Lakeland Flying Tigers

Minor league baseball team

Lakeland Flying Tigers

* Founded in 1960
* Lakeland, Florida

|  |

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Team logo | Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class| Single-A (2021–present)
Previous classes|

* Class A-Advanced (1990–2020)
* Class A (1962–1989)
* Class D (1960)

League| Florida State League (1960–present)
Division| West Division
Major league affiliations
Team| Detroit Tigers (1963–present)
Previous teams|

* San Francisco Giants (1962)
* Cleveland Indians (1960)

Minor league titles
League titles (4)|

* 1976
* 1977
* 1992
* 2012

Division titles (1)|

* 2024

Second-half titles (2)|

* 2023
* 2024

Team data
Name| Lakeland Flying Tigers (2007–present)

Previous names

* Lakeland Tigers (1963–2006)
* Lakeland Giants (1962)
* Lakeland Indians (1960)

Ballpark| Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium (1966–2001, 2003–2015, 2017–present)

Previous parks

| Henley Field (1960, 1962–1965, 2002, 2016)

Owner(s)/
Operator(s)

| Detroit Tigers
General manager| Zach Burek
Manager| Andrew Graham
Website| milb.com/lakeland

The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Lakeland, Florida, and play their home games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

## History

[edit]

The team was established in 1960 as the Lakeland Indians, an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. After a one-year hiatus, the team was restarted in 1962 as the Lakeland Giants, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

The franchise affiliated with the Detroit Tigers' farm system in 1963 and became known as the Lakeland Tigers before becoming the Flying Tigers in 2007. The relationship with Detroit is one of the two longest unbroken affiliate relationships currently existing.[1]

1996 Lakeland Tigers #47 game worn road jersey

In 1997, playing with the Tigers, Gabe Kapler led the Florida State League in doubles and total bases, and tied for first in extra base hits.[2]

In 2012, the Flying Tigers won their first FSL title in 20 years by defeating the Jupiter Hammerheads, three games to two. It was the fourth league title in club history.[3]

In 2006, the team introduced a new name and colors to pay homage to the Lakeland School of Aeronautics, later the Lodwick School of Aeronautics. The school trained over 8,000 pilots between 1940 and 1945, some of whom later flew with the Flying Tigers in China during World War II,[4] and was actually located at the current site of Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.[5]

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Flying Tigers were organized into the Low-A Southeast at the Low-A classification.[6] In 2022, the Low-A Southeast became known as the Florida State League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[7]

## Roster

[edit]

Lakeland Flying Tigers roster

* v
* t
* e

Players | Coaches/Other

|

Pitchers

* 29 Garrett Apker
* 49 Micah Ashman
* 26 Cam Brown
* 46 Thomas Bruss ~
* 41 Rayner Castillo
* 13 Ronny Chalas
* 33 Pedro Garcia
* 30 Duque Hebbert
* 31 Preston Howey
* 28 Zack Lee
* 40 Carlos Lequerica
* 35 Hayden Minton
* 18 Cole Patten
* 55 Patrick Pridgen ~
* 20 Josh Randall ~
* 12 Gabriel Reyes
* 20 Erick Rodriguez
* 38 Andrew Sears
* 27 Ethan Sloan ~
* 22 Luke Stofel
* 37 Cole Stupp

|  |

Catchers

* 58 Josue Briceño
* 45 Archer Brookman
* 43 Eduardo Valencia

Infielders

* 32 Clayton Campbell
* 9 Samuel Gil
* 19 Woody Hadeen
* 8 Franyerber Montilla
* 39 Jack Penney
* 15 Garrett Pennington
* 15 Cristian Santana ~
* 10 David Smith

Outfielders

* 21 Jose De La Cruz
* 25 Nomar Fana
* 34 Zach MacDonald
* 1 Jackson Strong

|  |

Manager

* 17 Andrew Graham

Coaches

* 99 Nick Bredeson (hitting)
* 24 Nick Green (pitching)
* 44 René Rivera (bench)

60-day injured list

* 20 Donye Evans (full season)
* \-- Wilmer A. Fenelon
* \-- Diego Palmero (full season)
* \-- Blake Pivaroff
* 86 Chris Williams Jr.

7-day injured list
* On Detroit Tigers 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 18, 2024
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Florida State League
→ Detroit Tigers minor league players

## Notable alumni

[edit]

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

* Jack Morris (1989) Inducted 2018

* John Smoltz (1986) Inducted, 2015

Notable former ballplayers

* Tony Clark (1993) MLB All-Star

* Francisco Cordero (1998) 3 x MLB All-Star

* Juan Encarnacion (1994, 1996)
* Mark Fidrych (1975, 1978) 2 x MLB All-Star; 1976 AL ERA Leader; 1976 AL Rookie of the Year

* Tito Fuentes (1962)

* Kirk Gibson (1978) 1986 NL Most Valuable Player; 2011 NL Manager of the Year
* Curtis Granderson, 3 x MLB All-Star; Member of the 20-20-20-20 Club

* Jerry Grote (1985-MGR) 2 x MLB All-Star

* Carlos Guillén (2011) 3 x MLB All-Star

* Bill Gullickson (1993) 1991 AL Wins Leader

* Omar Infante (2000) MLB All-Star

* Howard Johnson (1979-1980) 2 x MLB All-Star

* Gabe Kapler (1997), Outfielder and manager

* Ron Leflore (1974) MLB All-Star; 2 x AL Stolen Base Leader

* Rick Leach (1979)

* Jim Leyland (1964, 1969, 1976-1978-MGR) 3 x MLB Manager of the Year; Manager: 1997 World Series Champion - Florida Marlins

* Jose Lima (1991-1992, 1995) MLB All-Star
* Torey Lovullo (1987), MLB manager

* Sam McDowell (1960) 6 x MLB All-Star; 1965 AL ERA Leader
* Elliott Maddox (1968)

* Jerry Manuel (1973) 2000 AL Manager of the Year

* Andrew Miller (2007) 2 x MLB All-Star

* Phil Nevin (1997) MLB All-Star

* Lance Parrish (1975) 8 x MLB All-Star

* Dan Petry (1977, 1986) MLB All-Star

* Rick Porcello (2008) 2016 AL Cy Young Award

* Fernando Rodney (1999, 2001) 3 x MLB All-Star
* Cody Ross

* Vern Ruhle (1973)
* Chuck Scrivener

* Gary Sheffield (2008) 9 x MLB All-Star; 1992 NL Batting Title

* Drew Smyly

* Walt Terrell (1988)
* Rob Thomson (1987), MLB manager
* Pat Underwood

* Ugueth Urbina (2004) 2 x MLB All-Star
* Justin Verlander (2005) 6 x MLB All-Star; 2006 AL Rookie of the Year; 2011 AL Cy Young Award; 2011 AL Most Valuable Player; etc.

* David Wells (1994) 3 x MLB All-Star; 1998-Pitched Perfect Game

* Lou Whitaker (1976) 5 x MLB All-Star; 1978 AL Rookie of the Year

* Dontrelle Willis (2009) 2 x MLB All-Star; 2003 NL Rookie of the Year

* John Wockenfuss (1987)

* Dmitri Young (2006) 2 x MLB All-Star

## Playoffs

[edit]

* 2024: Lost Palm Beach 2–1 in championship.
* 2023: Lost Clearwater 2–1 in semifinals.
* 2012: Defeated Dunedin 2–0 in semifinals; defeated Jupiter 3–2 to win championship.
* 2005: Defeated Dunedin 2–0 in semifinals; lost to Palm Beach 3–2 in finals.
* 2002: Defeated Jupiter 2–0 in semifinals; lost to Charlotte 3–2 in finals.
* 1997: Lost to St. Petersburg 2–0 in semifinals.
* 1993: Lost to St. Lucie 2–1 in semifinals.
* 1992: Defeated West Palm Beach 2–0 in quarterfinals; defeated Clearwater 2–0 in semifinals; defeated Baseball City 2–0 to win championship.
* 1991: Lost to West Palm Beach 2–0 in semifinals.
* 1990: Lost to West Palm Beach 2–1 in semifinals.
* 1989: Lost to St. Petersburg 2–1 in semifinals.
* 1988: Lost to St. Lucie 2–1 in quarterfinals.
* 1987: Lost to Fort Lauderdale 2–0 in semifinals.
* 1978: Defeated St. Petersburg 1–0 in semifinals; lost to Miami 2–1 in finals.
* 1977: Defeated Miami 2–0 in semifinals; defeated St. Petersburg 3–1 to win championship.
* 1976: Defeated Miami 2–0 in semifinals; defeated Tampa 2–0 to win championship.
* 1974: Lost to Fort Lauderdale 2–0 in semifinals.
* 1973: Lost to West Palm Beach 2–1 in semifinals.
* 1970: Lost to Miami 2–0 in semifinals.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Hill, Benjamin. "PDC's make everything old new again, www.milb.com". Web.minorleaguebaseball.com. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
2. ^ "1997 Florida State League - Season Review". www.thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
3. ^ "Flying Tigers Scrape Two Runs Across in The Eight to Win FSL Championship Series | TheLedger.com". Archived from the original on 2012-10-14.
4. ^ Benjamin Hill (November 13, 2006). "Article | Lakeland Flying Tigers News". Minorleaguebaseball.com. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
5. ^ "The Lodwick School of Aeronautics: A Photo Exhibit". City of Lakeland. Archived from the original on February 25, 2007.
6. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
7. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lakeland Flying Tigers.

* Official website
* TigsTown.com
* Interview with the General Manager of the Lakeland Flying Tigers
* Baseball Reference – Lakeland, Florida

* v
* t
* e

Detroit Tigers

* Established in 1894
* Based in Detroit, Michigan

Franchise|

* History
* Seasons
* Records
* No-hitters
* Award winners and league leaders
* Players
* First-round draft picks
* Managers
* Coaches
* Owners and executives
* Opening Day starting pitchers

Ballparks|

* Bennett Park
* Tiger Stadium
* Comerica Park

* Spring training: Whittington Park
* Plant Field
* Bosse Field
* Henley Field
* Joker Marchant Stadium

Culture|

* T206 Ty Cobb
* Li'l Rastus
* Paws
* "Detroit Rock City"
* "The Bird"
* The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych
* One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story
* Magnum, P.I. (reboot)
* Tiger Town
* Cobb
* For Love of the Game
* The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
* Bless You Boys
* "The Singing Hot Dog Man"
* "Roar (song)"
* Ball Park Franks

Lore|

* 1910 Chalmers Award
* 1912 suspension of Ty Cobb
* replacement players
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* 2009 AL Central tie-breaker game
* 28-out perfect game
* MLB in Omaha

Rivalries|

* Chicago White Sox

Important figures|

| Hall of Fame members|

* Sparky Anderson
* Ty Cobb
* Mickey Cochrane
* Sam Crawford
* Charlie Gehringer
* Hank Greenberg
* Harry Heilmann
* Hughie Jennings
* Al Kaline
* George Kell
* Heinie Manush
* Jack Morris
* Hal Newhouser
* Alan Trammell

|

Ford C. Frick Award recipient|

* Ernie Harwell

BBWAA Career Excellence Award recipients|

* Joe Falls
* Tom Gage
* John Lowe
* H. G. Salsinger

Minor league affiliates|

* Player overview
* Triple-A: Toledo Mud Hens
* Double-A: Erie SeaWolves
* High-A: West Michigan Whitecaps
* Single-A: Lakeland Flying Tigers
* Rookie: FCL Tigers
* DSL Tigers 1
* DSL Tigers 2

Key personnel|

* Owner: Christopher Ilitch
* President of baseball operations: Scott Harris
* General Manager: Jeff Greenberg
* Manager: A. J. Hinch

World Series
championships (4)|

* 1935
* 1945
* 1968
* 1984

American League pennants (11)|

* American League: 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1934
* 1935
* 1940
* 1945
* 1968
* 1984
* 2006
* 2012

Division titles (7)|

* East: 1972
* 1984
* 1987
* Central: 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014

Wild card berths (1)|

* 2006

Broadcasters|

* TV: Bally Sports Detroit
* Matt Shepard
* Kirk Gibson
* Jack Morris
* Radio: Detroit Tigers Radio Network
* WXYT-FM
* Dan Dickerson
* Jim Price
* History: List of Detroit Tigers broadcasters

Seasons (122)

1900s|

· 1900 1901 · 1902 · 1903 · 1904 · 1905 · 1906 · 1907 · 1908 · 1909

1910s|

* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919

1920s|

* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929

1930s|

* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939

1940s|

* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949

1950s|

* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959

1960s|

* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969

1970s|

* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979

1980s|

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

1990s|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

2000s|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

2010s|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

2020s|

* 2020
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* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

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Florida State League

East Division|

* Daytona Tortugas
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West Division|

* Bradenton Marauders
* Clearwater Threshers
* Dunedin Blue Jays
* Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
* Lakeland Flying Tigers
* Tampa Tarpons

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