The Marquette Undertakers were a minor league baseball team based in Marquette, Michigan. Marquette played as members of the independent Upper Peninsula League in 1890 and 1891 and Wisconsin-Michigan League in 1892, hosting minor league home games at the Fair Avenue Grounds.

Marquette Undertakers
Minor league affiliations
ClassIndependent (1890–1892)
LeagueUpper Peninsula League (1890–1891)
Wisconsin-Michigan League (1892)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameMarquette Undertakers (1890–1892)
BallparkFair Avenue Grounds (1890–1892)

History edit

Marquette, Michigan began minor league play in 1890. The Marquette Undertakers became charter members of the six–team Independent level Upper Peninsula League.[1]

In their first season of play, the Undertakers ended the season with a 17–18 record. Under manager Dan Sullivan, Marquette placed third and finished 6.0 games behind the first place Houghton team and second place Ishpeming, Michigan team. Marquette was followed by the fourth place Calumet Red Jackets in the final standings. The teams from Hancock, Michigan and Negaunee, Michigan folded before the season had concluded.[2][3][4]

In 1891, the Marquette Undertakers continued play and placed second in the four–team Upper Peninsula League. With a final record of 34–32, playing under manager Ed Douglass, the Undertakers finished 5.0 games behind the first place Calumet Red Jackets. The Upper Peninsula League permanently folded following the 1891 season.[5][6][7][4]

The Marquette Undertakers continued play in 1892 and became charter members of the six–team independent level Wisconsin-Michigan League. In their final season of play, the Undertakers folded during the season. On August 5, 1892, Marquette folded with a record of 20–29, playing under manager George Wilbur. The Green Bay Bays were the league champions as the league permanently folded after the season.[8][9][1][10][4]

Marquette, Michigan has not hosted another minor league team.[11]

The ballpark edit

The Marquette Undertakers minor league teams were noted to have played home games at the Fair Avenue Grounds. The park was also known as Third Street Park. Located at Fair Avenue & 3rd Street, the site is now athletic fields on the campus of Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.[12]

 
(2009) Northern Michigan University campus. Marquette, Michigan

Timeline edit

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League Ballpark
1890–1891 2 Marquette Undertakers Independent Upper Peninsula League Fair Avenue Grounds
1892 1 Wisconsin-Michigan League

Year–by–year records edit

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/notes
1890 17–18 3rd Dan Sullivan No playoffs held
1891 34–32 2nd Ed Douglas No playoffs held
1892 20–29 NA George Wilbur Team folded August 5

Notable alumni edit

See also edit

Marquette Undertakers players

References edit

  1. ^ a b "1892 Marquette Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1890 Upper Peninsula League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "1890 Marquette Undertakers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ^ a b c Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  5. ^ "1891 Upper Peninsula League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ^ "1891 Marquette Undertakers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. ^ "1891 Marquette Undertakers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. ^ "1892 Marquette Undertakers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. ^ "1892 Michigan-Wisconsin League (MML) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. ^ "1892 Wisconsin-Michigan League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. ^ "Marquette, Wisconsin Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ "Fair Avenue Grounds in Marquette, MI minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.

External links edit