The Zanesville Greys were a minor league baseball team based in

Zanesville, Ohio Zanesville is a city in and the county seat of Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. It is located east of Columbus and had a population of 24,765 as of the 2020 census, down from 25,487 as of the 2010 census. Historically the state capita ...

. The Greys played as members of the Class C level

Middle Atlantic League The Middle Atlantic League (or Mid-Atlantic League) was a lower-level circuit in American minor league baseball that played during the second quarter of the 20th century. History The Middle Atlantic League played from 1925 through 1951, with t ...

from 1933 to 1937, winning league championships in 1933, 1934 and 1936. The Greys were a minor league affiliate of the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...

from 1933 to 1936 and the

Boston Bees The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massachusetts. This article details the history of the Boston Braves, from 1871 to 1952, after which they moved to Milwaukee, and then to Atlanta. During it ...

in 1937, before Zanesville folded for three seasons. In 1941 and 1942, the Zanesville Cubs resumed Middle Atlantic League play, becoming a minor league affiliate of the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

. The Greys hosted minor league home games exclusively Mark Greys Athletic Park, before the Cubs moved home games to newly constructed Gant Park Municipal Stadium in 1941. From 1993 to 1996, the "Greys" nickname was revived by the Zanesville franchise of the independent

Frontier League The Frontier League is a professional independent baseball league with teams in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada. Formed in 1993, it is the oldest currently running independent league in the United States. The le ...

History

Middle Atlantic League 1933 to 1937

After minor league baseball in Zanesville began with the 1887 Zanesville Kickapoos, who played the season as charter members of the

Ohio State League The Ohio State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in numerous seasons between 1887 and 1947, predominantly as a Class D level league. League franchises were based in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Histo ...

, the 1933 Zanesville Grays were immediately preceded in minor league play by the 1913 Zanesville Flood Sufferers of the Class B level

Interstate League The Interstate League was the name of five different American minor baseball leagues that played intermittently from 1896 through 1952. Early leagues Earlier versions of the Interstate League, with years active: *1896–1901: an unclassified ...

. The "Greys" nickname originated in 1918 with a semi-professional team of employees from the Mark Manufacturing Company. The Greys name reportedly derived from the Cleveland Greys of the Ohio National Guard. Reportedly, Olympic champion, major league and NFL player

Jim Thorpe James Francis Thorpe ( Sac and Fox (Sauk): ''Wa-Tho-Huk'', translated as "Bright Path"; May 22 or 28, 1887March 28, 1953) was an American athlete and Olympic gold medalist. A member of the Sac and Fox Nation, Thorpe was the first Native ...

played for a semi-pro Grays team in 1925. In 1933 the Zanesville "Greys" resumed minor league play, becoming members of the Class C level Middle Atlantic League, as the league expanded from six teams to eight teams, adding Zanesville and Dayton to the league as the expansion teams. Zanesville was a minor league affiliate of the

, beginning a four year partnership. The

Beckley Black Knights Beckley may refer to: Places ;United Kingdom *Beckley, East Sussex, England *Beckley, Hampshire, England *Beckley, Oxfordshire, England **Beckley Park, a stately home ;United States *Beckley, Louisville, Kentucky * Beckley, West Virginia Other us ...

Charleston Senators The Charleston Senators were an American minor league baseball team based in Charleston, West Virginia. They were the first professional baseball team to play in Charleston, beginning play in 1910. The team was inactive during a few periods, playin ...

Dayton Ducks The Dayton Ducks were a minor league baseball team that played in the Central League in 1932 and then the Middle Atlantic League from 1933–1942. The team took its name from their owner and field manager, former St. Louis Cardinals player Ducky Ho ...

, Huntington Boosters,

Johnstown Johnnies Johnstown may refer to: Places Australia * Johnstown, Queensland, a locality split between the Southern Burnett Region and the Gympie Region, Queensland Canada * Johnstown, Nova Scotia * Johnstown, Ontario, United Counties of Leeds and Grenvi ...

Springfield Chicks Springfield may refer to: * Springfield (toponym), the place name in general Places and locations Australia * Springfield, New South Wales (Central Coast) * Springfield, New South Wales (Snowy Monaro Regional Council) * Springfield, Queenslan ...

and

Wheeling Stogies The Wheeling Stogies was a minor league baseball team based in Wheeling, West Virginia, that played under several different names at various times between 1877 and 1934. They played mostly in the Central League and the Middle Atlantic League, as we ...

teams joined Zanesville in beginning league play on May 4, 1933. In their first season of play Zanesville won the 1933 Middle Atlantic League championship. The Greys ended the Middle Atlantic League regular season with a record of 76–59, finishing 3.0 games behind the first place Wheeling Stogies, as Johnny Walker and Buzz Wetzel served as manages. Zanesville and Wheeling met in the two-team playoff, with Zanesville winning the title in beating the Stogies 4 games to 1. Pitcher

Al Milnar Albert Joseph Milnar (December 26, 1913 – June 30, 2005) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians (1936, 1938–1943), St. Louis Browns (1943, 1946) and Philadelphia Phillies (1946). Milnar batted and ...

of Zanesville led the league with 194 strikeouts. The Greys won consecutive league championships, by winning the title in the 1934 Middle State League, while also capturing the league pennant. With a record of 72–51, Zanesville placed first in the eight–team league regular season, playing the season under managers Bert Grimm, Harry Lane and Earl Wolgamot. The Grays finished 2.0 games ahead of the second place Dayton Ducks. In the playoff, Zanesville defeated Dayton in a full seven game series. The Greys won the league pennant in 1935, finishing the regular season with the league's best record. However, with the league adopting a split season schedule, Zanesville did not qualify for the league playoff, Greys did not win either half. Zanesville had an overall record of 70–54 to place first in the Middle Atlantic League regular season, finishing 1.0 games ahead of the second place Dayton Ducks. Earl Wolgamot again managed Zanesville. In the playoff, Dayton defeated Huntington for the league title.

Jimmy Wasdell James Charles Wasdell (May 15, 1914 – August 6, 1983) was an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for all or portions of 11 seasons between and for the Washington Senators, B ...

of Zanesville won the league batting title, hitting .357. Teammate Milt McIntyre led the league with both 24 home runs and 110 RBI. On Sunday, May 3, 1936, just before the start of the regular season, the Zanesville Grays hosted two exhibition games against the

Pittsburgh Crawfords The Pittsburgh Crawfords, popularly known as the Craws, were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team, previously known as the Crawford Colored Giants, was named after the Crawford Bath House, a recrea ...

, the defending champions of the Negro National League. The Crawfords won both games of the doubleheader by scores of 14-4 and 7-0.

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...

members

Josh Gibson Joshua Gibson (December 21, 1911 – January 20, 1947) was an American baseball catcher primarily in the Negro leagues. Baseball historians consider Gibson among the best power hitters and catchers in baseball history. In 1972, he became the se ...

Oscar Charleston Oscar McKinley Charleston (October 14, 1896 – October 5, 1954) was an American center fielder and manager in Negro league baseball. Over his 43-year baseball career, Charleston played or managed with more than a dozen teams, including the Home ...

and

Judy Johnson William Julius "Judy" Johnson (October 26, 1899 – June 15, 1989) was an American professional third baseman and manager whose career in Negro league baseball spanned 17 seasons, from 1921 to 1937. Slight of build, Johnson never developed as ...

hit home runs and Satchel Page pitched the second game. Paige pitched a 7-inning no-hitter in the game, held at Mark Park. Continuing play in the eight-team Middle Atlantic League, the 1936 Greys won the league pennant and their third league championship in their final season as a Cleveland Indians affiliate. With Earl Wolgamot continuing as manager, Zanesville ended the 1936 regular season with a record of 81–48, finishing 10.0 games ahead of the second place

. In the split season, Zanesville had won the first half season and tied with Dayton in the second half. In the playoff, the Grays defeated the Dayton two games to one to win the championship. Zanesville pitcher

Tommy Reis Thomas Edward Reis (August 6, 1914 – November 6, 2009) was a relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball in the 1938 season. He batted and threw right-handed. Born in Newport, Kentucky, Reis was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies ...

led the league with both 21 wins and a 21-9 record.

Jeff Heath John Geoffrey Heath (April 1, 1915 – December 9, 1975) was a Canadian-born American left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played most of his career for the Cleveland Indians. He was one of the American League's most promising power ...

had 187 RBI to lead the league, while teammate

Oscar Grimes Oscar Ray Grimes Jr. (April 13, 1915 – May 19, 1993) was a utility infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians (1938–1942), New York Yankees (1943–1946) and Philadelphia Athletics (1946). Grimes batted and thr ...

scored 150 runs. In 1937, the Greys finished in last place in the Middle Atlantic League, as the franchise became a minor league affiliate of the

. Zanesville finished the regular season with a record of 33-88, playing the season under manager

Possum Whitted George Bostic "Possum" Whitted (February 4, 1890 – October 16, 1962) was an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1912 to 1922 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Braves, Ph ...

. Zanesville finished 45.0 games behind the first place

Canton Terriers The Canton Terriers was the name of a minor league baseball team from Canton, Ohio that played between 1928 and 1942. The team was formed in 1928 as a member of the Central League and played there until 1932. In 1936 a new Terriers team was form ...

in the final regular season standings. The Zanesville franchise did not return to play in the 1938 Middle Atlantic League, replaced by the

Erie Sailors The Erie Sailors was the primary name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Erie, Pennsylvania between 1906 and 1994. Pre-1930s Several unrelated teams used the Erie Sailors name in the Interstate League (1906–1907, 1913, 19 ...

in league play.

Middle Atlantic League 1941-1942

In 1941, the Middle Atlantic League expanded from six teams to eight teams with the Zanesville franchise returning to the league after a three-season absence. With the franchise becoming an affiliate of the

, Zanesville adopted the "Cubs" nickname. The Cubs were joined in league play by the

Akron Yankees The Akron Yankees were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1935 until 1941. A class C farm team of the New York Yankees, the club was based in Akron, Ohio and played in the Middle Atlantic League The Middle Atlantic League (or Mid-At ...

Portsmouth A's The Portsmouth A's were a minor league baseball team based in Portsmouth, Ohio. From 1948 to 1950, the A's played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Ohio-Indiana League and were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. ...

, Charleston Senators, Erie Sailors, Dayton Ducks,

Springfield Cardinals The Springfield Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. They compete as a member of the Texas League's North Division. The Cardinals began play in 2005. The team is owned by the 11-time Major League Baseball ...

and

Youngstown Browns Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio, and the largest city and county seat of Mahoning County, Ohio, Mahoning County. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Youngstown had a city population of 60,068. It is a principal city of ...

teams in beginning league play on May 1, 1941. The 1941 Zanesville Cubs finished in last place in the eight-team Middle Atlantic League. The Cubs ended the regular season with record of 43–73, playing under manager Jack Warner. Zanesville finished 29.5 games behind the first place

in the regular season final standings. Zanesville did not qualify for the playoffs, won by the Erie Sailors. In their final season, the 1942 Zanesville Cubs finished in last place in the six-team Middle Atlantic League. The Cubs ended their final regular season with record of 46–84, playing under manager returning Jack Warner. Zanesville finished 31.0 games behind of the first place Charleston Senators in the regular season final standings. Zanesville did not qualify for the four-team playoffs, again won by the Erie Sailors. The Middle Atlantic League did not return to play in 1943 as a result of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. The league returned to play in 1945. After a one season hiatus during

, Zanesville resumed minor league baseball play in 1944 in a new league. The

Zanesville Dodgers The Zanesville Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Zanesville, Ohio. The Dodgers were a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers and played as members of the Class D (baseball), Class D level Ohio State Le ...

became members of the six–team Class D level

, which resumed play following

The ballparks

The Zanesville Grays hosted home minor league home games at "Mark Park" or Mark Greys Athletic Park for their duration. The ballpark had field dimensions of (Left, Center, Right): 304-386-265 with a seating capacity of 2,000. The park was located at Putnam Avenue & Ontario Street in Zanesville, Ohio. The location corresponds to the location of today's War Veteran's Park. Later, the 1941 Zanesville Cubs began play at Gant Park Municipal Stadium, which was called "Municipal Stadium" in the era. The Zanesville Dodgers continued play at the ballpark. Located on West Main Street, Gant Stadium is still in use today and received a State Historic Designation in 2021. The stadium was originally onstructed in 1939. The facility was named for Nelson T. Gant who was the former owner of the property before donating it.

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

Dale Alderson Dale Leonard Alderson (March 9, 1918 – February 12, 1982) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1943 through 1944 for the Chicago Cubs. Listed at , , Alderson batted and threw right-handed. A native of Belden, Nebraska and gra ...

(1942) *

Stan Andrews Stan Andrews (April 17, 1917 in Lynn, Massachusetts – June 10, 1995 in Bradenton, Florida) was an American baseball catcher who played from 1939 to 1945 for the Boston Bees, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phil ...

(1937) * George Barnicle (1937) *

Bob Barr Robert Laurence Barr Jr. (born November 5, 1948) is an American attorney and politician. He served as a federal prosecutor and as a United States House of Representatives, Congressman. He represented Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Re ...

(1941) * Fern Bell (1941) * Clay Bryant (1933) *

Jess Cortazzo John Francis "Jess" Cortazzo (September 26, 1904 – March 4, 1963) also known as ''Shine'' was a professional baseball player. He was a shortstop for one season (1923) with the Chicago White Sox. For his career, he appeared in one game and was ...

(1935) * Herb Crompton (1935) *

Woody Davis Woodrow Wilson Davis (April 25, 1913 – July 18, 1999), nicknamed "Babe", was a Major League Baseball pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin eac ...

(1934-1936) * Ed Fernandes (1936) * Bill Ford (1937) * Jim Gleeson (1933) *

(1936) *

Tom Hafey Tom or TOM may refer to: * Tom (given name), a diminutive of Thomas or Tomás or an independent Aramaic given name (and a list of people with the name) Characters * Tom Anderson, a character in ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' * Tom Beck, a character ...

(1935) * Dick Hahn (1935-1936) *

(1936) 2x MLB All-Star *

Hank Helf Henry Hartz Helf (August 26, 1913 – October 27, 1984) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians in 1938 and 1940 and the St. Louis Browns in 1946. From 1944 to 1945, H ...

(1934) *

Tommy Henrich Thomas David Henrich (February 20, 1913 – December 1, 2009), nicknamed "The Clutch" and "Old Reliable", was an American professional baseball player of German descent. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a right fielder and ...

(1934-1935) 5x MLB All-Star *

Otto Huber Otto Huber (March 12, 1914 – April 9, 1989) was a Major League Baseball player. He played one season with the Boston Bees The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massachusetts. This article de ...

(1937) * Roy Hughes (1933) * Jack Kraus (1936) * Glenn Liebhardt (1934) * Nig Lipscomb (1941) * Bill Lobe (1945) * Mike McCormick (1935)

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is an entity established by Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds franchise that pays homage to the team's past through displays, photographs and multimedia. It was instituted in 1958 to recognize the ...

* George McKinnon (1945) *

(1933) MLB All-Star *

Hiker Moran Albert Thomas Moran (January 1, 1912 – January 7, 1998) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1938 to 1939 for the Boston Bees The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massach ...

(1937) *

Mike Palagyi Michael Raymond Palagyi (July 4, 1917 – November 21, 2013) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for the Washington Senators. He is in a group of nearly 1,500 players who have appeared in exactly one Major League game. At t ...

(1936) *

(1933-1936) * Chet Ross (1937) *

Ed Sauer Edward Sauer (January 3, 1919 – July 1, 1988) was an American professional baseball player. An outfielder, he appeared in 189 Major League games in 1943–1945 and in 1949 for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Braves. He sto ...

(1941) *

Skeeter Scalzi Frank John "Skeeter" Scalzi (June 16, 1913 – August 25, 1984) was an American professional baseball player and manager. A 5-foot, 6 inch (1.68 m), 160-pound (72.6 kg) shortstop and third baseman, Scalzi threw and batted right-handed. ...

(1936) * Chuck Shanklin (1945) * Jim Shilling (1936) * Bill Sodd (1935-1936) * Paul Speraw (1933) *

Charley Stanceu Charles Stanceu (''Romanian'': Charles Stanciu; January 9, 1916 – April 3, 1969) was an American professional baseball player of Romanian descent who played in 39 Major League games in 1941 and 1946 with the New York Yankees and the Philadelph ...

(1934-1936) *

Charley Suche Charles Morris Suche (August 15, 1915 – February 11, 1984) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for one season. He played for the Cleveland Indians for one game on September 18 during the 1938 Cleveland Indians season The 1938 Clevel ...

(1936) *

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; ...

(1933) * Johnny Walker (1933, MGR) * Jack Warner (1941) *

(1935) * Earl Wolgamot (1934-1936, MGR) * Joe Zapustas (1934) *

Bill Zuber William Henry Zuber (March 26, 1913 – November 2, 1982) was a professional baseball pitcher. He had an 11-year Major League Baseball career between 1936 and 1947. He pitched his entire career in the American League with the Cleveland Indians, Wa ...

(1933, 1935-1936)

References

{{reflist

External links

Zanesville - Baseball Reference
Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in Ohio Baseball teams established in 1933 Baseball teams disestablished in 1937 Zanesville, Ohio Defunct baseball teams in Ohio Middle Atlantic League teams Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates Boston Bees minor league affiliates

History

Middle Atlantic League 1933 to 1937

Middle Atlantic League 1941-1942

The ballparks

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

See also

References

External links