Great Lakes Loons
- Location: Midland, MI
- League: Midwest League 2007-2019; High-A Central 2021; Midwest League 2022-
- Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers 2007-
- Ballpark: Dow Diamond
Team History[edit]
The Great Lakes Loons, of the Midwest League and briefly in High-A Central, are a public-private partnership owned by the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a non-profit organization that Dow Chemical created in 2005 to bring professional baseball to its headquarters city. The Los Angeles Dodgers farmhands play their home games at Dow Diamond in Midland, MI.
The foundation purchased the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays and relocated them to Midland in 2007. The team had been a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate before the move but when the Rays partnered with the Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League and the Dodgers hooked up with the soon-to-be Loons.
MLB's 2021 Minor League Reorganization raised them, and most of the MwL, one level. Although a top priority of the reshuffle was to lessen distances between parent clubs and their farm teams, the Dodgers wanted to continue their relationship with the Loons.
Just before the 2008 season, the MBF bought WYLZ-FM, changed its format to sports, affiliated it with ESPN Radio, and made it the Loons' broadcast partner.
The Loons' debut campaign's manager was Lance Parrish.
They play Copa de la Diversión Hispanic engagement campaign games as Pepinillos Picantes del Norte (Northern Spicy Pickles).
2007 Inaugural Season[edit]
Inaugural Game: April 5, 2007 against the South Bend Silver Hawks at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium in South Bend, IN. The Loons won, 10-3
The Loons' first home game at Dow Diamond was held on April 13th. The Loons lost, 6-2.
The inaugural Great Lakes Loons were marked by several famous names. Skippered by Lance Parrish, they included Preston Mattingly (son of Don Mattingly) and Scott Van Slyke (son of Andy Van Slyke).
At the end of the first half, the Loons were 10 games back on the Eastern Division leading Dayton Dragons. Although their 34-36 record left them tied for 4th place out of six teams in their division, their performance was far from the bottom of the league with six teams having worse records.
Following the All-Star break, the Loons slipped to the bottom of their division with a record of 23-46 (worst second half record in the league).
In the season's final game, the Loons fell 6-2 to the Fort Wayne Wizards at Dow Diamond.
The Great Lakes Loons ended the season with an overall record of 57-82, the second lowest in their division, and the third lowest overall. Following the completion of the season the Los Angeles Dodgers officially parted ways with Lance Parrish.
Year by Year Record[edit]
Related Links[edit]
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