The Quincy Gems was the primary name of the minor league baseball team in Quincy, Illinois, that played in various seasons from 1883 to 1973. Quincy teams played as members of the

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

(1960–1973), Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1946–1956), Mississippi Valley League (1933), Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1911–1917, 1925–1932),

Central Association The Central Association was an American minor league baseball league. It began operations in 1908, as it was essentially renamed from the 1907 Iowa State League. The Central Association ran continuously through 1917. It was reorganized thirty year ...

(1908–1910), Iowa State League (1907),

Western Association The Western Association was the name of five different leagues formed in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries. The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Weste ...

(1894–1898), Illinois-Iowa League (1891–1892), Central Interstate League (1889–1890) and

Northwestern League The Northwestern League was a sports league that operated in the Central United States during the early years of professional baseball for five seasons: 1879, 1883–1884, and 1886–1887. After the 1887 season, the league was replaced by the We ...

(1883–1884). Quincy won league championships in 1889, 1913, 1929, 1931, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1961 and 1970. Baseball Hall of Fame members Bruce Sutter,

Tony Kubek Anthony Christopher Kubek (born October 12, 1935) is an American former professional baseball player and television broadcaster. During his nine-year playing career with the New York Yankees, Kubek played in six World Series in the late 1950s an ...

and

Whitey Herzog Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog (; born November 9, 1931) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and manager, most notable for his Major League Baseball (MLB) managerial career. He made his MLB debut as a player in 1956 wit ...

played for Quincy teams. The

Quincy Gems The Quincy Gems are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Quincy, Illinois. The Gems were originally a part of the Central Illinois Collegiate League and joined the Prospect League with several other CICL teams prior to the 2009 ...

name returned in 2009 with the Gems playing in the collegiate summer Prospect League.

History

Beginning play in 1883, Quincy minor league teams played as members of the

(1960–1973), Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1946–1956), Mississippi Valley League (1933), Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1911–1917, 1925–1932).

(1908–1910), Iowa State League (1907), Central Interstate League (1889–1890),

(1894–1898), Illinois-Iowa League (1891–1892), Central Interstate League (1889–1890) and

(1883–1884). After beginning play in 1883 as the Quincy Quincys, the team was first called the "Gems" in 1907 and had various other nicknames. Besided the Gems moniker Quincy minor league teams played as the ( Quincy Cubs (1965–1973), Quincy Jets (1962–1963), Quincy Giants (1960–1961), Quincy Indians (1928–1933), Quincy Red Birds (1925–1927), Quincy Old Soldiers (1912), Quincy Infants (1911), Quincy Vets (1909–1910), Quincy Giants (1899), Quincy (1898), Quincy Little Giants (1897), Quincy Blue Birds (1896), Quincy Ravens (1890–1892, 1894), Quincy Black Birds (1889) and Quincy Quincys (1883–1884)). The team was known as the Quincy Ravens from 1890 to 1892, and then again in 1894. The team played in the Illinois Iowa League in 1891 and 1892, before moving to the

in 1894. They were managed by Sam LaRocque and William Wittrock in 1892. Several major leaguers played for the Ravens, one of the most prominent being Sam Gillen who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies. During the 1981 season, Pete Daniels threw 321 innings compiling a 0.79 ERA for the Ravens. The franchise played in the

(1894–1899), Iowa State League (1907),

(1908–1910), Three-I League (1911–1932, 1946–1956), and the

(1960–73). They were affiliated with the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of ...

(1946–1956), the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...

(1956–60),

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

(1962–63) and the Chicago Cubs (1965–1973). Overall, the franchise won a total of nine league championships. Quincy captured the Western Association championship in 1889, and Three-I League Championships in 1913, 1929, 1931, 1951, 1953 and 1954. Quincy won the 1961 and 1970 Midwest League Championships, defeating the Waterloo Hawks in 1961 and the

Quad City Angels Quad as a word or prefix usually means 'four'. It may refer to: Government * Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States * Quadrilateral group, an informal group which i ...

in 1970. After the 1973 season, the franchise was moved to

Dubuque, Iowa Dubuque (, ) is the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. At the time of the 2020 census, the population of Dubuque was 59,667. The city lies at the junction of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, a r ...

playing as the

Dubuque Packers Minor league baseball teams have operated in the city of Dubuque, Iowa under a variety of names in various leagues, playing in 52 seasons between 1879 and 1976. Dubuque teams were an affiliate of the Houston Astros (1975–1976), Kansas City Royal ...

in the

for two seasons, before the franchise was folded and not replaced. The Gems name returned in 2009 by the collegiate summer Prospect League team called the Gems, who also play at a renovated Q Stadium.

The ballparks

Beginning in 1946, Quincy teams played at Q Stadium. Previously, the team played at Eagles Stadium, which was located at the same site. Q Stadium was constructed on the Eagles Stadium site as a

Works Project Administration The Works Progress Administration (WPA; renamed in 1939 as the Work Projects Administration) was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers (mostly men who were not formally educated) to carry out public works projects, in ...

project in 1939. Q stadium is still an active baseball stadium, located at 1800 Sycamore Street, Quincy, IL 62301. The stadium is bounded by Sycamore Street (north, left field); football stadium and North 20th Street (east, right field); Spruce Street (south, first base); and North 18th Street (west, third base). In 1984, the stadium was purchased by

Quincy University Quincy University (formerly known as St. Francis Solanus College, and today abbreviated as QU) is a private Franciscan university in Quincy, Illinois. It was founded in 1860 and enrolls about 1,100 students. History A small group of Francisc ...

from the City of Quincy for $1.00. Today, Q Stadium is home to

teams and the collegiate summer baseball team of the same name, the new

Year-by-year record

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni

(1952) Inducted, 2010 *

(1955)

Ford C. Frick Award The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball". It is named for Ford C. Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Before h ...

, 2009 * Bruce Sutter (1973) Inducted, 2006

Notable alumni

Hank Bauer Henry Albert Bauer (July 31, 1922 – February 9, 2007) was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees (–) and Kansas City Athletics (–); he batted and threw right-handed. He served as ...

(1946) 6x MLB All-Star; 1966 MLB Manager of the Year; Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame *

Lew Burdette Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. (November 22, 1926 – February 6, 2007) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston / Milwaukee Braves. The team's top right-hander during its years in Milw ...

(1948) 2× MLB All-Star; 1957

World Series MVP The Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the MLB postseason. The aw ...

; Braves Hall of Fame *

Jim Finigan James Leroy Finigan (August 19, 1928 – May 16, 1981) was an American professional baseball player and Major League infielder. Primarily a third baseman and second baseman, he played for the Philadelphia / Kansas City Athletics (1954–1956) ...

(1964) 2x MLB All-Star *

Jim Ray Hart James Ray Hart (October 30, 1941 – May 19, 2016) was an American baseball player who was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the National League's San Francisco Giants from 1963 to 1973 and the American League's New York Yank ...

(1960) MLB all-Star *

Woodie Held Woodson George "Woodie" Held (March 25, 1932 – June 11, 2009) was a shortstop/outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles, ...

(1953) * Vern Hoscheit (1953-1956) *

Walter Holke Walter Henry Holke (December 25, 1892 – October 12, 1954) was a first baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Giants, Boston Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds. Holke holds the record for the most put-outs by ...

(1929) * Baby Doll Jacobson (1929) .311 Lifetime Batting Average *

Buddy Kerr John Joseph "Buddy" Kerr (November 6, 1922 – November 7, 2006) was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball. From 1943 through 1951, Kerr played for the New York Giants (1943–1949) and Boston Braves (1950–1951). A native of Astoria, Ne ...

(1960, MGR) MLB All-Star *

Pete LaCock Ralph Pierre "Pete" LaCock Jr. (born January 17, 1952) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/outfielder. He batted and threw left-handed. In 1975, LaCock hit the only grand slam of his career in the final appearance of St. Louis Cardina ...

(1970) *

Dennis Lamp Dennis Patrick Lamp (born September 23, 1952) is a former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1977 through 1992, the breaking ball specialist played for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athle ...

(1973) *

Hal Lanier HAL may refer to: Aviation * Halali Airport (IATA airport code: HAL) Halali, Oshikoto, Namibia * Hawaiian Airlines (ICAO airline code: HAL) * HAL Airport, Bangalore, India * Hindustan Aeronautics Limited an Indian aerospace manufacturer of fight ...

(1961) MLB MGR: 1986 NL Manager of the Year *

Sam Mertes Samuel Blair Mertes (August 6, 1872 – March 11, 1945) was a professional baseball player. He was an outfielder over parts of 10 seasons (1896–1906) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Orphans, Chicago White Sox, New York Giants (NL), New Y ...

(1894) 1903 NL RBI Leader *

Joe Niekro Joseph Franklin Niekro ( ; November 7, 1944 – October 27, 2006) was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of former Major League first baseman Lance Niekro. Niekr ...

(1966) MLB All-Star; Houston Astros Hall of Fame *

Bill North William Alex North (born May 15, 1948) is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1971 to 1981, he played for the Chicago Cubs (1971–72), Oakland Athletics (1973–78), Los Angeles Dodgers (1978) and San Francisco Giants (1979– ...

(1970) 1974, 1975 AL Stolen Base Leader *

Fritz Ostermueller Frederick Raymond "Fritz" Ostermueller (September 15, 1907 – December 17, 1957) was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1934 to 1948, playing for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. ...

(1926) 1938 NL Saves Leader * Ray Powell (1931) *

Gary Ross Gary Ross (born November 3, 1956) is an American film director, writer, and producer. He is best known for writing and directing the fantasy comedy-drama film '' Pleasantville'' (1998), the sports drama film '' Seabiscuit'' (2003), the sci-fi act ...

(1967) * Hal Smith (1951) *

Russ Snyder Russell Henry Snyder (born June 22, 1934) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Kansas City Athletics (1959–60), Baltimore Orioles (1961–67), Chicago White Sox (1968), C ...

(1954) *

Tom Sturdivant Thomas Virgil Sturdivant (April 28, 1930 – February 28, 2009), nicknamed "Snake", was an American pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, a ...

(1948-1950) * Gus Suhr (1925) MLB All-Star *

Steve Sundra Stephen Richard Sundra (March 27, 1910 – March 23, 1952) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played during eight seasons for the New York Yankees (1936; 1938–1940), Washington Senators (1941–1942) and St. Louis Browns (1942–1944; ...

(1932) * Lee Thomas (1955) 2x MLB All-Star *

Marv Throneberry Marvin Eugene Throneberry (September 2, 1933 – June 23, 1994) was an American Major League Baseball player. Affectionately known as "Marvelous Marv", he was the starting first baseman for the 1962 New York Mets, a team which set the modern rec ...

(1953)

Miller Lite Miller Lite is a 4.2% ABV light American lager beer sold by Molson Coors (previously MillerCoors) of Chicago, Illinois. The company also produces Miller Genuine Draft and Miller High Life. Miller Lite competes mainly with Anheuser-Busch' ...

commercials *

Hal Trosky Harold Arthur Trosky Sr. (born Harold Arthur Trojovsky; November 11, 1912 – June 18, 1979) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman for the Cleveland Indians (1933–1941) and the Chica ...

(1932) 1936 AL RBI Leader;

Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame This is a list of award winners and league leaders for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball. Awards Most Valuable Player *George Burns (1926) * Lou Boudreau (1948) *Al Rosen (1953) Cy Young *Gaylord Perry (1972) *CC Sabathia (2007 ...

Rabbit Warstler Harold Burton "Rabbit" Warstler (September 13, 1903 – May 31, 1964) was a professional baseball infielder. He played all or part of 11 seasons in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and second baseman for the Boston Red Sox (1930–33), Phil ...

(1927) * Dutch Zwilling (1951) 1914 NL Home Run Leader; 1915 NL RBI Leader

Photos

BruceSutterCardinals.jpg, Hall of Fame Pitcher Bruce Sutter File:Herzog1983stand.jpg, Hall of Famer

, 1983 Tony Kubek 1961.png,

, 1961 HalTroskyGoudeycard.jpg,

, Goudey card File:Ed Walker (baseball).jpg, Ed Walker, Quincy Vets, 1910 Baby Doll Jacobson 1919.jpg, Baby Doll Jacobson, 1919 File:Marv Throneberry 1961.jpg,

, 1961 File:Hank Bauer 1953.jpg,

, 1953

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Quincy Gems (Minor League Team) Baseball teams established in 1883 Defunct Midwest League teams Defunct baseball teams in Illinois New York Yankees minor league affiliates Professional baseball teams in Illinois Central Association Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League teams San Francisco Giants minor league affiliates Sports teams in Quincy, Illinois 1883 establishments in Illinois 1973 disestablishments in Illinois Quincy, Illinois Central Association teams Iowa State League teams Baseball teams disestablished in 1973

History

The ballparks

Year-by-year record

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni

Notable alumni

See also

Photos

References