Milwaukee Milkmen

{{Infobox baseball team

|name = Milwaukee Milkmen

|founded = 2018

|city = Franklin, Wisconsin

|ballpark = Franklin Field

|logo = Milwaukee Milkmen logo.svg

|cap_logo = Milwaukee Milkmen cap logo.jpeg

|league = American Association of Professional Baseball

|division = East Division

|former_leagues =

|former_names =

|nicknames =

|retired_numbers =

|colors = Black, white
{{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#ffffff}}

|former_ballparks =

|league_champs = 1 {{flatlist|

2020

}}

|division_champs = 2 {{flatlist|

2020
2022

}}

|owner = Mike Zimmerman

|gm =

|manager = Anthony Barone

|media =

|website = {{URL|https://milwaukeemilkmen.com/}}

|a_cap=000000|a_title=Pinstripes|h_pattern_b=_baseball_whitepiping|h_pants=696969|h_socks=000000|h_rightarm=000000|h_body=000000|h_leftarm=000000|h_cap=000000|a_socks=000000|a_leftarm=000000|a_pattern_pants=_pinstripesonwhite|a_pants=000000|a_pattern_ra=_pinstripesonwhite|a_rightarm=000000|a_pattern_b=_baseball_pinstripes|a_pattern_la=_pinstripesonwhite|a_body=000000|h_title=Darks}}

The Milwaukee Milkmen are an independent baseball team based in Franklin, Wisconsin. They are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball. They began play in 2019{{cite web |date=February 27, 2018 |title=Milwaukee Added as League Member for 2019 |url=http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/milwaukee-added-as-league-member-for-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306190452/http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/milwaukee-added-as-league-member-for-2019/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |access-date=May 18, 2018 |website=American Association of Professional Baseball |language=en-US}} and play home games at Franklin Field (formerly known as Routine Field).{{Cite news |first=Madison |last=Goldbeck |date=April 13, 2019 |title=Milwaukee Milkmen reschedule home opener |language=en-US |website=BizTimes |publisher=BizTimes Media |location=Milwaukee |url=https://www.biztimes.com/2019/industries/arts-entertainment-sports/milwaukee-milkmen-reschedule-home-opener/ |access-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413170011/https://www.biztimes.com/2019/industries/arts-entertainment-sports/milwaukee-milkmen-reschedule-home-opener/ |archive-date=April 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Spedden |first1=Zach |date=June 25, 2019 |title=Routine Field Debuts |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/06/25/routine-field-debuts/ |access-date=June 25, 2019}}

History

= Inception 2018 =

The Milwaukee Milkmen were announced in February 2018, as an expansion team in the American Association of professional baseball, scheduled to begin play for the 2019 season. The team was originally announced as the thirteenth team in the league, but upon the conclusion of the 2018 season the Wichita Wingnuts suspended operations after they lost their stadium to make way for a new stadium for the MiLB AA Witchita Wind Surge.{{cite news |last1=Horwath |first1=Bryan |title=The Wichita Wingnuts won't play ball in 2019, though the franchise remains intact |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2018/10/09/american-association-wingnuts-wont-play-baseball.html |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=Wichita Business Journal |date=October 9, 2018}} The Milkmen nickname was chosen to reflect Wisconsin's reputation as "America's Dairyland."{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Reichard |date=September 17, 2018 |title=New for 2019: Milwaukee Milkmen |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2018/09/17/new-for-2019-milwaukee-milkmen/ |access-date=September 17, 2018}} Milkmen was among ten finalists in a "Name the Team" contest which also included: Barn Owls, Bovines, Broilers, Cheesers, Cow Tippers, Crop Dusters, Farmhands, Haymakers, and War Pigs.{{cite news |date=May 3, 2018 |title=10 Finalists for Franklin American Association Team Name |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2018/05/03/10-finalists-for-franklin-american-association-team-name/ |access-date=May 18, 2018}}

== First season ==

May 16, 2019, the Milwaukee Milkmen began their first season. Their first game was a 13-inning affair against the St. Paul Saints. The game included a delay due to a power failure at CHS Field. In the end, the Milkmen walked away from game with their first win, 5-4.{{Cite news |title=Saints lose season opener after 13th-inning power outage |url=https://www.startribune.com/saints-lose-season-opener-after-13th-inning-power-outage/510055882/ |access-date=June 20, 2021 |newspaper=Star Tribune}}

Due to construction delays on their new stadium Routine Field, the Milwaukee Milkmen played their first 13 home games at Kokomo Municipal Stadium in Indiana.{{Cite news |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Routine Field Opening Delayed Until June 24 |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/04/12/routine-field-opening-delayed-until-june-24/ |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |language=en-US}} Kokomo is the home to the Kokomo Jackrabbits of the Northwoods league, and are owned by the parent company of Milwaukee Milkmen. The Milkmen also hired the former Jackrabbits Manager Gary McClure to be their first manager.{{Cite web |last=Pannier |first=Robert |date=February 12, 2019 |title=Milwaukee Milkmen Name Gary McClure Manager |url=http://minorleaguesportsreport.com/index.php/milwaukee-milkmen-name-gary-mcclure-manager/ |access-date=June 20, 2021 |website=Minor League Sports Report |language=en-US}} The Milkmen's Kokomo opener was May 24, where the fell to the Chicago Dogs 5-4.{{cite news |last1=Pannier |first1=Robert |date=May 25, 2019 |title=Luke Westphal No-Hits Milwaukee Through 6, Dogs Prevail 5-4 |work=Minor League Sports Report |url=http://minorleaguesportsreport.com/index.php/luke-westphal-no-hits-milwaukee-through-6-dogs-prevail-5-4/ |accessdate=June 4, 2019}}

The Milkmen opened Routine field on June 24 against the Gary SouthShore RailCats. The Milkmen lost the game, 3-2 in 11 innings. The team finished their first season with a record of 38–62. Routine field was renamed after the 2019 season to Franklin Field after a naming rights dispute.{{Cite news |last=Spedden |first=Zach |date=November 25, 2019 |title=Settlement Reached in ROC Ventures, Routine Baseball Dispute |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/11/25/settlement-reached-in-roc-ventures-routine-baseball-dispute/ |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |language=en-US}} (See {{Section link|Franklin Field (Wisconsin)|Naming rights dispute}}.)

= First championship =

File:Bo Vine.jpg

The Milkmen began their second year with new manager Anthony Barone at the helm, and the 2020 season in question due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league, determined to hold a season, was able to find a way for six teams to play a 60 game shortened season. The Milkmen were one of the six American Association teams that continued forward with the season. There was a dispersal draft of the players on the six teams that sat out the season, allowing them the opportunity to play, and return to their original team at the end of the season. The league also suspended the leagues roster years of service rules for the season.{{Cite news |last=Reichard |first=Kevin |date=June 12, 2020 |title=Six American Association teams to participate in three-city season |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2020/06/12/six-american-association-teams-to-participate-in-three-city-season/ |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |language=en-US}} While the Milwaukee Brewers were playing across town with no fans in the stands,{{Cite news |first1=Dennis |last1=Krause |first2=Dan |last2=Molloy |title=Milwaukee Brewers Prepare to Adjust for Season Without Fans |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/madison/business/2020/06/27/milwaukee-brewers-prepare-to-adjust-for-season-without-fans |access-date=June 17, 2021 |date=June 27, 2020 |work=Spectrum News 1 (Wisconsin) |language=en}} the American Association had a unique policy to allow fans. Due to this the Milkmen were able to play in front of limited capacity crowds{{Cite news |first=Sam |last=Kraemer |date=July 3, 2020 |title='I miss baseball:' Fans flock to Franklin Field to see Milwaukee Milkmen in action |url=https://www.fox6now.com/sports/i-miss-baseball-fans-flock-to-franklin-field-to-see-milwaukee-milkmen-in-action |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=FOX 6 Now Milwaukee |language=en-US}} throughout the regular season and championship.{{Cite magazine |first=Rich |last=Rovito |date=September 18, 2020 |title=Milkmen Bring Home the Championship For Milwaukee |url=https://www.milwaukeemag.com/milkmen-bring-home-the-championship-for-milwaukee/ |access-date=September 26, 2020 |magazine=Milwaukee Magazine |language=en-US}} The season got off to a rocky start with the third game of the opening series with the Chicago Dogs getting canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test.{{Cite news |first=Kim |last=Shine |title=Milkwaukee Milkmen postpone game after player tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/milkwaukee-milkmen-postpone-game-after-player-tests-positive-for-covid-19 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |date=July 5, 2020 |work=CBS58 |language=en}} The Milkmen finished the season with a record of 34-26, and won their first championship over Sioux Falls in five games.{{Cite news |last=Hogg |first=Curt |title=Champs! The Milwaukee Milkmen defeat Sioux Falls to win the American Association championship |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2020/09/17/milwaukee-milkmen-win-2020-american-association-baseball-championship/3489912001/ |access-date=September 26, 2020 |date=September 17, 2020 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |language=en-US}}

Mascot

The Milkmen official mascot is an anthropomorphic bull named Bo Vine.{{Cite web |title=Bo Vine |url=https://www.milwaukeemilkmen.com/bo-vine |access-date=June 14, 2021 |website=Milwaukee Milkmen}} He wears a white pinstriped uniform with the number 2% in reference to 2% milk. Bo Vine's name is based on the word bovine pertaining to cattle. He is known by some as his colloquial name, "Stevie Melter".

Season-by-season records

class="wikitable" \|+style="{{Baseball primary style\|Milwaukee Milkmen}}"\|Milwaukee Milkmen season records ! rowspan="2" \|Season ! rowspan="2" \|League ! rowspan="2" \|Division ! colspan="5" \|Regular Season ! colspan="3" \|Postseason ! rowspan="2" \|Manager ! rowspan="2" \|Ref
Record !Win% !League !Division !GB !Record !Win% !Result
2019 \|AA \|North \| 38-62 \| .380 \| T-10th \| 6th \| 26 \| — \| — \| Did not qualify \| Gary McClure \|{{Cite web\|title=American Association - standings\|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=31972&stype=l\|access-date=June 21, 2021\|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies\|language=en}}
2020 \|AA \|N/A \|34-26 \|.567 \|1st \|1st \| — \|4-1 \|.800 \|Won Miles Wolff Cup 4–1 to Sioux Falls Canaries \|Anthony Barone \|{{Cite web\|title=American Association - standings\|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=32760\|access-date=June 21, 2021\|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies\|language=en}}
2021 \|AA \|North \|59-41 \|.590 \|4th \|3rd \|4 \| 0-1 \| .000 \|Wildcard team, Lost to Fargo-Moorhead \|Anthony Barone \|{{Cite web\|title=American Association - standings\|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=32942\|access-date=September 6, 2021\|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies\|language=en}}
2022 \|AA \|East \|53-47 \|.530 \|T-5th \|3rd \|1 \|6-4 \|.600 \|Division champion, Lost to Fargo-Moorhead \|Anthony Barone \|{{Cite web \|title=American Association - standings \|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=33290 \|access-date=November 30, 2022 \|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies \|language=en}}

class="wikitable"

|+style="{{Baseball primary style|Milwaukee Milkmen}}"|Milwaukee Milkmen season records

! rowspan="2" |Season

! rowspan="2" |League

! rowspan="2" |Division

! colspan="5" |Regular Season

! colspan="3" |Postseason

! rowspan="2" |Manager

! rowspan="2" |Ref

Record

!Win%

!League

!Division

!GB

!Record

!Win%

!Result

2019

|AA

|North

| 38-62

| .380

| T-10th

| 6th

| 26

| —

| Did not qualify

| Gary McClure

|{{Cite web|title=American Association - standings|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=31972&stype=l|access-date=June 21, 2021|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies|language=en}}

2020

|AA

|N/A

|34-26

|.567

|1st

| —

|4-1

|.800

|Won Miles Wolff Cup 4–1 to Sioux Falls Canaries

|Anthony Barone

|{{Cite web|title=American Association - standings|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=32760|access-date=June 21, 2021|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies|language=en}}

2021

|AA

|North

|59-41

|.590

|4th

|3rd

| 0-1

| .000

|Wildcard team, Lost to Fargo-Moorhead

|Anthony Barone

|{{Cite web|title=American Association - standings|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=32942|access-date=September 6, 2021|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies|language=en}}

2022

|AA

|East

|53-47

|.530

|T-5th

|3rd

|6-4

|.600

|Division champion, Lost to Fargo-Moorhead

|Anthony Barone

|{{Cite web |title=American Association - standings |url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=193&seasonid=33290 |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies |language=en}}

Roster

{{IndyLB roster

| League= American Association

| TeamName= Milwaukee Milkmen

| RosterCode=141706

| BC1= black

| FC1= white

| BC2= white

| FC2= black

| Date= August 9, 2024

| Pitchers=

{{MLBplayer|88|Miguel Peña}} ‡

{{MLBplayer|90|Tahnaj Thomas}} ‡

| Catchers=

| Infielders=

| Outfielders=

{{MLBplayer| 8|Armani Smith}} ‡

| DH=

| Utility=

| Manager=

| Coaches=

{{MLBplayer|26|D.J. Boston}} (hitting)

{{MLBplayer|--|Mason Davis}} (bullpen)

{{MLBplayer| |Arielle Hachtel}} (trainer)

{{MLBplayer|16|Jose Rodríguez}} (pitching)

{{MLBplayer| |Chuck Schultz}} (clubhouse manager)

}}

Notable alumni

Manny Corpas (2019)
TJ House (2019)
Joey Wagman (2019)
Adam Brett Walker (2019–2021)
Henderson Álvarez (2020)
Anthony Bender (2020)
Tim Dillard (2020)
Drew Hutchison (2020)
David Washington (2020–2021)
David Holmberg (2020–2021)
A. J. Schugel (2020, 2022)
Brian Johnson (2021)
Misael Siverio (2021)
José Espada (2022)
Ben Holmes (2022)
Héctor Sánchez (2022)
Miguel Gómez (2022–2023)
Michael Crouse (2023)
Justin Williams (2023)
Jaylin Davis (2024–present)

Managers

class="wikitable"

|+ style="{{Baseball primary style|Milwaukee Milkmen}}"|Milwaukee Milkmen Managers

!Number

!Manager

!Seasons

!Games

!Win %

!Championships

!Ref

|Gary McClure

|2019

|100

|38

|62

|.380

|N/A

|{{Cite news |first=Scott |last=Anderson |date=September 9, 2019 |title=Milwaukee Milkmen Fire Manager After 38-62 Inaugural Season |url=https://patch.com/wisconsin/greendale/milwaukee-milkmen-fire-manager-after-38-62-inaugural-season |access-date=June 14, 2021 |website=Greendale, WI Patch |language=en}}

|Anthony Barone

|2020-present

|160

|93

|67

|.581

|2020

|{{Cite web |title=Anthony Barone Independent Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barone003ant |access-date=June 14, 2021 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Player awards

Adam Brett Walker — 2020 Player of the year{{Cite web |last=Pannier |first=Robert |date=September 16, 2020 |title=Minor League Sports Report - Adam Walker II Named American Association Most Value Player |url=http://minorleaguesportsreport.com/index.php/adam-walker-ii-named-american-association-most-value-player/ |access-date=June 17, 2021 |website=Minor League Sports Report |language=en-US}}
Peyton Gray — 2020 Rookie of the year{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=American Association of Professional Baseball - MILWAUKEE’S GRAY NAMED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR|url=https://aabaseball.com/milwaukees-gray-named-rookie-of-the-year/|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=American Association of Professional Baseball|language=en-US}}
Brett Vertigan — 2020 Defensive player of the year{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=American Association of Professional Baseball - VERTIGAN, CROUSE TABBED AS CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR|url=https://aabaseball.com/vertigan-crouse-tabbed-as-co-defensive-players-of-the-year/|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=American Association of Professional Baseball|language=en-US}}
Adam Brett Walker — 2021 Player of the year{{Cite web|last=Torres|first=Ricardo|title=Milkmen slugger and Milwaukee native Adam Walker wins back-to-back MVPs in the American Association|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2021/09/09/milkmen-slugger-and-milwaukee-native-adam-walker-wins-back-back-mvps-american-association/8264509002/|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en-US}}

References

External links

{{Official|https://milwaukeemilkmen.com/|name=Milwaukee Milkmen official website}}
{{Official|https://aabaseball.com/|American Association official website}}

Category:American Association of Professional Baseball teams

Category:Professional baseball teams in Wisconsin

Category:2018 establishments in Wisconsin

Category:Baseball teams established in 2018

Category:Baseball teams in Wisconsin

Category:Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Category:Sports in the Milwaukee metropolitan area