Here are the weirdest stats, plays from the final month of the MiLB season
Welcome to Crooked Numbers, a monthly column dedicated to Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. The edition, rounding up the month of September, encapsulates the end of the regular season as well as the playoffs. Thanks for reading this season, and here's to an even more "Crooked" 2025.
Welcome to Crooked Numbers, a monthly column dedicated to Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. The edition, rounding up the month of September, encapsulates the end of the regular season as well as the playoffs. Thanks for reading this season, and here's to an even more "Crooked" 2025.
Title trifecta
The Omaha Storm Chasers won the International League championship this season, dispatching the Columbus Clippers in a best-of-3 series. In doing so, they became the first Triple-A team to win a title in three different leagues. The Storm Chasers, a Kansas City affiliate since their 1969 inception, played in the American Association through 1997 and won four championships. They then moved to the Pacific Coast League, where they added three more before switching to the International League in 2021.
The @OMAStormChasers are the International League champions!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 27, 2024
The @Royals affiliate becomes the first Triple-A team to win a title in three different leagues! pic.twitter.com/WiGYRUMrH0
Taking a whole bunch for the team
Luke Adams played 101 games for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this season and hit just .227. That makes the Midwest League-leading .443 OBP -- 42 points higher than any other player -- even more impressive. The Brewers' No. 8 prospect topped the circuit with 78 walks and got hit by a pitch 40 times, establishing a league record in the process. And, again, he did all that in just 101 games!
Pain is temporary. Your name in the record book is forever.@Brewers No. 8 prospect Luke Adams sets a Midwest League mark with his 39th (!!) HBP of the season for the @TimberRattlers: pic.twitter.com/OpQPgeeK62
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 5, 2024
When Adams was plunked for the 39th time on Sept. 4, the 20-year-old third baseman broke the league record set in 2017 by Nick Sinay of the Lansing Lugnuts. Sinay played just 79 games that season, getting hit by a pitch (38) more often than he walked (32)!
Real pain, then champagne
It’s every kid’s dream: knocking in the winning run to win your team a championship. Kyle Karros of the High-A Spokane Indians did just that on Sept. 14, although he did it in a way seldom dreamed of. Batting with one out and the bases-loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, Karros was plunked by the Vancouver Canadians' Geison Urbaez on the first pitch of the at-bat. After a brief reaction to the pain, he jubilantly trotted to first base, where he was mobbed by his teammates for his sacrificial heroics.
This was the craziest ending to a Northwest League Championship Series since the Eugene Emeralds won on a “balk-off” in 2018 (against Spokane, no less).
📩 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BEN'S BIZ
Nothing but glove
An even more obscure walk-off variant occurred on Sept. 4 as the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils capped a furious ninth-inning rally with a walk-off catcher’s interference. The Phillies affiliate entered the frame trailing, 5-2, but an ensuing display of small ball -- four singles and two walks -- resulted in a tie ballgame. Otto Kemp stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out and worked the count to 2-2. On the next pitch Philly's No. 28 prospect hit a foul ball and the catcher’s glove, enabling Reading to win in most improbable fashion.
We've got a @ReadingFightins walk-off on a catcher's interference?!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 5, 2024
The @Phillies' Double-A affiliate storms back with four runs in the 9th, capping off a comeback win in funky fashion 🕺 pic.twitter.com/NbcH91UMnP
Herget while the Hergetting's good
The Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers' Jimmy Herget pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the Braves affiliate against the Nashville Sounds on Sept. 4, leaving the game after recording the third out in the bottom of the fifth frame. The very next pitcher to take the mound -- the Brewers affiliate's fresh arm for the top of the sixth -- countered with two scoreless innings. That fresh arm? Kevin Herget.
Jimmy and Kevin -- no relation -- are the only known Hergets to have ever played baseball professionally.
Battle of the Hergets!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 5, 2024
Jimmy Herget (@GoStripers) and Kevin Herget (@nashvillesounds) -- not related -- follow each other on the bump in the International League. pic.twitter.com/4fDZGSj4c5
What goes around comes around
In the fifth start of his professional career on June 26, 2014, Daniel Missaki of the Pulaski Mariners recorded nine strikeouts. Four starts later, he did it again. But it would take the right-hander took him more than a decade to strike out that many in a Minor League game again.
It's Freaky Friday for Daniel Missaki 🗓️
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 14, 2024
The 28-year-old turns back the clock, allowing no hits and striking out 9 for @smokiesbaseball -- his most K's in a MiLB game since 2014 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/bM1unl1Tox
On Sept. 13, Missaki took the mound for the Tennessee Smokies, the Cubs' Double-A affiliate, and tied his career high by striking out nine Birmingham Barons batters. The 28-year-old was out of affiliated baseball from 2016-23, when he undertook a global journey that included stints with teams in his native Japan, Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia and Mexico.
Donovan Walton, MVPPP (Most Valuable Position Player Pitching)
Ten pitchers made 10 or more appearances for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats this season, including one who wasn’t a pitcher at all. This moonlighting man on the mound was 30-year-old utility player Donovan Walton, son of legendary Oklahoma State pitching coach Rob Walton.
Walton entered the season with just one pro pitching appearance. In 2022, he allowed three runs in a lone inning for the San Francisco Giants. This year was a different story. As chronicled in the April edition of this column -- and expounded upon in May -- Walton was the first River Cats “pitcher” to log two wins this season. These victories occurred over a three-day span, and in both, he logged two scoreless frames to close out extra-inning 9-8 road wins against the Reno Aces.
(•_•)
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 3, 2024
<) )╯POSITION
/ \
\(•_•)
( (> PLAYER
/ \
(•_•)
<) )> PITCHING
/ \
Infielder Donovan Walton takes the mound and throws a scoreless frame in extra innings for the @RiverCats. pic.twitter.com/w863BVDJTu
Walton went on to pitch eight more times for the River Cats, finishing with a 2-1 record and 2.25 ERA over 12 innings. And the icing on the cake? Walton was called up to the Giants on Sept. 13, and one day later, threw a scoreless inning against the Padres.
The hits just keep coming
On Friday, Sept. 13, every player in the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators' starting lineup hit safely and scored at least once en route to 14 runs overall. Only problem was, every batter in the opposing Albuquerque Isotopes' starting lineup also hit safely and scored at least one run.
The Isotopes (Rockies) overcame a 9-0 deficit in this topsy-turvy affair, storming back to take a 13-10 lead after seven innings. The Aviators (Athletics) mounted their own comeback to tie the game at 14-14 in the ninth, but Elehuris Montero hit a walk-off homer in the 10th to give the Isotopes a thoroughly improbable 16-14 win. This was a Friday the 13th like no other.
A large dose of small ball
The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox) beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) on Sept. 17 by a score of 14-9. This final tally might lead the casual observer to deem it a “slugfest.” The casual observer would be wrong. No home runs were hit in the game, and just four hits went for extra bases. There were 21 singles, 10 walks, a hit batsman and two errors. Runs also scored via a balk, double play and a wild pitch. Don’t judge a final score by its cover.
Ending at the beginning
March 29: The IronPigs began their season at home against the WooSox, winning 7-4 on a walk-off grand slam by Rodolfo Castro.
OPENING NIGHT WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) March 30, 2024
Rodolfo Castro called game to cap an 8-run ninth-inning comeback for the @IronPigs: pic.twitter.com/I5zjZay5mD
Sept. 22: The IronPigs end their season at home against the WooSox, winning 7-4 on a walk-off grand slam by Darick Hall.
The @IronPigs' first game of 2024: Walk-off grand slam to win, 7-4
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 22, 2024
The IronPigs' last game of 2024: Walk-off grand slam to win, 7-4@Phillies first baseman Darick Hall helps the club bookend the Triple-A season. pic.twitter.com/We7y3wQ54e
This remarkably similar way of starting and ending a season will henceforth be known as a “Grand Salami Sandwich.”
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Nominate a Local Hero to be Recognized at a South Bend Cubs Game
SOUTH BEND, IN – The South Bend Cubs are proud to partner with Hoosier Lottery and honor Michiana heroes who do so much good for the community. Local teachers, police officers, and firefighters can be nominated, and the Cubs will honor one hero every Saturday home game at Four Winds
Enjoy an All-Inclusive VIP Experience on the United Federal Credit Union Rooftop
SOUTH BEND, IN – Enjoy a South Bend Cubs game in style on the United Federal Credit Union Rooftop. Single game tickets to four games are now available as part of a special all-inclusive VIP package. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR VIP TICKETS Normally reserved for larger groups, fans can
Steel topping ceremony for stadium improvements at Four Winds Field in South Bend
SOUTH BEND, Indiana (February 26, 2025) – Today, South Bend Mayor James Mueller, South Bend Cubs owner Andrew Berlin, along with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and other city officials, gathered in downtown South Bend for a steel topping ceremony at Four Winds Field. The city-owned stadium is approaching
Cubs Opening Night VIP Package On Sale February 24
UPDATE #1 (2/24 at 3:20pm): The home run porch is sold out so we have opened up seats in the Budweiser Picnic Garden. Less than half of those tickets remain. Order now before we sell out. SOUTH BEND, IN – It wouldn’t be Opening Night without the South Bend Cubs
South Bend Cubs Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
SOUTH BEND, IN – Last week, Promo Palooza introduced three VIP ticket packages with special guests coming to Four Winds Field. Today, the South Bend Cubs have announced their complete 2025 Promotional Schedule. As announced last month, single game tickets will go on sale February 26 at 10:00 a.m. Click
The Country's First and Largest Donut & Beer Festival Coming to South Bend for First Time Ever
SOUTH BEND, IN - Outlier Events, the visionary team behind fan-favorite events like the Tots & Taps Festival, Mac and Cheese Festival, and Donut & Beer Festival, is excited to announce the debut of the the country’s first and largest Donut & Beer Festival coming to South Bend. Indiana’s Donut
South Bend Cubs Single Game Tickets On Sale February 26
SOUTH BEND, IN – Despite the subzero wind chills and snow on the ground, Cubs baseball returns to South Bend in just 82 days. Fans can mark their calendars as single game tickets for the 2025 season will go on sale on February 26 at 10:00am ET. Tickets will be
Chicago Cubs Announce 2025 South Bend Cubs Coaching Staff
SOUTH BEND, IN - In conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, the South Bend Cubs have announced the team’s field staff for the 2025 Midwest League season. Nick Lovullo is set to return for his second season as South Bend Cubs manager, after leading the team in 2024 for his first
NOW HIRING: South Bend Cubs Hiring Gameday Positions for 2025 Season
SOUTH BEND, IN - As pitchers and catchers report this week for the Chicago Cubs, the South Bend Cubs are gearing up for the 2025 season. Beginning today, the organization is looking for friendly, fan focused individuals to fill part-time, seasonal positions for the 2025 season. Applications are available now
Chicago Cubs Hall-of-Famer Shawon Dunston to Appear at Four Winds Field on May 22
SOUTH BEND, IN - Two-time MLB All-Star, and Chicago Cubs Hall-of-Famer Shawon Dunston is set to appear at Four Winds Field for a special meet-and-greet event on Thursday, May 22. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders only and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as the
South Bend Cubs Now Accepting Auditions for 2025 National Anthem Performances
SOUTH BEND, IN - The South Bend Cubs looking for individuals and groups interested in performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to home games at Four Winds Field for the 2025 season. The audition submission period is open from January 28 through February 28. Individuals, bands, choirs, and groups are invited
South Bend Cubs Announce Broadcast Extension with WSBT Radio
SOUTH BEND, IN - The South Bend Cubs and Mid-West Family Broadcasting have announced a three-year extension of their radio agreement to keep Cubs baseball on Sports Radio 96.1 FM WSBT. The extension will carry through the 2027 Midwest League season, and the upcoming 2025 campaign will be the tenth
South Bend Cubs Host Hearts for Haley Fundraiser on February 14
UPDATE (February 10): Bid on one of a kind items from the Chicago Cubs and local businesses with proceeds going to help pay the ongoing medical expenses for longtime South Bend Silver Hawks Manager and baseball ambassador Mark Haley. Items include autographed memorabilia by Chicago Cubs Kevin Alcantara, Pete Crow-Armstrong,
Registration Now Open for Stu & Ivy’s Reading Club
SOUTH BEND, IN – As classes resume following winter break, teachers and administrators can now sign up their students for Stu & Ivy’s Reading Club, presented by 1st Source Bank. The program is open to all students K-8 in counties across Michiana. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR CLASS OR SCHOOL
Top Prospect and Chicago Cubs Stars Headline 2025 Bobblehead Package
SOUTH BEND, IN – On National Bobblehead Day, the South Bend Cubs has announced their star studdled bobblehead lineup for the 2025 season. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and catcher Miguel Amaya join top prosect Matt Shaw and new mascot Ivy as part of a special ticket package, available now
South Bend Cubs Looking for Local Musicians to Perform Before Games
The South Bend Cubs are looking for local musicians that would like to perform at Four Winds Field prior to select games during the 2025 season. Performers can be soloists, acapella groups, jam bands, DJs, High School bands and more. CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AUDITION FORM Selected individuals or
South Bend Cubs Host 2025 Special Olympics Polar Plunge on February 22
UPDATE: Fans who make a minimum $10 donation will be entered into a drawing for an autographed game program, signed by top Cubs prospects Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, and Cade Horton! Help us reach our goal before February 22. DONATE TO THE SOUTH BEND CUBS PLUNGE BY CLICKING HERE SOUTH
Cubs Den Team Store Announces 2024 Holiday Sales
SOUTH BEND, IN – Voted best team store in baseball, the Cubs Den Team Store is your holiday shopping destination. Get the best price on a variety of quality items with the Gold Standard service you’ve come to expect. Plan your holiday shopping with this helpful guide of sales through
South Bend Cubs Offering Free Tickets for Holiday Donations
SOUTH BEND, IN - Help make a difference for a family in need this holiday season and make a donation to the South Bend Cubs Holiday Food and Toy Drive. Like last year, the Cubs have teamed up with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana to accept non-perishable food items
South Bend Cubs Black Friday Ticket Package On Sale November 29
UPDATE: Our Black Friday ticket packages sold out but due to high demand, we're offering an additional 50 packs on Cyber Monday. Includes tickets, Cubs Den voucher, parking and more! Offer available on December 2, online only. Click Here to Purchase a Cyber Monday Package - On Sale 12/2 SOUTH
South Bend Cubs Announce Game Times for 2025 Season
SOUTH BEND, IN - In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the South Bend Cubs have announced home game start times for the 2025 season. For the third straight year, South Bend will open the campaign on the road, but this time against the Beloit Sky Carp in Wisconsin on Friday,
South Bend Cubs Donate Over $100,000 to Local Charities during the 2024 Season
South Bend, IN - In a season where the South Bend Cubs broke their single-game attendance record, with 8,169 fans packing Four Winds Field on July 25, and with phase one of the stadium renovations currently taking place, the organization is celebrating many marquee moments this off-season. A number of
Former South Bend Cubs Moises Ballesteros and Brandon Birdsell Named Chicago Cubs Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year
SOUTH BEND, IN - On Wednesday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs named former South Bend Cubs Moises Ballesteros and Brandon Birdsell the organization’s Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Ballesteros takes home the Player of the Year award for the second straight season, while this is Birdsell’s first
South Bend Cubs Athletic Trainer Nick Roberts Named Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year
SOUTH BEND, IN - After completing his second season as the Athletic Trainer for the South Bend Cubs, Nick Roberts has been named the 'Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year' by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS). PBATS named 16 winners for postseason athletic training recognition following the
South Bend Cubs 2024 Season Recap
The 2024 South Bend Cubs capped their season on Sunday, September 8 with a 3-1 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps. A victory that afternoon meant South Bend won their final regular season series of the campaign for the second year in a row. This season did not end with