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Clinton LumberKings
Clinton LumberKings
Clinton LumberKings
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The Clinton LumberKings are a collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League. They are located in Clinton, Iowa, and play their home games at NelsonCorp Field. From 1956 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's Midwest League. With Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, Clinton was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball.

Key Information

The LumberKings play in the Prospect League's Western Conference – Northwest Division along with the Burlington Bees, Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, and Quincy Doggy Paddlers.[4]

Clinton baseball history

[edit]

After beginning play in 1895, Clinton had sporadic teams in various leagues over the next few decades, as the Great Depression, World War I and World War II affected many baseball franchises. However, Clinton joined the Midwest League in 1956 and is now the oldest franchise in the league.[1] The team has had several different major league affiliations: the Brooklyn Dodgers (1937–38), New York Giants (1939–41), Chicago Cubs (1947–49), Pirates (1954–58 and 1966–68), White Sox (1959–65), Pilots/Brewers (1969–70), Tigers (1971–75), Tigers/White Sox co-op (1976), Dodgers (1977–79), Giants (1980–94), Padres (1995–98), Reds (1999–2000), Expos (2001–02), and Rangers (2003–08), and Mariners (2009–18). In September 2018, they entered into a two-year player development contract with the Miami Marlins.[5]

Aside from its time as the C-Sox (1960–65) and the Pilots (1966–76), the team used the parent major league team's nickname before adopting the LumberKings name for the 1994 season.

The 2010 LumberKings season was the subject of the 2013 book "Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere" by Lucas Mann.[6][7]

In 2016, led by first year manager Mitch Canham, the LumberKings won 86 games to set the mark for most in a regular season by any team in Clinton franchise history. The squad went on to sweep the Peoria Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs before defeating the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a thrilling three-game series. Game three of the Western Division final ended with a Ricky Eusebio walk off hit to win 1–0 in extra innings. The LumberKings would fall, however, in the Midwest League Championship in four games to the Great Lakes Loons.

In addition to playing host to the franchise record setting LumberKings (86-54), the LumberKings transformed their ballpark overnight following game two of the Midwest League Championship to become a football field. The LumberKings played host to Camanche High School Football in the inaugural "LumberBowl." Camanche hosted Williamsburg High School in the game on September 16, 2016. The Raiders of Williamsburg defeated the Indians 55–7.

Following the 2020 season, the LumberKings were cut from the Midwest League and affiliated baseball as part of Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues.[8] They later joined the Prospect League, a collegiate summer baseball league, for 2021.[9]

NelsonCorp Field

[edit]
Ashford Field. Formerly Alliant Energy Field and Riverview Stadium

The home park for the LumberKings is NelsonCorp Field in Clinton, Iowa. The stadium was built in 1937 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project[10] and named Riverview Stadium, due to its location on the banks of the Mississippi River. It was renamed Alliant Energy Field in 2002 and renovated in 2005–2006 to a capacity of 4,000. It was renamed to Ashford University Field in 2011 and NelsonCorp Field in 2019. The Dimensions are: LF – 330, CF – 401, RF – 325.[11][12][13][14]

No-hitters

[edit]

Clinton has tossed 25 no-hitters. The list includes the following no-hitters:[15]

Date Pitcher(s) Opponent Score
August 20, 1957 Dick Lines Decatur 6–0 (7 innings)
June 2, 1959 Thomas Fisher Paris 1–0
June 19, 1960 Scott Seger Quincy 3–0 (7 innings)
May 23, 1963 Bill Dawson Fox Cities 10–0 (7 innings)
June 23, 1964 Norbert Rodgers Quincy 2–0 (7 innings)
June 11, 1967 John Lamb Quad City 3–0 (7 innings)
June 19, 1967 Joe Barnett Quincy 2–0 (7 innings)
August 25, 1967 Bill Laxton Waterloo 2–1 (7 innings)
August 7, 1970 John Conzatti Quad Cities 2–0 (6 innings)
May 3, 1972 Larry Bracco Waterloo 0–1 (7 innings)
May 15, 1978 Russell McDonald Wausau 1–0 (7 innings)
July 16, 1978 Jim Nobles Wisconsin Rapids 7–1 (7 innings)
June 4, 1980 Jerry Stovall Wausau 2–0 (7 innings)
April 20, 1981 Greg Bangert Burlington 4–1 (7 innings)
August 12, 1981 Mark Grant Danville 9–0
May 9, 1983 Ramon Bautista Appleton 2–0 (7 innings)
June 6, 1989 Chris Hancock, Chris Fye Burlington 11–0[16]
May 14, 1992 Chuck Wanke Peoria 5–3
August 4, 1996 Jim Sak, Todd Bussa Burlington 3–0
August 3, 2000 Scott Dunn Lansing 7–0 (Perfect Game)
July 9, 2003 Domingo Valdez Kane County 4–0 (7 innings - G2)
July 11, 2012 Jordan Shipers West Michigan 10–0[17]
July 17, 2013 Víctor Sánchez Lansing 1–0 [18]
May 1, 2015 Daniel Missaki, Kody Kerski, Troy Scott Cedar Rapids 1–0[19]
August 9, 2016 Pedro Vasquez, Joey Strain, Lukas Schiraldi, Matt Walker Beloit 2–0

Playoffs

[edit]
Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League
Season Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
1987 – L, 2–1, Springfield –
1991 – W, 2–0, Burlington W, 3–0, Madison
1993 – W, 2–0, Springfield L, 3–1, South Bend
1998 W, 2–1, Quad Cities L, 2–0, West Michigan –
1999 L, 2–1, Burlington – –
2000 L, 2–1, Beloit – –
2003 W, 2–1, Kane County L, 2–1, Beloit –
2004 W, 2–0, Cedar Rapids L, 2–0, Kane County –
2005 W, 2–0, Quad Cities L, 2–0, Wisconsin –
2007 W, 2–1, Cedar Rapids L, 2–0, Beloit –
2008 L, 2–0, Cedar Rapids – –
2010 W, 2–1, Cedar Rapids W, 2–1, Kane County L, 3–2, Lake County
2011 L, 2–0, Quad Cities – –
2012 W, 2–1, Beloit L, 2–0, Wisconsin –
2013 L, 2–0, Beloit – –
2016 W, 2–0, Peoria W, 2–1, Cedar Rapids L, 3–1, Great Lakes
2019 W, 2–0, Kane County W, 2–1, Cedar Rapids L, 3–0, South Bend
Clinton LumberKings of the Prospect League
Season Division Championship Conference Championship Prospect League Championship Series
2021 W, 4–3, Normal L, 3–7, Cape –
2023 L, 5–6, Quincy – –
2024 L, 3–0, Illinois Valley – –
2025 W, 3–2, Burlington L, 1–3, Cape –

Roster

[edit]
Clinton LumberKings roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 32 Nick Baffa
  •  5 Rylen Blair ‡
  • 29 Cole Bormann
  •  6 Jackson Bruno
  • 24 Jimmy Burke
  • 12 Camden Clewett
  • 47 JC Dermody
  • 15 Hunter Dierksen
  • 26 Ethan Dorka
  • 44 Tanner Duncan
  • 23 Payton Hodges
  • 50 Luke Kehrli
  • 34 Chance Key
  • 14 Brody Meyers
  • 36 Will Schufreider
  • 16 Garrett Siemsen
  • 45 Jaqson Tejada
  •  8 Jake Weissenberger
  • 46 Jacob Young


Catchers

  • 22 Bryk Barnard
  • 31 Max Burt
  • 49 Manny Esparza
  • 48 Kaden Frommelt
  • 13 Noah Thein

Infielders

  • 20 Brytton Clements
  •  9 Colin Cooncradt
  • 11 James Hackett
  • 35 Austin Mallee
  •  7 Jamie Rasmussen
  • 10 Alex Schimmel
  • 27 Drew Terpins
  • 19 Nick Venteicher
  • 28 Brett White
  • 25 Sam Wiese

Outfielders

  •  3 Danny Gavin
  • 18 Joey Hagen
  • 33 Matthew Maize
  • 17 Brayden Mulkey
  •  4 Drew Phillips
  •  2 Blake Timmons
  • 21 Jaylen Ziegler

Manager

Coaches

  •  1 Trevor Burkhart (third base)
  • 49 Mike Funke (pitching)
  • 33 Terry McGinn (first base)
  • Injury icon Disabled list
  • ‡ Inactive list
  • >§ Suspended list
  •  updated May 27, 2025

Notable alumni

[edit]
Ian Kinsler
Orel Hershiser

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Clinton LumberKings

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Clinton LumberKings are a collegiate summer wood-bat team in the , based in , where they play their home games at the historic NelsonCorp Field. Originally established as a charter member of the in 1956, the team operated as a Class A minor league affiliate for various (MLB) organizations until 2020. Following MLB's reorganization of the , which denied the LumberKings a professional development license, they transitioned to the independent in 2021 to continue providing high-quality in the . The franchise's roots trace back to the late 1930s, when NelsonCorp Field—originally known as Riverview Stadium—was constructed as a Works Progress Administration project in 1937 at a cost of approximately $150,000, featuring an art deco facade and a capacity of 5,000 spectators. The team adopted its current name, LumberKings, in 1994 to reflect Clinton's historical ties to the lumber industry, after previous monikers including Pirates, C-Sox, Pilots, Dodgers, and Giants during affiliations with MLB clubs such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and others. Over its minor league era, the LumberKings secured two Midwest League championships in 1963 and 1991, while developing more than 280 players who advanced to MLB careers, including Hall of Fame manager Mike Scioscia, Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser, and All-Star Dave Stewart. As a community-owned entity since its inception, the LumberKings prioritize local engagement through charitable programs, school outreach, and host family opportunities for players, ensuring the team's enduring presence in . In the , they captured division titles in 2021 and 2025, reaching the Western Conference Championship in the latter year, with a strong home record of 19–8 in 2025. The team's operations at NelsonCorp Field, renovated for $3.8 million in 2006, continue to draw fans to a venue with field dimensions of 330 feet down the left foul line, 395 feet to center, and 401 feet to the right-center alley.

History

Midwest League era (1954–2020)

The Clinton LumberKings franchise traces its roots to 1937, but its era began in when the team joined the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League as a charter member, a circuit that was renamed the in 1956. This made Clinton the longest continuously operating franchise in , playing all seasons from through 2020 at the historic Riverview Stadium (later renamed NelsonCorp Field), which had been constructed in 1937. The team initially operated as the Clinton from to 1958, reflecting their early affiliation ties. Over the decades, the team's name evolved to align with affiliations and local identity. From 1959 to 1965, it was known as the Clinton White Sox (1959) and then the Clinton C-Sox, emphasizing their connection. The name shifted to the Clinton Pilots from 1966 to 1976, followed by various parent-club monikers until the adoption of the Clinton Giants name from 1980 to 1993 under San Francisco's affiliation. In 1994, the team rebranded as the LumberKings, drawing inspiration from Clinton's historical lumber industry and heritage along the , a nod to the city's economic past that resonated with local fans. During its 66-year stint as a Class A affiliate in the , the LumberKings maintained player development contracts with 16 organizations, showcasing a diverse array of affiliations that brought prospects from across the majors to . The complete list of MLB affiliations from 1954 to 2020 includes:
YearsMLB Team
1954–1958
1959–1965
1966–1968
1969
1970Milwaukee Brewers
1971–1976Detroit Tigers
1977–1979Los Angeles Dodgers
1980–1994San Francisco Giants
1995–1998San Diego Padres
1999–2000
2001–2002
2003–2008Texas Rangers
2009–2018Seattle Mariners
2019
These partnerships facilitated the development of talent while fostering community ties, with the longest affiliations being the 15-year stint with the Giants (1980–1994) and the 10-year agreement with the Seattle Mariners (2009–2018). Key milestones defined the era, including two championships: the 1963 title won by the C-Sox by capturing both halves of the season, and the 1991 championship secured by the Giants after a strong regular season. The team also achieved notable on-field success in other years, such as the franchise-record 86 wins in under Mariners affiliation, finishing first in the Western Division before falling in the finals. Overall, the LumberKings compiled a mixed win-loss ledger across the era, with their lowest point at 94 losses in 2006, but the franchise's consistency contributed to strong community engagement, particularly in the 1990s and when local ownership and renovations helped sustain fan interest amid economic shifts in .

Transition to Prospect League (2021–present)

In December 2020, Major League Baseball's reorganization of Minor League Baseball resulted in the termination of the Clinton LumberKings' player development contract with the Miami Marlins, alongside the contraction of several Midwest League teams, forcing the LumberKings into independent status. The LumberKings joined the in 2021 as a member of the 16-team collegiate summer wood-bat league, which focuses on player development for college athletes during a 60-game season split into two halves. This transition allowed the team to continue operations at NelsonCorp Field while emphasizing talent scouting and preparation for professional opportunities, drawing players primarily from NCAA programs. Since joining the , the LumberKings have achieved notable success, including a Northwest Division championship in 2021 that secured a playoff berth, where they posted a 1-1 record before elimination. The team returned to the playoffs in 2023 with a 33-25 regular-season record, advancing as division winners but falling in the divisional round. In 2025, under manager Jack Dahm, they clinched another first-half division title and advanced to the Western Conference Championship Series after defeating the in the divisional round, though they lost 3-1 to the Cape Catfish. Dahm, who guided the team from 2021 to 2025 and amassed 157 wins with four playoff appearances, was named the 2025 Manager of the Year for leading to a 34-19 regular-season mark, the league's fourth-best record. He was succeeded by Trevor Burkhart, a former LumberKings player, who was appointed field manager on September 29, 2025. Post-transition, the LumberKings have maintained a strong community presence in Clinton, Iowa, with attendance surging to lead the Prospect League for multiple seasons, including 76,402 fans in 2022 (a 21% increase from 2021) and 80,904 in 2023, contributing to league-wide records exceeding 649,000 total attendees in 2024. The 2024 season highlighted the program's developmental impact, as former players Jackson Kent (drafted 108th overall by the Washington Nationals after stints in 2021 and 2022) and Clinton native Max Holy (signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Astros after playing in 2023) joined MLB organizations, marking early successes in funneling talent to professional levels.

Home ballpark

NelsonCorp Field

NelsonCorp Field, located at 537 Ballpark Drive in Riverview Park, , was constructed in the late 1930s as a (WPA) project at an estimated cost of $150,000. The stadium overlooks the , providing a scenic backdrop for games just a short distance from the waterway. Its original design features an facade with a canopied that offers shade to much of the seating area, and it maintains a natural grass playing surface of Kentucky Blue Grass. The field dimensions measure 330 feet to left field, 375 feet to the left-center alley, 395 feet to center field, 401 feet to the right-center alley, and 325 feet to right field, accommodating a capacity of approximately 5,000 spectators. Since its opening in , NelsonCorp Field has served as the central venue for in , hosting local teams and fostering community ties through generations of play. The Clinton LumberKings have used it as their home since the team's founding in 1954. Beyond , the has hosted community gatherings and was selected as a potential filming location for the planned "" television series in 2022, highlighting its cultural significance in Iowa's heritage.

Renovations and naming history

The , originally constructed in 1937 as a project, underwent its most significant modernization in 2005–2006 at a cost of $3.8–4.2 million. This project, designed by architect Populous, included the addition of new lighting, expanded dugouts, upgraded locker rooms and batting cages, a state-of-the-art home clubhouse, new offices, and a / area in right field. It also featured the expansion of the right-field Leinenkugel Lumber Lounge and the construction of a covered area with concessions. Following the 2006 renovation, further enhancements were made to meet standards, including upgrades to the playing surface, locker room facilities, concourse paving with new concrete, refreshed exterior painting, and improved concessions such as a renovated Mexican food stand. features were also added, such as new picnic benches in the Picnic Garden for better comfort and quicker drying after rain. The 2006 renovation was funded through a combination of public subsidies estimated at $4.35 million overall for the facility's history (including the original construction and this project), alongside private sponsorships. The stadium's naming has evolved with corporate sponsorships. It opened as Riverview Stadium in 1937 and retained that name until 2002, when it became Alliant Energy Field under a 10-year, $450,000 deal with the energy company. The name changed to Ashford University Field in 2011 after Ashford acquired the rights through the end of the 2014 season, with the agreement extended until 2018 despite the university's campus closure in 2016. In May 2019, a three-year naming rights agreement with local firm NelsonCorp Wealth Management renamed it NelsonCorp Field, marking the third such corporate deal since 1937.

Achievements

Championships and playoffs

The Clinton LumberKings franchise has secured four league championships since the team's founding in 1937, with successes spanning multiple leagues and eras. In the pre- period, the 1937 Clinton Owls captured the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League title with a dominant 75-36 regular-season record, clinching the pennant outright, and the 1954 Clinton Cubs won the pennant and playoff championship in the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League. The franchise's first championship came in 1963 as the Clinton C-Sox, an affiliate of the , who won both halves of the split-season schedule with an 83-41 mark, earning the automatic pennant without a playoff series under the league's format at the time. The second title arrived in 1991 for the Clinton Giants, a Giants affiliate, who finished first in the South Division at 81-56 before defeating the Madison Muskies 3-1 in the best-of-five championship series. No league championships have been won in the era since 2021. The team has also earned seven division titles, leading to multiple playoff berths across affiliations. In the , division crowns came in 1991 (culminating in the league title), 1993 (as the Giants, finishing 80-54 before winning the semifinals 2-0 over the and losing the finals 1-3 to the South Bend White Sox), 2010 (as a Seattle Mariners affiliate, 74-65 regular season and Western Division winners, but lost the league finals 3-1 to the Lake County Captains), 2016 (86-54 record and Western Division champions under Mariners affiliation, advancing to the finals but falling 3-0 to the ), and 2019 (78-61 and Western Division title, reaching the finals with a 3-2 divisional series win over the Beloit Snappers before a 3-1 finals loss to the Loons). Transitioning to the , the LumberKings won the Great River Division in 2021 (first-half title with a 28-18 mark, but lost the divisional playoff 2-0 to the Burlington Bees) and repeated as division champions in 2025 (34-19 overall, including a second-half surge, winning the single-game Northwest Division Championship 3-2 over the Bees before a single-game Western Conference Championship loss 3-1 to the ). Overall, the LumberKings have made 17 playoff appearances, with a postseason record of approximately 32-38 across all leagues, highlighted by notable series comebacks and resilience. A standout regular-season moment that underscored the team's fighting spirit occurred in 2014 during a game against the Burlington Bees, where Clinton overcame a 17-1 deficit after five innings by scoring 19 unanswered runs to win 20-17 in 12 innings, setting franchise marks for comeback margin, total runs, and hits in a single contest. Despite frequent divisional success, the franchise has reached four league finals since playoffs began in the in 1990 (1991, 1993, 2010, 2016), reflecting competitive but often challenging postseason paths.

No-hitters

The Clinton LumberKings have pitched 25 no-hitters during their era from 1954 to 2020, reflecting a storied pitching tradition that includes both individual and combined performances. The earliest occurred on August 20, 1957, when Dick Lines tossed a seven-inning against the Decatur in a 6-0 victory. The latest took place on August 9, 2016, marking the franchise's final season in affiliated baseball before transitioning to the independent .
DatePitcher(s)OpponentScoreTypeNotes
June 2, 1959Thomas FisherParis Lakers1–0Solo (9 )Early franchise example from media records.
June 19, 1960Scott SegerQuincy Hawks3–0Solo (7 )No-hit, no-run performance in a rain-shortened game.
May 23, 1963Bill DawsonFox Cities Foxes10–0Solo (7 )Dominant listed in league historical records.
June 23, 1964Norbert RodgersWisconsin Rapids TwinsNot specifiedSoloAdditional early solo effort documented in archives.
July 17, 2013Victor Sanchez1–0Solo (9 )Complete-game , the 22nd in franchise history.
May 1, 2015Daniel Missaki (7 IP), Kody Kerski (1 IP), Troy Scott (1 IP)2–0Combined (3 pitchers)23rd ; Missaki perfect through six innings.
August 9, 2016Pedro Vasquez (5 IP), Joey Strain (2 IP), Lukas Schiraldi (1 IP), Matt Walker (1 IP)Beloit Snappers2–0Combined (4 pitchers)25th and final in MiLB era; club record for pitchers involved.
Of the 25 no-hitters, most were solo efforts in the franchise's early decades, while combined no-hitters increased in the due to modern pitching strategies emphasizing usage. The game set the club record with four pitchers contributing, surpassing previous combined efforts of two or three. No no-hitters have been recorded since joining the in 2021.

Players and personnel

Current roster and staff

The Clinton LumberKings' coaching staff for the 2025 season was led by manager Jack Dahm, who was named the Manager of the Year on August 13, 2025, after guiding the team to a 34-19 record and a playoff appearance. The staff also included pitching coach John Hendry, third base coach Jake Petersen, and assistant coach Tim Moreau. On September 29, 2025, Trevor Burkhart was appointed as the manager for the 2026 season, becoming the 51st field manager in franchise history after serving as third base coach for the previous two seasons (2024–2025). As of November 2025, no further changes to the assistant staff have been announced. The 2025 playing roster consisted of approximately 40 college players, emphasizing the team's recruitment model focused on developing collegiate talent from universities across the Midwest and beyond for professional scouting exposure in the wood-bat summer league. Key position players included Drew Phillips (Deerfield, IL; ), Blake Nettleton (Sterling, IL; ), JC Dermody (Council Bluffs, IA; University of Louisiana Monroe), Rylen Blair (Pasco, WA; ), and Brytton Clements (Laredo, TX; ). The selected roster members from official listings at the end of the regular season are presented below (note: full roster of ~40 players available on official site; positions and details verified as of season end):
No.NamePositionHometown/School
2Drew PhillipsOFDeerfield, IL; Miami University (OH)
3Blake NettletonRHPSterling, IL; Augustana University
4JC DermodyLHPCouncil Bluffs, IA; University of Louisiana Monroe
5Rylen BlairLHPPasco, WA; Whitworth University
6Tyler NagelbachRHPDeerfield, IL; Mount Mercy University
7Jaime RasmussenIFGlenview, IL; Miami University (OH)
8Jake WeissenbergerRHPCedar Rapids, IA; Mount Mercy University
10Cole ConnorRHPArlington Heights, IL; Mount Mercy University
11James HackettIFGlenview, IL; University of Illinois - Chicago
12Matt ScherrmanRHPNot specified; University of Iowa
15Hunter DierksenOFNot specified; University of Northern Iowa
17Brayden MulkeyIFNot specified; Western Illinois University
18Joey HagenCNot specified; Augustana University
21Jaylen ZieglerOFNot specified; University of Iowa
22Jacob LodgeRHPNot specified; Not specified
24Jimmy BurkeIFNot specified; Not specified
28Brett WhiteOFNot specified; Not specified
29Cole BormannRHPNot specified; Not specified
32Ryan MillerRHPNot specified; Not specified
33Matthew MaizeOFNot specified; Not specified
35Austin MalleIFNot specified; Not specified
35Luke SchaferRHPNot specified; Not specified
99Brytton ClementsIFLaredo, TX; Baylor University
48Kaden FrommeltCNot specified; Not specified
51Chuck MeisterIFArlington Heights, IL; Gateway Community College
(Note: Roster details are derived from official team listings; some hometowns and schools are not specified in available sources, with approximately 30 active field players during the season. John Hendry is listed as pitching coach, No. 49, not a player.) During the 2025 regular season, the LumberKings finished with a 34-19 record, batting .301 as a team while scoring 392 runs and hitting 23 home runs over 53 games; their pitching staff posted a 5.00 and 1.60 , including five shutouts. The team advanced in the with a walk-off victory over the Burlington Bees but fell in the Western Conference Championship to the Cape Catfish.

Notable alumni

The Clinton LumberKings have produced more than 280 players who reached , highlighting the team's role as a developmental hub during its era. These include several who achieved status, Awards, and titles, often crediting their time in Clinton for foundational growth in . Among the most prominent is Mike Scioscia, who played for the 1977 Clinton Dodgers at age 18, appearing in 112 games with a .309 batting average and strong defensive skills behind the plate. Scioscia later became a two-time All-Star with the and managed the Anaheim Angels to the championship. Pitcher Dave Stewart also debuted professionally with the 1977 team, posting a dominant 17-4 record and 2.15 ERA over 160 innings, which propelled him to MLB stardom including the 1990 and 1989 MVP honors with the . Fellow pitcher began his career with the 1979 Clinton squad, going 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA in nine starts; he went on to win the 1988 National League and MVP as a Dodgers ace. Outfielder excelled with the 2001 Clinton LumberKings, batting .362 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in 87 games to claim the batting and help the reach the . became a three-time and led the National League in RBIs during his 2009 season with the . First baseman starred for the 2008 , hitting .324 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs while finishing second in MVP voting; he contributed to the Texas Rangers' 2011 victory and earned an nod in 2019. During the Seattle Mariners affiliation from 2009 to 2018, Clinton developed key prospects including Nick Franklin (2010, .279 average in 66 games), Brad Miller (2011, .267 with 10 home runs), and (2011, 5-3 with a 3.49 ERA), all of whom debuted in MLB and helped anchor the Mariners' infield and rotation in the . More recently, Brody Brecht played nine games for the 2022 LumberKings, striking out 58 batters in 26.2 innings before being selected 38th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. Non-player alumni include Tom Kelly, who played outfield for the 1969 Clinton Pilots and later managed the to titles in 1987 and 1991, amassing 1,142 MLB wins over 15 seasons. Scioscia's transition from Clinton player to championship manager further underscores the organization's influence on baseball leadership.

References

  1. https://lumberkings.com/about_us/index
  2. https://prospectleague.com/Content/Team_Info_Pages/clinton
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Clinton_LumberKings
  4. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-7941880
  5. https://www.milb.com/news/lumberkings-join-prospect-league
  6. https://www.prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/schedule?teamId=okz1hzwvns0fxrdo
  7. https://www.facebook.com/ClintonLumberKings/posts/the-clinton-lumberkings-are-your-2025-prospect-league-northwest-division-champio/1593052108698506/
  8. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lumberkings-fall-one-game-short-034225602.html
  9. https://medium.com/@LumberKings/80-years-of-clinton-affiliation-389ff6b0114e
  10. https://news.sportslogos.net/2015/02/14/glory-days-the-story-behind-the-clinton-lumberkings/baseball/
  11. https://fishonfirst.com/news-rumors/marlins-minor-league/its-iowa-marlins-begin-new-affiliation-with-clinton-lumberkings/
  12. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/t-cl10966
  13. https://www.milb.com/news/in-clinton-a-community-with-love-of-minors-131531772
  14. https://www.kwqc.com/2020/12/10/mlb-ends-affiliation-with-clinton-lumberkings-burlington-bees/
  15. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/2020/12/09/clinton-lumberking-burlington-bees-minor-league-baseball-mlb-affiliates-lost/3864435001/
  16. https://ballparkdigest.com/2021/01/13/clinton-lumberkings-join-prospect-league/
  17. https://baseball.pointstreak.com/team_home.html?teamid=153073&seasonid=33194
  18. https://prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/2023Playoffs
  19. https://prospectleague.com/Playoffs
  20. https://prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/releases/20250803x99el4
  21. https://lumberkings.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/releases/20250812r0tzt9
  22. https://prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/releases/Awards
  23. https://lumberkings.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/releases/20250929s1uau0
  24. https://www.yahoo.com/news/lumberkings-lead-prospect-league-attendance-035900656.html
  25. https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/prospect-league-including-clinton-team-sets-attendance-records/
  26. https://prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/releases/Attendance_Records
  27. https://prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/releases/MLB_Draft
  28. https://www.clintonherald.com/sports/high_school_sports/two-former-lumberkings-sign-mlb-contracts-including-clinton-native/article_482c496c-4540-11ef-a288-1758b817d649.html
  29. https://www.davehoekstra.com/2021/08/10/iowas-real-field-of-dreams/
  30. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/NelsonCorp_Field
  31. https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/arts-and-culture/field-of-dreams-tv-series-strikes-out-with-peacock/
  32. https://ballparkdigest.com/201005112756/minor-league-baseball/visits/ballpark-visit-alliant-energy-field-clinton-lumberkings-1
  33. https://www.psfloodbarriers.com/ps-flood-barriers-case-study-clinton-lumberkings/
  34. https://ballparkdigest.com/2017/11/14/lumberkings-to-upgrade-ashford-university-field/
  35. https://www.ballparkbrothers.com/nelsoncorp-field
  36. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2020/12/10/16875/mlb-just-killed-18-minor-league-teams-that-got-249m-in-public-stadium-funding/
  37. https://qctimes.com/news/local/clinton-baseball-stadium-gets-new-name-alliant-energy-field/article_fd8712ee-d781-5c31-9ed3-ffcce165c70f.html
  38. https://ballparkdigest.com/201109074168/minor-league-baseball/news/new-for-2012-ashford-university-field
  39. https://www.clintonherald.com/sports/ashford-university-field-to-keep-name/article_8e092f32-5fe3-5a44-87b9-88e01c1533b2.html
  40. https://www.clintonherald.com/sports/lumberkings-to-call-nelsoncorp-field-home/article_a579e306-80d6-11e9-9967-ff4435800190.html
  41. https://www.milb.com/news/longtime-clinton-fixtures-announce-partnership-307495972
  42. https://www.mlb.com/news/four-lumberkings-combine-to-throw-no-hitter-c194642572
  43. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Minor_League_No-Hitters_1950-1959
  44. https://funwhileitlasted.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2002-Midwest-League-Media-Guide.pdf
  45. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/542691860/
  46. https://www.facebook.com/ClintonLumberKings/posts/congratulations-to-2025-lumberkings-manager-jack-dahm-he-has-been-named-the-pros/1603356054334778/
  47. https://lumberkings.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/roster
  48. https://prospectleague.com/Content/team-rosters/Clinton_LumberKings/roster
  49. https://prospectleague.com/sports/bsb/2024-25/teams/clintonlumberkings
  50. https://lumberkings.com/
  51. https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/n2duwact0buwiyv7obp8.pdf
  52. https://www.milb.com/bowling-green/news/gcs-7941880
  53. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Mitch_Moreland
  54. https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2015/3/16/8223083/a-brief-history-of-the-clinton-lumberkings
  55. https://lumberkings.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/bios/brecht_brody_zi33
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