Oswego Netherlands

• Location: Oswego, NY
• League: Canadian-American League 1936-1940
• Affiliation: Buffalo Bisons 1936; Cleveland Indians 1937-1938; Washington Senators 1939
• Ballpark: Otis Field

The Oswego Netherlands were the only minor league team in Oswego, NY since 1900. They were named after the Netherlands Milk and Ice Cream Company. Charter members of the Canadian-American League, they finished last (32-51-3) the first year under John Dashner and Blaine Kunes. Dashner's .315 led the club. In '37, Kunes guided the team to a second-place 67-40-1 finish, though they fell in the first playoff round. Now a Indians farm team, they were the recipients of improved talent. Stars were Riley Parker (.391), John Novak (.302, 22 HR, 99 RBI) and Winslow Johnson (18-5, 2.72). Attendance was 21,076, third in the Can-Am.

Attendance fell to 16,522 in '38, second-worst in the league, and the record was only 54-69-2, sixth of 8 teams, under Parker and Max Ziel. Mike Naymick (10-12, 4.18) set league records for walks and wild pitches while leading with 230 strikeouts. He would go on to the majors, as would OF-SS Bob Lemon (.312/~.372/.450), perhaps the club's top offensive threat. They had no All-Stars.

Becoming a Senators affiliate in 1939, the Netherlands finished second at 69-53-3 under Kunes but again were bounced in the playoffs. 25,448 fans came out, 6th in the CAL. Ken Tashian went 20-6 despite a 4.34 ERA. Bill Kalfass (4-0, 4.33) and 2B Frank Skaff (.322, 17 HR, 90 RBI) would play in the major leagues. Jim Conlan hit .335 with 18 homers and 79 RBI. In '40, they were unaffiliated and were sixth (58-63-4) under manager Art Funk. 16,478 fans came out, the second-fewest total in the loop. Tashian (17-9, 3.60) again had the best record. MLB players were Kalfass (9-10, 4.09) and star hitter Vince Ventura (.311, 10 HR, 95 RBI).

The team was bought in 1941 by William V. Connely, who moved them to Pittsfield, MA, where they became the Pittsfield Electrics.

Sources: 1939 Spalding Guide, Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database, Baseball's Canadian-American League by David Pietrusza

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1936	32-51	6th	John Dasher / George Kunes
1937	67-40	2nd	Riley Parker	Lost in 1st round
1938	54-69	6th	Riley Parker
1939	69-53	2nd	Art Funk	Lost in 1st round
1940	58-63	6th	Art Funk