Jackson Convicts
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name =Jackson Convicts
| firstseason =1906
| lastseason =1913
| allyears =1906–1915
| city =Jackson, Michigan
| logo =
| uniformlogo =
| class level =Class D (1906–1910, 1913)
Class C (1911-1912, 1914-1915)
| league =Southern Michigan League (1906–1915)
| majorleague =None
| nickname =Jackson Convicts (1906–1913)
Jackson Chiefs (1914)
Jackson Vets (1915)
| ballpark =Keeley Park (1906–1915)
| classnum =
| classchamps =
| leaguenum =0
| leaguechamps =None
| confnum =
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| wildcardnum =0
| wildcardberths =None
}}
The Jackson Convicts were a minor league baseball team based in Jackson, Michigan. From 1906 to 1915, Jackson teams played as members of the Southern Michigan League for the duration of the league but did not claim a league championship in their tenure. In 1914 and 1915, Jackson played one season each known as the "Chiefs" and "Vets." Jackson teams hosted home minor league teams at Keeley Park. The team "Convicts" nickname corresponded to Jackson serving as home to the Michigan State Prison in the era.
History
After minor league baseball began in Jackson with the 1888 Jackson Jaxons of the Tri-State League, the Convicts were preceded by the 1902 Jackson White Sox, who played a partial season in the Michigan State League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1888 Jackson Jaxons Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1902 Saginaw/Jackson White Sox Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
On February 19, 1906, the National Commission awarded the Michigan cities of Jackson and Kalamazoo to the newly formed Southern Michigan League, after the existing Interstate League had first claimed the Kalamazoo franchise for that league.{{cite journal
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| title =Pinch Hits: Average Start on an Even Basis
| journal =Diamonds in the Dusk
| volume =418
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| pages =2
| publisher =diamondsinthedusk.com
| date =6 January 2020
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| url =https://www.diamondsinthedusk.com/uploads/articles/418-PINCHHITS_Average_Start_On_A_Even_Basis.pdf
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In 1906, the Jackson Convicts became charter members of the six–team Class D level Southern Michigan League, also called the "Southern Michigan Association". The Battle Creek Crickets, Kalamazoo White Sox, Mount Clemens Bathers, Saginaw and Tecumseh Indians teams joined Jackson in beginning league play on May 6, 1906.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-SMA/y-1906|title=1906 Southern Michigan Association (SMA) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1906 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
Jackson's "Convicts" nickname for the ballclub corresponds to the city being home to the Michigan State Prison in the era. The first state prison, located in Jackson was built in 1842.{{Cite web|url=https://www.michigan.gov/som/404|title=Michigan State Prison|website=www.michigan.gov}}{{Cite web|url=http://media.www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2007/10/17/State/Jackson.Prison.Begins.Closing-3037289.shtml|title=Jackson prison begins closing - State|date=January 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113161142/http://media.www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2007/10/17/State/Jackson.Prison.Begins.Closing-3037289.shtml |archive-date=2008-01-13 }} Today, the original 1842 prison site houses residential apartments, several art galleries and a bicycle cooperative.{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Tenbrink|title=Armory Bike Union|url=http://www.fitnesscouncil.org/?q=armory-bike-union|publisher=Fitness Council of Jackson}}
In their first season of play, the Convicts ended the 1906 season with a record of 52–52 to place fourth in the final Southern Michigan League standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1906|title=1906 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} Managed by Mo Meyers and George Deneau, Jackson finished 17.0 games behind the first place Mount Clemens Bathers. Mount Clemens (69-34) was followed by the second place Kalamazoo White Sox (63–41), who were followed by the Tecumseh Indians (57–47), Jackson Convicts (52–52), Battle Creek Crickets (39–56) and Saginaw (34–60).{{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}}
File:Michigan State Prison Jackson D.JPG
The Jackson Convicts continued play in the 1907 eight-team Southern Michigan League but folded during the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SMA/y-1907|title=1907 Southern Michigan Association (SMA) minor league baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1907|title=1907 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} On July 15,1907, Jackson folded with a record of 17-27 playing the partial season under manager Bruce Haynes. The Tecumseh Indians won the league championship after the league played the remainder of the season with seven teams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1907 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
Despite folding the previous season, the Convicts returned to play in the 1908 Michigan State League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1908 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} On June 30, 1908, the Saginaw Wa-was and Jackson played a 20-inning game at Keeley Park in Jackson. Saginaw won the game 5-4.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RQtjqXmdFOsC&dq=jackson+convicts+baseball+michigan&pg=PA86|title=Baseball's Longest Games: A Comprehensive Worldwide Record Book|first=Philip J.|last=Lowry|date=April 23, 2010|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786457342 |via=Google Books}} Jackson ended the season with a record of 68–57 and in third place. Led by manager Bo Slear, the Convicts finished the season 4.5 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was, as the league held no playoffs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1908|title=1908 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=05c5c2b6|title=1908 Southern Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
The Convicts were involved in a close championship race in the 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1909 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Jackson ended the season with a final record of 71–52 to place third in the eight-team league. Playing under returning manager, Bo Slear, the Convicts ended the season just 1.0 game behind first place Saginaw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1909|title=1909 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} Elmer Criger finished 22-7 to lead the league. In a close race, the Saginaw Wa-was finished with a record of 73-52, followed by the second place Flint Vehicles at 72-52 and the Convicts at 71-52.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=78734cde|title=1909 Southern Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
Jackson placed seventh in the eight-team league in 1910.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1910 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Playing under continuing manager Bo Slear, the Convicts finished with a final record of 51-85. Jackson ended the Southern Michigan League season 34.5 games behind the first place Lansing Senators.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1910|title=1910 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=f14653d6|title=1910 Southern Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
In 1911, the Southern Michigan League was upgraded from a Class D league to a Class C league and the Convicts finished in last place.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1911 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} With a record of 39–98 under manager Charley Fox, Jackson finished 48.0 games behind the first place Kalamazoo Celery Pickers (88-51).{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1911|title=1911 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=ed4fdadf|title=1911 Southern Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} John Connors of Jackson won the Michigan State League batting title, hitting .377.
The Convicts finished as the runner-up in the 1912 Southern Michigan League standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1912 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Jackson ended the season with a record of 71–55, placing second, as Mo Meyers returned as manager. The Convicts finished 3.5 games behind first place Adrian Lions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SMA/y-1912|title=1912 Southern Michigan Association (SMA) Minor League Baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1912|title=1912 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} Jackson's John Connors had 168 hits to lead the league.
The 1913 season was the final season for Jackson playing as the "Convicts."{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1913 Jackson Convicts Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Jackson ended the season in third place in the eight-team Southern Michigan League, with a 66-60 record. Mo Myers continued as manager as the Convicts ended the season 15.5 games behind first place Battle Creek Crickets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12180/y-1913|title=1913 Jackson Convicts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
Jackson continued Southern Michigan League play in 1914 and became known as the "Chiefs."{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1914 Jackson Chiefs Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The league expanded to a ten-team league. with a 70-71 record, Jackson placed sixth of the ten teams. The Chiefs were managed by Mo Meyers and Don Brown, finishing 24.0 games behind first place Bay City Beavers. Jackson did not qualify for the two-team playoff won by the Saginaw Ducks over Bay City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jc12179/y-1914|title=1914 Jackson Chiefs minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-SMA/y-1914|title=1914 Southern Michigan League (SML) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=0a63ad3b|title=1914 Southern Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1914 Lansing Senators/Mount Clemens Bathers Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
In the final season of the league, the 1915 six-team Southern Michigan League folded on July 7, 1915, with the onset of World War I greatly affecting minor leagues. Jackson played as the "Vets" in 1915.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1915 Jackson Vets Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} When the league folded, the Vets had a record of 29-34 and finished in third place, ending 14.0 games behind first place South Bend Factors in the final standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=cb57786c|title=1915 Southern Michigan League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-jv12194/y-1915|title=1915 Jackson Vets minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
The Southern Michigan League never reformed. Jackson, Michigan has not hosted another minor league team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=Jackson, Michigan Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
The ballpark
Jackson teams hosted home minor league games at Keeley Park. The 7,000 capacity ballpark was located North of Ganson Street, across the Grand River from the Michigan State Prison.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-1231|title=Keeley Park in Jackson, MI minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} Today, Keeley Park, also known as the "Jackson County Fairgrounds" is still in use as a public park, with an event center and amenities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/facilities/facility/details/James-J-Keeley-County-Park-Jackson-Count-48|title=James J. Keeley County Park (Jackson County Fairgrounds)|website=Jackson County, MI}} The park remains home to the annual Jackson County Fair and is located at 200 West Ganson Street.{{Cite web|url=https://www.michigan.org/property/jackson-county-fairgrounds|title=Jackson County Fairgrounds|date=January 10, 2022|website=Pure Michigan | Official Travel & Tourism Website for Michigan}}
Timeline
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 95%;"
! Year(s) !! # Yrs. !! Team !! Level !! League!!Ballpark | |||||
| 1906–1913 | 8 | Jackson Convicts | rowspan=3|Class D | rowspan=3|Southern Michigan League | rowspan=3|Keeley Park |
| 1914 | 1 | Jackson Chiefs | |||
| 1915 | 1 | Jackson Vets |
== Year-by–year records ==
| class="wikitable"
! Year!! Record!! Finish!! Manager!! Playoffs/notes | ||||
| align=center
| 1906 | 52–52 | 4th | Mo Meyers / George Deneau | No playoffs held |
| align=center
|1907 | 17–27 | NA | Bruce Haynes | Team folded July 15 |
| align=center
| 1908 | 68–57 | 3rd | Bo Slear | No playoffs held |
| align=center
|1909 | 71–53 | 3rd | Bo Slear | No playoffs held |
| align=center
| 1910 | 51–85 | 7th | Bo Slear | No playoffs held |
| align=center
|1911 | 39–98 | 8th | Charley Fox | No playoffs held |
| align=center
| 1912 | 71–55 | 2nd | Mo Meyers | No playoffs held |
| align=center
|1913 | 66–60 | 3rd | Mo Meyers | No playoffs held |
| align=center
|1914 | 70–71 | 6th | Mo Meyers / Don Brown | Did not qualify |
| align=center
| 1915 | 29–34 | 3rd | Dan Collins | League disbanded July 7 |
| align=center |
Notable alumni
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Red Bowser (1912)
- James Baxter (1915)
- Jim Brown (1913–1914)
- Wese Callahan (1915)
- Al Clauss (1912)
- Bill Dammann (1908)
- Bert Daniels (1906)
- George Deneau (1906, MGR)
- Bunny Fabrique (1908–1911)
- William Garlow (1911)
- Paddy Greene (1911)
- Arthur Hauger (1911)
- Bill James (1910)
- Bill Killefer (1907)
- Jake Pitler (1913–1915)
- Hosea Siner (1908)
- Hooks Warner (1913–1914)
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
{{Div col end}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Jackson&state=MI&country=US Jackson - Baseball Reference]
Category:Defunct minor league baseball teams
Category:Defunct baseball teams in Michigan
Category:Baseball teams established in 1906