Minor League Baseball will say goodbye to one of its most iconic brands in 2026, when the Carolina Mudcats move from Zebulon, North Carolina, to nearby Wilson and rebrand as the Wilson Warbirds. The franchise unveiled the new identity during a ceremony at the Wilson Industrial Air Center, a historic training site for World War II aviators.
The nickname Warbirds is a reference to military aircraft that continue to fly after their service days are over. More specifically, the name is a tribute to Wilson’s own Vollis Simpson, a World War II pilot who went on to become a sculptor. Simpson was best know for creating a series of large, wind-powered “Whirligig” structures, which will be visible beyond the left field wall in the team’s new downtown ballpark.
“Designed to symbolize historical significance and unmatched speed, the logo celebrates community passions for baseball, aviation, and Americana,” the team said in a statement.
The brand was created by Rev Pop, a design firm based in Milwaukee, the hometown of the Warbirds’ MLB parent club, the Brewers. An understated metallic color palette and an anthropomorphic, patriotic bird character in period costume evoke a distinctive 1940s vibe.
“Scott Starr of Rev Pop, who led the process of developing the team name and associated logos, spent significant time researching everything about Wilson and the region,” said Milwaukee Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger, quoted in a statement. “His travels included visits with local citizens and civic officials, and this proved to be the first big step in branding the team.”
Fans of the classic Carolina Mudcats brand, which until yesterday had remained largely unchanged since 1991, will have one last season to enjoy an identity that many fans point to as one of the most definitive of this current era of Minor League Baseball. The Warbirds will take to the field, still a Brewers affiliate in the Carolina League, in 2026.