Two Clubs Sharing Dubuque Ball Park (1962)
Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Filed Under BB Research Notes, Baseball, MWLguide
The Sporting News, August 18, 1962; page 42 (courtesy of Paper of Record):
Midwest Loop City Gets Keokuk Franchise Rest of Sked; Twin-Bills Booked if Packers, Dodgers Both Are Home
By Bill O'Neill
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, which according to the latest census has a population of 80,000, takes its place with New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico City as Organized Baseball's fifth two-team city.
This came about, August 7, when John Petrakis, former president of the Dubuque Packers, agreed to take over the Keokuk franchise for the remainder of the season, which closes on September 8. Keokuk, which had been in Organized Ball for 87 years, played its final Midwest League contest, August 6, losing to Cedar Rapids, 13 to 3.
Keokuk threw in the sponge because of poor attendance. President William Copeland said the parent Los Angeles Dodgers declined to lend financial aid and declared the team would be about $8,000 in the red if it continued to the end of the season. Keokuk was in fifth place when transfered.
The move here was arranged by President George Trautman of the National Association, with the full consent of the L.A. team.
Keokuk Club Rechristened as Midwest Dodgers
The club, to be known as the Midwest Dodgers, will play its games at Petrakis Park, home of the Packers. When each club is scheduled for a home appearance, the contests will be played as a double-header. There will be six of these twin-bills. The most serious conflict will come on August 29, when the Packers have a double-header scheduled. On that date, the Dodgers will start their contest at 4:30 o'clock.
After agreeing to take over the Dodgers, Petrakis resigned as a director of the Packers.
Assistant Farm Director William Schweppe of the parent Los Angeles club told Petrakis that the Dodgers would pay player salaries for the remainder of the season. Also the new owners will receive some $3,000 from the player development fund. The split of the gate receipts will have to be worked out.
Getting a new home for the Keokuk franchise means that the minors have gone through the last five years without losing a club.
Last changed 10/10/08 @ 7:04 pm
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