The Michigan State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in various seasons between 1889 and 1941. The league franchises were based exclusively in Michigan, with the league forming on six different occasions. Twenty two different cities hosted teams in the Michigan State league.
| Classification | Independent (188–1890, 1895, 1897) Class D (1902, 1911–1914) Class B (1926) Class C (1940–1941) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| First season | 1889 |
| Ceased | 1941 |
| President | M. H. Ford (1889) D. Z. Curtis (1889) Orlando F. Barnes (1890) Walter H. Mumby (1895, 1897) G.E. Morrison (1902) Emerson Dickerson (1911–1914) Thomas J. Halligan (1926, 1940–1941) |
| No. of teams | 22 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Most titles | 3 Manistee |
| Related competitions | Central League West Michigan League Michigan–Ontario League |
History
Five of the six Michigan State League incarnations operated only one or two baseball seasons and the other four seasons. Jointly they covered eleven baseball seasons from 1889 to 1941.
The first two Michigan State Leagues, 1889–1890 and 1895, predated the establishment of present-day Minor League Baseball, an umbrella organization of minor leagues. The third was a "Class D" league during 1902 only, the first season for the organized minors.
In 1911, the West Michigan League expanded and became the fourth Michigan State League as a "Class D" minor league through 1914.
In 1926, the Michigan–Ontario League merged with the Central League to form the fifth MSL, which played only the one season.
The sixth Michigan State League operated in 1940 and 1941.
Cities represented
- Adrian, Michigan: Adrian Reformers 1895
- Battle Creek, Michigan: Battle Creek Adventists 1895; Battle Creek Cero Frutos 1902
- Bay City, Michigan: Bay City 1897; Bay City Wolves 1926
- Belding, Michigan: Belding Champs 1914
- Boyne City, Michigan: Boyne City Boosters 1911–1914
- Cadillac, Michigan: Cadillac Chiefs 1910–1914
- Charlotte, Michigan: Charlotte Giants 1926
- Flint, Michigan: Flint Flyers 1889–1890; Flint 1897, 1902; Flint Vehicles 1926; Flint Gems 1940; Flint Arrows 1941
- Grand Rapids, Michigan: Grand Rapids 1889–1890; Grand Rapids Colts 1902; Grand Rapids Black Sox 1926; Grand Rapids Dodgers 1940; Grand Rapids Colts 1941
- Greenville, Michigan: Greenville 1889
- Holland, Michigan: Holland Wooden Shoes 1910–1911
- Jackson, Michigan: Jackson Jaxons 1889, 1895; Jackson 1897, Jackson White Sox 1902
- Kalamazoo, Michigan: Kalamazoo Kazoos 1889; Kalamazoo Celery Eaters 1895; Kalamazoo 1897; Kalamazoo Celery Pickers 1926
- Lansing, Michigan: Lansing Farmers 1889–1890; Lansing Senators 1895, 1897, 1902, 1941; Lansing Lancers 1940
- Ludington, Michigan: Ludington Mariners 1912–1914; Ludington Tars 1926
- Manistee, Michigan: Manistee 1890; Manistee Colts 1911; Manistee Champs 1912–1914
- Muskegon, Michigan: Muskegon 1890; Muskegon Speed Boys 1910; Muskegon Speeders 1912–1914; Muskegon Reds 1902, 1911, 1926, 1940–1941
- Owosso, Michigan: Owosso Colts 1895
- Port Huron, Michigan: Port Huron 1890; Port Huron Marines 1895; Port Huron 1897; Port Huron Saints 1926
- Saginaw, Michigan: Saginaw 1889; Saginaw Lumbermen 1897; Saginaw Aces 1926; Saginaw Athletics 1940; Saginaw White Sox 1902, 1941
- St. Joseph, Michigan: St. Joseph Autos 1940–1941
- Traverse City, Michigan: Traverse City Resorters 1910–1914
Standings & statistics
1889 to 1890
1889 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Jaxons | 60 | 37 | .619 | - | James Tray |
| Saginaw** | 59 | 40 | .586 | 2.0 | Louis Williams / John Murphy |
| Grand Rapids Shamrocks | 53 | 44 | .546 | 7.0 | John Roushkolb / Harry Smith / Edward Eagan |
| Lansing Farmers | 42 | 56 | .429 | 18.5 | Walter Mumby |
| Greenville | 42 | 58 | .400 | 19.5 | John Foster |
| Kalamazoo Kazoos / Flint Flyers | 38 | 59 | .392 | 22.0 | James Lombard |
Kalamazoo (32-42) moved to Flint September 3.
**Jackson and Saginaw finished in a virtual tie for first place. Jackson played some of their make-up games to gain enough victories to win the championship. Saginaw protested. President Curtis awarded the championship banner to Saginaw.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Katz | Greenville | BA | .364 |
| Joe Katz | Greenville | Hits | 154 |
| Fred Popkay | Jackson | Runs | 109 |
| Joe Katz | Greenville | HR | 14 |
1890 Michigan State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Shamrocks | 17 | 8 | .680 | - | Edward Eagan |
| Manistee | 16 | 8 | .667 | 0.5 | John Murphy |
| Flint Flyers | 13 | 10.0 | .565 | 3.0 | J. A. Sanford |
| Port Huron | 11 | 14 | .440 | 6.0 | Joe Walsh |
| Muskegon | 10 | 14 | .417 | 6.5 | John Roushkolb |
| Lansing Farmers | 4 | 17 | .190 | 11.0 | C. A. Briggs |
Grand Rapids left to join the International League June 12
The league disbanded June 13.
1895
1895 Michigan State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Demons | 57 | 30 | .655 | - | R.G. Taylor |
| Lansing Senators | 56 | 36 | .609 | 3.5 | R.N. Parshall / Alfred Manassau |
| Kalamazoo Kazoos | 50 | 41 | .549 | 9.0 | E. F. Mayo / Oliver Hungerford |
| Battle Creek Adventists / Jackson Jaxons | 36 | 53 | .404 | 22.0 | Mittenhal / Todd / Leigh Lynch |
| Owosso Colts | 34 | 47 | .420 | NA | Fred Craves / Frank Wickine |
| Port Huron Marines | 27 | 51 | .346 | NA | Joe Walsh / George Brown / Charles Schaub / Boocher |
Owosso & Port Huron disbanded September 3.; Battle Creek (14-40) moved to Jackson August 8
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Daly | Lansing | BA | .397 | George Wilson | Adrian | W | 29 | |
| Jack Daly | Lansing | Runs | 124 | George Wilson | Adrian | Pct | .879; 29-4 | |
| Jack Daly | Lansing | Hits | 143 | |||||
| Jack Daly | Lansing | HR | 25 | |||||
| M. H. Justice | Adrian | SB | 65 |
1897
1897 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | 42 | 38 | .525 | - | Jay Faatz |
| Saginaw Lumbermen | 38 | 43 | .469 | 4.5 | George Black / William Phillips |
| Port Huron | 29 | 42 | .408 | 8.5 | Gobel / D. McCarron |
| Kalamazoo Celery Eaters/ Flint | 32 | 51 | .386 | 11.5 | Fred Popkay / E.F. Mayo |
| Lansing Senators | 41 | 31 | NA | Thomas Robinson | |
| Jackson | 46 | 23 | .667 | NA | Lefty Davis / Charlie Cushman |
Kalamazoo (23-41) moved to Flint July 12; Jackson disbanded July 20; Lansing disbanded July 27
The league disbanded August 16
1902
1902 Michigan State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek Cero Frutos | 53 | 31 | .631 | - | Jacob Weickgenant / W.E. Woods |
| Saginaw White Sox/ Jackson White Sox | 50 | 39 | .562 | 5.5 | Doggie Miller |
| Flint | 47 | 41 | .534 | 8.0 | Arlie Latham / Ed Zimran |
| Muskegon Reds | 40 | 47 | .460 | 14.5 | Arthur DeBaker |
| Lansing Senators | 35 | 62 | .361 | 24.5 | H.A. Bowie / Walter Niles |
| Grand Rapids Colts | 29 | 34 | .460 | NA | Emerson Dickerson |
Saginaw (35-28) moved to Jackson July 20.; Grand Rapids disbanded July 20; Lansing disbanded August 20, causing the league to fold.
1911 to 1914
1911 Michigan State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee Colts | 74 | 45 | .622 | - | Ed R. Somerlott / Earl Zook / Connie Lewis |
| Cadillac Chiefs | 73 | 45 | .619 | 0.5 | Calvin Wenger |
| Traverse City Resorters | 62 | 56 | .525 | 11.5 | William Hawker / Henry Collett |
| Holland Wooden Shoes | 48 | 71 | .403 | 26.0 | Clyde McNutt / Ted Penfold / Ed McDonough / W. Schaefer |
| Boyne City Boosters | 24 | 92 | .207 | 48.5 | Peter Partlow / Jack Ryan / Partlow / Lou Criger |
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earl Comstock | Muskegon | BA | .354 | Ray Williams | Manistee | W | 25 | |
| Otto Pfeifer | Traverse City | Runs | 120 | Ray Williams | Manistee | SO | 169 | |
| Bunny Brief | Traverse City | Hits | 169 | Ray Williams | Manistee | Pct | .833; 25-5 | |
| Bunny Brief | Traverse City | HR | 10 | |||||
| Otto Pfeifer | Traverse City | SB | 85 |
1912 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee Champs | 83 | 35 | .703 | - | Connie Lewis |
| Traverse City Resorters | 79 | 40 | .664 | 4.5 | James Hamilton |
| Ludington Mariners | 60 | 59 | .504 | 23.5 | Frank Warrender / Claude Stark |
| Boyne City Boosters | 50 | 69 | .420 | 33.5 | Bo Slear |
| Muskegon Speeders | 48 | 70 | .407 | 35.0 | Art DeBaker |
| Cadillac Chiefs | 35 | 82 | .299 | 47.5 | Calvin Wenger / Tom Railing |
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Platte | Cadillac | BA | .367 | Omer Benn | Manistee | W | 22 | |
| Carl Jones | Manistee | Runs | 80 | Al Bowman | Muskegon | SO | 213 | |
| Bunny Brief | Traverse City | Hits | 152 | La Rue Kirby | Traverse City | Pct | .857; 18-3 | |
| Bunny Brief | Traverse City | HR | 13 | |||||
| Al Platte | Cadillac | SB | 42 |
1913 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee Champs | 73 | 47 | .608 | - | Connie Lewis |
| Traverse City Resorters | 62 | 57 | .521 | 10.5 | Jack Pendry / James Hamilton / Carl Wenger |
| Muskegon Speeders | 61 | 59 | .508 | 12.0 | Peg Bemis / Sandy Murray |
| Boyne City Boosters | 57 | 63 | .475 | 16.0 | Grover Gillen |
| Cadillac Chiefs | 53 | 66 | .445 | 19.5 | Homer Warner |
| Ludington Mariners | 53 | 67 | .442 | 20.0 | Bob Grogran / Harry Arndt |
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sid Miller | Muskegon | BA | .359 | Babe Roberts | Boyne City | W | 18 | |
| Pete Allison | Cadillac | Runs | 84 | John Radloff | Manistee | W | 18 | |
| Bill Varley | Boyne City | Runs | 84 | John Radloff | Manistee | SO | 235 | |
| Carl Dunckel | Muskegon | Runs | 84 | Henry Negake | Muskegon | Pct | .750; 9-3 | |
| Pete Allison | Cadillac | Hits | 157 | |||||
| Grover Prough | Manistee | HR | 14 |
1914 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon Speeders | 73 | 46 | .613 | - | Sandy Murray |
| Ludington Mariners | 69 | 50 | .580 | 4.0 | Bob Grogan / Jim Sager |
| Cadillac Chiefs | 67 | 51 | .568 | 5.5 | Jay Parker |
| Manistee / Belding Champs | 57 | 64 | .471 | 17.0 | Louis Haidt |
| Boyne City Boosters | 48 | 51 | .485 | NA | Grover Gillen |
| Traverse City Resorters | 22 | 74 | .229 | NA | Leo Speer / Carl Wenger / Harry Kunkel |
Traverse City & Boyne City both withdrew September 1; Manistee (56-51) was expelled and the franchise moved to Belding September 9.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gil Patterson | TrCity/Manis/Bel | BA | .314 | Neal Leifers | Muskegon | W | 25 | |
| Raleigh Baum | Cadillac | Runs | 86 | Neal Leifers | Muskegon | SO | 194 | |
| Raleigh Baum | Cadillac | Hits | 138 | Neal Liefers | Muskegon | Pct | .758; 25-8 | |
| Carl Tennant | Ludington | HR | 7 |
1926
1926 Michigan State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City Wolves | 64 | 30 | .681 | - | Bob Prysock |
| Port Huron Saints | 56 | 38 | .596 | 8.0 | Johnny Carlin |
| Saginaw Aces | 55 | 41 | .573 | 10.0 | Les Nunamaker |
| Grand Rapids Black Sox | 51 | 43 | .543 | 13.0 | Jess Runser / Pat Devereaux |
| Ludington Tars | 45 | 51 | .469 | 20.0 | Ovid Nicholson |
| Muskegon Reds | 39 | 56 | .411 | 25.5 | Buck Wheat |
| Kalamazoo Celery Pickers | 39 | 59 | .398 | 27.0 | Boss Schmidt / George Hutton |
| Flint Vehicles / Charlotte Giants | 32 | 63 | .337 | 32.5 | Ray Dunn |
The league was created June 15 by the mid-season merger of the Central League and Michigan-Ontario League. Flint (18-26) moved to Charlotte July 22.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Beal | Ludington | BA | .375 | Saraphin Good | Bay City | W | 19 | |
| Al Bashang | Bay City | Runs | 107 | Sid Dyer | Saginaw | SO | 148 | |
| Dan Beal | Ludington | Hits | 134 | Saraphin Good | Bay City | Pct | .826; 19-4 | |
| Harry Green | Kalamazoo | HR | 11 |
1940 to 1941
1940 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Gems | 67 | 41 | .620 | - | Jack Knight |
| Saginaw Athletics | 53 | 48 | .525 | 10.5 | Dallas Avery / Henry Camilli |
| St. Joseph Autos | 52 | 51 | .505 | 12.5 | Conrad Fisher / Elmer Kirchoff |
| Grand Rapids Dodgers | 50 | 56 | .472 | 16.0 | Burleigh Grimes |
| Muskegon Reds | 49 | 57 | .462 | 17.0 | Jack Tighe |
| Lansing Lancers | 44 | 62 | .415 | 22.0 | Jesse Altenburg |
Playoffs: Saginaw 3 games, Grand Rapids 1; St. Joseph 3 games, Flint 2.
Finals: Cancelled due to inclement weather.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Ogle | Grand Rapids | BA | .374 | Vernon Kohler | Flint | W | 18 | |
| Elmer Sidlo | Flint | Runs | 109 | Suvern Wright | Saginaw | SO | 159 | |
| Robert Ogle | Grand Rapids | Hits | 171 | Clarence Gann | Muskegon | ERA | 2.80 | |
| Jerry Burmeister | Lansing | RBI | 86 | Herb Norquist | St. Joseph | Pct | .846; 11-2 | |
| Joe Wojey | Grand Rapids | HR | 20 |
1941 Michigan State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Indians | 70 | 38 | .648 | - | Jack Knight |
| St. Joseph Autos | 64 | 50 | .561 | 9.0 | Elmer Kirchoff |
| Grand Rapids Colts | 59 | 55 | .518 | 14.0 | Red Lucas |
| Muskegon Reds | 61 | 57 | .517 | 14.0 | Jack Tighe |
| Saginaw White Sox | 51 | 62 | .451 | 21.5 | Bill Prince / Walden McMullen |
| Lansing Senators | 35 | 78 | .310 | 37.5 | Danny Taylor / Russ Wein |
No Playoffs Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gene Woodling | Flint | BA | .394 | Frank Schulz | Flint | W | 17 | |
| Johnny Lipon | Muskegon | Runs | 126 | Tom Hamill | Grand Rapids | SO | 188 | |
| Johnny Lipon | Muskegon | Hits | 176 | Steve Gromek | Flint | ERA | 2.90 | |
| Johnny Lipon | Muskegon | RBI | 115 | Steve Gromek | Flint | PCT | .875 14-2 | |
| Norm Snyder | St. Joseph | RBI | 115 | |||||
| Johnny Lipon | Muskegon | HR | 35 |
Hall of Fame alumni
- Burleigh Grimes, 1940 Grand Rapids Dodgers, MGR [2]
- Honus Wagner, 1895 Adrian Demons[3]
References
Sources
- The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, and Third Editions.
Further reading
- Mitch Lutzke (Vol. 104, No. 5). "A One-Season Wonder: Baseball in 1889." Michigan History. Lansing, Michigan: Historical Society of Michigan (published Sept/Oct 2020). Accessed via Gale Academic OneFile at A ONE-SEASON WONDER Baseball in 1889. - Document - Michigan History Magazine .