Quincy Gems (baseball)

Quincy Gems
1884–1973
(57 Seasons)
Quincy, Illinois
Class-level
Previous Single-A, Class D, Class B
Minor league affiliations
Previous leagues

Midwest League (1960–1973)

Major league affiliations
Previous
Minor league titles
League titles 6 1913, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1961, 1970[1]
Team data
Nickname
  • Quincy Gems (1907-1908; 1913-1917; 1946-1956; 1964)
  • Quincy Cubs (1965-1973)
  • Quincy Jets (1962-1964)
  • Quincy Giants (1960-1961)
  • Quincy Indians (1928-1933)
  • Quincy Red Birds (1925-1927)
  • Quincy Old Soldiers (1912)
  • Quincy Infants (1911)
  • Quincy Vets (1909-1910)
  • Quincy Giants (1898-1899)
  • Quincy Little Giants (1897)
  • Quincy Blue Birds (1896)
  • Quincy Ravens (1890-1895)
  • Quincy Black Birds (1889)
  • Quincy Quincys (1883-1884)
Ballpark Q Stadium (1946–1973); Eagles Stadium[2]

The Quincy Gems was the primary name of the minor league baseball team in Quincy, Illinois. Quincy teams played periodically for 57 seasons between 1883 and 1973. The Quincy franchise was members of the Midwest League (1960–1973), Three-I League (1911-1932, 1946-1956), Central Association (1908-1910), Iowa State League (1907) and the Western Association (1884).

After the 1973 season, the franchise was moved to Dubuque, Iowa playing as the Dubuque Packers in the Midwest League for two seasons, before the franchise was folded and was not replaced.

The Gems name was revived in 2009 by the collegiate summerProspect League team called the Gems, who also play at a renovated Q Stadium, now owned by Quincy University.[3][4]

Baseball Hall of Fame members Bruce Sutter, Tony Kubek and Whitey Herzog played for the minor league Quincy franchise.

Team history

After beginning play in 1883, the team was first called the "Gems" in 1907 and had various other nicknames (Ravens, Vets, Giants, Cubs, Jets, Indians), some the same as their major league affiliate. The franchise played in the Western Association (1894-1899), Iowa State League (1907), Central Association (1908-1910), Three-I League (1911-1932, 1946-1956), and the Midwest League (1960–73).[2] They were affiliated with the New York Yankees (1946-1956), the San Francisco Giants (1956–60), New York Mets (1962-63) and the Chicago Cubs (1965-1973).[5]

The franchise won six league championships. They captured Three-I League Championships in 1913, 1951, 1953 and 1954. They won the 1961 and 1970 Midwest League Championships, defeating the Waterloo Hawks in 1961 and the Quad City Angels in 1970.

In 2009, the Quincy Gems of the collegiate summer baseball Prospect League began play in QU Stadium and reincarnated the Gems moniker.[6]

The ballpark

Beginning in 1946, Quincy teams played at Q Stadium. Previously the team played at Eagles Stadium.[7] Q Stadium was built in 1939 and is still an active baseball stadium, located at 1800 Sycamore Street, Quincy, IL 62301.[8] The 1964 Gems had no major league affiliation, and were the last minor league team in the United States to operate independently until the 1973 Portland Mavericks.

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni

Notable alumni

Hall of Fame Pitcher Bruce Sutter, 1988
Hal Trosky Goudey card

Ed Walker, Quincy Vets player 1910

Year-by-year record

(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
190761-666thHarry Hofernone
190873-553rdHarry Hofernone
191379-601stThomas Hackett / Nick KahlLeague Champs
191461-716thNick Kahlnone
191565-564thJohn Castle
191657-777thJohn Castlenone
191727-385thTed WaringSeason shortened to July 8
194637-828thEdward Marleau / Cedric Durst
194750-757thGordie Hinkle
194881-451stJames AdlamLost in 1st round
194959-675thJames Adlam
195064-604thJames AdlamLost in 1st round
195165-653rdDutch ZwillingLeague Champs
195254-727thPaul Chervinko
195370-582ndVern HoscheitLeague Champs
195471-644thVern HoscheitLeague Champs
195552-747thVern Hoscheit
195656-645thVern Hoscheit
196442-7810thJim Finigan / Les Peden

References

  1. ↑ "Midwest League 1970". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Quincy, Illinois Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ "1976 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Prospect League Standings". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Quincy&state=IL&country=US
  6. ↑ "Quincy Gems sold to local group for $120,000". Herald-Whig. 2014-09-05. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  7. ↑ Baseball Reference Bullpen Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Prospect League Stadiums". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
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