The Adrian Reformers were a minor league baseball team based in Adrian, Michigan . In 1895, the Reformers played as a member of the Class B level Michigan State League , winning the league championship. The Reformers were also known by the Adrian Demons moniker during the 1895 season.
20-736: In 1895, Adrian, Michigan had two teams, also playing host to the Page Fence Giants of the negro leagues . With the two franchises sharing management, the Adrian Reformers signed six players from the Page Fence Giants during the 1895 season, integrating the Michigan State League and leading to the moniker change. The Reformers/Demons were followed in Adrian by the 1909 Adrian Yeggs , who began play in
40-431: A 57–30 record under manager R.G. Taylor. With Honus Wagner playing for Adrian in his first professional season at age 21 and with George Wilson compiling a 29–4 record on the mound, Adrian finished 3.5 games ahead of the second place Lansing Senators (56–36) in the final league standings. The Kalamazoo Kazoos (50–41) and Battle Creek Adventists / Jackson Jaxons (36–53) rounded out the final standings as both Owosso (37–47) and
60-589: A professional Black-American baseball team based in Adrian, Michigan , from 1895 to 1898, performing as one of the nation's top teams in the Negro leagues . Named after the Page Woven Wire Fence Company in Adrian, they were sponsored by its founder, J. Wallace Page. Formed in 1894, the team played its first game on April 9, 1895. Bud Fowler and Home Run Johnson organized the team, which
80-465: A six–team league. The Adrian franchise did not return to the 1897 Michigan State League. The Adrian Demons were followed by the 1909 Adrian Yeggs , who began play as members of the Class D level Southern Michigan League . The Adrian Demons and Adrian Reformers teams were noted to have played home minor league games at Lawrence Park . Lawrence Park also hosted Page Fence Giants home games. The ballpark
100-551: The Cincinnati Reds , losing both games. The six players moving from the Page Fence Giants to the Demons were Bud Fowler, William Binga , Pete Burns, Vasco Graham, Cannon Ball Miller , and George Wilson . Binga, Burns, and Wilson returned to playing for the Page Fence Giants after the series against Owosso, while the others remained for longer durations. During the series, Adrian swept all three games playing at Owosso. When
120-581: The Cincinnati Reds . The club lost Fowler and pitcher George Wilson to the white Adrian-based team Adrian Demons during the MSL season. In 1896, Charlie Grant replaced Fowler at second. The Page Fence Giants beat the Cuban X-Giants in a 15-game series, 10 games to 5, to claim they were the top team in black baseball. The clinching game took place in Caro, Michigan, and regular shortstop Home Run Johnson
140-641: The Southern Michigan League . Adrian hosted all 1895 baseball home games at Lawrence Park. Baseball Hall of Fame members Bud Fowler and Honus Wagner both played for Adrian in 1895. The Adrian Reformers became members of the reformed Class B level Michigan State League in 1895. The Michigan State League began play on May 21, 1895, with the Adrian Demons (Reformers), Battle Creek Adventists , Kalamazoo Kazoos , Lansing Senators , Owosso Colts , and Port Huron Marines comprising
160-611: The Colts, possibly as injury replacements, including Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler . The Page Fence Giants were also based in Adrian, Michigan , and the two franchises shared management groups. In the 1895 pre-season, referring to the Page Fence Giants, the Chicago Inter Ocean newspaper stated that the "Giants are the best colored team ever organized." In April 1895, the Giants had played two exhibition games against
180-579: The Page Woven Wire Fence Company in Adrian, they were sponsored by its founder, J. Wallace Page. Formed in 1894, the team played its first game on April 9, 1895. Bud Fowler and Home Run Johnson organized the team, which was managed by Gus Parsons. Fowler chose players who did not drink and aimed for a group with high moral character. Five of the twelve players were college graduates. Fowler played second base , while Johnson manned shortstop . The team played in 112 towns that year against all levels of competition, going 118–36–2. They were 8–7 against clubs from
200-584: The Port Huron Marines (27–51) franchises folded on September 8, 1895, before the season was completed. Honus Wagner played 16 games for Adrian in 1895, while shuttling between Adrian and the Wagner, Pennsylvania team of the Iron and Oil League , eventually playing for five teams in his first professional season. The Michigan State League folded after the 1895 season, before returning to play in 1897 as
220-520: The six-team league. The Michigan State League played in the 1889 and 1890 seasons before reforming in 1895. Adrian started the 1895 season with a 7–8 record and fell behind early leader Battle Creek/Jackson. During the 1895 season, prior to a series against the Owosso Colts, with future Baseball Hall of Fame member Honus Wagner on their roster, the "Demons" signed six members of the Negro league baseball team Page Fence Giants to play against
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#1732794449446240-473: The team train arrived home to Adrian after the series sweep, they were met by celebrating fans gathered at the Wabash Depot. The entire team was taken out for a dinner celebration at Schwartz and Emmers restaurant. Erve Beck made his professional debut for Adrian in 1895, playing at age 16. The Adrian Demons/Reformers captured the 1895 Michigan State League championship. Adrian finished the season with
260-510: The white Michigan State League (MSL). They lost games by scores of 11–7 and 16–2 against the Cincinnati Reds . The club lost Fowler and pitcher George Wilson to the white Adrian-based team Adrian Demons during the MSL season. In 1896, Charlie Grant replaced Fowler at second. The Page Fence Giants beat the Cuban X-Giants in a 15-game series, 10 games to 5, to claim they were the top team in black baseball. The clinching game took place in Caro, Michigan, and regular shortstop Home Run Johnson
280-483: Was Honus Wagner , who played for a three-week period during July 1895 on the integrated Demons squad. Fowler and Wilson left the team before the end of its first, 1895 season to play in the primarily white Michigan State League. (Riley 295, 873) Wilson posted a 29–4 record with the Adrian Demons that year and was the MSL's leading pitcher by all accounts. Page Fence Giants The Page Fence Giants were
300-517: Was 1895, 121–31; 1896, 143–25; 1897, 129–10; 1898, 107–10. Wilson, Fowler, Miller, Graham, Binga, and Burns also played games with the Adrian Demons in 1895, the town's entry into the Michigan State League, minor league. The Demons were the only integrated team in the league that season. Gus Parsons, Len Hoch, and the Taylor Brothers were the management group that operated the team in its only year of existence. Its most famous player
320-452: Was 1895, 121–31; 1896, 143–25; 1897, 129–10; 1898, 107–10. Wilson, Fowler, Miller, Graham, Binga, and Burns also played games with the Adrian Demons in 1895, the town's entry into the Michigan State League, minor league. The Demons were the only integrated team in the league that season. Gus Parsons, Len Hoch, and the Taylor Brothers were the management group that operated the team in its only year of existence. Its most famous player
340-444: Was managed by Gus Parsons. Fowler chose players who did not drink and aimed for a group with high moral character. Five of the twelve players were college graduates. Fowler played second base , while Johnson manned shortstop . The team played in 112 towns that year against all levels of competition, going 118–36–2. They were 8–7 against clubs from the white Michigan State League (MSL). They lost games by scores of 11–7 and 16–2 against
360-459: Was named for its owner and had first been a racetrack. Lawrence Park was located on Maumee Street, along Race Street, west of the Raisin River , Adrian, Michigan. Page Fence Giants The Page Fence Giants were a professional Black-American baseball team based in Adrian, Michigan , from 1895 to 1898, performing as one of the nation's top teams in the Negro leagues . Named after
380-467: Was the winning pitcher that game. Overall they went 80–19 through August 1. In 1897, they went 125–12 with 82 consecutive wins. The 1898 tour was the club's last, as the next year many of the players went to the new Columbia Giants in Chicago. The outcome of many games were disputed by the Giants' management, due to many games worked by unfair umpires assigned to the games. One published win–loss record
400-412: Was the winning pitcher that game. Overall they went 80–19 through August 1. In 1897, they went 125–12 with 82 consecutive wins. The 1898 tour was the club's last, as the next year many of the players went to the new Columbia Giants in Chicago. The outcome of many games were disputed by the Giants' management, due to many games worked by unfair umpires assigned to the games. One published win–loss record
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