1 President Joe Hart, Owner Andrew Berlin, Cubs President Theo Epstein and Cubs Senior Vice President Jason McLeod n the first six years of his ownership, affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, the additions of the splash pad, the tiki hut, IAndrew Berlin and his staff have turned team was a hit among locals, drawing an and plenty of new food options across the the South Bend baseball franchise from average of 250,000 fans each season. concourse, Four Winds Field has become a rustbelt dud to Minor League gold South Bend has always been known for a destination for baseball fans from across standard. college sports with the University of Notre the country. Dame. However, professional sports were The story of how the Chairman and CEO new on the scene in the late ‘80s. Looking “We needed to improve everything,” of Berlin Packaging acquired the team has back at the numbers, Hart found that Berlin said. “From the cleanliness, to been well documented, including the date baseball fans in South Bend were present, infrastructure, quality of food, sponsorship, down to the minute (November 11, 2011 at but the ballpark amenities and experiences merchandise… everything needed an 11:11am). But what was the secret ingredi- were not up to par. upgrade.” ent that brought new life into a historical ballpark and baseball team that had lost “We immediately joined every chamber of As the franchise made these massive its identity? commerce within 60 miles of the ballpark,” improvements, the fan base in South Bend Hart said. “As much as I wanted the public grew at a rapid pace. “I really had the itch to buy a Major League to come to the ballpark in the first season, team, but I wanted to stay in the Central people needed to know that we were mak- According to Berlin, the biggest accom- Division,” Berlin said when asked why ing much needed upgrades, listening to plishment to date started with bringing in he bought the South Bend Silver Hawks. their concerns about the facility and ameni- the Chicago Cubs to South Bend. When “Unfortunately, no team was for sale, so ties, and we had to gain their trust.” Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer first visited I turned my attention then to the Minor Four Winds Field, Berlin took them around Leagues. Thankfully at the time, the Silver After year one, Berlin and Hart’s next the ballpark; selling them on the South Hawks were for sale.” step of the plan started with building Bend brand, and eventually convincing and revitalizing the front office staff with them that the road to the World Series can Berlin knew he needed help along the way. capable and passionate baseball minds. and will start in South Bend. The Silver Not long after he began his search for a Adding the likes of Nick Brown as Vice Hawks became the South Bend Cubs Team President, one candidate jumped to President, Andy Beuster as an Assistant on September 25, 2014, a monumental the top of his list. After a five-hour meeting, General Manager, and Nick Barkley as achievement for the franchise. Berlin hired Joe Hart. the Director of Food Services gave South Bend a concrete base that set up for a The arrival of the Cubs changed the com- “The franchise at the time was less stable bright future. plexion of South Bend Baseball forever. than I thought it would be,” Hart said. “My Not only was it a smart relationship for last team in Port Charlotte, Florida was “Revitalizing the front office staff was an both sides, but according to Hart, the a brand-new organization. I think coming important step for us,” Hart said. “We South Bend brand is stronger than ever. here to South Bend and completely needed to bring in individuals with the overhauling things here was harder than same mindset and same beliefs.” “Getting the Chicago Cubs to come starting the team in Port Charlotte.” here had a catalyst effect on the entire Just as Berlin did with Hart, the new front community,” Berlin said. “That’s what is In order to plan well for the future, Hart office was carefully selected with qualified so wonderful about baseball and sports. took an in-depth look at the past. people who were up to the challenge. When done right, it has an economic and The task at hand was to transform the positive impact on a community. We’ve Hart knew the South Bend franchise had ballpark physically, but the park needed seen that in spades here in South Bend.” been extremely successful in the past. to be more attractive for both fan experi- Starting in 1988 as the Midwest League ence and monetary reasons. With the 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Team and Season Info League Batting Leaders............................35 Schedule..................................................4-5 League Pitching Leaders..........................36 Front Office.................................................6 Midseason All-Star Team..........................37 Four Winds Field...................................7, 10 South Bend Team Hitting..........................38 Promotional Schedule.................................8 South Bend Team Pitching........................39 Baseball Hall of Fame................................9 Performance Center..................................10 Midwest League......................................40 Owner Andrew Berlin................................11 President Richard “Dick” Nussbaum.........41 Directory....................................................42 2018 South Bend Cubs...........................12 Select Rules..............................................43 Opening Day Roster..................................13 Playoff Format...........................................44 Jimmy Gonzalez........................................14 Beloit Snappers.........................................45 Brian Lawrence.. ......................................14 Bowling Green Hot Rods...........................46 Ricardo Medina.........................................15 Burlington Bees.........................................47 Paul McAnulty...........................................15 Cedar Rapids Kernels...............................48 James Edwards........................................16 Clinton LumberKings.................................49 Ryan Nordtvedt..........................................16 Dayton Dragons........................................50 Cory Abbott...............................................17 Fort Wayne TinCaps..................................51 Jose Albertos............................................17 Great Lakes Loons....................................52 Miguel Amaya...........................................18 Kane County Cougars...............................53 Javier Assad..............................................18 Lake County Captains...............................54 Jhonny Bethencourt..................................19 Lansing Lugnuts........................................55 Jesus Camargo.........................................19 Peoria Chiefs.............................................56 Chris Carrier..............................................20 Quad Cities River Bandits.........................57 Bailey Clark...............................................20 West Michigan Whitecaps.........................58 Michael Cruz.............................................21 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.........................59 Zach Davis................................................21 Map...........................................................60 Christian Donahue....................................22 Mileage Chart............................................60 Austin Filiere.............................................22 Brian Glowicki...........................................23 History......................................................61 Yapson Gomez..........................................23 Franchise, Year by Year............................62 Ben Hecht.................................................24 Franchise Managers.................................62 Brandon Hughes.......................................24 Franchise Postseason Results................ 63 Rollie Lacy................................................25 League Championships............................63 Brendon Little............................................25 South Bend Single-Season Records........64 Rafael Narea.............................................26 South Bend Career Records...............69-74 Tyler Payne...............................................26 South Bend to MLB.............................75-78 Yeiler Peguero...........................................27 All-Time Roster....................................79-84 Manuel Rodrigeuz.....................................27 Chris Singleton..........................................28 Chicago Cubs Organization...................85 Elvis Diaz..................................................28 Front Office...............................................86 Ricky Tyler Thomas...................................29 Affiliates.....................................................87 Erich Uelman.............................................29 2017 Draft Picks........................................88 Jared Young..............................................30 Media Information...................................89 2017 Season Recap.................................31 Media Guidelines......................................90 Regular-Season Standings.......................32 Four Winds Field Ground Rules................91 Playoffs.....................................................33 Game Day Information..............................92