Wisconsin Rapids Twins

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Wisconsin Rapids Twins
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass A
LeagueMidwest League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 1973
Team data
Previous names
  • Wisconsin Rapids Twins (1964–1983)
  • Wisconsin Rapids Senators (1963)
Previous parks
Witter Field

The Wisconsin Rapids Twins were a Class A Minor League Baseball team that existed from 1963 to 1983, playing in the Midwest League. Affiliated with the Washington Senators (1963) and the Minnesota Twins (1964-1983), they were located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, United States. They played their home games at Witter Field. The franchise evolved from the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox of the Wisconsin State League (1940–42, 1946–53).[1] For the 1984 season, the franchise became the Kenosha Twins, moving to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Despite the fact that they existed for 21 seasons, the Twins were Midwest League Champions only once, defeating the Danville Warriors 2 games to 1 and winning the 1973 Championship, after having lost to the Appleton Foxes in the 1967 Championship Series.[citation needed]

Ballpark[edit]

They played their home games at Witter Field, located at 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Built in 1928,[2] it served as the home park for multiple minor league teams: the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox (1941–42; 1946–53) of the Class-D Wisconsin State League.[3] The League folded after the 1953 season,[4] leaving Witter without professional baseball until a new team in the Class-A Midwest League started play. The Wisconsin Rapids Senators (1963) and Wisconsin Rapids Twins (1964–1983) would play for the next two decades.[5] Following the 1983 season, the franchise moved to Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[6]

Today, the park is home to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, who began play in 2010 .[3]

Notable alumni[edit]

The player to win the first Triple Crown in Midwest League history played for the Twins – Elmore "Moe" Hill. In 1974, he led the league with a .339 average, 32 home runs and 113 RBI.

Year-by-year record[edit]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1964 50-71 9th Joe Christian
1965 60-61 6th Ray Bellino / Pete Appleton / Ray Bellino none
1966 59-63 6th Ray Bellino
1967 70-46 2nd Ray Bellino Lost League Finals
1968 62-57 4th Ray Bellino / Tom Umphlett
1969 49-75 9th Tom Videtich none
1970 59-60 6th Johnny Goryl
1971 42-78 10th Weldon Bowlin
1972 70-56 4th Jay Ward Lost in 1st round
1973 68-53 2nd Johnny Goryl League Champs
1974 80-48 1st Johnny Goryl Lost in 1st round
1975 71-58 3rd Johnny Goryl
1976 67-63 5th Harry Warner
1977 66-72 6th Jim Rantz / Carlos Pascual / Spencer Robbins
1978 62-76 5th Rick Stelmaszek
1979 60-72 6th Rick Stelmaszek
1980 77-64 3rd Rick Stelmaszek Lost in 1st round
1981 68-65 4th Ken Staples
1982 56-82 11th Ken Staples
1983 71-67 5th (t) Charlie Manuel

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Encyclopedia". Baseball-reference.com.
  2. ^ "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Ballpark". Northwoodsleague.com.
  4. ^ "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com.
  5. ^ "Witter Field Minor League History | Baseball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  6. ^ "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.