Misplaced Pages

Lake County Captains
Founded in 1991 Eastlake, Ohio
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class	High-A (2021–present)
Previous classes	Class A (1991–2020)
League	Midwest League (2010–present)
Division	East Division
Previous leagues	South Atlantic League (1991–2009)
Major league affiliations
Team	Cleveland Indians / Guardians (1991–present)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)	2010 2024
Division titles (3)	2021 2022 2024
First-half titles (9)	1992 1994 1999 2000 2003 2008 2010 2019 2024
Second-half titles (7)	1995 1996 2002 2003 2012 2014 2022
Team data
Name	Lake County Captains (2003–present)
Previous names	Columbus RedStixx (1992–2002) Columbus Indians (1991)
Colors	Navy blue, light blue, gold, red, white
Mascots	Skipper, Horatio, Skippy, Captain Clipper, Captain Kenny, and the Baseball Bug
Ballpark	Classic Auto Group Park (2003–present)
Previous parks	Golden Park (1991–2002)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Alan Miller, Jon Ryan and Collide NEO
General manager	Jen Yorko
Manager	Omir Santos
Media	MiLB.TV, WFUN 970 AM, and WINT 1330 AM
Website	milb.com/lake-county

The Lake County Captains are a Minor League Baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, that plays in the Midwest League as the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

The Captains joined the Class A Midwest League following the 2009 season in a shuffle caused by the Columbus Catfish's move to Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the 2009 season. The move alleviated travel costs and time, as it was the South Atlantic League's northernmost team.

Before the 2003 season, the club was based in Columbus, Georgia, and known as the Columbus RedStixx. The Captains play their home games in Classic Auto Group Park, which has a capacity of 6,157 and opened in 2003 as Eastlake Stadium. The current stadium name results from a naming rights arrangement; the sponsor is Classic Automotive Group, a significant area chain of auto dealerships. Classic Auto Group Park hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 20, 2006.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Captains were organized into the High-A Central. In 2022, the High-A Central became known as the Midwest League, the name historically used by the regional circuit before the 2021 reorganization.

Franchise regular season win–loss records

Columbus Indians (73–69)

• 1991: 73–69

Columbus RedStixx (823–711)

• 1992: 77–62 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)
• 1993: 86–56
• 1994: 87–51 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)
• 1995: 80–62 (2nd Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)
• 1996: 79–63 (2nd Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)
• 1997: 62–76
• 1998: 59–81
• 1999: 70–71 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)
• 2000: 67–70 (1st Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)
• 2001: 77–59
• 2002: 79–60 (2nd Half Southern Division Champions – SAL)

Lake County Captains (853–810 entering 2016)

• 2003: 97–43 (1st & 2nd Half Northern Division Champions – SAL) (Best regular season record in pro baseball in 2003, min 120 games)
• 2004: 73–66
• 2005: 72–66
• 2006: 64–74
• 2007: 64–74
• 2008: 75–65 (1st Half Northern Division Champions – SAL)
• 2009: 71–66
• 2010: 77–62 (1st Half Eastern Division Champions – MWL & Midwest League Champions)
• 2011: 53–86
• 2012: 71–68 (2nd Half; Clinched MWL Wild Card - Lost in Semifinal Round)
• 2013: 54–83
• 2014: 65–74 (2nd Half; Clinched MWL Wild Card - Lost in Championship Round)
• 2015: 71–66
• 2016: 72–68
• 2017: 54–85
• 2018: 60–79
• 2019: 74–64 (1st Half; Clinched MWL Wild Card - Lost in Quarterfinal Round)
• 2020: Season Suspended due to COVID-19 Pandemic
• 2021: 65–55
• 2022: 76–53 (2nd half East Division Champions - MWL Runner-up)
• 2023: 65–64
• 2024: TBD (1st half East Division Champions)

Franchise records

• Win–loss record entering 2024:

• 2215–2058 (.518) overall
• 1373–1361 (.502) as the Lake County Captains

• Longest winning streak: 13 games (May 27 – June 8, 2003)
• Longest losing streak: 10 games (June 8–18, 2011) & (April 10–19, 2012)
• Pitcher with most wins in a season: Steve Kline, 18 in 1994 (also league leader that year)
• Hitter with most home runs in a season: Russell Branyan, 40 in 1996 (also league leader that year)

Playoffs (since 2005)

• 2008: Lost to West Virginia 2–1 in semifinals
• 2010: Defeated West Michigan 2–1 in quarterfinals; Defeated Great Lakes 2–1 in semifinals
• 2012: Defeated Bowling Green 2–0 in quarterfinals; lost to Fort Wayne 2–0 in semifinals
• 2014: Defeated South Bend 2–0 in quarterfinals; defeated Fort Wayne 2–0 in semifinals; lost to Kane County 3–0 in finals
• 2019: Lost to Great Lakes 2–1 in quarterfinals

Roster

Notable franchise alumni

This list of "famous" or "notable" people has no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria. Please help improve this article by defining clear inclusion criteria to contain only subjects that fit those criteria. (November 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• Chris Archer (2007–2009) 2x MLB All-Star
• David Bell (1991)
• Tanner Bibee (2022)
• Russell Branyan (1995–1996)
• Roberto Hernandez (2003, 2008–2009, 2012) MLB All-Star
• Einar Diaz (1993–1994)
• Alan Embree (1991)
• Maicer Izturis (1999–2000)
• Steve Kline (1994)
• Ted Kubiak (2010–2011, MGR)
• Tim Laker (2002)
• Francisco Lindor (2012) 2x MLB All-Star
• Albie Lopez (1992)
• Torey Lovullo (2002, MGR) 2017 NL Manager of the Year
• Ángel Martínez (2022)
• Víctor Martínez (2000) 5x MLB All-Star
• Dave Mlicki (1991)
• Eli Morgan (2018)
• Jhonkensy Noel (2021–2022)
• Jhonny Peralta (2000) 3x MLB All-Star
• Scott Radinsky (2005, coach)
• Jose Ramirez (2012) MLB All-Star
• CC Sabathia (1999) 6x MLB All-Star; 2007 AL Cy Young Award
• Danny Salazar (2009–2010) MLB All-Star
• Marco Scutaro (1996) MLB All-Star
• Richie Sexson (1994) 2x MLB All-Star
• Kelly Stinnett (1991)
• Eric Wedge (1998, MGR) 2007 AL Manager of the Year
• Jaret Wright (1995)
• Steven Wright (2007, 2011) MLB All-Star

Captains Call-Up Club

The names of all Captains players and franchise alumni who have advanced to play Major League Baseball are enshrined in the Lake County Captains Call-Up Club at Classic Auto Group Park. The Call-Up Club includes former Captains, coaches, and managers who've made it to the Major League Baseball coaching staff. A new wall of bronze plaques was installed at the main entrance of Classic Auto Group Park in August of the 2017 season. The previous "Walk of Fame" started in the outfield of Classic Auto Group Park and was moved to an interior wall of the ballpark near the right-field corner of the stadium.

References

1. "Catch the Buzz: The Baseball Bug Takes Center Stage with the Lake County Captains". MiLB.com. February 6, 2024.
2. "Jen Yorko Named Lake County Captains GM". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
3. Hill, Benjamin (January 12, 2022). "Explore Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains". MLB.com.
4. Zontini, Kirstie (June 11, 2019). "WATCH: ODOT cameras shake violently as earthquake rattles Cleveland suburb". WHIO-TV.
5. "Former Eastlake mayor becomes target of investigation". WOIO. Associated Press. January 31, 2005.
6. Czerwinski, Kevin T. (September 2, 2008). "Lake County, Bowling Green shifting to MWL". Milb.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
7. Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
8. "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
9. Known as Fausto Carmona during his tenure with Lake County

External links

• Official website
• Statistics from Baseball-Reference

v t e Sports teams based in Ohio
Baseball	MLB Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Guardians IL Columbus Clippers Toledo Mud Hens EL Akron RubberDucks ML Dayton Dragons Lake County Captains MLBDL Mahoning Valley Scrappers FL Lake Erie Crushers PL Champion City Kings 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 Cleveland Charge
Football	NFL Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns WFA Cincinnati Sizzle Cleveland Fusion Columbus Comets Toledo Reign
Hockey	NHL Columbus Blue Jackets AHL Cleveland Monsters ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones Toledo Walleye USHL Youngstown Phantoms USPHL Toledo Cherokee Wooster Oilers
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
Rugby league	NARL Cleveland Rugby League
Rugby union	USARNC Columbus RFC Dayton Area Rugby Club Cincinnati Wolfhounds
Soccer	MLS Columbus Crew FC Cincinnati MLSNP Columbus Crew 2 FC Cincinnati 2 USL2 Cleveland Force SC Dayton Dutch Lions Kings Hammer SC Toledo Villa FC NPSL Akron City FC Cleveland SC WPSL Cleveland Ambassadors Cincinnati Sirens Columbus Eagles Dayton Dutch Lions WFC MLIS Cincinnati Swerve Cleveland Crunch
Volleyball	PVF Columbus Fury
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

• Baseball teams established in 2003
• Midwest League teams
• Defunct South Atlantic League teams
• Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates
• Lake County, Ohio
• Baseball teams in Cleveland
• Professional baseball teams in Ohio
• 2003 establishments in Ohio
• High-A Central teams