owned baseball teams
- 1958 establishments in Wisconsin
- Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League teams