Mud Hens mourn the loss of longtime broadcaster Jim Weber
August 2, 2024 – It is with great sadness that the Toledo Mud Hens announce the passing of longtime play-by-play announcer Jim Weber. Weber served as “Voice of the Hens” for 49 years. The Toledo native first took to the airwaves for the Mud Hens on April 12, 1975, calling
August 2, 2024 – It is with great sadness that the Toledo Mud Hens announce the passing of longtime play-by-play announcer Jim Weber. Weber served as “Voice of the Hens” for 49 years. The Toledo native first took to the airwaves for the Mud Hens on April 12, 1975, calling the team’s road game against Charleston, West Virginia. From that moment, he became a staple of the ball club and never missed a game. During his career, he called over 6,000 consecutive games for the team.
"Jim Weber will forever be synonymous with Toledo Mud Hens baseball,” said Erik Ibsen, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Toledo Mud Hens. He was a complete icon, a legend in his field and a good friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and had the pleasure of listening to him call games for nearly 50 years.”
Weber achieved numerous accomplishments in his broadcasting career, including calling the Mud Hens’ Governors Cup Championship teams in 2005 and 2006. He was also awarded the play-by-play duties of two International League All-Star contests in 1990 (in Las Vegas) and when the game was held at Fifth Third Field in 2006. He was inducted into the IL Hall of Fame as a first ballot inductee in 2014.
“As players have come and gone over the years, Jim was a staple of Mud Hens baseball for nearly 50 years,” said Neil Neukam, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Toledo Walleye. “An amazing accomplishment that I don’t believe we will ever see again in Minor League Baseball. A first ballot International League Hall of Famer, with a style all his own, I will miss Jim, his play-by-play, his stories and his uncanny ability to always make me laugh.”
"Jim's folksy, homespun storytelling on Hens' broadcasts has been delightfully unique,” said Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye President and CEO Joe Napoli. He was a Hens' family heirloom...irreplaceable. Whenever we spent time together – in person or listening or watching – I would smile, and more often than not, laugh out loud. Just like our fans, I was a fan, too, and will miss Jim's playful personality.”
Hens' eight-game home win streak falls to the I-Cubs
TOLEDO, OH - After back-to-back walk-off wins, the Toledo Mud Hens hit a mid-series lull against the Iowa Cubs Thursday night. With struggles offensively throughout the Toledo lineup and the hot bats of the I-Cubs, the Hens fell 12-0. With Keider Montero joining the Detroit Tigers in Colorado for game
Jones secures second-straight walk off against Cubs
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens earned their second-straight walk off with a 2-1 victory against the Iowa Cubs Wednesday afternoon. Toledo struggled to bring in runners throughout the game, but their excellent pitching kept them in it. On his second rehab game as the designated hitter, Matt Vierling
Hens walk it off in dramatic fashion in Tuesday win to Iowa
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Iowa Cubs in Game 1 of the homestand on May 6 in 10 innings, securing a 5-4 walk-off victory. The Hens sent right-handed pitcher Wilkel Hernandez (1-0, 2.70 ERA) to the mound, while the Cubs countered with fellow righty Peter Solomon
Mud Hens power past Red Sox to win series finale
Worcester, MA-The Toledo Mud Hens wrapped up their six-game series against the Worcester Red Sox on Sunday, May 4, at Polar Park with a hard-fought 7-3 win. Toledo got the offense rolling in the top of the third when catcher Brian Serven launched a solo shot over the left field
Four home runs and strong relief power Hens over WooSox
TOLEDO, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Worcester Red Sox 7-2 on Saturday afternoon at Polar Park. John Brebbia took the mound on Major League Rehab Assignment for the Mud Hens, while Brian Van Belle slung the pill for the WooSox. Toledo threatened right away, as a leadoff
Baddoo, Navigato club home runs in loss to WooSox
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Worcester Red Sox 5-2 on Friday night at Polar Park. Keider Montero took the mound for the Mud Hens, while Cooper Criswell toed the rubber for the WooSox. After a scoreless first inning, Worcester found the score column first in
Jones homers in Toledo's first loss in eight games
WORCESTER, MA - Looking to get their ninth-straight win, the Toledo Mud Hens fell short to the Worcester WooSox 7-4. Toledo fell behind early, but always stayed within reach of Worcester’s lead. Standing in the way of the Mud Hens’ quest for nine-straight was Worcester’s Shane Drohan. Drohan has been
Back-to-back bombs and big defense fuels eighth straight victory for Toledo
Worcester, MA-The Toledo Mud Hens took on the Worcester Red Sox in game two of their six game set at Polar Park on Wednesday, April 30. The Hens defense made their presence known early, turning a clutch 9-3 double play in the bottom of the second to cut down a
Serven's four hit night and strong pitching gives Toledo the edge over Worcester
Worcester, MA-The Toledo Mud Hens opened their series against the Worcester Red Sox on Tuesday, April 29, at Polar Park, securing a 4-2 win behind timely hitting and solid pitching. First pitch was at 6:05 p.m. Brewer Hicklen led off the game for Toledo and worked a four-pitch walk. He
Mud Hens blank Storm Chasers, complete six-game sweep
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens wrapped up their series against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Sunday, April 27, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch at 2:05 p.m. Toledo got the offense rolling in the bottom of the second inning. Riley Unroe sparked the rally with a single to right
Mud Hens take both games in doubleheader against Storm Chasers
Game One: TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens put up a crooked number early against the Omaha Storm Chasers, leading to a 3-1 victory. Toledo’s pitching staff combined for ten strikeouts and left eight Storm Chasers stranded on base. With a shortened game, Toledo opted to go with Bailey
Jones, Seelinger star in victory over Omaha
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-4 on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field, taking a 2-0 series lead. Dietrich Enns toed the rubber for the Mud Hens while Luinder Avila took the ball for the Storm Chasers. Omaha wasted no time, as former
Jones walks it off in third straight win against Omaha
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field as they won their third straight game in walk-off fashion. The final score was 4-3. Toledo sent right-hander Wilkel Hernandez to the mound, entering the game 0-0, and a 4.32 ERA.
Mud Hens earn gritty 9-8 walk-off win over Storm Chasers
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Omaha Storm Chasers took the first of their six-game series into a thirteenth inning walk-off win for the Hens Tuesday night. Toledo would ultimately earn the 9-8 victory as they turned to Riley Unroe for pretty much all of their needs.
Mud Hens’ rally falls short in final game against Indians
Indianapolis, IN-The Toledo Mud Hens wrapped up their road trip against the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday, April 20, with first pitch being delivered at 1:35 p.m. Indianapolis came out swinging in the bottom of the first, with Nick Solak launching a two-run homer to left-center-with no outs. Matt Gorski followed
Lockhart earns five strikeouts in duel with No. 14 prospect
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Toledo Mud Hens fell 6-2 to the Indianapolis Indians Saturday night after the Indians broke the game open in the sixth inning. The Hens held their ground in an early-game pitching duel, but things fell apart after Lael Lockhart left the mound. Toledo tried to rally
Hernandez earns eight strikeouts in 5-4 loss in extras
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Toledo Mud Hens lost 5-4 to the Indianapolis Indians in Friday night’s 11 inning matchup. Toledo jumped out to an early lead thanks to two big swings of the bat and the efforts of Wilkel Hernandez who would end his day with eight strikeouts. After going
Baddoo and Serven’s 3-hit night not enough as Mud Hens lose to Indians
Indianapolis, IN-The Toledo Mud Hens squared off against the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday night, April 17, at Victory Field, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. The Mud Hens got the bats going early, as veteran outfielder Ben Gamel led off Toledo’s hit column with a single in the top
Mud Hens battle in extra-innings, fall short to Indians 5-4
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-The Toledo Mud Hens squared off against the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday, April 16, at Victory Field, with first pitch at 11:05 a.m. Hao-Yu Lee sparked the offense early with a leadoff single to left field, but the Mud Hens’ opening momentum was cut short by an inning-ending double