Kalamazoo Celery Pickers
The Kalamazoo Celery Pickers were a minor league baseball team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Between 1887 and 1926, Kalamazoo teams played in six separate leagues, joining two leagues twice. Kalamazoo teams played as members of the Ohio State League, Tri State League, Michigan State League, Southern Michigan League, Central League, Michigan-Ontario League, with a final season as members of both the Central League and Michigan State League. The Kalamazoo teams played intermittently known as the "Kazoos" and "Celery Pickers" and three seasons known as the "White Sox." Kalamazoo teams won league championships in 1887, 1910, 1911 and 1926.
Kalamazoo hosted minor league home games at four ballparks: Wheaton Avenue Grounds, North Street Park Riverview Park and Stationery Park
History
Beginnings 1887 & 1888
During the early months of 1886, the "Kalamazoo Base Ball Association" was organized, with the intention of forming a baseball team in the city. The association accumulated $5,000 in capital stock. Future manager A.W. Murphy was a part of the association, as were Oliver G. Hungerford, and William A. Doyle. Doyle and Hungerford were both local business leaders and still active baseball players who spearheaded an effort to build a ballpark in Kalamazoo. Their efforts were successful when the Wheaton Avenue Grounds were established to host the Kalamazoo team, who played in 1886 as a semi-professional team with local players.Oliver Hungerford became the principal owner of the Kalamazoo team, which joined the Ohio State League for the 1887 season. A.C. "Al" Buckenberger, a third baseman from Detroit, was hired as the Kalamazoo player/manager. The local players from 1886 were replaced by professional players signed by Hungerford and Buckenberger.
In their first season of minor league play, the 1887 Kalamazoo "Kazoos" became charter members of the independent level Ohio State League and won the league championship. The Akron Acorns, Columbus Buckeyes, Mansfield, Sandusky Suds, Steubenville Stubs, Wheeling Nail Cities and Zanesville Kickapoos teams joined Kalamazoo in beginning league play on May 2, 1887.
With a record of 73–34, the Kazoos finished the 1887 season in first place in the eight-team league, playing the season under manager Al Buckenberger. Kalamazoo finished 13.5 games ahead of the second place Zanesville Kickapoos as the Ohio State League held no playoffs. Kalamazoo pitcher Mother Watson won 29 games to lead the Ohio State League and teammate Bill Irwin had a league leading 283 strikeouts. Ed Stapleton hit 12 home runs and scored 121 runs, tops in the league in both categories. Following the 1887 Ohio State League season, Kalamazoo also defeated a team from Indianapolis for a mythical "State" title.
The Ohio State League changed names in 1888, and Kalamazoo continued play in the newly named league, becoming charter members of the ten-team Tri-State League. The Kalamazoo Kazoos disbanded before the end of the 1888 Tri-State League season. On September 4, 1888, the Kazoos disbanded having posted a 62–37 record at the time the team folded. Kalamazoo played under managers Tip O'Neill and A.W. Murphy. After folding in 1888, Kalamazoo continued play in another league in 1889.
Michigan State League 1889, 1895, 1897
In 1889, Kalamazoo continued minor league play and became charter members of a new league. The Kazoos began the season as charter members of the Michigan State League, before relocating during the season. On September 3, 1889, Kalamazoo moved to Flint, Michigan and ended the season playing as the Flint Flyers. The Kazoos/Flyers team finished last in the standings with overall record of 38–59, ending the season in sixth place in the six-team league. Managed by James Lombard and Tim Manning, the Kazoos/Flyers finished 22.0 games behind the first place Jackson Jaxons in the final standings. Flint continued Michigan State League play in 1890 before the league folded.After the folding of the Kalamazoo minor league team following the move to Flint, Kalamazoo owner Oliver Hungerford became owner of a chain of billiard halls in Kalamazoo, which he operated for many years.
In 1895, minor league baseball returned to Kalamazoo. Partnering in the team formation were Edward "Eddie" Mayo who had organized independent teams in Kalamazoo from 1890 to 1894 with support from Sam Folz, owner of the Folz’ Excelsior clothing store in Kalamazoo. Mayo became manager of the team and Folz continued as owner. Oliver Hungerford returned as team secretary. Together, Mayo and Hungerford signed a roster of players for the 1895 season.
After five seasons, Kalamazoo resumed minor league play, joining as their former league reformed. The Kalamazoo "Celery Pickers" joined the reformed Class B level Michigan State League. The Adrian Reformers, Battle Creek Adventists, Jackson Jaxons, Lansing Senators, Owosso Colts and Port Huron Marines teams joined with Kalamazoo in beginning league play.
On May 30, 1895, the Battle Creek Adventists came to Kalamazoo for the opening game at North Street Park. It was reported in the local paper that “Every seat in the grandstand was taken, and there were at least a hundred carriages and buggies on the ‘foul’ ground, beside a large congregation that was compelled to stand.”
The 1895 Kalamazoo team was known as the "Celery Pickers" for the first time and ended the season with a record of 55–41. Kalamazoo placed third in the Michigan State League, playing the season under manager Ed Mayo. Kalamazoo finished 9.0 games behind the first place Adrian Demons who had Baseball Hall of Fame members Bud Fowler and Honus Wagner on their roster during the season.
The "Celery Pickers" nickname corresponds to local history and agriculture. Kalamazoo was known as "Celery City" in the era. With hospitable natural soil and a natural crop, the celery industry began in Kalamazoo in the 1850s, with railroads and local packaging facilities complimenting the celery growing production, The celery industry eventually faltered in Kalamazoo. Today, there is a historical marker with the heading "Kalamazoo Celery" and an inscription, located at South Pine Street and Balch Street in Kalamazoo.
The Michigan State League did not return to minor league play in 1896 and Kalamazoo again hosted a local semiprofessional team run by Mayo and Folz.
In 1897, the Michigan State League reformed with Kalamazoo as a member, before relocating to Flint during the season. On July 12, 1897, the Kalamazoo team moved to Flint for a second time in their history, with a record of 23–41 on the date of the move. On August 16, 1897, the Michigan State League folded, with the Bay City team in first place and Kalamazoo/Flint in last place of the four remaining teams. The Kalamazoo/Flint team ended the season with an overall record of 32–51, as Fred Popkay and Ed Mayo served as the managers between the two locations.
Southern Michigan League 1906 to 1915
In hopes of forming a new minor league team in Kalamazoo, the "Kalamazoo Baseball Association" was formed in 1905 to gauge community support. A new Kalamazoo team was formed, nicknamed the Kalamazoo "White Sox." Former Chicago boxing promoter E.J. Ryan was appointed as the team manager, H.D. Kools, team president; and Clarence Pickell as secretary and treasurer.On February 19, 1906, the National Commission awarded the Michigan cities of Kalamazoo and Jackson to the newly formed Southern Michigan League, after the existing Interstate League had first put in a claim on the Kalamazoo franchise to be assigned to that league.
Kalamazoo began a nine-season tenure of the Southern Michigan League in 1906. The six–team Class D level Southern Michigan League, also called the "Southern Michigan Association" was formed for the 1906 season. The Battle Creek Crickets, Jackson Convicts, Mount Clemens Bathers, Saginaw and Tecumseh Indians teams joined the Kalamazoo "White Sox" as charter members.
Just before the 1906 season, E.J. Ryan, who had earlier been appointed as the White Sox manager, was replaced as the Kalamazoo manager by Clarence Picknell.
In May 1906, the White Sox opened Riverside Park, with a 6–0 home victory over a Grand Rapids team.
In their first season in the newly formed league, the Kalamazoo White Sox placed second in the 1906 Southern Michigan League. Managed by Clarence Pickell and Red Killefer, the White Sox finished 6.5 games behind the first place Mount Clemens Bathers, with a 63–41 final record.
In 1907, the Kalamazoo White Sox continued play. The Southern Michigan League became a Class B level league after it expanded to become an eight-team league, adding the Lansing Senators and Flint Vehicles teams to the league. With a record of 62–47, Kalamazoo finished in second place and played the season under manager Maurice Myers. The White Sox ended the season 6.0 games behind the first place Tecumseh Indians. Tecumseh won the league championship after the league played the remainder of the season with seven teams after Jackson folded during the season.
The Kalamazoo White Sox continued play in the 1908 Southern Michigan League and finished as the runner up for the third consecutive season. The White Sox ended the season with a record of 70–56 and in second place. Led by returning manager Maurice Myers, Kalamazoo ended the season 3.0 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was, as the league held no playoffs. Leonard Cote of Kalamazoo had a batting average of.327 that led the Southern Michigan League, while teammate Belmont Method had 24 wins to lead the league pitchers.
The Kalamazoo "Kazoos" placed fourth in the eight-team 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs. Kalamazoo ended the season with a final record of 64–60 to place fourth, playing the season under manager Harry Martin. The Kalamazoo Kazoos ended the season 8.5 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was. Player/manager Harry Martin of Kalamazoo won the league batting championship, hitting.330.
The 1910 Kalamazoo Kazoos won the league championship. The Kazoos tied for first place in the eight-team Southern Michigan League final standings and then captured the playoff victory. Playing under manager Charles Wagner, the Kazoos finished with a final record of 87-52 and ended the season in a first-place tie with the Lansing Senators, who had an identical record. The two first place teams ended the Southern Michigan League season 4.0 games ahead of the third place Adrian Yeggs. Due to the tie in the standings, a playoff series was held, and Kalamazoo beat Lansing 4 games to 2 in the finals to claim the league championship. Kalamazoo's Bradley Valliere led the league with 23 wins and teammate Berne Hughey led the Southern Michigan League with 193 strikeouts.
In 1911, the Southern Michigan League was upgraded from a Class D level league to a Class C level league and the Kalamazoo "Celery Pickers" defended their league championship. With a record of 88–51, playing again under manager Charles Wagner, Kalamazoo finished 6.5 ahead of the second place Lansing Senators. With their first-place finish and no playoffs in the eight-team league, Kalamazoo won their second consecutive Michigan State League championship. Pitcher Beany Jacobson of Kalamazoo led Michigan State League 26 wins.
In 1912, Wally Pipp was playing a second season for Kalamazoo after having played collegiately for the Catholic University Cardinals, where he was still in pursuit of his degree. In 68 games played for Kalamazoo, Pipp was hitting.270 late in the 1912 season, when the Detroit Tigers of the American League purchased his contract from Kalamazoo. After his contract was purchased by Detroit, Pipp initially threatened to hold out from reporting to the Tigers, demanding a portion of the purchase price for himself, and threatening to return to college. Pipp reported to Detroit without his demand being met.
In his career, Pipp became known as the player permanently replaced at 1B in the New York Yankees starting lineup by Lou Gehrig after taking a day off and Gehrig began his consecutive games streak of over 2,000 games. Due to the famous replacement by Gehrig, players began to say they were "Wally Pipped" when replaced in a lineup, due to a minor injury or a day off.
The Kalamazoo Celery Pickers placed fourth in the 1912 Southern Michigan League standings. Kalamazoo ended the season with a record of 63–62, with Charles Wagner continuing as manager. The Celery Pickers finished the season 15.0 games behind first place Adrian Lions.
The 1913 Kalamazoo "Kazoos" ended the Southern Michigan League season in seventh place in the final standings as the league became a Class D level league. The Kazoos ended the season near the bottom of the eight-team Southern Michigan League, with a 59–67 record. Charles Wagner continued as manager as the Kazoos ended the season in sixth place, 19.5 games behind first place Battle Creek Crickets in the eight-team league. Kalamazoo's Fred Bramble won the league batting championship, hitting.349.
The 1914 Kalamazoo Kazoos played their final season in the Class C level Southern Michigan League as the league expanded. The league expanded to become a ten-team league and Kalamazoo finished the season in last place. The Kazoos had an overall record of 49–97 record, as the team placed tenth in the ten-team league. The Kazoos were managed by Charles Wagner for the final time, with the team finishing 47.5 games behind first place Bay City Beavers. With their tenth-place finish, Kalamazoo did not qualify for the playoff final won by the Saginaw Ducks over Bay City.
In 1915, the Kalamazoo Kazoos did not return to play in the final season of Southern Michigan League, which permanently folded on July 7, 1915. The onset of World War I greatly affected minor leagues as many leagues and teams were folded. The Southern Michigan League never reformed.