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Erie SeaWolves
Minor league baseball team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Erie SeaWolves are an American professional baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They compete in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as a member of the Eastern League's Southwest Division, serving as the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The team was founded in 1989 and began playing in Erie for the 1995 season. The SeaWolves currently play their home games at UPMC Park in downtown Erie, next door to Erie Insurance Arena and the Warner Theatre.
The "SeaWolves" name refers to the city's location along Lake Erie as well as their original affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "Sea wolf" is a historical epithet for sailors who engaged in piracy.[2]
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History
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The team was established in 1989 in Welland, Ontario as a New York–Penn League member, known initially as the Welland Pirates, playing their home games at Welland Stadium. After six challenging seasons, the team relocated to Erie following the exit of the previous baseball team, the Erie Sailors. This move eventually led the Frontier League-affiliated club to settle in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where they became the Johnstown Steal (currently known as the Florence Y'alls in Florence, Kentucky). Before this, the Sailors had played in the New York–Penn League but relocated to Wappingers Falls, New York, becoming the Hudson Valley Renegades, due to the team's owner, Marvin Goldklang not upgrading Ainsworth Field to meet Major League Baseball standards.
After the civic government obtained an $8 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to construct UPMC Park (previously known as Jerry Uht Park), the Welland Pirates relocated to Erie. Although Erie did not have an affiliated baseball team in 1994, the city hosted an independent franchise in the Frontier League that revived the "Sailors" name. The SeaWolves eventually became the successor to several Erie-based baseball teams, including all iterations of the Sailors, with the New York–Penn League franchise now known as the State College Spikes.
Early years (1995–2001)
On June 20, 1995, the SeaWolves triumphed over the Jamestown Jammers in their inaugural game in Erie. José Guillén, a Major League Baseball alumnus from the Dominican Republic, hit the game-winning home run for the team.[3]
The SeaWolves served as the affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995 to 1998. In 1999, the Eastern League expanded by two teams, granting Erie one of the new franchises. As a result, the team moved up from the Short-Season A level to the Double-A level. Despite the change in classification, Minor League Baseball recognized the current SeaWolves organization as a continuation of the previous franchise. It allowed Erie to retain its New York–Penn League records and history. The Mahoning Valley Scrappers then joined the New York–Penn League as a separate expansion franchise, rather than as a continuation of the SeaWolves. After the promotion to Double-A, the team affiliated with the Anaheim Angels. In 2001, the SeaWolves switched affiliations to the Detroit Tigers, with whom they continue to partner.[4]
Realignment (2021)
As part of Major League Baseball's nationwide restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, MLB reassigned the Erie SeaWolves to the newly created Double-A Northeast, a league that replaced the former Eastern League during the reorganization.[5] The reorganization aimed to streamline player development, reduce travel, and improve facilities across the minors. As part of the changes, MLB eliminated dozens of affiliations, imposed stricter facility standards, and shortened the minor league season. The SeaWolves retained their affiliation with the Detroit Tigers and continued competing at the Double-A level. In 2022, Minor League Baseball reinstated traditional league names across all levels, restoring the "Eastern League" name for the SeaWolves' circuit.[6]
Championships (2023–2024)
On September 26, 2023, the SeaWolves completed a full sweep of the playoffs, capped off by a 10–0 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in Game 2 of the Eastern League Championship Series, leading to their first championship title in franchise history.[7]
On September 24, 2024, the SeaWolves completed their playoff run by defeating the Somerset Patriots 3-2 in Bridgewater, New Jersey. They won the Eastern League championship for a second straight year.[8] In addition, they became the 11th team in Eastern League history and the first since the Trenton Thunder in 2007 and 2008 to repeat as champions.[9]
Additional historical notes
Since joining the Eastern League in 1999, the Erie SeaWolves have experienced periods of competitive success and organizational development. While the team made several playoff appearances in the early 2000s, it did not secure a league title until the 2023 season.
Between 2018 and 2022, the franchise undertook a series of infrastructure improvements at UPMC Park, supported in part by a $12 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[10] These renovations aimed to meet updated Minor League Baseball facility standards and improve the spectator experience.
In 2023, Erie won its first Eastern League championship after sweeping the postseason. The following year, the team repeated as champions, becoming the first club to win back-to-back Eastern League titles since the Trenton Thunder in 2007 and 2008.[11]
In 2025, the SeaWolves clinched their third consecutive first-half division title on June 21 with a 2–0 victory over the Bowie Baysox. Right-hander Austin Bergner, who had previously earned postseason recognition, started the game and allowed one hit over five innings.[12]
These developments reflect the club's sustained presence in the Eastern League playoff landscape, supported by consistent player development and facility investment.
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Ownership
Palisades Baseball was the original owner of the SeaWolves when the team began play in 1995. In 2003, Palisades sold the team to Mandalay Sports Entertainment, which had previously owned and operated several Minor League Baseball clubs. On March 27, 2015, the SeaWolves announced that Fernando Aguirre had purchased the team and would serve as its new owner. A seasoned executive from Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Chiquita Brands International, Aguirre purchased the team from Mandalay for an undisclosed amount and expressed his commitment to keeping the team in Erie.[13][14] Aguirre also holds a minority share in the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball and possesses a one-third stake in the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in the Carolina League.[15]
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Logos and uniforms
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The SeaWolves' primary colors are black, red, and white, complemented by minor accents of gold and gray. Their primary logo features a stylized "pirate wolf" positioned over two intersecting baseball bats with sword hilts. The wordmark arches in alignment with the wolf's tricorne, using a color scheme of white, black, and gold. Additionally, the SeaWolves have a secondary logo that depicts a weathered Jolly Roger on a "bat sword," highlighted by a red letter E. This emblem pays homage to Erie's nickname, "Flagship City," which references the Flagship Niagara, commanded by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during his 1813 victory over the British Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie.[2]
The home uniforms consist of a black cap adorned with the "bandanna wolf" logo and white jerseys featuring black piping. The "SeaWolves" wordmark arches across the front in black letters outlined in red, while the crossed "bat swords" logo appears on the left sleeve. The away uniforms feature a gray jersey with black piping, showcasing the "Erie" wordmark in red with a black outline and the crossed "bat swords" logo on the left sleeve. Additionally, the alternate jersey is red with black piping and features the "Erie" wordmark in white, outlined in black, with the "tricorne wolf" logo on the left sleeve.[2]
1995–1998
1999–2000
2001–2012
2013–pres
2025–pres
Culture
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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
In 2025, comedian John Oliver announced on the HBO series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver that the show selected the Seawolves to undergo a full rebranding, including a new name, mascot, and theme night.[16][17] The chosen alternate identity, Erie Moon Mammoths, was selected in honor of the 1991 discovery of mammoth bones in Lake Pleasant by local scuba diver George Moon. A new mascot, Fuzz E. Mammoth, a purple mammoth in an astronaut helmet, was also created.[18] The SeaWolves will play as the Moon Mammoths for four games in 2025.[19]
Mascots
The Erie SeaWolves' official mascot is an anthropomorphic, gray Canidae named C. Wolf. He wears the team's official red alternate jersey, accompanied by a pirate hat, a red and white bandana, and an eye patch. His friends include Paws (the Detroit Tigers' official mascot) as well as three anthropomorphic sausages sponsored by the Erie-based Smith's Provision Company: Kenny Kielbasa, Herbie Hot Dog, and Santino the Italian Sausage.[20] While playing under the Erie Moon Mammoths branding, the team's mascot is a purple woolly mammoth named Fuzz E. Mammoth.[18]
Promotions
Alternative Facts Night
On March 10, 2017, the Erie SeaWolves made national headlines for their "Alternative Facts Night" promotion on Friday, August 25, 2017. Their opponent was the Akron RubberDucks, whose alternative name was the "Akron Yellow Bath Toys" for the game. The promotion was a reference to a news story in which Kellyanne Conway, counselor to U.S. president, Donald Trump, coined the phrase "alternative facts" to bolster a disputed claim that more people attended Trump's presidential inauguration on January 20, 2017 than the first inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009. The SeaWolves hosted Alternative Facts Night to "celebrate facts that the team knows to be true—even if some media outlets may dispute them." As part of the promotion, the first 1,000 fans received a 2016 SeaWolves Eastern League Championship ring, although the RubberDucks earned the title. The club had notional expectations of 1.2 million fans attending the game between Erie and Akron, despite UPMC Park having a seating capacity of only 6,000. The proceeds for Alternative Facts Night went to the Erie City School District.[21][22][23]
In anticipation of "Alternative Facts Night," Fernando Aguirre published a message on Twitter that read, "This is huge! #AlternativeFactsNight. We will build a [right field] wall, and Akron will pay for it. I promise."[24] This was a parody of Donald Trump's political campaign, in which he stated, "I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively—I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words."[25]
Community service
The SeaWolves engage in many philanthropic efforts throughout Erie and its surrounding communities. Key team initiatives include UPMC Health Plan Paint the Park Pink Weekend to benefit local cancer charities, Northwest Bank Gloves for Kids equipment drive, and Sensory-Friendly Day at the Ballpark in partnership with the Autism Society of Northwest Pennsylvania. The team also sponsors youth sports and education programs through the SeaWolves Community Fund. On September 16, 2015, the SeaWolves earned the Erie Times-News Commitment to Erie Award for community service by a business with 50 or fewer employees.[26]
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Broadcasting
In February 2017, the SeaWolves extended their broadcasting contract with Fox Sports Radio AM 1330: The Fan, a local affiliate of Connoisseur Media, to air every game during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Greg Gania has served as the Voice of the SeaWolves since 2006 and is the longest-tenured play-by-play broadcaster in team history.[27]
Season-by-season results
Season results in New York–Penn League
Regular season
Season results in Eastern League
Regular season
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Playoffs
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Roster
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager Coaches
60-day injured list
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Notable alumni
Retired numbers
.png) | .png) |
| Sam Jethroe | Jackie Robinson |
| CF Retired by the Erie SeaWolves on June 6, 2005 | 2B Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997 |
References
External links
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