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Joliet, Illinois: Muffler Man - Left Field Louie (Gone)

After every home run slugged by the Joliet JackHammers, Louie emitted "the smoke and sound of a jackhammer, complemented by strobes and spotlighting." 2011: Team sold to Slammers, statue in storage.

Silver Cross Field

Directions:
Silver Cross Field. I-80 exit 132 or 132-B. Drive north on Chicago St. Chicago St. dead ends; turn right onto Washington St., then right again onto Jefferson St./US 30. Drive under the train tracks and turn left onto Mayor Art Schultz Drive. The Stadium will be on the right; drive two blocks to Left Field Louie.
Hours:
Aug 2011 - In storage, reported for sale.
Status:
Gone

Visitor Tips and News About Muffler Man - Left Field Louie

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Muffler Man - Left Field Louie

Left Field Louie is no longer a part of Silver Cross Field. The Joliet Jackhammers team was sold and renamed to the Joliet Slammers. This is the response I received from the new management team when I inquired why he was missing:

"Louie was not a part of the sale that took place in December so he is no longer at Silver Cross Field. I'm told he's resting comfortably somewhere in Minooka!"

It will be interesting to see where he ends up next.

[cldisme, 03/26/2011]

Jackhammer Muffler Man.

Muffler Man - Left Field Louie

Left Field Louie is a Muffler Man who has found a good home at Silver Cross Field, home of the Joliet Jackhammers baseball team.

You can't get a good view from outside the ballpark, but check with the stadium office. We were escorted inside and allowed to take as many photos as we wanted. Or better yet, time your visit to take in a game. The stadium is excellent, and Louie emits smoke, flashing lights and a jackhammer sound for every home run.

[J Nichols, 06/14/2010]

Muffler Man with jackhammer.

Muffler Man - Left Field Louie

Approximately one year ago, Peter Ferro purchased a Muffler Man from a businessman in Ham Lake, Minnesota. Mr. Ferro owns the Joliet JackHammers Professional Minor League Baseball Team (Northern League) in Joliet, Illinois. Mr. Ferro had the Muffler Man brought here (on a snowmobile flatbed -- and open all the way from Minnesota -- they got quite a few stares). The Muffler Man has been totally refurbished and is now "Left Field Louie," named selected from 2003 baseball fan submissions. He is on display at Silver Cross Field in Joliet, Illinois, home of the Joliet JackHammers.

[Helen Marchbank, 06/29/2004]

After every home run, Louie "emits the smoke and sound of a jackhammer, complemented by strobes and spotlighting."

Muffler Man with jackhammer.

Muffler Man

I grew up a fan of the muffler man (space man) at the Launching Pad restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, and I am happy to find them when I travel. During my most recent visit home to Joliet, Illinois, I found this guy at Silver Cross Field, home of the Joliet Jackhammers baseball team. I believe he is a modified muffler man with his palm-up hand turned over to accommodate the jackhammer.

[John Q., 06/10/2004]

John Q. runs a "Starsky and Hutch" Gran Torino web site -- starskytorino.com -- featuring over 165 of the 1,000 cars that Ford created in 1976.

Pale M-Man of Ham Lake.

Muffler Man

A photo of the pale Ham Lake Muffler Man -- clutching a muffler, taken October 30, 2000.

[Brad Schmid, 11/10/2000]

Update 5/2003: De-zoned, sold by owner to town of Joliet, Illinois for $10,000.


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