Gerald Red Fahr
Dickinson 1956

Made his debut in the majors in 1951 at age 26, pitching in 5 games with the Cleveland Indians. The tall (6'5") right-hander had his best pro season in 1948 -- a 21-8, 1.96, All-Star performance in the Longhorn League.  Pro career was delayed by military service (Tank Corps) in the Second World War.

  
                                  W  L  ERA
1947 Vernon, Longhorn            16 18  4.68
1948 Vernon, Longhorn            21  8  1.96
1949 Kilgore, East Texas          7  3  1.23
1949 Alexandria, Evangeline       6  7  4.60
1949 Shreveport, Texas            3  1  
1950 Shreveport, Texas           10  6  2.73
1951 Cleveland, AL                0  0  4.76
1951 Ottawa, IL                   5  4  1.96
1952 Toronto, IL                 10 13  3.16
1953 Charleston, AA               1  1
1953 Toronto, IL                  7  8  4.23
1954 Charleston/Minn, AA          9 10  3.80
1954 Toronto, IL                  1  0
1955 Toronto, IL                  1  1  3.71
1955 Tulsa, Texas                 0  1
1956 Dickinson, Mandak            7 10  4.31

  
Ron Fairly  Edmonton 1957

Fairly hit a homer in his first game with Edmonton. It was a precursor of the kind of season the USC star would have in his only season in the Western Canada League.  

In spite of missing more than 20 games (when he had to return to USC for summer school) Fairly finished 3rd in the batting race (even while hitting .388).  He had 10 homers and 55 RBI.  Fairly was a key member of the Eskimo team which finished third in the 1957 Global World Series in Milwaukee.  He joined the Dodgers the following season and played in the majors for 21 years, including stints with both Canadian teams. 

  
                              BA   HR RBI
1957 Edmonton, WCBL           .388  10  55
1958 St. Paul, AA             .298   1   8
     Los Angeles, NL          .283   2   8
     Des Moines, Western      .297  13  41
1959 Los Angeles, NL          .238   4  23
1960 Los Angeles, NL          .108   1   3
     Spokane, PCL             .303  27 100
1961 Los Angeles, NL          .322  10  48
1962 Los Angeles, NL          .278  14  71
1963 Los Angeles, NL          .271  12  77
1964 Los Angeles, NL          .256  10  74
1965 Los Angeles, NL          .274   9  70
1966 Los Angeles, NL          .288  14  61
1967 Los Angeles, NL          .220  10  55
1968 Los Angeles, NL          .234   4  43
1969 LA - Montreal, NL        .274  12  47
1970 Montreal, NL             .288  15  61
1971 Montreal, NL             .257  13  71
1972 Montreal, NL             .278  17  68
1973 Montreal, NL             .298  17  49
1974 Montreal, NL             .245  12  43
1975 St. Louis, NL            .301   7  37
1976 St. Louis, NL            .264   0  21
     Oakland, AL              .239   3  10
1977 Toronto, AL              .279  19  64
1978 California, AL           .217  10  40

(Photo - Fairly on the cover of Sports Illustrated, September, 1963.)

Ernie Midge Fazio Saskatoon 1961

Shortstop Fazio was a 1st  team All-American at Santa Clara in1962. Signed to a $75,000 contract with Houston he was rushed to the majors as a "bonus baby".  After 141 games in the majors over three years, Fazio was out of pro ball by age 27.
  

                              BA   HR RBI
1961 Saskatoon, WCBL          .306
1962 Oklahoma City, AA        .225   3  12
     Houston, NL              .083   0   1
1963 Houston, NL              .184   2   5
1964 Oklahoma City, PCL       .257  12  61
1965 Oklahoma City, PCL       .268  23  72
1966 Kansas City, AL          .206   0   2
     Vancouver, PCL           .232   1  15
1967 Oklahoma City, PCL       .183  10  28
1968 Vancouver - Hawaii, PCL  .210   3  36
1969 Iowa, AA                 .248   6  24

Joe Ferguson
Kindersley 1965-1966

As an 18-year-old in 1965, Ferguson was better known as a pitcher for Kindersley in the North Saskatchewan League (5-1, 3.18).  He did, however, add a .404 batting average.  The future major league catcher was even better the following season, both on the mound and at the plate. He was a catcher in the majors by age 23 and suited up for 14 seasons.

                               BA   HR RBI
1965 Kindersley, NSBL         .404   6  18
                              (5-1)  3.18
1966 Kindersley, NSBL         .405   8  22
                              (8-1)  2.24
1967 N/A
1968 Tri-City, Northwest      .288  12  52
1969 Daytona Beach, Flo St.   .286   9  58
1970 Los Angeles, NL          .250   0   1
     Albuquerque, Texas       .305  16  65
1971 Los Angeles, NL          .216   2   7
     Spokane, PCL             .254  10  43
1972 Los Angeles, NL          .292   1   5
     Albuquerque, PCL         .261  10  67
1973 Los Angeles, NL          .263  25  88
1974 Los Angeles, NL          .252  16  57
1975 Los Angeles, NL          .208   5  23
1976 Los Angeles - StL, NL    .211  10  39
1977 Houston, NL              .257  16  61
1978 Houston- LA, NL          .224  14  50
1979 Los Angeles, NL          .262  20  69
1980 Los Angeles, NL          .238   9  29
1981 Los Angeles, NL          .143   0   1
     California, AL           .233   1   5
1982 California, AL           .226   3   8
1983 California, AL           .074   0   2
  

     
Roger Freed
Neilburg 1965

 
Len Gabrielson    Edmonton Eskimos 1958-1959.

One of the many University of Southern California players to suit up in the Western Canada League, Gabrielson made his debut with Edmonton Eskimos in 1958 as an 18-year-old.  In 1959 at USC,  Gabrielson hit .404 with a slugging percentage of .809!  During his 1959 tenure with Edmonton, Gabrielson left the club for several days to sort through pro offers.  He signed with Milwaukee and began his pro career the following season.
 

Lloyd W Gearhart
Williston 1954, Bismarck 1955

A three-time Southern League All-Star, Gearhart played 73 games with the New York Giants in 1947.  He had made his pro debut as a 21-year-old with the Atlanta Crackers in 1944. Gearhart was a major offensive force in the Mandak League, leading the circuit in homers, with 17, in 1954.

   
                               BA  HR RBI
1944  Atlanta, SA             .340  1  22
1945  Atlanta, SA             .304  2  55
1946  Atlanta, SA             .332  8  76
1947  New York, NL            .246  6  17
1948  Jersey City, IL         .288 11  79
1949  Atlanta, SA             .290 14  86
49-50 Cienfuegos, Cuba
1950  Indianapolis, AA        .200  0   0
1950  Albany, Eastern         .323  8  31
1950  New Orleans, SA         .274  2  14
1951  Indianapolis, AA        .226  4  17
1952  Indianapolis, AA        .281 12  60
1953  Indianapolis, AA        .274  5  21
1954  Atlanta, SA             .265  0   2
1954  Beaumont, Texas         .000  0   0
1954  Williston, Mandak       .331 17  61
1955  Bismarck, Mandak        .319  8  28      
1956  Port Arthur, Big State  .310  2   9

Al Gettel
Williston 1957

A seven year veteran of the major leagues, Gettel, then 40, joined Williston for a few appearances in 1957.  He had made his pro debut in 1936 at age 18.  In spite of missing six weeks after being spiked in the ankle, Gettel had his best season in 1950 in the PCL winning 23 games, losing just 7.  Earned the nickname "Two Gun" from his appearances in Western movies during the off-season.  Gettel died in April, 2005 Norfolk, Va. at age 87.

  
                                W  L   ERA
1936 Norfolk, Piedmont          No Rec
1937 Bassett, Bi-St.            1  1  4.09
1937 Butler, Penn. St.          7  5  3.99
1938 Snow Hill, Coastal Plain  16  7
1939 Augusta, South Atl.       14  8  3.46
1940 Newark, IL                 3  3  3.43
1941 Newark, IL                12  9  2.98
1942 Kansas City, AA           12 11  3.62
1943 Norfolk, Piedmont         11 11  1.38
1944 Norfolk, Piedmont         17  7  1.81
1945 New York, AL               9  8  3.90
1946 New York, AL               6  7  2.97
1947 Cleveland, AL             11 10  3.20
1948 Cleveland/Chicago, AL      8 11  4.68
1949 Chicago/Washington, AL     2  7  6.08
1949 Oakland, PCL               4  0  3.60
1950 Oakland, PCL              23  7  3.62
1951 New York, NL               1  2  4.87
1951 Oakland, PCL               4  6  5.25
1952 Oakland, PCL              17 14  3.30
1953 Oakland, PCL              24 14  3.20
1954 Oakland, PCL              17 15  3.07
1955 St Louis, NL               1  0  9.00
1955 Oakland, PCL              12 13  4.09
1956 San Diego, PCL             2  4  5.46
1957 Williston, Mandak          1  3  7.82
1958 
1959 Asheville, South Atl.      1  1

Dave Gambee  A pitcher with Granum White Sox in 1957, he went on to a major league career in basketball. Gambee, from Oregon State, was an All-American in basketball in 1958 (Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertson were three others chosen that year as All-Americans). The St. Louis Hawks made him their first round pick in the 1958 NBA draft. Right: Gambee (far right), Chamberlain and teammates celebrate their Eastern Division title win over the Celtics in 1967. 
  

Pat Gillick   As a 17-year-old, Gillick suited up with the Vulcan Elks of the Foothills-Wheatbelt League in 1956.  There wasn't much success during league play but, when in the Granum lineup for some tournaments, Gillick was superb -- a no-hitter in one tourney, a 17 strikeout performance to win another. He'd be back in Southern Alberta with Granum in 1957 and with Edmonton of the Western Canada League in 1958.  Gillick was one of (at least) fourteen members of USC's 1958 championship team to play in Canada. While his pro career included an 11-2, 1.91 season, he turned in his cleats for cowboy boots in his 5th pro season to begin a career in the front office.  His first stop, in 1963,  was in Houston as Assistant Farm Director.  (Gillick did continue to pitch a little in semi-pro ball including a stint with the Wichita Dreamliners who went undefeated to win the National Baseball Congress championship in 1965.) After 10 years in the organization, moving up to Director of Scouting, Gillick tried out the Yankee pinstripes as Coordinator of Player Development and Scouting.  In 1976, he joined the Blue Jays as Vice President of Player Personnel and quickly won promotions to Vice President of Baseball Operations and then, Executive Vice President.  The Toronto years included five AL East titles and back-to-back World Series championships.  In 1995, it was off to Baltimore as General Manager and more recently to Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations for the Seattle Mariners.  Gillick (born August 22, 1937 in Chico CA) graduated from USC in 1958 at age 20!  

                                 W-L   ERA   G  IP  H   R ER  BB  SO
 1956  Vulcan, FWL               N/A
 1957  Granum, FWL               N/A
 1958  Edmonton, WCBL            0-3  10.41  8  32  47 38 37  29  27
 1959  Stockton, California      9-5   3.78 38 162 152 82 68 127 127
 1960  Fox Cities, I.I.I.       11-2   1.91 19 132 114 35 28  67 135
       Vancouver, PCL            1-6   4.28  7  40  43 28 19  27  29
 1961  Little Rock, SA          10-7   4.38 33 152 139 83 74 102 113
 1962  Elmira, Eastern           7-5   3.13 20 112  92 42 39  62  90  
       Rochester - Columbus, IL  2-4   6.50 11  36  47 27 26  30  26
 1963  Elmira, Eastern           5-3   2.25 33  88  74 33 22  53  76
       Rochester, IL             0-0   1.29  3   7   6  4  1   6   1
 1964
 1965  Wichita Dreamliners, IND 
  

Preston Gomez
Bismarck 1955

A light-hitting infielder, the Cuban-born Gomez played just eight games in the majors, but later put in seven seasons as manager of  the Padres, Astros and Cubs. He had begun his pro career as a 21-year-old in Triple-A (listed as Paddro Gomez).

  
                                BA  HR RBI
1944 Minneapolis, AA           .000  O  O
1944 Washington, AL            .286  O  2
1945 Buffalo, IL               .269  3 23
1946 Vicksburg, Southeastern   .105  O  3
1947 New London, Colonial      .286  9 55
1947 Vicksburg, Southeastern   .292  1 11
1948 Florence, Tri-St.         .182  1 15
1949 Saginaw, Central          .212  3 42
1950 (Inactive)
1951 Three Rivers, Provincial  .268  9 58
1952 Toledo-Charleston,  AA    .192  O  5
1952 Havana, Florida Int.      .182  O  4
1953 
1954 Yakima, West. Int.        .185  1  2
1955 Bismarck, Mandak          .231  5 30

Glen Edward Gorbous

Calgary 1948,1950,1956

Just 17 when he began organized ball with Calgary in 1948, he was signed the following year by Brooklyn. In his 5th season in the Dodger system (a .336, 103 RBI summer), the outfielder was claimed by the Reds in the 1953 Rule 5 draft. He played 117 games in the majors over three seasons.  His cannon-like arm drew rave reviews.  In a pre-game show in the minors in 1957, Gorbous fired the ball 445 feet 10 inches and won a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. He died in 1990 at the age of 59. 

                               BA   HR RBI
1947 Drumheller, Rosedale Jrs.
1948 Lethbridge 99's, Big Four
1948 Calgary, Big Four        .319
1949 Medford, Far West        .346   1  77
1950 Bisbee-Douglas, ARZ-TEX  .314   2  17
1950 Calgary, Big Four        .374  10
1951 Pueblo, Western          .308   3  59
1952 Elmira, Eastern          .255   0   2
     Pueblo, Western          .235   7  41
1953 Pueblo, Western          .336  11 103
1954 Ft. Worth, Texas         .283  16  71
1955 Cincinnati - PHI, NL     .244   4  27
1956 Miami, IL                .262   3  29
     Philadelphia, NL         .182   0   1
1956 Calgary, So. Alberta
1957 Omaha, AA                .243   3  20
     Philadelphia, NL         .500   0   1
1958 Spokane, PCL             .291  11  59
  

Jimmy Grant
Minot 1951

It was quite an accomplishment that Grant played at all, let alone at the major league level. A serious knee injury in high school limited his debut season to two games and kept him out of baseball for most of the next two seasons. After an operation in 1939, he was an All-Star in his first full campaign.  He made the majors at 23 and suited up for for 143 games at third base. Injuries, however, would dog him throughout his career including his time in Minot in 1951.  Grant died in 1970 at age 51.

   
                                  BA HR RBI
1937 Wausau, Northern 
1938
1939 Grand Forks, Northern 
1940 Grand Forks, Northern       .275 10 62
1940 Selma, Southeastern 
1941 Grand Forks, Northern       .331 13 77
1942 St. Paul, AA                .313  6 70
1942 Chicago, AL                 .167  0  1
1943 Chicago/Cleveland, AL       .247  4 23
1944 Cleveland, AL               .273  1 12
1945 Sacramento, PCL             .310  1 22
1946 Milwaukee, AA               .000  0  0
1946 Sacramento, PCL             .221  0  4
1946 Meridian, Southeastern      .296  7 35
1947 Richmond, Piedmont          .357  1  8
1947 Gadsden, Southeastern       .303 11 27
1948 Richmond, Piedmont          .242  4 26
1948 Petersburg, Virginia        .332 13 56
1949 Raleigh, Carolina           .220  3 13
1949 Roanoke Rapids, Coastal PL  .258  0 11
1950
1951 Minot, Mandak

Elijah Pumpsie Green  

Played two seasons in Western Canada, in 1951 (as a 17-year-old) with the California / Medicine Hat Mohawks, and in 1952 with the Indian Head Rockets. In 1959, Green became the first black player to suit up with the Boston Red Sox, the last major league club to break the colour barrier.   He was one of three Western Canada players to be the first to integrate major league teams.

                               BA   HR RBI
1951 Medicine Hat, WCBL       
1952 Indian Head, WCBL
1953 Wenatchee, West. Int.    .245   2  28
1954 Wenatchee, West. Int.    .297   6  57
1955 Stockton, California     .319  12  83
1956 Albany, Eastern          .274   3  44
1957 San Francisco, PCL       .333   0   4
     Oklahoma City, Texas     .258   3  38
1958 Minneapolis, AA          .253   6  43
1959 Minneapolis, AA          .320   7  31
     Boston, AL               .233   1  10
1960 Boston, AL               .242   3  21
1961 Boston, AL               .260   6  27
1962 Boston, AL               .231   2  11
1963 Buffalo, IL              .308  17  67
     New York, NL             .278   1   5
1964 Buffalo, IL              .281   8  61
1965 Buffalo - Syracuse, IL   .247   3  14

Leroy Gregory
Calgary/Regina 1957
Moose Jaw  &  Lethbridge 1958
Drummondville 1969 & 1970

Gregory was just 18 when he made his pitching debut in Western Canada in 1957. Two years later he was the MVP of the 1959 Fresno State Bulldogs going 12-0, plus a shutout in the College World Series.  Signed by the Cardinals in 1959, Gregory moved to the Cubs prior to the 1964 season.  He retired from pro ball at age 27 and began a teaching career in Fresno taking the summers to play first base for the Humboldt (California)Crabs and in Quebec's Provincial League.  He won the batting title in the Provincial League in 1969.

                           W  L  ERA   BA HR BI
1957 Regina/Calgary, WCBL  0  3  6.38 .125
1958 Moose Jaw, WCBL       4  4  5.51 .364 0  5
     Lethbridge, SABL     
1959 Omaha, AA             0  1  ---­
     Winston-Salem, CAR    4  3  3.18
1960 Memphis, SA          10 19  4.14
1961 Charleston, IL       13 10  3.69
1962 Atlanta, IL           9  7  4.35
1963 Atlanta, IL           8 13  3.41
1964 Chicago, NL           0  0  3.50
     Salt Lake City, PCL   2  1  2.49
1965 Salt Lake City, PCL   1  9  5.61
1966 Humboldt Crabs
1967 Humboldt Crabs
1968
1969 Drummondville, Prov              .364 1 
1970 Drummondville, Prov              .302 7
  

Tom Haller 
Moose Jaw 1957

Signed by the Giants after his '57 summer with Moose Jaw, Haller gave up a quarterback slot at the University of Illinois for a career on the diamond.  He was an three-time All-Star and hit 134 homers over 12 big league seasons.  In his final year he caught a game in which his brother, Bill, was the the home plate umpire.  After a couple of years as a coach for the Giants, he served as the club's VP of baseball operations from 1981 to 1986.  He died in 2004 at the age of 67.

                            BA   HR RBI
1957 Moose Jaw, WCBL       .300  15  63
1958 Phoenix, PCL          .228  16  54
1959 Springfield, Eastern  .276   5  50
1960 Tacoma, PCL           .251  13  42
1961 San Francisco, NL     .145   2   8
     Tacoma, PCL           .205   4  20
1962 San Francisco, NL     .261  18  55
1963 San Francisco, NL     .255  14  44
1964 San Francisco, NL     .253  16  48
1965 San Francisco, NL     .251  16  49
1966 San Francisco, NL     .240  27  67
1967 San Francisco, NL     .251  14  49
1968 Los Angeles, NL       .285   4  53
1969 Los Angeles, NL       .263   6  39
1970 Los Angeles, NL       .286  10  47
1971 Los Angeles, NL       .267   5  32
1972 Detroit, AL           .207   2  13
  

  
Billy Harris 
1950 Moncton Legionnaires

Harris was a junior star in New Brunswick before helping Moncton to the senior provincial title in 1950.  Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, out of high school, Harris had an eye-opening pro debut going 18-9, 2.15 in his first season.  The 5'8", 185 pound right-hander was even better the following season, 1952, winning 25 games, including 12 shutouts, 29 complete games in 32 starts and a 0.83 ERA with Miami of the Florida International League.  He threw a no-hitter in Double-A in 1953 and made his way to the majors for one game in 1957. Harris pitched for parts of nine seasons in Triple-A. 
  

Philip Haugstad
Williston 1955

Pitched in 37 games over parts of four seasons in the major leagues with Brooklyn and Cincinnati.  Tied for the most wins in the Triple-A,  American Association in 1949.  Ended his career with a brief stint with Williston in 1955.  Died in 1998 at age 74.
 

 
                              W  L  ERA
1946 Grand Forks, Northern  15 13  3.34
1947 St. Paul,  AA          16  6  3.80
1947 Brooklyn, NL            1  0  2.84
1948 St. Paul, AA           12  8  4.25
1948 Brooklyn, NL            0  0  0.00
1949 St. Paul, AA           22  7  2.85
1950 St. Paul, AA           16 11  3.89
1951 Brooklyn, NL            0  1  6.46
1952 Toronto, IL             0  6  8.12
1952 Cincinnati, NL          0  0  6.75
1953 Toronto, IL             0  0 10.50
1953 San Antonio, TEX        7 12  3.88   
1954 Charleston, AA          6 11  6.07     
1955 Charleston, AA          0  1  n/a
1955 Williston, Mandak       0  1  6.92
 

Bill Heath
Williston 1958, Edmonton 1959

One of a host of USC products to play in Western Canada.  Heath turned pro in 1960, at age 21, after being named a  second team college All-American.  The 5'8" catcher appeared in 112 games over four seasons in the majors.

                               BA   HR RBI
1958 Williston, WCBL          .370   3  33
1959 Edmonton, WCBL           .321   0  29
1960 Bakersfield, California  .356   1   6
1961 Williamsport, Eastern    .338   1  15
     Des Moines, I.I.I.       .316   3  42
1962 Bakersfield, California  .276   2  33
     Williamsport, Eastern    .247   1   8
1963 Arkansas, IL             .125   0   0
     Chattanooga, South Atl.  .331   1  38
1964 Arkansas, PCL            .298   2  24
     Chattanooga, Southern    .286   2  21
1965 Chicago, AL              .000   0   0
     Indianapolis, PCL        .283   3  36
1966 Houston, NL              .301   0   8
     Amarillo, Texas          .387   1   5
1967 Detroit, AL              .125   0   4
     Toledo, IL               .234   0  10
     Houston, NL              .091   0   0
1968 Syracuse, IL             .187   1  17
     Spokane, PCL             .273   1  14
1969 Chicago, NL              .156   0   1
     Tacoma, PCL              .300   0   6
1970 Tacoma, PCL              .172   2  10
  

Ken Heintzelman
Bismarck 1955

Tossed a complete-game 6-hitter, as a 21-year-old rookie,  in his major league debut in 1937.  He complied 77 wins over 13 seasons, interrupted by three years service in the military.  In 1949, his 17 wins ranked 4th in the National League.  At 39, Heintzelman picked up 5 wins in the Mandak League in his final season. 

   
                               W  L   ERA
1935 McKeesport, Penn. St.    10 11  3.00
1936 Jeannette, Penn. St.     20  8  3.07
1937 Montreal, IL              0  0  7.71
1937 Pittsburgh, NL            1  0  2.00
1937 Knoxville, SA             4 16  3.95
1938 Montreal, IL              4  5  5.48
1938 Pittsburgh, NL            0  0  9.00
1939 Pittsburgh, NL            1  1  5.05
1940 Pittsburgh, NL            8  8  4.47
1941 Pittsburgh, NL           11 11  3.44
1942 Pittsburgh, NL            8 11  4.57
1943 (Military Service)
1944 (Military Service) 
1945 (Military Service) 
1946 Pittsburgh, NL            8 12  3.77
1947 Pittsburgh/Phi, NL        7 10  4.50
1948 Philadelphia, NL          6 11  4.29
1949 Philadelphia, NL         17 10  3.02
1950 Philadelphia, NL          3  9  4.09
1951 Philadelphia, NL          6 12  4.18
1952 Philadelphia, NL          1  3  3.16
1953 Baltimore, IL             5  4  3.32
1954 Richmond, IL              7  7  3.90
1955 Richmond, IL              1  4
1955 Bismarck, Mandak          5  2  4.50

Bob Henrich, 
Edmonton 1956

Among the youngest players in the majors in 1957 when he made his debut, right out of high school, at age 18.  As a "bonus baby", the Reds were forced to keep Henrich on the major league roster all season.  He played in just 48 games over three seasons and was out of pro baseball by age 21. 
    

                               BA   HR  RBI
1956 Edmonton, WCBL           .176   0    7
1957 Cincinnati, NL           .200   0    1
1958 Cincinnati, NL           .000   0    0
     Savannah, South Atl.     .239   8   50
1959 Cincinnati, NL           .000   0    0
     Seattle, PCL             .203   0    2
     Savannah, South Atl.     .264   4   26
1960 Nashville, SA            .250   7   54

  
Jim Hibbs
Lethbridge 1963
 

Bobby Hogue
Williston 1955

The 5'10" right-hander had two solid seasons as a reliever with the Boston Braves in his first two major league seasons -- 8-2, 3.23 in 40 games in 1948 and 2-2, 3.13 in 33 games the following year.  Overall, he finished at 18-16, 3.97 in 172 games over five years.  He tossed 2 2/3s shutout innings for the Yankees in the 1951 World Series. At 34, Hogue wrapped up his career as playing - manager for Williston in 1955.  He died in 1987 at age 66.

   
                                    W  L  ERA
1940 Miami/H'wood, FLO East Coast   8 11  4.15
1941 Winston-Salem, Piedmont        9  8  2.38
1942 Winston-Salem, Piedmont       17 13  2.21
1943 (Military Service) 
1944 {Military Service)
1945 (Military Service) 
1946 Dallas, Texas                  9  7  2.43
1947 Dallas, Texas                 16  8  2.31
1948 Boston, NL                     8  2  3.23
1949 Boston, NL                     2  2  3.12
1950 Boston, NL                     3  5  5.03
1951 Kansas City, AA                4  0  4.50
1951 St. Louis/New York, AL         2  1  4.14
1951 Boston, NL                     0  0  5.40
1952 New York/St. Louis, AL         3  6  4.66
1953 Toronto, IL                    8 11  3.60
1954 Toronto, IL                    0  0
1955 Minneapolis, AA                1  0  4.64
1955 Williston, Mandak              2  0  1.80

       
Gail Hopkins
Edmonton, 1964

Otto Huber
Minot 1951

Had an 11-game cup o' coffee with the Boston Bees in 1939.  Playing manager with Minot in 1951. Resigned mid-way through the season over a salary dispute. Died in 1989 at age 75.

   
                               BA HR RBI
1935 Johnstown, Mid-Atl.         No Rec
1936 Greensburg, Penn. St.     .293 5 47
1937 Zanesvjlle, Mid-Atl.      .303 5 47
1938 Evansville, III           .311 3 66
1939 Hartford, Eastern         .275 0 34
1939 Boston, NL                .273 0  3
1940 Hartford, Eastern         .242 2 32
1941 Hartford, Eastern         .245 3 26
1942 Indianapolis, AA          .000 0  0
1942 Evansville, III           .290 2
1943
1944
1945
1946 Evansville, III           .224 1 43
1947 Mt. Vernon, Illinois St.  .193 0  2
1948 Granby, Provincial        .290 6 19 (1-0)
1949 Granby, Provincial        .237 2 49    
1950
1951 Minot, Mandak             .254 0 10

 
Al Jackson

Pitched in tournament play in Indian Head in 1954 as a member of the Texas Jasper Steers.  Turned pro at 19, pitching for his hometown team in the Big State League.  A workhorse, he logged more than 200 innings in five straight seasons. 

 

 Clifford
 "Connie"
 Johnson

Pitched in the Quebec Provincial League in 1951 and in tournament ball in Western Canada (with the Philadelphia Stars) in 1961.

Made his pro debut in the Negro Leagues at age 17 in 1940. After seven seasons with the Kansas City Monarchs (a tenure interrupted by three years in the military) Johnson pitched in Quebec before signing with the White Sox.  He spent parts of five seasons in the major leagues with Chicago and Baltimore.  Johnson had his best campaign in 1957 winning 14 games with a 3.20 ERA.

Johnson died on November 25, 2004 in Kansas City.  He was 81.
 

   
                                W  L   ERA 
1940 Indianapolis Crawfords         
1941 Kansas City, NAL           2  2
1942 Kansas City, NAL           3  0
1943 (Military Service)
1944 (Military Service)
1945 (Military Service)
1946 Kansas City, NAL           9  3  
1947 Kansas City, NAL           1  1
1948 Kansas City, NAL           2  2
1949 Kansas City, NAL          
1950 Kansas City, NAL          11  2  2.17
1951 St. Hyacinthe, PROV       15 14  3.24
1952 Col Springs, WEST         18  9  3.38
1953 Charleston, AA             6  6  3.62
1953 Chicago, AL                4  4  3.56
1954 Toronto, IL               17  8  3.72
54-5 Marianao, CWL             12 11  3.30
1955 Toronto, IL               12  2  3.05
1955 Chicago, AL                7  4  3.45
1956 Chicago, AL                0  1  3.65
1956 Baltimore, AL              9 10  3.43
1957 Baltimore, AL             14 11  3.20
1958 Baltimore, AL              6  9  3.88
1959 Vancouver, PCL             8  4  3.16
1960 Vancouver, PCL             0  1 27.00
1961 Puebla, MEX                1  0 

John Kennedy, Winnipeg 1950-51, 
Minot 1952

After three seasons in the Mandak League, Kennedy went on to become the first black to suit up with the Phillies.  Kennedy, who said he was 23 when signed by the Phils, was really 30 and his major league career lasted just five games.  Later he played for three years in the Negro Leagues. He died in 1998 at age 71.

                               BA   HR  RBI
     Jacksonville Eagles, NSL
1949 Richmond Giants
1950 Winnipeg, Mandak         .256   0   22
1951 Winnipeg, Mandak         .324   2   15
1951 Albany, Eastern          .172   0    2
1952 Minot, Mandak            .286   1   26
1953 St. Cloud, Northern      .262   3   42
1954 Birmingham, NAL          .273   4   35
1955 Birmingham, NAL
1956 Kansas City, NAL
1957 High Point, Carolina     .270  19   81
1957 Philadelphia, NL         .000   0    0
1958 Tulsa, Texas             .225   6   35
1959 Des Moines, III          .228   3   41
1960 Asheville, SA            .246   8   44
1961 Jacksonville, AA         .252   0    0
  

   
Joe Keough
Calgary, 1964

Rocky Krsnich
Dickinson 1956

The third baseman began his pro career at 17 and graduated to the majors four years later. Krsnich got into 120 games over 3 seasons with the White Sox.  Suited up with Dickinson in the Mandak League in 1956. Continued to play semi-pro ball into the 60s.  Krsnich was the MVP of the National Baseball Congress tournament in 1962 as a member of the winning Wichita Dreamliners.

   
                              BA  HR RBI
1945 Wilmington, Inter-St.   .266  2  38
1946 Quincy, III             .241  O  15
1946 Joplin, West. Assoc.    .204  1  19
1947 Quincy, III             .318  3  55
1948 Norfolk, Piedmont       .272 15  80
1949 Ch1cago, AL             .218  1   9
1949 Memphis, SA             .318 20  91
1950 Memphis, SA             .272 12  82
'951 Seattle, PCL            .251  4  53
1952 Chicago, AL             .231  1  15
1952 Seattle, PCL            .295  1  58
1953 Chicago, AL             .202  1  14
1954 Portland, PCL           .252  9  77
1955 Seattle, PCL            .231  1  10
1955 Tulsa, Texas            .263  8  70
1956 Tulsa/Okla City, Texas  .268  3  30
1956 Dickinson, Mandak       .241  2   6

1962 Wichita Dreamliners

Marcel Lachemann, Calgary 1959

The hard-throwing right-hander was just 17 when he lined up with Calgary in 1959.  After pitching for USC (1960-62), Lachemann was signed by the Royals.  In 70 major league games over three seasons, he was 7-4, 3.44. Lachemann managed California for three seasons 1994 to 1996, and later continued as a coach with the Angles.  His brother, Rene, also both played and managed in the majors.
 

                                W  L    ERA
1959 Calgary, SABL              N/A
1960 N/A
1961 N/A
1962 N/A
1963 Daytona Beach, Florida St. 4  8   4.15
1964 Lewiston, Northwest        3  4   2.81
1965 Birmingham, Southern       4 11   3.32
1966 Vancouver, PCL             1  3   4.18
1967 Birmingham, Southern       2  2   4.57
1968 Vancouver, PCL             1  0   2.73
     Birmingham, Southern       2  2   5.21
1969 Iowa, AA                   5  2   2.47
     Oakland, AL                4  1   3.95
1970 Iowa, AA                   3  2   2.45
     Oakland, AL                3  3   2.79
1971 Iowa, AA                   5  2   3.04
     Oakland, AL                0  0  54.00
1972 Iowa, AA                   6  7   4.88
1973 Quebec City, Eastern       2  3   4.28
1974 West Palm Beach, Flo St.   0  2   7.71
  

Rene Lachemann, Edmonton 1963

Marcel's younger brother, Rene, was also signed by Kansas City after a stint in Western Canada.  He played just one season in the minors before winning a spot with the Royals at age 20.  The young catcher got into 118 major league games over three seasons.  He quit playing at 27 to begin working on a managing career.  He managed for nine seasons, piloting Seattle, Milwaukee, Florida and the Cubs. 

 
                               BA   HR RBI
1963 Edmonton, WCBL            N/A
1964 Burlington, Midwest      .281  24  82
     Birmingham, Southern     .667   0   1
1965 Kansas City, AL          .227   9  29
1966 Kansas City, AL          .200   0   0
     Mobile, Southern         .256  15  65
1967 Vancouver, PCL           .222   6  53
1968 Oakland, AL              .150   0   4
     Rochester, IL            .000   0   0
     Vancouver, PCL           .249   4  14
1969 Iowa AA                 .255  20  66
1970 Iowa, AA                 .257   5  20
1971 Iowa, AA                 .242  17  48
1972 Iowa, AA                 .216  11  37
  

  
Ray Lamb
Medicine Hat 1963

Garland Butch Lawing
Dickinson 1955-56,
Brandon 1957

Had a cup o' coffee in the majors in 1946 after returning from military service. Lawing was drafted into the Army after a great start with Birmingham in 1943. The outfielder had three outstanding minor league seasons 1948-1950, including a triple crown season with the Quebec Braves of the Canadian-American League in 1950. He had won the batting and RBI titles in the Border League in 1948.  Lawing ended his career, at 38, in the Mandak League.

   
                                   BA  HR RBI
1939 Mooresviile, N.Carolina St.  .343  9  56
1940 Durham, Piedmont             .279 10  63
1941 Columbia, South Atl          .299  6  67
1942 Columbia, South Atl.         .262  8  82
1943 Birmingham, SA               .373  1  18
1944
1945
1946 Cincinnati/New York NL       .133  0   0
1947 Jersey City, IL              .000  0   0 
1947 Chattanooga/Atlanta, SA      .271  3  31
1948 Ogdensburg, Border           .379 22 122
1949 Quebec, CanAm                .342 16 125
1950 Quebec, CanAm                .346 19 141 *
1951 West Palm Beach, Flo Int     .292 14  65
1952 West Palm Beach, Flo Int     .277  5  58
1954 Reidsville, Carolina         .000  0   0
1954 Wichita, Western             .077  1   2
1955 Dickinson, Mandak
1956 Dickinson, Mandak            .307 19  73
1957 Brandon, Mandak              .288  6  39

* Won the triple crown, 

Don Lee
Williston 1955

The big (6'4", 210) right-hander signed with the Tigers after a sensational college season at the U of Arizona in which he went 15-0 and captured All-American honours. That followed a solid campaign in the Mandak League in 1955 and an MVP performance at the 1954 National Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita. At 23 he was in the majors.  Over 9 seasons he won 40 games with a combined ERA of 3.61. Don followed his father, Thornton, to the majors.  The senior Lee was one of the top lefties in the majors in the late 30's and early 40s.  Boston legend Ted Williams hit homers off both, the only time in major league history a father-son combo had given up homers to the same hitter.
 

                          W  L   IP   ERA
1954 Casa Grande
1955 Williston, ManDak    5  2  74.0  3.65
1956 August, So Atl       7  3        2.51
1957 Charleston, AA       0  2        5.06
1957 Detroit, AL          1  3  38.2  4.66
1957 Birmingham, SA       0  1        7.00
1958 Charleston, AA      14  7        2.95
1958 Detroit, AL          0  0   2.0  9.00
1959 Charleston, AA      14  9        3.57
1960 Washington, AL       8  7 165.0  3.44
1961 Minnesota, AL        3  6 115.0  3.52
1962 Los Angeles, AL      8  8 153.1  3.11
1962 Minnesota, AL        3  3  52.0  4.50
1963 Los Angeles, AL      8 11 154.0  3.68
1964 Los Angeles, AL      5  4  89.1  2.72
1965 Houston, NL          0  0   8.0  3.38
1965 California, AL       0  1  14.0  6.43
1965 Oklahoma City, PCL   6  1        2.48
1966 Chicago, NL          2  1  19.0  7.11
1966 Houston, NL          2  0  18.0  2.50
1966 Oklahoma City, PCL   0  0        0.00
1967 Tacoma/Phoenix, PCL  1  1        5.73
  

Wilfred Lefty Lefebvre
Minot 1950

Pitched in 36 games over four seasons in the majors with Boston and Washington and another 39 games as a first-baseman and pinch-hitter. The left-hander made his debut in 1938 at age 22 right after his graduation from Holy Cross and belted a homer in his first major league at bat ! Had his best pro season in 1943 when he finished second in ERA in the Triple-A American Association.  He wrapped up pro ball in 1950 in Minot at age 34 and began a coaching career at Brown University where he would head up the baseball program for two decades.  Lefebvre died in January, 2007 at the age of 91.

  
                              W  L  ERA
1938 Boston, AL               0  0 13.50
1938 Minneapolis, AA          8  8  4.25
1939 Louisville, AA           6 10  5.51       
1939 Boston, AL               1  1  5.81  
1940 Scranton, Eastern
1940 San Francisco, PCL       1  4
1940 Little Rock, SA          6 13  3.62
1941 Louisville, AA          12  7  3.51     
1942 Minneapolis, AA          9 11  4.11
1943 Minneapolis, AA         12  8  2.22
1943 Washington, AL           2  0  4.45  
1944 Washington, AL           2  4  4.52  
1945 
1946 Minneapolis, AA         11 12  6.41
1947 Providence/Pawtucket
     New England              3  3  7.47
1948
1949
1950 Minot, Mandak           .241  1   7

Dan Lewandowski
Dickinson 1955

His cup o' coffee lasted just one inning (over two games) for the 1951 Cardinals.  The 23-year-old right-hander had won a September major league trial after leading the Class B Interstate League with a league-record 24 wins.  He died in 1996 at 68.

   
                                 W  L ERA
1948 Hamilton, PONY             12  5 4.32
1949 Hamilton, PONY             18  6 3.04
1950 St. Joseph, West. Assoc.   12 13 4.07
1951 Allentown,  Inter-St.      24  6 2.02
1951 St. Louis, NL               0  1 9.00
1952 Columbus, AA                2  6 5.94
1952 Rochester, IL               0  2 6.75
1953 Augusta, South Atl.         8  9 3-84
1954 Augusta/Macon, South Atl.   7  9 3.73
1955 Macon/Charlotte, South Atl. 0  1
1955 Dickinson, Mandak

Bob Lillis, Edmonton 1950

Among the first of the USC products to suit up in Western Canada, Lillis joined Edmonton as a 19-year-old to play shortstop for the Eskimos in 1950.  He was signed by the Dodgers later that year. Although he spent five years in the minors and was out of baseball for two years on military service, he went on to play 10 seasons in the majors. He retired at age 37 after six seasons with Houston.

                               BA   HR RBI
1950 Edmonton, Big Four        N/A
1951 Newport News, Piedmont   .206   0  12
     Pueblo, Western          .241   0  13
1952 Elmira, Eastern          .203   0  18
1953 Newport, News Piedmont   .291   3  60
1954 (Military Service)
1955 (Military Service)
1956 St. Paul, AA             .266  18  65
1957 St. Paul, AA             .259   2  49
1958 St. Paul, AA             .272   3  17
     Los Angeles, NL          .391   1   5
1959 Los Angeles, NL          .229   0   2
     Spokane, PCL             .286   3  27
1960 Los Angeles, NL          .267   0   6
1961 LA - St. Louis, NL       .213   0  22
1962 Houston, NL              .249   1  30
1963 Houston, NL              .198   1  19
1964 Houston, NL              .268   0  17
1965 Houston, NL              .221   0  20
1966 Houston, NL              .232   0  11
1967 Houston, NL              .244   0   5
  

Lou Lombardo
Minot 1953

The lefty hurler was the third youngest player in the league when he made his debut in 1948. At 19, Lombardo lasted just two games in the majors, a total of 5 1/3 innings for the Giants.  He had begun his pro career at 15, tossing a 4-hit shutout in his debut with Bristol in 1944.  He was just 23 when he joined Minot for the 1953 season, and 24 when he quit pro ball in 1954.  He died at age 72 in 2001.

  
                               W  L  ERA
1944 Bristol, Appalachian      4  1
1945 Danville, Carolina        4  7  4.92
1946 Danville, Carorina        2  1
1946 Trenton, Inter-St.        0  5  5.47
1947 Manchester, New England  13  5  3.02
1948 New York, NL              0  0  6.75
1948 Jacksonville, South Atl.  8 12  3.60
1949 Minneapolis/Toledo AA     2  0  9.56
1949 Little Rock, SA           5  5  3.79
1950 Little Rock, SA           8 14  5.54
1951 Little Rock, SA           0  0
1952 Montgomery, South Atl.   11  3  3.02
1953 Rochester, So. Minny
1953 Montgomery, South Atl.    2  4 (.267 O 3)
1953 Minot, Mandak             0  3
1954 Tyler, Big State          1  2
1954 Montgomery, South Atl.    3  6

Larry Loughlin
Calgary 1963

Joe Lutz
Williston 1954
Minot 1956

The first baseman was 26 when he advanced to the majors for a cup o' coffee (14 games) with the St. Louis Browns in 1951. Three years later he was playing in the Mandak League.  He made quite an impression in his short stay with Williston in 1954 batting .292 with 8 home runs in just 65 at bats. Lutz managed at Hot Springs in 1955. After leaving as manager of Pocatello early in 1956, he was to have managed Minot, but illness put him on the sidelines.

He had made his baseball debut at age 16 in 1941.  He went on to coach with the Cleveland Indians and briefly manage in Japan.
 

  
                                  BA  HR RBI
1946 Gloversville/J'town, CanAm  .238  3  30
1946 Springfield, III            .273  2  22
1947 Hannibal, Central Assoc.    .327 18  76
1948 Elmira, Eastern             .237  3  37
1949 Elmira, Eastern             .300 17  82
1950 San Antonio, Texas          .283 17  97
1951 St. Louis, AL               .167  0   2
1951 San Antonio, Texas          .200  4  20
1952 Montreal, IL                .283 14  73
1953 St. Paul, AA                .238  9  28
1954 Richmond, IL                .263 10  40
1954 Williston, Mandak           .292  8  20
1955 Hot Springs, Cotton St.     .333 13  28
1956 Pocatello, Pioneer          .333  3   6
1956 Minot, Mandak

Al Lyons
Williston 1956
Brandon 1957

The 6'2" pitcher / outfielder spent parts of four seasons in the majors, mainly with the New York Yankees.  His most productive seasons were in the Pacific Coast League in the early 50s when he belted 20 or more homers four times in five seasons. He was 38 when he joined Williston in '56.   With Brandon in '57, Lyons was one of the leading hitters and top pitchers in the Mandak League. He died just 9 years later at age 47.

Photo courtesy TheDeadballEra.com
 

  
                           BA  HR RBI W  L ERA
1940 Joplin, West Assoc.  .299 13 97
1941 Joplin, West Assoc.  .304 10 83  5  1 1.22
1942 Binghamton, Eastern  .249  8 73
1943 Kansas City, AA      .236  6 48  4  6 3.49
1944 New York, AL         .346  0  3  0  0 4.54
1945 (Military Service)    
1946 Kansas City, AA      .235  3  9  7 12 3.67
1946 New York, AL         .000  0  0  0  1 5.40
1947 New York, AL         .667  0  3  1  0 9.00
1947 Pittsburgh, NL       .200  1  1  1  2 7.39
1948 Milwaukee, AA        .194  1  2  3  2 4.50
1948 Boston, NL           .167  0  0  1  0 7.82
1949 Seattle, PCL         .273 23 67
1950 Seattle, PCL         .274 22 83
1951 Seattle, PCL         .286 20 94  8  4 2.78
1952 Seattle, PCL         .245 11 50
1953 San Francisco, PCL   .269 22 77
1954 SanFran/SDiego, PCL  .265 10 42  8  2 2.30
1955 SD/Hollywood, PCL               10  5 5.81
1956 Modesto, California  .316  9 46  2  0
1956 Williston, Mandak    .289  0  5  4  1 2.46
1957 Brandon, Mandak      .332 12 46  9  4 3.08

Joe Mack
(Joseph John Maciarz)
Minot 1950, 1951

At age 33 and with a dozen minor league seasons behind him, Mack got into 66 major league games with the 1945 Boston Braves.  The first baseman hit .231 with 44 RBI.  Eight years earlier, Mack had won the batting title, with a .337 mark, and finished second in the MVP voting in the Western League.  He was on the Reds Spring Training roster in 1939. After a stellar, 102 RBI season with Columbus in 1944 he was sold to Boston and won major league time the following season. Mack was 38 by the time he suited up with Minot in the Mandak League in 1950.  He died in 1998 at age 86.

  
                              BA  HR RBI
1935 Monessen, Penn. St.     .321 12  74
1936 El Dorado, Cotton St.   .311  1  17
1936 Macon, South Atl.       .279  2  45
1937 Peoria, III              No Rec
1937 Waterloo, Western       .337  7  85
1938 Syracuse, IL            .285  3  73
1939 Columbus, AA            .279  6  56
1939 Newark, IL              .293  9  44
1940 Indianapolis, AA        .221  3  17
1940 Birmingham, SA          .255  6  22
1941 Indianapolis, AA        .195  0  12
1941 Newark, IL              .263 10  43
1942 Toronto/Rochester, IL   .231  4  36
1942 Houston, Texas          .299  1  10
1943 Columbus, AA            .333  1  21
1943 Rochester, IL           .263  9  51
1944 Columbus, AA            .287  7 102
1945 Indianapolis, AA        .333  5  46
1945 Boston, NL              .231  3  44
1946 Milwaukee, AA           .285  4  63
1946 Chattanooga, SA         .258  2  24
1947 Milwaukee, AA           .231  2  12
1947 Little Rock, SA         .250  1  45
1948 St. Joseph Auscos*
1949 Benton Harbour*
1950 Fort Wayne*
1950 Minot, Mandak             
1951 Minot, Mandak           .242  2  20
* Michigan-Indiana semi-pro