History of Erie SeaWolves in Timeline

The Erie SeaWolves are a Minor League Baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania, established in 1989 and playing in Erie since 1995. They are the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, competing in the Eastern League's Southwest Division. Their home games are played at UPMC Park, located in downtown Erie.

1989: Team Founded

In 1989, the Erie SeaWolves were founded as the Welland Pirates, a New York-Penn League member, and played their home games at Welland Stadium.

1989: Team Established in Welland, Ontario

In 1989, the team was established in Welland, Ontario, as a New York-Penn League member, known as the Welland Pirates.

1994: Erie Hosted Frontier League Franchise

In 1994, Erie hosted an independent franchise in the Frontier League that revived the "Sailors" name, after the civic government obtained funding to construct UPMC Park.

June 20, 1995: Inaugural Game in Erie

On June 20, 1995, the SeaWolves won their inaugural game in Erie against the Jamestown Jammers with José Guillén hitting the game-winning home run.

1995: Affiliation with Pittsburgh Pirates

From 1995, the SeaWolves were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1995: Original Ownership by Palisades Baseball

In 1995, Palisades Baseball was the original owner of the SeaWolves when the team began play.

1995: Began Playing in Erie

In 1995, the Erie SeaWolves began playing in Erie.

1998: End of Pittsburgh Pirates Affiliation

In 1998, the SeaWolves ended their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1999: Transition to Double-A and Eastern League Expansion

In 1999, the Double-A Eastern League expanded, granting Erie one of the new franchises, leading the team to transition to the Double-A level and affiliate with the Anaheim Angels.

2001: Affiliation with Detroit Tigers

In 2001, the SeaWolves switched their affiliation to the Detroit Tigers, starting a partnership that continues to this day.

2003: Sale to Mandalay Sports Entertainment

In 2003, Palisades Baseball sold the SeaWolves to Mandalay Sports Entertainment.

2006: Greg Gania Becomes Voice of the SeaWolves

In 2006, Greg Gania became the Voice of the SeaWolves, and has served as the play-by-play broadcaster ever since.

2007: Trenton Thunder Win

In 2007, the Trenton Thunder won the Eastern League championship.

2008: Trenton Thunder Win

In 2008, the Trenton Thunder won the Eastern League championship.

January 20, 2009: Obama's First Presidential Inauguration

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama's first presidential inauguration took place, which later became a reference point for the SeaWolves' "Alternative Facts Night" promotion.

March 27, 2015: Fernando Aguirre Becomes New Owner

On March 27, 2015, Fernando Aguirre was announced as the new owner of the SeaWolves, purchasing the team from Mandalay.

September 16, 2015: Commitment to Erie Award

On September 16, 2015, the SeaWolves received the Erie Times-News Commitment to Erie Award for community service by a business with 50 or fewer employees.

2016: Akron RubberDucks Win Championship

In 2016, The Akron RubberDucks actually earned the Eastern League Championship, despite the ring giveaway at the Alternative Facts Night promotion in 2017.

January 20, 2017: Trump Presidential Inauguration

On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was inaugurated as U.S. President, which later became a reference point for the SeaWolves' "Alternative Facts Night" promotion.

February 2017: Broadcasting Contract Extended

In February 2017, the SeaWolves extended their broadcasting contract with Fox Sports Radio AM 1330: The Fan to air every game during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

March 10, 2017: Alternative Facts Night Promotion Announced

On March 10, 2017, the Erie SeaWolves announced their "Alternative Facts Night" promotion, scheduled for August 25, 2017, a reference to Kellyanne Conway's use of the phrase. The promotion included giving away 2016 SeaWolves Eastern League Championship rings (despite the RubberDucks winning) and jokingly expecting 1.2 million fans to attend.

August 25, 2017: "Alternative Facts Night" Promotion

On August 25, 2017, the Erie SeaWolves held their "Alternative Facts Night" promotion against the Akron RubberDucks, whose alternative name was the "Akron Yellow Bath Toys" for the game. As part of the promotion, the first 1,000 fans received a 2016 SeaWolves Eastern League Championship ring. The proceeds for Alternative Facts Night went to the Erie City School District.

2018: Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 Broadcast

In 2018, Fox Sports Radio AM 1330: The Fan aired every game of the SeaWolves season.

2021: Organized into Double-A Northeast

In 2021, the SeaWolves were organized into the Double-A Northeast as part of Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball.

2022: Double-A Northeast becomes Eastern League

In 2022, the Double-A Northeast was renamed the Eastern League, reverting to the name historically used before the 2021 reorganization.

September 26, 2023: First Championship Title

On September 26, 2023, the SeaWolves completed a full sweep of the playoffs, winning their first championship title in franchise history with a 10–0 victory over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in Game 2 of the Eastern League Championship Series.

September 24, 2024: Second Straight Eastern League Championship

On September 24, 2024, the SeaWolves defeated the Somerset Patriots 3-2 to win their second straight Eastern League championship. This win made them the 11th team in Eastern League history to repeat as champions, and the first since the Trenton Thunder in 2007 and 2008.