Miller Climbers

The Miller Climbers were a minor league baseball team based in Miller, South Dakota in 1920. Miller played as charter members of the 1920 Class D level South Dakota League.

Miller Climbers
Minor league affiliations
Class
League
Major league affiliations
Team
None
Team data
Name
  • Miller Climbers (1920)
  • Miller Jugglers (1920)
BallparkCrystal Park (1920)

History

In 1920, Miller, South Dakota first hosted minor league baseball when the "Miller Climbers" began play as charter members of the Class D level South Dakota League. In the eight–team league, the franchises joining Miller as charter members were the Aberdeen Boosters, Huron Packers, Madison Greys, Mitchell Kernels, Redfield Reds, Sioux Falls Soos and Wessington Springs Saints.[1][2][3][4]

The Miller team was also referred to as the "Jugglers" in 1920.[5]

The Miller Climbers finished in 8th place in the South Dakota League as the league folded during the season. Miller ended the 1920 season with a record of 30–64, playing under managers Showboat Fisher and Frank Gurney. The South Dakota league disbanded on July 17, 1920. Miller finished 29.0 games behind the Mitchell Kernels in the final standings and were 10.0 games behind the 7th place Aberdeen Boosters. After the South Dakota league disbanded on July 17, the league changed names to the Dakota League and resumed play during the season, but Miller did not field a franchise.[2][6][7][5][8]

The Miller franchise permanently folded after the 1920 season. Miller has not hosted another minor league team.[9]

The ballpark

The Miller team played home games at Crystal Park. The 20-acre park is still in use today as a public park. Crystal Park is located at West 7th Street & West 2nd Avenue, Miller, South Dakota.[10][11]

Year-by-year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
192030–648thRed Fisher/Frank GurneyLeague disbanded July 17

Notable alumni

References
  1. "South Dakota League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "South Dakota League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. Lee.zion@capjournal.com, Lee Zion. "Dakota Life: America's pastime goes way back, way back in South Dakota". Capital Journal.
  4. Lalire, Gregory (March 31, 2011). "Baseball in the West". HistoryNet.
  5. "1920 Miller Climbers/Jugglers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1920 South Dakota League (SDL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1920 Miller Climbers/Jugglers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "1920 South Dakota League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "Miller, South Dakota Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "Crystal Park in Miller, SD minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "Crystal Park | Miller, SD". cityofmiller.com.
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