Paris Lakers

The Paris Lakers were a minor league baseball team based in Paris, Illinois from 1950 to 1959. The Lakers played as members of the Midwest League from 1956 to 1959 and its predecessor, the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League from 1950 to 1955. The Lakers won the first Midwest League championship in 1956. The Paris Lakers were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs from 1955 to 1959.

Paris Lakers
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1950–1959)
LeagueMississippi–Ohio Valley League (1950–1955)
Midwest League (1956–1959)
Major league affiliations
TeamChicago Cubs (1955–1959)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1956
Conference titles (1)1951
Wild card berths (3)
  • 1952
  • 1953
  • 1956
Team data
NameParis Lakers (1950–1959)
BallparkLaker Stadium (1950-1959)

History

The Lakers were preceded in Paris, Illinois by the 1908 Paris Parisians, who played as a member of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League.[1]

The Paris Lakers were an original franchise in the 1956 Midwest League, having previously had played in the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League, the predecessor of the Midwest League.[2]

From 1950 to 1954, the Lakers played as a non-affiliated team, and from 1955 to 1959, they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.[2]

Paris finished 85–42 in the 1952 Mississippi–Ohio Valley League, to place 2nd. Their manager from 1950 to 1954 was Paris native Tom Sunkel.[3]

The Lakers won the first ever Midwest League championship in 1956, defeating the Dubuque Packers 3 games to 1 in the Finals.[4]

On August 18, 1957 Kenneth Rollins threw a no-hitter against the Michigan City White Caps, winning 12–0.[5]

The ballpark

The Lakers' home field was Laker Stadium.[6] Laker Stadium hosted the 1951 Mississippi–Ohio Valley League All-Star Game. The ballfield and part of the original stands are still in use today at the stadium, which sits within Twin Lakes Park. The address is 137 West Steidl Road, Paris, Illinois.[7][8]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliate
1950–19545Paris LakersClass DMississippi–Ohio Valley LeagueNone
19551Chicago Cubs
1956–19594Midwest League

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManager(s)Playoffs / notes
195043–6756thEarl Skaggs /
Von Price / John Morris		Did not qualify
195184–361stTom SunkelLost in 1st round
195282–422ndTom SunkelLost in 1st Round
195366–532ndTom SunkelLost in Finals
195458–686thTom SunkelDid not qualify
195562–647thRichard RigazioDid not qualify
195673–522ndMarty PurtellLeague champions
195751–4737thVerlon WalkerDid not qualify
195864–614thVerlon WalkerDid not qualify
195957–686thVerlon WalkerDid not qualify

Notable alumni

See also

Paris Lakers players

References
  1. "1908 Paris Parisians Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "Baseball in Paris, Illinois". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. "1952 Paris Lakers". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  4. "Midwest League 1956". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  5. "No Hit Games". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  6. "Laker Stadium in Paris, IL history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "Baseball in Paris". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  8. Kathleen Stephens. "Paris Lakers". Northern Illinois University. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
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