Madison Greys Explained

Madison Greys
Firstseason:1920
Lastseason:1921
City:Madison, South Dakota
Class Level:
  • Class D (1920–1921)
League:
Majorleague:
    Nickname:
    • Madison Greys (1920–1921)
    Ballpark:Baughman Park (1920–1921)
    Classnum:0
    Leaguenum:0
    Leaguechamps:None
    Divnum:0

    The Madison Greys were a minor league baseball team based in Madison, South Dakota. In 1920 and 1921, the Greys played as members of the 1920 Class D level South Dakota League in 1920 and its successor, the 1921 Dakota League, while hosting home games at Baughman Park.

    History

    In 1920, Madison, South Dakota first hosted minor league baseball when the "Madison Greys" began play as charter members of the Class D level South Dakota League.[1] In the eight–team league, the charter franchises joining Madison were the Aberdeen Boosters, Huron Packers, Miller Climbers, Mitchell Kernels, Redfield Reds, Sioux Falls Soos and Wessington Springs Saints.[2] [3] [4] [5]

    In their first season of play, the Madison Greys finished in sixth place in the South Dakota League as the league folded during the season.[6] Madison ended the 1920 season with a record of 42–50, playing under managers Ralph Works and Dave Altizer. The South Dakota league disbanded on July 17, 1920. The Saints finished 16.5 games behind the first place Mitchell Kernels in the final standings.[1] [7] [8]

    In 1921, Madison continued play as the league changed names to the Dakota League, reforming after adding the Wahpeton-Breckenridge Twins, based in North Dakota and Minnesota. Madison finished in fifth place in the standings. The Dakota league remained an eight–team Class D level league, with 13–player rosters. Joining the Madison Greys as 1921 league members were the Aberdeen Grays, Huron Packers, Mitchell Kernels, Redfield Red Sox, Sioux Falls Soos, Wahpeton-Breckenridge Twins and Watertown Cubs. The Mitchell Kernels won their second consecutive league championship, with Madison finishing 18.5 games behind. The Greys finished with a 45–50 record under returning manager Dave Altizer.[9] [10] [11] [1] [12]

    The Madison franchise did not return to play in the 1922 Dakota League.[13] Madison has not hosted another minor league team.[14]

    The ballpark

    The Madison Greys teams hosted their 1920 and 1921 minor league home games at Baughman Park.[15] Today, Baughman Park is still in use as a public park, located at 1010 Northeast 1st Street in Madison, South Dakota.[16]

    Timeline

    Year(s)
    1. Yrs.
    Team Level LeagueBallpark
    1920 1 Madison Greys South Dakota LeagueBaughman Park
    19211Dakota League

    Year–by–year records

    Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/Notes
    1920 42–50 6th League disbanded July 17
    1921 45–50 5th Dave Altizer No playoffs held

    Notable alumni

    See also

    Madison Greys players

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Lloyd . Johnson . Miles . Wolff . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
    2. Web site: South Dakota League (D) Encyclopedia and History. Baseball-Reference.com.
    3. Web site: South Dakota League / Dakota League. Kevin. Reichard. November 5, 2008.
    4. Web site: Dakota Life: America's pastime goes way back, way back in South Dakota. Lee Zion. Lee.zion@capjournal.com. Capital Journal.
    5. Web site: Baseball in the West. Gregory. Lalire. March 31, 2011. HistoryNet.
    6. Web site: 1920 Madison Grays minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    7. Web site: 1920 South Dakota League (SDL) Standings on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    8. Web site: 1920 Madison Greys Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.
    9. Web site: 1921 Dakota League (DL) Standings on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    10. Web site: North Dakota Baseball History. North Dakota Baseball History.
    11. Web site: 1921 Dakota League (DL) on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    12. Web site: 1921 Madison Greys Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.
    13. Web site: 1922 Dakota League. Baseball-Reference.com.
    14. Web site: Madison, South Dakota Encyclopedia. Baseball-Reference.com.
    15. Web site: Baughman Park in Madison, SD minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    16. Web site: City Parks | City of Madison, SD. City of. Madison. City of Madison.