The Milwaukee Schlitz were a professional softball team that played in three men's professional softball leagues from 1977 through 1982 at Wilson Stadium in Milwaukee , Wisconsin.
33-558: Milwaukee began play in the inaugural 1977 American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) season as the Milwaukee Copper Hearth. The Copper Hearth was initially an amateur softball club that, in 1969, had won the Amateur Softball Association national championship. Milwaukee joined the fledgling APSPL, formed by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne , who would go on to launch
66-668: A 40-23 (.635) record, winning the Midwestern Division. Milwaukee beat Cleveland 3-0 in the first round of the APSPL playoffs and then beat the two-time APSPL champion Detroit Caesars 3-0 in the semi-finals, advancing to play the Kentucky Bourbons in the World Series. The series were broadcast nationwide as the first televised event on the new start-up sports network ESPN . Milwaukee beat Kentucky 5-3 to win
99-535: A 5th and deciding game with Milwaukee winning 23-22, for a 3-2 (10-7, 4-7, 9-21, 14-10, 23-22) victory in the semi-finals. Milwaukee went on to defeat Detroit Softball City 9-8, 8-3, 7-10, 13-11, 12-7, 39-6; (5-1), with Dick Laba of the Schlitz honored as the MVP. Schlitz players Rick Weiterman (.514 BA), Dennis Graser (43 HRs, 122 RBIs), Phil Higgins (.572, 40 HRs, 125 RBIs, 24 doubles) and Derek Gallagher (.560 BA) made
132-486: A promotional event for the league in Cleveland in which he dropped softballs from the 52nd floor of Terminal Tower to be caught by outfielders from his Cleveland Competitors team. The balls were estimated to be traveling at 144 mph by the time they reached the street, damaging cars and injuring several spectators. One was caught by Cleveland outfielder Mike Zarefoss. In 1981 the APSPL merged with NASL to create
165-751: Is a member of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000. Schlitz pitcher Rick Weiterman was similarly honored and is in the United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame. Men%27s professional softball in the United States During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several men's professional slow-pitch softball leagues were formed in the United States to build on
198-695: The Detroit Auto Kings 5–2 (19–11, 10–12, 12–16, 22–13, 13–4, 12–3, 11–9) to win the only NASL World Series. Ken Parker of Milwaukee would take the World Series MVP trophy while Ron Olesiak of Chicago was the league MVP. The NASL and the APSPL merged after the 1980 season to form a new league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). Milwaukee had an initial set-back in 1981 as perennial all-star Phil Higgins elected to play amateur baseball to start
231-471: The Milwaukee Schlitz and Kentucky Bourbons . A number of prominent athletes from other sports came to the professional softball leagues. Major League Baseball baseball veterans Jim Rivera , Curt Blefary , Johnny Callison and Milt Pappas managed teams. Softball players included former National Football League stars Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and Bob Lurtsema , Rick Wilson from
264-454: The NBA , and retired MLB players Ralph Garr , Norm Cash , Bruce Miller , Jim Price , Darrel Chaney , Jim Northrup , Gene Hiser , Mickey Stanley , Danny Napoleon , Dick McAuliffe , and Zoilo Versalles . Few had much success in professional softball, playing part-time and promotional roles. The notable exception was former New York Yankee and Chicago Cub Joe Pepitone who played for
297-406: The NBA , and retired MLB players Ralph Garr , Norm Cash , Bruce Miller , Jim Price , Darrel Chaney , Jim Northrup , Gene Hiser , Mickey Stanley , Danny Napoleon , Dick McAuliffe , and Zoilo Versalles . Few had much success in professional softball, playing part-time and promotional roles. The notable exception was former New York Yankee and Chicago Cub Joe Pepitone who played for
330-706: The Trenton Statesmen franchise in the APSPL. The owners of the APSPL Pittsburgh Hardhats unsuccessfully challenged Stepien in court in an attempt to prevent the new league from splitting the young professional sport. The NASL only lasted the one season. Also in 1980, Stepien made the news when he held a promotional event for the league in Cleveland in which he dropped softballs from the 52nd floor of Terminal Tower to be caught by outfielders from his Cleveland Competitors team. The balls were estimated to be traveling at 144 mph by
363-547: The Trenton Statesmen . Pepitone put up respectable numbers in 1978 (110–225, .489, 14 HRs, 61 RBIs) and 1979 (50-122, .410, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs). The Detroit Caesars would even offer $ 30,000 to the Statesmen to buy Pepitone's contract in 1978. That offer was rejected. After the New Jersey franchise disbanded in 1979, Pepitone went on to serve as the team president and played first base for Chicago Nationwide Advertising in
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#1732797316777396-431: The Trenton Statesmen . Pepitone put up respectable numbers in 1978 (110–225, .489, 14 HRs, 61 RBIs) and 1979 (50-122, .410, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs). The Detroit Caesars would even offer $ 30,000 to the Statesmen to buy Pepitone's contract in 1978. That offer was rejected. After the New Jersey franchise disbanded in 1979, Pepitone went on to serve as the team president and played first base for Chicago Nationwide Advertising in
429-513: The United Professional Softball League (UPSL), but only the Milwaukee franchise came from the NASL to the new league as the other NASL teams folded. The merged league competed for two seasons, before disbanding after the 1982 season, ending the pro era of men's softball. Of note historically, the first sporting event to air on ESPN on September 7, 1979 was an APSPL championship game between
462-515: The Women's Professional Basketball League . Former New York Yankees player Whitey Ford was brought on to serve as league commissioner. The club took its name from its first sponsor, a blue-collar tavern in Milwaukee, the Copper Hearth, owned by John Korinek Sr. Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company took over sponsorship in 1978 and the team would play through their final professional season as
495-588: The 1982 season, ending the pro era of men's softball. Of note historically, the first sporting event to air on ESPN on September 7, 1979 was an APSPL championship game between the Milwaukee Schlitz and Kentucky Bourbons . A number of prominent athletes from other sports came to the professional softball leagues. Major League Baseball baseball veterans Jim Rivera , Curt Blefary , Johnny Callison and Milt Pappas managed teams. Softball players included former National Football League stars Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and Bob Lurtsema , Rick Wilson from
528-577: The APSPL championship. Instability in other markets and internal political fighting saw three teams (Fort Wayne, Cleveland and Milwaukee) leave the APSPL to form the North American Softball League (NASL) , under the leadership of Cleveland owner (and eventual owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers ) Ted Stepien . The APSPL continued with just 6 teams (down from 12 in each of the previous 3 seasons). Milwaukee dominated
561-601: The Milwaukee Schlitz. Milwaukee was led by local softball standout Phil Higgins, along with Doug Czaplewski, Jim Dillard and Ken Parker in 1977. The Copper Hearth finished with the third-best record in the league at 38-17 (.696), three games behind league-leading Detroit Caesars , but were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Jaybirds 2-1. Benny Holt of the Chicago Storm
594-1064: The North American Softball League (NASL) in their 1980 season. The professional softball era showcased some of the all-time best in softball history with several pro era veterans represented in the American Softball Association Hall of Fame - Tex Collins (Detroit), Ron Ford (Detroit), Jim Galloway (New York, Trenton), Bill Gatti (Kentucky), Mike Gouin (Detroit), Dennis Graser (Milwaukee), Mike Nye (Detroit), Steve Loya (Cleveland), Mike Mancenko (Cleveland), Willie Simpson (Chicago), Bert Smith (Detroit), and manager Eddie Zolna (Chicago). In addition, pro softball alumni Rick Weiterman (Milwaukee), Cal Carmen (Rochester, Detroit), Gary Vitto (Detroit), Chuck Drewicz (Detroit), Bill Gatti (Kentucky), Mike Mancenko (Cleveland), and Braxton Speller, Jr. (Detroit) are members of United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame. Team chosen by Robert Brown, former NASL league commissioner (Note that teams are listed horizontally if
627-979: The North American Softball League (NASL) in their 1980 season. The professional softball era showcased some of the all-time best in softball history with several pro era veterans represented in the American Softball Association Hall of Fame - Tex Collins (Detroit), Ron Ford (Detroit), Jim Galloway (New York, Trenton), Bill Gatti (Kentucky), Mike Gouin (Detroit), Dennis Graser (Milwaukee), Mike Nye (Detroit), Steve Loya (Cleveland), Mike Mancenko (Cleveland), Willie Simpson (Chicago), Bert Smith (Detroit), and manager Eddie Zolna (Chicago). In addition, pro softball alumni Rick Weiterman (Milwaukee), Cal Carmen (Rochester, Detroit), Gary Vitto (Detroit), Chuck Drewicz (Detroit), Bill Gatti (Kentucky), Mike Mancenko (Cleveland), and Braxton Speller, Jr. (Detroit) are members of United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame. Team chosen by Robert Brown, former NASL league commissioner (Note that teams are listed horizontally if
660-591: The all-league team with Dana Andry of the Cleveland Competitors winning the league MVP in the final season of professional softball in the United States. The Schlitz lost their sponsor when the Stroh Brewing Company purchased Schlitz in 1982 and elected not to continue the team after the season. The UPSL also folded after the 1982 season, bringing the era of men's professional softball to an end. Milwaukee first-baseman Dennis Graser
693-433: The growth and talent in the booming men's amateur game during this period. The American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) was the first such league, launching in an era of experimentation in professional sports leagues. The APSPL was formed in 1977 by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne , who would go on to found the Women's Professional Basketball League . Former New York Yankees star Whitey Ford
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#1732797316777726-422: The leadership of Cleveland owner Ted Stepien , who owned 6 of the 8 teams in the league (only Fort Wayne and Milwaukee had non-Stepien ownership in the new league), while the APSPL continued with just 6 teams. Former Major League Baseball players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the new league; Pepitone would also play for Chicago Nationwide Advertising , having played previously for
759-512: The league MVP award. Phil Higgins (.569, 49 HRs, 137 RBIs) and Ken Parker (.634, 37 HRs, 121 RBIs) made the all -star team with Dave Holtz (.528, 16 HRs) and Paul Wenzel (.521, 12 HRs, 73 RBIs) contributing well. Focused on taking the next step, the Schlitz were led in 1979 by APSPL all-stars Phil Higgins (.531, 18 HRs, 89 RBIs) and Dennis Graser (.486, 22 HRs, 87 RBIs), as well as league and eventual APSPL World Series MVP Rick Weiterman (.557, 9 HRs, 69 RBIs, 37-18 Pitching). Milwaukee finished with
792-400: The new NASL with a league best 44-12 (.786) record with all-NASL performances from Dennis Graser (.480, 30 HRs, 98 RBIs), Phil Higgins .485, 16 HRs, 95 RBIs, 33 doubles), Rick Weiterman (45-13 pitching), and Jim Dilliard (22 doubles). The Schlitz would take on Chicago Nationwide Advertising in the first round, beating Chicago 9-13, 10-7, 17-12, 16-12, 10-17, 22-17; (4-2). Milwaukee defeated
825-420: The new league; Pepitone would also play for Chicago Nationwide Advertising , having played previously for the Trenton Statesmen franchise in the APSPL. The owners of the APSPL Pittsburgh Hardhats unsuccessfully challenged Stepien in court in an attempt to prevent the new league from splitting the young professional sport. The NASL only lasted the one season. Also in 1980, Stepien made the news when he held
858-482: The same franchise changed names) Men%27s professional softball in the United States During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several men's professional slow-pitch softball leagues were formed in the United States to build on the growth and talent in the booming men's amateur game during this period. The American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) was the first such league, launching in an era of experimentation in professional sports leagues. The APSPL
891-601: The season but would return to the team in August, just before the playoffs. Still, the Schlitz finished with a 37-21 (.638) record in 1981, 6 games behind the Cincinnati Suds in the Western Division. The Schlitz would get swept by the eventual league champion Kentucky Bourbons in the first-round 5-4, 13-4, 11-10; (3-0). Bill Gatti of Kentucky won the league MVP award. Dennis Graser (.500 BA, 26 HRs, 76 RBIs)
924-484: The team produced a 38-28 (.583) record, finishing in third place in the highly competitive Midwestern Division, but missing the APSPL playoffs with their division finish, and despite having a better record than 3 playoff teams, including the two teams from the Eastern Division ( New England Pilgrims and Philadelphia A's ). The Detroit Caesars repeated as APSPL champions in 1978 with Ron Ford of Detroit winning
957-404: The time they reached the street, damaging cars and injuring several spectators. One was caught by Cleveland outfielder Mike Zarefoss. In 1981 the APSPL merged with NASL to create the United Professional Softball League (UPSL), but only the Milwaukee franchise came from the NASL to the new league as the other NASL teams folded. The merged league competed for two seasons, before disbanding after
990-493: Was formed in 1977 by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne , who would go on to found the Women's Professional Basketball League . Former New York Yankees star Whitey Ford was the first APSPL commissioner. In 1980, three teams, the Milwaukee Schlitz , the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and Cleveland Stepien's Competitors , broke away to form the North American Softball League (NASL), under
1023-539: Was the first APSPL commissioner. In 1980, three teams, the Milwaukee Schlitz , the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and Cleveland Stepien's Competitors , broke away to form the North American Softball League (NASL), under the leadership of Cleveland owner Ted Stepien , who owned 6 of the 8 teams in the league (only Fort Wayne and Milwaukee had non-Stepien ownership in the new league), while the APSPL continued with just 6 teams. Former Major League Baseball players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for
Milwaukee Schlitz - Misplaced Pages Continue
1056-472: Was the league MVP with Detroit winning the 1977 APSPL World Series. Making the All-APSPL team from Milwaukee were Tom Gorski (.500 BA, 22 HRs, 75 RBIs, 17-8 Pitching), Doug Czaplewski (.603 BA, 92 runs scored), Jim Dillard (.544, 34 HRs, 117 RBIs), Phil Higgins (.611, 41 HRs, 131 RBIs) and Ken Parker (.545, 37 HRs, 109 RBIs). In 1978, Parker and Higgins once again led the team, now the Milwaukee Schlitz, and
1089-495: Was the only Schlitz to make the all-league team in 1981. Dick Laba batted .485 and Rick Weiterman had a 36-21 pitching record in support. The Schlitz finished with a 32-32 (.500) record in 1982, their worst record in their 6 seasons of professional softball. But Milwaukee advanced to the playoffs, beating the Cincinnati Suds in the first round 11-4, 11-8, 13-4; (3-0) and then upset the Kentucky Bourbons, going to
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