The Grand Forks Chiefs were a minor league baseball team from Grand Forks, North Dakota. They played in the Northern League from 1934 to 1964, with a couple breaks in between.

Grand Forks Chiefs
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class A (1963–1964)
  • Class C (1941–1942, 1946–1962)
  • Class D (1934–1940)
LeagueNorthern League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 3 (1940, 1948, 1951)
Team data
Previous names
Previous parks
Municipal Ballpark

History

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Minor league baseball first began in Grand Forks when the 1897 Grand Forks Senators became members of the Red River Valley League. They were followed by the Grand Forks Forkers who played as members of the Northern League (1902-1905) and Northern-Copper Country League (1906). The Grand Forks Flickertails played as members of the Central International League (1912) and Northern League (1913-1915).[1]

The Grand Forks Chiefs began play in 1934, after Grand Forks had hosted the two previous teams in the Northern League. The Chiefs were a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers (1964), Cleveland Indians (1963, Pittsburgh Pirates (1956–1962), Philadelphia Phillies (1951–1952), New York Yankees (1948–1950), Brooklyn Dodgers (1946) and Chicago White Sox (1939–1942).[2][1]

Ballparks

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The Chiefs played at home games at the Grand Forks Municipal Ballpark, which was located at 1124 Demers Avenue. Today, the site is the Central Fire Station.[3][4]

Notable alumni

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Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni

Notable alumni

Year-by-year record

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Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1934 59–60 6th Johnny Anderson
1935 46–66 6th Johnny Anderson
1938 49–66 6th Johnny Mostil
1939 49–68 7th Johnny Mostil
1940 79–44 1st Fred Williams League Champs
1941 64–48 2nd Larry Bettencourt Lost in 1st round
1942 31–84 8th Bruno Haas
1946 50–56 6th Glenn Chapman / Rae Blaemire
1947 28–92 8t Claude Jonnard
1948 80–39 1st Gordon Hinkle League Champs
1949 55–70 8th Ed Kearse / Joe McDermott / Wally Berger
1950 52–73 6th Jack Farmer / Cedric Durst
1951 64–62 4th Eddie Murphy League Champs
1952 38–86 8th Eddie Murphy
1953 55–70 6th Carl Hosler / Frank Calo
1954 43–91 8th Virl Minnis / Frank Calo / Frank Major
1955 39–85 8th Johnny Hopp / Joe McDermott / Ray Fletcher
1956 59–65 7th Al Kubski
1957 52–72 8th Al Kubski / Jack Paepke
1958 51–68 7th James Adlam
1959 57–68 6th James Adlam
1960 61–62 5th Bob Clear
1961 60–66 4th Bob Clear Lost in 1st round
1962 72–52 1st Tom Saffell Lost in 1st round
1963 54–64 5th Ray Dabek 1st 17–11*
1964 69–50 2nd James Williams 15–13 (3rd)*

* Baukol Playoffs based on last 30 days of season

References

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  1. ^ a b "Grand Forks, North Dakota Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "SABR".
  3. ^ "History | City of Grand Forks, ND". Archived from the original on 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  4. ^ "Municipal Ball Park - Grand Forks North Dakota - Former Home of the Grand Forks Chiefs". www.digitalballparks.com.
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