The Mankato MoonDogs are an American amateur baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Their home games are played at ISG Field in Mankato, Minnesota.[1] The MoonDogs have been active in the Mankato community with frequent player and mascot appearances at local events and through the MoonDogs Fit Program.
| Mankato MoonDogs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| League | Northwoods League (Great Plains West, 2019-present) (North Division, 1999-2018) |
| Location | Mankato, Minnesota |
| Ballpark | ISG Field (1999–present) |
| Division championships | 3 (2011, 2012, 2014) |
| Former name(s) | Mankato Mashers (1999–2001) |
| Colors | Black, Orange, White |
| Ownership | Chad Surprenant and Kyle Smith |
| Management | Ben Kapanke (Vice President) |
| Manager | Danny Kneeland, Bethany Lutheran College |
| General Manager | Walker Regier |
| President | Chris Goodell |
| Website | www |
History
editThe team started play in 1999 as the Mankato Mashers and were renamed in 2002 when the franchise was acquired by Joe Schwei.[2][3] The Moondogs were again sold in January 2013 to Mark Ogren.[4] The current ownership group of Chad Superenant and Kyle Smith took over the club in 2018.[5]
From 2008 to 2018 the MoonDogs made the playoffs eight of eleven season, making it to the NWL Summer Collegiate World Series on three occasions. In 2014 the MoonDogs were defeated by the Lakeshore Chinooks in a two-game series sweep.[6]
Season-by-season
edit| Season | W | L | Result | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 28 | 34 | ||
| 2000 | 27 | 37 | ||
| 2001 | 36 | 28 | ||
| 2002 | 33 | 31 | ||
| 2003 | 27 | 37 | ||
| 2004 | 21 | 43 | ||
| 2005 | 34 | 34 | ||
| 2006 | 32 | 35 | ||
| 2007 | 35 | 32 | ||
| 2008 | 41 | 27 | ||
| 2009 | 39 | 29 | 2nd of 7 | Lost division finals vs Rochester Honkers |
| 2010 | 29 | 41 | 8th of 8 | DNQ |
| 2011 | 42 | 28 | 2nd of 8 | Won division finals vs Alexandria Beetles
Lost finals vs Battle Creek Bombers |
| 2012 | 42 | 27 | 1st of 8 | Won division finals vs Willmar Stingers
Lost finals vs La Crosse Loggers |
| 2013 | 38 | 32 | 4th of 8 | DNQ |
| 2014 | 42 | 30 | 3rd of 10 | Won division finals vs Willmar Stingers
Lost finals vs Lakeshore Chinooks |
| 2015 | 33 | 39 | 6th of 9 | DNQ |
| 2016 | 46 | 26 | 2nd of 9 | Lost division semifinals vs Willmar Stingers |
| 2017 | 44 | 28 | 1st of 10 | Won division semifinals vs Eau Claire Express
Lost division finals vs St. Cloud Rox |
| 2018 | 46 | 26 | 3rd of 10 | Lost division semifinals vs Willmar Stingers |
| 2019 | 36 | 36 | 4th of 5 | DNQ |
| 2020 | 17 | 25 | 4th of 5 | DNQ |
| 2021 | 44 | 24 | 2nd of 5 | Lost sub-division series vs St. Cloud Rox |
| 2022 | 40 | 28 | 3rd of 5 | DNQ |
| 2023 | 38 | 30 | 3rd of 5 | DNQ |
Notable alumni (played in MLB)
edit| Name | MLB team | Mankato team | Mankato year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hannahan | Cincinnati Reds | Mashers | 1999 |
| Paul McAnulty | Los Angeles Angels | Mashers | 2001 |
| Curtis Granderson | New York Mets | Mashers | 2001 |
| Neil Wagner | Toronto Blue Jays | MoonDogs | 2004 |
| Cole De Vries | Minnesota Twins | MoonDogs | 2004 |
| Brandon Crawford | San Francisco Giants | MoonDogs | 2005 |
| Cody Decker | San Diego Padres | MoonDogs | 2006 |
| Sean Halton | Milwaukee Brewers | MoonDogs | 2006 |
| Erik Hamren | San Diego Padres | MoonDogs | 2008 |
| John Brebbia | San Francisco Giants | Moondogs | 2009 |
| Jake Petricka | Chicago White Sox | MoonDogs | 2009 |
| Nick Goody | Cleveland Indians | MoonDogs | 2011 |
MoonDogs in the Minor Leagues
editStaff
editThe team's General Manager, Tyler Kuch, is a native of Mankato, Minnesota, Walker Regier, the team's Assistant General Manager is from Southern Minnesota, he previously interned for the Willmar Stingers, another Northwoods League team.
The MoonDogs also have summer internships available for students looking for possible careers in sports. The positions include Media Relations, Promotions/Community Relations, Marketing, Sales, and Camera / Video Operations.
Muttnik
editListed at 6'3" and 210 lbs, the MoonDogs mascot throws and bats right pawed.[7] Muttnik can be seen mingling with the crowd during games or at various community events throughout the year.
References
edit- ^ Christensen, Joe (August 2, 2018). "Out of the backwoods: Northwoods League no longer a sleepy little summer outpost". Star Tribune.
- ^ McKenna, Tim (June 4, 1999). "Mankato welcomes its Northwoods team". Post-Bulletin.
- ^ Millea, John (July 27, 2004). "Fielding big dreams". Star Tribune.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (January 10, 2013). "Mankato Moondogs sold". Ballpark Digest. August Publications.
- ^ Courrier, Chad (January 11, 2018). "New ownership, logo creates MoonDogs fever". The Free Press.
- ^ Wellens, Matt (August 19, 2014). "Morgan's 'special' summer ends with Northwoods League title". Duluth News Tribune.
- ^ "Muttnik - Mankato MoonDogs". Mankato MoonDogs. Retrieved April 21, 2015.