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Detroit Auto Kings

August 25, 2023

The Detroit Auto Kings were a professional softball team that played in the North American Softball League (NASL) in the 1980 season at Memorial Field in East Detroit, Michigan.[1]

Mike Gouin, Detroit

League history Edit

Detroit was represented by the Detroit Caesars, who played in the first professional league, the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL), beginning with the founding of that league in 1977.[2] The Caesars disbanded after the 1978 season and the APSPL continued, but 1980 was a year of division in professional softball as the Cleveland Stepien's Competitors, the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and the Milwaukee Schlitz broke away from the APSPL to form a new league, the North American Softball League, under the leadership of Cleveland Stepien's Competitors owner Ted Stepien.[3] The Cincinnati Suds continued in the reduced numbers of the APSPL.[4] Stepien placed NASL teams in several APSPL markets, including Lexington, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. Stepien owned 6 of the 8 teams in the NASL, with only Milwaukee and Fort Wayne having local ownership.[5] The owner of the Pittsburgh Hardhats of the APSPL brought an unsuccessful challenge in federal court in an attempt to prevent splitting the young professional sport.[6][7][8][9]

Stepien went into the APSPL markets trying to lure talent away as well. He hired Donnie Rardin, former Kentucky Bourbons player, to play and serve as General Manager for the Lexington Stallions, did the same in Pittsburgh with Roger Snatchko, former Pittsburgh Hardhat, who would lead the new Pittsburgh Champions and much the same in Cincinnati with former Cincinnati Sud Mike LaFever as player and General Manager.[10][11][12] Detroit was much less contentious as the Detroit Caesars had folded after the 1979 season, allowing the NASL Detroit Auto Kings to take over as the professional softball team, with former Caesars outfielder Mike Gouin managing the team.[13] Stepien formed and owned the Detroit NASL team, naming it in honor of the history of Detroit auto manufacturing.[14]

Former MLB players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the league, with Pepitone serving as team President and playing for Chicago Nationwide Advertising.[15][16][17] Pepitone was a former player for the Trenton Champales franchise in the APSPL. The NASL would last just one season.[18]

Detroit Auto Kings Edit

The Auto Kings played at the same field as the Detroit Caesars, Memorial Field in East Detroit, and the Auto Kings roster featured several members of Detroit Caesar teams including outfielder Dan Murphy, third-baseman Gary Geister, outfielder Mike Gouin, first-baseman Cal Carmen, and pitcher Tony Mazza. Mike Gouin also served as team manager.[19]

Continuing the Caesars tradition of former Detroit Tigers turning to play professional softball, the Auto Kings featured former Detroit Tigers outfielder Mickey Stanley. The Auto Kings advanced to the playoffs with a 35-26 (.574) record, 1st in the Eastern Division. The team catapulted in the standings in August with a 6-game, 3-doubleheader sweep of the Cincinnati Rivermen with strong hitting from Matt Partridge, Dan Murphy, Mike Turk and Gary Geister. The team clinched a playoff berth and first place in a dominating weekend.[20][21][22]

Detroit would advance to the playoffs, winning the semifinals 4–1 over Cleveland (6–4, 8–7, 19–4, 5–10, 14–5) with a Mike Taylor grand-slam leading the way to an Auto King victory in the 5th game. Next up was Milwaukee, the 1979 APSPL champion, in the NASL World Series. Detroit would return to their home-field down 2-3,[23][24] but Milwaukee would come to Detroit and sweep a double-header, with two home-runs in the first game by Schlitz Jim Dillard. In the seventh game, Detroit fought back from an early Milwaukee lead on a home-run by Gary Gesiter to take a late, lead, but then a two-run inning from Milwaukee in the 8th inning, with a sacrifice fly by Ken Parker, gave Milwaukee the 9-8 series-clinching win.[25] The series would go to the Schlitz 5–2 (19–11, 10–12, 12–16, 22–13, 13–4, 12–3, 11–9)[26] with Ken Parker (.586 BA) of Milwaukee the World Series MVP.

Ron Olesiak (.555, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs) of Chicago Nationwide Advertising was the NASL 1980 MVP. The only two Auto Kings to appear in the top-ten categories were Gary Geister (5th, 31 HRs) and Jerry Gadette (10th, 24 HRs).[27] 3B/SS Mike Turk (.518, 27 HRs, 115 RBIs) was the only Auto King to receive all-league honors in 1980. Matt Partridge (22 HRs) and Gary Geister (31 HRs, 80 RBIs) added to the cause.[28]

The NASL lasted one season before combining with the APSPL to form a new league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). That league disbanded in 1982, bringing an end to the professional era of men's softball in the US as players once again returned to the amateur leagues.[19][29][30]

Auto King Mike Gouin is a member of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame.[31] In addition, Cal Carmen is a member of the United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame.[32][33]

Detroit Auto Kings record Edit

Year Record Pct Finish Division Playoffs League
1980 35-26 .574 1st Eastern World Series (runner-up) NASL

Detroit Softball City Edit

The APSPL and the NASL then merged to form the United Professional Softball League in 1981, although only Milwaukee came to the new league from the NASL as the other franchises, including the Auto Kings, disbanded.[34] No Detroit team played in 1981 in the UPSL. In 1982, Detroit Softball City, playing at and named for a large softball complex on the grounds of the Michigan State Fair, played in the UPSL and were led by Charlie Mitchell and Braxton Speller, along with former Caesars Rick Trudeau, Doug Gerdes, Chuck Drewicz, George Birch, Gary Geister and manager Gary Vitto, along with former Auto Kings Matt Partridge and Mike Turk.[35][36] Detroit Softball City finished second in the division to Cleveland with a record of 36–20, advancing to the playoffs against the South Jersey Athletics, winning 3-0 in the first round, and then defeating Cleveland 3–2 in the semi-finals. Detroit would lose in the UPSL World Series to Milwaukee 5–1 with the Schlitz led by World Series MVP Dick Laba (.667 BA).[25] Dana Andry of Cleveland (.618, 65 HRs, 128 RBIs, 125 runs scored, 46-17 pitching) was the UPSL MVP and Charles Mitchell (59 HRs, 133 RBIs) of Detroit made the All-UPSL team. That was the last year for professional softball in the US as players once again returned to amateur leagues.[37]

Softball City record Edit

Year Record Pct Finish Division Playoffs League
1982 39-20 .661 2nd Eastern World Series (runner-up) UPSL

References Edit

  1. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. June 23, 1980. p. 48 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Kentucky Bourbons – Softball History USA". www.softballhistoryusa.com. 26 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Clipped From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 24, 1980. p. 11 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Clipped From Democrat and Chronicle". Democrat and Chronicle. March 24, 1980. p. 35 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Clipped From The Pittsburgh Press". The Pittsburgh Press. May 8, 1980. p. 4 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Clipped From The Pittsburgh Press". The Pittsburgh Press. March 9, 1980. p. 84 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Clipped From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 19, 1980. p. 61 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. March 8, 1980. p. 33 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. March 8, 1980. p. 37 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Clipped From The Cincinnati Enquirer". The Cincinnati Enquirer. April 21, 1980. p. 28 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Clipped From Lexington Leader". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 16, 1980. p. 16 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Clipped From Lexington Leader". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 16, 1980. p. 20 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Detroit Auto Kings". Detroit Caesars.
  14. ^ "1980 – Softball History USA". www.softballhistoryusa.com.
  15. ^ "They Were There: The TGG Interview with Mudcat Grant".
  16. ^ "Clipped From Lexington Leader". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 16, 1980. p. 16 – via newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Clipped From Lexington Leader". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 16, 1980. p. 20 – via newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Cavanaugh, John (July 15, 1979). "New Haven Pros Ride Slow‐Pitch Boom (Published 1979)". The New York Times.
  19. ^ a b "1980 NASL – Softball History USA". www.softballhistoryusa.com. 11 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. August 16, 1980. p. 33 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. August 17, 1980. p. 71 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. August 18, 1980. p. 49 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. September 8, 1980. p. 44 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. September 13, 1980. p. 34 – via newspapers.com.
  25. ^ a b "Clipped From Wisconsin State Journal". Wisconsin State Journal. September 15, 1980. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. September 14, 1980. p. 87 – via newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "NASL – Softball History USA". www.softballhistoryusa.com.
  28. ^ "1977-1979 Detroit Caesars • Fun While It Lasted". January 11, 2012.
  29. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 13, 1980. p. 59 – via newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 13, 1980. p. 62 – via newspapers.com.
  31. ^ https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/National-Softball-Hall-of-Fame/Members[bare URL]
  32. ^ "USSSA Hall of Fame and Museum". hof.usssa.com.
  33. ^ D'Orso, Mike. ""It's Around Here Someplace"". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com.
  34. ^ "Softball History USA – This site is dedicated to collecting the history of the great sport of softball". www.softballhistoryusa.com.
  35. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. May 22, 1982. p. 31 – via newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Clipped From Detroit Free Press". Detroit Free Press. April 7, 1982. p. 63 – via newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Detroit Caesars". Detroit Caesars.

External links Edit

  • Detroit Caesars Online Home
  • Detroit Caesars on FunWhileItLasted.net
  • Softball History Data
  • Softball History USA
  • National Softball Hall of Fame

August 25, 2023
detroit, auto, kings, were, professional, softball, team, that, played, north, american, softball, league, nasl, 1980, season, memorial, field, east, detroit, michigan, mike, gouin, detroitcontents, league, history, record, detroit, softball, city, softball, c. The Detroit Auto Kings were a professional softball team that played in the North American Softball League NASL in the 1980 season at Memorial Field in East Detroit Michigan 1 Mike Gouin DetroitContents 1 League history 2 Detroit Auto Kings 3 Detroit Auto Kings record 4 Detroit Softball City 5 Softball City record 6 References 7 External linksLeague history EditDetroit was represented by the Detroit Caesars who played in the first professional league the American Professional Slo Pitch League APSPL beginning with the founding of that league in 1977 2 The Caesars disbanded after the 1978 season and the APSPL continued but 1980 was a year of division in professional softball as the Cleveland Stepien s Competitors the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and the Milwaukee Schlitz broke away from the APSPL to form a new league the North American Softball League under the leadership of Cleveland Stepien s Competitors owner Ted Stepien 3 The Cincinnati Suds continued in the reduced numbers of the APSPL 4 Stepien placed NASL teams in several APSPL markets including Lexington Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Stepien owned 6 of the 8 teams in the NASL with only Milwaukee and Fort Wayne having local ownership 5 The owner of the Pittsburgh Hardhats of the APSPL brought an unsuccessful challenge in federal court in an attempt to prevent splitting the young professional sport 6 7 8 9 Stepien went into the APSPL markets trying to lure talent away as well He hired Donnie Rardin former Kentucky Bourbons player to play and serve as General Manager for the Lexington Stallions did the same in Pittsburgh with Roger Snatchko former Pittsburgh Hardhat who would lead the new Pittsburgh Champions and much the same in Cincinnati with former Cincinnati Sud Mike LaFever as player and General Manager 10 11 12 Detroit was much less contentious as the Detroit Caesars had folded after the 1979 season allowing the NASL Detroit Auto Kings to take over as the professional softball team with former Caesars outfielder Mike Gouin managing the team 13 Stepien formed and owned the Detroit NASL team naming it in honor of the history of Detroit auto manufacturing 14 Former MLB players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the league with Pepitone serving as team President and playing for Chicago Nationwide Advertising 15 16 17 Pepitone was a former player for the Trenton Champales franchise in the APSPL The NASL would last just one season 18 Detroit Auto Kings EditThe Auto Kings played at the same field as the Detroit Caesars Memorial Field in East Detroit and the Auto Kings roster featured several members of Detroit Caesar teams including outfielder Dan Murphy third baseman Gary Geister outfielder Mike Gouin first baseman Cal Carmen and pitcher Tony Mazza Mike Gouin also served as team manager 19 Continuing the Caesars tradition of former Detroit Tigers turning to play professional softball the Auto Kings featured former Detroit Tigers outfielder Mickey Stanley The Auto Kings advanced to the playoffs with a 35 26 574 record 1st in the Eastern Division The team catapulted in the standings in August with a 6 game 3 doubleheader sweep of the Cincinnati Rivermen with strong hitting from Matt Partridge Dan Murphy Mike Turk and Gary Geister The team clinched a playoff berth and first place in a dominating weekend 20 21 22 Detroit would advance to the playoffs winning the semifinals 4 1 over Cleveland 6 4 8 7 19 4 5 10 14 5 with a Mike Taylor grand slam leading the way to an Auto King victory in the 5th game Next up was Milwaukee the 1979 APSPL champion in the NASL World Series Detroit would return to their home field down 2 3 23 24 but Milwaukee would come to Detroit and sweep a double header with two home runs in the first game by Schlitz Jim Dillard In the seventh game Detroit fought back from an early Milwaukee lead on a home run by Gary Gesiter to take a late lead but then a two run inning from Milwaukee in the 8th inning with a sacrifice fly by Ken Parker gave Milwaukee the 9 8 series clinching win 25 The series would go to the Schlitz 5 2 19 11 10 12 12 16 22 13 13 4 12 3 11 9 26 with Ken Parker 586 BA of Milwaukee the World Series MVP Ron Olesiak 555 34 HRs 124 RBIs of Chicago Nationwide Advertising was the NASL 1980 MVP The only two Auto Kings to appear in the top ten categories were Gary Geister 5th 31 HRs and Jerry Gadette 10th 24 HRs 27 3B SS Mike Turk 518 27 HRs 115 RBIs was the only Auto King to receive all league honors in 1980 Matt Partridge 22 HRs and Gary Geister 31 HRs 80 RBIs added to the cause 28 The NASL lasted one season before combining with the APSPL to form a new league the United Professional Softball League UPSL That league disbanded in 1982 bringing an end to the professional era of men s softball in the US as players once again returned to the amateur leagues 19 29 30 Auto King Mike Gouin is a member of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame 31 In addition Cal Carmen is a member of the United States Slowpitch Softball Association USSSA Hall of Fame 32 33 Detroit Auto Kings record EditYear Record Pct Finish Division Playoffs League1980 35 26 574 1st Eastern World Series runner up NASLDetroit Softball City EditThe APSPL and the NASL then merged to form the United Professional Softball League in 1981 although only Milwaukee came to the new league from the NASL as the other franchises including the Auto Kings disbanded 34 No Detroit team played in 1981 in the UPSL In 1982 Detroit Softball City playing at and named for a large softball complex on the grounds of the Michigan State Fair played in the UPSL and were led by Charlie Mitchell and Braxton Speller along with former Caesars Rick Trudeau Doug Gerdes Chuck Drewicz George Birch Gary Geister and manager Gary Vitto along with former Auto Kings Matt Partridge and Mike Turk 35 36 Detroit Softball City finished second in the division to Cleveland with a record of 36 20 advancing to the playoffs against the South Jersey Athletics winning 3 0 in the first round and then defeating Cleveland 3 2 in the semi finals Detroit would lose in the UPSL World Series to Milwaukee 5 1 with the Schlitz led by World Series MVP Dick Laba 667 BA 25 Dana Andry of Cleveland 618 65 HRs 128 RBIs 125 runs scored 46 17 pitching was the UPSL MVP and Charles Mitchell 59 HRs 133 RBIs of Detroit made the All UPSL team That was the last year for professional softball in the US as players once again returned to amateur leagues 37 Softball City record EditYear Record Pct Finish Division Playoffs League1982 39 20 661 2nd Eastern World Series runner up UPSLReferences Edit Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press June 23 1980 p 48 via newspapers com Kentucky Bourbons Softball History USA www softballhistoryusa com 26 April 2020 Clipped From Pittsburgh Post Gazette Pittsburgh Post Gazette April 24 1980 p 11 via newspapers com Clipped From Democrat and Chronicle Democrat and Chronicle March 24 1980 p 35 via newspapers com Clipped From The Pittsburgh Press The Pittsburgh Press May 8 1980 p 4 via newspapers com Clipped From The Pittsburgh Press The Pittsburgh Press March 9 1980 p 84 via newspapers com Clipped From Pittsburgh Post Gazette Pittsburgh Post Gazette June 19 1980 p 61 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press March 8 1980 p 33 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press March 8 1980 p 37 via newspapers com Clipped From The Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Enquirer April 21 1980 p 28 via newspapers com Clipped From Lexington Leader Lexington Herald Leader May 16 1980 p 16 via newspapers com Clipped From Lexington Leader Lexington Herald Leader May 16 1980 p 20 via newspapers com Detroit Auto Kings Detroit Caesars 1980 Softball History USA www softballhistoryusa com They Were There The TGG Interview with Mudcat Grant Clipped From Lexington Leader Lexington Herald Leader May 16 1980 p 16 via newspapers com Clipped From Lexington Leader Lexington Herald Leader May 16 1980 p 20 via newspapers com Cavanaugh John July 15 1979 New Haven Pros Ride Slow Pitch Boom Published 1979 The New York Times a b 1980 NASL Softball History USA www softballhistoryusa com 11 November 2018 Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press August 16 1980 p 33 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press August 17 1980 p 71 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press August 18 1980 p 49 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press September 8 1980 p 44 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press September 13 1980 p 34 via newspapers com a b Clipped From Wisconsin State Journal Wisconsin State Journal September 15 1980 p 15 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press September 14 1980 p 87 via newspapers com NASL Softball History USA www softballhistoryusa com 1977 1979 Detroit Caesars Fun While It Lasted January 11 2012 Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 13 1980 p 59 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 13 1980 p 62 via newspapers com https www teamusa org USA Softball National Softball Hall of Fame Members bare URL USSSA Hall of Fame and Museum hof usssa com D Orso Mike It s Around Here Someplace Sports Illustrated Vault SI com Softball History USA This site is dedicated to collecting the history of the great sport of softball www softballhistoryusa com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press May 22 1982 p 31 via newspapers com Clipped From Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press April 7 1982 p 63 via newspapers com Detroit Caesars Detroit Caesars External links EditDetroit Caesars Online Home Detroit Caesars on FunWhileItLasted net Softball History Data Softball History USA National Softball Hall of Fame Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Detroit Auto Kings amp oldid 1159357500, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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