The Lansing Lugnuts (Low A; Midwest League) are celebrating a milestone season in 2020, as the club unveils its 25th Anniversary logo. The logo will be worn on the team’s uniform during the 2020 season.
“From our initial announcement and groundbreaking in 1995 to today, celebrating 25 years of bringing baseball to downtown Lansing is an incredible accomplishment. I’m thrilled to relive some of our greatest memories with our fans and hope that the community will share some of their own at our ballpark this summer,” said Lugnuts owner Tom Dickson. “Releasing the logo today is just the start of what will be an exciting and memorable season for our fans and the Lansing community.”
As part of the celebration, the Lugnuts will be throwing it back to the first baseball game played at the stadium – played not by the Nuts, but between Michigan State and Michigan on April 3rd, 1996. The 25th season will have a similar feel, as the Spartans take on the rival Wolverines on April 14th at Cooley Law School Stadium, followed by Opening Day on April 16th as the Lugnuts host the Dayton Dragons.
Since arriving in Mid Michigan, the Lugnuts have won two Midwest League championships, hosted four Midwest League All-Star Games, produced 149 Major Leaguers and drawn over 300,000 fans every season. They still hold the MiLB record for attendance in a club’s inaugural season at 538,325.
Other highlights since 1996 include:
- No-Hitter and a Cycle, 2003 – While Justin Jones, Westin O’Brien and Mark Carter combine to no-hit Dayton, Donnie Hood hits for the cycle in a 15-0 Lugnuts win. It’s believed to be the first time in professional baseball history that a team threw a no-hitter and hit for the cycle in the same game.
- Ace in Town, 2004 – Chicago Cubs phenom Mark Prior making back-to-back rehab appearances during the 2004 season, drawing massive crowds and creating a buzz in the city. Aftwerward, Prior took out a full-page ad in the Lansing State Journal thanking the community.
- The Stro Show, 2015 – MLB All-Star, Gold Glover, and World Baseball Classic champion pitcher Marcus Stroman made a rehab appearance in 2015 on his way to joining the Blue Jays for the postseason, striking out seven Great Lakes batters in 4 2/3 hitless innings.
- Dynamic Duo, 2016 – Lugnuts fans were first introduced to 17-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and 18-year-old Bo Bichette in 2016 when the two teenagers were brought up to play in the annual Crosstown Showdown presented by Auto-Owners Insurance vs. Michigan State. A year later, the two joined the Lugnuts official roster and showcased their superstar potential, playing in the Midwest League All-Star Game and the MLB Futures Game.