Quincy Gems (baseball)
Quincy Gems 1884–1973 (57 Seasons) Quincy, Illinois | |
Class-level | |
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Previous | Single-A, Class D, Class B |
Minor league affiliations | |
Previous leagues |
Midwest League (1960–1973)
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Major league affiliations | |
Previous |
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Minor league titles | |
League titles | 6 1913, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1961, 1970[1] |
Team data | |
Nickname |
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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
- Whitey Herzog (1952) Inducted, 2010
- Tony Kubek (1955) Ford C. Frick Award, 2009
- Bruce Sutter (1973) Inducted, 2006
Notable alumni
- Hank Bauer (1946) 6 x MLB All-Star
- Lew Burdette (1948) 2× MLB All-Star; 1957 World Series MVP; 1959 NL wins leader; 1956 NL ERA leader
- Walter Holke (1929)
- Baby Doll Jacobson (1929)
- Pete LaCock (1970)
- Dennis Lamp (1973)
- Hal Lanier (1961) MLB MGR: 1986 NL Manager of the Year
- Joe Niekro (1966) MLB All-Star; 1979 NL Wins Leader
- Bill North (1970) 1974, 1975 AL Stolen Base Leader
- Lee Thomas (1955) 2 x MLB All-Star
- Marv Throneberry (1953)
- Hal Trosky (1932) 1936 AL RBI Leader
Year-by-year record
(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1907 | 61-66 | 6th | Harry Hofer | none |
1908 | 73-55 | 3rd | Harry Hofer | none |
1913 | 79-60 | 1st | Thomas Hackett / Nick Kahl | League Champs |
1914 | 61-71 | 6th | Nick Kahl | none |
1915 | 65-56 | 4th | John Castle | |
1916 | 57-77 | 7th | John Castle | none |
1917 | 27-38 | 5th | Ted Waring | Season shortened to July 8 |
1946 | 37-82 | 8th | Edward Marleau / Cedric Durst | |
1947 | 50-75 | 7th | Gordie Hinkle | |
1948 | 81-45 | 1st | James Adlam | Lost in 1st round |
1949 | 59-67 | 5th | James Adlam | |
1950 | 64-60 | 4th | James Adlam | Lost in 1st round |
1951 | 65-65 | 3rd | Dutch Zwilling | League Champs |
1952 | 54-72 | 7th | Paul Chervinko | |
1953 | 70-58 | 2nd | Vern Hoscheit | League Champs |
1954 | 71-64 | 4th | Vern Hoscheit | League Champs |
1955 | 52-74 | 7th | Vern Hoscheit | |
1956 | 56-64 | 5th | Vern Hoscheit | |
1964 | 42-78 | 10th | Jim Finigan / Les Peden |
References
- ↑ "Midwest League 1970". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- 1 2 "Quincy, Illinois Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ↑ "1976 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Prospect League Standings". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ↑ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Quincy&state=IL&country=US
- ↑ "Quincy Gems sold to local group for $120,000". Herald-Whig. 2014-09-05. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
- ↑ Baseball Reference Bullpen Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Prospect League Stadiums". Retrieved July 3, 2018.