Streator has been a baseball town since the 1880s. Its teams have beaten big-league champions, won a minor-league pennant and sent players to the majors, and one native came up with the sport’s best-known fielding award. For more on Streator’s past, visit our History of Streator.
The Semi-Pro Streator Reds
According to a historical marker placed during the 2018 Walldogs festival, the semi-pro Streator Reds have a history going back to the 1880s and played exhibition games against major-league teams. Their proudest moment came in 1908, when they beat the Chicago Cubs, fresh from winning the World Series, in an exhibition after the season. The 1908 Cubs were the last Cubs team to win a World Series until 2016.
Minor-League Baseball Arrives: The Speedboys
Organized minor-league baseball came to Streator in 1912, when the Streator Speedboys joined the Class D Illinois-Missouri League. The first season was rough: under manager Jake Leuter, the team went 46-65 and finished last in the six-team league. Home games were played at Streator City Park.
The Streator Boosters
Renamed the Boosters, the team went 30-57 in 1913 in a season when two league teams folded. There were bright spots, though: Streator’s Roy Phillips led the league with 13 home runs, and teammate E. H. Kennedy led the league with 92 hits. In 1914 the Boosters improved to 40-48 and finished third. The Illinois-Missouri League folded after that season.
The 1915 Championship
In 1915 Streator became a charter member of the Class D Bi-State League, along with Aurora, Elgin, Freeport, Ottawa and Racine. On July 7, 1915, the league folded in midseason. Streator was in first place at 30-18 under manager Jack Herbert, so the Boosters were declared champions. That was the end of minor-league baseball in Streator, but the city went out a winner.
A Show-Business Fan
One of baseball’s best-known fans of that era had a Streator connection. Songwriter George “Honey Boy” Evans, who called Streator home, presented a silver cup each year from 1908 to 1912 to the major leagues’ top hitter. Honus Wagner won it once and Ty Cobb four times.
Elmer Blasco and the Gold Glove
Streator’s biggest contribution to baseball may be an idea. Elmer Blasco, born in Streator on November 21, 1920, began working for the sporting-goods maker Rawlings in 1950, handling sales, marketing and promotions. In 1956 he came up with an award honoring the best defensive player at each position and sold the idea to Rawlings executives. The first Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were presented in 1957, and they are still among baseball’s best-known honors.
Streator in the Majors
Several local players have reached the big leagues, including pitcher Andy Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates, catcher Rube Novotney of the Chicago Cubs, outfielder Adam Shabala of the San Francisco Giants, and relief pitcher Clay Zavada, who debuted with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009.
Youth Baseball Tradition
Youth baseball remains strong in town. In 2008 the Streator Reds, a 16-and-under team, won the Senior League Illinois State Tournament and advanced to regional play in Columbia, Missouri. A Walldogs baseball mural and marker at 110 E. Hickory Street celebrate the city’s baseball history.
Related Streator History
- Streator History Overview
- George "Honey Boy" Evans: The Minstrel Star Who Called Streator Home
- Notable Streator Natives: Inventors, Artists, Musicians and Leaders
- Made in Streator: The Halladay and Roamer Automobiles
Sources
- Streator Baseball historical marker – Historical Marker Database. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=185122
- Streator Boosters – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streator_Boosters
- George "Honey Boy" Evans – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_%22Honey_Boy%22_Evans
- Daily Herald: Gold Glove creator remembered (Aug. 4, 2008). https://www.dailyherald.com/20080804/news/local-resident-gold-glove-creator-remembered-for-community-service/
- Streator, Illinois – Wikipedia (Sports). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streator,_Illinois
