Akron RubberDucks

Minor League Baseball team

Akron RubberDucks Founded in 1997 Akron, Ohio
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Double-A (1997–present)
Minor league affiliations
League	Eastern League (1980–present)
Division	Western Division
Major league affiliations
Current	Cleveland Indians (1989–present)
Minor league titles
League titles .mw-parser-output .nobold{font-weight:normal} (8)	1984 1985 1986 2003 2005 2009 2012 2016
Division titles (9)	1982 1998 2002 2003 2005 2006 2009 2012 2016
Team data
Nickname	Akron RubberDucks (2014–present)
Previous names	Akron Aeros (1997–2013) Canton–Akron Indians (1989–1996) Vermont Mariners (1988) Vermont Reds (1984–1987) Lynn Sailors (1980–1983)
Colors	Black, blue, orange, yellow, white
Mascot	Webster (duck); Rubberta (duck); Orbit (cat); Homer (pigeon)[1]
Ballpark	Canal Park (1997–present)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Ken Babby
Manager	Tony Mansolino
General Manager	Jim Pfander

The Akron RubberDucks are a Minor League Baseball team based in Akron, Ohio. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. From 1997 to 2013, the team was named the Akron Aeros.

The RubberDucks play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 7,630 fans. The nickname "RubberDucks" refers to Akron's history in the rubber industry, in particular as the birthplace of tire and rubber companies such as Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich and General Tire.

Contents

• 
  1 History
  
  
  
  • 
    1.1 1980–1988
    
  
  
  • 
    1.2 1989–1996
    
  
  
  • 
    1.3 1997–2013
    
  
  
  • 
    1.4 2014–present
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  2 Season-by-season results
  


• 
  3 Notoriety
  


• 
  4 Media
  


• 
  5 Attendance
  


• 
  6 Roster
  


• 
  7 See also
  


• 
  8 References
  


• 
  9 External links
  

History

1980–1988

The franchise began to play in 1980 in Lynn, Massachusetts, where it was named the Lynn Sailors. The team served as the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners from 1980 to 1982 and the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1983. After four seasons in Massachusetts, owner Mike Agganis moved the team northward to Burlington, Vermont. From 1984 through 1987, the franchise was known as the Vermont Reds and were the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, winning three-straight Eastern League championships from 1984 to 1986. In 1988, they became the Vermont Mariners for one year when the Seattle Mariners picked up the franchise to serve as its Double-A affiliate. During their stint in Vermont, the franchise made the playoffs every year and won three straight Eastern League titles from 1984 to 1986.

1989–1996

In 1989, the team moved to Canton, Ohio, becoming the Cleveland Indians' Double-A affiliate, and played eight seasons at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium as the Canton–Akron Indians, one of many entities (another example is the Akron-Canton Regional Airport) to use the names of both cities. The "Little Indians" made another five straight playoff appearances from 1989 to 1993, and won the regular-season title in 1992. However, they were never successful at bringing home a league championship trophy.

The franchise did not advance to the postseason in 1994. This snapped a 12-year streak of postseason play from 1982 to 1993.

On November 22, 1994, Agganis signed a lease agreement with the city of Akron to move the club to that city. It took another two years to build the new Canal Park, which included a selection of architects, land acquisition, and demolition of the Anthony Wayne Hotel which had stood on the new stadium site. Groundbreaking was held on January 5, 1996, and the stadium was completed in February 1997. Meantime, the new "Aeros" nickname had been chosen in November 1996 over the other choices, "Spirit" and "Quest", and replacing a prior working nickname, the "Akron Blast." "Blast" had been chosen in honor of Akron-born astronaut Judith Resnik (who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster), but changed when many misinterpreted it.^[2]

1997–2013

Opening Day on April 10, 1997, marked the debut of the Akron Aeros. With 9,086 fans in attendance, the Aeros and Harrisburg Senators played the first game at Canal Park. The Aeros went on to finish the season with a record of 51–90. Despite the last place record, the team drew a Double-A league-leading 473,272 fans to Canal Park that season.

In the 1998 season, the Aeros put together a 30-game "worst-to-first" turnaround; after finishing the prior year 34½ games back, they proceeded to win the Southern Division that season by 8½ games. However, after losing in the playoffs that year, it would be three more years until the Aeros found their way back to the postseason.

On September 6, 1999, the Aeros set an Eastern League attendance record for three straight seasons and once again led all Double-A teams after 522,459 fans attended Canal Park in 1999.^[2]

In 2002, the team posted a 93–48 record, the third-highest win total in the Eastern League in 50 years. They built on that success and finally won two league championships (their first since moving to Ohio) in 2003 and 2005. In 2006, the Aeros again posted the best regular-season record in the league, but lost the playoff title to Portland after taking the series to a deciding fifth game.

From 2005 to 2008, the Aeros advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series. Although the Aeros won the ELCS in 2005, they were defeated in three consecutive trips from 2006 to 2008.

In 2009, the Aeros again advanced to the league championship and defeated the Connecticut Defenders (three games to one) capping a 95-win season and their third title in the last seven years. Jared Head was named the playoff MVP.

In their first three seasons in Canal Park, the Aeros led all of Double-A in attendance, becoming the first team at that level to draw a half-million fans in a single season.

The team was sold by Mike Agganis to Ken Babby in October 2012.^[3]

2014–present

On October 29, 2013, the Akron Aeros officially changed their name to the Akron RubberDucks.^[4]

Season-by-season results

Main article: Akron RubberDucks seasons

Eastern League • Double-A affiliate of Cleveland Indians

• 
  1997 Akron Aeros season: 51–90 (5th), manager Jeff Datz


• 
  1998 Akron Aeros season: 81–60 (1st), manager Joel Skinner • Lost to Harrisburg 3–1 in first round of playoffs


• 
  1999 Akron Aeros season: 69–71 (5th), manager Joel Skinner


• 
  2000 Akron Aeros season: 75–68 (3rd), manager Eric Wedge
  


• 
  2001 Akron Aeros season: 68–74 (3rd), manager Chris Bando
  


• 
  2002 Akron Aeros season: 93–48 (1st), manager Brad Komminsk • Lost to Harrisburg 3–2 in first round of playoffs


• 
  2003 Akron Aeros season: 88–53 (1st), manager Brad Komminsk • Defeated Altoona 3–1 in first round of playoffs; defeated New Haven 3–0 in ELCS


• 
  2004 Akron Aeros season: 63–78 (5th), manager Brad Komminsk


• 
  2005 Akron Aeros season: 84–58 (1st), manager Torey Lovullo • Defeated Altoona 3–2 in first round of playoffs; defeated Portland 3–1 in ELCS


• 
  2006 Akron Aeros season: 87–55 (1st), manager Tim Bogar • Defeated Altoona 3–2 in first round of playoffs; lost to Portland 3–2 in ELCS


• 
  2007 Akron Aeros season: 80–61 (2nd), manager Tim Bogar • Defeated Erie 3–1 in first round of playoffs; lost to Trenton 3–1 in ELCS


• 
  2008 Akron Aeros season: 80–62 (2nd), manager Mike Sarbaugh • Defeated Bowie 3–1 in first round of playoffs; lost to Trenton 3–1 in ELCS


• 
  2009 Akron Aeros season: 89–53 (1st), manager Mike Sarbaugh • Defeated Reading 3–0 in first round of playoffs; defeated Connecticut 3–1 in ELCS


• 
  2010 Akron Aeros season: 71–71 (4th), manager Joel Skinner


• 
  2011 Akron Aeros season: 73–69 (4th), manager Chris Tremie
  


• 
  2012 Akron Aeros season: 82-59 (1st), manager Chris Tremie • Defeated Baysox 3-2 in first round of playoffs; defeated Trenton 3-1 in ELCS


• 
  2013 Akron Aeros season: 68-73 (5th), manager Edwin Rodriguez


• 
  2014 Akron RubberDucks season: 73-69 (2nd), manager Dave Wallace


• 
  2015 Akron RubberDucks season: 73-69 (4th), manager Dave Wallace


• 
  2016 Akron RubberDucks season: 77-64 (1st), manager Dave Wallace • Defeated Altoona 3–1 in first round of playoffs; defeated Trenton 3-0 in ELCS


• 
  2017 Akron RubberDucks season: 69-71 (3rd), manager Mark Budzinski


• 
  2018 Akron RubberDucks season: 78-62 (2nd), manager Tony Mansolino • Defeated Altoona 3–1 in first round of playoffs; lost to New Hampshire 3–0 in ELCS

Note: Place indicates finish in Eastern League's Northern Division from 1980 to 1982; in divisionless Eastern League from 1983 to 1993; in Eastern League's Southern Division from 1994 to 2009; in Eastern League's Western Division from 2010–present

Notoriety

Over the off-season between the 2010–2011 season, the Aeros received national attention after introducing a number of new promotions as well as menu items at Canal Park. The team was featured in a segment titled "Back in Black" during The Daily Show performed by comedian Lewis Black. In the segment, Black talks about several of the menu items including The "Three Dog Night" consisting of a hot dog in a Bratwurst in a Kielbasa, and "The Nice to Meat You Burger". The food was also covered by CNBC Sports Financial Analyst Darren Rovell.

For the 2016 season, several different promotions were announced, including (but not limited to) Thirsty Thursdays, Star Wars Night on May 4, Shooter McGavin Bobblehead Night, and An action-filled two days for the Eastern League All-Star Game.

Media

Several outlets throughout Northeast Ohio cover the RubberDucks including SportsTime Ohio, as do all four Cleveland television stations. In print, the RubberDucks are covered by Akron News Now (a website run by radio group, Rubber City Radio), and longtime standard The Akron Beacon Journal

Games are broadcast over WARF-AM Fox Sports 1350. Jim Clark, in his 25th year in 2017, as well as local broadcaster David Wilson call play by play. Kapil Joshi does the on-field reporting and interviewing.

Attendance

On August 12, 2017, the RubberDucks reported their highest single-game attendance since rebranding of 8,396 fans.^[5]

Season	Total attendance	League rank	Total Aeros openings	Average attendance per Aeros opening	Average attendance per Eastern League opening (not including Aeros openings)
1997	473,232	1st	67	7,063	4,260
1998	521,122	1st	70	7,445	4,334
1999	522,459	1st	69	7,572	4,954
2000	481,060	1st	66	7,289	4,147
2001	485,582	1st	69	7,037	4,294
2002	400,187	3rd	67	5,973	4,284
2003	445,603	2nd	67	6,651	4,128
2004	478,611	1st	68	7,038	4,399
2005	455,056	2nd	66	6,894	4,468
2006	412,995	3rd	65	6,354	4,353
2007	355,376	6th	64	5,553	4,831
2008	342,816	7th	67	5,117	4,570
2009	316,836	6th	68	4,659	4,612
2010	261,563	9th	69	3,791	4,796
2011	266,265	9th	68	3,916	4,868
2012	256,473	9th	68	3,772	4,669
2013	295,459	7th	70	4,221	4,616
2014	350,704	4th	68	5,157	4,609

Roster

See also: Cleveland Indians minor league players

Akron RubberDucks roster v t e
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 34 Argenis Angulo 17 Sean Brady 22 Mitch Brown 37 Aaron Civale 24 Dominic DeMasi 29 Rob Kaminsky 35 Kieran Lovegrove 38 Henry Martinez 32 Triston McKenzie 39 Jordan Milbrath -- R. C. Orlan 27 Nick Pasquale 45 Jake Paulson 23 David Speer 41 Matt Whitehouse		Catchers -- Juan De La Cruz -- Logan Ice  7 Sicnarf Loopstok -- Daniel Salters Infielders 44 Bobby Bradley  1 Willi Castro *  8 Sam Haggerty 12 Mark Mathias  9 Joe Sever Outfielders 15 Andrew Calica 10 Tyler Krieger 36 Connor Marabell  2 Dorssys Paulino  4 Ka'ai Tom		Manager  6 Tony Mansolino Coaches 47 Rigo Beltrán (pitching) 25 Kevin Howard (hitting) 13 Dennis Malave (bench) 7-day disabled list * On Cleveland Indians 40-man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporary inactive list Roster updated June 27, 2018 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • Eastern League → Cleveland Indians minor league players

See also

• List of Akron Aeros managers


• Lynn Sailors


• Vermont Reds


• Vermont Mariners


• Canton–Akron Indians

References

1. 
   ^ "Webster is Name of New RubberDucks Mascot". Akron Beacon Journal. April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
   


2. 
   ^ ^ab Akron Aeros History
   


3. 
   ^ "Ken Babby takes over Aeros with fan experience a priority no name changes in plan". Akron Beacon Journal website. October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
   


4. 
   ^ Hill, Benjamin (29 October 2013). "You're the one: Akron RubberDucks". MiLB.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
   


5. 
   ^ "Lugo throws a gem in Ducks win, 1-0". Akron RubberDucks. Minor League Baseball. August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
   

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akron RubberDucks.

Main

• Akron RubberDucks official website


• Akron RubberDucks MiLB website

Baseball Cube

• 
  Lynn Sailors; Alumni list; Seasons: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
  


• 
  Vermont Reds; Alumni list; Seasons: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
  


• 
  Vermont Mariners; Alumni list; Seasons: 1988
  


• 
  Canton–Akron Indians; Alumni list; Seasons: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
  


• 
  Akron Aeros; Alumni list; Seasons: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  

Baseball Reference

• Canton–Akron Indians seasons: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
  


• Akron Aeros seasons: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  

BR Bullpen

• 
  Lynn Sailors, Vermont Reds, Vermont Mariners, Canton–Akron Indians, Akron Aeros
  

v t e Akron RubberDucks
Founded in 1980 Based in Akron, Ohio
Franchise	Lynn Sailors/Pirates Vermont Reds Vermont Mariners Canton–Akron Indians Seasons All-time players Managers Current players
Ballparks	Fraser Field Centennial Field Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium Canal Park

v t e Cleveland Indians
Established in 1894 Formerly the Grand Rapids Rustlers, Cleveland Lake Shores, Cleveland Bluebirds, Cleveland Broncos, and Cleveland Naps Based in Cleveland, Ohio
Franchise	History Seasons Records Players Owners and executives Managers Opening Day starting pitchers No-hitters Award winners First-round draft picks Broadcasters
Ballparks	League Park Cleveland Stadium Progressive Field Spring training: Henley Field Terry Park Ballfield Clearwater Athletic Field Hi Corbett Field Chain of Lakes Park Goodyear Ballpark
Culture and lore	1910 Chalmers Award 1948 AL tie-breaker game 1994 corked bat incident 2013 AL Wild Card Game 22 game win streak Addie Joss' perfect game Chief Wahoo "Cleveland Rocks" Cleveland sports curse Curse of Rocky Colavito Herb Score John Adams Len Barker's perfect game Major League Major League II Moneyball Name and logo controversy Slider Ten Cent Beer Night The Bug Game The Catch The Kid from Cleveland
Rivalries	Cincinnati Reds
Key personnel	Owner: Larry Dolan Chairman/CEO: Paul Dolan President: Chris Antonetti General manager: Mike Chernoff Manager: Terry Francona
Postseason appearances (14)	1920 1948 1954 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2007 2013 2016 2017 2018
Division championships (10)	1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2007 2016 2017 2018
American League pennants (6)	1920 1948 1954 1995 1997 2016
World Series championships (2)	1920 1948
Hall of Fame inductees	Averill Boudreau Coveleski Doby Feller Flick Joss Lajoie Lemon Sewell Speaker Thome Wynn
Minors	AAA: Columbus Clippers AA: Akron RubberDucks Adv. A: Lynchburg Hillcats A: Lake County Captains Short A: Mahoning Valley Scrappers Rookie: Arizona League Indians Dominican Summer League Indians
Seasons (126) 1890s 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900s 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910s 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920s 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930s 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940s 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950s 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960s 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980s 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

v t e Eastern League
Eastern Division	Binghamton Rumble Ponies Hartford Yard Goats New Hampshire Fisher Cats Portland Sea Dogs Reading Fightin Phils Trenton Thunder
Western Division	Akron RubberDucks Altoona Curve Bowie Baysox Erie SeaWolves Harrisburg Senators Richmond Flying Squirrels
Champions Manager of the Year Award MVP Award Pitcher of the Year Award Rookie of the Year Award Rosters Stadiums

v t e Sports teams based in Ohio
Baseball	MLB Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Indians IL Columbus Clippers Toledo Mud Hens EL Akron RubberDucks NYPL Mahoning Valley Scrappers MWL Dayton Dragons Lake County Captains FL Lake Erie Crushers PL Chillicothe Paints GLSCL Cincinnati Steam Grand Lake Mariners Hamilton Joes Licking County Settlers Lima Locos Lorain County Ironmen Southern Ohio Copperheads Xenia Scouts
Basketball	NBA Cleveland Cavaliers G League Canton Charge
Football	NFL Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns FFL Ohio Players (2020) AFL Cleveland Gladiators WFA Cincinnati Sizzle Cleveland Fusion Columbus Comets Toledo Reign
Hockey	NHL Columbus Blue Jackets AHL Cleveland Monsters ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones Toledo Walleye FHL Mentor Ice Breakers USHL Youngstown Phantoms USPHL Toledo Cherokee Wooster Oilers
Horse racing	Belterra Park Beulah Park Miami Valley Gaming Northfield Park Raceway Park Scioto Downs Thistledown
Lacrosse	MLL Ohio Machine
Roller derby	WFTDA Akron Roller Derby Burning River Roller Derby Cincinnati Rollergirls Gem City Roller Derby Glass City Rollers Little Steel Derby Girls Ohio Roller Derby MRDA Cincinnati Battering Rams Others
Rugby union	Others Dayton Area Rugby Club
Soccer	MLS Columbus Crew SC FC Cincinnati USL L2 Cincinnati Dutch Lions Dayton Dutch Lions NPSL Cleveland SC FC Columbus UPSL Toledo Villa FC WPSL Columbus Eagles Columbus Sirens Dayton Dutch Lions WFC
Softball	NPF Akron Racers
Australian rules football	USAFL Cincinnati Dockers
College athletics (NCAA Division I)	Akron Bowling Green Cincinnati Cleveland State Dayton Kent State Miami Ohio Ohio State Toledo Wright State Xavier Youngstown State

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