Minnesota–Wisconsin League
The Minnesota–Wisconsin League, known as the "Minny" League, was a professional minor baseball league that existed from 1909 to 1912. It was a Class-C league from 1909 to 1911 and a Class-D league in 1912. As its name suggests, it featured teams based in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.[1]
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1909 |
| Ceased | 1912 |
| Countries | United States |
| Last champion(s) | Winona Pirates |
The inaugural season featured the following teams: Duluth White Sox, Eau Claire Cream Puffs, La Crosse Outcasts, Winona Pirates, Wausau Lumberjacks and Superior Drillers. The Duluth White Sox finished in first place, claiming the league championship.
In 1910, the Duluth White Sox, La Crosse Outcasts, Wausau Lumberjacks and Winona Pirates returned from 1909, while the Eau Claire Cream Puffs became the Eau Claire Commissioners and the Superior Drillers became the Superior Red Sox. The Red Wing Manufacturers and the Rochester Surgeons were newcomers to the league. The Eau Claire Commissioners finished in first place, winning the league championship.
In 1911, the league consisted of the same teams as in 1910, but Red Wing and Wausau dropped out on June 26, 1911. The Superior Red Sox finished in first place, winning the league championship.
Only four teams participated in the league in 1912 – the Eau Claire Commissioners, the La Crosse Outcasts, the Winona Pirates and the Rochester Bugs (formerly the Rochester Surgeons). Duluth and Superior left to form the Central International League. The Minnesota–Wisconsin League disbanded on July 1, 1912, with the Winona Pirates being the de facto league champion.
Notable players
Hall of Famers Dave Bancroft and Burleigh Grimes played in the league.
References
"Rochester Surgeons Beat Outcasts Again." Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.) 26 May 1910. 11.
"Surgeons Lost Final Autopsy: Rochester Drops an Up and Down Contest -- Score is 8 to 4." Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.) 29 May 1911. 2.