| Wichita Wingnuts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Information | |||||
| League | American Association | ||||
| Location | Wichita, Kansas | ||||
| Founded | 2008 | ||||
| Folded | 2018 | ||||
| League championships | 2014 | ||||
| Division championships | 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 | ||||
| Colors | Red, black, silver, white | ||||
| Ownership | Wichita Pro Sports | ||||
| General manager | Brian Turner | ||||
| Manager | Brent Clevlen | ||||
| Media | Wichita Eagle | ||||
| Website | www | ||||
TheWichita Wingnuts were an independent baseball team based inWichita, Kansas, in theUnited States. The Wingnuts were members of the South Division of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.
An expansion franchise in the 2008 season, the Wingnuts played their home games atLawrence–Dumont Stadium through the end of the 2018 season.[1][2] The Wingnuts replaced theWichita Wranglers, the former Double-A affiliate of theKansas City Royals. The first Wichita Wingnuts manager wasKash Beauchamp, who gained notoriety for his tirade during a game on July 9.[3][4] Beauchamp's contract was not renewed at the end of the 2008 season. Kevin Hooper replaced Beauchamp as the manager for the 2009 season. The Wingnuts finished the first half of 2008 in second place, but a slide in the second half left them with an overall record of 45–50 in their inaugural season. In 2016, Hooper left to coach as an infield coordinator in theSan Diego Padres farm system.Pete Rose Jr. took over as manager following Hooper's departure.
In 2009, the Wingnuts won the North Division title for the first half of the season, and in 2010 hosted the American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts were named the 2010 American Association Organization of the Year. In 2012, the Wingnuts completed of 3-game sweep of theLaredo Lemurs to advance to the American Association Championship Series against theWinnipeg Goldeyes. In 2013, they defeated theGrand Prairie AirHogs, but lost to theGary SouthShore RailCats in the American Association Championship Series. In 2014, they defeated the Laredo Lemurs in 4 games, and swept theLincoln Saltdogs in the final to win their first American Association Championship.
In September 2018, the city of Wichita paid $2.2 million to the Wingnuts to break their lease atLawrence–Dumont Stadium, with plans to demolish it and build a larger ballpark on the site to host an affiliatedMinor League Baseball team.[5] Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell later announced that anew $81 million stadium would be built to host theTriple-ANew Orleans Baby Cakes, who agreed to relocate to Wichita starting in 2020.[6] Following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 reorganization of Minor League Baseball, the team began play as theWichita Wind Surge, Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, in 2021.
| Season | W–L | Percentage | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 45–50 | .474 | 4th, North Division | None |
| 2009 | 58–38 | .604 | 1st, North Division | Lost Semifinals 3-2 vs.Lincoln |
| 2010 | 50–46 | .521 | 3rd, North Division | None |
| 2011 | 55–45 | .550 | 1st, Central Division | Lost Semifinals 3-1 vs.Grand Prairie |
| 2012 | 59–41 | .590 | 1st, Central Division | Lost Semifinals 3-0 vs.Laredo |
| 2013 | 68–32 | .680 | 1st, Central Division | Won Semifinals 3-0 vs. Grand Prairie; Lost Finals 3-1 vs.Gary SouthShore |
| 2014 | 73–27 | .730 | 1st, South Division | Won Semifinals 3-1 vs. Laredo;Won Finals 3-0 vs. Lincoln |
| 2015 | 59–41 | .590 | 1st, South Division | Lost Semifinals 3-2 vs. Laredo |
| 2016 | 61–39 | .580 | 1st, South Division | Won Semifinals 3-2 vs.St. Paul; Lost Finals 3-2 vs.Winnipeg |
| 2017 | 61–38 | .616 | 1st, South Division | Won Semifinals 3-0 vs. Gary; Lost Finals 3-2 vs. Winnipeg |
| 2018 | 61–39 | .610 | 3rd, South Division | None |
| Totals | 650–436 | .599 | 8 Playoff Appearances, 1 Championship |
