MARCH 2021
The Mighty Ganzel Brothers Michigan’s ‘First Family’ of Baseball By Keith Howard, Kalamazoo Public Library
Springtime is just around the corner, so let’s talk baseball! Long before the Kalamazoo Growlers or the Kings or the Kodiaks. Even before the infamous Kalamazoo Lassies, or the formidable factory league teams like the state champion Sutherland Paper Company, a thriving batch of independent and semi-pro teams put Kalamazoo at the forefront of late 19th century baseball. Among those early sluggers were the notorious Ganzel brothers; Fred, Charlie, George, Joe, and John. These five young men from Kalamazoo became Michigan’s “First Family” of baseball, indeed some of the most highly respected sports heroes of their day. Fred Ganzel was the oldest of the five brothers. Fred played many years of independent ball before joining the National League team in Philadelphia (probably early Phillies) in 1880. During his first season, however, he sprained an ankle and was forced into retirement before ever becoming a major league contender. Fred’s younger brother Charlie played several years of independent ball throughout the Midwest before making his major league debut in 1884. After a year with the National League Philadelphia Quakers, Charlie was purchased by the Detroit Wolverines in 1886. Charlie was Detroit’s star catcher when they clinched the 1887 National League championship and celebrated their first ever World Series victory.
15
SPARK
In 1888 Charlie was sold to the Boston Beaneaters where he remained for nine seasons, including the famous 1889 pennant race against the world champion New York Giants (said to be one of the most exciting seasons in baseball history). His career included 14 seasons in the major leagues with four National League championships and a World Series win. Charlie’s son Foster “Babe” Ganzel later became a career ballplayer and a daunting major league contender in his own right. Babe Ganzel was playing center field at Yankee Stadium when Babe Ruth swatted his record 60th home run in 1927. Next up was George Ganzel, who began his professional career in 1887 with two seasons of independent play in Minneapolis, followed by six seasons with the majors in Winnipeg, Washington, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. George then spent a decade with teams in Port Huron, Saginaw, Minneapolis, and Flint. Though never a major leager, Joseph Ganzel played independent ball for many years with teams in Kalamazoo, Port Huron, Saginaw, Ionia, and Grand Rapids. After seasons with the Michigan State League Lansing Senators and Grand Rapids Colts, Joe returned to the minors as a first baseman and manager for the Battle Creek Crickets, the Flint Vehicles, Mt. Clemens Bathers, and the Grand Rapids Wolverines. Then there was “Big Jawn” Ganzel, an imposing six-foot first baseman who played for several major league teams and was arguably one of Kalamazoo’s most famous athletes. John made his major league debut in 1898 with the National League Pittsburgh Pirates, but his big break was in 1903 when he inked a three-year contract with the New York Highlanders (Yankees). John is credited with the team’s first ever triple play, and hit the Highlanders’ first ever home run just 17 games into their inaugural season. John’s career spanned several decades, both as a player and a manager. At one point, he was the highest paid minor league manager in the nation. In 2013, John Ganzel was inducted into the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame. More at kpl.gov
