| Grand Forks Chiefs | |
| Firstseason: | 1934 |
| Lastseason: | 1964 |
| Allyears: | 1934–1935, 1938–1942, 1946–1964 |
| City: | Grand Forks, North Dakota |
| Past Class Level: |
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| League: | Northern League |
| Pastmajorleague: |
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| Pastnames: |
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| Pastparks: | Municipal Ballpark |
| Leaguechamps: | 3 (1940, 1948, 1951) |
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.
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]
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]
Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni
Notable alumni
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 59–60 | 6th | Johnny Anderson | |
| 1935 | 46–66 | 6th | Johnny Anderson | |
| 1938 | 49–66 | 6th | ||
| 1939 | 49–68 | 7th | ||
| 1940 | 79–44 | 1st | League Champs | |
| 1941 | 64–48 | 2nd | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1942 | 31–84 | 8th | ||
| 1946 | 50–56 | 6th | ||
| 1947 | 28–92 | 8t | ||
| 1948 | 80–39 | 1st | League Champs | |
| 1949 | 55–70 | 8th | ||
| 1950 | 52–73 | 6th | ||
| 1951 | 64–62 | 4th | League Champs | |
| 1952 | 38–86 | 8th | ||
| 1953 | 55–70 | 6th | ||
| 1954 | 43–91 | 8th | ||
| 1955 | 39–85 | 8th | ||
| 1956 | 59–65 | 7th | ||
| 1957 | 52–72 | 8th | ||
| 1958 | 51–68 | 7th | James Adlam | |
| 1959 | 57–68 | 6th | James Adlam | |
| 1960 | 61–62 | 5th | ||
| 1961 | 60–66 | 4th | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1962 | 72–52 | 1st | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1963 | 54–64 | 5th | 1st 17–11* | |
| 1964 | 69–50 | 2nd | 15–13 (3rd)* | |