Viral Hall of Fame
The Kalamazoo Growlers have created viral sensations including 6-year-old Coach Drake, “Securing the Streaker”, the Mac Daddies and more.
At the heart of every fun and viral sensation is the beloved reaction from local and nationwide fans.
We couldn’t be more thankful for the support our community has given us and the laughters shared from community members around the nation.
Here are some of our favorites.
6-YEAR-OLD COACH DRAKE
The world’s first every 6-year-old coach made his Growlers debut in 2019.
Coach Drake became famous for his tantrums.
He holds the record for the most ejections in Northwoods League history and it isn’t particularly close.
Coach Drake’s ejections were seen millions of times online and was featured on “CBS This Morning” and multiple Japanese News Networks.
“THE STREAKER”
Tik Tok Star Frankie and his major “asset” has not once, but twice crashed Growlers games.
Each time he interrupted games by streaking across the field.
Luckily our security team was able to apprehend him each time.
The videos of Frankie streaking amassed tens of millions of views across social media, even being reposted by Snoop Dogg.
THE MACDADDIES
The MacDaddies formed in 2020. They got their start as the third team in the Southwest Michigan Pod during the COVID-19 pandemic riddled season.
The team won the pod championship and have been a Growlers alternate identity ever since.
The MacDaddies dance team formed in 2021 and the cheesiest team in baseball was featured on SportsCenter and have sold merchandise across the United States.
BANG ENERGY CELEBRATION
The celebration heard around the world.
In 2021, Nolan McCarthy crushed a home run to left-field. Upon crossing home plate, McCarthy was tossed a BANG energy drink.
He caught the can, spiked it off of his cleat and shotgunned it.
The video was seen millions of times and was picked up multiple national news outlets.
SELFIE JERSEY
The word “selfie” was added to the dictionary in 2013.
And in 2014, the Growlers created a jersey comprised of only selfies.
The team encouraged fans to submit a selfie of themselves to be featured on the jersey. People from across the country heard the news and submitted their photo.
The rest is history.
HOME RUN DERBIES
During the 2020 COVID-19 riddled season, the Growlers had to find ways to add fun to the games after restrictions took away other entertainment.
The team added home run derbies before every single game.
The Growlers became the first team in history to start every game with a home run derby.
BEAR CLAW BURGER
The Bear Claw Burger debited during the Growlers first season in 2014.
The burger was a half-pound angus patty topped with BBQ pulled pork, mac & cheese, and cole slaw.
It was piled between two Sweetwater’s Donut Mill Bear Claw Donuts.
The Bear Claw Burger was featured on “Good Morning America.”
JACKED BASEBALL
Jacked Baseball debuted in 2024 with the creation of the Northern Nut Smugglers team of celebrity influencers playing against the Kalamazoo Growlers All-Stars in an innovative exhibition game.
The game features a new format and rules with rosters featuring celebrities, influencers with combined 50M+ followers, former MLB players, college baseball all-stars and more.
TikTok star Frankie Lapenna (16 million), the Momentum Sports team (1 million), baseball personality Stephen Schoch (250 thousand), Allen Ferrell (4 million), brendenlmao (6.4 million), Matt Wurning, (1 million), Keegan Kevesdy (2.4 million), Lou Balance (500 thousand), Austin Schultz (200 thousand), 1hunnaG (650 thousand), Tucker Genal (2 million), Carson Genal (2 million) and more.
The Momentum Sports team featured Eric Sim aka King of JUCO, Tosh Semlacher, Cole Acheronti, Marika Lyszczyk, Kevin Chan and more.
The Growlers All-Stars roster featured 6x MLB All-Star and 2x World Series champion Jose Canseco. Along with Detroit Tiger and MLB home run leader Darrell Evans and the Growlers famous 9-yr old Coach Drake. Growlers Hall of Famer Adam Wheaton will get the start for the Growlers All-Stars on the mound. Other roster highlights include Growlers all-time home run leader Banks Tolley, former Savannah Bananas and Party Animals players, and more.
“BANFRED”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred came under fire in 2022 during the MLB lockout.
Manfred made decisions to reduce the fun of baseball.
This included limiting home run celebrations, bat flips, etc.
The Growlers pride themselves on fun and therefore the team instituted a lifetime ban from Growlers games.
The decision garnered millions of likes and shares on social media and news outlets across the United States.