Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids is located in western Michigan, 65 miles west of Lansing, MI, on the Grand River. Comstock Park, MI, where Fifth Third Ballpark is located, is a suburb 5 miles north of downtown. President Gerald Ford made his home in Grand Rapids.

Teams that have played here

• Grand Rapids, Northwestern League (1883-1884)
• Grand Rapids, Michigan State League (1889-1890)
• Grand Rapids Shamrocks, International Association (1890)
• Grand Rapids Shamrocks, Northwestern League (1891)
• Grand Rapids Rippers, Western League (1894)
• Grand Rapids Gold Bugs, Western League (1895)
• Grand Rapids Yellow Jackets, Western League (1896)
• Grand Rapids Bob-o-Links, Western League (1897)
• Grand Rapids Cabinet Makers, Interstate League (1898)
• Grand Rapids, Interstate League (1899)
• Grand Rapids Furniture Makers, Western League (1899)
• Grand Rapids Boers, International League (1900)
• Grand Rapids Woodworkers, Western Association (1901)
• Grand Rapids, Western Association (1901)
• Grand Rapids Colts, Michigan State League (1902, 1941)
• Grand Rapids Orphans, Central League (1903-1905)
• Grand Rapids Wolverines, Central League (1906-1909)
• Grand Rapids Raiders, Central League (1910)
• Grand Rapids Furniture Makers, Central League (1911)
• Grand Rapids Grads, Central League (1911)
• Grand Rapids Black Sox, Central League (1912, 1915-1917, 1926)
• Grand Rapids Bill-eds, Central League (1913)
• Grand Rapids Champs, Central League (1914)
• Grand Rapids Joshers, Central League (1920-1921)
• Grand Rapids Billbobs, Central League (1922)
• Grand Rapids Billbobs, Michigan-Ontario League (1923)
• Grand Rapids Homoners, Michigan-Ontario League (1924)
• Grand Rapids Black Sox, Michigan State League (1926)
• Grand Rapids Tigers, Central League (1934)
• Grand Rapids Dodgers, Michigan State League (1940)
• Grand Rapids Chicks, AAGPBL (1945-1954)
• Grand Rapids Jets, Central League (1948-1951)
• Kansas City Monarchs, Negro American League, based their barnstorming operations from here 1956-1962.
• West Michigan Whitecaps, Midwest League (1994-2019, 2022- )
• West Michigan Whitecaps, High-A Central (2021)

Persons who were born here

• Cy Alberts, pitcher
• Walter Anderson, pitcher
• Steve Barber, pitcher
• Harry Berrios, minor league outfielder
• Jim Command, infielder
• Bill Cutler, minor league executive
• Al DeVormer, catcher
• Mark Dewey, pitcher
• Don Eaddy, infielder
• Rob Ellis, outfielder
• Brent Gates, infielder
• Rick Kreuger, pitcher
• Doc Lavan, infielder
• Nic Lentz, umpire
• Ed Lucas, infielder
• Rick Miller, outfielder
• Fred Olmstead, pitcher
• Kaleb Ort, pitcher
• Leo Payne, minor league outfielder
• Al Platte, outfielder
• Ross Powell, pitcher
• D.J. Reyburn, umpire
• Dave Rozema, pitcher
• Kyle Schepel, minor league pitcher
• Mickey Stanley, outfielder
• Lou Stringer, infielder
• John Vander Wal, outfielder
• Jack Virkstis, minor league pitcher
• Casper Wells, outfielder
• Jack Wisner, pitcher

Persons who died here

• Monte Beville, catcher
• Jim Command, infielder
• Al DeVormer, catcher
• Ed Hemingway, infielder
• Willie Honicutt, Negro league player
• Cal Howe, pitcher
• Guy Morrison, pitcher
• Wally Pipp, infielder
• Al Platte, outfielder
• Herman Purcell, pitcher
• Ted Rasberry, Negro league owner
• Jacob Robinson, infielder
• Luther Roy, pitcher
• Steamboat Struss, pitcher

Educational institutions located here

• Aquinas College
• Calvin College
• Catholic Central High School
• Central High School
• Cornerstone University
• Creston High School (Grand Rapids)
• Davenport University
• Grand Valley State University
• Ottawa Hills High School
• Palmer School
• Union High School