Wisconsin Rapids Twins

The Wisconsin Rapids Twins were a Class A minor league baseball team that existed from 1963 to 1983, playing in the Midwest League. Affiliated with the Washington Senators (1963) and the Minnesota Twins (1964-1983), they were located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, United States. They played their home games at Witter Field. The franchise evolved from the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox of the Wisconsin State League (1940–42, 1946–53).[1] For the 1984 season, the franchise became the Kenosha Twins, moving to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Rapids Twins
1963–1983
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass A
LeagueMidwest League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 1973
Team data
Previous names
  • Wisconsin Rapids Twins (1964–1983)
  • Wisconsin Rapids Senators (1963)
Previous parks
Witter Field

Despite the fact that they existed for 21 seasons, the Twins were Midwest League Champions only once, defeating the Danville Warriors 2 games to 1 and winning the 1973 Championship, after having lost to the Appleton Foxes in the 1967 Championship Series.[2]

The Ballpark

They played their home games at Witter Field, located at 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Built in 1928,[3] it served as the home park for multiple minor league teams: the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox (1941–42; 1946–53) of the Class-D Wisconsin State League.[4] The League folded after the 1953 season,[5] leaving Witter without professional baseball until a new team in the Class-A Midwest League started play. The Wisconsin Rapids Senators (1963) and Wisconsin Rapids Twins (1964–1983) would play for the next two decades.[6] Following the 1983 season, the franchise moved to Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[7]

Today, the park is home to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, who began play in 2010 .[8]

Notable alumni

The player to win the first Triple Crown in Midwest League history played for the Twins – Elmore "Moe" Hill. In 1974, he led the league with a .339 average, 32 home runs and 113 RBI.

Year-by-year record
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
196450-719thJoe Christian
196560-616thRay Bellino / Pete Appleton / Ray Bellinonone
196659-636thRay Bellino
196770-462ndRay BellinoLost League Finals
196862-574thRay Bellino / Tom Umphlett
196949-759thTom Videtichnone
197059-606thJohnny Goryl
197142-7810thWeldon Bowlin
197270-564thJay WardLost in 1st round
197368-532ndJohnny GorylLeague Champs
197480-481stJohnny GorylLost in 1st round
197571-583rdJohnny Goryl
197667-635thHarry Warner
197766-726thJim Rantz / Carlos Pascual / Spencer Robbins
197862-765thRick Stelmaszek
197960-726thRick Stelmaszek
198077-643rdRick StelmaszekLost in 1st round
198168-654thKen Staples
198256-8211thKen Staples
198371-675th (t)Charlie Manuel

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References
  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Wisconsin%20Rapids&state=WI&country=US&empty=0
  2. Baseball Reference Bullpen
  3. RaftersBaseball.com
  4. http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-rapids-rafters/team/ballpark/
  5. http://www.digitalballparks.com/MWL/Witter_640_6.html
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/park.cgi?id=WI031
  7. http://www.digitalballparks.com/MWL/Witter_640_20.html
  8. http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-rapids-rafters/team/ballpark/
  9. Baseball Reference Bullpen)
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