Oshkosh Giants

• Location: Oshkosh, WI
• League: Wisconsin State League 1941-1942, 1946-1953
• Affiliation: New York Giants 1942, 1946-1953
• Ballpark: Sawyer Avenue Ballpark

A First-hand Recollection

The following is an anecdote about the team by a former player:

I played for the Oshkosh Giants in 1953 in the last year of the Wisconsin State League. The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee that year and took attendance away from the teams of the Wisconsin State League. We played our games at the Sawyer Avenue Ballpark, and had to use a local grade school, the Roosevelt School, as our locker room. We all had rooms in private homes in Oshkosh. I remember I paid $6 per week for my one room, with a shared bathroom.

Our manager was Dave Garcia, who also played second base for us. He had been managing in Oshkosh for about five years. I, a righthanded pitcher, won 14 games that year while losing 11. I was tied for most wins on the team with lefthander Chet Vincent, whose record was 14 - 10. Other pitchers on the team were Kenny Anderson, Joe Burke, Bob Henry, Doug McDermid, and Johnny Miron. Our catcher was Buck Faust, Mel Perry was the firstbaseman, Garcia was at second base, Jose "Chico" Diaz played third base and Norm Griffin was our shortstop. Art Lettieri, Jesse Rogers, and John Wolfe were our outfielders; John Martinac and Gary Steiner were also on the team. At the begining of the season, some of our players were released or transferred to other Giants farm clubs; among them were Jose Barrio, Ray Burpoe, Frenchy Fournier, Jack L. Jones, Jack Lytle, Harvey Tomter, and Chris Walsh. Jerry Morris was a later addition. In 1952,one of the pitchers was Victor Vick. There was also a position player named Nick Bentley. Both were in the New York Giants farm system. Rudy Hernandez was an outfielder with a very strong throwing arm.
-- Bill O'Donnell

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1941	33-75	8th	Fred Schulte
1942	48-59	6th	Fred Schulte
1946	66-42	2nd	Ray Lucas	none
1947	60-59	3rd	Ray Lucas	none
1948	51-74	6th	Ray Lucas	none
1949	72-49	1st	Dave Garcia	none League Champs
1950	74-49	1st	Dave Garcia	League Champs
1951	65-55	2nd	Dave Garcia	none
1952	63-58	3rd	Dave Garcia	none
1953	57-66	5th	Dave Garcia