Minor league baseball teams were based in Findlay, Ohio between 1895 and 1941, playing under four nicknames and hosting games in four ballparks. Findlay teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1895, Buckeye League in 1915 and Ohio State League from 1937 to 1941. The Findlay Browns were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns in 1937 and 1938. Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler played for the 1894 Findlay Sluggers.
30-595: Organized baseball in Findlay, Ohio began with the 1894 "Findlay Sluggers," a semi–pro team, with Findlay native Home Run Johnson and Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler playing for the integrated team. Johnson reportedly hit 60 home runs for the 1894 Findlay Sluggers, earning his nickname. On September 13, 1894, the Findlay Sluggers played the Cincinnati Reds in an exhibition game, losing by
60-625: A 43–47 record under manager Grover Hartley , the Browns finished 19.5 games behind the first place Mansfield Red Sox in the final regular season standings. In the playoffs, Findlay beat the Marion Presidents 2 games to 0 before being swept by the Mansfield Red Sox 3 games to 0 in the finals. The Ohio State League played the 1938 season as a four–team league. The Findlay Browns continued play and finished in third place. With
90-476: A Finals rematch from the season before, the Lima Pandas again defeated Findley, 4 games to 2. In their final season of play, the 1941 Findlay "Browns" placed sixth and last in the six–team Ohio State League, returning to their former moniker. With a record of 37–65 in their final season under manager Grover Hartley, Findlay finished 31.5 games behind the first place Fremont Green Sox . After the conclusion of
120-732: A disgruntled Fowler eventually leave the squad in mid-July 1895. However, Johnson was the shortstop and the team's captain for the entire four-year run of the Page Fence Giants. In 1896, in a rare pitching appearance, Johnson was the winning hurler in the Black Baseball World Championship series-clinching game in Caro, Michigan, on September 25, 1896, against the Cuban X Giants. After 1898, the Page Fence Giants were unable to continue playing, so Johnson and most of
150-544: A hard, consistent hitter, fielder, and base runner, and a great handler." In 1910, Johnson signed with Rube Foster's Leland Giants and hit .397. Around this time he began to be known by the nickname of "Dad" Johnson as well as his old nickname, "Home Run Johnson." From 1911 to 1913, Johnson played for the New York Lincoln Giants , hitting .374, .413, and .371. In 1913, the Lincoln Giants won
180-628: A record of 51–43, placing second in the regular season standings. Managed by Chappie Geygan , the Green Sox finished 3.0 games behind the first place Fostoria Red Birds. In the Ohio State League finals, Fremont swept Fostoria 3 games to 0 to win the 1938 Ohio State League Championship. The Fremont Green Sox' uniforms were white flannel, trimmed in green piping, with black belts. The caps were solid green and stockings were green and white. The Fremont Green Sox finished in third place as
210-578: A regular season record of 44–54 under manager Grover Hartley, Findlay was 12.0 games behind the first place Fostoria Red Birds in the regular season standings. The Findlay Oilers won the 1939 Ohio State League pennant and made the Finals, as the league returned to a six–team league. The "Oilers" moniker was in place due to the loss of the affiliation with the St. Louis Browns, as most Ohio State League teams lost their major league affiliations. The "Oilers" moniker
240-548: A shortstop with the semipro Findlay Sluggers in 1893. The following year, he earned his nickname "Home Run" by hitting 60 home runs . In the summer of 1894. Johnson and Bud Fowler, along with three white businessmen from Adrian, Len Hoch, Howard and Rolla Taylor formed the Page Fence Giants in Adrian, Michigan . The team began play in the spring of 1895. A management shake-up after only about two months of games saw
270-526: Is located at 720 River Street, Findlay, Ohio. The 1915 Findlay Finns were noted to have played home games at the Athletic Park . The 1937 and 1938 Browns teams were noted to have played home games at Riverside Park . Today, the park is still in use as a public park. The address is 231 McManness Avenue, Findlay, Ohio. From 1939 to 1941, Findlay minor league teams were referenced to have played Ohio State League home games at League Park . The ballpark
300-462: The Cincinnati Reds from 1936 to 1938, before playing from 1939 to 1941 as the Fremont "Green Sox." The Fremont Reds and Green Sox teams hosted home minor league games at Anderson Field, which is still in use today. The 1936 Fremont Reds began minor league baseball play as members of the six–team Class D level Ohio State League . The "Reds" nickname reflected the franchise being an affiliate of
330-600: The Cincinnati Reds . The Fostoria Cardinals , Mansfield Tigers , New Philadelphia Red Birds , Sandusky Sailors and Tiffin Mud Hens joined Fremont in beginning Ohio State League play on May 18, 1936. Beginning play in the 1936 Ohio State League, the Fremont Reds finished with a 42–56 record, placing fourth, playing the season under manager Marty Purtell. On May 27, 1936, in a game at Redbird Park in Fostoria,
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#1732800868750360-550: The 1895 season as a member of the Independent level Interstate League . With a record of 32–21, Findlay placed third in the 1895 Interstate League standings. Under managers Charles Stroebel and Howard Brandenberg, Findlay finished 2.5 games behind the first place Twin Cities Hustlers in the eight–team Interstate League. Findlay folded following the 1895 season. Author Zane Grey and his brother Reddy Grey played for
390-436: The 1939 Ohio State League returned to a six–team league. Fremont again qualified for the playoffs with a regular season record of 66–63, playing under returning manager Chappie Geygan, finishing the regular season 1.5 games behind the first place Findlay Oilers . The Green Sox lost in first round of the playoffs, as the eventual champion Lima Pandas beat Fremont 2 games to 1. The Fremont Green Sox finished in last place in
420-593: The 1940 Ohio State League, the Findlay Oilers finished in second place and returned to the finals. With a record of 70–46, managed by Grover Hartley and George Ruley, the Oilers finished 13.5 games behind the first place Lima Pandas in the six–team league. In the 1940 Ohio State League playoffs, Findley defeated the Tiffin Mud Hens 3 games to 1 and advanced to their second consecutive Finals appearance. In
450-510: The 1940 Ohio State League. With a 43–75 regular season record under managers Ray Caldwell and Luke Sewell, Fremont placed sixth in the six–team league. Fremont finished the season 41.5 games behind the first place Lima Pandas. In their final season of play, the 1941 Fremont Green Sox won the Ohio State League Championship. With a record of 67–34 record under returning manager Chappie Geygan, Fremont finished
480-495: The 1941 season, the Ohio State League ceased play until 1944 due to World War II . Findlay did not field a franchise when the Ohio State League returned to play. Findlay, Ohio has not hosted another minor league team. In 1895, the Findlay team was referenced to have played home games at the Findlay Baseball Park . Today, the park is still in use, known as Rowson Park. The park still contains baseball diamonds and
510-501: The Fostoria Cardinals defeated the Fremont Reds by a score of 27–12. The Reds finished the season 19.5 games behind the first place Tiffin Mud Hens in the final Ohio State League regular season standings. Continuing play in the 1937 Ohio State League season as a Cincinnati Reds affiliate, the 1937 Fremont Reds finished a distant fifth place in the six–team league. With a record of 36–55 under player/manager Harold Bohl,
540-456: The Reds finished 27.0 games behind the first place Mansfield Red Sox in the final standings. The 1938 Fremont team changed monikers during the season and won the Ohio State League Championship. The Ohio State League played the 1938 season as a four–team league and Fremont changed monikers from "Reds" to become the " Freemont Green Sox " on June 18, 1938. Fremont ended the regular season with
570-614: The Sluggers in 1895. Professional baseball returned to Findlay in 1915. The 1915 Findlay Finns became members charter members of the Class D level Buckeye League . With a record of 22–19, the Finns placed second in the six–team league standings when the league disbanded on July 5, 1915. Playing under manager Ollie Chapman, the Finns finished 2.0 games behind the champion Lima Boosters . The Buckeye League permanently folded after playing only
600-1051: The eastern title and beat the Chicago American Giants in the championship playoff. Later, he played with the Pittsburgh Colored Stars of Buffalo and managed the Buffalo Giants. Johnson continued to play with lesser teams until finally retiring from baseball in 1932 at the age of 58. Afterwards, he lived in Buffalo, where he worked for the New York Central Railroad Company . Johnson was buried in Lakeside Cemetery (formerly Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery and Buffalo Rural Cemetery) in Hamburg, New York , on September 14, 1963. On November 5, 2021, he
630-651: The honor. His teammates included Rube Foster and Charlie Grant . Johnson joined the Philadelphia Giants in 1905. Findlay, Ohio's celebrated contribution to African-American baseball history turned 33 years old late that season. His hitting and pitching electrified his new team. The unselfish qualities of Johnson's power-packed swing helped him to lead the team in categories such as hit-by pitches, sacrifice hits and, of course, home runs with 12. An honorable man of exemplary character, he hustled out ground balls and seldom disputed an umpire's questionable call. It
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#1732800868750660-688: The other players moved to Chicago, where they played for the Chicago Columbia Giants in 1899. The next season, he played with the Chicago Unions , where he teamed with Bill Monroe and Mike Moore . Johnson returned to the Columbia Giants for 1901 and 1902. In 1903 and 1904, Johnson played for the Cuban X-Giants and captained the team to the colored championship in 1903, defeating the Philadelphia Giants for
690-516: The partial 1915 season. Findlay returned to minor league play in 1937, fielding a team in the Ohio State League and reaching the league finals. The "Findlay Browns" began play as an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns and Findlay would play five seasons in the Ohio State League, all under manager Grover Hartley. The 1937 Findlay Browns placed in fourth in the six–team Class D level league. With
720-498: The regular season in first place, as the league held no playoffs. Fremont was 4.0 games ahead of the second place Mansfield Braves in the final standings. Fremont pitcher Lloyd Fisher led the Ohio State League with an 18–3 record. Fischer was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers for two players and cash. After the 1941 season concluded, the Ohio State League ceased play until 1944 due to World War II . Fremont did not field
750-484: The score of 10–2. On September 20, 1894, the Sluggers played the Brooklyn Bridegrooms , losing by one run. In 1895, Fowler and Home Run Johnson left Findlay to form the Page Fence Giants negro leagues team in Adrian, Michigan . Immediately following the semi–pro Sluggers, minor league baseball first came to Findlay, Ohio in 1895. Keeping the previous moniker, the minor league Findlay Sluggers played
780-439: Was equally rare for him to strike out. In one reflective moment Johnson told a reporter, "when I did [strike out] I surprised myself." Slowed by an injury that occurred early in the season, he missed 13 days of play. Johnson was rushed back into the team's starting line-up, and as a consequence his home run totals slumped dramatically. He also was used as an occasional starting pitcher . A submarine pitcher of exceptional ability, he
810-608: Was essentially the Philadelphia Giants' fourth starter in 1905. His gutsy mound appearances kept everyone questioning why he did not pitch more often. In 1906, Johnson moved to the Brooklyn Royal Giants , where he was again captain, and led the team to championships in 1908 and 1909. Sportswriter Harry Daniels named Captain Grant Johnson to his 1909 "All-American Team" saying he "always has been
840-591: Was in local reference to the University of Findlay , who still use the moniker today. The Findlay Oilers placed first in the regular season with an 86–62 record under Grover Hartley, finishing 1.5 games ahead of the second place Fremont Green Sox . In the playoffs Findley defeated the Fostoria Red Birds 2 games to 0 and advanced. In the Finals, the Lima Pandas 4 defeated Findlay 4 games to 3. In
870-691: Was located at 933 West Main Cross Street in Findlay, Ohio. The site is now a residential area. Home Run Johnson Grant U. "Home Run" Johnson (September 23, 1872 – September 4, 1963) was an American shortstop and second baseman in baseball 's Negro leagues . In a career that spanned over 30 years, he played for many of the greatest teams of the deadball era and was one of the game's best power hitters. Born in Findlay, Ohio , he died at age 90 in Buffalo, New York . Johnson began his career as
900-609: Was selected to the final ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame 's Early Days Committee for consideration for the Class of 2022 . He received three votes or fewer of the necessary twelve votes. Fremont Green Sox The Fremont Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Fremont, Ohio . From 1936 to 1941, Fremont teams played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League , winning two league championships. The Fremont Reds were an affiliate of
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