Erie SeaWolves

From BR Bullpen

ErieSeaWolves.jpg

Team History[edit]

The Erie SeaWolves, formerly of the Eastern League and briefly in Double-A Northeast, were once among the teams MLB planned to eliminate in its 2021 Minor League Reorganization. The Detroit Tigers farmhands play their home games at UPMC Park in Erie, PA.

After appearing on the leaked lists of teams to be downsized in MLB's 2021 Minor League Reorganization, they survived because the Tigers wanted to keep them, because their stadium had recently finished an already funded $12 million renovation, and because the recently sold New York Mets unexpectedly kept the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in a league that needs an even number of teams.

"SeaWolves" started as a salute to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who parented the first club to play in The Uht - a short-season New York-Pennsylvania League team. The brand quickly became so synonymous with Erie baseball that it remained through later changes of affiliations including the 1999 Anaheim Angels Double-A expansion franchise that is now with the Tigers. That expansion marked Erie's return to the Eastern League and simultaneously sent its NYPL franchise to Niles, OH, as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

The 2017 SeaWolves celebrated a 2016 EL title they didn't win, and similar political fun-making, on Alternative Facts Night.

The 2022 team's season was historic but had a jarring end. Making it to the EL Championship Series for the first time ever, they split the first two games with the Somerset Patriots - setting up a one-game showdown for the title. Playing at home, the Pats scored nine times in the first inning and, behind a two-pitcher combined no-hitter, vaporized the 'Wolves, 15-0.

They play Copa de la Diversión Hispanic engagement campaign games as Piñatas de Erie (a piñata is a candy-filled container that is broken open during a celebration).

Year-by-Year Record[edit]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs Hitting coach Pitching coach Other Coach
1995 34-41 9th (t) Scott Little
1996 30-46 12th Jeff Richardson Larry Smith
1997 50-26 2nd Marty Brown Lost in 1st round Chris Lein
1998 26-50 14th Tracy Woodson Tom Barnard Blaine Beatty Joe Lonnett
1999 81-61 2nd Garry Templeton Lost in 1st round Bill Lachemann Howie Gershberg
2000 47-94 12th Don Wakamatsu Bill Lachemann Howie Gershberg
2001 84-58 2nd Luis Pujols Lost in 1st round Matt Martin Steve McCatty
2002 52-89 12th Kevin Bradshaw Matt Martin Rich DeLucia
2003 72-70 5th (t) Kevin Bradshaw Matt Martin Britt Burns
2004 80-62 3rd Rick Sweet Lost in 1st round Pete Incaviglia Mike Caldwell
2005 63-79 11th (t) Duffy Dyer Pete Incaviglia Mike Caldwell
2006 60-81 12th Duffy Dyer Pete Incaviglia Mike Caldwell
2007 81-59 2nd Matt Walbeck Lost in 1st round Glenn Adams A.J. Sager
2008 68-74 8th Tom Brookens Glenn Adams Ray Burris
2009 71-70 6th Tom Brookens Glenn Adams Ray Burris
2010 66-76 11th (t) Phil Nevin Glenn Adams Ray Burris
2011 67-75 9th Chris Cron Jerry Martin Ray Burris
2012 57-84 12th Chris Cron Jerry Martin Ray Burris
2013 76-66 3rd Chris Cron Lost in 1st round Gerald Perry Jaime Garcia
2014 71-71 7th Lance Parrish Gerald Perry Jaime Garcia
2015 64-78 11th Lance Parrish Gerald Perry Mike Henneman
2016 62-79 9th (t) Lance Parrish Phil Clark Willie Blair
2017 65-75 8th Lance Parrish Phil Clark Willie Blair
2018 63-77 11th Andrew Graham Mike Hessman Willie Blair Santiago Garrido
2019 77-61 2nd Mike Rabelo Brian Harper Mark Johnson Santiago Garrido
2020 Season cancelled
2021 64-55 5th Arnie Beyeler Adam Melhuse Mark Johnson Tony Smith
2022 80-58 2nd Gabe Alvarez Lost League Finals John Murrian Dan Ricabal Ollie Kadey
2023 75-62 3rd Gabe Alvarez League Champs Francisco Contreras Juan Pimentel Matt Malott
2024 77-58 2nd Gabe Alvarez League Champs CJ Wamsley Juan Pimentel Matt Malott

Related Sites[edit]