Paris Lakers
|
Paris Lakers 1950–1959 (1907–1908, 1950–1959) Paris, Illinois | |
| Class-level | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Class D |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| League | Midwest League |
Previous leagues |
Midwest League (1956–1959) Mississippi–Ohio Valley League (1950–1955) Eastern Illinois League (1907–1908) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1 (1956) |
| Team data | |
Previous names | Lakers (1950–1959) |
Previous parks | Lakers Stadium |
The Paris Lakers were a minor league baseball team in Paris, Illinois that was an original franchise in the Midwest League, playing from 1950–1959. The Lakers previously played in the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League, the predecessor of the MWL from 1950–1955. In 1907–1908, Paris had fielded a team in the Eastern Illinois League.[1]
From 1950 to 1954, the Lakers played as an independent team, and from 1955–1959, they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.[1]
The Lakers won the 1956 Midwest League championship, the first year of the league.[2] The team finished 85-42 in the 1952 Mississippi–Ohio Valley League.[3]
No-hitter
On August 18, 1957 Kenneth Rollins threw a no-hitter against the Michigan City White Caps, winning 12-0.[4]
The ballpark
The Lakers' home field was Lakers Stadium in Twin Lakes Park located at 39°38'1"N 87°41'50"W.[5] The park hosted the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League All-Star Game in 1951.[6] The field and part of the original stands are still in use.[7]
Notable alumni
- Tony Balsamo (1959)
- Harvey Branch (1958–1959)
- Dick Burwell (1959)
- Nelson Mathews (1959), father of T. J. Mathews
- Moe Morhardt (1959)
- Johnnie Seale (1959)
- Morrie Steevens (1959)
- Rube Walker (1957–1959, MGR), MLB pitching coach (1965–84)
- Lou Johnson (1958)
- Don Prince (1958)
- Jack Curtis (1956)
- Joe Schaffernoth (1956)
- John Buzhardt (1955)
- Harry Taylor (1955)
- Mike Krsnich (1950–1951), career cut short Korean War
References
- 1 2 Baseball in Paris, Illinois at mwlguide.com, URL accessed July 1, 2010. Archived 2010-07-01 at WebCite 07-01-10
- ↑ Midwest League 1956 at mwlguide.com, URL accessed July 1, 2010. Archived 2010-07-01 at WebCite 07-01-10
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=3dec0828
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/reference/nohitters.html
- ↑ http://wikimapia.org/33497288/Laker-Stadium
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/cities/paris/park.html
- ↑ http://www.lib.niu.edu/1996/ihy960465.html