The Wausau Timbers were a minor league baseball team, located in Wausau, Wisconsin. The Timbers were members of the Class A Midwest League from 1975 to 1990. The franchise was sold in 1991 and moved to Geneva, Illinois, where it became the Kane County Cougars.
| Wausau Timbers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class A |
| Division | North |
Previous leagues | Midwest League |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1981 |
| Team data | |
Previous names | Wausau Mets (1975–1978)
|
| Colors | Royal blue, gold, white (1981-1989) Orange, black, white (1990) |
Previous parks | Athletic Park |
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Timbers Baseball, Inc. |
History
editThe franchise first played 1975 in Wausau as the Wausau Mets. The club maintained an affiliation with the New York Mets through 1978. Without an affiliation the team changed its name to the Timbers and played two years as a co-op with players mainly from the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners. In 1981 the club signed a player development contract with the Mariners.[1] The affiliation with the Mariners lasted nine seasons. In 1990 the club signed on with the Baltimore Orioles and played their final season in Wausau.
The Ballpark
editThe Timbers played at Athletic Park, 324 E. Wausau Ave. Wausau, Wisconsin [2] Built in 1936,[3] Athletic Park was home to the Timbers of the Class-A Midwest League (1975–1990) and previous minor league teams: the Wausau Lumberjacks (1936–1942, 1946–1949, 1956–57) and the Wausau Timberjacks (1950–1953).
The ballpark has hosted the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, beginning in 1994.[4]
Notable alumni
editBaseball Hall of Fame alumni
edit- Edgar Martínez (1984) Inducted 2019
Notable alumni
edit- Manny Alexander (1990)
- Neil Allen (1976)
- Juan Berenguer (1975)
- Damon Buford (1990)
- Ivan Calderon (1981–1982) MLB All-Star
- Chuck Carr (1988) 1993 NL stolen base leader
- Roy Lee Jackson (1975)
- Bill Monbouquette (1976, MGR) 4× MLB All-Star
- Ed Nunez (1980–1981)
- Jim Presley (1980–1981) MLB All-Star
- Harold Reynolds (1981) 2× MLB All-Star; 1987 AL stolen base leader
- Alex Trevino (1977)
- Omar Vizquel (1986) 11× Gold Glove; 3× MLB All-Star
- Mookie Wilson (1977) MLB All-Star
- Ned Yost (1975) Manager, 2015 World Series champion - Kansas City Royals
- Gregg Zaun (1990)
Record
edit| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 51-77 | 8th | Owen Friend | |
| 1976 | 56-73 | 8th (t) | Bill Monbouquette | |
| 1977 | 55-83 | 7th | Tom Egan | |
| 1978 | 55-81 | 6th | Dan Monzon | |
| 1979 | 69-61 | 4th | Tom Robson | Lost in 1st round |
| 1980 | 57-82 | 8th | Marty Martínez | |
| 1981 | 84-48 | 1st | Bill Plummer | League Champs |
| 1982 | 55-84 | 12th | R. J. Harrison | |
| 1983 | 55-83 | 11th | R. J. Harrison | |
| 1984 | 70-66 | 5th | Greg Mahlberg | |
| 1985 | 52-85 | 11th | Greg Mahlberg | |
| 1986 | 73-66 | 5th | Bobby Cuellar | |
| 1987 | 57-83 | 11th | Bobby Cuellar | |
| 1988 | 52-88 | 11th | Rick Sweet | |
| 1989 | 66-68 | 8th | Tommy Jones | |
| 1990 | 49-87 | 14th | Mike Young |
References
edit- ^ "Timbers, Seattle reach agreement". The Daily Herald. 1980. p. 17.
- ^ "Ballpark - Wisconsin Woodchucks : Wisconsin Woodchucks". Northwoodsleague.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
- ^ Brian Gardner / gardnerphotos.com (2014-08-01). "Athletic Park, Home of the Wisconsin Woodchucks #2". Mn Artists. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
- ^ "Wisconsin Woodchucks - Get Ready for the Show! : Wisconsin Woodchucks". Northwoodsleague.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
External links
edit
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