The Bay City Billikens were a minor league baseball team based in Bay City, Michigan . From 1907 to 1915, Bay City teams played exclusively as members of the Southern Michigan League under numerous nicknames.
46-559: The Bay City Southern Michigan League baseball teams played single seasons known as the "Reds" and "Cardinals" before 1911, when they became known as the "Billikens." In 1913, the Bay City Beavers continued Southern Michigan League play, being following the Billikens. The Bay City teams all hosted home minor league home games at Clarkson Park. The ballpark was named for Baseball Hall of Fame member John Clarkson , who became
92-582: A Southern Michigan League baseball team based in Bay City, Michigan , United States that existed from 1913 to 1915. Future major leaguer Joe Harris played for them in 1913 and 1914. Cecil Coombs played for them in 1914 as well. No known major league baseball players played for them in 1915. This article about a baseball team in Michigan is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Lansing Senators The Lansing Senators were
138-592: A final record of 59-81. Bay City ended the Southern Michigan League season 28.5 games behind the first place Lansing Senators . In 1911, the Bay City team was known by another nickname, adopting the "Billikens" moniker for the team. Created in the era, a Billiken is good luck charm doll or figurine. It is said that the possessor of the Billiken will have perpetual good luck. The Billiken figure
184-865: A long running minor league baseball team based in Lansing, Michigan . Between 1895 and 1941, the Lansing "Senators" teams played as members of the Michigan State League (1895, 1897, 1902), Southern Michigan League (1907–1914) and Central League (1921–1922) before a final Michigan State League season in 1941. The Senators won the Southern Michigan League pennant in 1910. Lansing hosted home minor league games at multiple ballparks in their years of minor league play. Lansing played home games at Parshall Park (1895, 1897, 1902), Waverly Park (1906–1915), Community Park (1921–1922) and Municipal Park (1941). Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler played for
230-519: A nearly two-decade hiatus, Lansing minor league baseball returned in 1941, as the Michigan State League played its final season, and the Lansing "Senators" nickname was revied after 19 years. The 1940 Lansing "Lancers" became members of the Michigan State League before the "Senators" nickname returned in 1941. The Senators finished in last place in the 1941, ending the season with a record of 35–78. The Senators finished in sixth place in
276-613: A record of 30–45 playing as the Mount Clemens Bathers , the Senators/Bathers had an overall record of 63–80 record, as the team placed seventh of the ten teams. The Senators were managed by Jack Morrissey for the final time, with the team finishing 31.5 games behind first place Bay City Beavers . The Senators/Bathers did not qualify for the two-team playoff won by the Saginaw Ducks over Bay City. In
322-466: A record of 46–57, Lansing played the partial season under manager Jack Morrissey . A Lansing native, Morrissey was a former major league player who had played for the 1895 Lansing Senators. Morrissey managed the Senators for their eight seasons of Central League play. Lansing ended the season 19.0 games behind the first place Tecumseh Indians. Tecumseh won the league championship after the league played
368-543: A record of 65–63 and finished in third place in the final Central League standings. The 1921 managers were Newt Hunter and Jesse Altenburg , as the Senators finished 21.5 games behind the first place Ludington Mariners in the six-team league. Lansing pitcher Lawrence Reno led the Central League with 133 strikeouts. In 1922, Newt Hunter returned as the Lansing Senators manager. With a record of 60–67,
414-524: A record of 79–55 under manager Jack Morrissey, Lansing finished 6.5 games behind the first place Kalamazoo Celery Pickers (88-51). Pitcher Ed Warner of Lansing led Michigan State League with both 26 wins and 231 strikeouts. The Senators finished above .500 in the 1912 Southern Michigan League standings. Lansing ended the season with a record of 63–62, placing fourth, as Jack Morrissey continued as manager. The Senators finished 15.0 games behind first place Adrian Lions . Albert "Bull" Durham, who spilt
460-543: A resident of Bay City following his baseball playing career. Several minor league teams were known by the "Billikens" nickname in the era. In 1908, the Billiken good luck figurine was copyrighted. Minor league baseball began in Bay City with the 1883 "Bay City" team that played the season as members of the Northwestern League . Several Bay City minor league teams followed in various leagues. Before joining
506-444: A shortstop, Ed McKean played for Bay City in 1908. At age 44, McKean hit .289 in 44 games. McKean retired from playing following the season. The renamed Bay City "Cardinals" team improved to finish in fifth place in the 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs. The Cardinals ended the season with a final record of 59–66 in the eight-team league. Playing the season under managers Ed Herr and Fritz Buelow , Bay City ended
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#1732793699210552-618: The Bay City Wolves teams ending in 1926. Clarkston Park was named for Baseball Hall of Fame member John Clarkson , who had become a resident of Bay City following his baseball career. In Bay City, Clarkson opened a tobacco shop at 103 Center Avenue, with satellite counters in Bay City's Fraser House and Phoenix Building, both within today's Bay City Downtown Historic District . While living in Bay City, Clarkson resided at 813 North Birney Street before his death in 1909. Three months after his death His widow, brother and mother attended
598-447: The "Southern Michigan Association" was formed without a Lansing franchise. The Battle Creek Crickets , Jackson Convicts , Kalamazoo White Sox , Mount Clemens Bathers , Saginaw and Tecumseh Indians teams were the charter members. In 1907, the Lansing Senators resumed play in the new League. The Southern Michigan League expanded to become an eight-team league, adding the Lansing Senators and Flint Vehicles as expansion teams. With
644-485: The "Southern Michigan Association". The league was in its second season of play and expanded from a six–team league to an eight–team league, adding the Bay City team as an expansion team. The Battle Creek Crickets , Flint Vehicles , Jackson Convicts , Kalamazoo White Sox , Lansing Senators , Mount Clemens Bathers and Tecumseh Indians teams joined Bay City in beginning league play on May 14, 1907. In their first season of Southern Michigan League play, "Bay City" ended
690-527: The 1895 Lansing Senators. The 1941 Lansing Senators were the last minor league team hosted in Lansing prior to the Lansing Lugnuts beginning play in 1996. Lansing first hosted minor league baseball in 1889 when the Lansing "Farmers" played the season as members of the Class B level Michigan State League under manager Walter Mumbry. "Lansing" continued play in the 1890 Michigan State League before
736-468: The 1907 season with a record of 46–57 to place fifth in the final league standings. Managed by M.E. Taylor, Bay City finished 19.0 games behind the first place Tecumseh Indians in the final standings, as the league held no playoffs. On July 15, 1907, Jackson had folded from the league with a record of 17-27 and Tecumseh won the league championship after the league played the remainder of the season with seven teams. The Bay City "Reds" team continued to play in
782-449: The 1908 Southern Michigan League, finishing in last place in the eight-team league. The Reds ended the season with a record of 48–78 and in eighth place. Led by returning manager M.E. Taylor and Clyde McNutt, Bay City finished the season 25.0 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was , as the league held no playoffs. After a thirteen-year major league career that ended with a .302 average, 1,124 RBI, 1,227 runs scored and 324 stolen bases as
828-538: The 1910 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League . Today, the Saint Louis Billikens nickname is still used by the St. Louis University sports teams. The school first adopted the nickname informally in 1911 to honor their football coach, John R. Bender . During the 1911 football season, local reporters opined that Bender resembled the Billiken charm doll, which were a "national fad" at the time. His football team
874-442: The Billikens finished 14.0 games behind the first place Kalamazoo Celery Pickers (88-51) in the final league standings. The Billikens disbanded during the 1912 Southern Michigan League season. On July 13, 1912, both the Bay City and Saginaw teams folded from the eight-team league, leaving six remaining teams to finish the season. The Billikens folded with a record of 19–43, playing under manager James Slevins. The Adrian Lions were
920-461: The Class B level Central League . The league expanded from a four team to a six-team league in 1921, adding the Lansing Senators and Jackson Mayors teams to the league. The Grand Rapids Joshers , Kalamazoo Celery Pickers , Ludington Mariners , Muskegon Muskies and Jackson Mayors teams joined Lansing in 1921 league play. On May 10, 1921, a parade was held to dedicate the new baseball park for
966-604: The Fairgrounds Driving Park. The park was located on East Michigan Avenue between Magnolia Street and Mifflin Street in Lansing, Michigan. The Senator teams of the Southern Michigan League from 1907 to 1914 hosted home games at League Park, also known as Waverly Park. The ballpark was located at South Walnut and West Kalamazoo in Lansing. The ballpark site was adjacent to the Parshall Park site. When
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#17327936992101012-564: The Lansing Senators. The parade went from downtown Lansing to the ballpark site on South Pennsylvania Avenue, just north of the Potter Park Zoo. The new ballpark was called Community Park. Fred Balding was the president of the Lansing Central League franchise in 1921. The Senators franchise was awarded a trophy by the Central League for having the league's largest opening day attendance. The Lansing Senators had
1058-562: The Parshall Park in their 1895, 1897 and 1902 seasons. The site was also called State Lot. The ballpark was named for the owner of the Senators, R. N. Parhsall. The ballpark was located near the Michigan State Capitol Building, bordered by Walnut Street, Chestnut Street, Washtenau Street and Kalamazoo Street in Lansing, Michigan. No Sunday games were held at Parshall Park. As there were no Sunday games held at Parshall Park, Sunday games in 1897 and 1902 were held at
1104-488: The Senators ended the season in fifth place in the six-team Central League. Lansing ended the season 15.5 games behind the first place Ludington Mariners. The Senators did not qualify for the playoff, where the Grand Rapids Billbobs defeated Ludington to win the league title. Charles Miller of Lexington hit 12 home runs to lead the Central League. The Central League did not return to play in 1923. After
1150-486: The Senators joined the Central League for the 1921 and 1922 seasons, the teams hosted minor league home games at Community Park. The ballpark had a covered grandstand. Community Park was torn down for a power company facility in the 1920's. The ballpark site was located on South Pennsylvania Avenue, south of Hazel Street and NE of the Huron River . Potter Park is near the former ballpark site. Today, Potter Park contains
1196-496: The Senators were owned by R.N. Parshall and hosted home games at Parshall Park, also called State Lot, which was located next to the Michigan State Capitol Building. The Senators ended the season with a record of 56–36 to place second in the Michigan State League, playing the season under managers C.A. Briggs and Al Mannassau . Lansing finished 3.5 games behind the first place Adrian Demons who had Baseball Hall of Fame members Bud Fowler and Honus Wagner on their roster during
1242-467: The Southern Michigan League in 1907, the "Bay city" team played briefly in the 1906 season as members of the Class C level Interstate Association . The 1906 team played under manager Con Strothers, before folding with a 6-9 record. The 1906 Interstate Association formed as an eight–team league. The Anderson, Indiana , Flint Vehicles , Fort Wayne Railroaders , Lima Lees , Marion Moguls , Muncie Fruit Jars and Saginaw teams joined Bay City in beginning
1288-530: The Southern Michigan with 141 total hits, while teammate George Pierce had 295 strikeouts to lead the league pitchers. The Senators again placed sixth in the eight-team 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs. Lansing ended the season with a final record of 55–69 to place sixth, playing under returning manager Jack Morrissey. The Senators ended the season 17.5 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was. The 1910 Lansing Senators won
1334-420: The entire league to fold on that date. The Grand Rapids Colts team had folded earlier in the season. The Senators ended the shortened season with a record of 35–62 and in fourth place, finishing 24.5 games behind the first place Battle Creek Cero Frutos . Joe Katz, Walter Niles and Wilson Hosmer served as managers during the season. In 1906, the six–team Class D level Southern Michigan League , also called
1380-460: The eventual league champions. Albert "Bull" Durham, who spilt the season between Bay City and Lansing, led the Southern Michigan League hitters with 25 home runs. Durham's 25 home runs set a new Southern Michigan League record. Despite folding in 1912, Bay City returned to the Southern Michigan League in 1913. The 1913 Bay City Beavers continued play in the league. The Bay City teams hosted minor league home games at Clarkson Park from 1906, through
1426-404: The evolution of the color barrier. Fowler said, "My skin is against me. If I had not been quite so black, I might have caught on as a Spaniard or something of that kind. The race prejudice is so strong that my black skin barred me." The Michigan State League did not return to minor league play in 1896. In 1897, the Michigan State League reformed with Lansing as a member before both folded during
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1472-498: The final season of the league, the 1915 six-team Southern Michigan League folded on July 7, 1915, without the Mount Clemens Bathers or Lansing Senators returning to play. The onset of World War I greatly affected minor leagues as many leagues and teams folded. The Southern Michigan League never reformed. Lansing was without a minor league team until 1921, when the Lansing Senators resumed play becoming members of
1518-504: The league folded on June 13, 1890. The Lansing "Senators" joined the reformed Class B level Michigan State League in 1895. The Adrian Reformers , Battle Creek Adventists , Jackson Jaxons , Kalamazoo Celery Eaters , Owosso Colts and Port Huron Marines teams joined with Lansing in beginning league play. The "Senators" nickname corresponds to Lansing serving as the Michigan State Capitol. When they began play,
1564-488: The league pennant as the team tied for first place in the eight-team Southern Michigan League. Playing under continuing manager Jack Morrissey, the Senators finished with a final record of 87-52 and ended the season in a first-place tie with the Kalamazoo Kazoos , who had an identical record. The two first place teams ended the Southern Michigan League season 4.0 games ahead of the third place Adrian Yeggs . Due to
1610-483: The league schedule on April 26, 1906. On May 18, 1906, during the 1906 season, both the Muncie and Bay City teams simultaneously disbanded. The Interstate Association, with four remaining teams, permanently disbanded on July 8, 1906, with Fort Wayne in first place. In 1907, despite folding the previous season, Bay City resumed minor league play, becoming members of the Class D level Southern Michigan League , also called
1656-536: The name dedication ceremony at the ballpark. The ballpark was also called "League Park" in its baseball era. The ballpark began hosting minor league baseball in 1906, when the Bay City team in the Interstate Association played home games at the ballpark. Clarkston Park was located at the corner of Livingston Street and Center Avenue in Bay City. Today, the site contains commercial properties. Bay City Beavers The Bay City Beavers were
1702-429: The remainder of the season with seven teams after Jackson folded during the season. The Lansing Senators continued play in the 1908 Southern Michigan League. The Senators ended the season with a record of 60–65 and in sixth place. Led by manager Jack Morrissey, the Senators finished the season 12.5 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was , as the league held no playoffs. Lansing player/manager John Morrissey led
1748-433: The season 14.0 games behind the first place and returning champion Saginaw Wa-was. After an injury during the 1909 season ended his playing career, Fritz Buelow became the manager Bay City Cardinals on August 15, 1909 and managed the team for the remainder of the season. The "Bay City" team placed sixth in the eight-team Southern Michigan League in 1910. Playing under managers Elbert Nugent and Leon Foy, Bay City finished with
1794-429: The season 22.5 games behind first place Battle Creek Crickets. Lansing's T.H. McNellis led the Southern Michigan League with 146 total hits. The 1914 Lansing Senators continued Southern Michigan League play before relocating during the season. The league expanded to a ten-team league to begin the season. On July 10, 1915, the Senators had a 33–35 record when the team moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan . After compiling
1840-415: The season between Bay City and Lansing, led the league with 25 home runs. The 25 home runs set a new Southern Michigan League record. The 1913 Lansing Senators ended the Southern Michigan League season in seventh place in the final standings. Lansing finished the season near the bottom of the eight-team Southern Michigan League, with a 54-68 record. Jack Morrissey continued as manager as the Senators ended
1886-434: The season. Bud Fowler played for Lansing during the 1895 season after being acquired from Adrian, with Fowler breaking the color barrier in the league. Playing at age 47, Fowler was the only black player in the minor leagues in 1895. Overall, Fowler hit .331 in the Michigan State League playing for Adrian and Lansing. After ending the season with Lansing, Fowler did not play again in organized minor league baseball, due to
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1932-418: The season. On July 27, 1897, Lansing folded with a record of 41–31, as Thomas Robinson served as the manager of the Senators. On August 16, 1897, the Michigan State League folded, with the Bay City team in first place. In 1902, the Michigan State League again reformed as a minor league, with Lansing as a member of the six-team Class D level league. On August 20, 1902, the Lansing Senators team folded causing
1978-523: The six-team league. Danny Taylor and Russ Wein managed Lansing as the Senators ended the season 37.5 games behind the first place Flint Indians . No playoffs were held in the final season of the league. The Michigan State League permanently folded following the 1941 season. Lansing was without minor league baseball until the 1996 Lansing Lugnuts became members of the Class A level Midwest League , where they continue minor league play today. The Lansing Senators first played minor league home games at
2024-406: The tie in the standings, a playoff series was held, and Kalamazoo beat Lansing 4 games to 2 in the finals. Lansing's Vic Saier led the league with 175 total hits and pitcher Homer Warner led the Southern Michigan League with 23 wins. In 1911, the Southern Michigan League was upgraded from a Class D level league to a Class C level league and the Senators ended the season in second place. With
2070-534: Was first patented in 1908, and mass produced after the patent. The Billiken is known as "The God of Things as They Ought to Be". In the era, there were several minor league teams that were known by the "Billikens" moniker. These include the 1908 to 1911 Fort Wayne Billikens of the Central League , Montgomery Billikens of the 1910 Southern Association , and the McLeansboro Billikens of
2116-506: Was referred to "Bender's Billikens." The nickname continues today. The 1911 Bay City "Billikens" finished above .500 for the first time in Bay City's Southern Michigan League tenure of league play. The 1911 Southern Michigan League was upgraded from a Class D level league to a Class C level league, as the Bay City Billikens finished in fourth place. With a record of 73–64, playing the season under managers Mo Myers and Bo Slear,
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