Here are the teams that will take the field for HRDX Fort Wayne
Michael Clair
@michaelsclairWhen Home Run Derby X takes over Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Saturday, you may notice that there's actually four different teams competing. Yes, in addition to the endless bushel of homers, the HRDX players will be suiting up in four different uniforms that the TinCaps wear -- each with deep historic or cultural ties to the region.
What's the story behind the different teams? Glad you asked.
TinCaps
If you thought that the legend of Johnny Appleseed was just that -- a tall tale, a myth like Paul Bunyan -- you'd be wrong. Johnny Appleseed -- real name Jonathan Chapman -- was not only a real person who spread apple seeds across the United States, but he lived and was buried in Fort Wayne, too.
When the then-Fort Wayne Wizards moved into Parkview Field in 2009, they wanted to update their name. Taking inspiration from the apocryphal headwear that Mr. Appleseed was thought to wear, the team took on the TinCap as their moniker. Probably makes a little more sense that the logo features an apple now, too.
Former Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, Ole Miss softball star and U.S. Women's National Team third baseman Ashton Lansdell and local University of Saint Francis ballplayer Sam Pesa will be lining up as the TinCaps for HRDX.
Manzanas Luchadoras
Translating to "Fighting Apples," this moniker was adopted by the TinCaps for the Minor Leagues' Copa de la Diversi¨®n in 2020. Inspired by Lucha Libre wrestling, which blends athletic wrestling with vibrant costumes and masks, the Luchadoras uniforms are a vibrant green and red. The logo, naturally, dons a mask now, too.
Brewers Hall of Famer Carlos G¨®mez, softball star and College World Series winner Paige Halstead, and Indiana Tech sophomore Jack Ferguson will represent the Luchadoras.
Hoosier State Tenderloins
Though it may not be the official state sandwich, the fried pork tenderloin sandwich is an Indiana state specialty. Until the state legislature takes up the cause, the TinCaps will do the work themselves and play as the Hoosier State Tenderloins -- a sandwich originating from Nick's Kitchen in Huntington, Ind., a 25 mile trip from Parkview Field.
Introduced in 2023, the team celebrates the sandwich with an annual series where the uniforms are worn, tenderloin sandwiches are sold on the concourse, and ground pork is donated to the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northern Indiana.
Yankees World Series winner Nick Swisher, two-time US Sportswoman of the Year Award winner Alex Hugo, and All-Horizon League Freshman Team ballplayer Justin Osterhouse will don the Tenderloins jerseys for HRDX.
Fort Wayne Daisies
Replacing the Minneapolis Millerettes, the Fort Wayne Daisies were an All-American Girls Professional Baseball team from 1945-54. The team's star players were sisters Joanne Weaver and Betty Foss (she played as Weaver until marrying). Weaver set the single-season AAGPBL record for batting average with a .429 mark in '54, when she also won the Player of the Year Award, while Foss was a two-time batting champ and is known as one of the best hitters in league history.
The TinCaps began honoring the Daisies with specialty uniforms in 2023, even helping install a monument to the team at nearby Memorial Park.
¡°The fact that we¡¯re able to shine a spotlight on them, they hold a place in our community¡¯s heart ¡ just to be able to show that we¡¯re proud of them and excited that Fort Wayne has the Daisies," Michael Limmer, vice president of marketing for the TinCaps, said in 2023. ¡°It¡¯s just a small token of appreciation, but we hope that it makes an impact and we¡¯re able to educate another generation that the Daisies existed and why and the role that they played.¡±
Cubs World Series winner Dexter Fowler, all-time NCAA HR leader Jocelyn Alo and junior Taylor University ballplayer Sam Gladd will be representing the Daisies on Saturday.