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19-585: In 1887, a three Duluth players were involved in a boating accident that resulted in the death of John Ake . In 1886, Duluth began minor league play when the Duluth "Jayhawks" became members of the six-team Independent level Northwestern League, which had reformed after not playing in 1885. The Eau Claire Lumbermen , Milwaukee Brewers , Minneapolis Millers , Oshkosh and St. Paul Freezers teams joined Duluth in beginning league play on May 6, 1886. On June 18, 1886, Duluth pitcher Mark Baldwin struck out 18 batters in

38-400: A boat that capsized. Acke, Barnes and Billy were paddling in a rowboat on the river near Barron's Island. Just after 8 pm, with the three teammates 200 yards from the shore, a passing steamboat created a wake and overturned their boat, leaving the three clinging to the boat. Barnes and Earle were eventually able to swim to shore. Ake did not know how to swim and hoisted himself onto

57-473: A contest against the St. Paul Freezers. This included 12 consecutive strikeouts for Baldwin. On October 20, 1886, after Duluth had completed their season, Chicago White Stockings president Albert Spalding signed Baldwin to a contract to replace the injured Jocko Flynn on Chicago's roster. Chicago wanted to add Baldwin to their roster for the 1886 World Series (which was scheduled from October 18 to October 23), but

76-551: A partial season as members of the eight-team Western Association . On June 16, 1891, the St. Paul Apostles with a record of 17–34, moved to Duluth. After compiling a 22–27 record while based in Duluth, the St. Paul Apostles/Duluth Whalebacks ended the 1891 season with an overall record of 39–61, placing fifth in the Western Association. Bill Watkins and the returning Jay Anderson served as managers. The team finished in fifth place after

95-667: The Duluth Cardinals began the franchise's tenure as members of the Northern League . Today, the amateur Duluth Huskies play collegiate summer baseball as members of the Northwoods League . The name of the Duluth home ballpark in the 1886, 1887 and 1891 seasons in unknown. In the era, Zenith Park was in use as a public park, having been established the 1870s as a 30-acre park known as "Central Park." John Ake John Leckie Ake (August 29, 1861 – May 11, 1887)

114-716: The Lincoln Rustlers and Minneapolis Millers folded during the season and the Milwaukee Brewers left the league in August to join the American Association. The Sioux City Cornhuskers won the league title with a 66–57 record, finishing 13.5 games ahead of Duluth. The Denver Mountaineers , Kansas City Blues and Omaha Lambs teams also played with Duluth in the league. The Western Association did not return to play in 1892. Duluth next hosted minor league play in 1902 when

133-646: The St. Louis Browns objected, so Baldwin never played in the series. Playing their first minor league season, the Duluth Jayhawks won the Northwestern League championship. Duluth ended the 1886 season in first place in the final standings, playing under manager William Lucas. With a record of 46–33, Duluth finished 1.5 games ahead of the second place Eau Claire Lumbermen when the Northwestern League season schedule ended on September 30, 1886. The league held no playoffs. Overall, Duluth (46–33) finished ahead of

152-666: The Western League . They were founded in 1885 and played in the Colorado State League before moving to the Western League a year later and also adopting a team name. The franchise began playing at Larimer Street Baseball Park and played at a few other ballparks before ultimately moving to Mile High Stadium . The 1911 Grizzlies were recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time . The Bears were affiliated with four MLB teams from 1932 to 1954 before being replaced in 1955 by an American Association team of

171-597: The 1883 season, before signing a contract with the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association. He made his debut with the Orioles on May 12, 1884, and made his final appearance on June 15. During his time with Baltimore, he played in 13 games, playing mostly as their third baseman , but played three games in the outfield , and one game at shortstop . He had a .192 batting average in 52 at bats , collected ten hits , one triple , and scored one run . After leaving

190-478: The Eau Claire Lumbermen (43–36), Oshkosh (39–39), St, Paul Freezers (37–43), Minneapolis Millers (36–42) and Milwaukee Brewers (35–43) teams in capturing the 1886 Northwestern League championship. Continuing play in the Northwestern League, the 1887, Duluth team was referred to as the 'Freezers" and played under returning manager William Lucas, Joe Quinn and Jay Anderson. Lucas had suffered a broked leg which

209-638: The Orioles, he finished the year playing for a team in Fort Smith, Ohio. The following season, he played for a team in Youngstown, Ohio , followed by a team Meriden, Connecticut for the 1886 season. Later in 1886, he transferred to the Boston Blues when they bought out the Meriden team. After the season, he signed with a St. Louis, Missouri team, which was later moved to Indianapolis . He secured his release from

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228-569: The club shortly thereafter so he could sign with the Duluth, Minnesota based Duluth Freezers club. On May 11, 1887, he and two of his Duluth teammates, Bill Barnes and Billy Earle , were paddling in a rowboat on the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wisconsin , and Barron's Island. It was just after 8 pm, and the trio were approximately 200 yards from the shore, when a passing steamer overturned their boat with its wake, leaving

247-421: The incident. Earle, sometimes described as a "weirdo", as "creepy", and as having an " evil eye ", had an expression that Barnes never forgot. A thorough search for his body was conducted into the evening, but it was called off. It was thought that since the water was high, the chances of recovering his remains were slim, and it was best to wait until they surfaced later. His widowed mother asked that if his body

266-468: The overturned boat. Ake then attempted to swim the shore before Barnes and Earle could secure a rescue skiff , but after a couple strokes, Acke began to shout for help before slipping under the water. A half century later, another tragedy occurred with a Duluth minor league team. In 1948, there was a tragic bus accident that killed six members of the Duluth Dukes . In 1891, the Duluth "Whalebacks" played

285-415: The three clinging to the boat for some time. Barnes and Earle quickly swam to shore, but Ake, who did not know how to swim, hoisted himself on the overturned boat. Ake decided to attempt to swim ashore before Barnes and Earle could secure a rescue skiff , but after a couple strokes, he began to shout for help, slipping under the water, and drowned. Barnes later recalled the way Earle looked at Ake during

304-527: Was an American Major League Baseball player who played as a third baseman for the 1884  Baltimore Orioles of the American Association  (AA). Before and after his Major league career, he played for many professional minor league baseball teams from 1881 until his death in 1887. Described as a good and popular player, he died when the boat he was travelling in capsized in the Mississippi River , and not knowing how to swim, he drowned. Ake

323-514: Was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on August 29, 1861 to William, a farmer, and his wife Anne. His family stayed in Altoona throughout his childhood, and Ake became a laborer later in his teen years. He began his professional baseball career in 1882 when he joined a club located in Altoona, having played for a local non-professional team the year before. He played for this professional club through

342-547: Was recovered, that his remains be delivered to Altoona. On June 4, 1887, fishermen discovered his body when their hooks snagged onto his clothes. Due to the condition of his remains, it was reported that he was immediately buried. Denver Mountaineers The Denver Bears (also periodically known as the Grizzlies , Mountaineers or Mountain Lions ) were a minor league baseball team from Denver, Colorado , that played primarily in

361-558: Was slow to heal and he needed help at managing. Defending their league championship, Duluth ended the season in seventh place. With a final record of 42–76, Duluth ended the season 22.0 games behind first place Oshkosh. The Northwestern League did not return to play in 1887. Om May 11, 1887, after playing a game in La Crosse, Wisconsin , a boating accident on the Mississippi River claimed the life of Duluth player John Ake . Ake's Duluth teammates Billy Earle and Bill Barnes were with Ake on

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