Editing Akron RubberDucks

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
|name            = Akron RubberDucks
|founded         = 1923
|city            = Akron, Ohio
|misc            =
|logo            = AkronRubberDucks.PNG
|uniformlogo     = RubberDucks cap.png
|class level     = [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] (1967–present)
|past class level= {{plainlist|
*Class A (1964–1966)
*Class AA (1963)
*Class A (1933–1962)
*Class B (1923–1932)
}}
|current league  = [[Eastern League (1938–present)|Eastern League]] (1967–present)
|conference      =
|division        = Southwest Division
|past league     = {{plainlist|
*[[New York–Penn League]] (1964–1966)
*Eastern League (1938–1963)
*[[New York–Pennsylvania League (1923–37)|New York–Penn League]] (1923–1937)
}}
|majorleague     = [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians / Guardians]] (1989–present)
|pastmajorleague = {{Plainlist|
* [[Seattle Mariners]] (1988)
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] (1984–1987)
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] (1983)
* [[Oakland Athletics]] (1980–1982)
* [[New York Yankees]] (1965–1979, 1932–1961)
* [[Milwaukee Braves]] (1964)
* [[Kansas City Athletics]] (1962–1963)
}}
|colors          = Black, blue, orange, yellow, white<br>{{color box|#000}} {{color box|#0072ce}} {{color box|#ff8200}} {{color box|#ffd100}} {{color box|white}} 
|mascot          = Webster (2014-present);<br>Rubberta (2016-present);<br>Orbit (1997-present);<br>Homer (2011-present)<ref>{{cite news |title=Webster is Name of New RubberDucks Mascot |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20140407/NEWS/304079127 |work=[[Akron Beacon Journal]] |date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=April 9, 2014 }}</ref><!-- Only footnote showing up in article -->
|nickname        = Akron RubberDucks (2014–present)
|pastnames       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Akron Aeros]] (1997–2013)
* [[Canton-Akron Indians]] (1989–1996)
* [[Vermont Mariners]] (1988)
* [[Vermont Reds]] (1984–1987)
* [[Lynn Sailors|Lynn Pirates]] (1983)
* [[Lynn Sailors]] (1980–1982)
* [[West Haven Yankees]] (1972–1979)
* [[Manchester Yankees]] (1969-1971)
* [[Binghamton Triplets]] (1923-1968)
}}
|ballpark        = [[Canal Park (Akron, Ohio)|Canal Park]] (1997–present)
|pastparks       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium]] (1989-1996)
* [[Centennial Field]] (1984-1988)
* [[Fraser Field]] (1980-1983)
* [[Quigley Stadium (West Haven)|Quigley Stadium]] (1972-1979)
* [[Gill Stadium]] (1969-1971)
* Johnson Field (1923-1968)
}}
|leaguenum       = 23
|leaguechamps    = {{hlist|1929|1933|1935|1940|1944|1949|1952|1953|1965|1967|1972|1976|1977|1979|1984|1985|1986|2003|2005|2009|2012|2016|2021}}
|divnum          = 16
|divisionchamps  = {{hlist|1972|1976|1977|1979|1982|1983|1992|1998|2002|2003|2005|2006|2009|2012|2016|2021}}
|firsthalfnum = 
|firsthalfchamps =
|secondhalfnum = 1
|secondhalfchamps = {{hlist|2024}}
|owner           = [[Ken Babby]] 
|gm              = Jim Pfander
|manager         = [[Greg DiCenzo]]
|website         = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/akron|milb.com/akron}}
}}

The '''Akron RubberDucks''' are a [[Minor League Baseball]] team based in [[Akron, Ohio]]. The team, which plays in the [[Eastern League (1938–present)|Eastern League]], is the Double-A affiliate of the [[Cleveland Guardians]]. They play in [[Canal Park (Akron, Ohio)|Canal Park]], located in downtown Akron, which seats 7,630 fans. The nickname "RubberDucks" refers to Akron's history in the rubber industry, in particular as the birthplace of tire and rubber companies such as [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]], [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]], [[Goodrich Corporation|B.F. Goodrich]], and [[General Tire]].

==History==
The franchise began as the [[Binghamton Triplets]], a charter member of the [[New York–Pennsylvania League (1923–1937)|New York–Penn League]] in 1923. They played in [[Binghamton, New York]], at Johnson Field, winning 10 titles over their 46 seasons. After the 1968 season, [[Boston]] businessman [[John Alevizos]] acquired the franchise and moved it to [[Gill Stadium]], in [[Manchester, Massachusetts]], to become the [[Manchester Yankees]]. After 3 seasons in Manchester, the franchise then relocated to [[West Haven, Connecticut]], under new ownership, and became the [[West Haven Yankees]] playing at [[Quigley Stadium (West Haven)|Quigley Stadium]]. While in West Haven, the franchise won 4 Eastern League titles in their 8 seasons. After the 1979 season, the franchise then moved to [[Lynn, Massachusetts]], to become the [[Lynn Sailors]] playing at [[Fraser Field]]. During the 1983 season they were known as the Lynn Pirates. After the 1983 season, the franchise was moved to [[Burlington, Vermont]], and became the [[Vermont Reds]] playing at [[Centennial Field]]. As the Reds, the franchise won 3 more Eastern League titles in 5 seasons. In 1988 they were known as the Vermont Mariners. After the 1988 season, the franchise moved to [[Canton, Ohio]], and became the [[Canton-Akron Indians]] playing at [[Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium]]. After the 1996 season, the franchise moved up [[Interstate 77|I-77]] to Akron, Ohio, and became the Akron Aeros.

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:AkronAeros.PNG|thumb|left|upright=0.5|The team was known as the Akron Aeros between 1997 and 2013.]] -->
[[Opening Day]] on April 10, 1997, marked the debut of the Akron Aeros.  With 9,086 fans in attendance, the Aeros and Harrisburg Senators played the first game at Canal Park.  The Aeros went on to finish the season with a record of 51–90.  Despite the last place record, the team drew a Double-A league-leading 473,272 fans to Canal Park that season.

In the 1998 season, the Aeros put together a 30-game "worst-to-first" turnaround; after finishing the prior year 34½ games back, they proceeded to win the Southern Division that season by 8½ games.  However, after losing in the playoffs that year, it would be three more years until the Aeros found their way back to the postseason.

On September 6, 1999, the Aeros set an Eastern League attendance record for three straight seasons and once again led all Double-A teams after 522,459 fans attended Canal Park in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.akronaeros.com/aeros-history.php |title=History |website=Official Web Site of the Akron Aeros |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223072333/http://www.akronaeros.com/aeros-history.php |archive-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref>

In 2002, the team posted a 93–48 record, the third-highest win total in the Eastern League in 50 years.  They built on that success and finally won two league championships (their first since moving to Ohio) in 2003 and 2005.  In 2006, the Aeros again posted the best regular-season record in the league, but lost the playoff title to [[Portland Sea Dogs|Portland]] after taking the series to a deciding fifth game.

From 2005 to 2008, the Aeros advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series.  Although the Aeros won the ELCS in 2005, they were defeated in three consecutive trips from 2006 to 2008.

In 2009, the Aeros again advanced to the league championship and defeated the [[Connecticut Defenders]] (three games to one) capping a 95-win season and their third title in the last seven years. Jared Head was named the playoff MVP.

In their first three seasons in Canal Park, the Aeros led all of Double-A in attendance, becoming the first team at that level to draw a half-million fans in a single season.

The team was sold by Mike Agganis to [[Ken Babby]] in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Stephanie |last1=Storm |first2=Stephanie |last2=Warsmith |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20121015/NEWS/310159468?template=ampart |title=Ken Babby takes over Aeros with fan experience a priority no name changes in plan |work=Akron Beacon Journal |date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref>

===2014–present===
[[File:Eli Morgan (48362828232) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Eli Morgan]] with the RubberDucks in 2019]]
On October 29, 2013, the Akron Aeros officially changed their name to the Akron RubberDucks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-63448892 |title=You're the one: Akron RubberDucks |last=Hill |first=Benjamin |date=October 29, 2013 |publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>

The RubberDucks won their first Eastern League Championship under the new name in 2016, sweeping Trenton 3-0. Akron also hosted the 2016 Eastern League All-Star Game at Canal Park.
[[File:Nolan Jones (48362691206).jpg|thumb|right|[[Nolan Jones]] with the RubberDucks in 2019]]
In conjunction with [[Major League Baseball]]'s restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the RubberDucks were placed into the [[Double-A Northeast]].<ref name=JMayo2-12-2021>{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|title=MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-minor-league-baseball-structure|website=Major League Baseball|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> They won the Southwest Division title with a 73–46 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=2f659236 |title=2021 Double-A Northeast |website=Baseball-Reference |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref> They qualified for the championship playoffs by possessing the league's best record.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kelsie |last=Heneghan |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/playoffs-return-to-minor-league-baseball |title=Playoffs Return to the Minor Leagues |website=Minor League Baseball |date=July 1, 2021 |accessdate=October 8, 2021}}</ref> Akron defeated the [[Bowie Baysox]], 3–0, in the best-of-five series to win the Double-A Northeast championship.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheehan |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.milb.com/news/naylor-s-walk-off-secures-finals-sweep-for-akron-rubberducks |title=Naylor's Walk-off Secures Finals Sweep for Akron |website=Minor League Baseball |date=September 24, 2021 |accessdate=October 8, 2021}}</ref> [[Rouglas Odor]] was selected as the league Manager of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/fans/postseason-all-stars |title=Postseason All-Stars |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=October 8, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008130129/https://www.milb.com/fans/postseason-all-stars |archive-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, the Double-A Northeast became known as the Eastern League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.<ref name=ELrename>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022|title=Historical League Names to Return in 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2022}}</ref>

==Season-by-season results==
{{Main|List of Akron RubberDucks seasons}}
*1997: 51–90 (5th), manager [[Jeff Datz]]
*1998: 81–60 (1st), manager [[Joel Skinner]] • Lost to [[Harrisburg Senators|Harrisburg]] 3–1 in first round of playoffs
*1999: 69–71 (5th), manager Joel Skinner
*2000: 75–68 (3rd), manager [[Eric Wedge]]
*2001: 68–74 (3rd), manager [[Chris Bando]]
*2002: 93–48 (1st), manager [[Brad Komminsk]] • Lost to [[Harrisburg Senators|Harrisburg]] 3–2 in first round of playoffs
*2003: 88–53 (1st), manager Brad Komminsk • Defeated [[Altoona Curve|Altoona]] 3–1 in first round of playoffs; defeated [[New Hampshire Fisher Cats|New Haven]] 3–0 in ELCS
*2004: 63–78 (5th), manager Brad Komminsk
*2005: 84–58 (1st), manager [[Torey Lovullo]] • Defeated [[Altoona Curve|Altoona]] 3–2 in first round of playoffs; defeated [[Portland Sea Dogs|Portland]] 3–1 in ELCS
*2006: 87–55 (1st), manager [[Tim Bogar]] • Defeated [[Altoona Curve|Altoona]] 3–2 in first round of playoffs; lost to [[Portland Sea Dogs|Portland]] 3–2 in ELCS
*2007: 80–61 (2nd), manager Tim Bogar • Defeated [[Erie SeaWolves|Erie]] 3–1 in first round of playoffs; lost to [[Trenton Thunder|Trenton]] 3–1 in ELCS
*2008: 80–62 (2nd), manager [[Mike Sarbaugh]] • Defeated [[Bowie Baysox|Bowie]] 3–1 in first round of playoffs; lost to [[Trenton Thunder|Trenton]] 3–1 in ELCS
*2009: 89–53 (1st), manager Mike Sarbaugh • Defeated [[Reading Phillies|Reading]] 3–0 in first round of playoffs; defeated [[Connecticut Defenders|Connecticut]] 3–1 in ELCS
*2010: 71–71 (4th), manager Joel Skinner
*2011: 73–69 (4th), manager [[Chris Tremie]]
*2012: 82–59 (1st), manager Chris Tremie • Defeated [[Bowie Baysox|Baysox]] 3–2 in first round of playoffs; defeated [[Trenton Thunder|Trenton]] 3–1 in ELCS
*2013: 68–73 (5th), manager [[Edwin Rodriguez (baseball)|Edwin Rodriguez]]
*2014: 73–69 (2nd), manager [[David Wallace (catcher)|Dave Wallace]]
*2015: 73–69 (4th), manager Dave Wallace
*2016: 77–64 (1st), manager Dave Wallace • Defeated [[Altoona Curve|Altoona]] 3–1 in first round of playoffs; defeated [[Trenton Thunder|Trenton]] 3–0 in ELCS
*2017: 69–71 (3rd), manager [[Mark Budzinski]]
*2018: 78–62 (2nd), manager Tony Mansolino • Defeated [[Altoona Curve|Altoona]] 3–1 in first round of playoffs; lost to [[New Hampshire Fisher Cats|New Hampshire]] 3–0 in ELCS
*2019: 61–79 (5th), manager [[Rouglas Odor]]
*2020: Season canceled due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]]
*2021: 73–46 (1st), manager Rouglas Odor • Defeated [[Bowie Baysox|Bowie]] 3–0 in Double-A Northeast Championship Series
*2022: 79–59 (2nd), manager Rouglas Odor
*2023: 65–73 (5th), manager Rouglas Odor
*2024: 80–58 (1st), manager [[Greg DiCenzo]] •  Lost to [[Erie SeaWolves|Erie]] 2–1 in first round of playoffs
'''Note''': Place indicates finish in Eastern League's Northern Division from 1980 to 1982; in divisionless Eastern League from 1983 to 1993; in Eastern League's Southern Division from 1994 to 2009; in Eastern League's Western Division from 2010 to 2020; in Double-A Northeast/Eastern League's Southwest Division in 2021 to present.

==Notoriety==
Over the off-season between the 2010–2011 season, the Aeros received national attention after introducing a number of new promotions as well as menu items at Canal Park. The team was featured in a segment titled "Back in Black" during ''[[The Daily Show]]'' performed by comedian [[Lewis Black]]. In the segment, Black talks about several of the menu items including The "Three Dog Night" consisting of a hot dog in a Bratwurst in a Kielbasa, and "The Nice to Meat You Burger". The food was also covered by CNBC Sports Financial Analyst [[Darren Rovell]].

For the 2016 season, several different promotions were announced, including (but not limited to) Thirsty Thursdays, Star Wars Night on May 4, Shooter McGavin Bobblehead Night, and An action-filled two days for the Eastern League All-Star Game.

==Media==
Games are broadcast on [[WHLO]] AM 640 and the iHeartRadio app. Jim Clark - in his 31st year in 2024 - as well as Marco LaNave call play-by-play.<ref>https://www.milb.com/akron/news/rubberducks-games-are-live-on-iheartmedia-s-640-whlo</ref>

==Attendance==
On August 12, 2017, the RubberDucks reported their highest single-game attendance since rebranding of 8,396 fans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lugo throws a gem in Ducks win, 1-0 |url=https://www.milb.com/akron/news/lugo-throws-a-gem-in-ducks-win-1-0-248092150 |website=Akron RubberDucks |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=August 12, 2017 |access-date=August 15, 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! <small>Season</small>
! <small>Total attendance</small>
! <small>League rank</small>
! <small>Total openings</small>
! <small>Average attendance per opening</small>
! <small>Average attendance per Eastern League opening</small>
|-
| 1997
| 473,232
| 1st
| 67
| 7,063
| 4,260
|-
| 1998
| 521,122
| 1st
| 70
| 7,445
| 4,334
|-
| 1999
| 522,459
| 1st
| 69
| 7,572
| 4,954
|-
| 2000
| 481,060
| 1st
| 66
| 7,289
| 4,147
|-
| 2001
| 485,582
| 1st
| 69
| 7,037
| 4,294
|-
| 2002
| 400,187
| 3rd
| 67
| 5,973
| 4,284
|-
| 2003
| 445,603
| 2nd
| 67
| 6,651
| 4,128
|-
| 2004
| 478,611
| 1st
| 68
| 7,038
| 4,399
|-
| 2005
| 455,056
| 2nd
| 66
| 6,894
| 4,468
|-
| 2006
| 412,995
| 3rd
| 65
| 6,354
| 4,353
|-
| 2007
| 355,376
| 6th
| 64
| 5,553
| 4,831
|-
| 2008
| 342,816
| 7th
| 67
| 5,117
| 4,570
|-
| 2009
| 316,836
| 6th
| 68
| 4,659
| 4,612
|-
| 2010
| 261,563
| 9th
| 69
| 3,791
| 4,796
|-
| 2011
| 266,265
| 9th
| 68
| 3,916
| 4,868
|-
| 2012
| 256,473
| 9th
| 68
| 3,772
| 4,669
|-
| 2013
| 295,459
| 7th
| 70
| 4,221
| 4,616
|-
| 2014
| 350,704
| 4th
| 68
| 5,157
| 4,609
|-
|2015
|340,916
|6th
|68
|5,013
|4,579
|-
|2016
|350,077
|4th
|69
|5,074
|4,259
|-
|2017
|343,351
|6th
|66
|5,202
|4,773
|-
|2018
|344,754
|6th
|68
|4,996
|4,793
|}

==Roster==
{{See also|Cleveland Guardians minor league players}}
{{Akron RubberDucks roster}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.milb.com/akron}}
* [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Akron&state=OH&country=US Statistics from Baseball-Reference]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/minors/teams/history.asp?T=10076 Statistics from The Baseball Cube]

{{Cleveland Guardians}}
{{US Eastern League}}
{{Ohio Sports}}

[[Category:Akron RubberDucks| ]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1923]]
[[Category:Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Eastern League (1938–present) teams]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Ohio]]
[[Category:Sports in Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:Double-A Northeast teams]]