The Kalamazoo Celery Pickers were a minor league baseball team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan .
60-627: Between 1887 and 1926, Kalamazoo teams played in six separate leagues, joining two leagues twice. Kalamazoo teams played as members of the Ohio State League (1887), Tri State League (1888), Michigan State League (1889, 1895, 1897), Southern Michigan League (1906–1914), Central League (1920-1922), Michigan-Ontario League (1923–1924), with a final season as members of both the Central League (1926) and Michigan State League (1926). The Kalamazoo teams played intermittently known as
120-712: 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. 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,
180-511: A 59–67 record. Charles Wagner continued as manager as the Kazoos ended the season in sixth place, 19.5 games behind first place Battle Creek Crickets in the eight-team league. Kalamazoo's Fred Bramble won the league batting championship, hitting .349. The 1914 Kalamazoo Kazoos played their final season in the Class C level Southern Michigan League as the league expanded. The league expanded to become
240-537: A 62–37 record at the time the team folded. Kalamazoo played under managers Tip O'Neill and A.W. Murphy. After folding in 1888, Kalamazoo continued play in another league in 1889. In 1889, Kalamazoo continued minor league play and became charter members of a new league. The Kazoos began the season as charter members of the Michigan State League , before relocating during the season. On September 3, 1889, Kalamazoo (32–42) moved to Flint, Michigan and ended
300-639: 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 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
360-433: A final record of 64–60 to place fourth, playing the season under manager Harry Martin. The Kalamazoo Kazoos ended the season 8.5 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was. Player/manager Harry Martin of Kalamazoo won the league batting championship, hitting .330. The 1910 Kalamazoo Kazoos won the league championship. The Kazoos tied for first place in the eight-team Southern Michigan League final standings and then captured
420-622: A local semiprofessional team run by Mayo and Folz. In 1897, the Michigan State League reformed with Kalamazoo as a member, before relocating to Flint during the season. On July 12, 1897, the Kalamazoo team moved to Flint for a second time in their history, with a record of 23–41 on the date of the move. On August 16, 1897, the Michigan State League folded, with the Bay City team in first place and Kalamazoo/Flint in last place of
480-516: A nine-season tenure of the Southern Michigan League in 1906. The six–team Class D level Southern Michigan League, also called the "Southern Michigan Association" was formed for the 1906 season. The Battle Creek Crickets , Jackson Convicts , Mount Clemens Bathers , Saginaw and Tecumseh Indians teams joined the Kalamazoo "White Sox" as charter members. Just before the 1906 season, E.J. Ryan, who had earlier been appointed as
540-988: A one-game playoff for fourth place. Freemont won 2nd place by coin toss. Findley 2 games, Fostoria 0; Lima 2 games, Fremont 1 Finals: Lima 4 games, Findlay 3; 1940 Ohio State League Playoff: Lima 3 games, Mansfield 0; Findley 3 games, Tiffin 1 Finals: Lima 4 Games, Findley 2. 1941 Ohio State League No League play 1942 & 1943 due to WW II. 1944 Ohio State League Playoffs: Newark 3 games, Lima 1;Middletown 3 games, Springfield 2 Finals: Newark 4 games, Middletown 2. 1945 Ohio State League Playoffs: Middletown 4 games, Springfield 2; Zanesville 4 games, Lima 2 Finals: Zanesville 3 games, Middletown 2. 1946 Ohio State League Playoffs: Zanesville 4 games, Richmond 0; Springfield 4 games, Newark 2. Finals: Zanesville 4 games, Springfield 2. 1947 Ohio State League Playoffs: Zanesville 4 games, Springfield 0; Marion 4 games, Muncie 1; Finals: Zanesville 4 games, Marion 2. Adrian Reformers The Adrian Reformers were
600-406: A record of 55–41. Kalamazoo placed third in the Michigan State League, playing the season under manager Ed Mayo. Kalamazoo finished 9.0 games behind the first place Adrian Demons who had Baseball Hall of Fame members Bud Fowler and Honus Wagner on their roster during the season. The "Celery Pickers" nickname corresponds to local history and agriculture. Kalamazoo was known as "Celery City" in
660-477: A result, local businessman E. M. Sergeant led an effort organize a team for the newly reformed Central League. In early 1920, the "Celery Pickers," were formed. In February 1920 Sergeant signed a contract with what local papers called “one of the best known baseball men in America” Harry T. “Rube” Vickers , to manage the new team. Vickers went to Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York to recruit players for
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#1732802317894720-495: A ten-team league and Kalamazoo finished the season in last place. The Kazoos had an overall record of 49–97 record, as the team placed tenth in the ten-team league. The Kazoos were managed by Charles Wagner for the final time, with the team finishing 47.5 games behind first place Bay City Beavers . With their tenth-place finish, Kalamazoo did not qualify for the playoff final won by the Saginaw Ducks over Bay City. In 1915,
780-566: The Brantford Brants in the league play. In 1923, the Kalamazoo Celery Pickers placed fifth in their first season of Michigan-Ontario League play. The Celery Pickers finished with a record of 69–84, playing under manager Marty Becker . No playoffs were held, and Kalamazoo ended the season 12.0 games behind the first place Bay City Wolves in the final league standings. Kalamazoo "Kazoos" finished in last place in
840-554: The independent level Frontier League . In their seasons of minor league play, between 1887 and 1926, Kalamazoo teams hosted home games at four different ballparks in Kalamazoo. Ohio State League The Ohio State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in numerous seasons between 1887 and 1947, predominantly as a Class D level league. League franchises were based in Indiana , Kentucky , Michigan , Ohio and West Virginia . The first "Ohio State League"
900-421: The "Kazoos" and "Celery Pickers" and three seasons known as the "White Sox." Kalamazoo teams won league championships in 1887, 1910, 1911 and 1926. Kalamazoo hosted minor league home games at four ballparks: Wheaton Avenue Grounds (1895, 1897, 1902), North Street Park (1906–1915) Riverview Park (1906–1914) and Stationery Park (1920–1924, 1926) During the early months of 1886, the "Kalamazoo Base Ball Association"
960-409: The 1887 Kalamazoo "Kazoos" became charter members of the independent level Ohio State League and won the league championship. The Akron Acorns , Columbus Buckeyes , Mansfield, Sandusky Suds, Steubenville Stubs , Wheeling Nail Cities and Zanesville Kickapoos teams joined Kalamazoo in beginning league play on May 2, 1887. With a record of 73–34, the Kazoos finished the 1887 season in first place in
1020-1540: The 1887 Mansfield team. 1887 Ohio State League Stubenville disbanded June 29; Canton entered the league August 4; Akron disbanded September 3. 1889 Ohio State League Newark disbanded September 16; Tiffin disbanded September 18 1898 Ohio State League Zanesville entered the league May 30; Conshohockten disbanded June 2 The league disbanded June 5 due to poor weather and Sunday baseball restrictions 1908 Ohio State League Springfield moved to Portsmouth June 16. 1909 Ohio State League Newark and Lancaster both disbanded August 23. 1910 Ohio State League 1911 Ohio State League Newark moved to Piqua June 22. 1912 Ohio State League Marion moved to Ironton July 15. 1913 Ohio State League 1914 Ohio State League Ironton disbanded July 5; Newport-Paris disbanded July 5; Huntington and Maysville both disbanded July 22. 1915 Ohio State League Chillicothe moved to Huntington July 13; Huntington moved to Maysville July 19. Playoff: Portsmouth 4 games, Maysville 1. 1916 Ohio State League Huntington & Frankfort disbanded July 16; Charleston moved to Chillicothe July 13; Lexington disbanded July 16 The league disbanded July 19. 1936 Ohio State League Mansfield and New Philadelphia both disbanded May 26. 1937 Ohio State League Sandusky moved to Marion June22. 1938 Ohio State League Playoff: Freemont 3 games, Fostoria 0. 1939 Ohio State League Playoff: Lima defeated Tiffin in
1080-419: The 1887 Ohio State League season, Kalamazoo also defeated a team from Indianapolis for a mythical "State" title. The Ohio State League changed names in 1888, and Kalamazoo continued play in the newly named league, becoming charter members of the ten-team Tri-State League . The Kalamazoo Kazoos disbanded before the end of the 1888 Tri-State League season. On September 4, 1888, the Kazoos disbanded having posted
1140-461: The 1895 Michigan State League championship. Adrian finished the season with 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
1200-470: The 1895 season, before returning to play in 1897 as 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
1260-426: The 1924 Michigan-Ontario League. Kalamazoo ended the regular season with a record of 45–88, placing eighth in the eight-team league, playing the season under managers Marty Becker and Newt Hunter . The Kazoos finished 39.5 games behind the first place Bay City Wolves in the eight-team league. With their last place finish, Kalamazoo did not qualify for the playoff, own by Bay City over Flint. Kalamazoo did not return to
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#17328023178941320-674: 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 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
1380-487: The Battle Creek Adventists came to Kalamazoo for the opening game at North Street Park. It was reported in the local paper that “Every seat in the grandstand was taken, and there were at least a hundred carriages and buggies on the ‘foul’ ground, beside a large congregation that was compelled to stand.” The 1895 Kalamazoo team was known as the "Celery Pickers" for the first time and ended the season with
1440-486: The Celery Pickers finished in seventh place in the newly formed Michigan State League. Kalamazoo finished with a 39–59 record. Boss Schmidt continued as the Kalamazoo manager, replaced later in the season by Fred Hutton. With their seventh-place finish, the Celery Pickers ended the Michigan State League season 27.0 games behind the first place Bay City Wolves in the final league standings. Harry Green of Kalamazoo led
1500-480: The Class B level Central League in 1921. 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 1921 Kalamazoo Celery Pickers had a final record of 69–58 and again finished in second place in the final Central League standings. The 1921 managers were George Tomer and Grover Prough, as Kalamazoo finished 16.5 games behind
1560-681: The Folz’ Excelsior clothing store in Kalamazoo. Mayo became manager of the team and Folz continued as owner. Oliver Hungerford returned as team secretary. Together, Mayo and Hungerford signed a roster of players for the 1895 season. After five seasons, Kalamazoo resumed minor league play, joining as their former league reformed. The Kalamazoo "Celery Pickers" joined the reformed Class B level Michigan State League. The Adrian Reformers , Battle Creek Adventists , Jackson Jaxons , Lansing Senators , Owosso Colts and Port Huron Marines teams joined with Kalamazoo in beginning league play. On May 30, 1895,
1620-511: The Kalamazoo Kazoos did not return to play in the final season of Southern Michigan League, which permanently folded on July 7, 1915. The onset of World War I greatly affected minor leagues as many leagues and teams were folded. The Southern Michigan League never reformed. Without a minor league team in Kalamazoo in 1919, the "Stationery Independents" team played that season at the newly built Riverside Park with much local support. As
1680-519: The Michigan State League with 11 home runs. The Michigan State League did not return to play in 1927 and Kalamazoo did not field another minor league team for nearly seventy years. The Kalamazoo Lassies played as members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1950 to 1954. Kalamazoo next hosted another minor league team when the 1996 Kalamazoo Kodiaks began a tenure as members of
1740-487: The Michigan-Ontario League in 1925, which reduced to six teams in the final full season of play for the league. The Kalamazoo Celery Pickers played in two separate leagues during the 1926 season, winning one league championship. Kalamazoo played in two leagues because the Central League and Michigan-Ontario League merged during the 1926 season to create a new league. The Celery Pickers began the season in
1800-617: The OSL was one of just four class D circuits in operation, yet it was one of the first of dozens of leagues to collapse after World War II. The class D Ohio–Indiana League was formed in 1948 with eight teams, with seven of the eight cities coming from the Ohio State League . Six teams made their home in Ohio and the remaining two where from Indiana. This league lasted through 1951. The Portsmouth Cobblers won four Ohio State League championships. Baseball Hall of Fame member Ed Delahanty played for
1860-580: 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 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
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1920-593: The Wheaton Avenue Grounds were established to host the Kalamazoo team, who played in 1886 as a semi-professional team with local players. Oliver Hungerford became the principal owner of the Kalamazoo team, which joined the Ohio State League for the 1887 season. A.C. "Al" Buckenberger , a third baseman from Detroit , was hired as the Kalamazoo player/manager. The local players from 1886 were replaced by professional players signed by Hungerford and Buckenberger. In their first season of minor league play,
1980-528: The White Sox manager, was replaced as the Kalamazoo manager by Clarence Picknell. In May 1906, the White Sox opened Riverside Park, with a 6–0 home victory over a Grand Rapids team. In their first season in the newly formed league, the Kalamazoo White Sox placed second in the 1906 Southern Michigan League. Managed by Clarence Pickell and Red Killefer , the White Sox finished 6.5 games behind
2040-514: The eight-team Class D level Michigan State League was reformed by the mid-season merger of the Central League and Michigan-Ontario League. The Bay City Wolves , Flint Vehicles , Port Huron and Saginaw Aces teams of the Michigan-Ontario League merged with the Grand Rapids Black Sox , Kalamazoo Celery Pickers, Ludington Tars and Muskegon Reds of the Central League to form the new Michigan State League. Continuing play in 1926,
2100-502: The eight-team league, playing the season under manager Al Buckenberger . Kalamazoo finished 13.5 games ahead of the second place Zanesville Kickapoos as the Ohio State League held no playoffs. Kalamazoo pitcher Mother Watson won 29 games to lead the Ohio State League and teammate Bill Irwin had a league leading 283 strikeouts. Ed Stapleton hit 12 home runs and scored 121 runs, tops in the league in both categories. Following
2160-506: The era. With hospitable natural soil and a natural crop, the celery industry began in Kalamazoo in the 1850s, with railroads and local packaging facilities complimenting the celery growing production, The celery industry eventually faltered in Kalamazoo. Today, there is a historical marker with the heading "Kalamazoo Celery" and an inscription, located at South Pine Street and Balch Street in Kalamazoo. The Michigan State League did not return to minor league play in 1896 and Kalamazoo again hosted
2220-586: The final standings as both Owosso (37–47) and 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
2280-538: The finals to claim the league championship. Kalamazoo's Bradley Valliere led the league with 23 wins and teammate Berne Hughey led the Southern Michigan League with 193 strikeouts. In 1911, the Southern Michigan League was upgraded from a Class D level league to a Class C level league and the Kalamazoo "Celery Pickers" defended their league championship. With a record of 88–51, playing again under manager Charles Wagner, Kalamazoo finished 6.5 ahead of
2340-451: The first place Ludington Mariners in the six-team league. Player/manager Grover Prough led the Central League with 97 RBI. In 1922, Grover Prough returned as the Kalamazoo Celery Pickers manager. Ending the season, with a record of 61–67, the Celery Pickers finished in fourth place in the six-team Class B level Central League. Kalamazoo ended the season 15.0 games behind the first place Ludington Mariners. The Celery Pickers did not qualify for
2400-493: The first place Mount Clemens Bathers, with a 63–41 final record. In 1907, the Kalamazoo White Sox continued play. The Southern Michigan League became a Class B level league after it expanded to become an eight-team league, adding the Lansing Senators and Flint Vehicles teams to the league. With a record of 62–47, Kalamazoo finished in second place and played the season under manager Maurice Myers. The White Sox ended
2460-417: The folding of the Kalamazoo minor league team following the move to Flint, Kalamazoo owner Oliver Hungerford became owner of a chain of billiard halls in Kalamazoo, which he operated for many years. In 1895, minor league baseball returned to Kalamazoo. Partnering in the team formation were Edward "Eddie" Mayo who had organized independent teams in Kalamazoo from 1890 to 1894 with support from Sam Folz, owner of
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2520-432: The four remaining teams. The Kalamazoo/Flint team ended the season with an overall record of 32–51, as Fred Popkay and Ed Mayo served as the managers between the two locations. In hopes of forming a new minor league team in Kalamazoo, the "Kalamazoo Baseball Association" was formed in 1905 to gauge community support. A new Kalamazoo team was formed, nicknamed the Kalamazoo "White Sox." Former Chicago boxing promoter E.J. Ryan
2580-408: The four-team Class D level Central League. On June 13, 1926, the league stopped play with Kalamazoo Celery Pickers in first place, with a record of 16–8. Kalamazoo finished 4.0 games ahead of the second place Ludington Tars in the Central League final standings, before the leagues merged. Boss Schmidt was the Kalamazoo manager as the team continued play in the newly formed league. On June 15, 1926,
2640-436: The local paper, "the day was a big success." After the folding of the Central League, 1923, the Kalamazoo Celery Pickers continued minor league play, joining the Class B level Michigan-Ontario League . The Battle Creek Custers , Bay City Wolves , Flint Vehicles , Grand Rapids Billbobs , Hamilton Tigers , London Tecumsehs and Saginaw Aces teams joined Kalamazoo in beginning league play on May 15, 1923. Kalamazoo replaced
2700-492: The new Kalamazoo team. Vickers received assistance from Philadelphia A's owner/manager and Connie Mack and baseball scout Henry L. Turner in securing players. After a five-season hiatus, the 1920 Kalamazoo "Celery Pickers" had their roster set and formally returned to play in the Central League, which reformed as Class B level six-team league. The Grand Rapids Joshers , Ludington Mariners and Muskegon Muskies teams joined Kalamazoo in 1920 league play. Kalamazoo finished as
2760-510: The player permanently replaced at 1B in the New York Yankees starting lineup by Lou Gehrig after taking a day off and Gehrig began his consecutive games streak of over 2,000 games. Due to the famous replacement by Gehrig, players began to say they were "Wally Pipped" when replaced in a lineup, due to a minor injury or a day off. The Kalamazoo Celery Pickers placed fourth in the 1912 Southern Michigan League standings. Kalamazoo ended
2820-673: The playoff final, won by the Grand Rapids Billbobs over Ludington. The Central League did not return to play in 1923. Following the 1922 season, Marty Becker organized an exhibition game in September against the Chicago Cubs . The game marked the first time a major league team played in Kalamazoo since 1886. A crowd of 2,500 was in attendance at Stationery Park and watched the Cubs defeat Kalamazoo 2–0. "All in all," said
2880-429: The playoff victory. Playing under manager Charles Wagner, the Kazoos finished with a final record of 87-52 and ended the season in a first-place tie with the Lansing Senators , 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 the tie in the standings, a playoff series was held, and Kalamazoo beat Lansing 4 games to 2 in
2940-482: 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 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
3000-438: The runner up in their return to play in 1920. Playing the season under managers Rube Vickers and George Tomer , the Celery Pickers ended the season with a record of 64–60. Vickers was released after a slow start to the season and replaced by Tomer, who played 1B for Kalamazoo. No playoffs were held and Kalamazoo ended the season 11.0 games behind first place Grand Rapids. The Kalamazoo Celery Pickers continued play as members of
3060-403: The season 3.0 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was , as the league held no playoffs. Leonard Cote of Kalamazoo had a batting average of .327 that led the Southern Michigan League, while teammate Belmont Method had 24 wins to lead the league pitchers. The Kalamazoo "Kazoos" placed fourth in the eight-team 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs. Kalamazoo ended the season with
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#17328023178943120-480: The season 6.0 games behind the first place Tecumseh Indians. Tecumseh won the league championship after the league played the remainder of the season with seven teams after Jackson folded during the season. The Kalamazoo White Sox continued play in the 1908 Southern Michigan League and finished as the runner up for the third consecutive season. The White Sox ended the season with a record of 70–56 and in second place. Led by returning manager Maurice Myers, Kalamazoo ended
3180-536: The season playing as the Flint Flyers . The Kazoos/Flyers team finished last in the standings with overall record of 38–59, ending the season in sixth place in the six-team league. Managed by James Lombard and Tim Manning , the Kazoos/Flyers finished 22.0 games behind the first place Jackson Jaxons in the final standings. Flint continued Michigan State League play in 1890 before the league folded. After
3240-412: The season with a record of 63–62, with Charles Wagner continuing as manager. The Celery Pickers finished the season 15.0 games behind first place Adrian Lions . The 1913 Kalamazoo "Kazoos" ended the Southern Michigan League season in seventh place in the final standings as the league became a Class D level league. The Kazoos ended the season near the bottom of the eight-team Southern Michigan League, with
3300-486: The second place Lansing Senators. With their first-place finish and no playoffs in the eight-team league, Kalamazoo won their second consecutive Michigan State League championship. Pitcher Beany Jacobson of Kalamazoo led Michigan State League 26 wins. In 1912, Wally Pipp was playing a second season for Kalamazoo after having played collegiately for the Catholic University Cardinals , where he
3360-772: 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 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
3420-477: Was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League . The Kalamazoo Kazoos won the first league championship. The league played in the 1889 and 1898 seasons. The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916. Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43 due to World War II. In 1945,
3480-527: Was appointed as the team manager, H.D. Kools, team president; and Clarence Pickell as secretary and treasurer. On February 19, 1906, the National Commission awarded the Michigan cities of Kalamazoo and Jackson to the newly formed Southern Michigan League, after the existing Interstate League had first put in a claim on the Kalamazoo franchise to be assigned to that league. Kalamazoo began
3540-419: Was organized, with the intention of forming a baseball team in the city. The association accumulated $ 5,000 in capital stock. Future manager A.W. Murphy was a part of the association, as were Oliver G. Hungerford, and William A. Doyle. Doyle and Hungerford were both local business leaders and still active baseball players who spearheaded an effort to build a ballpark in Kalamazoo. Their efforts were successful when
3600-685: Was still in pursuit of his degree. In 68 games played for Kalamazoo, Pipp was hitting .270 late in the 1912 season, when the Detroit Tigers of the American League purchased his contract from Kalamazoo. After his contract was purchased by Detroit, Pipp initially threatened to hold out from reporting to the Tigers, demanding a portion of the purchase price for himself, and threatening to return to college. Pipp reported to Detroit without his demand being met. In his career, Pipp became known as
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