{{Redirect|Mud Hens|the bird|American coot|other uses|Mud hen (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox Minor League Baseball | name = Toledo Mud Hens | allyears = 1896-1914, 1916–1952, 1965–present | city = Toledo, Ohio | misc = | logo = Toledo Mud Hens logo.svg | uniformlogo = ToledoMudHensCap.png | class level = Triple-A (1965–present) | past class level = {{ubl | Triple-A (1946–1952) | Double-A (1912–1913, 1916–1945) | Class A (1901, 1903–1911) | Class B (1896–1900) | Class C (1896, 1914) | Independent (1902) }} | current league = International League (1965–present) | conference = | division = West Division | past league = {{ubl |American Association (1902–1913, 1916–1952) |Southern Michigan League (1914) |Western Association (1901) |Interstate League (1896–1900) }} | majorleague = Detroit Tigers (1987–present) | pastmajorleague = '''Since 1965:'''{{plainlist| * Minnesota Twins (1978–1986) * Cleveland Indians (1976–1977) * Philadelphia Phillies (1974–1975) * Detroit Tigers (1967–1973) * New York Yankees (1965–1966) }} | classnum = 0 | classchamps = '''Since 1965:'''{{hlist|None}} | leaguenum = 6 | leaguechamps = '''Since 1896:'''{{hlist|1896|1897|1927|1968|2005|2006}} | divnum = 7 | divisionchamps = '''Since 1965:'''{{hlist|1967|2002|2005|2006|2007|2018|2021}} | nickname = Toledo Mud Hens | pastnames = {{ubl |Toledo Iron Men (1916–1918) |Toledo Swamp Angels (1901) }} | colors = Navy, red, white, gold<br/>{{color box|#002A5C}} {{color box|#E71629}} {{color box|#FFF}} {{color box|#FDB913}} | mascots = Muddy and Muddonna | ballpark = Fifth Third Field (2002–present) | pastparks = Ned Skeldon Stadium (1965–2001) | owner = Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club<br> (a non-profit corporation) | manager = Gary Jones | gm = Erik Ibsen | website = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/toledo|milb.com/toledo}} }}
The '''Toledo Mud Hens''' are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A baseball team nicknamed the Mud Hens has played in Toledo for most seasons since 1896, including a 50-year history as a member of the now defunct American Association.<ref name=brToledo/> The current franchise was established in 1965, joining the International League; this league was called the Triple-A East for the 2021 season.
==Background== Professional baseball had been played off and on in Toledo since 1883, and the Mud Hens era began in 1896 with the "Swamp Angels", who played in the Interstate League. They played in Bay View Park, which was outside the Toledo city limits and therefore not covered by the city's blue laws. The park was located near marshland inhabited by American coots, also known as "mud hens." For this reason, the local press soon dubbed the team the "Mud Hens"—a nickname that has stuck to Toledo baseball teams for all but a few years since. The name "Mud Hens" became permanent in 1965.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Witt |first=Derek |date=2024-03-29 |title=Backstory of a bird: How the Toledo Mud Hens got their name |url=https://www.13abc.com/2024/03/29/backstory-bird-how-toledo-mud-hens-got-their-name/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=www.13abc.com |language=en}}</ref> After only one season, the team moved to Armory Park.<ref name="husman" />
==History== ===1896–1914=== A Mud Hens team played in the Interstate League from 1896 through 1900, then a Toledo team known as the Swamp Angels played in the Western Association in 1901, followed by a Mud Hens team in the American Association from 1902 through 1913. The American Association Mud Hens moved to League Park in Cleveland in 1914 and became the Cleveland Bearcats, playing in Cleveland for two seasons.<ref name=book>{{cite book |title=League Park: historic home of Cleveland baseball, 1891–1946 |author1=Krsolovic, Ken |author2=Fritz, Bryan |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc. |year=2013 |pages=8–12, 36–38 |isbn=978-0-7864-6826-3}}</ref> During the 1914 season, a Class C Mud Hens team played in the Southern Michigan League.<ref name=brToledo/><ref name=encyc>{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball |editor1-first=Lloyd |editor1-last=Johnson |editor2-first=Miles |editor2-last=Wolff |edition=Third |publisher=Baseball America |date=2007 |isbn=978-1932391176}}</ref>{{rp|95}} No Toledo team was fielded in 1915.<ref name=brToledo>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Toledo&state=OH&country=US |title=Toledo, Ohio Encyclopedia |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=July 28, 2021}}</ref>
===1916–1952=== The team resumed play in the American Association in 1916 as the Iron Men, a nickname they used through 1918.<ref name=brToledo/> The Mud Hens name returned in 1919, and the team competed in the American Association until 1952.<ref name=brToledo/>
Mid-season in 1952, team owner Danny Menendez moved the Mud Hens to Charleston, West Virginia,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/out-of-nowhere-in-1952-charleston-had-a-chance-for-class-aaa-baseball/article_8e7c8a29-d64f-5770-ad43-add52e4e1d77.html |title=Out of nowhere in 1952, Charleston had a chance for Class AAA baseball |first=Mike |last=Whiteford |website=Charleston Gazette-Mail |date=August 17, 2019 |accessdate=July 27, 2021}}</ref> where they competed as the Charleston Senators through 1960. Toledo fielded a replacement franchise in the American Association from 1953 to 1955, the Toledo Sox, which was the former Milwaukee Brewers minor-league team. That franchise subsequently moved to Wichita, Kansas, for the 1956 season, where it competed as the Wichita Braves through 1958.
===1965–present=== In 1965, the Richmond Virginians franchise of the International League moved to Toledo and became the current incarnation of the Mud Hens. They were based in Maumee, Ohio, at the converted Fort Miami Fairgrounds. The local ownership group led by Ned Skeldon signed with the New York Yankees to be its top farm team.
In 1967, the Detroit Tigers replaced the Yankees as its major league affiliate. That year, the team was third in the league but claimed the Governors' Cup via the four-team playoff. The next year, the team won a record 83 games and the league pennant, but failed to repeat as Cup winners. The team was affiliated with Detroit through 1973. In 1974 and 1975, the Philadelphia Phillies affiliated with the Mud Hens, followed by two years affiliated with Cleveland Indians. All four seasons were losing seasons.<ref name="husman" />{{rp|77}}
The Minnesota Twins took over as the team's major league affiliate in 1978 and brought in Gene Cook as general manager, who was good at promoting the team, particularly as a family event. Cook also got Jamie Farr to incorporate the Mud Hens in Farr's ''M*A*S*H'' character's background.<ref name="husman" />{{rp|77}} The Twins affiliation lasted through the 1986 season. The Mud Hens resumed their affiliation with the Tigers in 1987, and have remained in the Detroit organization since then.
In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Mud Hens were organized into the Triple-A East.<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> Toledo won the Midwestern Division title by ending the season in first place with a 69–51 record.<ref name=MILB2021>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/2021?standingsType=firstHalf&standingsView=division|title=2021 Triple-A East Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.<ref name=MiLB7-14-2021>{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/triple-a-classification-to-add-10-games-to-2021-schedule |title=MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=July 14, 2021 |accessdate=July 16, 2021}}</ref> However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.<ref name=MiLB7-14-2021/> Toledo finished the tournament tied for 13th place with a 5–5 record.<ref name=2021FinalStretch>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/|title=2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.<ref name=ILrename>{{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 records== thumb|Muddy in a parade Toledo Mud Hens seasons are listed below.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Toledo&state=OH&country=US|title=Toledo, Ohio Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+Toledo Mud Hens season records |- !scope="col" style="background:#E71629; color:#FFFFFF;|Season !scope="col" style="background:#E71629; color:#FFFFFF;|Wins !scope="col" style="background:#E71629; color:#FFFFFF;|Losses !scope="col" style="background:#E71629; color:#FFFFFF;|League !scope="col" style="background:#E71629; color:#FFFFFF;|Division |- |scope="row"|1896 |86 |46 |1st ISL |— |- |scope="row"|1897 |83 |43 |1st ISL |— |- |scope="row"|1898 |86 |68 |2nd ISL |— |- |scope="row"|1899 |82 |58 |4th ISL |— |- |scope="row"|1900 |81 |58 |3rd ISL |— |- |scope="row"|1901 |78 |60 |3rd WA |— |- |scope="row"|1902 |42 |98 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1903 |48 |91 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1904 |42 |109 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1905 |60 |91 |7th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1906 |79 |69 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1907 |88 |65 |2nd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1908 |81 |72 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1909 |80 |86 |6th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1910 |91 |75 |2nd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1911 |78 |86 |6th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1912 |98 |66 |2nd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1913 |69 |98 |6th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1914 |53 |93 |8th SML |— |- |scope="row"|1919 |59 |91 |7th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1920 |87 |79 |3rd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1921 |80 |88 |7th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1922 |65 |101 |7th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1923 |54 |114 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1924 |82 |83 |5th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1925 |77 |90 |6th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1926 |87 |77 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1927 |101 |67 |1th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1928 |79 |88 |6th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1929 |67 |100 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1930 |88 |66 |3rd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1931 |68 |100 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1932 |87 |80 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1933 |70 |83 |T-5th in AA |— |- |scope="row"|1934 |68 |84 |6th in AA |— |- |scope="row"|1935 |64 |86 |7th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1936 |59 |92 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1937 |89 |65 |2nd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1938 |79 |74 |5th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1939 |47 |107 |8th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1940 |59 |90 |7th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1941 |82 |72 |5th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1942 |78 |73 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1943 |76 |76 |4th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1944 |95 |58 |2nd AA |— |- |scope="row"|1945 |69 |84 |6th AA |— |- |scope="row"|1946 |69 |84 |6th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1947 |61 |92 |8th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1948 |61 |91 |7th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1949 |64 |90 |8th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1950 |65 |87 |7th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1951 |70 |82 |6th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1952 |46 |107 |8th AAA |— |- |scope="row"|1965 |68 |78 |7th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1966 |71 |75 |6th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1967 |73 |66 |3rd IL |— |- |scope="row"|1968 |83 |64 |1st IL |— |- |scope="row"|1969 |68 |72 |6th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1970 |51 |89 |8th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1971 |60 |80 |7th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1972 |75 |69 |5th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1973 |65 |81 |7th IL |4th IL North |- |scope="row"|1974 |70 |74 |5th IL |3rd IL North |- |scope="row"|1975 |62 |78 |7th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1976 |55 |85 |8th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1977 |56 |84 |8th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1978 |74 |66 |3rd IL |— |- |scope="row"|1979 |63 |76 |7th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1980 |77 |63 |2nd IL |— |- |scope="row"|1981 |53 |87 |8th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1982 |60 |80 |7th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1983 |68 |72 |5th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1984 |74 |63 |3rd IL |— |- |scope="row"|1985 |71 |68 |6th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1986 |62 |77 |6th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1987 |70 |70 |5th IL |— |- |scope="row"|1988 |58 |84 |8th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|1989 |69 |76 |6th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|1990 |58 |86 |8th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|1991 |74 |70 |5th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|1992 |64 |80 |6th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|1993 |65 |77 |7th IL |5th IL West |- |scope="row"|1994 |63 |79 |9th IL |5th IL West |- |scope="row"|1995 |71 |71 |6th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|1996 |70 |72 |T-5th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|1997 |68 |73 |7th IL |5th IL West |- |scope="row"|1998 |52 |89 |14th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|1999 |57 |87 |14th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2000 |55 |86 |12th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2001 |65 |79 |12th |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2002 |81 |63 |4th IL |1st IL West |- |scope="row"|2003 |65 |78 |11th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|2004 |65 |78 |14th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2005 |89 |55 |1st IL |1st IL West |- |scope="row"|2006 |76 |66 |5th IL |1st IL West |- |scope="row"|2007 |82 |61 |2nd IL |1st IL West |- |scope="row"|2008 |75 |69 |4th IL |2nd in IL West |- |scope="row"|2009 |73 |70 |6th IL |2nd IL West |- |scope="row"|2010 |70 |73 |9th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2011 |67 |77 |11th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2012 |60 |84 |13th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|2013 |61 |83 |13th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2014 |69 |74 |8th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|2015 |61 |83 |13th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2016 |68 |76 |8th IL |4th IL West |- |scope="row"|2017 |70 |71 |8th IL |3rd IL West |- |scope="row"|2018 |73 |66 |4th IL |1st IL West |- |scope="row"|2019 |66 |74 |T-9th IL |T-2nd IL West |- |scope="row"|2020 |colspan="5"|Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |- |scope="row"|2021 |69 |51 |T-4th |1st AAA East Midwest |- |scope="row"|2022 |87 |63 |2nd IL |2nd IL West |- |scope="row"|2023 |70 |78 |<small>(1st half)</small><br>15th IL<br><small>(2nd half)</small><br>12th IL |<small>(1st half)</small><br>9th IL West<br><small>(2nd half)</small><br>6th IL West |- |scope="row"|2024 |69 |80 |<small>(1st half)</small><br>12th IL<br><small>(2nd half)</small><br>15th IL |<small>(1st half)</small><br>6th IL West<br><small>(2nd half)</small><br>8th IL West |- |scope="row"|2025 |84 |66 |<small>(1st half)</small><br>10th IL<br><small>(2nd half)</small><br>T-3rd IL |<small>(1st half)</small><br>5th IL West<br><small>(2nd half)</small><br>T-1st IL West |- |scope="row"|2026 |26 |31 | IL | IL West |- |}
==Rivalries== {{unreferenced section|date=February 2024}}
===Columbus Clippers=== The Mud Hens' rivalry with the Columbus Clippers dates back to 1977 when the Clippers joined the International League and were the second Ohio team in the league. The two teams play in the International League's West Division. The Clippers are an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, who compete against the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, adding another layer to the rivalry.
===Indianapolis Indians=== The Mud Hens' rivalry with the Indianapolis Indians dates back to 1998 when the Indians joined the International League. They faced each other in the Governors' Cup Finals in 2005, which the Mud Hens won in a sweep. The following season, they faced each other in a play-in game—the winner would win the IL West Division and clinch a spot in the 2006 Governor's Cup playoffs—which the Mud Hens won, 4–0.
==Playoffs== The Mud Hens also won Interstate League playoffs in 1896, and 1897. While competing in the American Association, Toledo was the league champion in 1927, prior to the league having a postseason. Subsequently, Toledo reached the semifinals in 1937, 1943, and 1944. They reached the championship series in 1942. In 1967, Toledo played their first playoff game in Governors' Cup playoffs. In 1968, the Mud Hens finished first for the regular season but lost in the playoff semifinals.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+Toledo Mud Hens playoff appearances |- !scope="col" style="background: #002A5C; color: #FFFFFF" | Season !scope="col" style="background: #002A5C; color: #FFFFFF" | Semifinals !scope="col" style="background: #002A5C; color: #FFFFFF" | Finals !scope="col" style="background: #002A5C; color: #FFFFFF" | Class Title |- ! colspan="16" style="{{#E71629; color:#FFFFFF}}" | Interstate League (Class–C), (Class–B) |- |1896 |—||W, 4–0, Wayne Farmers ||— |- |1897 |— ||W, 4–0, Dayton Old Soldiers ||— |- ! colspan="16" style="#E71629; color:#FFFFFF" | American Association (AA) |- |1937 |L, 4–2, Milwaukee Brewers ||— ||— |- |1942 |W, 4–2, Milwaukee Brewers ||L, 4–0, Columbus Red Birds ||— |- |1943 |L, 3–2, Indianapolis Indians ||— ||— |- |1944 |L, 4–3, St. Paul Saints ||— ||— |- ! colspan="16" style="#E71629; color:#FFFFFF" | International League (AAA) |- |1967 |W, 3–2, Richmond Braves ||W, 4–1, Columbus Jets ||— |- |1968 |L, 3–1, Jacksonville Suns ||— ||— |- |1978 |L, 3–2, Pawtucket Red Sox ||— ||— |- |1980 |W, 3–1, Rochester Red Wings ||L, 4–1, Columbus Clippers ||— |- |1984 |L, 3–0, Maine Guides ||— ||— |- |2002 |L, 3–0, Durham Bulls ||— ||— |- |2005 |W, 3–2, Norfolk Tides ||W, 3–0, Indianapolis Indians ||— |- |2006 |W, 3–1, Charlotte Knights ||W, 3–2, Rochester Red Wings ||L, 1–0, Tucson Sidewinders |- |2007 |L, 3–0, Durham Bulls ||— ||— |- |scope="row"|2018 |L, 3–1, Durham Bulls ||— ||— |}
==Retired numbers== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ style="background: #002366; color: #ffffff" | Toledo Mud Hens retired numbers |- !scope="col" style="background: #E71629; color:#FFFFFF | No. !scope="col" style="background: #E71629; color:#FFFFFF |Player !scope="col" style="background: #E71629; color:#FFFFFF |Position |- |scope="row"|'''1''' |Gene Cook || General Manager |- |scope="row"|'''15''' |Larry Parrish || Manager |- |scope="row"|'''27''' |Mike Hessman ||3B |- |}
==Roster== {{Toledo Mud Hens roster}}
==Notable players== {{see also|:Category:Toledo Mud Hens players}}
Mud Hens players who were later inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame include: {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *Roger Bresnahan *Addie Joss *Freddie Lindstrom *Kirby Puckett *Billy Southworth *Casey Stengel *Hack Wilson {{div col end}}
Mud Hens players who were selected as MLB All-Stars during their careers include: {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *Steve Avery *Nicholas Castellanos *Tony Clark *Pat Dobson *Dave Engle *Ed Farmer *Travis Fryman *Freddy García *Curtis Granderson *Shane Greene *Marv Grissom *Carlos Guillén *Mike Henneman *Willie Hernández *John Hudek *Omar Infante *Gregg Jefferies *Thornton Lee *José Lima *Mike Marshall *J. D. Martinez *Víctor Martínez *Bobby Murcer *Joe Nathan *Phil Nevin *Jeff Newman *Joe Niekro *Dean Palmer *Lance Parrish *Carlos Peña *Dick Radatz *Mark Redman *Fernando Rodney *Kenny Rogers *Max Scherzer *Rip Sewell *Vern Stephens *Dizzy Trout *José Valverde *Justin Verlander *Frank Viola *Dixie Walker *Gary Ward *Scott Williamson *Dontrelle Willis *Dmitri Young *Al Zarilla {{div col end}}
Mud Hens players who later managed MLB teams include: {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *A. J. Hinch *Gabe Kapler *Gene Lamont *Torey Lovullo *Sam Perlozzo *Casey Stengel *Ron Washington *Eric Wedge *Kirk Gibson {{div col end}}
Other Mud Hens players of note: *Billy Beane, three-time ''Sporting News'' Executive of the Year and subject of ''Moneyball'' *Moe Berg, spy for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II *Mike Hessman, International League All-Time Home Run leader *Ralph Schwamb, convicted murderer *Jim Thorpe, two-time Olympic gold medal winner and inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame *Craig Monroe, broadcasts on Bally Sports Detroit *Cameron Maybin, broadcasts on Bally Sports Detroit
==In popular culture== *''M*A*S*H'' character Maxwell Klinger (played by Jamie Farr) hailed from Toledo and often mentioned the Mud Hens as his favorite baseball team throughout the series. He was often seen wearing a Toledo Mud Hens cap (which bears a strong resemblance to a Texas Rangers cap) and jersey. In fact, Klinger feels so strongly about the Mud Hens that he gets put on KP duty for a month when he punches his archnemesis, Sgt. Zelmo Zale, who insulted the Mud Hens. Like Klinger, Farr was born and raised in Toledo, and the Mud Hens retired jersey No. 1 in Farr's honor. Colonel Sherman Potter (played by Harry Morgan) was also a fan of the Mud Hens and was seen wearing their swag on several episodes of the series. * The title character of the comic strip ''Crankshaft'' was a pitcher for the Mud Hens just before World War II when he enlisted in the Army. He invariably wears a Mud Hens cap in the strip, and reminisces often about his playing days. In the summer of 2016 the Mud Hens retired jersey No. 13 in Crankshaft's honor. * Lou Brown, the fictional manager of the Cleveland Indians in the film ''Major League'', was said to have managed in Toledo for 30 years prior to managing the Indians. * Richard Pryor's character, Montgomery Brewster, in the 1985 film ''Brewster's Millions'' was said to have previously pitched for the Mud Hens. * The ''Melissa & Joey'' character Joe Longo (played by Joey Lawrence) is a Mud Hens fan and claims they win every single time he goes to the game with his foam finger. In season 3, episode 21 "Plus One", Mel Hart (played by Melissa Joan Hart) gets tickets right behind first base for Joe. They both end up at the game later in the episode.
==See also== {{Portal|Baseball}} *List of baseball parks in Toledo, Ohio
==Sources== *''The Toledo Baseball Guide of the Mud Hens 1883–1943'', Ralph Elliott Lin Weber, 1944.
==References== {{Reflist|refs=<ref name="husman">{{cite book | title=Baseball in Toledo | first=John | last=Husman | publisher=Arcadia Publishing | year=2003 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pPa6LCWS6u8C | isbn=0738523275}}</ref>}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Toledo Mud Hens}} *{{official website}}
{{Toledo Mud Hens|state=expanded}} {{Detroit Tigers}} {{International League}} {{Ohio Sports}} {{Toledo}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Toledo Mud Hens Category:1896 establishments in Ohio Category:Baseball teams established in 1896 Category:Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates Category:Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates Category:Minnesota Twins minor league affiliates Category:New York Yankees minor league affiliates Category:Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates Category:American Association (1902–1997) teams Category:International League teams Category:Lucas County, Ohio Category:Sports clubs and teams in Toledo, Ohio Category:Fan-owned baseball teams Category:Triple-A East teams Category:Southern Michigan League teams