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 | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Previous classes | Class A |
| League | Midwest League |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1973 |
| Team data | |
Previous names |
|
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.[citation needed]
Ballpark
editThey played their home games at Witter Field, located at 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Built in 1928,[2] 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.[3] The League folded after the 1953 season,[4] 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.[5] Following the 1983 season, the franchise moved to Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[6]
Today, the park is home to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, who began play in 2010 .[3]
Notable alumni
editThe 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.
- Allan Anderson (1983) 1988 AL ERA Leader
- Steve Barber (1969) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Randy Bass (1973)
- Steve Braun (1967)
- Bud Bulling (1975–76)
- Bill Campbell (1971) MLB All-Star; 1977 AL Saves Leader
- John Castino (1976) 1979 AL Rookie of the Year
- Rick Dempsey (1968–69) 1983 World Series MVP
- Jim Eisenreich (1980–81) First Recipient of Tony Conigliaro Award
- Gary Gaetti (1980) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Jerry Garvin (1974)
- Johnny Goryl (1970, 1973–75, MGR)
- Tom Hall (1967)
- Kent Hrbek (1980) MLB AS
- Pat Kelly (1964) MLB All-Star
- Dave McKay (1971)
- Charlie Manuel (1967, MGR 1983) Manager: 2008 World Series Champion - Philadelphia Phillies
- George Mitterwald (1965, 1968)
- Graig Nettles (1966) 6 x MLB All-Star 1976 AL Home Run Leader
- Mark Portugal (1982)
- Rick Stelmaszek (1978-80 MGR)
- Gary Ward (1974) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Alvis Woods (1974)
Year-by-year record
edit| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 50-71 | 9th | Joe Christian | |
| 1965 | 60-61 | 6th | Ray Bellino / Pete Appleton / Ray Bellino | none |
| 1966 | 59-63 | 6th | Ray Bellino | |
| 1967 | 70-46 | 2nd | Ray Bellino | Lost League Finals |
| 1968 | 62-57 | 4th | Ray Bellino / Tom Umphlett | |
| 1969 | 49-75 | 9th | Tom Videtich | none |
| 1970 | 59-60 | 6th | Johnny Goryl | |
| 1971 | 42-78 | 10th | Weldon Bowlin | |
| 1972 | 70-56 | 4th | Jay Ward | Lost in 1st round |
| 1973 | 68-53 | 2nd | Johnny Goryl | League Champs |
| 1974 | 80-48 | 1st | Johnny Goryl | Lost in 1st round |
| 1975 | 71-58 | 3rd | Johnny Goryl | |
| 1976 | 67-63 | 5th | Harry Warner | |
| 1977 | 66-72 | 6th | Jim Rantz / Carlos Pascual / Spencer Robbins | |
| 1978 | 62-76 | 5th | Rick Stelmaszek | |
| 1979 | 60-72 | 6th | Rick Stelmaszek | |
| 1980 | 77-64 | 3rd | Rick Stelmaszek | Lost in 1st round |
| 1981 | 68-65 | 4th | Ken Staples | |
| 1982 | 56-82 | 11th | Ken Staples | |
| 1983 | 71-67 | 5th (t) | Charlie Manuel |
References
edit- ^ "Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Encyclopedia". Baseball-reference.com.
- ^ "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com.
- ^ "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com.
- ^ "Witter Field Minor League History | Baseball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- ^ "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.