Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League Explained

Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Sport:Minor League Baseball
President:Michael H. Sexton (1901–1904)
Edward Holland (1905–1907)
Tom Loftus (1908)
Michael H. Sexton (1909)
Albert R. Tearney (1910–1917, 1919–1924)
L.J. Wylie (1924–1932, 1935)
Tom Fairweather (1937–1942, 1948–1950)
Vern McMillan (1951)
Hal Totten (1952–1959)
Vern Hoscheit (1960–1961)
Teams:31
Country:United States of America
Continent:or
Continents:-->
Most Champs:8
Evansville Braves/ Bees/ Hubs (1957, 1956, 1954, 1952, 1949, 1941, 1938, 1930)
Classification:Class D (1901)
Class B (1902–1917, 1919–1932, 1935, 1937–1942, 1948–1961)

The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was a Minor League Baseball organization that operated for the better part of 60 seasons, with teams based in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The league began play in 1901 and disbanded after the 1961 season. It was popularly known as the Three–I League and sometimes as the Three–Eye League.

The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League played from 1901 to 1961 with some interruptions due to world events: the league did not play in 1918 due to World War I and it had a break in 1933 and 1934 because of the Great Depression. After resuming play in 1935, it closed down in 1936, but reformed and had a six-year run from 1937 through 1942, before a break due to World War II. The league resumed play in 1946, lasting through 1961, where it was largely supplanted by the Midwest League. A Class B level league from 1902 throughout its lifespan, no other league survived for as long at that level.

History

The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was founded in 1901 with Rock Island, Illinois native Michael H. Sexton serving as the first president. Eight charter members began play in 1901. The Bloomington Blues, Cedar Rapids Rabbitts, Davenport River Rats, Decatur Commodores, Evansville River Rats, Rock Island Islanders, Rockford Red Sox and Terre Haute Hottentots were the charter teams.[1] Bloomington, Illinois, Decatur, Illinois and Terre Haute, Indiana had left the Central League to join expansion teams in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Davenport, Iowa, Evansville, Indiana, Rockford, Illinois, and Rock Island, Illinois and form the Class D level league. Two expansion teams, Davenport and Evansville, chose "River Rats" as their team name.[2]

For the second season, 1902, the league became Class B level league, a classification it retained for the next 59 seasons of league operation.[3]

The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was inactive during some years of World War I (1918), the Great Depression (1933–1934, 1936) and World War II (1943–1945), similar to many minor leagues that were forced to suspend operations or disband during those severe times.[2] [4]

As with many minor leagues, especially at the lower classifications, league membership fluctuated a great deal over its six decades. Overall, the league hosted teams in 31 cities during its existence.[5] At various times it had teams in such medium-sized cities as Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Bloomington, Decatur, Danville, Peoria, Springfield, Evansville and Terre Haute. It was a Class B league in the old classification system that ran from Class D up to Class Triple-A.

The 1955 Keokuk Kernels are ranked #30 in the Top–100 All–Time minor league teams by MiLB.com.[6] The Kernels finished with a 92–34 record and were led by Russ Nixon and Mudcat Grant.[6]

Since 1956 its territory had largely been supplanted by the Midwest League, which began play in 1947 as the Class D level Illinois State League. After 1956 there were no Illinois or Indiana teams in the league. The final 1961 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League franchises were the Fox Cities Foxes, Burlington Bees, Topeka Reds, Lincoln Chiefs, Cedar Rapids Braves and Des Moines Demons.[7] In 1962, Appleton (Fox Cities), Burlington, and Cedar Rapids joined the Midwest League and the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League folded operations when those franchises switched leagues.[8]

The league's unique name made it a convenient reference point for any mention of the minor leagues. Casey Stengel made the following comment in later life, evidently still feeling stung from having been traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves in the 1923–1924 off-season, despite having hit 2 game-winning home runs in the World Series: "It's lucky I didn't hit 3 home runs in three games, or McGraw would have traded me to the 3-I League!"

Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League teams (1901–1961)

Alton, Illinois

Appleton, Wisconsin

Bloomington, Illinois

Burlington, Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Clinton, Iowa

Danville, Illinois

Davenport, Iowa

Decatur, Illinois

Des Moines, Iowa

Dubuque, Iowa

Evansville, Indiana

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Freeport, Illinois

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Hannibal, Missouri

Joliet, Illinois

Keokuk, Iowa

Lincoln, Nebraska

Madison, Wisconsin

Moline, Illinois

Peoria, Illinois

Quincy, Illinois

Rochester, Minnesota

Rock Island, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois

Sioux City, Iowa

Springfield, Illinois

Terre Haute, Indiana

Topeka, Kansas

Waterloo, Iowa

Winona, Minnesota

Year-by-year (1901–1932)

1901 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Terre Haute won the title behind the impressive pitching of Mordecai Brown, future Chicago Cubs mound star.

Team NameRecord
Terre Haute Hottentots72–39
Bloomington Blues68–44
Cedar Rapids Rabbits67–45
Rockford Red Sox57–55
Davenport River Rats51–61
Evansville River Rats47–65
Rock Island Islanders45–66
Decatur Commodores40–72

1902 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Rockford Red Sox74–52
Terre Haute Hottentots70–53
Cedar Rapids Rabbits64–55
Rock Island Islanders58–61
Davenport River Rats59–63
Evansville River Rats57–67
Decatur Commodores55–69
Bloomington Blues54–71

1903 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Evansville and Terre Haute joined the Central League. New teams in Dubuque, Iowa and Joliet, Illinois formed. Joliet, with a record of 14–19, moved to Springfield, Illinois on June 12, where they had a record of 28–61.

Bloomington Bloomers72–47
Decatur Commodores67–51
Davenport River Rats65–53
Rock Island Islanders64–54
Cedar Rapids Rabbits60–60
Rockford Red Sox58–60
Dubuque Shamrocks49–72
Joliet Standards/Springfield Foot Trackers42–80

1904 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Springfield Hustlers72–48
Cedar Rapids Rabbits70–52
Dubuque Shamrocks69–54
Bloomington Bloomers60–61
Decatur Commodores59–62
Rock Island Islanders57–65
Davenport River Rats52–69
Rockford Red Sox48–76

1905 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Rockford team folded, and a new team in Peoria, Illinois formed.

Dubuque Shamrocks70–53
Rock Island Islanders68–55
Springfield Senators64–58
Decatur Commodores63–58
Cedar Rapids Rabbits63–61
Bloomington Bloomers60–65
Davenport Riversides56–67
Peoria Distillers48–75

After the season ended, Cedar Rapids lost to the Burlington, Iowa team from the Iowa State League 4 games to 3.

1906 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Cedar Rapids Rabbits79–43
Peoria Distillers74–48
Dubuque Dubs64–55
Springfield Senators64–56
Rock Island Islanders58–66
Decatur Commodores48–67
Bloomington Bloomers51–74
Davenport Knickerbockers45–74

1907 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Davenport team folded. The team from Clinton, Iowa joined after leaving the Iowa State League.

Rock Island Islanders86–46
Decatur Commodores80–47
Springfield Senators81–50
Peoria Distillers77–52
Cedar Rapids Rabbits72–61
Clinton Infants53–78
Bloomington Bloomers51–79
Dubuque Dubs22–109

1908 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Springfield Senators82–54
Decatur Commodores77–59
Cedar Rapids Rabbits69–63
Peoria Distillers77–52
Dubuque Dubs67–69
Bloomington Bloomers64–73
Rock Island Islanders59–76
Clinton Adults55–78

1909 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Clinton team folded. A new team in Davenport, Iowa formed.

Rock Island Islanders90–48
Springfield Senators81–53
Davenport Prodigals77–59
Burlington Bloomers70–67
Peoria Distillers69–67
Dubuque Dubs64–71
Decatur Commodores63–73
Cedar Rapids Rabbits31–107

1910 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
After the previous disappointing season, Cedar Rapids folded. The Decatur team moved to the Northern Association. The team from Waterloo, Iowa left the Central Association to join here. A new team from Danville, Illinois formed and joined the league as well.

Springfield Senators88–48
Rock Island Islanders81–56
Peoria Distillers75–64
Waterloo Boosters72–67
Bloomington Bloomers60–76
Dubuque Dubs60–79
Davenport Prodigals59–80
Danville Speakers57–82

1911 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The team from Bloomington folded. The Quincy, Illinois team from the Central Association joined the league. The Springfield team, with a 12–4 record, moved to Decatur, Illinois on May 31, where their record was 57–56.

Peoria Distillers76–59
Springfield Senators/Decatur Nomads69–60
Quincy Infants71–63
Danville Speakers69–62
Davenport Prodigals69–69
Dubuque Hustlers67–70
Waterloo Boosters59–76
Rock Island Islanders58–79

1912 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The teams from Rock Island and Waterloo folded. New teams from Springfield, Illinois and Bloomington, Indiana joined the league.

Springfield Senators90–44
Davenport Prodigals75–60
Decatur Commodores69–67
Quincy Old Soldiers67–70
Dubuque Dubs65–73
Danville Speakers63–71
Bloomington Bloomers58–78
Peoria Distillers56–80

1913 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Quincy Gems79–60
Dubuque Dubs74–62
Davenport Blue Sox68–66
Danville Speakers69–68
Decatur Commodores67–68
Springfield Watchmakers66–70
Bloomington Bloomers64–71
Peoria Distillers57–79

1914 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Danville team, with a record of 26–53, moved to Moline, Illinois on July 14, where their record was 20–33.

Davenport Blue Sox83–52
Peoria Distillers81–56
Springfield Watchmakers72–60
Decatur Commodores72–64
Dubuque Dubs64–69
Quincy Gems61–71
Bloomington Bloomers56–77
Danville Speakers/Moline Plowboys46–86

1915 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Springfield team folded. A new team in Rockford, Illinois formed. Dubuque moved to Freeport, Illinois during the season. The Decatur team folded on August 10. The league adopted a playoff system in which the team with the best record in the first half of the season would play the team with the best record in the second half of the season.

Moline Plowboys75–51 (2nd half winner)
Davenport Blue Sox76–52 (1st half winner)
Rockford Wakes72–58
Quincy Gems62–56
Peoria Distillers68–63
Dubuque Dubs/Freeport Comeons48–76
Bloomington Bloomers48–76
Decatur Commodores37–57

Moline beat Davenport 4 games to 2 for the title.

1916 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Freeport team folded. New teams in Hannibal, Missouri and Rock Island, Illinois formed and joined the league. The playoff system was apparently dropped.

Peoria Distillers84–50
Hannibal Mules79–57
Bloomington Bloomers76–56
Rockford Wakes67–66
Moline Plowboys59–76
Rock Island Islanders57–76
Quincy Gems57–77
Davenport Blue Sox56–77

1917 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Davenport team folded. A new team in Alton, Illinois formed and joined the league.

Peoria Distillers43–23
Rockford Rox39–21
Hannibal Mules39–27
Rock Island Islanders36–26
Quincy Gems27–38
Moline Plowboys27–38
Bloomington Bloomers25–37
Alton Blues18–44

1918, The league suspended operations because of World War I.

1919 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The teams in Alton, Hannibal, Quincy, and Rock Island folded. New teams in Evansville, Indiana and Terre Haute, Indiana formed and joined the league.

Bloomington Bloomers80–41
Peoria Tractors68–54
Evansville Black Sox63–58
Rockford Rox63–60
Terre Haute Browns50–70
Moline Plowboys40–81

1920 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
New teams in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois formed and joined the league. Evansville changed their names to the "Evas".

Bloomington Bloomers82–57
Evansville Evas80–56
Rockford Rox70–70
Moline Plowboys69–70
Cedar Rapids Rabbits68–69
Peoria Tractors67–71
Terre Haute Browns58–77
Rock Island Islanders57–81

1921 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Moline Plowboys78–55
Rockford Rox72–64
Terre Haute Tots70–65
Peoria Tractors70–69
Evansville Evas67–69
Bloomington Bloomers65–69
Cedar Rapids Rabbits62–72
Rock Island Islanders57–78

1922 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The teams in Cedar Rapids and Rock Island moved to the Mississippi Valley League. New teams in Danville and Decatur formed and joined the league.

Terre Haute Tots85–51
Decatur Commodores78–58
Peoria Tractors76–60
Evansville Evas76–64
Rockford Rox74–65
Bloomington Bloomers63–75
Danville Veterans50–87
Moline Plowboys49–89

1923 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Decatur Commodores81–54
Rockford Rox76–63
Terre Haute Tots71–60
Bloomington Bloomers72–64
Evansville Evas72–65
Peoria Tractors71–65
Danville Veterans55–81
Moline Plowboys45–91

1924 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The Rockford team folded. The Moline team moved to the Mississippi Valley League.

Terre Haute Tots75–62
Evansville Little Evas75–64
Bloomington Bloomers71–64
Peoria Tractors71–66
Danville Veterans59–75
Decatur Commodores58–78

1925 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
New teams in Quincy and Springfield formed and joined the league.

89–48
Terre Haute Tots81–54
Evansville Pocketeers72–63
Danville Veterans69–66
Decatur Commodores62–73
Bloomington Bloomers56–74
Springfield Senators56–79
Quincy Red Birds54–82

1926 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Springfield Senators77–59
Peoria Tractors75–62
Terre Haute Tots73–61
Danville Veterans72–65
Evansville Hubs72–66
Decatur Commodores69–67
Quincy Red Birds62–75
Bloomington Bloomers43–88

Springfield played Bay City of the Michigan State League and won 4 games to none. They were leading against Des Moines of the Western League 3 games to 1 when the series was canceled due to cold weather.

1927 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Danville Veterans86–50
Peoria Tractors87–51
Springfield Senators72–66
Terre Haute Tots70–66
Decatur Commodores62–70
Quincy Red Birds63–75
Bloomington Bloomers55–83
Evansville Hubs50–84

1928 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The league returned to the playoff format in which the team with the best record in the first half of the season played the team with the best records in the second half of the season for the title.

Decatur Commodores81–49 (2nd half winner)
Terre Haute Tots75–59 (1st half winner)
Danville Veterans69–57
Peoria Tractors69–66
Evansville Hubs62–68
Bloomington Bloomers61–69
Springfield Senators60–79
Quincy Indians50–85
Decatur beat Terre Haute for the title 4 games to 1, with 1 tie.

1929 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Two teams with the nickname "Tractors" played in the league this season.

Quincy Indians82–56
Decatur Commodores81–57
Evansville Hubs79–57
Terre Haute Tots72–66
Bloomington Bloomers70–70
Peoria Tractors61–76
Springfield Tractors59–77
Danville Veterans46–91
Quincy played Canton of the Central League after the season ended and lost 4 games to 2.

1930 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The league returned to the best record in the 1st half vs. best record in the 2nd half playoff system.

Evansville Hubs79–55 (2nd half winner)
Quincy Indians78–58
Decatur Commodores77–59
Danville Veterans71–67 (1st half winner)
Springfield Senators62–70
Peoria Tractors57–77
Bloomington Cubs57–78
Terre Haute Tots53–76

Danville defeated Evansville 4 games to 2 for the title. Danville went on to play Springfield of the Central League and lead 3 games to 2 when the series was cancelled because of poor attendance.

1931 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Springfield Senators72–45 (1st half winner)
Quincy Indians67–49 (2nd half winner)
Evansville Hubs67–58
Decatur Commodores64–57
Bloomington Cubs58–61
Terre Haute Tots55–68
Peoria Tractors51–68
Danville Veterans44–72

Quincy beat Springfield 4 games to 2 for the championship.

1932 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
The teams in Bloomington and Evansville folded before the season, and the Springfield and Decatur teams folded on July 12.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Terre Haute Tots42–27 (1st half winner)
Peoria Tractors20–38 (2nd half winner)
Quincy IndiansCleveland Indians38–31
Danville VeteransSt. Louis Cardinals29–39
Springfield Senators32–37
Decatur Commodores24–43

The Terre Haute, Peoria, Quincy, and Danville teams all folded on July 15, as did the league itself. The league was restarted in 1935, 1937–1942, and 1946–1961.

Year–by–year 1935 to 1949

1935 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bloomington Bloomers7544.630—Burleigh Grimes
Springfield Senators7445.6221.0
Decatur Commodores5956.51314.0
Terre Haute Tots5761.48317.5
Fort Wayne Chiefs5271.42325.0
Peoria Tractors3878.32835.5Jack Sheehan / Bill Rodgers
Playoff: Springfield 4 games, Bloomington 2. Bloomington was declared the winner when Springfield refused to replay protested final game that was upheld by the league president.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Chet LaabsFort WayneBA.384Max MaconBloomingtonW19
Hersh MartinBloomingtonRuns112Johnny HutchingsPeoria SO166
Jimmy OutlawDecaturHits157Lefty SmollSpringfieldPCT.765 13–4
Chet LaabsFort WayneRBI96
Chet LaabsFort WayneHR24
1937 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Clinton Owls7536.676—
Moline Plowboys7441.6433.0
Decatur Commodores5364.45325.0
Peoria Reds4566.40530.0
Bloomington Bengals2138.356NAJoseph Sims
Terre Haute Tots1538.283NA
Bloomington and Terre Haute disbanded July 3, at the end of the first half.
Playoff: Moline 4 games, Clinton 2.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Hank MajeskiMolineBA.345Kirby HigbeMolineW21
George CisarClintonRuns98Kirby HigbeMoline SO257
Joe Mene MolineHits164Kirby HigbeMolinePCT.808 21–5
Bert HaasClintonHR13
1938 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Bees7747.621—98,817
Decatur Commodores6858.54010.050,766
Moline Plowboys6759.53211.022,684
Springfield Browns6360.51213.566,944
Waterloo Red Hawks5965.47618.043,980Lennie Backer
Cedar Rapids Raiders5663.47118.539,211Cap Crossley
Bloomington Bloomers5665.46319.524,368
Clinton Owls4675.38029.535,119Ollie Marquardt
Playoffs: Decatur 3 games, Springfield 2; Mobile 3 games, Evansville 1.
Finals: Decatur 4 games, Moline 1.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Lou NovikoffMolineBA.367Emil BildilliSpringfieldW18
Eddie LakeDecaturRuns117Floyd GiebellEvansville W18
Lou NovikoffMolineHits186Emil BildilliSpringfieldSO185
Lou NovikoffMolineRBI114Floyd GiebellEvansvilleERA1.98
Frank Piet SpringfieldHR25Emil BildilliSpringfieldPCT.818 18–4
1939 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Cedar Rapids Raiders7346.613—56,399
Evansville Bees7348.6031.081,371
Decatur Commodores6851.5715.049,710
Springfield Browns6555.5428.537,916
Clinton Giants6358.52111.041,712
Bloomington Bloomers4973.40225.514,005
Moline Plowboys4973.40225.520,911
Waterloo Red Hawks4278.35031.528,935Cap Crossley
Playoffs: Springfield 3 games, Evansville 1; Decatur 3 games, Cedar Rapids 1.
Finals: Springfield 3 games, Decatur 2.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Del Jones Cedar RapidsBA.362Joe CallahanEvansvilleW19
Del Jones Cedar RapidsRuns120Mike NaymickCedar Rapids SO181
Del Jones Cedar RapidsHits168Joe CallahanEvansvilleERA1.86
George BinksCedar RapidsRBI116Roger WolffCedar RapidsPCT.750 15–5
Fred Stroble SpringfieldHR21
1940 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Cedar Rapids Raiders7451.592—46,475
Decatur Commodores7352.5841.037,667
Springfield Browns7353.5791.556,569
Evansville Braves6855.5535.060,815
Clinton Giants6257.5219.040,277Josh Billings
Madison Blues6162.49612.036,740
Moline Plowboys4678.47127.513,639
Waterloo White Hawks3685.29836.023,441John Fitzpatrick / Frederick Bedore
Playoffs: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Springfield 0; Decatur 3 games, Evansville 2.
Finals: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Decatur 1.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Lou ScofficDecaturBA.358Mike Kash MadisonW20
Chuck WorkmanCedar RapidsRuns108Max SurkontDecaturSO212
Lou ScofficDecaturHits164Max SurkontDecaturERA2.50
Don MannoEvansvilleRBI113Max SurkontDecaturPCT.792 19–5
Chuck WorkmanCedar RapidsHR29
1941 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Bees8045.640—69,156
Cedar Rapids Raiders7249.5956.040,323Ollie Marquardt
Decatur Commodores6756.54512.038,485
Springfield Browns6559.52414.541,194
Waterloo White Hawks5965.47620.555,456
Clinton Giants5768.45623.025,861Josh Billings
Madison Blues5271.42327.028,434
Moline Plowboys4382.3443716,534
Playoffs: Decatur 3 games, Evansville 2; Cedar Rapids 3 games, Springfield 1.
Finals: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Decatur 2.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Hank EdwardsCedar RapidsBA.364Warren SpahnMadisonW19
Hank EdwardsCedar RapidsRuns101John Clay DecaturSO204
Delbert Jones Cedar RapidsRuns101Warren SpahnMadisonERA1.83
Hank EdwardsCedar RapidsHits172Warren SpahnMadisonPCT.760 19–6
Hank EdwardsCedar RapidsRBI113
Hank EdwardsCedar RapidsHR23
1942 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Cedar Rapids Raiders7443.632—
Springfield Browns6748.5836.0
Evansville Bees6554.54610.0
Madison Blues5562.47019.0Walter Millies
Waterloo White Hawks4771.39827.5
Decatur Commodores4575.37530.5
Playoffs: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Evansville 2; Madison 3 games, Springfield 1.
Finals: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Madison 0.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Whitey PlattMadisonBA.395Bryan StephensCedar RapidsW20
Blas MonacoCedar RapidsRuns95Len PermeWaterlooSO204
Ducky DetweilerEvansvilleHits149John Pavlick SpringfieldERA2.96
Pat SeereyCedar RapidsRBI91Bryan StephensCedar RapidsPCT.833 20–4
Pat SeereyCedar RapidsHR33
The league did not play in 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to World War II1946 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Davenport Cubs7644.618—
Danville Dodgers7644.6180.0
Evansville Braves6851.5717.5
Terre Haute Phillies6360.51214.5
Waterloo White Hawks6263.49616.5
Springfield Browns5867.46420.5
Decatur Commodores4372.37430.5
Quincy Gems3782.31138.5
Playoffs: Davenport defeated Danville in a one game playoff for first place; Evansville 3 games, Davenport 1. Terre Haute 3 games, Danville 1.
Finals: Evansville 3 games, Terre Haute 0.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Rube WalkerDavenportBA.354Bob Kohout DanvilleW14
Richard Welker Terre HauteRuns105Ken Manus WaterlooW14
Cal AbramsDanvilleHits146Charles Shipman EvansvilleW14
Bill Sanders Terre HauteRBI96Ray ShoreSpringfieldSO157
Bill Sanders Terre HauteHR14Jean Davison DavenportERA2.18
Jim ChristieTerre HauteHR14Jean Davison DavenportPCT.867 13–2
1947 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Danville Dodgers7947.627—63,926
Terre Haute Phillies7451.5924.5133,654Ray Brubaker /
Whitey Gluchoski / Jack Sanford
Springfield Browns7155.5638.058,009Ben Huffman
Waterloo Hawks7155.5638.0174,064Johnny Mostil / Jack Onslow
Evansville Braves7055.5608.5133,163
Davenport Cubs5570.44023.550,846
Quincy Gems5075.40028.5100,096
Decatur Commodores3193.25047.033,069
Playoffs: Springfield defeated Waterloo in a playoff for third place; Danville 3 games, Springfield 2; Waterloo 3 games, Terre Haute 0.
Finals: Waterloo 4 games, Danville 1.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Hank ArftSpringfieldBA.364Ken Olson DanvilleW22
Jerry ScalaWaterlooRuns116John PerkovichWaterlooSO207
Jerry ScalaWaterlooHits163John PerkovichWaterlooERA2.50
Ray Fletcher EvansvilleRBI115Ken Olson DanvillePCT.846 22–4
Ed EhlersQuincyHR22
1948 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Quincy Gems8145.643-124,053James Adlam
Danville Dodgers7251.5857.562,284
Evansville Braves6754.55411.5101,652
Terre Haute Phillies6557.53314.0130,009
Waterloo White Hawks6361.50817.0170,018
Springfield Browns5667.45523.554,463
Decatur Commies5075.40030.544,943
Davenport Pirates4185.32540.045,711
Playoffs: Terre Haute 3 games, Danville 2. Evansville 3 games, Quincy 2.
Finals: Evansville 4 games, Terre Haute 0.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
John Novosel SpringfieldBA.339Art Bohman QuincyW16
Bob MarquisQuincyRuns108Lew BurdetteQuincyW16
Bob MarquisQuincyHits164Glenn Thompson EvansvilleSO230
Kite ThomasQuincyRBI99David Thieke DanvilleERA1.81
John Novosel SpringfieldHR22Glenn Thompson EvansvillePCT.789 15–4
Don LenhardtSpringfieldHR22
1949 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Braves7451.592—145,657
Waterloo White Hawks7056.5564.5146,421Ben Huffman / Frederick Shaffer
Terre Haute Phillies6956.5525.0122,493
Davenport Pirates6759.5327.5133,505
Quincy Gems5967.46815.585,130James Adlam
Decatur Cubs5570.44019.051,147
Danville Dodgers5570.44019.049,605
Springfield Browns5373.42121.548,952Doc Crandall
Playoffs: Evansville 3 games, Terre Haute 2; Davenport 3 games, Waterloo 2.
Finals: Davenport 3 games, Evansville 0.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Emil Tellinger QuincyBA.322Bob MillerTerre HauteW19
Herman Rhodes WaterlooRuns86Paul StuffelTerre HauteSO288
Robert Anderlik DecaturHits140William Koszarek Terre HauteERA1.97
Ed McGheeWaterlooRBI88William KoszarekTerre HautePCT.875 14–2
Lloyd LoweDecaturHR15
Emil Tellinger QuincyHR15

Year-by-year 1950 to 1961

1950 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
1950 Three-I League schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Terre Haute Phillies7848.619—111,228
Danville Dodgers7452.5874.051,616
Waterloo White Hawks7056.5568.0119,244Otto Denning
Quincy Gems6460.51613.053,322James Adlam
Cedar Rapids Indians5967.46819.085,038Billy Jurges
Evansville Braves5670.44422.0102,865
Decatur Commodores5274.41326.035,516
Davenport Quads4975.39528.090,584
Playoffs: Terre Haute 3 games, Quincy 0; Danville 3 games, Waterloo 0.
Finals: Terre Haute 3 games, Danville 1.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Jim KingCedar RapidsBA.332Jacob Schmitt Terre HauteW21
Jack Lillis DanvilleRuns110Niles JordanTerre HauteSO206
Frank Marchio QuincyHits162Niles JordanTerre HauteERA2.35
Frank Marchio QuincyRBI112Jacob Schmitt Terre HautePCT.808 21–5
Allen ThomasWaterlooHR25
1951 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Terre Haute Phillies7555.577—81,511Skeeter Newsome
Evansville Braves6960.5355.5101,254
Quincy Gems6565.50010.062,503
Cedar Rapids Indians6466.49211.092,102
Waterloo White Hawks6069.46614.579,687
Davenport Tigers5674.43119.0100,328
Playoffs: Quincy 3 games, Terre Haute 1; Cedar Rapids 3 games, Evansville 2.
Finals: Quincy 3 games, Cedar Rapids 2.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Jim CommandTerre HauteBA.328Alfred Dumouchelle EvansvilleW17
James Deery Terre HauteRuns103Jack UrbanQuincyW17
Jim CommandTerre HauteHits166Bob P. ColemanCedar RapidsW17
Robert Erps DavenportRBI97Jack UrbanQuincySO164
Bill RennaQuincyHR26Ben JohnsonEvansvilleERA2.47
Daniel Ramer Terre HautePCT.750 15–5
1952 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Braves7447.612—124,381
Terre Haute Phillies7549.6050.563,267
Burlington Flints6460.51611.557,259
Waterloo White Hawks6561.51511.575,071
Keokuk Kernels5666.45918.564,931Rudy Laskowski
Davenport Tigers5469.43921.071,989
Quincy Gems5472.42922.545,541Paul Chervinko
Cedar Rapids Indians5371.42722.594,428
Playoffs: Evansville 3 games, Burlington 2; Terre Haute 3 games, Waterloo 0.
Finals: Terre Haute 3 games, Evansville 1.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Art PenningtonKeokukBA.349George Yorke EvansvilleW17
Art PenningtonKeokukRuns126Bud DaleyCedar RapidsSO198
Chuck HarmonBurlingtonHits153Gerald Speck WaterlooERA2.44
Horace GarnerEvansvilleRBI107Stewart Alton EvansvillePCT.786 11–3
Robert Erps WaterlooHR27
1953 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Terre Haute Phillies7652.594—64,428
Quincy Gems7058.5476.075,363
Evansville Braves7059.5436.588,438Bob Coleman
Waterloo White Hawks6960.5357.593,153
Peoria Chiefs6365.49213.0124,866
Cedar Rapids Indians6365.49213.093,501Al Kubski / William Prince
Keokuk Kernels5375.41423.076,405Rudy Laskowski
Burlington Flints4979.38327.049,370
Playoffs: Evansville 3 games, Terre Haute 2; Quincy 3 games, Waterloo 1.
Finals: Quincy 3 games, Evansville 0.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Bob Coats Cedar RapidsBA.327Jim OwensTerre HauteW22
James Fishback PeoriaRuns107Seth MoreheadTerre HauteSO206
Bob Coats Cedar RapidsHits162Joe StankaCedar RapidsERA2.35
Ed Barbarito QuincyHits162Jim OwensTerre HautePCT.733 22–8
Ed Barbarito QuincyRBI127
Marv ThroneberryQuincyHR30
1954 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Braves8154.600—71,691
Keokuk Kernels7858.5743.549,957
Peoria Chiefs7363.5378.578,497
Quincy Gems7164.52610.054,168
Waterloo White Hawks6669.48915.051,600Walter Millies
Cedar Rapids Indians6372.46718.060,605William Prince
Terre Haute Phillies6076.44121.537,104
Burlington Bees5086.36831.537,010
Playoffs: Peoria 3 games, Evansville 1; Quincy 3 games, Keokuk 1.
Finals: Quincy 3 games, Peoria 0.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Tom Gott QuincyBA.348Stan PitulaKeokukW20
Ed Barbarito QuincyRuns121Stan PitulaKeokukSO172
Tom Gott QuincyHits168Ray RippelmeyerEvansvilleERA2.91
Bob Kosis PeoriaRBI121Ray RippelmeyerEvansvillePCT.762 16–5
Ed Barbarito QuincyHR35
1955 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Keokuk Kernels9234.730—39,179
Waterloo White Hawks7056.55622.071,864
Peoria Chiefs6363.50029.062,347
Burlington Bees6264.49230.091,946Harold Meek
Evansville Braves6066.47632.047,414
Terre Haute Tigers5670.44436.050,334
Quincy Gems5274.41340.039,081
Cedar Rapids Raiders4977.38943.058,611
Playoffs: Keokuk 3 games, Peoria 0; Burlington 3 games, Waterloo 1.
Finals: Keokuk 3 games, Burlington 1.
Player Statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Russ NixonKeokukBA.385Mudcat GrantKeokukW19
John RomanoWaterlooRuns108Bob Yanen KeokukSO177
Tony KubekQuincyHits157Bill DaileyKeokukERA2.52
John RomanoWaterlooRBI124Mudcat GrantKeokukPCT.864 19–3
John RomanoWaterlooHR38
1956 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Braves8436.700—60,910
Waterloo White Hawks6256.52521.046,119
Keokuk Kernels6059.50423.547,440
Peoria Chiefs5858.50024.054,359
Quincy Gems5664.46728.035,308
Burlington Bees4675.38038.568,260Ed McDade
Cedar Rapids Raiders4476.36740.047,352
4026.606NA23,368Bill Norman / Charlie Metro
Terre Haute disbanded July 3.
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Horace GarnerEvansvilleBA.354Don NottebartEvansvilleW18
Lee MayeEvansvilleRuns103Dave Wegereck KeokukSO158
Lee MayeEvansvilleHits159Don NottebartEvansvilleERA2.24
Lee MayeEvansvilleRBI99Don NottebartEvansvillePCT.857 18–3
Clyde McNealCedar RapidsHR27
1957 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Evansville Braves8149.623—54,295
Peoria Chiefs8049.620.554,737
Davenport DavSox6565.5001679,478
Burlington Bees5771.4452358,771
Keokuk Kernels5574.42625.535,028
Cedar Rapids Raiders4979.3833154,717
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Horace GarnerEvansvilleBA.334Don Nichols PeoriaW20
Billy Smith EvansvilleRuns107Hal Trosky Jr.DavenportSO204
George Holder EvansvilleHits148Don Nichols PeoriaERA2.09
Horace GarnerEvansvilleRBI100Don Nichols PeoriaPCT.870 20–3
Jim Koranda Cedar RapidsHR31
1958 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League - schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Cedar Rapids Braves7753.592—81,437
Davenport DavSox7158.5505.561,522
Green Bay Bluejays6564.50411.563,782
Burlington Bees6267.48114.551,632
5773.43820.039,589
5673.43420.558,602
Rochester (20—37) moved to Winona June 29.
Playoff: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Davenport 2.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Carlos PascualFox CitiesBA.372Bill Hamilton Cedar RapidsW15
Frank HowardGreen BayRuns104Ed RakowGreen BayW15
Bob Sager DavenportHits180Robert Sedlak Green BayW15
Frank HowardGreen BayRBI119Stan Horvatin Roches/WinonaSO210
Frank HowardGreen BayHR37Bill Hamilton Cedar RapidsERA2.18
Bob HendleyCedar RapidsPCT.737 14–5
1959 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Des Moines Demons7848.619—86,923
Green Bay Bluejays7451.5923.541,107
Topeka Hawks6956.5528.559,803
Fox Cities Foxes5967.4681951,004
Lincoln Chiefs5868.4602044,783
Sioux City Soos5868.4602038,332
Burlington Bees5472.4292453,536
Cedar Rapids Braves5373.4212570,039
Playoff: Green Bay 3 games, Des Moines 1.
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Hernan Valdes Fox CitiesBA.330Bart Dziadek TopekaW15
Cal EmeryDes MoinesRuns107Larry MaxieCedar RapidsSO187
Dick HowserSioux CityRuns107Jim BrewerBurlingtonERA2.67
George ScottGreen BayHits155Andres Ayon TopekaPCT.750 12–4
Cal EmeryDes MoinesRBI129
Cal EmeryGreen BayHR27
1960 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Fox Cities Foxes8256.594—61,062Earl Weaver
Lincoln Chiefs7166.51810.545,170
Sioux City Soos7168.51111.541,385
Cedar Rapids Braves7169.50712.062,358
Burlington Bees6674.47117.051,988
Green Bay Dodgers6573.47117.029,940
Des Moines Demons6474.46418.053,828
Topeka Reds6474.46418.036,365
Playoff: None Scheduled
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Pete WardFox CitiesBA.345Ron Woods LincolnW17
Frank Montgomery Fox CitiesRuns111Hank FischerCedar RapidsSO217
Gerry Reimer Des MoinesHits179Hank FischerGrand RapidsERA2.01
Billy Joe Dashner TopekaRBI108Hank FischerGrand RapidsPCT.682 15–7
Manly JohnstonLincolnHR23
Billy Joe Dashner TopekaHR23
1961 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League
schedule
Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Topeka Reds7950.612—56,384
Cedar Rapids Braves7357.5626.569,617
Lincoln Chiefs6862.52311.542,866
Fox Cities Foxes6762.51912.047,552Earl Weaver
Burlington Bees6565.50014.536,798
Des Moines Demons3793.28542.533,337
Playoff: None Scheduled
Player statistics !Player!! Team!!Stat!! Tot!!!!Player!!Team!!Stat!!Tot
Dick Haines Des MoinesBA.355Bill Holmes Cedar RapidsW18
Tommy HarperTopekaRuns131Bob LockerLincolnSO215
Paul Snyder Cedar RapidsHits153Bill Holmes Cedar RapidsERA2.21
Miles McWilliams TopekaRBI102Bill Holmes Cedar RapidsPCT.818 18–4
Barry Morgan Cedar RapidsHR23
Source:[9]

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Three-I Most Valuable Players

Source:[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1901 Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League - Baseball-Reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. Web site: Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (D) Encyclopedia and History - Baseball-Reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. Web site: Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (B) Encyclopedia and History - Baseball-Reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. Web site: Register League Encyclopedia - Baseball-Reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. Web site: Era comes to close for Q-C minor league baseball. Steve. Batterson. qctimes.com. May 19, 2009 .
  6. Web site: Top 100 Teams - MiLB.com History - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. MiLB.com.
  7. Web site: 1961 Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League - Baseball-Reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. Web site: Midwest League (A) Encyclopedia and History - Baseball-Reference.com. Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Lloyd . Johnson . Miles . Wolff . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
  10. Web site: Tommy Harper – Society for American Baseball Research.
  11. News: Three-I Loop MVP to Ward. Newspapers.com. News-Record. Neenah. September 3, 1960. 5.
  12. Web site: Frank Howard – Society for American Baseball Research.

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