Baseball in South Bend, Indiana

Overview

The record of the Midwest League franchise in South Bend, Indiana.

South Bend had some excellent teams in the late eighties and early nineties, then experienced a prolonged performance collapse which included perhaps the worst season in MWL history. Since 2003 they've been consistently among the league's best teams. The on-field collapse apparently contributed to a cash-flow crisis early in this decade which undermined fan support, but both the cash flow and the fans' support seem to have recovered.

The team's produced its share of major league talent: Brad Penny, Jason Bere, Scott Radinsky, Lyle Overbey, and David Dellucci are (or were) solid performers, and Penny might yet deliver on his undeniable potential. 2005 MWL MVP Carlos Gonzalez is widely regarded as an emerging star.

South Bend's franchise was an expansion team. The MWL approved the expansion in 1984, but didn't find suitable cities until the 1988 season began. Jay Acton, literary agent and sports entrepreneur, brought this team to town, then sold his share to partner Alan Levin. Joe Kernan, who was South Bend's mayor when the team came to town, purchased the team from Levin in 2006.

South Bend hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game in 1989.

Summary

• Midwest League seasons: 22
• Won/Lost overall: 1486/1537, .492
• Best season: 85/47, .644 (1989)
• Championship Playoffs Won: 3
  • Championship Series Won/Lost: 33/21, .611
• Best MWL Won/Lost Record: 2 seasons

South Bend joined the Midwest League in 1988 as an expansion franchise. South Bend remains active in the MWL.

Seasonal Results
Other Leagues

Team Names

• South Bend White Sox, 1988-94
• South Bend Silver Hawks, 1995-present

Affiliations

• Chicago White Sox, 1988-96
• Arizona Diamondbacks, 1997-present (PDC through 2012)

Officers, Managers, & Coaches

Ballparks

• Coveleski Stadium (new 1987)

Attendance record

• 258,424 (1994)

Ballparks & Attendance

Best Seasons

• Hitter: Nilson Robeldo (1995) .285, 20 HR, 108 RBI
• Pitcher: Mike Sirotka (1994) 3.07, 12 wins, 173 strikeouts

Best Big League Career

• Brad Penny (1997)

Awards

Highlights

Team Records

Hitters

• Batting: Carlos Urquiola (1999) .362
• Home Runs: Billy Martin (2000) 25
• Runs Batted In: Nilson Robledo (1995) 108
• Stolen Bases: Essex Burton (1993) 95

Seasonal Hitting Leaders

Pitchers

• Wins: Sam Smith (2003) 16
• Won/Lost (10 decisions):  
• Earned Run Average: Jose Ventura (1989) 1.57
• Strikeouts: Mike Sirotka (1994) 173
• Saves: Matt Elliott (2005) 32

Seasonal Pitching Leaders

Sources

These pages draw heavily on several sources:

• Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, eds, The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Durham: Baseball America, 1997)
• Midwest League Media Guide and Record Book (Beloit: Midwest League, various years; title varies)
• Kevin Saldana, Today in Minor League Baseball History (???: SalFam Books, 1999)
• Baseball America's Almanac (Durham: Baseball America, various years)
• News sources.