Duluth Dukes
Encyclopedia
The Duluth Dukes was the name of an American
minor league baseball
franchise that represented Duluth, Minnesota
, in the Northern League
in 1916, 1934–1942, and from 1946–1955. In addition, a separate edition of the Dukes was one of four franchises in the short-lived Twin Ports League
, a "Class E" minor league that played for six weeks during the 1943 season. After 1941, the team played its home games at Wade Stadium
.
(1886–1887), Western Association
(1891), Northern Copper Country League (1906–1907), Minnesota-Wisconsin League
(1909–1911), and the Central International League (1912).
The 1934 Dukes returned "organized baseball"
to Duluth after a 17-year hiatus. Two years later, they affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals
and joined the vast Redbird farm system created by general manager
Branch Rickey
. The Dukes would be a Cardinal affiliate through 1950 (although the team and the Northern League suspended operations from 1943–1945 due to World War II
).
When the Cardinal affiliation ended, the Dukes continued in the Northern League without a Major League
parent from 1951–1953. The franchise then signed a working agreement with the Cincinnati Redlegs
for 1954–1955.
In 1956, the Dukes were merged with the rival Superior Blues
from neighboring Superior, Wisconsin
, and played at Wade Municipal Stadium as the Duluth-Superior White Sox from 1956–1959. The "Dukes" name was restored to the Duluth-Superior franchise
in 1960.
The 1943 Dukes played 19 games in the Twin Ports League, winning nine. The league folded on July 13.
near St. Paul, Minnesota, the team's bus, driven by manager
Red Treadwell, collided head-on with a truck. Treadwell, age 42, and four of his players — pitcher Donald Schuchmann, 20; infielder Steve Lazar, 23; and outfielders Gerald "Peanuts" Peterson, 23, and Gilbert Trible, 19 — were killed, as was the driver of the truck. Thirteen Duluth players were injured, including future Major League manager and coach
Mel McGaha
. The disaster was the second-worst in baseball history, following two years and one month after the June 24, 1946, bus accident that killed nine members of the Spokane Indians
. It left Duluth with one uninjured player, pitcher Sam Hunter, who was not aboard the bus. The Dukes completed the season with new players and a manager supplied by the Cardinal organization, and $80,000 was raised in contributions to aid the victims' families and survivors.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
franchise that represented Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, in the Northern League
Northern League (baseball, 1902-71)
This article refers to the original incarnations of the Northern League, which operated between 1902 and 1971. For the more recent league, see Northern League ...
in 1916, 1934–1942, and from 1946–1955. In addition, a separate edition of the Dukes was one of four franchises in the short-lived Twin Ports League
Twin Ports League
The Twin Ports League was an American minor baseball league that existed for six weeks during the wartime season. Comprising four teams based in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, the TPL was the only league to be designated "Class E" — one level below the previously lowest minor league...
, a "Class E" minor league that played for six weeks during the 1943 season. After 1941, the team played its home games at Wade Stadium
Wade Stadium
Wade Stadium is a baseball field located near the intersection of Grand Avenue and 34th Avenue West in the West Duluth neighborhood of Duluth, Minnesota. The stadium was built in 1941 and holds 4,200 people. It is the home of the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League...
.
History
Duluth had been represented in the minor leagues before 1916, usually as the Duluth White Sox, in the Northern League (1903–1905; 1908; 1913–1915) as well as the Northwestern LeagueNorthwestern League
The Northwestern League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1883–1884, and again from 1886-1887. It was founded by Elias Matter in 1883.-1883-1884:...
(1886–1887), Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
(1891), Northern Copper Country League (1906–1907), Minnesota-Wisconsin League
Minnesota-Wisconsin League
The Minnesota-Wisconsin League was a professional minor baseball league that existed from 1909 to 1912. It was a Class-C league from 1909 to 1911 and a Class-D league in 1912...
(1909–1911), and the Central International League (1912).
The 1934 Dukes returned "organized baseball"
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
to Duluth after a 17-year hiatus. Two years later, they affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and joined the vast Redbird farm system created by general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
. The Dukes would be a Cardinal affiliate through 1950 (although the team and the Northern League suspended operations from 1943–1945 due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
).
When the Cardinal affiliation ended, the Dukes continued in the Northern League without a Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
parent from 1951–1953. The franchise then signed a working agreement with the Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for 1954–1955.
In 1956, the Dukes were merged with the rival Superior Blues
Superior Blues
The Superior Blues were a minor league baseball team based in Superior, Wisconsin, USA. The first incarnation of the team played in the Minnesota-Wisconsin League in 1909. A team would not go by that name again until 1933. From 1933 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1955 the Blues played in the Northern...
from neighboring Superior, Wisconsin
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
, and played at Wade Municipal Stadium as the Duluth-Superior White Sox from 1956–1959. The "Dukes" name was restored to the Duluth-Superior franchise
Duluth-Superior Dukes (1960-1970 team)
For the independent league team, see Duluth-Superior DukesThe Duluth-Superior Dukes were a minor league baseball team that played from 1960 to 1970 in the Northern League. From 1960 to 1964, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. In 1965, they were affiliated with the Tigers and Chicago...
in 1960.
The 1943 Dukes played 19 games in the Twin Ports League, winning nine. The league folded on July 13.
1948 bus accident killed six
On July 24, 1948, the Dukes endured one of the worst transit accidents in minor league history. On Highway 36Minnesota State Highway 36
Minnesota State Highway 36 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 35W in Roseville and continues east to its eastern terminus at the Wisconsin state line , where it becomes Wisconsin Highway 64 upon crossing the St. Croix River...
near St. Paul, Minnesota, the team's bus, driven by manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Red Treadwell, collided head-on with a truck. Treadwell, age 42, and four of his players — pitcher Donald Schuchmann, 20; infielder Steve Lazar, 23; and outfielders Gerald "Peanuts" Peterson, 23, and Gilbert Trible, 19 — were killed, as was the driver of the truck. Thirteen Duluth players were injured, including future Major League manager and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
Mel McGaha
Mel McGaha
Fred Melvin McGaha , pronounced "mc-gay-hay", was an American coach and manager in Major League Baseball as well as a professional basketball player. He was born in Bastrop, Louisiana....
. The disaster was the second-worst in baseball history, following two years and one month after the June 24, 1946, bus accident that killed nine members of the Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
. It left Duluth with one uninjured player, pitcher Sam Hunter, who was not aboard the bus. The Dukes completed the season with new players and a manager supplied by the Cardinal organization, and $80,000 was raised in contributions to aid the victims' families and survivors.
See also
- Duluth-Superior Dukes (1960-1970 team)Duluth-Superior Dukes (1960-1970 team)For the independent league team, see Duluth-Superior DukesThe Duluth-Superior Dukes were a minor league baseball team that played from 1960 to 1970 in the Northern League. From 1960 to 1964, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. In 1965, they were affiliated with the Tigers and Chicago...
- Duluth-Superior Dukes
- Duluth HuskiesDuluth HuskiesThe Duluth Huskies are an amateur baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. They have been operating in Duluth, Minnesota since 2003. The Huskies play home games at Wade Stadium in Duluth, which was built in 1941. The team plays 70 games throughout the...