The Wisconsin State League was a class D level baseball league that began in 1905, changing its name to the Wisconsin–Illinois League in 1908 and operating through 1914. The league re–organized under that name in 1926. Another Wisconsin State League began in 1940, shut down during World War II from 1943 through 1945, then operated from 1946 through 1953.[1]
| Classification | Independent Class D |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| First season | 1891 |
| Ceased | 1953 |
| Replaced by | Wisconsin–Michigan League Wisconsin–Illinois League |
| President | Thomas Ahern (1891) Hon. A.E. Mountain (1891) John T. Powers (1905–1906) Charles F. Moll (1907) Herman D. White (1940–1942, 1946–1947) Judge Arnold F. Murphy (1948–1951) Dan G.Cisco (1952) Duane F. Bowman (1953) |
| No. of teams | 29 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Most titles | 6 Madison Blues |
| Related competitions | Wisconsin–Michigan League |
The Class D Wisconsin–Illinois League began play in 1940 with six charter franchises: Appleton Papermakers, Fond du Lac Panthers, Green Bay Bluejays, La Crosse Blackhawks, Sheboygan Indians and Wisconsin Rapids White Sox.[2] In 1942 the league expanded to eight teams, adding the Janesville Cubs and Oshkosh Giants.[3] After play resumed in 1946, La Crosse moved to become the Wausau Lumberjacks and the league operated with those franchises until its demise following the 1953 season.[4]
List of teams
Wisconsin State League (1905–1907, 1922–1925, 1928–1931, 1940–1942, 1946–1953)
Wisconsin–Illinois League (1908–1914, 1926–1927, 1932)
- Appleton, WI: Appleton Papermakers (1891, 1909–1914, 1940–1942, 1946–1953)
- Aurora, IL: Aurora Islanders (1910)
- Beloit, WI: Beloit Collegians (1905); Beloit Fairies (1926–1927)
- Chicago, IL: Logan Squares (1926–1927, 1932); Niesen's Chicago Pyotts (1926); St. Michael's (1926); Duffy Florals (1932); Harley Mills (1932)
- Eau Claire, WI: Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls Orphans (1906); Eau Claire Tigers (1907)
- Fond du Lac, WI: Fond du Lac Mudhens (1891); Fond du Lac Webfoots (1907); Fond du Lac Cubs (1908); Fond du Lac Giants (1909–1910); Fond du Lac Molls (1913); Fond du Lac Mudhens (1911); Fond du Lac Panthers (1940–1942, 1946–1953)
- Freeport, IL: Freeport Pretzels (1905–1909)
- Green Bay, WI: Green Bay Dock Wallopers (1891); Green Bay Colts (1905–1906); Green Bay Orphans (1907); Green Bay Tigers (1908); Green Bay Bays (1909–1914); Green Bay Blue Sox (1941); Green Bay Bluejays (1940, 1942, 1946–1953)
- Janesville, WI: Janesville Cubs (1941–1942, 1947–1953); Janesville Bears (1946)
- Kenosha, WI: Kenosha Twin Sixes (1926–1929)
- La Crosse, WI: La Crosse Pinks (1905–1906, 1908); La Crosse Badgers (1907); La Crosse Boosters (1926); La Crosse Blackhawks (1940–1942)
- Madison, WI: Madison Senators (1905–1914); Madison Blues (1928–1932)
- Manitowoc, WI: Manitowoc Shipbuilders (1928–1931)
- Marinette, WI: Marinette Badgers (1891); Marinette-Menominee Twins (1914)
- Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Creams (1913); Kosciuszko Reds (1928–1930);Onion Oils/Union Oils (1928); Milwaukee Red Sox (1931–1932)
- Oconto, WI: Oconto Log Drivers (1891)
- Oshkosh, WI: Oshkosh Indians (1905–1914); Oshkosh Giants 1941–1942, 1946–1953)
- Racine, WI: Racine Malted Milks (1909–1911, 1914); Racine Belles (1909–1915); Racine Eskimos (1926); Racine Belles (1929–1930)
- Rockford, IL: Rockford Reds (1908–1910); Rockford Wolverines (1911–1913); Rockford Wolves (1914)
- Sheboygan, WI: Sheboygan Chairmakers (1926–1932); Sheboygan Indians (1940–1942, 1946–1953)
- Two Rivers, WI: Two Rivers Mirrors (1928–1931)
- Wausau, WI: Wausau Lumberjacks (1905–1908, 1912–1914, 1946–1953)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Wisconsin Rapids White Sox (1940–1942, 1946–1953)
Season standings
1891 to 1892
1891 Wisconsin State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marinette Lumber Shovers | 51 | 39 | .567 | - | Jacob Aydelotte |
| Appleton Papermakers | 48 | 41 | .539 | 2.5 | Charles Faatz |
| Green Bay Dock Wallopers | 48 | 42 | .533 | 3.0 | Thomas Murray / George Brackett |
| Oshkosh Indians | 46 | 44 | .511 | 5.0 | John Roushkolb / Daniel Sweeney |
| Fond du Lac Mudhens | 41 | 49 | .456 | 10.0 | Bob Berryhill |
| Oconto Log Drivers | 35 | 54 | .393 | 15.5 | John Guehrer |
1905 Wisconsin State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse Pinks | 68 | 41 | .624 | - | Pink Hawley |
| Oshkosh Indians | 60 | 47 | .561 | 7.0 | Morey Crall / John Lavie |
| Freeport Pretzels | 54 | 56 | .491 | 14.5 | Nick Malvern / Bill Moriarty |
| Beloit Collegians | 50 | 59 | .459 | 18.0 | George Wilbur / George Bubser |
| Wausau Lumberjacks | 47 | 61 | .435 | 20.5 | Jack Corbett John Mott / Nick Malvern |
| Green Bay Colts | 47 | 62 | .431 | 21.0 | W. Kennelly / William McGinnis Marty McQuade / Ernest Van Erman / Warren Beckwith |
1906 Wisconsin State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse Pinks | 76 | 42 | .644 | - | Pink Hawley |
| Freeport Pretzels | 73 | 43 | .629 | 2.0 | Bill Moriarty |
| Oshkosh Indians | 56 | 63 | .471 | 20.5 | Charlie Hanford |
| Green Bay Colts | 55 | 63 | .466 | 21.0 | George Bubser / Phil Stremmel |
| Wausau Lumberjacks | 48 | 70 | .407 | 28.0 | Nick Malvern / Belanger |
| Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls Orphans | 44 | 71 | .383 | 30.5 | Andy Porter / Al Tebeau Rasmussen / Nick Malvern |
La Crosse played Freeport on the last day of the season with the pennant in balance. 5,000 fans saw a 0-0 game after nine innings. La Crosse pushed across five runs in the tenth to win.
1907 to 1914
1907 Wisconsin State League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport Pretzels | 79 | 41 | .658 | - | Tom Schoonhaven |
| Wausau Lumberjacks | 76 | 43 | .639 | 2.5 | Charlie Ferguson |
| La Crosse Badgers | 67 | 50 | .528 | 10.5 | Pink Hawley |
| Eau Claire Tigers | 62 | 56 | .525 | 16.0 | Bobby Lynch |
| Oshkosh Indians | 58 | 65 | .472 | 21.5 | George Bubser |
| Madison Senators | 52 | 66 | .441 | 26.0 | Howard Cassibone |
| Green Bay Orphans | 48 | 73 | .397 | 31.5 | John Corrigan |
| Fond du Lac Webfoots | 34 | 82 | .293 | 43.0 | Tom Fletcher |
1908 season (W-I League)V[6][1]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau Lumberjacks | 72 | 47 | .605 | 119 |
| La Crosse Pinks | 66 | 57 | .537 | 123 |
| Madison Senators | 64 | 56 | .533 | 120 |
| Green Bay Tigers | 65 | 58 | .528 | 123 |
| Freeport Pretzels | 59 | 62 | .488 | 121 |
| Fond du Lac Cubs | 57 | 65 | .467 | 122 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 54 | 66 | .450 | 120 |
| Rockford Reds | 48 | 74 | .393 | 122 |
1909 season (W-I League)[7][1]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Senators | 74 | 45 | .622 | 119 |
| Green Bay Bays | 69 | 54 | .561 | 123 |
| Racine Malted Milks | 66 | 58 | .532 | 124 |
| Appleton Papermakers | 66 | 58 | .532 | 124 |
| Rockford Reds | 61 | 61 | .500 | 122 |
| Fond du Lac Giants | 58 | 64 | .475 | 122 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 52 | 72 | .419 | 124 |
| Freeport Pretzels | 45 | 79 | .363 | 124 |
1910 season (W-I League)[8]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton Papermakers | 74 | 46 | .617 | 120 |
| Rockford Reds | 72 | 50 | .590 | 122 |
| Fond du Lac Giants | 66 | 55 | .545 | 121 |
| Madison Senators | 62 | 59 | .512 | 121 |
| Green Bay Bays | 59 | 61 | .492 | 120 |
| Racine Malted Milks | 59 | 62 | .488 | 121 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 51 | 72 | .415 | 123 |
| Aurora Islanders | 43 | 81 | .347 | 124 |
1911 season (W-I League)[9]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | 74 | 46 | .617 | 120 |
| Madison Senators | 65 | 57 | .533 | 122 |
| Green Bay Bays | 61 | 56 | .521 | 117 |
| Appleton Papermakers | 63 | 58 | .521 | 121 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 61 | 64 | .488 | 125 |
| Racine Malted Milks | 58 | 64 | .475 | 122 |
| Aurora Blues | 55 | 65 | .458 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac | 47 | 73 | .392 | 120 |
1912 season (W-I League)[10]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh Indians | 87 | 45 | .659 | 132 |
| Racine Belles | 78 | 51 | .605 | 129 |
| Appleton | 67 | 60 | .528 | 127 |
| Wausau | 66 | 76 | .465 | 142 |
| Green Bay Bays | 61 | 68 | .473 | 129 |
| Rockford | 63 | 71 | .470 | 134 |
| Aurora | 54 | 80 | .403 | 134 |
| Madison Senators | 51 | 85 | .375 | 136 |
1913 season (W-I League)[11]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh Indians | 74 | 46 | .617 | 120 |
| Racine Belles | 72 | 51 | .585 | 123 |
| Green Bay Bays | 69 | 57 | .548 | 126 |
| [[Rockford | 65 | 56 | .537 | 121 |
| Madison Senators | 64 | 61 | .512 | 125 |
| Fond du Lac | 63 | 61 | .508 | 124 |
| Wausau Lumberjacks | 45 | 80 | .360 | 125 |
| Appleton Papermakers | 43 | 80 | .350 | 123 |
1914 season (W-I League)[12]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh Indians | 75 | 43 | .636 | 118 |
| Green Bay Bays | 73 | 51 | .589 | 124 |
| Appleton Papermakers | 64 | 55 | .538 | 119 |
| Racine Malted Milks | 64 | 58 | .525 | 122 |
| Twin Cities (Prairie du Sac/Sauk City) | 61 | 59 | .508 | 120 |
| Madison Senators | 57 | 62 | .479 | 119 |
| Rockford Wolves | 48 | 71 | .403 | 119 |
| Wausau Lumberjacks | 39 | 82 | .322 | 121 |
1922 to 1937
1922 season (Wis. State League)[13]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitowoc | 8 | 3 | .727 | 11 |
| Green Bay | 7 | 4 | .636 | 11 |
| Menasha | 6 | 6 | .500 | 12 |
| Appleton | 2 | 10 | .167 | 12 |
1923 season (Wis. State League)[14]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 19 | 9 | .679 | 28 |
| Neenah-Menasha Papermakers | 19 | 9 | .679 | 28 |
| Appleton | 17 | 11 | .607 | 28 |
| Green Bay Bays | 15 | 13 | .536 | 28 |
| Kaukauna | 14 | 14 | .500 | 28 |
| Marinette-Menominee Twins | 10 | 18 | .357 | 28 |
| Oshkosh | 10 | 18 | .357 | 28 |
| Fond du Lac | 8 | 20 | .286 | 28 |
1924 season (Wis. State League)[15]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neenah-Menasha | 8 | 2 | .800 | 10 |
| Green Bay | 5 | 5 | .500 | 10 |
| Appleton | 4 | 4 | .500 | 8 |
| Sheboygan | 4 | 4 | .500 | 8 |
| Oshkosh | 3 | 4 | .429 | 8 |
| Fond du Lac | 2 | 6 | .250 | 8 |
1925 season (Wis. State League)[16]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha Twin Sixes | 33 | 17 | .660 | 50 |
| Beloit Fairies | 24 | 21 | .533 | 45 |
| Racine Athletics | 24 | 28 | .462 | 52 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 22 | 29 | .431 | 51 |
1926 season (W-I League)[17]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 48 | 21 | .696 | 69 |
| Kenosha Twin Sixes | 44 | 28 | .611 | 72 |
| Beloit Fairies | 32 | 22 | .593 | 54 |
| Madison Blues | 27 | 31 | .466 | 58 |
| Racine Belles | 30 | 38 | .441 | 68 |
| Logan Squares (Chicago) | 12 | 21 | .364 | 33 |
| La Crosse Boosters | 9 | 25 | .265 | 34 |
1927 season (W-I League)[18]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 33 | 17 | .660 | 50 |
| Beloit Fairies | 17 | 17 | .500 | 34 |
| Madison Blues | 18 | 28 | .391 | 46 |
| Kenosha Twin Sixers | 13 | 28 | .317 | 41 |
| Logan Squares (Chicago) | 13 | 4 | .765 | 17 |
1928 season (Wis. State League)[19]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Rivers Mirros | 20 | 13 | .606 | 33 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 19 | 15 | .559 | 34 |
| Kosciuszko Reds (Milwaukee) | 17 | 15 | .531 | 32 |
| Union Oils (Milwaukee) | 16 | 16 | .500 | 32 |
| Manitowoc Shipbuilders | 14 | 19 | .424 | 33 |
| Madison Blues | 12 | 20 | .375 | 32 |
1929 season (Wis. State League)[20]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Rivers Mirros | 19 | 6 | .760 | 25 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 18 | 7 | .720 | 25 |
| Union Oils (Milwaukee) | 12 | 12 | .500 | 24 |
| Manitowoc Shipbuilders | 13 | 13 | .500 | 26 |
| Kenosha Twin Sixes | 12 | 14 | .462 | 26 |
| Racine Belles | 11 | 15 | .423 | 26 |
| Madison Blues | 8 | 17 | .320 | 25 |
| Kosciuszko Reds (Milwaukee) | 8 | 17 | .320 | 25 |
1930 season (Wis. State League)[21]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racine Belles | 18 | 6 | .750 | 24 |
| Two Rivers Mirros | 15 | 9 | .625 | 24 |
| Madison Blues | 13 | 12 | .520 | 25 |
| Manitowoc Shipbuilders | 11 | 13 | .458 | 24 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 11 | 14 | .440 | 25 |
| Milwaukee Oils | 9 | 12 | .429 | 24 |
| Kosciuszko Reds (Milwaukee) | 9 | 14 | .391 | 23 |
| Kenosha Twin Sixes | 8 | 14 | .364 | 22 |
1931 season (Wis. State League)[22]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 15 | 4 | .789 | 19 |
| Two Rivers Mirros | 10 | 8 | .555 | 18 |
| Madison Blues | 11 | 9 | .550 | 20 |
| Milwaukee | 8 | 10 | .444 | 18 |
| Racine Belles | 3 | 16 | .158 | 19 |
1932 season (W-I League)[23]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Mills (Chicago) | 16 | 5 | .762 | 21 |
| Madison Blues | 21 | 10 | .677 | 31 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 13 | 11 | .542 | 24 |
| Duffy Florals (Chicago) | 14 | 12 | .538 | 26 |
| Chicago Firemen | 7 | 10 | .474 | 17 |
| Milwaukee Red Sox | 11 | 14 | .440 | 25 |
| Logan Squares (Chicago) | 9 | 12 | .429 | 21 |
| Colored All-Stars | 3 | 15 | .167 | 18 |
| Colored Giants | 2 | 9 | .182 | 11 |
1933 season (W-I League)[24]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues] | 34 | 17 | .667 | 51 |
| Harley Mills | 18 | 10 | .655 | 28 |
| Duffy Florals | 18 | 14 | .563 | 32 |
| Logan Squares | 17 | 18 | .486 | 35 |
| Aurora | 8 | 9 | .471 | 17 |
| Spencer Coals | 7 | 12 | .368 | 19 |
| Chicago Firemen | 6 | 15 | .286 | 21 |
| Colored All-Stars | 4 | 16 | .200 | 20 |
1934 season (Wis. State League)|+First half of the split season:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Green Sox | 7 | 1 | .875 | 8 |
| Kaukauna | 5 | 3 | .625 | 8 |
| Madison Blues | 4 | 3 | .571 | 7 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 3 | 5 | .375 | 8 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 8 | 9 | .471 | 17 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 7 | 12 | .368 | 19 |
|+Second half of the split season:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues | 8 | 2 | .800 | 10 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 8 | 2 | .800 | 10 |
| Green Bay Green Sox | 4 | 5 | .444 | 9 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 4 | 5 | .444 | 9 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 3 | 7 | .300 | 10 |
| Kaukauna | 2 | 8 | .200 | 10 |
The Madison Blues won the tie-breaker from Wisconsin Rapids to meet Green Bay, the winner of the season's first half. Green Bay prevailed in the final three-game championship series.
1935 season (Wis. State League)|+First half of the split season:[25]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues | 8 | 2 | .800 | 10 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 8 | 2 | .800 | 10 |
| Green Bay Green Sox | 5 | 5 | .500 | 10 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 5 | 5 | .500 | 10 |
| Kaukauna | 3 | 7 | .300 | 10 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 1 | 9 | .100 | 10 |
After tying for title of the season's first half, Madison won the first two of a three-game championship series over Sheboygan.
|+Second half of the split season:[26]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 6 | 4 | .600 | 10 |
| Madison Blues | 6 | 4 | .600 | 10 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 6 | 4 | .600 | 10 |
| Kaukauna | 6 | 4 | .600 | 10 |
| Green Bay Green Sox | 3 | 7 | .300 | 10 |
| Oshkosh Indians | 3 | 7 | .300 | 10 |
Sheboygan won the run-off for title of the season's second half, but were defeated by first half champs Madison after the Blues won the first two of the three-game title series.[27]
1936 season (Wis. State League)|+First half of the split season:[28]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues | 9 | 2 | .818 | 11 |
| Racine Belles | 7 | 4 | .636 | 11 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 4 | 6 | .400 | 10 |
| Milwaukee Red Sox | 1 | 9 | .100 | 10 |
Madison defeated Racine to win the title of the season's first half.[28]
|+Second half of the split season:[29]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues | 8 | 1 | .889 | 9 |
| Racine Belles | 3 | 4 | .429 | 7 |
| Milwaukee Red Sox | 2 | 3 | .400 | 10 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 2 | 7 | .222 | 9 |
Madison clinched the title of the season's latter half on Aug. 23 when they defeated the Racine Belles. The Blues became 1936 State League champions by winning both halves of the split season.
1937 season (Wis. State League)|+First half of the split season:[30]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues | 10 | 2 | .833 | 12 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 10 | 2 | .833 | 12 |
| Racine Belles | 3 | 9 | .250 | 12 |
| Kenosha Unions | 1 | 11 | .083 | 12 |
Madison defeated Sheboygan in a three-game series to win the title of the season's first half.
|+Second half of the split season:[31]
| Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Blues | 10 | 2 | .833 | 12 |
| Sheboygan Chairmakers | 10 | 2 | .833 | 12 |
| Racine Belles | 1 | 9 | .100 | 10 |
| Kenosha Unions | 1 | 9 | .100 | 10 |
Sheboygan won the three-game tie-breaker series against Madison to win title of the season's latter half. Facing Sheboygan again for the 1937 championship, Blues manager Eddie Lenahan insisted on a single deciding game instead of three. The State League disagreed, declaring that Madison had forfeited the season by refusing to play in a three-game series. The Chairmakers were awarded the 1937 season championship.[1]