Detroit Caesars

Site Organization

2005-09-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

On Detroit Caesars, I'll hope to share stories, photos, and rememberances of the Caesars and Auto Kings, but in the meantime, I'm hoping to make available some statistical information. Using a blog format, I'm going to organize the raw data in the following manner....

May 2005 - 1977 APSPL, Detroit Caesars
June 2005 - 1978 APSPL, Detroit Caesars
July 2005 - 1979 APSPL, Detroit Caesars
August 2005 - 1980 NASL, Detroit Auto Kings

If you're looking for raw statistics on the league or team, check in that month's archive for what is available. I'm still seeking 1979 team statistics for the Caesars, as well as 1980 stats for the Detroit Auto Kings. If you have any information to share, please let me know.

My thanks to Steve Dimitry for his work in collecting information on the professional softball leagues, and you'll find his history site linked from this blog.

A Brief Introduction to the Detroit Caesars...

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The Detroit Caesars began play in the newly founded American Professional Slow Pitch League (APSPL) in 1977. For much of the late 1960's and early 1970's, Detroit was a hotbed for softball, with some of the best players in the country playing in the most competitive leagues to be found anywhere. Behind league softball was Little Caesar's Pizza, a company founded and owned by Mike Illitch, a former Detroit Tigers farmhand and current owner of the MLB team, as well as the Detroit Red Wings. This was his first step into professional sports.

The Caesars played at Memorial Field in East Detroit, Michigan, a small suburb of Detroit that had recently played host to a national softball tournament. With clever promotions and the signing of two former Detroit Tiger stars, Jim Northrup and Norm Cash, fans packed into the small stands by the thousands to witness not only Detroit's best softball players, but those that Illitch had brought to town to make his team into the "Yankees of professional softball." Mike Nye, Ronnie Ford, Bert Smith, Tex Collins and many other softball legends took to the field for Detroit, led by manager Gary Vitto, earning the team such distinctions as the "greatest softball team ever." This was no beer league...these guys were good.

In 1977, Detroit dominated the league with a record of 42-14, eventually advancing to the World Series of Softball, where they beat the Baltimore Monuments 4 games to none to take the first ever pro softball title. Six Caesars made the all-league team (Mike Gouin, Ron Ford, Mike Nye, Bert Smith, Tony Mazza, and Doug Gerdes), and Mike Nye took the World Series MVP trophy. Only a triple-crown performance by Chicago Storm catcher Benny Holt could overshadow the individual performances by various Caesars.

Detroit rolled again in 1978 with a record of 49-15, and a 4-0 blanking of the Minnesota Norseman in the World Series. Ron Ford was edged out in the last game of the season by teammate Mike Nye to prevent his taking of triple-crown honors, but still took home league MVP. Seven Detroit players were all-league (Ron Ford, Mike Nye, Doug Gerdes, Gary Geister, Mike Gouin, Jack Roudebush, and newcomer Chuck Drewicz).

1979 was the last year for the team. With a few key reserves leaving the squad, and the off-season death of Tex Collins, the Caesars backed up enough to get caught by the rival Milwaukee Schlitz, led by APSPL star Phil Higgins and newcomer Rick Weiterman, who would take the title. Still, the Caesars finished 40-24, second in their division, losing to the Schlitz in the league semi-finals.

Rule and ball changes had drastically reduced the offensive production in 1979. For example, Ford's home-run total dropped from 80 in 1978 to 43 in 1979, in the same number of games. Still, Ford led the league in home-runs and RBIs in 1980. Four Caesars took all-league honors (Ron Ford, Mike Nye, Doug Gerdes, and Rick Trudeau), in what would be the last season for the APSPL.

Instability in other markets and internal political fighting saw two teams leave the league to form the North American Softball League (NASL) in 1980, while the APSPL continued with just 6 teams (down from 12 in each of the previous 3 seasons). Illitch elected not to continue the Detroit Caesars in either league. A team called the Detroit Auto Kings was formed, played at Memorial Field with several Caesar stars, along with former Detroit Tiger Mickey Stanley, finishing second in the NASL, losing again to the Milwaukee Schlitz in the World Series.

The leagues merged after 1980 to form a new league, although the Auto Kings disbanded, ending pro softball at Memorial Field and the connection to the Caesars. In 1982, a Detroit team played at Detroit's Softball City in the United Professional Softball League (UPSL), finishing second in the league yet again to the Milwaukee Schlitz. That was the last year for professional softball in the US, as players once again returned to amatuer leagues around the US.

For many reasons, the Caesars made their mark on professional sports in Detroit. It introduced the town to Mike Illitch, who would become a player in Detroit with his ownership of the Tigers, Red Wings, Joe Louis Area, and with ventures like the Fox Theater. It brought what amounted to, in baseball terms, a minor league team to the suburbs of Detroit with crowds of 5,000-plus regularly packing in to watch the Caesars. The team collected some of the finest softball talent ever on one field, and most important, they made memories for fans of all ages. And for those who would bother to notice, you now know why I never drink Schlitz.

Go Caesars!

Player Profile - Ronnie Ford, Detroit Caesars

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Ronnie Ford was the offensive engine for the Detroit Caesars, playing with the team from 1977 through 1979. Caesars owner Mike Illitch sought to add to the high-powered Detroit talent when building his team, and brought this top amatuer player to Detroit.

In 1977, Ford primarily played shortstop for Detroit, finishing 5th in the league in batting (.607), second in home runs (85), and second in RBI (184), leading the team to the Series title, while winning all-league honors for himself.

1978 saw one of the most dominating performances in softball history, as Ford ripped the APSPL apart, leading the Caesars to another Series title. Ronnie nearly took the triple crown, finishing second in batting (.645), first in home runs (80), and first in RBI (201). Teammate Mike Nye beat Ford by a mere .009 percentage points (.654 to .645) to take the batting crown. Ford was named league MVP.

In an interview with The House of Swing (www.bigcat844.com) Mike Nye shared some insight in Ronnie's triple-crown chase, "My teammate Ronnie Ford and myself are battling it out for the batting title. He has won the home run and RBIs, so he is trying to win the triple crown and I am trying to win the battling title. We played those double-headers in those days. So we finish up on Sunday and the first game of the twin bill I go 1-4 and Ronnie goes 3-5. Our coach comes up to both of us and says "hey guys you want to sit out the last ball game? My reply was "what are you nuts or what?!" You couldn't keep me out of that game I was so pumped up that I went 6-6 with 2 grand-slams and Ronnie goes 2-5 and I win the battle title."

Rule and ball changes in 1979 saw offensive statistics take a huge plunge, although Ford contined his dominance of the power categories, finishing first in home runs (43) and RBI (122). Ford took all-league honors yet again in the final season of the APSPL.

In 2003, Ford was named to the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame for his stellar softball career, one of four Caesars to earn such honors.

http://www.softball.org/hall_of_fame/memberDetail.asp?mbrid=571

Mike Nye, 1977 World Series MVP

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1980 Detroit Auto Kings Roster

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Name                                  Position       HT/WT

Cal Carmen*.............................1B............6'0"/200
Jerry Gadette.........................2B/OF........6'2"/208
Gary Geister*..........................3B/C.........6'4"/260
Mike Gouin*...........................OF/1B.........6'2"/200
Marvin Gross...........................OF...........6'0"/185

Jerry Jarvela..........................SS/OF.......6'2"/185
Tony Mazza*...........................P/2B.........5'10"/170
Butch Meggitt.........................OF/SS........6'0"/180
Dan Murphy*...........................P/OF..........6'1"/180
Matt Partride............................OF............6'0"/200

Dennis Rogowski...................P/OF.........5'11"/185
Ed Shankin............................OF/2B........6'1"/210
Mickey Stanley..........................OF.........6'1"/195
Mike Taylor............................OF/3B........5'11"/185
Mike Turk...............................3B/SS........6'1"/215

* - indicates former player for Detroit Caesars.

1980 NASL Standings and Results

2005-08-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

1980 NASL Regular Season Final Standings

Eastern Division

Detroit Auto Kings (34-23, .596)
Cleveland Competitors (28-31, .475, 7.0)
Cincinnati Riverman (22-36, .396, 12.5)
Pittsburgh Champions (22-38, .367, 13.5)

Western Division

Milwaukee Schlitz  (44-12, .786)
Chicago Nationwide Advertising  (42-16, .724, 3.0)
Lexington Stallions  (29-29, .500, 16.0)
Fort Wayne Huggie Bears  (10-46, .179, 34.0)

1980 NASL Playoffs

1st round

Detroit beat Cleveland        6-4, 8-7, 19-4, 5-10, 14-5;  (4-1)
Milwaukee beat Chicago    9-13, 10-7, 17-12, 16-12, 10-17, 22-17;  (4-2)

World Series

Milwaukee beat Detroit     19-11, 10-12, 12-16, 22-13, 13-4, 12-3, 11-9;  (5-2)

World Series MVP -    Ken Parker,  Milwaukee

1980 Detroit Auto Kings Notes

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The roster featured five members of Detroit Caesar teams - outfielder Dan Murphy, third-baseman Gary Geister, outfielder Mike Gouin, first-baseman Cal Carmen, and pitcher Tony Mazza.

Outfielder Jerry Gadette is featured in the 1977 Detroit Caesars team photo, but is not in uniform, is not listed as a coach, and does not appear in any official Caesars statistics as a player.

Outfielder Mike Gouin served as manager, with coaches Bob Malicki and Joe Gauci. Jack Trompics is listed as equipment manager.

Two teams came to the NASL from the APSPL - the Cleveland Competitors, owned by Ted Stepien, league President and former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the rival Milwaukee Schlitz. Former MLB players Jim "Mudcat" Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the league. Pepitone was a former player for the Trenton franchise in the APSPL.

Continuing the Caesars tradition of former Detroit Tigers turning to play professional softball, the Auto Kings featured former Detroit Tigers outfielder Mickey Stanley.

Also continuing the Caesars tradition, the former Tiger failed to play a major role or dominate the league, just as Norm Cash and Jim Northrup failed to do. Jerry Green of the Detroit News wrote a 2001 article about Caesars owner Mike Illitch in which he wrote that the former Tigers "tore the league apart." In reality, the former baseball players struggled to adapt to hitting a softball, played sparingly, and served much more of a PR role for the teams.

Other than the league leaders provided by Steve Dimitry, I am unable to find any final statistics for the Detroit Auto Kings. According to the program I have, entering the series against Milwaukee on July 12-13, 1980, the batting averages for the Auto Kings were as follows....

.491 Matt Partride
.475 Dennis Rogowski
.471 Ed Shankin
.457 Mike Gouin
.449 Butch Meggitt
.446 Jerry Jarvela
.423 Tony Mazza
.421 Mike Turk
.396 Mike Taylor
.378 Jery Gadette
.378 Dan Murphy
.355 Gary Geister
.347 Cal Carmen
.278 Mickey Stanley
.250 Marvin Gross

The only two Auto Kings to appear in the top-ten categories were Gary Geister, who finished 5th in the NASL with 31 home-runs, while teammate Jerry Gadette finished 10th with 24.

3B/SS Mike Turk was the only Auto King to receive all-league honors in 1980...

1980 Detroit Auto Kings Program

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1980 NASL League Leaders

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Batting

.555 Ron Olesiak, Chicago
.548 Dan Rardin, Lexington
.533 Benny Holt, Cleveland
.527 Tom Spahn, Chicago
.520 Jake Jakobi, Chicago
.518 Buddy Haines, Chicago
.517 Ken Kamradt, Chicago
.514 Paul Campbell, Cincinnati
.510 Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee
.506 Willie Simpson, Chicago

Home Runs

42 Benny Holt, Cleveland
34 Dana Andry, Cleveland
34 Mike LaFever, Cincinnati
34 Ron Olesiak, Chicago
31 Gary Geister, Detroit
30 Dennis Graser, Milwaukee
29 Jim Bizzell, Cleveland
29 Fred Ryan, Pittsburgh
27 Buddy Haines, Chicago
24 Jerry Gadette, Detroit

RBI

124 Ron Olesiak, Chicago
115 Buddy Haines, Chicago
98 Dennis Graser, Milwaukee
98 Mike Krolicki, Chicago
97 Tom Spahn, Chicago
95 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee
95 Benny Holt, Cleveland
88 Mike LaFever, Cincinnati
87 Jim Bizzell, Cleveland
85 Dana Andry, Cleveland

1980 NASL All-Pro Team

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Ron Olesiak, Chicago (MVP)

Phil Higgins, Milwaukee
Jim Dillard, Milwaukee
Benny Holt, Cleveland
Jake Jakobi, Chicago
Roger Snatchko, Pittsburgh

Buddy Haines, Chicago
Tom Spahn, Chicago
Dennis Graser, Milwaukee
Mike Turk, Detroit
Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee

Don Rardin, Lexington
Mike Krolicki, Chicago
Willie Simpson, Chicago
Dana Andry, Cleveland
Mike LaFever, Cincinnati

Detroit Caesars 1978 Yearbook Cover

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1978 Detroit Caesars Team Photo

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Gary Geister Celebrates the 1978 World Series Title

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1977 APSPL Standings and Results

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1977 APSPL Regular Season Final Standings

Eastern Division

Baltimore Monuments.  (33-20, .623)
New York Clippers  (20-36, .357, 14.5)
Pittsburgh Hardhats  (17-37, .315, 16.5)
New Jersey Statesmen  (16-38, .296, 17.5)

Central Division

Kentucky Bourbons  (40-16, .714)
Cleveland Jaybirds  (32-24, .571, 8.0)
Cincinnati Suds  (30-25, .545, 9.5)
Columbus All-Americans  (16-40, .286, 24.0)

Mid-Western Division

Detroit Caesars  (42-14, .750)
Milwaukee Copper Hearth  (39-17, .696, 3.0)
Minnesota Goofys  (24-30, .445, 17.0)
Chicago Storm  (22-34, .393, 20.0)

1977 APSPL Playoffs

1st Round

Baltimore beat New York          15-14, 10-9; (2-0)
Cleveland beat Milwaukee         11-10, 5-9, 14-7; (2-1)

Semi-finals

Baltimore beat Kentucky          6-17, 10-4, 15-10; (2-1)
Detroit beat Cleveland              4-7, 22-5, 8-6; (2-1)

Playoff  MVP - Johnny Dollar, Baltimore (.750)

World Series

Detroit beat Baltimore            18-16, 13-8, 25-16, 28-11; (4-0)

World Series  MVP - Mike Nye, Detroit (12-20, 2 HRs)

1977 Detroit Caesars Team Photo

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