TOLEDO MUD HENS
Fifth Third Field
The most famous minor league franchise name in American sports and the park that houses it. The Toledo Mud Hens — named after the coots and marsh birds of the Maumee River valley — became nationally famous when Corporal Max Klinger wore a Mud Hens jersey in 'M*A*S*H' for seven seasons. Fifth Third Field opened in 2002 in downtown Toledo and is consistently one of the top-attended AAA parks in the country.
PHOTO: MrJacon000 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Architecture & History
Fifth Third Field was designed by HKS Inc. and opened April 18, 2002, replacing the aging Lucas County Recreation Center.
The Toledo Mud Hens are the most famous minor league franchise name in American sports, primarily because Corporal Maxwell Klinger wore a Mud Hens jersey in M*A*S*H for seven seasons.
Tony Packo's Café — the Toledo Hungarian hot dog restaurant featured repeatedly in M*A*S*H — has been a Toledo institution since 1932 and operates a concession stand at Fifth Third Field.
Build specs
- ARCHITECT
- HKS Inc.
- CAPACITY
- 10,300
- OPENED
- April 18, 2002
- TEAM FAME
- Mud Hens — most famous MiLB name via M*A*S*H
Statues & Exterior
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Warehouse District Location
Fifth Third Field sits in Toledo's revitalized Warehouse District, helping transform the area into a vibrant entertainment destination.
Maumee River Proximity
The nearby Maumee River and Promenade Park are within walking distance, adding to the ballpark experience.
Names & History
2002–present
Fifth Third Field
Named for Fifth Third Bank.
Also known as
The Food
Ohio Sweet Corn Elote
Ohio sweet corn served Mexican-style with cotija cheese, chili powder, lime juice, and crema.
Ohio Sweet Corn Elote
Ohio Eats stands — main concourse
Ohio sweet corn served Mexican-style — corn on the cob rolled in cotija cheese, chili powder, lime juice, and crema.
Swamp Dog
Various stands
The Toledo take on the standard ballpark hot dog with Maumee River Swamp heritage reference.
Tony Packo's Hungarian Hot Dog
Tony Packo's stand — main concourse
Tony Packo's Café, the Toledo institution since 1932 made famous in M*A*S*H. Their Hungarian hot dog with distinctive chili sauce.
Steve's Deli Reuben
Steve's Deli stand
Steve's Deli, the Toledo Jewish deli tradition. The Reuben on rye is the correct deli order.
Ballpark Nachos
Every stand
Standard loaded nachos with jalapeños, cheese, and the Ohio agricultural toppings program.
The Beer
Maumee Bay Brewing Fallen Timbers Red Ale
Maumee Bay Brewing · Toledo, OH
Maumee Bay is the most locally specific craft at Fifth Third Field.
Toledo Brewing Crafted Lager
Toledo Brewing Company · Toledo, OH
Toledo Brewing has craft options at specialty bars.
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
Great Lakes Brewing · Cleveland, OH
Great Lakes, the Ohio craft pioneer, has a presence at specialty stands.
Bud Light
Anheuser-Busch
Volume beer throughout.
Sun & Weather Guide
Ohio summer heat — standard conditions
Toledo summer day games have standard Ohio River basin heat and humidity.
Toledo summer evenings — comfortable
Evening games at Fifth Third Field in the Toledo summer are comfortable.
Main concourse — the M*A*S*H connection
Finding the Tony Packo's stand and ordering the Hungarian hot dog is the cultural experience of Fifth Third Field.
Toledo spring — variable
Toledo spring weather is variable. April games can be cold off Lake Erie; May is usually pleasant.
Full sun afternoon left field
Left field bleacher seating is fully exposed in afternoon games.
Toledo skyline visible from upper level
The Toledo skyline and the Fifth Third Center tower are visible from the upper deck.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Get a Tony Packo's Hungarian hot dog. Tony Packo's has been on Front Street in Toledo since 1932. Klinger mentioned it in M*A*S*H so many times that people across the country know the name.
The Mud Hens Name
Buy a Mud Hens hat or jersey. The best team name in professional sports.
Parking Reality
Downtown Toledo parking garages surround Fifth Third Field. Walkable from most downtown hotels.
Best Value Seat
The outfield berm and bleacher areas offer the lowest price points. Third base boxes have the best afternoon shade.
Pilgrim Stops Near Toledo
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
Tower of VW Bugs
Five colorfully painted 1960s Volkswagen Beetles stacked on top of each other in a pawn shop parking lot in Defiance. A mannequin climbs out of the fourth one. This is art.
Tony Packo's Hot Dog Bun Museum
Toledo's legendary Hungarian hot dog joint since 1930. Celebrities sign a plastic hot dog bun instead of a menu. Burt Reynolds signed a real bun. M*A*S*H's Klinger made this place famous.
Toledo Museum of Art
One of America's finest art museums, free, in the glass capital — with a building made of glass.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Toledo and beyond.
Start Planning →