| Extinct, but not forgotten! Only three clubs to field teams in the BVL no longer exist today, the Mighty Diamonds and the Suicide Sleeze (sic), and the Saskatchewan Yands. Here are their histories: Mighty Diamonds Joseph Jesselli's reign as builder and first owner of the Mighty Diamonds (named after a reggae band) was brief, but extremely successful. His clubs won three of the first four BVL World Series ever played. Deciding he had accomplished everything, Mr. Jesselli (known as the Mighty Builder) relinquished the torch to a relatively unknown gentleman, Robert Fermann, in 1907. Mr. Fermann, introduced to Mr. Jesselli by then-Wisconsin boss Tony Ruscitti, learned his baseball at the Morgan Stanley Academy, at the time a respected school for managers. Under Fermann's steady hand, the Diamonds grew to terrifying heights, winning seven Series titles in 11 tries. The mighty -- indeed -- clubs were anchored by such players as Mike Schmidt, Tony Gwynn, Eddie Murray, Lou Whitaker, Mike Scott, Cal Ripken, Ryne Sandberg, young Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson and their future manager, Dwight Evans. They were guided by the legendary field boss, Earl Weaver. Only three times in their 18 years of existense did they ever fail to reach the Series finale. Their regular season winning percentage of .602 is considered unattainable. Unfortunately, Mr. Fermann, wanting a team of his own, made himself an enemy in Mighty by ending operations in 1922, their worst season ever. Suicide Sleeze Greg Rapport ruled with a checkbook in one hand, and a sharp knife in the other. Those who got close, got hurt. Yet, the ruthless owner, who preferred calling his club the Sultans of Sleeze [sic], had an innate ability for picking talent. A charter member of the BVSL and BVL, respectively, the troubled Sleeze lasted less than a year in the BVL; Rapport, hit by money woes, quit two months into the season. Sordid comic Tom Chillemi took over, managed a few games, and also quit. Jon Simonds took over and renamed the club to Big Trouble. The Sleeze/Trouble franchise ceased to exist after the 1903 season. Simonds drafted the original Big Trouble in 1904. A side note: the Mighty Diamonds would retool by drafting some of the remaining Sleeze stars: Mike Schmidt, Rickey Henderson, and Ryne Sandberg. They would dominate the league for the next two decades. Saskatchewan Yands Founder Jay Nemkowitz sadly realized a baseball franchise in Canada was a mistake. In a country where hockey ruled, Saskatchewan Yands fans were few from the start -- fewer were the number of wins. After the 1910 campaign, Nemkowitz sold out to Alan Levine, who moved the club to Carmel by the Sea. He hired controversial field boss Krusty the Clown. Levine lasted two years. Chieftain Al Lee Wyer won control of the club in 1915. Law suits and the Flood of 1922 forced a move from Sioux City to Cape Hattaris. He hired Alan Greenspan (189-135) in 1923, replacing Dr. Frank Fields. Two years later, in their only World Series appearance ever, Antonio Osuna retired Ken Griffey Jr. to clinch the 1925 Series vs. the Joe Foys. F. Lee Bailey was the last of the Wyer managerial hires. An unfortunate car accident made Mr. Wyer ultra sensitive to Mr. Villalba Jr.’s rants. He forced a realignment with the Joe Foys, and moved into Brooklyn Municipal Stadium after the 1927 campaign. After a horrific 1930 season, Mr. Wyer returned the club to Sioux City and vowed a return to prominence. It didn't happen; he hired Greg Duva as GM before 1932 draft. Four months later, Duva loaded a .44 in a successful hostile takeover; Wyer relinquished power. In 1933, Hurrican Katrina floods New Orleans, forced club to play its home games in NC. Over a draft dispute, the fiery Duva is suspended for a year. Three years later, Mr. Duva is removed as owner in another dispute with owners; franchise is put away as league contracted to 9 clubs. |
EXTINCT BVL BALL CLUBS
Mighty Diamonds, 1903-1922
Year-By-Year year pct. opponent 1903* Joe Foys 1904 Brooklyn 1905* New England 1006 New England 1907 New England 1908 New England 1909 Joe Foys 1910 1911 New England 1914 Joe Foys 1915 Joe Foys 1916 Joe Foys 1917 Wisconsin 1918 Brooklyn 1919 1920 Brooklyn 1921 New England 1922 Totals * beat Brooklyn 3-0 in semis Suicide Sleeze, 1903
Year-By-Year year pct. 1903 .372 Saskatchewan Yands, 1907-1936
Year-By-Year year pct. opponent Joe Foys 1933 1934 1935 1936 Totals « - lose playoff game;
* - game suspended vs. Mighty Hawks
Note: In Saskatchewan 1907-10; Carmel
bythe Sea 1911-14; Sioux City 1915-22;
Moisture 1923-1930; Sioux City 1931-32:
New Orleans 1933-36.