Wisconsin Rapids Twins

Last updated
Wisconsin Rapids Twins
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass A
League Midwest 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

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.

Contents

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

They 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

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
197059-606th Johnny Goryl
197142-7810th Weldon Bowlin
197270-564th Jay Ward Lost in 1st round
197368-532nd Johnny Goryl League Champs
197480-481st Johnny Goryl Lost in 1st round
197571-583rd Johnny Goryl
197667-635th Harry Warner
197766-726th Jim Rantz / Carlos Pascual / Spencer Robbins
197862-765th Rick Stelmaszek
197960-726th Rick Stelmaszek
198077-643rd Rick Stelmaszek Lost in 1st round
198168-654th Ken Staples
198256-8211th Ken Staples
198371-675th (t) Charlie Manuel

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References

  1. "Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Encyclopedia". Baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com.
  4. "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com.
  5. "Witter Field Minor League History | Baseball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  6. "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.