Grand Forks Chiefs
The Grand Forks Chiefs were a minor league baseball team from Grand Forks, North Dakota. They played in the Northern League from 1934 to 1964, with a couple breaks in between.
Grand Forks Chiefs 1934–1964 (1934–1935, 1938–1942, 1946–1964) Grand Forks, North Dakota | |
Minor league affiliations | |
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Previous classes |
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League | Northern League |
Major league affiliations | |
Previous teams |
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Minor league titles | |
League titles | 3 (1940, 1948, 1951) |
Team data | |
Previous names |
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Previous parks | Municipal Ballpark |
History
The Chiefs began play in 19434, after Grand Forks had hosted two previous teams in the Northern League. The Chiefs were a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers (1964), Cleveland Indians (1963, Pittsburgh Pirates (1956–1962), Philadelphia Phillies (1951–1952), New York Yankees (1948–1950), Brooklyn Dodgers (1946) and Chicago White Sox (1939–1942).[1][2]
Previously, the Grand Forks Forkers (1903-1906) and the Grand Forks Flickertails (1912-1914) had played in the Northern League.[3]
Ballparks
The Chiefs played at Grand Forks Municipal Ballpark, located at 1124 Demers Avenue. Today the site is the Central Fire Station.[4][5]
Notable alumni
Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni
- Willie Stargell (1960) Inducted, 1988
Notable alumni
- Bob Clear (1960-1961)
- Dave Garcia (1941)
- Dale Hackbart (1960) Became NFL football player.
- Ramon Hernandez (1959-1960)
- Johnny Hopp (1955) MLB All-Star
- Dick Jamieson (1958) Became NFL player
- Rex Johnston (1960) Played in NFL
- Bob Lee MLB All-Star
- Morrie Martin (1941)
- Jose Martinez (1961)
- Gene Michael (1959-1960)
- Johnny Mostil (1938-1939) 2× AL stolen base leader (1925, 1926)
- Glen Selbo (1947) Became NBA basketball player
- Dave Wickersham (1956)
Year-by-year record
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
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1934 | 59–60 | 6th | Johnny Anderson | |
1935 | 46–66 | 6th | Johnny Anderson | |
1938 | 49–66 | 6th | Johnny Mostil | |
1939 | 49–68 | 7th | Johnny Mostil | |
1940 | 79–44 | 1st | Papa Williams | League Champs |
1941 | 64–48 | 2nd | Larry Bettencourt | Lost in 1st round |
1942 | 31–84 | 8th | Bruno Haas | |
1946 | 50–56 | 6th | Glenn Chapman / Rae Blaemire | |
1947 | 28–92 | 8t | Claude Jonnard | |
1948 | 80–39 | 1st | Gordon Hinkle | League Champs |
1949 | 55–70 | 8th | Ed Kearse / Joe McDermott / Wally Berger | |
1950 | 52–73 | 6th | Jack Farmer / Cedric Durst | |
1951 | 64–62 | 4th | Eddie Murphy | League Champs |
1952 | 38–86 | 8th | Eddie Murphy | |
1953 | 55–70 | 6th | Carl Hosler / Frank Calo | |
1954 | 43–91 | 8th | Virl Minnis / Frank Calo / Frank Major | |
1955 | 39–85 | 8th | Johnny Hopp / Joe McDermott / Ray Fletcher | |
1956 | 59–65 | 7th | Al Kubski | |
1957 | 52–72 | 8th | Al Kubski / Jack Paepke | |
1958 | 51–68 | 7th | James Adlam | |
1959 | 57–68 | 6th | James Adlam | |
1960 | 61–62 | 5th | Bob Clear | |
1961 | 60–66 | 4th | Bob Clear | Lost in 1st round |
1962 | 72–52 | 1st | Tom Saffell | Lost in 1st round |
1963 | 54–64 | 5th | Ray Dabek | 1st 17–11* |
1964 | 69–50 | 2nd | James Williams | 15–13 (3rd)* |
* Baukol Playoffs based on last 30 days of season
References