Milwaukee Bears
Encyclopedia
The Milwaukee Bears were a Negro National League team that operated during the 1923
season, its only season in the league, representing Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
.
The team was one of two (the Toledo Tigers
being the other) created to fill one of the vacancies created in the NNL after the Cleveland Tate Stars
and Pittsburgh Keystones had been dropped after the previous season. It drew much of its personnel from the disbanded Keystones and from the New Orleans Crescent Stars, an independent southern team. Hall of Fame outfielder Pete Hill
, 40, was asked by Rube Foster to manage the team, and remaining roster spots were filled from tryouts held in Chicago in April, and by castoffs from other teams.
With limited financing and an inexperienced ownership, the team quickly fell out of the running in the league. Primarily due to poor home attendance at Athletic Park (later known as Borchert Field
), the club played most of its games on the road, and finished in last place with a 12-41 record in league play, disbanding after the season.
wore Bears throwback uniforms in games against the Washington Nationals
(at Miller Park) and Kansas City Royals
(on the road) as part of a tribute to the Negro Leagues. On June 23, 2007, the Brewers wore the Bears' uniform for another Negro League tribute game against the Royals (who wore Kansas City Monarchs
uniforms). On July 5th, 2008, the Brewers also wore the Bears' uniforms against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who wore Pittsburgh Crawfords
uniforms. On May 29, 2010, the Brewers wore Bears uniforms in a game against the New York Mets
who wore New York Cubans
uniforms. On July 9th, 2011, the Brewers wore Bears uniforms against the Cincinnati Reds
.
The uniforms worn in the games from 2006-2008 were white with black pinstripes, black letters spelling Milwaukee, black socks, and a white pinstriped cap. Form 2009-2011, the Brewers wore a different version of the Bears' uniforms, which were cream colored with blue sleeves and trim, plus blue socks and caps.
1923 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Yankees over New York Giants -Awards and honors:*League Award**Babe Ruth, New York Yankees, OF-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:...
season, its only season in the league, representing Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
The team was one of two (the Toledo Tigers
Toledo Tigers
The Toledo Tigers were a Negro National League team that operated during the season, its only season in the league, representing Toledo, Ohio. It played its home games at Toledo's Swayne Field, home of the minor league Mud Hens....
being the other) created to fill one of the vacancies created in the NNL after the Cleveland Tate Stars
Cleveland Tate Stars
The Cleveland Tate Stars were a baseball team in the Negro National League in 1922. In their only season, they finished last of eight clubs with a 17-29 record in league play....
and Pittsburgh Keystones had been dropped after the previous season. It drew much of its personnel from the disbanded Keystones and from the New Orleans Crescent Stars, an independent southern team. Hall of Fame outfielder Pete Hill
Pete Hill
* , Personal profiles at Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. – identical to Riley -External links:* – unknown content, URL confirmed 2010-04-16...
, 40, was asked by Rube Foster to manage the team, and remaining roster spots were filled from tryouts held in Chicago in April, and by castoffs from other teams.
With limited financing and an inexperienced ownership, the team quickly fell out of the running in the league. Primarily due to poor home attendance at Athletic Park (later known as Borchert Field
Borchert Field
Borchert Field was a baseball park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the home field for several professional baseball clubs for most of the years from 1888 through 1952....
), the club played most of its games on the road, and finished in last place with a 12-41 record in league play, disbanding after the season.
Players
Outfielders Pete Duncan (.321), Percy Wilson (.314), and Sandy Thompson (.310) were among the better hitters. Fulton Strong led the pitching staff with only four victories, against 14 defeats. Hill himself hit .296 in a part-time role as the Bears' player-manager.Homages
In 2006, the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
wore Bears throwback uniforms in games against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
(at Miller Park) and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(on the road) as part of a tribute to the Negro Leagues. On June 23, 2007, the Brewers wore the Bears' uniform for another Negro League tribute game against the Royals (who wore Kansas City Monarchs
Kansas City Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in the history of baseball's Negro Leagues. Operating in Kansas City, Missouri and owned by J.L. Wilkinson, they were charter members of the Negro National League from 1920 to 1930. J.L. Wilkinson was the first Caucasian owner at the time...
uniforms). On July 5th, 2008, the Brewers also wore the Bears' uniforms against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who wore Pittsburgh Crawfords
Pittsburgh Crawfords
The Pittsburgh Crawfords, popularly known as the Craws, were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Named after the Crawford Grill, a club in the Hill District of Pittsburgh owned by Gus Greenlee, the Crawfords were originally a youth semipro team sponsored by...
uniforms. On May 29, 2010, the Brewers wore Bears uniforms in a game against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
who wore New York Cubans
New York Cubans
The New York Cubans were a Negro league baseball team that played during the 1930s and from 1939 to 1950. Despite playing in the Negro leagues, the team occasionally employed white-skinned Hispanic baseball players as well, because Hispanics in general were largely ignored by the major league...
uniforms. On July 9th, 2011, the Brewers wore Bears uniforms against the Cincinnati Reds
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....
.
The uniforms worn in the games from 2006-2008 were white with black pinstripes, black letters spelling Milwaukee, black socks, and a white pinstriped cap. Form 2009-2011, the Brewers wore a different version of the Bears' uniforms, which were cream colored with blue sleeves and trim, plus blue socks and caps.