Mankato MoonDogs
The Mankato MoonDogs are an amateur baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The team started play in 1999 as the Mankato Mashers and were renamed in 2002.[1] Their home games are played at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato, Minnesota. The MoonDogs organization has implemented numerous improvements to the ballpark over their 13-year history in the Northwoods League including a new press box, roof over the grandstand, new lights, and 2 hospitality decks ("The Dog Pound" on the third base side and "The Lounge" above the right field concession stand.) In 2017–2018, The Frank underwent a major renovation. This renovation included new restrooms, new concession stands, a new "Club level" seating on top of the home dugout. The MoonDogs have made the playoffs eight of the last eleven season, making it to the Summer Collegiate World series (third franchise appearance) last in 2014 where the MoonDogs were defeated by the Lakeshore Chinooks. 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 | |
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Information | |
League | Northwoods League (Great Plains West 2019-pres) (North Division 1999-2018) |
Location | Mankato, Minnesota |
Ballpark | Franklin Rogers Park (1999–present) |
League championships | 0 |
Division championships | 3 (2011, 2012, 2014) |
Former name(s) |
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Colors | Black, Orange, White |
Ownership | Chad Surprenant and Kyle Smith |
Management | Austin Link (General Manager) Justin White (Director of Ticket Sales), Tyler Kuch (Director of Group Sales) |
Manager | Matt Wollenzin |
Website | www |
Notable alumni (played in MLB)
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 | St Louis Cardinals | Moondogs | 2009 |
Jake Petricka | Chicago White Sox | MoonDogs | 2009 |
Nick Goody | Cleveland Indians | MoonDogs | 2011 |
MoonDogs in the Minor Leagues
Staff
The team's General Manager, Austin Link, is a native of Renville, Minnesota, who previously interned for the Willmar Stingers, another Northwoods League team. Justin White, the teams Director of Ticket sales is from the Mankato area, as is Tyler Kuch, the Director of Group Sales
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
Listed at 6'3" and 210 lbs, the MoonDogs mascot throws and bats right pawed.[2] Muttnik can be seen mingling with the crowd during games or at various community events throughout the year.
Gallery
External links
References
- Millea, John (2004-07-27). "Fielding big dreams". Star Tribune.
- "Muttniks Page". Retrieved 21 April 2015.