Wisconsin State League

From BR Bullpen

There was a class D league called the Wisconsin State League which began in 1905. In 1908 it changed its name to the Wisconsin-Illinois League. Another Wisconsin State League began in 1940, shut down for World War II from 1943 through 1945, then operated from 1946 through 1953. This was also a class D league, but with the majority of teams being affiliated with the major leagues, quality was likely higher than in many class D leagues. Also, the second incarnation was a very stable lineup, with only one franchise shift (LaCrosse before the war, Wausau after). 5 of the 6 teams in 1940 made it through to 1953, and both teams added in 1941 making it through 1953 also.

Cities Represented[edit]

1891[edit]

Teams & Statistics[edit]

1891 Wisconsin State League
President: Thomas Ahern/Hon. A.E. Mountain

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Marinette Badgers 51 39 .567 - Jacob Aydelotte
Appleton Papermakers 48 41 .539 2.5 Charles Faatz
Green Bay 48 42 .533 3 Thomas Murray / George Brackett
Oshkosh Indians 46 44 .511 5 John Roushkolb / Daniel Sweeney
Fond du Lac 41 49 .456 10 Bob Berryhill
Oconto 35 54 .393 15.5 John Guehrer
Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot
Flynn Oconto BA .309
Tom Letcher Marinette Runs 71
William Prescott Fond du Lac Hits 107
Shumway Appleton SB 48

Cities Represented[edit]

1905-1907[edit]

Teams & Statistics[edit]

1905-1907[edit]

1905 Wisconsin State League
President: John T. Powers

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
LaCrosse Pinks 68 41 .624 - Pink Hawley
Oshkosh Indians 60 47 .561 7 Morey Crall / John Lavie
Freeport Pretzels 54 56 .491 14.5 Nick Malvern / Bill Moriarty
Beloit Collegians 50 59 .459 18 George Wilbur / George Bubser
Wausau Lumberjacks 47 61 .435 20.5 Jack Corbett / John Mott / Nick Malvern
Green Bay Colts 47 62 .431 21 Kennelly/ McGinnis/McQuade/Van Erman/Beckwith
Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Frank Duchein Oshkosh BA .303 Fred Beebe Oshkosh W 27
F.E. Graves Oshkosh Runs 71 Fred Beebe Oshkosh SO 291
Frank Duchein Oshkosh Hits 125 Fred Beebe Oshkosh PCT .794 27-7
George Perring Beloit HR 2
Tom Sullivan Freeport HR 2
Frank Schneiberg Freeport HR 2


1906 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: John T. Powers

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
LaCrosse Pinks 76 42 .644 - Pink Hawley
Freeport Pretzels 73 43 .629 2 Bill Moriarty
Oshkosh Indians 56 63 .471 20.5 Charlie Hanford
Green Bay Colts 55 63 .466 21 George Bubsir / Phil Stremmel
Wausau Lumberjacks 48 70 .407 28 Nick Malvern / Belanger
Eau Claire Orphans 44 71 .383 30.5 Porter / Tebeau / Rasmussen / Malvern

La Crosse played Freeport on the last day of the season with the pennant in balance. 5,000 fans saw a 0-0 game after nine innings. La Crosse pushed across five runs in the tenth to win.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Tom Tennant Green Bay BA .312 Ed Scott Freeport W 27
Bill Moriarty Freeport Runs 79 Jack Warhop Freeport SO 231
Tom Tennant Green Bay Hits 141 Ed Scott Freeport PCT .771 27-8
Bill Moriarty Freeport Hits 141
Bill Gleason Oshkosh HR 2
Fred Goldsmith Eau Claire HR 2
Frank Baker Eau Claire HR 2


1907 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Charles F. Moll

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Freeport Pretzels 79 41 .658 - Tom Schoonhaven
Wausau Lumberjacks 76 43 .639 2.5 Charlie Ferguson
LaCrosse Badgers 67 50 .528 10.5 Pink Hawley
Eau Claire Tigers 62 56 .525 16 Bobby Lynch
Oshkosh Indians 58 65 .472 21.5 George Bubsir
Madison Senators 52 66 .441 26 Howard Cassibone
Green Bay Orphans 48 73 .397 31.5 John Corrigan
Fond du Lac Webfoots 34 82 .293 43 Tom Fletcher
Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Whitmore Madison BA .293 Jack Warhop Freeport W 30
Mike Lynch Eau Claire Runs 63 Jack Warhop Freeport SO 339
John Cahill La Crosse Hits 124 Frank Miller Wausau PCT .875 14-2
Jack Warhop Freeport ShO 13

Cities Represented[edit]

1940-1953[edit]

The following cities were represented in the league from 1940-1953.

Teams & Statistics[edit]

1940-1949[edit]

1940 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Herman D. White

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
LaCrosse Blackhawks 76 37 .672 - Ed Konetchy
Fond du Lac Panthers 64 49 .575 12 Harry Rice
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 54 61 .469 23 Frank Parenti
Sheboygan Indians 54 63 .461 24 Joe Hauser
Green Bay Blue Jays 52 65 .444 26 Otto Bluege
Appleton Papermakers 42 67 .385 32 Eddie Dancisak

Playoffs: La Crosse 3 games, Wisconsin Rapids 0; Fond du Lac 3 games, Sheboygan 2.
Finals: La Crosse 4 games, Fond du Lac 0.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Rudy Novak Green Bay BA .368 Merv Henley La Crosse W 20
Murphy Malattia Appleton Runs 98 Merv Henley La Crosse SO 148
Joe Gasper Sheboygan Runs 98 Merv Henley La Crosse ERA 1.81
Joe Gasper Sheboygan Hits 142 Merv Henley La Crosse PCT .869 20-3
Rudy Novak Green Bay RBI 94
Rudy Novak Green Bay HR 20


1941 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Herman D. White

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Green Bay Blue Jays 76 35 .685 - Red Smith
LaCrosse Blackhawks 69 41 .627 6.5 Ed Konetchy
Appleton Papermakers 65 44 .596 10 Eddie Dancisak
Sheboygan Indians 65 45 .591 10.5 Joe Hauser
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 47 63 .427 28.5 Frank Parenti
Fond du Lac Panthers 46 64 .418 29.5 Harry Rice
Janesville Cubs 38 72 .345 37.5 Ed Stumpf
Oshkosh Giants 33 75 .306 41.5 Fred Schulte

Playoffs: Sheboygan 3 games, La Crosse 1; Green Bay 2 games, Appleton 0, when rain forced postponement, last game played September 6.
Finals: Sheboygan was awarded the championship when Green Bay forfeited September 9.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Adolf Krauss Sheboygan BA .366 Dan Schoenborn La Crosse W 18
Harold Schadt La Cross Runs 112 Jerome Crowley Green Bay SO 242
Richard Ronovsky Green Bay Hits 153 Roland Marquardt Fond du Lac ERA 2.29
Pat Seerey Appleton RBI 117 Roland Herman Green Bay PCT .800 16-4
Pat Seerey Appleton HR 31 Max Patkin Wisconsin Rapids WP 13


1942 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Herman D. White

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Sheboygan Indians 73 35 .676 - Joe Hauser
Green Bay Blue Jays 74 37 .667 .5 Dick Smith
Fond du Lac Panthers 53 49 .520 17 Ray Powell
Appleton Papermakers 49 54 .476 21.5 Eddie Dancisak / Dutch Zwilling
Janesville Cubs 51 58 .468 22.5 Ed Stumpf
Oshkosh Giants 48 59 .449 24.5 Fred Schulte
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 42 63 .400 29.5 Frank Parenti / Roger Reinhart
LaCrosse Blackhawks 36 71 .336 36.5 Ed Konetchy / Lou Scoffic

Playoffs: Sheboygan 3 games, Fond du Lac 2; Green Bay 3 games, Appleton 2.
Finals: Sheboygan 4 games, Green Bay 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
William Deininger Sheboygan BA .396 Giles Knowles Sheboygan W 21
William Deininger Sheboygan Runs 99 Giles Knowles Sheboygan SO 261
William Deininger Sheboygan Hits 149 Don Opperman Fond du Lac ERA 2.20
Ordie Timm Green Bay RBI 110 Giles Knowles Sheboygan PCT .808 21-5
Cliff Aberson Janesville HR 22


League did not operate in 1943, '44 & '45 due to WW II


1946 Wisconsin State League -schedule
President: Herman D. White

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Green Bay Blue Jays 76 36 .679 - 75,657 Harry Griswold
Oshkosh Giants 66 42 .611 8 83,100 Ray Lucas
Fond du Lac Panthers 62 48 .564 13 84,601 James Adlam
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 54 54 .500 20 59,951 Charlie Engle
Appleton Papermakers 47 60 .439 26.5 65,535 Ray Powell
Janesville Bears 44 64 .407 30 32,738 Quinto Valentino
Sheboygan Indians 44 66 .400 31 34,401 Joe Hauser
Wausau Lumberjacks 43 66 .394 31.5 58,300 Fred Schulte

Playoffs: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
James Adlam Fond du Lac BA .375 Maynard Park Green Bay W 18
Wade Tate Appleton Runs 118 John Perkovitch Wisconsin Rapids W 18
Saul Israel Fond du Lac Hits 135 John Perkovitch Wisconsin Rapids SO 229
Saul Israel Fond du Lac RBI 96 Al Esqueda Oshkosh ERA 2.22
Elwood Grantham Janesville HR 20 Bill Rose Fond du Lac PCT .944 17-1


1947 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Herman D. White

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Sheboygan Indians 82 40 .672 - 47,462 Joe Hauser
Janesville Cubs 66 54 .550 15 46,353 Frank Piet
Oshkosh Giants 60 59 .504 20.5 75,028 Ray Lucas
Wausau Lumberjacks 62 62 .500 21 86,722 Joe Skurski
Appleton Papermakers 61 61 .500 21 91,401 Andy Lotchick / Whitey Gluchoski
Green Bay Bluejays 58 62 .483 23 65,946 Harry Griswold
Fond du Lac Panthers 58 67 .464 25.5 86,417 James Adlam
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 41 83 .331 42 38,616 Tony Parisse

Playoffs: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
James Adlam Fond du Lac BA .429 William Eggert Sheboygan W 23
Melvin Welch Green Bay Runs 133 Sam S. Brewer Oshkosh SO 256
Anthony Costa Wausau Hits 161 William Eggert Sheboygan ERA 2.82
Peter Brozovich Oshkosh RBI 112 William Eggert Sheboygan PCT .885 23-3
James Adlam Fond du Lac HR 20


1948 Wisconsin State League
President: Judge Arnold F. Murphy

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Sheboygan Indians 85 40 .680 - 59,199 Joe Hauser
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 75 51 .595 10.5 81,128 Frank Parenti / Demaree / John P. Kerr
Wausau Lumberjacks 71 55 .563 14.5 87,143 Joe Skurski
Fond du Lac Panthers 68 57 .544 17 94,665 Fred Collins
Green Bay Blue Jays 57 68 .456 28 64,862 Roxie Lawson / Laskowski / Dotlich
Oshkosh Giants 51 74 .408 34 64,625 Ray Lucas
Appleton Papermakers 48 77 .384 37 69,971 Whitey Gluchoski
Janesville Cubs 46 79 .368 39 31,985 Frank Kristie / Lou Bekeza

Playoffs: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Gene Thomas Wisconsin Rapids BA .360 Lowell Grosskopf Sheboygan W 23
Walt Moryn Sheboygan Runs 138 Edward Lubanski Wausau W 23
Joe Barracato Sheboygan Hits 167 Lowell Grosskopf Sheboygan SO 236
Robert Kurtz Wausau RBI 132 Ted Shandor Wisconsin Rapids ERA 2.62
Fred Collins Fond du Lac HR 32 Bill Fischer Wisconsin Rapids PCT .824 14-3


1949 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Judge Arnold F. Murphy

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Oshkosh Giants 72 49 .595 - 115,956 Dave Garcia
Green Bay Blue Jays 71 55 .563 3.5 105,765 Phil Seghi
Sheboygan Indians 67 56 .545 6 58,730 Joe Hauser
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 64 58 .525 8.5 52,828 Glen Stewart / George Mitro
Fond du Lac Panthers 59 63 .484 13.5 78,103 Fred Collins
Appleton Papermakers 57 69 .452 17.5 92,938 Frederick Clemence
Wausau Lumberjacks 54 69 .439 19 55,418 Joe Skurski
Janesville Cubs 50 75 .400 24 68,768 Jim Oglesby / Frederick / Matulis

Playoffs: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Earl Girard Green Bay BA .367 Bill Allen Sheboygan W 18
Robert Myers Oshkosh Runs 103 Rudy Yandoli Oshkosh W 18
Ken McCormick Fond du Lac Hits 155 Bill Allen Sheboygan SO 242
Ken Landenberger Wisconsin Rapids RBI 129 Jennins Norman Oshkosh ERA 2.03
Edward Fenelon Sheboygan HR 18 Rudy Yandoli Oshkosh PCT .720 18-7

1950-1953[edit]

1950 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Judge Arnold F. Murphy

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Oshkosh Giants 74 49 .602 - 69,653 Dave Garcia
Sheboygan Indians 71 53 .573 3.5 48,449 Joe Hauser
Janesville Cubs 70 54 .565 4.5 78,099 Adolph Matulis
Fond du Lac Panthers 65 57 .533 8.5 59,110 Wayne Tucker
Green Bay Blue Jays 63 62 .504 12 79,688 Phil Seghi
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 59 64 .480 15 48,524 John P. Kerr / Joe Holden
Appleton Papermakers 58 66 .468 16.5 80,381 Joe Skurski
Wausau Lumberjacks 33 88 .273 40 33,312 Bruno Haas

Playoffs: Oshkosh 3 games, Fond du Lac 1; Janesville 3 games, Sheboygan 2.
Finals: Oshkosh 4 games. Janesville 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Wilburn Jenkins Oshkosh BA .354 Joe Margoneri Oshkosh W 23
Rod Graber Green Bay Runs 124 Joe Margoneri Oshkosh SO 288
Ray Shearer Sheboygan Hits 160 Adolph Matulis Janesville ERA 1.85
Ray Shearer Sheboygan RBI 137 Joe Margoneri Oshkosh PCT .882 23-4
Ray Shearer Sheboygan HR 30


1951 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Judge Arnold F. Murphy

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Sheboygan Indians 76 43 .639 - 36,509 Joe Hauser
Oshkosh Giants 65 55 .542 11.5 40,566 Dave Garcia
Green Bay Blue Jays 64 57 .529 13 57,843 Phil Seghi
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 60 58 .508 15.5 33,001 Ira Hutchinson
Fond du Lac Panthers 59 61 .492 17.5 43,097 James Adlam
Wausau Lumberjacks 57 62 .479 19 38,791 Bob Benish
Janesville Cubs 56 64 .467 20.5 62,982 Adolph Matulis
Appleton Papermakers 43 80 .350 35 54,179 Joe Skurski / Paul Erickson

No Playoffs Scheduled.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Dave Garcia Oshkosh BA .369 Walt Yowell Wisconsin Rapids W 18
Earl Willis Oshkosh Runs 121 Earl McClellan Sheboygan SO 216
Dave Garcia Oshkosh Hits 157 Walt Yowell Wisconsin Rapids ERA 1.90
Dave Garcia Oshkosh RBI 127 Earl McClellan Sheboygan PCT .800 16-4
Dave Garcia Oshkosh HR 23


1952 Wisconsin State League
President: Dan G.Cisco

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Sheboygan Indians 76 47 .618 - 33,387 Joe Hauser
Wausau Lumberjacks 64 57 .529 11 39,775 Mike Tresh
Oshkosh Giants 63 58 .521 12 41,899 Dave Garcia
Appleton Papermakers 63 60 .512 13 71,999 Travis Jackson
Green Bay Blue Jays 64 61 .512 13 52,920 Phil Seghi
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 60 60 .500 14.5 43,911 Ira Hutchinson
Janesville Cubs 54 66 .450 20.5 42,060 Harry Bright
Fond du Lac Panthers 43 78 .355 32 31,374 James Adlam / John Wilkinson

No Playoffs Scheduled.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sidney Ford Wausau BA .344 Connie Grob Sheboygan W 24
Melvin Lightner Wis/Rapids Runs 125 Dick Grabowski Appleton SO 292
Dick Patton Wis/Rapids Hits 155 Lawrence Donovan Wausau ERA 2.17
Harry Bright Janesville RBI 101 Connie Grob Sheboygan PCT .828 24-5
Paul Bentley Oshkosh HR 21


1953 Wisconsin State League - schedule
President: Duane F. Bowman

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Green Bay Blue Jays 80 42 .656 - 71,013 Phil Seghi
Wausau Lumberjacks 76 49 .608 5.5 37,138 Wayne Blackburn
Sheboygan Indians 71 52 .577 9.5 33,387 Joe Hauser
Fond du Lac Panthers 68 55 .553 12.5 54,286 Joe Consoli
Oshkosh Giants 57 66 .463 23.5 31,746 Dave Garcia
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox 53 70 .431 27.5 37,066 Walter Millies
Appleton Papermakers 43 77 .358 36 40,591 Travis Jackson
Janesville Cubs 43 80 .350 37.5 27,544 Robert Dant

Playoff: Green Bay 2 games, Wausau 0. Playoff games included in final standings.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac BA .390 Mel Heim Green Bay W 19
Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac Runs 123 Chester Vincent Oshkosh SO 203
Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac Hits 170 Mel Heim Green Bay ERA 2.14
Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac RBI 148 Dick Miller Sheboygan PCT .857 12-2
Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac HR 28


League Records 1940-53[edit]

Batting
Stat Player Team Tot Yr
GA Held by many 126
BA Bill Deininger Sheboygan Indians .396 1942
AB Joe Barracato Sheboygan Indians 506 1950
Runs Walt Moryn Sheboygan Indians 138 1948
Hits Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac Panthers 170 1953
RBI Joe Tuminelli Fond du Lac Panthers 148 1953
2B Bob Pascal Oshkosh Giants 40 1950
3B Edward Waytula Appleton Papermakers 18 1947
HR Fred Collins Fond du Lac Panthers 32 1948
TB Ray Shearer Sheboygan Indians 300 1950
Streak Bill Deininger Sheboygan Indians 29 1942
SB Harold Gordon Fond du Lac Panthers 64 1953
BB Tom Bartos Sheboygan Indians 164 1947
SO Allen Mugford Sheboygan Indians 138 1953
Pitching
Stat Player Team Tot Yr
GA Robert Zimmerman Appleton Papermakers 56 1949
CG Eugene Josalene Janesville Cubs 27 1941
W Connie Grob Sheboygan Indians 24 1952
L James Warmouth Appleton Papermakers 17 1953
PCT Bill Rose Fond du Lac Panthers .944 17-1 1946
ERA Mervin Hensley LaCrosse Blackhawks 1.81 1940
IP Connie Grob Sheboygan Indians 251 1952
Win Streak Bill Rose Fond du Lac Panthers 16 1946
SHO Dick Grabowski
Wilber Striker		 Sheboygan Indians
Green Bay Bluejays		 5
5		 1952
1952
SO Dick Grabowski Appleton Papermakers 292 1952
BB Lowell Grosskopf Sheboygan Indians 177 1949

Hall of Fame Alumni[edit]

Source[edit]

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Second and Third Editions.

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