The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are currently associated with the major-league team the Detroit Tigers. The current team is one of several that have existed in Toledo over more than a century; the name "Mud Hens" was first used in 1896, after the team was bought by Charles Strobel. The park where the team played that year was adjacent to marshland which was inhabited by coots, also known as marsh hens or mud hens, from which the team adopted their name.
The Mud Hens currently play at Fifth Third Field, at 406 Washington Street. The stadium, built in 2002, was named the best minor league ballpark in America by Newsweek. Fifth Third Field is in virtually the same location, between Washington and Monroe Streets in downtown Toledo, as the first professional baseball stadium in the city, built in 1883. The new stadium replaced Ned Skeldon Stadium, located in suburban Maumee, as the Mud Hens Home -- the older facility being best described as "quaint" or "rustic".
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The mascot's name is Muddy, and the female mascot is Muddonna. |
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The Mud Hens were the favorite team of the character Max Klinger, played by actor Jamie Farr of Toledo on M*A*S*H. The Mud Hens are also mentioned in the children's book Maniac Magee. In the motion picture Major League they were referenced as coach Lou Brown's former team. One of the most famous Mud Hens alumni is Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett.
The Mud Hens are always at or near the top of that list every year! It's proven the test of time and is considered an all-time classic logo, virtually untouched for over 40 years. Thanks for creating a classic!
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