The Batavia Giants, sometimes referred to as the Reds because of their crimsons uniforms,[1] were the first classified team in the city making their debut - after some rainouts - on May 14, 1897, against the Auburn franchise at a stadium built on Swan Street; future major leaguer Jack Burns batted third and played shortstop.

J.J. Benner took over the club as team captain and acting manager, however play did not improve and he was replaced by former major leaguer Joe Hornung who was named player-manager on May 24, he made his debut in the lineup on June 14 at 40 years old, going hitless.

That season the Class-C New York State League also consisted of teams in Canandaigua, Cortland, Lyons, Palmyra, and Auburn.

From 1988 through the 1997 season the team brought back the historic Batavia Clippers name before changing to the Muckdogs in 1998 based on a fan poll that chose the nickname and logo.

On September 28, 2012, the Muckdogs announced they had signed a two-year player development contract with the Miami Marlins who were affiliated with the Jamestown Jammers from 2002 to 2011.

[10] Under the terms of the surrender, if the NYPL sells the franchise, the Red Wings and Genesee County Baseball Club each will receive 45% of the proceeds, with the league keeping a 10% fee for themselves.

The Muckdogs were one of two NYPL brands to make the transfer at that time (the Auburn Doubledays being the other); the Jamestown Jammers had previously made a similar transition in 2015.

[14] Baker also is credited as being the first African-American manager in Major League History when he filled in after ejections, however, Frank Robinson was the first ever hired full time.

The 1986 Batavia Trojans featured a short-season team record of eight future Major Leaguers on the roster — Jim Bruske, Tommy Hinzo, Tom Lampkin, Troy Neel, Bruce Egloff, Jeff Shaw, Joe Skalski, and Kevin Wickander—while affiliated with the Cleveland Indians.

Batavia has been no-hit 15 times and thrown 5 no-hitters, however they are one of only two teams in league history who went on to win a game they had been no hit in when they defeated Newark 2–0 on August 3, 1973, for a record of 5–13 overall.

On June 24, 2015, three Batavia pitchers (Gabriel Castellanos, Brett Lilek, Steven Farnworth) combined for the teams first perfect game in history against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

The team also made playoff appearances as the wild card in 1999 and 2000 where they lost in the semi-finals, as well as 1997 when they advanced to the league championship where they were defeated by the Pittsfield Mets.

[citation needed] The 1946 season saw Batavia and Jamestown finish tied with a record of 84 wins and 41 losses to claim a share of the league championship.

Lefty Ron Fiorella was the winning pitcher for the Pirates while Jim Hassett also hit a home run during the deciding game.

In Game One, played in Batavia, the Yankees defeated the Trojans 5-2 behind the pitching of southpaw Chris Welsh, who struck out 11 batters.

Future Major League Baseball star Willie McGee played centerfield for the Yankees, Sal Rende and Jerry Dybzinski homered for the Trojans.

Batavia won the Stedler Division with a record of 41 wins and 34 losses under manager Al LeBoeuf before losing in the semifinals to eventual champion the Watertown Indians.

[citation needed] Batavia clinched the wild-card playoff spot in 1997 finishing with a record of 47 wins and 27 losses under manager Greg Legg.

Team leaders included Gary Burham with a .325 average, 22 doubles, and 94 hits; future major leaguer Andy Dominique with 14 home runs; Jason Johnson with 20 stolen bases and 5 triples; Rusty McNamara with 54 RBIs; Derek Adair with 7 wins; clay Eason with a 0.92 ERA; and Brett Black with 15 saves.

Batavia finished with a record of 42 wins and 34 losses one game behind division champion the Mahoning Valley Scrappers under manager Greg Legg.

Team leaders include future major league outfielder Marlon Byrd with 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, 72 hits; Shomari Beverly with 13 doubles; Tom Batson with a .298 average; Brad Pautz with 8 wins; Ryan Brookman with a 0.46 ERA; Justin Fry with 6 saves.

Batavia finished with a record of 39 wins and 37 losses during the 2000 season under manager Frank Klebe earning a playoff spot as a wild card, eventually losing to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the semi-finals for the second year in a row.

Future major leaguer Travis Chapman lead the team in hitting with a .316 average, other team leaders included Dario Delgado with 40 RBIs and 7 home runs; Scott Youngbauer with 16 doubles; Jason Barnette with 67 hits; Anthony Hensley with 43 stolen bases; Dan Adams with a 2.17 ERA; Trevor Bullock with six wins.

Team leaders included Jermaine Curtis and Colt Sedbrook with a .305 average; Chris Swauger with 7 home runs; Shane Peterson with 20 doubles and 67 hits; Jose Garcia with 48 runs; Ramón Delgado with 6 wins; Thomas Eager with a 1.76 ERA; and Adam Reifer 22 saves The Muckdogs won the 2010 Pinckney Division championship under manager Dann Bilardello with a record of 45 wins and 29 losses, clinching against the Jamestown Jammers on September 1 at Russell Diethrick Park in Jamestown, New York.

Team leaders included Nic Ready with 10 home runs, 47 RBI's, and tied a league record of 30 doubles; JD Orr with a .352 batting average and 29 stolen bases; Julio Frias lead the pitching staff with 5 victors - tied with Jackson Rose- while striking out 73 over 70 innings; Evan Brabrand had a 1.29 ERA in the closer role compiling 13 saves; Edgar Martinez lead the team with 72 innings pitched.

In more recent years, the two largest crowds happened on July 27, 2019, with 2,779 fans packing the stadium thanks to a promotion from local company Tompkins Insurance that bought anyone who wanted to attend a ticket.

updated August 8, 2022 Five-time National Hockey League (NHL) all-star Murray Oliver played for Batavia during the 1958 season.