Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Founded in 1891 Appleton, Wisconsin (joined Minor League Baseball in 1909)
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Class A [1](1963–present)
Previous	Class B (1958–1961) Class C (1910–1914) Class D (1909, 1940–1953, 1962)
Minor league affiliations
League	Midwest League (1962–present)
Division	Western Division
Previous leagues	Independent (1891, 1902) Three-I League (1958–1961) Wisconsin State League (1940–1942, 1946–1953) Wisconsin–Illinois League (1909–1914)
Major league affiliations
Current	Milwaukee Brewers (2009–present)
Previous	Seattle Mariners (1993–2008) Kansas City Royals (1987–1992) Chicago White Sox (1966–1986) Baltimore Orioles (1962–1965) Washington Senators (1958–1959) Boston Braves (1952–1953) St. Louis Browns (1950–1951) Philadelphia Phillies (1947–1949) Cleveland Indians (1942–1946)
Minor league titles
League titles (10)	1960 1964 1966 1967 1969 1978 1982 1983 1984 2012
Team data
Nickname	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (1995–present)
Previous names	Appleton Foxes (1962, 1967–1994) Fox Cities Foxes (1963–1966) Appleton Papermakers (1909–1953)
Colors	burgundy, black, white, silver
Mascot	Fang
Ballpark	Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (1995–present)
Previous parks	Goodland Field (1940–1994) League Park (1909–1914)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Appleton Baseball Club, Inc.
Manager	Matt Erickson
General Manager	Rob Zerjav

Appleton Foxes logo from 1978 to 1994

Fang, mascot of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Timber Rattlers pitcher Chris Tillman warming up before a start

Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, New York Yankees, 1983

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are a minor league baseball team of the Midwest League, and the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The team is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and are named for the timber rattlesnake, which is indigenous to the area.^[2] The team plays its home games at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium, which opened in 1995 and seats 5,170 fans (plus grass seating).^[3] The Timber Rattlers have won nine league championships, most recently in 2012. World Series-winning Managers Earl Weaver and Jack McKeon were Managers at Appleton. Baseball Hall of Fame members Pat Gillick, Earl Weaver, and Goose Gossage played for Appleton. Five future Cy Young Award winners and three Most Valuable Player recipients were on Appleton/Wisconsin rosters.^[4]

History

The team began play as the Appleton Foxes in the Three-I League in 1958, five years after Appleton's previous minor league franchise, the Papermakers, folded along with the rest of the Wisconsin State League. The Papermakers had played in the Wisconsin–Illinois League (1909–1914) before starting the franchise again decades later in the Wisconsin State League (1940–1953). The Foxes joined the Midwest League (MWL) in 1962 after the Three-I League disbanded, and continue play in the MWL today.^[4]

The Foxes played at Appleton's Goodland Field and League Park before moving to their current home at Fox Cities Stadium, a larger, more modern ballpark on Appleton's northwest side in the town of Grand Chute. With the move, the Foxes took the new name of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in an effort to attract fans outside the immediate Appleton/Fox Cities area. The franchise set its all-time attendance record of 253,240 in 2009, the first year of their affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers.^[3]

The Timber Rattlers are a non-stock club governed by Appleton Baseball Club, Inc., which is community-owned.^[3] Appleton Baseball Club has a 12-person board of directors.^[3] It has 168 active shareholders and 347 shares as of September 2008.^[3]

Alumni: Hall of Fame

Three Timber Rattlers franchise alumni have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame:

• Pat Gillick (1960) MLB player; MLB executive: Baseball Hall of Fame (2011)
• Goose Gossage (1970–71, 1974); Baseball Hall of Fame (2008)
• Earl Weaver (MGR, 1960–61) MLB manager, 3 x AL Pennant; manager, 1970 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles; Baseball Hall of Fame (1996)

Notable alumni

^[5]

• Juan Agosto (1980)
• Harold Baines (1977) 6 x MLB AS
• Daryl Boston (1982)
• Britt Burns (1978, 1984)
• Asdrúbal Cabrera (2005) 2 x MLB AS
• John Cangelosi (1983)
• Dean Chance (1960) 2 x MLB AS; 1964 AL Cy Young Award
• Shin-Soo Choo (2002)
• Bucky Dent (1970–71) 3 x MLB AS
• Brian Downing (1971) MLB AS
• Shawn Estes (1993) MLB AS
• Terry Forster (1970) 1974 AL saves leader
• Ryan Franklin (1994) MLB AS
• Mike Garcia (1942) 2 X MLB AS; 2 X AL ERA Leader (1949, 1954)
• Tom Gordon (1988) 3 x MLB AS
• Félix Hernández (2003) 5 x MLB AS; 2013 AL Cy Young Award
• Greg Hibbard (1987)
• LaMarr Hoyt (1978) MLB AS 1983 AL Cy Young Award
• Raúl Ibañez (1993–94) MLB AS
• Adam Jones (2004) 4 x GG; 5 X MLB AS
• Brett Lawrie (2009)
• Matt Karchner (1990)
• Ron Kittle (1980) MLB AS; 1983 AL Rookie of the Year
• Alex Liddi (2007)
• Sparky Lyle (1964) 3 x MLB AS; 1977 AL Cy Young Award
• Jack McKeon (Player/MGR, 1959) manager, 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins
• Dave McNally (1961) 3 X MLB AS; 1970 AL wins leader
• Julio Mateo (2000)
• Carlos May (1967) 2 x MLB AS
• Dave May (1963–64) MLB AS
• Gil Meche (1997–98) MLB AS
• Bill Melton (1966) MLB AS; 1971 AL home run leader
• Dan Miceli (1992)
• David Ortiz (1996) 9 x MLB AS; World Series MVP Award (2013); AL Championship Series MVP Award (2004); 2006 AL home run leader; 2005–06 AL RBI leader; 500 home run club
• Joel Piñeiro (1998)
• Boog Powell (1960) 4 x MLB AS; 1970 AL Most Valuable Player
• J. J. Putz (2000) MLB AS
• Joe Randa (1992)
• Cal Ripken Sr. (1962) MLB MGR; father of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken
• Alex Rodriguez (1994) 14 x MLB AS; 3 x AL Most Valuable Player; 5 x AL home run leader; 2 x MLB RBI leader; MLB batting champion (1996); 500 home run club
• Rafael Soriano (2000) MLB AS; 2010 AL saves leader
• Bobby Thigpen (1985) MLB AS
• Steve Trout (1977)
• Zoilo Versalles (1959) 2 X GG; 2 x MLB AS; 1965 AL Most Valuable Player
• Pete Vuckovich (1974) 1982 AL Cy Young Award
• Greg Walker (1980)
• Eddie Watt (1962)
• Kenny Williams (1983–84) general manager, 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox

Yearly results

League Champions †

Three-I League
Season	Affiliation	Manager	Record	Win %	Finish	Attendance	Playoffs
1958	Washington	Pete Suder	56–73	.434	6th	58,602
1959	Washington	Jack McKeon	59–67	.468	4th	51,004
1960 †	Baltimore	Earl Weaver	82–56	.594	1st	61,062	Won Title
1961	Baltimore	Earl Weaver	67–62	.519	4th	47,552

Midwest League
Season	Affiliation	Manager	Record	Win %	Finish	Attendance	Playoffs
1962	Baltimore	Billy DeMars	61–63	.492	7th	41,323	None
1963	Baltimore	Billy DeMars	55–65	.458	8th	43,412	None
1964 †	Baltimore	Billy DeMars	81–43	.653	1st	45,557	Defeated Clinton 1–0
1965	Baltimore	Billy DeMars	55–63	.466	7th	43,412	None
1966 †	Chicago (AL)	Stan Wasiak	77–47	.621	2nd	57,496	Defeated Cedar Rapids 2–1
1967 †	Chicago (AL)	Alex Cosmidis	71–46	.607	1st	48,186	Defeated Wisconsin Rapids 2–0
1968	Chicago (AL)	Gary Johnson/Tom Umphlett	57–61	.483	6th	45,436	None
1969 †	Chicago (AL)	Tom Saffell	84–41	.672	1st	67,028	Won both halves
1970	Chicago (AL)	Ira Hutchinson	64–60	.516	5th	—	None
1971	Chicago (AL)	Joe Sparks	79–44	.642	1st	—	Lost to Quad Cities 2–1
1972	Chicago (AL)	Bert Thiel	76–51	.598	1st	—	Defeated Wisconsin Rapids 1–0; Lost to Danville 2-0
1973	Chicago (AL)	Grover "Deacon" Jones	44–76	.367	10th	—	None
1974	Chicago (AL)	Gordy Lund	73–50	.593	2nd	—	Defeated Wisconsin Rapid 2–0; Lost to Danville 2–1
1975	Chicago (AL)	Gordy Lund	50–77	.394	9th	—	None
1976	Chicago (AL)	Jim Napier	56–74	.431	10th	—	None
1977	Chicago (AL)	Gordy Lund	54–84	.398	8th	—	None
1978 †	Chicago (AL)	Gordy Lund	97–40	.708	1st	—	Defeated Waterloo 2–0; Defeated Burlington 2–1
1979	Chicago (AL)	Jim Breazeale	63–72	.467	5th	—	None
1980	Chicago (AL)	Gordy Lund	76–63	.547	2nd	—	None
1981	Chicago (AL)	Sam Ewing	54–80	.403	6th	66,780	None
1982 †	Chicago (AL)	Adrian Garrett	81–59	.579	3rd	81,970	Defeated Springfield 2–0; Defeated Madison 2–1
1983 †	Chicago (AL)	John Boles, Jr.	87–50	.635	1st	68,751	Defeated Waterloo 2–1; Defeated Springfield 3–1
1984 †	Chicago (AL)	Sal Rende	87–49	.640	1st	54,281	Defeated Madison 2–1; Defeated Springfield 3–2
1985	Chicago (AL)	Sal Rende	85–54	.612	1st	76,860	Lost to Kenosha 2–1
1986	Chicago (AL)	Duke Sims/Rico Petrocelli	56–83	.403	11th	60,001	None
1987	Kansas City	Ken Berry	71–69	.507	6th	81,208	None
1988	Kansas City	Brian Poldberg	58–82	.414	13th	85,310	None
1989	Kansas City	Brian Poldberg	67–68	.496	7th	76,223	None
1990	Kansas City	Joe Breeden	62–71	.466	8th	84,396	None
1991	Kansas City	Joe Breeden	58–81	.417	14th	72,601	None
1992	Kansas City	Tom Poquette	70–62	.530	6th	46,576	Lost to Beloit 2–1
1993	Seattle	Carlos Lezcano	62–73	.459	9th	56,036	None
1994	Seattle	Carlos Lezcano	75–64	.540	4th	76,281	None
1995	Seattle	Mike Goff	63–75	.457	12th	209,159	None
1996	Seattle	Mike Goff	77–58	.570	2nd	233,797	Defeated Peoria 2–1; Defeated Quad City 2–1; Lost to West Michigan 3–1
1997	Seattle	Gary Varsho	76–63	.547	2nd	227,104	Lost to Kane County 2–0
1998	Seattle	Gary Varsho	72–65	.526	5th	227,306	Lost to Rockford 2–1
1999	Seattle	Steve Roadcap	72–66	.522	5th	223,814	Defeated Rockford 2–0; Defeated Lansing 2–0; Lost to Burlington 3–2
2000	Seattle	Gary Thurman	78–60	.565	3rd	220,372	Defeated Kane County 2–1; Lost to Beloit
2001	Seattle	Gary Thurman	84–52	.618	2nd	207,823	Defeated Quad City 2–0; Lost to Kane County 2–0
2002	Seattle	Gary Thurman	53–86	.381	13th	199,210	None
2003	Seattle	Daren Brown	69–66	.511	6th	197,934	Lost to Beloit 2–0
2004	Seattle	Steve Roadcap	57–82	.410	12th	206,487	None
2005	Seattle	Scott Steinmann	76–63	.547	2nd	211,927	Defeated Beloit 2–1; Defeated Clinton 2–0; Lost to South Bend 3–2
2006	Seattle	Jim Horner	54–86	.386	13th	209,033	None
2007	Seattle	Jim Horner	53–85	.384	14th	197,511	None
2008	Seattle	Terry Pollreisz	56–80[3]	.412	10th	190,263[3]	None
2009	Milwaukee	Jeff Isom	58-81	.417	12th	253,240	None
2010	Milwaukee	Jeff Isom	58-80	.420	14th	244,331	None
2011	Milwaukee	Matt Erickson	67-72	.482	11th	240,998	None
2012 †	Milwaukee	Matt Erickson	78-61	.561	3rd	240,509	Defeated Burlington 2–1; Defeated Clinton 2–0; Defeated Fort Wayne 3–1
2013	Milwaukee	Matt Erickson	59-76	.437	13th	241,938	None
2014	Milwaukee	Matt Erickson	72-67	.518	T-5th	250,131	Lost to Kane County 2–0
2015	Milwaukee	Matt Erickson	.360
2016	Milwaukee	Matt Erickson	71-69	.507	8th	-	Lost to Cedar Rapids 2-0

Roster

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers roster
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 24 David Burkhalter 32 Miguel Diaz 18 Marcos Diplan 26 Jake Drossner 30 Alex Farina 33 Nate Griep 34 Scott Grist 28 Conor Harber 31 David Lucroy 29 Drake Owenby 20 Freddy Peralta 22 Jon Perrin 17 Quintin Torres-Costa 23 Jordan Yamamoto		Catchers  9 Mitch Ghelfi 21 Max McDowell Infielders 16 Blake Allemand 11 Luis Aviles  6 Isan Díaz  2 Jake Gatewood  7 Sthervin Matos 19 Tucker Neuhaus  4 Alan Sharkey Outfielders  1 Carlos Belonis 13 David Denson  3 Monte Harrison 15 Troy Stokes		Manager  8 Matt Erickson Coaches  5 Chuck Caufield (coach) 10 Al LeBoeuf (hitting) 25 Gary Lucas (pitching) 7-day disabled list * On Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporary inactive list Roster and coaches updated May 7, 2016 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → Milwaukee Brewers minor league players

References

• Dinda, J. "Appleton, Wisconsin in the Midwest League." Midwest League Guide. 2003. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.
• "Appleton Baseball Hall of Fame inductees." The Post Crescent. March 25, 2006. Retrieved on September 18, 2008.

1. http://www.milb.com/milb/info/classifications.jsp
2. http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/critter/reptile/timberrattlesnake.htm
3. Christopherson, Brett (2008-09-24). "Brewers' contract a winner for Rattlers". The Appleton Post-Crescent. pp. A–1,A–6,A–7.
4. http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Appleton&state=WI&country=US&empty=0
5. http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=05d79d3b

External links

• Official Timber Rattlers website
• Fox Cities Stadium Photos: http://digitalballparks.com/Midwest/FoxCities.html
• Goodland Field Photos: http://www.digitalballparks.com/Midwest/Goodland.html