Tyler Wildcatters

Updated on Oct 22, 2023

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League Texas–Louisiana League Year folded 1997 Founded 1994 Ballpark Mike Carter Field		Year founded 1994 Colors Teal Black Mascot Rigger WildCatter Color Teal Black
General Manager Lee Smith (1994) Joe Scrivner (1995-96) Mark O’Brien (1996–97) Location Tyler, Texas, United States Managers Bill Stein, Wayne Krenchicki, Dave Hilton, Darrell Evans

The Tyler WildCatters were a minor league baseball team located in Tyler, Texas. The team, which existed from 1994 to 1997, played in the independent Texas–Louisiana League, and was un-affiliated with any major league baseball team. Their home stadium was historic Mike Carter Field, which has been home to various professional, semi-professional, and collegiate Baseball teams dating back to 1941.

Notable WildCatters

Greg Brummett – Played for the WildCatters in 1996; made a brief appearance in 1993 with the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants.

Larry Carter – Played for the WildCatters in 1994; The only WildCatter to throw a no-hitter (a 4-0 Tyler victory on June 21, 1994 against the Beaumont Bullfrogs); served as WildCatters' pitching coach for all four seasons of the team's existence; played for the San Francisco Giants in 1992.

Sean Collins – Played for the WildCatters from 1995–1997; the WildCatters' all-time leader in runs (176), triples (12) and stolen bases (82); played seven seasons of professional Baseball (1989–1990, 1994–1998) -- peaking at the Double-A level with the Tulsa Drillers in 1998; appeared in the 1991 movie Talent For The Game, starring Edward James Olmos and Lorraine Bracco.

Darrell Evans – Managed the WildCatters in 1997; played a 19-year major league career from 1969 to 1988 with the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Detroit Tigers.

Dave Hilton – Managed the WildCatters in 1996; played a four-year major league career with the San Diego Padres beginning in 1972.

Jessie Hollins – Played for the WildCatters in 1997; appeared with the Chicago Cubs in 1992.

Billy Johnson – Played for the WildCatters in 1994 and 1996; the WildCatters' all-time pitching leader in victories (17), strikeouts (182) and innings pitched (234.2); played six seasons of professional Baseball (1989–1992, 1994, 1996) -- peaking at the Class A level with the Charleston Wheelers (1990–1991) and the Waterloo Diamonds in 1992.

Wayne Krenchicki – Managed the WildCatters in 1995; played in the majors from 1979–1986 with the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Montreal Expos.

Ken Patterson – Played for the WildCatters in 1996; played a six-year major league career from 1988 to 1994 with the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs and California Angels.

Todd Rizzo – Played for the WildCatters in 1994; played for the Chicago White Sox from 1998–1999.

Ken Shamburg – Played for the WildCatters from 1994–1996; the WildCatters' all-time leader in games played (286), at-bats (1,061), hits (317), doubles (82), home runs (45), runs batted in (192) and walks (134); played eleven seasons of professional Baseball (1989–1999) -- peaking at the Triple-A level with the Rochester Red Wings for portions of the 1990–1992 seasons and with the Denver Zephyrs in 1992.

Bill Stein – Managed the WildCatters in 1994; played a 13-year career beginning in 1972 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.

References

Tyler Wildcatters Wikipedia

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