The Missoula Timberjacks represented Missoula, Montana, in the Class C level Pioneer League from 1956 to 1960. Previously, Missoula played as members of the Montana State League (1892, 1905, 1925) and Union Association (1911–1913). Their best season was 1958 when they went 70–59 under manager Jack McKeon and had Jim Kaat on the roster.
The Missoula Timberjacks were an affiliate of the Washington Senators (1957–1959) and Cincinnati Reds (1960).
Baseball Hall of Fame members Clark Griffith and Jim Kaat played for Missoula.
History The Timberjacks were preceded by Missoula teams in the Montana State League (1892, 1905, 1925) and Union Association (1911–1913).
Missoula first began minor league play as charter members of the 1892 Montana State League. The 1892 Montana State League was six–team Class B league. The league played a split season. The Bozeman and Great Falls franchises disbanded on July 23, 1892, after the conclusion of the first half. The overall standings were Helena (29–21), Butte (26–22), Missoula (18–29) and Philipsburg (22–23). Bozeman had a record of 10–8 and the Great Falls Smelter Cities 6–10 when they folded. Butte won the first half championship and Missoula won the second half title. Butte won the overall championship. Helena allegedly forfeited over complaints regarding money and umpiring. Baseball Hall of Fame member Clark Griffith played for Missoula in 1892. It was reported Griffith pitched so well in one game that Missoula fans showered him with gold coins after the game. Griffith later bought property and built a home in Montana.The league did not return to play in 1893.
The Montana State League played a season in 1905. Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula composed the league. No league standings or records are available.
Missoula captured the Union Association championship in 1912.
In 1925, the Montana State League played a final season as a four–team Independent minor league. Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula played in the league, which has no official results.
The Timberjacks resumed play as members of the 1956 Class C Pioneer League.
Country singer Charley Pride played for the Timberjacks briefly in 1960.
Today, Missoula continues to host minor league baseball as home to the Missoula PaddleHeads, members of the Rookie level Pioneer League.
The ballpark The Timberjacks played at Campbell Field for the duration of their existence. Built in 1947, the original ballpark burned in 1969 and was rebuilt. Campbell Field is still in use today on the campus of the University of Montana.
Timeline Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level LeagueBallpark 1892 1 MissoulaClass B Montana State LeagueUnknown19051Independent1911–19134 Class DUnion Association 19251 IndependentMontana State League1956–19605 Missoula TimberjacksClass DPioneer LeagueCampbell Field
Year-by-year records Year League Affiliation Record Finish Manager Playoffs/notes 1892 Montana State League none 18–29 4th Ed Cartwright / George McVeyJohnny Morin Won 2nd half title 1911 Union Association none 42–98 6th William Joyce / Charles McCafferty No playoffs held 1912 Union Association none 83–51 1st Cliff Blankenship League champions 1913 Union Association none 54–68 4th Cliff Blankenship / Nig Perrine No playoffs held 1956 Pioneer Leaguenone 61–71 7th Jack McKeon No playoffs held 1957 Pioneer League Washington Senators 62–64 4th Jack McKeon No playoffs held 1958 Pioneer League Washington Senators 70–59 2nd Jack McKeon No playoffs held 1959 Pioneer LeagueWashington Senators 56–73 6th Ralph Rowe No playoffs held 1960 Pioneer LeagueCincinnati Reds 58–71 4th Rocky Tedesco No playoffs held
Notable alumni
Clark Griffith (1892) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 1946 Jim Kaat (1958) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 2022 Cliff Blankenship (1912–1913, MGR) Pat Bohen (1913) Bullet Joe Bush (1912) Bobby Cargo (1892) Ed Cartwright (1892, MGR) Lem Cross (1892) Bert Cueto (1958) Rex Dawson (1913) Larry Foss (1957) Gus Gil (1960) Bill Goodenough (1892) Chuck Lauer (1892) Sheldon Lejeune (1905) Hap Morse (1913) Jack McKeon (1956–1958, MGR) Manager: 2003 World Series Champion – Florida Marlins George McVey (1892, MGR) Minnie Mendoza (1958–1959) Ollie O'Mara (1911) Nig Perrine (1912), (1913, MGR) Charley Pride (1960) Skipper Roberts (1912–1913) Phil Routcliffe (1892) César Tovar (1960) Harry Trekell (1913) Art Twineham (1892) Sandy Valdespino (1958, 1960) Jay Ward (1958) George Whiteman (1911) Carl Zamloch (1912)
Missoula (minor league baseball) players Missoula Timberjacks players
References
External links Missoula - Baseball Reference