Double-A · Eastern League · Akron, Ohio, US · 7 17 Credit Union Park
Akron RubberDucks
Named for Akron's proud legacy as the Rubber Capital of the World, the RubberDucks have become one of the Eastern League's premier franchises—a development pipeline that has funneled talent to the Cleveland Guardians for nearly three decades while building a beloved identity of their own.
The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, playing in the Eastern League at Canal Park (now branded as 7 17 Credit Union Park) in downtown Akron, Ohio. The franchise arrived in Akron in 1997 after a long journey through multiple cities—from Lynn, Massachusetts, to Vermont, to Canton-Akron—before settling permanently in the city's revitalized downtown. Originally known as the Akron Aeros, the team rebranded as the RubberDucks in 2014, embracing the city's industrial heritage as the former rubber manufacturing capital of the world.
Canal Park has been central to Akron's downtown revival since it opened in 1997, drawing fans with its intimate setting and views of the city skyline. The ballpark has consistently ranked among the best facilities in minor league baseball and has served as a proving ground for a remarkable list of future major leaguers, including CC Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, Francisco Lindor, and Shane Bieber, among many others who passed through on their way to Cleveland.
On the field, the franchise has been one of the Eastern League's most successful. The Aeros won league championships in 2003 and 2005, and the RubberDucks captured the title in 2016 and again in 2021. The 2002 squad posted a 93-48 record, one of the highest win totals in Eastern League history. The team has been a consistent contender, providing the Guardians organization with a steady stream of talent and winning baseball.
In December 2025, the franchise was sold by longtime owner Ken Babby's Fast Forward Sports Group to Prospector Baseball Group, co-founded by former Brooklyn Nets CEO John Abbamondi and tech entrepreneur Ben Boyer. The new ownership group has expressed commitment to continuing the RubberDucks' tradition as a community cornerstone and player development hub.