Former baseball minor leagues
The
Wisconsin State League
was a class D level baseball league that began in 1905, changing its name to the
Wisconsin?Illinois League
in 1908 and operating through 1914. The league re?organized under that name in 1926. Another Wisconsin State League began in 1940, shut down during World War II from 1943 through 1945, then operated from 1946 through 1953.
[1]
The Class D
Wisconsin?Illinois League
began play in 1940 with six charter franchises:
Appleton Papermakers
,
Fond du Lac Panthers
,
Green Bay Bluejays
,
La Crosse Blackhawks
,
Sheboygan Indians
and
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox
.
[2]
In 1942 the league expanded to eight teams, adding the
Janesville Cubs
and
Oshkosh Giants
.
[3]
After play resumed in 1946, La Crosse moved to become the
Wausau Lumberjacks
and the league operated with those franchises until its demise following the 1953 season.
[4]
List of teams
[
edit
]
Wisconsin State League
(1905?1907, 1922?1925, 1928?1931, 1940?1942, 1946?1953)
Wisconsin?Illinois League
(1908?1914, 1926?1927, 1932)
- Appleton, WI
:
Appleton Papermakers
(1891, 1909?1914, 1940?1942, 1946?1953)
- Aurora, IL
:
Aurora Islanders
(1910)
- Beloit, WI
:
Beloit Collegians
(1905);
Beloit Fairies
(1926?1927)
- Chicago, IL
:
Logan Squares
(1926?1927, 1932);
Niesen's Chicago Pyotts
(1926);
St. Michael's
(1926);
Duffy Florals
(1932);
Harley Mills
(1932)
- Eau Claire, WI
:
Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls Orphans
(1906);
Eau Claire Tigers
(1907)
- Fond du Lac, WI
:
Fond du Lac Mudhens
(1891);
Fond du Lac Webfoots
(1907);
Fond du Lac Cubs
(1908);
Fond du Lac Giants
(1909?1910);
Fond du Lac Molls
(1913);
Fond du Lac Mudhens
(1911);
Fond du Lac Panthers
(1940?1942, 1946?1953)
- Freeport, IL
:
Freeport Pretzels
(1905?1909)
- Green Bay, WI
:
Green Bay Dock Wallopers
(1891);
Green Bay Colts
(1905?1906);
Green Bay Orphans
(1907);
Green Bay Tigers
(1908);
Green Bay Bays
(1909?1914);
Green Bay Blue Sox
(1941);
Green Bay Bluejays
(1940, 1942, 1946?1953)
- Janesville, WI
:
Janesville Cubs
(1941?1942, 1947?1953);
Janesville Bears
(1946)
- Kenosha, WI
:
Kenosha Twin Sixes
(1926?1929)
- La Crosse, WI
:
La Crosse Pinks
(1905?1906, 1908);
La Crosse Badgers
(1907);
La Crosse Boosters
(1926);
La Crosse Blackhawks
(1940?1942)
- Madison, WI
:
Madison Senators
(1905?1914);
Madison Blues
(1928?1932)
- Manitowoc, WI
:
Manitowoc Shipbuilders
(1928?1931)
- Marinette, WI
:
Marinette Badgers
(1891);
Marinette-Menominee Twins
(1914)
- Milwaukee, WI
:
Milwaukee Creams
(1913);
Kosciuszko Reds
(1928?1930);
Onion Oils
/
Union Oils
(1928);
Milwaukee Red Sox
(1931?1932)
- Oconto, WI
:
Oconto Log Drivers
(1891)
- Oshkosh, WI
:
Oshkosh Indians
(1905?1914);
Oshkosh Giants
1941?1942, 1946?1953)
- Racine, WI
:
Racine Malted Milks
(1909?1911, 1914);
Racine Belles
(1909?1915);
Racine Eskimos
(1926);
Racine Belles
(1929?1930)
- Rockford, IL
:
Rockford Reds
(1908?1910);
Rockford Wolverines
(1911?1913);
Rockford Wolves
(1914)
- Sheboygan, WI
:
Sheboygan Chairmakers
(1926?1932);
Sheboygan Indians
(1940?1942, 1946?1953)
- Two Rivers, WI
:
Two Rivers Mirrors
(1928?1931)
- Wausau, WI
:
Wausau Lumberjacks
(1905?1908, 1912?1914, 1946?1953)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI
:
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox
(1940?1942, 1946?1953)
[1]
Season standings
[
edit
]
1891 to 1892
[
edit
]
1891 Wisconsin State League
[5]
1905 Wisconsin State League
1906 Wisconsin State League
schedule
La Crosse played Freeport on the last day of the season with the pennant in balance. 5,000 fans saw a 0-0 game after nine innings. La Crosse pushed across five runs in the tenth to win.
[1]
1907 to 1914
[
edit
]
1907 Wisconsin State League
schedule
1908 season (W-I League)V
[6]
[1]
1909 season (W-I League)
[7]
[1]
1910 season (W-I League)
[8]
1911 season (W-I League)
[9]
1912 season (W-I League)
[10]
1913 season (W-I League)
[11]
1914 season (W-I League)
[12]
1922 to 1937
[
edit
]
1922 season (Wis. State League)
[13]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Manitowoc
|
8
|
3
|
.727
|
11
|
Green Bay
|
7
|
4
|
.636
|
11
|
Menasha
|
6
|
6
|
.500
|
12
|
Appleton
|
2
|
10
|
.167
|
12
|
1923 season (Wis. State League)
[14]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
19
|
9
|
.679
|
28
|
Neenah-Menasha Papermakers
|
19
|
9
|
.679
|
28
|
Appleton
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
28
|
Green Bay Bays
|
15
|
13
|
.536
|
28
|
Kaukauna
|
14
|
14
|
.500
|
28
|
Marinette-Menominee Twins
|
10
|
18
|
.357
|
28
|
Oshkosh
|
10
|
18
|
.357
|
28
|
Fond du Lac
|
8
|
20
|
.286
|
28
|
1924 season (Wis. State League)
[15]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Neenah-Menasha
|
8
|
2
|
.800
|
10
|
Green Bay
|
5
|
5
|
.500
|
10
|
Appleton
|
4
|
4
|
.500
|
8
|
Sheboygan
|
4
|
4
|
.500
|
8
|
Oshkosh
|
3
|
4
|
.429
|
8
|
Fond du Lac
|
2
|
6
|
.250
|
8
|
1925 season (Wis. State League)
[16]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Kenosha Twin Sixes
|
33
|
17
|
.660
|
50
|
Beloit Fairies
|
24
|
21
|
.533
|
45
|
Racine Athletics
|
24
|
28
|
.462
|
52
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
22
|
29
|
.431
|
51
|
1926 season (W-I League)
[17]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
48
|
21
|
.696
|
69
|
Kenosha Twin Sixes
|
44
|
28
|
.611
|
72
|
Beloit Fairies
|
32
|
22
|
.593
|
54
|
Madison Blues
|
27
|
31
|
.466
|
58
|
Racine Belles
|
30
|
38
|
.441
|
68
|
Logan Squares (Chicago)
|
12
|
21
|
.364
|
33
|
La Crosse Boosters
|
9
|
25
|
.265
|
34
|
1927 season (W-I League)
[18]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
33
|
17
|
.660
|
50
|
Beloit Fairies
|
17
|
17
|
.500
|
34
|
Madison Blues
|
18
|
28
|
.391
|
46
|
Kenosha Twin Sixers
|
13
|
28
|
.317
|
41
|
Logan Squares (Chicago)
|
13
|
4
|
.765
|
17
|
1928 season (Wis. State League)
[19]
1929 season (Wis. State League)
[20]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Two Rivers Mirros
|
19
|
6
|
.760
|
25
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
18
|
7
|
.720
|
25
|
Union Oils (Milwaukee)
|
12
|
12
|
.500
|
24
|
Manitowoc Shipbuilders
|
13
|
13
|
.500
|
26
|
Kenosha Twin Sixes
|
12
|
14
|
.462
|
26
|
Racine Belles
|
11
|
15
|
.423
|
26
|
Madison Blues
|
8
|
17
|
.320
|
25
|
Kosciuszko Reds
(Milwaukee)
|
8
|
17
|
.320
|
25
|
1930 season (Wis. State League)
[21]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Racine Belles
|
18
|
6
|
.750
|
24
|
Two Rivers Mirros
|
15
|
9
|
.625
|
24
|
Madison Blues
|
13
|
12
|
.520
|
25
|
Manitowoc Shipbuilders
|
11
|
13
|
.458
|
24
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
11
|
14
|
.440
|
25
|
Milwaukee Oils
|
9
|
12
|
.429
|
24
|
Kosciuszko Reds
(Milwaukee)
|
9
|
14
|
.391
|
23
|
Kenosha Twin Sixes
|
8
|
14
|
.364
|
22
|
1931 season (Wis. State League)
[22]
1932 season (W-I League)
[23]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Harley Mills (Chicago)
|
16
|
5
|
.762
|
21
|
Madison Blues
|
21
|
10
|
.677
|
31
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
13
|
11
|
.542
|
24
|
Duffy Florals (Chicago)
|
14
|
12
|
.538
|
26
|
Chicago Firemen
|
7
|
10
|
.474
|
17
|
Milwaukee Red Sox
|
11
|
14
|
.440
|
25
|
Logan Squares (Chicago)
|
9
|
12
|
.429
|
21
|
Colored All-Stars
|
3
|
15
|
.167
|
18
|
Colored Giants
|
2
|
9
|
.182
|
11
|
1933 season (W-I League)
[24]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Madison Blues
]
|
34
|
17
|
.667
|
51
|
Harley Mills
|
18
|
10
|
.655
|
28
|
Duffy Florals
|
18
|
14
|
.563
|
32
|
Logan Squares
|
17
|
18
|
.486
|
35
|
Aurora
|
8
|
9
|
.471
|
17
|
Spencer Coals
|
7
|
12
|
.368
|
19
|
Chicago Firemen
|
6
|
15
|
.286
|
21
|
Colored All-Stars
|
4
|
16
|
.200
|
20
|
1934 season (Wis. State League)
|+
First half of the split season:
|+
Second half of the split season:
The Madison Blues won the tie-breaker from Wisconsin Rapids to meet Green Bay, the winner of the season's first half. Green Bay prevailed in the final three-game championship series.
1935 season (Wis. State League)
|+
First half of the split season:
[25]
After tying for title of the season's first half, Madison won the first two of a three-game championship series over Sheboygan.
|+
Second half of the split season:
[26]
Sheboygan won the run-off for title of the season's second half, but were defeated by first half champs Madison after the Blues won the first two of the three-game title series.
[27]
1936 season (Wis. State League)
|+
First half of the split season:
[28]
Madison defeated Racine to win the title of the season's first half.
[28]
|+
Second half of the split season:
[29]
Madison clinched the title of the season's latter half on Aug. 23 when they defeated the Racine Belles. The Blues became 1936 State League champions by winning both halves of the split season.
1937 season (Wis. State League)
|+
First half of the split season:
[30]
Madison defeated Sheboygan in a three-game series to win the title of the season's first half.
|+
Second half of the split season:
[31]
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
Pct.
|
Games played
|
Madison Blues
|
10
|
2
|
.833
|
12
|
Sheboygan Chairmakers
|
10
|
2
|
.833
|
12
|
Racine Belles
|
1
|
9
|
.100
|
10
|
Kenosha Unions
|
1
|
9
|
.100
|
10
|
Sheboygan won the three-game tie-breaker series against Madison to win title of the season's latter half. Facing Sheboygan again for the 1937 championship, Blues manager Eddie Lenahan insisted on a single deciding game instead of three. The State League disagreed, declaring that Madison had forfeited the season by refusing to play in a three-game series. The Chairmakers were awarded the 1937 season championship.
[1]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007).
The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball
(Third ed.).
Baseball America
.
ISBN
978-1932391176
.
- ^
"1940 Wisconsin State League"
.
Baseball-Reference.com
.
- ^
"1941 Wisconsin State League"
.
Baseball-Reference.com
.
- ^
"1953 Wisconsin State League"
.
Baseball-Reference.com
.
- ^
"Article clipped from Atchison Daily Patriot"
. August 20, 1891. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- ^
"Locals Finish in Second Place,"
La Crosse Tribune
, Sep. 14, 1908
- ^
"League Standings in Capsule Form,"
Racine Journal
, Sep. 13, 1909
- ^
"W.-I. Flag to Appleton,"
Chicago Examiner
, Sep. 8, 1910
- ^
"League Baseball in Condensed Form,"
Racine Journal
, Sep. 11, 1911
- ^
"Baseball Results,"
Monmouth Daily Atlas
, Sep. 17, 1912
- ^
"Here's Best Race in 1913 Baseball,"
Chicago Examiner
, Sep. 8, 1913
- ^
"Standing of the Teams,"
Racine Journal
, Sep. 14, 1914
- ^
"Team Standings,"
Manitowoc Herald News
, Sep. 18, 1922
- ^
"Standings and Results as the Schedule Closes,"
Sheboygan Press Telegram
, Sep. 24, 1923
- ^
"How They Stand,"
Appleton Post Crescent
, Sep. 22, 1924
- ^
"Racine Here for a Final Clash Sunday,"
Sheboygan Press
, Oct. 3, 1925
- ^
"W-I Association Standings,"
Sheboygan Press
, Oct. 1, 1926
- ^
"Final Standings, Wisconsin State League,"
Sheboygan Press
, Sep. 14, 1927
- ^
"Two Rivers Cop the Pennant of the Wisconsin State League,"
Sheboygan Press
, Sep. 10, 1928
- ^
"Team Standings,"
Racine Journal News
, Sep. 3, 1929
- ^
"Blues Win Pair, in Third Place"
Capital Times
, Sep. 2, 1930
- ^
"Chairs Split with Mirros,"
Manitowoc Evening Times
, Sep. 8, 1931
- ^
"W-I League Standings,"
Wisconsin State Journal
, Sep. 3, 1932
- ^
"W-I League Standings,"
Wisconsin State Journal
, Dec. 31, 1933
- ^
"Blues Romp to Victory Over Kaukauna,18-1,"
Wisconsin State Journal
, July 1, 1935
- ^
"State League Standings (Second Half Final),"
Wisconsin State Journal
, Sep. 9, 1935
- ^
"Blues Sweep Series to Cop League Title,"
Wisconsin State Journal
, Sep. 30, 1935
- ^
a
b
"Blues Win First Half Crown in State League,"
Wisconsin State Journal
, July 6, 1936
- ^
Belles Dropped from Flag Race, Lose 3-2,"
Racine Journal Times
, Aug. 24, 1936
- ^
"Blues, Chairs Share Honors,"
Racine Journal-Times
, July 7, 1937
- ^
"Belles Lose Home Final,"
Racine Journal-Times
, Sep. 7, 1937
|
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