Eau Claire Bears
Encyclopedia
The Eau Claire Bears were a minor league
baseball
team from Eau Claire
, Wisconsin
. From 1933 until 1942 and 1946 until 1953, the team was a member of the Northern League
. The Class C team was affiliated with the Chicago Cubs
until 1939, and re-affiliated with the Boston Braves in 1947. The team played its home games at Carson Park
in Eau Claire.
Originally named the Eau Claire Cardinals, the team adopted its most enduring nickname when new owners bought the team in July of its first season. Beginning in 1954, the Eau Claire Bears were renamed the Eau Claire Braves after the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee.
The Bears, along with the rest of the Northern League, did not play the 1943-45 seasons due to World War II
.
The most famous player in the team's history was Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who made his professional début with the team in 1952. Clint Hartung
played well for the Bears in 1942, but had a lackluster career in the majors.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team from Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. From 1933 until 1942 and 1946 until 1953, the team was a member of the Northern League
Northern League (baseball, 1902-71)
This article refers to the original incarnations of the Northern League, which operated between 1902 and 1971. For the more recent league, see Northern League ...
. The Class C team was affiliated with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
until 1939, and re-affiliated with the Boston Braves in 1947. The team played its home games at Carson Park
Carson Park (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
Carson Park is a park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It contains a baseball stadium, football stadium, and museum. The park and its stadiums are owned and operated by the City of Eau Claire....
in Eau Claire.
Originally named the Eau Claire Cardinals, the team adopted its most enduring nickname when new owners bought the team in July of its first season. Beginning in 1954, the Eau Claire Bears were renamed the Eau Claire Braves after the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee.
The Bears, along with the rest of the Northern League, did not play the 1943-45 seasons due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The most famous player in the team's history was Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who made his professional début with the team in 1952. Clint Hartung
Clint Hartung
Clinton Clarence Hartung was a right-handed pitcher and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Giants from 1947 to 1952. His name has become associated with promising rookies who have undistinguished careers...
played well for the Bears in 1942, but had a lackluster career in the majors.