Summary
The Great Central League was a short-lived baseball league of four teams that played baseball in the upper Midwest of the United States in 1994. The league and four teams were owned by Minneapolis-based strip club owner, Dick Jacobson, who previously attempted to purchase the Rochester Aces of the Northern League.[1][2]
In an effort to bring notoriety to the league, Jacobson signed Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame member George Scott as manager for the Minneapolis Millers. However his presence from the dugout did not help the team or league draw larger crowds to games.[2] The league folded before holding a championship game because it was underfunded, use facilities ill-equipped for professional baseball, and was run by inexperienced management.[2][3]
Teams edit
- Champaign-Urbana Bandits
- Lafayette Leopards (baseball)
- Mason City Bats
- Minneapolis Millers (Great Central League)
Standings edit
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Attend | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Leopards | 44 | 24 | .647 | 0 | 11,682 | Jim Gonzales |
| Champaign-Urbana Bandits | 31 | 26 | .559 | 7.5 | NA | Brett Robinson |
| Minneapolis Millers | 30 | 33 | .476 | 11.5 | 3,000 | George Scott |
| Mason City Bats | 19 | 41 | .317 | 21 | NA | Tom Walechi |
References edit
- ^ Stott, Jon (2001). Leagues of Their Own: Independent Professional Baseball, 1993-2000. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0786411306.
- ^ a b c Thornley, Stew (2015). The St. Paul Saints: Baseball in the Capital City. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 978-0873519588.
- ^ Thornley, Stew (2006). Baseball in Minnesota: The Definitive History. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 978-0873515511.