| Green Bay Bays | |
| Firstseason: | 1892 |
| Lastseason: | 1914 |
| Allyears: | 1891–1892, 1902, 1905–1914 |
| City: | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Class Level: | Independent (1891–1892, 1902) Class D (1905–1909) Class C (1910–1914) |
| League: | Wisconsin State League (1891) Wisconsin-Michigan League (1892) Wisconsin State League (1902, 1905–1907) Wisconsin-Illinois League (1909–1914) |
| Majorleague: | None |
| Nickname: | Green Bay Dock Wallopers (1891) Green Bay Bays (1892, 1902) Green Bay Colts (1905–1906) Green Bay Orphans (1907) Green Bay Tigers (1908) Green Bay Bays (1909–1914) |
| Ballpark: | Hagemeister Park (1891–1892) Bellevue Park (1902, 1905–1914) |
| Leaguenum: | 1 |
The Green Bay Bays were a minor league baseball team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, playing between 1891 and 1914.
Green Bay began minor league play as members of the 1891 Wisconsin State League, followed by play in the 1892 Wisconsin-Michigan League and Wisconsin State League between 1902 and 1908. After the Wisconsin State League changed names, the Green Bay Bays continued play from 1909 to 1914 in the Class C level Wisconsin-Illinois League. The Green Bay Bays ceased play when the Wisconsin-Illinois League permanently folded following the 1914 season. The Green Bay Bays were succeeded in minor league play by the 1941 Green Bay Bluejays, who began a tenure of play in the Wisconsin State League.
Besides the "Bays" nickname, Green Bay teams played as the "Dock Wallopers" (1891), "Colts" (1905–1906), "Orphans" (1907) and "Tigers" (1908).
The Green Bay teams hosted minor league home games at Hagemeister Park in 1891 and 1892 and at Bellevue Park through 1914. Both sites later became home to the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.
In 1891, Green Bay began minor league play when the Green Bay "Dock Wallopers" were charter members of the independent Wisconsin State League.[1] [2] The Appleton Papermakers, Fond du Lac Mudhens, Marinette Lumber Shovers, Oconto Log Drivers and Oshkosh Indians teams joined with Green Bay in the six–team Wisconsin State League.[3] [4]
Green Bay played their first minor league game on May 23, 1891, at their home ballpark. Appleton defeated Green Bay 4-0 in the home opener at Green Bay, with 400 to 500 fans in attendance.[5]
Green Bay finished in fourth place in the 1891 Wisconsin State League standings.[2] Playing under managers Thomas Murray and George Brackett, the Dock Wallopers ended the season with a record of 48–42. Marinette won the championship and finished 2.5 games ahead of the second place Appleton Papermakers and 3.0 games ahead of fourth place Green Bay in the final standings.[6] [4]
In 1892, the Green Bay "Bays" nickname first appeared as the team continued play, becoming charter members of the six-team Michigan-Wisconsin League.[7] The league formed for the 1892 season as a non–signatory, Independent level league. The Ishpeming-Negaunee Unions, Marinette Badgers, Marquette Undertakers, Menominee Wolverines and Oshkosh Indians teams joined Green Bay as charter members.[8] [9]
The 1892 Green Bay Bays won the Michigan-Wisconsin League championship after the league lost two teams during the season. The Bays were led to the championship by manager Sam LaRocque.[7] After the season began on May 37, 1892, the Green Bay Bays won the 1892 Michigan-Wisconsin League. The Bays ended the season with a 48–39 record in the six–team league, finishing 6.0 games ahead of the Oshkosh Indians. Green Bay was followed by the Menominee Wolverines (44–40), Marinette Badgers (45–44) and Oshkosh in the final standings. The Marquette Undertakers (20–29) and Ishpeming-Negaunee Unions (24–20) teams folded during the season.[10] [9] Green Bay pitcher Robert Gayle led the league with 14 wins.
Green Bay team president Frank W. Murphy also served the dual role as president of the league. Murphy created controversy in winning the championship after it was reported that Murphy had secretly upgraded the Green Bay roster before and during the season with a new manager and players, as well as new uniforms and equipment. Numerous Green Bay players were obtained from the Terre Haute Hottentots leading to the championship. All the former Green Bay players were released.[11] [12] The Michigan-Wisconsin League permanently folded following the 1892 season.
After a decade without a minor league team, Green Bay returned to play in joining the reformed 1902 Wisconsin State League. Green Bay was managed by Schwartz and Schuette.[13] The league reformed as an eight-team independent league. Final standings and records for the 1902 league season are unknown,[14] The Wisconsin State League did not play as a minor league in 1903.
In 1905, the Wisconsin State League reformed, and Green Bay joined the league, as the Green Bay "Colts" resumed minor league baseball play as members of six–team Class D level Wisconsin State League, also called the "Wisconsin Association," with all league teams based in Wisconsin. The Colts joined the Beloit Collegians, Freeport Pretzels, La Crosse Pinks, Oshkosh Indians and Wausau Lumberjacks teams in league play.[15] [16]
The 1905 Green Bay Colts ended their first season of Wisconsin State League play in last place.[13] With a record of 47–62, the Colts placed sixth in the six-team Wisconsin State League standings, finishing 21.0 games behind the champion La Crosse Pinks. Green Bay had five managers during their last place season: Wiliam Kennelly, William McGinnis, Mart McQuaid, Ernest Van Erman and Warren Beck. The league held no playoffs, with the regular season first place team winning the championship.[17] [18] [16]
In their second season of minor league play, the 1906 Green Bay Colts continued as members of the six-team Wisconsin State League.