THE BEGININGS

For decades, a small group of friends from Robbinsdale and North Minneapolis spent summers playing baseball whenever the opportunity arose. From home run derbies to pick-up street games, this close-knit squad remained connected throughout the years, even as they played for different schools and teams during their young careers—often facing each other on the field. Off the diamond, they stayed close. After bouncing around between community college teams and a few beer leagues, one of the members decided it was time to reassemble and form a collective baseball team once again.

LAKERS ARE BORN
 

With a solid foundation already in place, new manager Josh Donovan brought in a mix of friends, family members and some free agents to complete the team. Inspired by the original Minneapolis Lakers (a nod to the fact that this close-knit group of friends also shared a passion for basketball), the team was born. Although this team of friends already boasted a rich history and chemistry, they needed to shake off the rust and regain their form.

 

Playing their inaugural season at Dick Cassidy Field, the Lakers encountered some growing pains, managing only two wins. However, there were glimmers of a bright future to come. One notable highlight was John Carr's impressive 15-strikeout performance against the defending champions. Additionally, Ben Anderson showed promise by winning the league batting title (.581) in the Lakers inaugural season. They were also one of the Top Ten offensive teams in the league in its first summer.

 

The following fall, Donovan literally took the team’s money and ran, only to be seen years later playing for a different team in the league. Lars Larson filled in as Fall manager and Ben Anderson stepped up to assume manager duties in the summer. The team showed improvement in the win column, but injuries and the persistent problem of inconsistent starting pitching and defense once again hampered the Lakers’ season. John Carr matched his 15-strikeout performance with a clutch win in Princeton. Mike Shanor delivered an MVP year, excelling both at the plate and on the mound. Newcomers Mark Von Ruden, Cans Kronberg, and Mike Mickelson also made a significant impression.

 

The following summer the Lakers revamped their roster, adding catcher Pat Hanlon and utility man Joe Nadolney. Lars Larson took over full-time manager duties and brought some aspirin along with him. Although the Lakers remained one of the league’s top-hitting teams, their inability to cross the plate often enough, combined with poor defense and mediocre pitching, resulted in missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. That season also marked their move to Frank Quilici Field.

 

HOWL

The fourth season brought significant changes, including a rebranding from the Lakers to the Grays. New logos, uniforms, and teammates helped propel the franchise into its most successful season so far. Midway through the season, newcomer Kyle Krotzer joined the team and finished second in the league in ERA, leading the team in wins and helping secure a playoff berth. Mike Shanor pitched a no-hitter, while Mark Von Ruden was having one of his best seasons before suffering a season-ending injury. The bats were hot, with Steve Cupryna posting incredible numbers to earn MVP honors. Ben Anderson, Joe Nadolney, and Shanor also made a significant impact at the plate.

 

 

GAME CHANGER
 

The Grays stepped up and became one of the top-tier teams in the league, consistently winning eight or more games each summer and often contending for division crowns. They regularly qualified for the playoffs, though early exits were common. However, the addition of Jon Widerski completely transformed the future of the team. Widerski brought professionalism and his powerful bat to the lineup, and brining leadership and a quiet confidence to the team.
 

During this period, the Grays also boasted two league batting champions: Tom Stephney (.524) in 2014 and Mike Shanor (.568) in 2016. From 2014 to 2016, the Wolves posted a record of 26-13 and reached the semifinals once.

STORM THE CASTLE
 

It was time to move on from Quilici Field in Minneapolis and into a much nicer home. The Grays were invited to call the beautiful Castle Field in Anoka their new ballpark, and they gladly accepted. Along with the move, the team added Rob Wyse, putting a proven winner on the mound. In their first season at Castle, they won ten games and reached the semifinals.
 

The 2018 season was a real highlight. Jon Widerski made history by winning the league’s first-ever Triple Crown (.636 batting average, 4 home runs, 27 RBIs). The team also acquired cannon-armed Michael Crane to add more power to the lineup and strengthen the outfield defense. The pups again won ten games and narrowly lost a heartbreaking game in the semifinals.
 

The following season, the Grays added Jack Nelson to the roster. The flamethrower didn’t disappoint, helping lead the team to another ten-win season. As the #2 seed, the Grays were upset in the first round of the playoffs. Little did they know that would be the last TCMABL game they would ever play. Several players celebrated their tenth anniversary with the club—a decade of baseball and calling the Wolves their summer family.

 

MOVE TO THE FEDERAL

 

After a delay to the 2020 season due to COVID-19, uncertainty loomed over whether the league would even play. Waiting until June for a decision, the TCMABL announced the cancellation of the 2020 season—the only league in Minnesota to do so—and the Grays found themselves left holding the bat bag. GM Larson made a midnight call to secure a late entry for the team into the Federal League, ensuring they could continue playing. The team was unanimously accepted into the league.

 

The shortened season was highlighted by three new Wolves—Fritz Coyro, Joey Olson, and Tony Boxwell—who all made significant contributions and played a key role in the Grays winning thirteen games overall. The team finished second in the East Division and navigated a tough AAA playoff bracket, knocking off defending three time State Champion Elko before falling in the semifinals to eventual State Champion Lakeville, 8-6, after a dramatic ninth-inning rally with two outs.

 

The atmosphere, ballparks, and overall joy of playing baseball in the Federal League made the Grays an easy choice to stay in the league moving forward. 

NEW FOUNDATION

 

2021 brought the first division championship in Grays history. The team was strengthened by Jack Nelson, who moved into a full-time pitching role, and newcomers Billy Diaz and Alex Gonzalez. Mike Dougherty, AJ Nunez, and Matt Carter added depth. Widerski led the league in hitting with a .565 average.

 

The Grays reached the AAA semifinals for the second straight year, where they fell to New Market. They also qualified for the unified 35+ State Tournament, pitting Federal League teams against MSMABA teams, but lost to Apple Valley in the opening round. Then the Grays packed their bags and headed to Arizona for the first time to compete in the MSBL 35+ World Series. They made a strong showing, reaching the Sweet Six. Confidence—and a foundation for what was to come—was building.

 

The following season, 2022, was seen as the final pillar before greatness. The Grays added Dan Skog, Matt Johnson, Dustin Rode, Naha Martinez, and Jeff Amann. Meanwhile, team veterans Patrick Hanlon, Joe Nadolney, and Michael Shanor left, unhappy with the team’s direction. Jon Widerski was also planning for 2022 to be his final season in baseball. The team wanted to win one for Jon.

 

 

The Grays won the division again, finishing 19–1, led by Olson’s league-best .562 batting average and Alex Gonzalez’s seven wins. In one of the best semifinal games in Federal League history, the Grays beat Lakeville 2–1, scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh. Jon Widerski delivered the walk-off hit against the Lobos.

 

For the first time in franchise history, the Grays advanced to the championship game. The celebration was short-lived, however, as they fell to the East Metro Mammoth. The Grays hosted the 35+ State Tournament at Castle Field, but lost to the Mammoth in the semifinals. They returned to Arizona, where they had a tougher year in the desert, finishing 3–3–1 and losing in the first round of the playoffs.

DYNASTY
 

The 2023 season was something special. With Widerski retired, the Grays reshaped the lineup, adding Nick Larson, Jon Klapperich, Bub Lovas, and Joe Tupy. Larson hit a Federal League single-season record .667, and the Grays won their third straight division title, finishing 17–1. The pitching staff posted a combined 0.98 ERA, led by Jack Nelson’s seven wins and 0.21 ERA.

 

Minnoka swept through the AAA bracket, finally beating the Mammoth and New Market twice over the two playoff weekends. The Grays then beat the Northerns 6–1 to win the first championship in team history. Former Grays Shane Huston and Ben Anderson were on hand to celebrate with the team.

 

The celebration continued in Luxemburg, Minnesota, at the last unified 35+ State Tournament. The Grays made quick work of Burnsville and Mankato, then beat the Mammoth 2–0 in the final to win the last unified 35+ State Championship. The Grays would be the last team to hold the Herb Carneal Trophy.

 

The Grays returned to Arizona full of confidence. After starting 1–2, they won seven straight games, including an extra-inning quarterfinal victory over Long Island and a semifinal win over the familiar Mammoth. They went on to beat Houston in the championship game, led by Dan Skog’s tremendous tournament performance. Skog was named World Series MVP. The Grays claimed league, state, and national titles, finishing the 2023 season as 35+ National Champions.

 

In 2024, the Grays had a repeat on their minds. With Dustin Wolf joining the team, they went right back to work and won the division for the fourth year in a row. From July onward, the Grays didn’t lose, putting together an 18-game winning streak. That incredible run included another AAA championship, with a win over New Market in the final.

 

In Arizona, the Grays went 6–0 in pool play, then beat Utah and Indianapolis to reach the championship game and a rematch with Houston. They held a late lead in the seventh but ran out of gas in the final innings, losing to the Gamblers. Still, they came home as MSBL World Series runners-up.

 

In 2025, the Grays added Doug Groebner, Taylor Nelson, Casey Van Krevlen, Ryan Bruns, and Ben Schroeder—a group perhaps as talented as any they’d brought in since 2020. They lived up to expectations, helping the Grays win their fifth straight division title and make another run in the AAA playoffs.

 

After losing to the Mammoth in the semifinals, the Grays beat the Minnetonka Saints to set up another championship matchup with the Mammoth. The Grays had to win twice—and win twice they did, taking the games 6–4 and 9–2 to complete a “three-peat” of AAA championships in especially rewarding fashion. Only one other team in league history had won three AAA titles in a row. Now the Grays were the second franchise to do it, cementing their status as a dynasty in Anoka.

 

The Grays headed back to Arizona, finished 5–1 in pool play, and fell to Houston again in the semifinals.

 

In 2026, the Grays won their sixth straight division title, finishing 17–1. In the AAA bracket, Minnoka won its opening-round game against Elko but fell to Rosemount in the first weekend—the team’s first early exit since 2021.

 

The Grays battled back, beating a gauntlet of top teams—St. Louis Park, East Metro, and Minnetonka—to earn their way back to the championship game for the fifth year in a row. There, they faced Rosemount again. The Pipers struck first, and a couple of questionable calls quelled the Grays’ comeback attempt. Minnoka fell 7–5.