Dating back to 1896, the Toledo Mud Hens are one of the oldest and most popular minor league baseball teams. Recently, my friends and I took a trip to the Glass City to catch a game.

Because the Swamp Angels debuted at Bay View Park, located near marshland populated by American coots, the local press started calling the team the Mud Hens. Like most minor league teams, there were several moves, names and affiliations over the years before the team officially became the Mud Hens in 1965. The Mud Hens have been an affiliate for the Detroit Tigers since 1987.

The Mud Hens have played in Fifth Third Field since 2002. Located in the downtown warehouse district, also called Hensville, it has a capacity of more than 10,000. It is considered one of the most beautiful minor league parks.

In addition to baseball fans, the Mud Hens gained popularity thanks to Toledoan Jamie Farr, whose character Klinger often wore a Mud Hens cap and jersey on the television show M*A*S*H. There is even Jamie Farr Park in Toledo and Klinger’s Korner in the stadium.

As usual, we arrived just as the gates opened. The luxury box area was filled with framed pieces honoring the history of the team. There are three retired jersey numbers, including former catcher Lance Parrish, who I interviewed last year on Talking Travel, current Mud Hens manager and all-time minor league home run leader Mike Hessman, and long-time General Manager Gene Cook.

I Got It, a statue of three young fans attempting to catch a home run, is a popular attraction. Sculpted by Frank Gaylord II, the bronze state was unveiled in 2002.

After circling the concourse, it was time for food. We started at Frogtown Cantina and planned on Mudzarella’s for later inning slices. There were several other good options, including Suds & Wieners, Birdcage Club and Gilhooley’s. We also got soft pretzels and ice cream before leaving.

Introduced in 2003, Muddonna is one of the more interesting mascot names. She is joined by original mascot, Muddy.

The game was a thriller, with the Iowa Cubs edging out the Mud Hens 5–4. The game featured several young stars including Jace Jung and Trei Cruz for the Mud Hens and Moises Ballesteros and B.J. Murray for the Cubs. While we rooted for the Mud Hens, a Cubs win was fine with us, too.

Photo by Tony Feddeler

Photo by Tony Feddeler

We had such a good time on this short trip, we already decided to return for a longer visit next year. There is so much more to do at and near the stadium.

ID 66681355 © Smontgom65 | Dreamstime.com

Photo by Tony Feddeler

— John Wroblewski, online writer