Wisconsin Rapids Twins

Wisconsin Rapids Twins
1963 – 1983 Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes	Class A
League	Midwest League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams	Minnesota Twins (1964–1983) Washington Senators (1963)
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.

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.

• 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

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

1. "Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Encyclopedia". Baseball-reference.com.
2. "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
3. "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com.
4. "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
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. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2021.