The Duluth–Superior Dukes was the final moniker of the minor league baseball team, that represented Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, playing from 1956 to 1970 exclusively as members of the Northern League.
Duluth–Superior teams were affiliates of the Chicago White Sox (1956–1959), Detroit Tigers (1960–1965), Chicago Cubs (1965–1967) and Chicago White Sox (1967–1970).
History
The franchise formed in 1956 as the Duluth–Superior White Sox after a merger of the Duluth Dukes and the Superior Blues. The team name was changed back to the Dukes in 1960.
From 1960 to 1964, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. In 1965, they were affiliated with the Tigers and Chicago Cubs. In 1966, they were affiliated with the Cubs. In 1967, they were affiliated with the Cubs and Chicago White Sox. From 1968 to 1970, they were affiliated with the White Sox alone. They wore pinstripe uniforms at home and powder blue jerseys with the SOX emblem on the chest on the road.
The ballpark
The Dukes played their home games at Wade Stadium, located at 101 N. 35th Avenue West Duluth, Minnesota 55807. The stadium, built in 1940 is still in use today as home to the Duluth Huskies.
Year-by-year record
Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs 1960 70–51 2nd Frank Carswell Lost League Finals 1961 76–52 1st Bob Swift Lost in 1st round 1962 69–55 2nd Al Lakeman Lost in 1st round 1963 77–43 1st Bob Mavis 2nd in Baukol Playoffs 1964 61–55 3rd Gail Henley 2nd in Baukol Playoffs 1965 31–35 2nd Doc Daugherty none 1966 29–36 4th Joe Grace none 1967 30–39 5th Ira Hutchinson none 1968 31–39 4th Bruce Andrew none 1969 46–23 1st Pel Austin League Champs 1970 48-21 1st Joe Sparks League Champs
Notable alumni
Gates Brown (1960) Pat Dobson (1962) MLB All-Star Bill Freehan (1961) 11× MLB All-Star John Hiller (1964) MLB All-Star Glen Hobbie (1956) Joe Hoerner (1957–1959) MLB All-Star Willie Horton (1962) 4× MLB All-Star Ira Hutchinson (1967, MGR) Pat Jarvis (1962–1963) Lamar Johnson (1970) Bruce Kimm (1970) Denny McLain (1963) 3× MLB All-Star; 2× AL Cy Young Award (1968–1969); 1968 AL Most Valuable Player J.C. Martin (1958) Don Mincher (1956–1957) 2× MLB All-Star Jim Northrup (1961–1962) Jim Rooker (1964) Joe Sparma (1963) Mickey Stanley (1961–1962) 5× Gold Glove
Other Major League player alumni (from baseball-reference.com) 1960 – Aubrey Gatewood, Ray Oyler, Willie Smith 1961 – Leo Marentette, Tom Timmermann 1962 – Ike Brown, Vern Holtgrave 1963 – Pete Craig 1964 – Arlo Brunsberg, Wayne Comer, Jack DiLauro, Andy Kosco 1965 – Bill Butler 1968 – Don Eddy, Dan Neumeier, Scott Northey, Denny O'Toole 1969 – Stan Perzanowski, Glenn Redmon, Hugh Yancy 1970 – Bruce Miller, Hugh Yancy
References