Michigan City White Caps
|
Michigan City White Caps 1956–1959 (1956-1959) Michigan City, Indiana | |
| Class-level | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Class C (1956-1959) |
| Minor league affiliations | |
Previous leagues | Midwest League (1956-1959) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous |
|
| Team data | |
Previous parks | Ames Field |
The Michigan City White Caps were a minor league baseball team that played in Michigan City, Indiana from 1956 to 1959. The team had been the Hannibal Stags, moving to Michigan City to become a charter member of the Midwest League in 1956.[1] The White Caps were affiliated with the Giants, who played in New York from 1956–57 and San Francisco from 1958-59. The franchise folded after the 1959 season, but the nickname name was restored to the region when today's West Michigan White Caps began play in the Midwest League in 1994. [2][3]Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Juan Marichal pitched for Michigan City in 1958. [4][5]
The ballpark
The White Caps played at Ames Field. The park was constructed in 1936 and demolished in 1995. Today, the Michigan City High School football field occupies the site.[6] The site is located at 2501 Franklin Street.[7]
No hitter
On August 12, 1957 Bobby Bolin threw a no-hitter against the Dubuque Packers, winning 11-0.[8]
Pants
During the White Caps era, Michigan City was home to the Jaymar-Ruby Corporation (1922-2009), which made the then-popular Sansabelt dress pants, among other apparel. As a perk, White Caps players were given free dress pants by the company. Allegedly, Juan Marichal did not like the pants and gave them away.[9][10]
Notalbe Alumni
Several players for Michigan City also played in Major League Baseball, including one future Hall of Famer:[11][12][13]
- Buddy Kerr (1958-59, MGR) MLB AS
- Rick Joseph (1959)
- Wayne Schurr (1959)
- Jose Tartabull (1958-59) Father of Danny Tartabull
- Juan Marichal (1958) 10 x MLB AS; 243 Wins; 1956 MLB All-Star Game MVP; 1968 NL Wins Leader; 1969 MLB ERA Leader; Baseball Hall of Fame (1983)
- Matty Alou (1957) 2 x MLB AS: 1966 NL Batting Champion
- Bobby Bolin (1957)
- Bob Farley (1957)
- Manny Mota (1957) Lifetime .304 BA; MLB AS
- John Orsino (1957)
Year-by-year record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 55-71[14] | 7th | Allan Shinn |
| 1957 | 68-57[11] | 4th | Richard Klaus |
| 1958 | 69-55[12] | 2nd | Buddy Kerr |
| 1959 | 51-74[13] | 8th | Buddy Kerr |
References
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/cities/michigancity/
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/West_Michigan_Whitecaps
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/cities/michigancity/
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/cities/michigancity/
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Michigan%20City&state=IN&country=US&empty=0
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/cities/michigancity/
- ↑ http://www.mapquest.com/us/indiana/business-michigan-city/ames-field-346514691
- ↑ http://mwlguide.com/reference/nohitters.html
- ↑ http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/michigan-city-benefactor-leaves-legacy/article_da0b4e92-4615-5cce-bd7d-e645b9d773d1.html
- ↑ http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/jaymar-ruby-to-close-doors-after-nearly-a-century/article_8b27f7cd-e6e2-526b-8c30-69d1cf17ba6b.html
- 1 2 "1957 Michigan City White Caps". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- 1 2 "1958 Michigan City White Caps". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- 1 2 "1959 Michigan City White Caps". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- ↑ "1956 Michigan City White Caps". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.