Green Bay Bays

{{Infobox Minor League Baseball

| name =Green Bay Bays

| firstseason =1892

| lastseason =1914

| allyears =1891–1892, 1902, 1905–1914

| city =Green Bay, Wisconsin

| logo =

| uniformlogo =

| class level =Independent (1891–1892, 1902)
Class D (1905–1909)
Class C (1910–1914)

| league =Wisconsin State League (1891)
Wisconsin-Michigan League (1892)
Wisconsin State League (1902, 1905–1907)
Wisconsin-Illinois League (1909–1914)

| majorleague =None

| nickname =Green Bay Dock Wallopers (1891)
Green Bay Bays (1892, 1902)
Green Bay Colts (1905–1906)
Green Bay Orphans (1907)
Green Bay Tigers (1908)
Green Bay Bays (1909–1914)

| ballpark =Hagemeister Park (1891–1892)
Bellevue Park (1902, 1905–1914)

| classnum =

| classchamps =

| leaguenum =1

| leaguechamps ={{hlist|1892}}

| confnum =

| conferencechamps =

| divnum =

| divisionchamps =

| wildcardnum =

| wildcardberths =

}}

The Green Bay Bays were a minor league baseball team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, playing between 1891 and 1914.

Green Bay began minor league play as members of the 1891 Wisconsin State League, followed by play in the 1892 Wisconsin-Michigan League and Wisconsin State League between 1902 and 1908. After the Wisconsin State League changed names, the Green Bay Bays continued play from 1909 to 1914 in the Class C level Wisconsin-Illinois League. The Green Bay Bays ceased play when the Wisconsin-Illinois League permanently folded following the 1914 season. The Green Bay Bays were succeeded in minor league play by the 1941 Green Bay Bluejays, who began a tenure of play in the Wisconsin State League.

Besides the "Bays" nickname, Green Bay teams played as the "Dock Wallopers" (1891), "Colts" (1905–1906), "Orphans" (1907) and "Tigers" (1908).

The Green Bay teams hosted minor league home games at Hagemeister Park in 1891 and 1892 and at Bellevue Park through 1914. Both sites later became home to the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.

History

=1891 & 1892 Wisconsin State League=

In 1891, Green Bay began minor league play when the Green Bay "Dock Wallopers" were charter members of the independent Wisconsin State League.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/atchison-daily-patriot/38653593/|title=Article clipped from Atchison Daily Patriot|newspaper=Atchison Daily Patriot |date=August 20, 1891|pages=3|via=newspapers.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1891 Green Bay Dock Wallopers Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Appleton Papermakers, Fond du Lac Mudhens, Marinette Lumber Shovers, Oconto Log Drivers and Oshkosh Indians teams joined with Green Bay in the six–team Wisconsin State League.{{cite web | url=https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/tp/id/67846 | title=Page 16 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e9ee8ac0|title=1891 Wisconsin State League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

Green Bay played their first minor league game on May 23, 1891, at their home ballpark. Appleton defeated Green Bay 4–0 in the home opener at Green Bay, with 400 to 500 fans in attendance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2014/05/11/history-lesson-our-tradition-of-professional-baseball-goes-deep/8973653/|title=History lesson: Our tradition of professional baseball goes deep|first=Brett|last=Christopherson|website=The Post-Crescent}}

Green Bay finished in fourth place in the 1891 Wisconsin State League standings. Playing under managers Thomas Murray and George Brackett, the Dock Wallopers ended the season with a record of 48–42. Marinette won the championship and finished 2.5 games ahead of the second place Appleton Papermakers and 3.0 games ahead of fourth place Green Bay in the final standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-mb12802/y-1891|title=1891 Marinette Badgers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}

In 1892, the Green Bay "Bays" nickname first appeared as the team continued play, becoming charter members of the six-team Michigan-Wisconsin League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1892 Green Bay Bays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The league formed for the 1892 season as a non–signatory, Independent level league. The Ishpeming-Negaunee Unions, Marinette Badgers, Marquette Undertakers, Menominee Wolverines and Oshkosh Indians teams joined Green Bay as charter members.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-MIWIL/y-1892|title=1892 Michigan-Wisconsin League (MML) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=a4cf309a|title=1892 Wisconsin-Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The 1892 Green Bay Bays won the Michigan-Wisconsin League championship after the league lost two teams during the season. The Bays were led to the championship by manager Sam LaRocque. After the season began on May 37, 1892, the Green Bay Bays won the 1892 Michigan-Wisconsin League. The Bays ended the season with a 48–39 record in the six–team league, finishing 6.0 games ahead of the Oshkosh Indians. Green Bay was followed by the Menominee Wolverines (44–40), Marinette Badgers (45–44) and Oshkosh in the final standings. The Marquette Undertakers (20–29) and Ishpeming-Negaunee Unions (24–20) teams folded during the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-MIWIL/y-1892|title=1892 Michigan-Wisconsin League (MML) minor league baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} Green Bay pitcher Robert Gayle led the league with 14 wins.

Green Bay team president Frank W. Murphy also served the dual role as president of the league. Murphy created controversy in winning the championship after it was reported that Murphy had secretly upgraded the Green Bay roster before and during the season with a new manager and players, as well as new uniforms and equipment. Numerous Green Bay players were obtained from the Terre Haute Hottentots leading to the championship. All the former Green Bay players were released.{{Cite web|url=https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/tp/id/67846/|title=Page 16|website=content.wisconsinhistory.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=larocq001sam|title=Sam LaRocque Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Michigan-Wisconsin League permanently folded following the 1892 season.

=1905 to 1907 Green Bay Colts Wisconsin State League=

After a decade without a minor league team, Green Bay returned to play in joining the reformed 1902 Wisconsin State League. Green Bay was managed by Schwartz and Schuette.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1905 Green Bay Colts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The league reformed as an eight-team independent league. Final standings and records for the 1902 league season are unknown,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=36249834|title=1902 Wisconsin State League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Wisconsin State League did not play as a minor league in 1903.

In 1905, the Wisconsin State League reformed, and Green Bay joined the league, as the Green Bay "Colts" resumed minor league baseball play as members of six–team Class D level Wisconsin State League, also called the "Wisconsin Association," with all league teams based in Wisconsin. The Colts joined the Beloit Collegians, Freeport Pretzels, La Crosse Pinks, Oshkosh Indians and Wausau Lumberjacks teams in league play.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-WIIL/y-1905|title=1905 Wisconsin Association (WA) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=37a20a92|title=1905 Wisconsin State League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The 1905 Green Bay Colts ended their first season of Wisconsin State League play in last place. With a record of 47–62, the Colts placed sixth in the six-team Wisconsin State League standings, finishing 21.0 games behind the champion La Crosse Pinks. Green Bay had five managers during their last place season: Wiliam Kennelly, William McGinnis, Mart McQuaid, Ernest Van Erman and Warren Beck. The league held no playoffs, with the regular season first place team winning the championship.{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball |editor-first1=Lloyd |editor-last1=Johnson |editor-first2=Miles |editor-last2=Wolff |edition=Third |publisher=Baseball America |date=2007 |isbn=978-1932391176}}{{Cite web|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/200811061130/minor-league-baseball/news/wisconsin-state-league|title=Wisconsin State League|first=Kevin|last=Reichard|date=November 6, 2008}}

In their second season of minor league play, the 1906 Green Bay Colts continued as members of the six-team Wisconsin State League.{https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=63c6eb59 The Colts ended the 1906 season with a 55–63 record, placing fourth in the league standings, playing the season under managers George Bubser and Phil Stremmel. The Colts finished 21.0 games behind the first place LaCrosse Pinks in the final standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-WIIL/y-1906|title=1906 Wisconsin Association (WA) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=c311afd0|title=1906 Wisconsin State League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The Green Bay "Orphans" continued play as the 1907 Wisconsin State League expanded to eight teams, adding the Madison Senators and Fond du Lac Webfoots as expansion franchises. The league remained classified as a Class D level league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=f229c505|title=1907 Wisconsin State League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-WIIL/y-1907|title=1907 Wisconsin State League (WSL) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}

The "Orphans" ended the 1907 Wisconsin State League regular season in seventh place.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1907 Green Bay Orphans Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} With a record of 48–78, playing the season under managers Ira Hastings and John Corrigan, Green Bay ended the season 31.5 games behind the first place Freeport Pretzels in the eight–team league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-WIIL/y-1907|title=1907 Wisconsin State League (WSL) Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}

=1908 to 1914 – Wisconsin-Illinois League=

File:John Thomas Pickett, Shortstop, St. Paul Apostles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes MET DP846370.jpg, Old Judge series baseball card. Pickett managed Green Bay from 1908 to 1911.]]

In 1908, the Green Bay "Tigers" continued play as the Wisconsin State League changed names to become the Wisconsin-Illinois League, remaining a Class D level league. The name change occurred after the Rockford Reds joined Freeport as Illinois based teams in the league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-WIIL/y-1908|title=1908 Wisconsin-Illinois League (WWL) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}

The Green Bay team was known as the "Tigers" in 1908. The Tigers ended the season in fourth place and finished the season with 65–58 record.{https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=934b0989 The Tigers placed fourth in the eight–team Wisconsin-Illinois League standings under managers John Corrigan and John Pickett. Pickett began a four-year tenure as the Green Bay manager. Green Bay ended the season 8.0 games behind the champion Wausau Lumberjacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=614a0646|title=1908 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The Green Bay "Bays" nickname returned in 1909 as the team finished in second place in the eight-team Class D level Wisconsin-Illinois League final standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/ghosts-of-the-minors-green-bay-bays|title=Ghosts of the Minors dives right in with this Wisconsin team|website=Minor League Baseball}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1909 Green Bay Bays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Bays ended the 1909 season with a record of 69–54, playing the season under returning manager John Pickett. Green Bay ended the season 7.0 games behind the first place Madison Senators.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-WIIL/y-1909|title=1909 Wisconsin-Illinois League (WWL) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=fa131322|title=1909 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

Joining the Green Bay Bays during the 1910 season after being purchased from the Des Moines Boosters, pitcher Joe Benz had early success with Green Bay. On July 19, 1910, Bentz pitched both games of a doubleheader against Racine and won both games by the score of 2–0. After pitching the doubleheader, Bentz developed arm trouble, but returned to throw a one hit shutout against Fond du Lac in September.{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/joe-benz/|title=Joe Benz – Society for American Baseball Research}} Bentz had a 12–10 overall record for Green Bay in 1910 and rejoined Des Moines in 1911.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=benz--001jos|title=Joe Benz Minor Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Benz mostly threw two main pitches, which were the spitball and the knuckleball.Neyer, Rob and James, Bill. [https://books.google.com/books?id=7FfRLE6I5EEC The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers] (Simon & Schuster, 2004), p. 132.

The 1910 Wisconsin-Illinois League was upgraded to become a Class C level league from a Class D level league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=29e88f8c|title=1910 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} In 1910, the number of minor leagues at the Class D level expanded from 13 leagues in 1909 to 29 in the 1910 minor league season. Continuing play in the 1910 eight-team Wisconsin-Illinois League, the Green Bay Bays ended the season in fifth place, as the team was led by returning manager John Pickett.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1910 Green Bay Bays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Bays finished with a record of 59–61, ending the season 15.5 games behind the first place Appleton Papermakers.

The Green Bay Bays were on the losing end of two no-hit games against the Aurora Blues in 1911. On May 18, 1911, Earl Daniels, pitching for Aurora threw a no-hitter in a 2–0 victory over the Bays. On August 4, 1911, Daniels' Aurora teammate Len Madden threw a second no–hitter against the Green Bay, defeating them 3–0.https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1deBSHdsKaYa0BObQqY-f12dTaCv6k8vIxjhomWRrlLQ/htmlview?authkey=CL_3m-cC

In 1911, Green Bay Bays placed third in the eight-team Wisconsin-Illinois League. The Bays ended the season with a record of 61–56 in playing the final season under manager John Pickett.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1911 Green Bay Bays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Rockford Wolverines won the championship with a final record of 74–46 and finished 11.5 games ahead of Green Bay.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=35e29bf9|title=1911 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

With Jim Garry becoming the manager, Green Bay placed fifth in the 1912 Wisconsin-Illinois League standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=5cc6fba1|title=1912 Green Bay Bays Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com}} The Bays ended the season with a record of 61–68, as Oshkosh won the first of three consecutive league championships and finished 24.5 games ahead of the fifth place Green Bay in the Class C level eight-team league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=35e29bf9|title=1912 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Green Bay Bays player Earl Smith hit 12 home runs to lead the Wisconsin-Illinois League.

The Green Bay Bays improved to a third-place finish in the 1913 Class C level Wisconsin-Illinois League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1913 Green Bay Bays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} In the eight-team league, the Bays compiled a final record of 69–57, with Bobby Lynch becoming the manager. The Bays ended the season 8.5 games behind the Oshkosh Indians in the eight-team league final standings, as Oshkosh won their second consecutive championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=17ef3a46|title=1913 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Green Bay had two players that were league leaders. Fred Thomas scored 81 runs to lead the league and Fritz Mollwitz had 154 total hits to lead the Wisconsin-Illinois League.

In 1914, the Green Bay Bays played their final season as members of the eight–team Class C level Wisconsin-Illinois League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1914 Green Bay Bays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Green Bay joined the Appleton Papermakers, Madison Senators, Marinette-Menominee Twins, Oshkosh Indians, Racine Belles, Rockford Wolves and Wausau Lumberjacks teams in playing the final season of the league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?code=WIIL&class=C|title=Wisconsin-Illinois League (C) Encyclopedia and History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The Green Bay Bays challenged the Oshkosh Indians for the 1914 Wisconsin-Illinois League championship, finishing second in the final standings. With an overall record of 73–51 to place second, Green Bay was led by returning manager Bobby Lynch. First place Oshkosh finished 5.0 games ahead of the second place Green Bay Bays in the final Wisconsin-Illinois League standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=35e29bf9|title=1914 Wisconsin-Illinois League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The Wisconsin-Illinois League never reformed, permanently folded after completing the 1914 season. Green Bay next hosted minor league baseball in 1940, when the Green Bay Bluejays began a tenure of play in returning to the reformed Wisconsin State League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1940 Green Bay Bluejays Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

The ballparks

File:Bellevue Park 1923 1924.png

Green Bay first hosted games at a ballpark located near today's City Park. The location

corresponds to Hagemeister Park. Hagemeister Park served as the first home of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League from 1919 to 1922. Originally called Washington Park, it was renamed to Hagemeister Park in 1899, as it was owned by the Hagemeister Brewery. The ballpark was torn down in 1923 to make way for the new Green Bay East High School.{{Cite web|url=https://hagemeisterpark.com/about.html|title=Hagemeister Park – About|website=hagemeisterpark.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.packers.com/news/tale-of-two-hagemeister-ballparks-13197116|title=Tale of two Hagemeister ballparks|website=www.packers.com}}

Beginning in 1902, the Green Bay teams next hosted home minor league games at Bellevue Park. The ballpark was torn down in 1928.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-1020|title=Bellevue Park in Green Bay, WI minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}

Besides serving as a minor league baseball park, Bellevue Park became home of the Green Bay Packers in 1923 and 1924. Bellevue Park was the second home venue of the Packers, who had previously played their home games at Hagemeister Park. During their tenure at Bellevue Park, the Packers had game attendance ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 fans.http://www.lambeaufield.com/stadium_info/history/other_homes_of_the_packers/ LambeauField.com page, "Packers Stadium History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103111518/http://www.lambeaufield.com/stadium_info/history/other_homes_of_the_packers/ |date=2010-01-03 }}

The ballpark was located just east of the Hagemeister Brewery, which was renamed the "Bellevue Products Co." during Prohibition. The site was located just east of Baird Creek on Main Street in the Green Bay village of Preble, Wisconsin.

Timeline

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 95%;"

! Year(s) !! # Yrs. !! Team !! Level !! League!!Ballpark

align=center

|1891

1Green Bay Dock Wallopersrowspan=3|IndependentWisconsin State Leaguerowspan=3|Hagemeister Park
align=center

|1892

1rowspan=2|Green Bay BaysWisconsin-Michigan League
align=center

|1902

1rowspan=4|Wisconsin State League
align=center

|1905–1906

2Green Bay Coltsrowspan=4|Class Drowspan=5|Bellevue Park
align=center

|1907

1Green Bay Orphans
align=center

|1908

1Green Bay Tigers
align=center

|1909

2rowspan=2|Green Bay Baysrowspan=2|Wisconsin-Illinois League
align=center

|1910–1914

5Class C
align=center

== Year-by-year records ==

class="wikitable"

! Year !! Record !! Finish !! Manager !! Playoffs/notes

align=center

| 1891

48–423rdThomas Murray / George BrackettNo playoffs held
align=center

| 1892

48–391stLouis Shoeneck / Sam LaRocqueLeague champions
No playoffs held
align=center

|

align=center

| 1905

47–626thWilliam Kennelly / William McGinnis
Mart McQuaid / Ernest Van Erman /
Warren Beckwith
No playoffs held
align=center

| 1906

55–634thGeorge Bubser / Phil StremmelNo playoffs held
align=center

| 1907

48–737thIra Hastings / John CorriganNo playoffs held
align=center

| 1908

65–584thJohn Corrigan / John PickettNo playoffs held
align=center

| 1909

69–542ndJohn PickettNo playoffs held
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| 1910

59–615thJohn PickettNo playoffs held
align=center

| 1911

61–563rdJohn PickettNo playoffs held
align=center

| 1912

61–685thJim GarryNo playoffs held
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| 1913

69–573rdBobby LynchNo playoffs held
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| 1914

73–612ndBobby LynchNo playoffs held
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Notable alumni

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References

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