When Todd Genke delivered a fastball at 7:41 p.m., May 28, 1999, history was made for the Schaumburg Flyers.
But while Genke’s pitch in the premiere season of the Flyers at Alexian Field was a first, little did anyone know the level of success the newest addition of the Northern League Minor League ballclub would experience.
No less than 23 records were established by the Flyers in their premiere season in the Chicago northwest suburbs, making last year the most successful campaign in the seven years of the Northern League franchise, including the previous six in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The franchise records of 1999 included everything from 44 wins (previous best, 40 in 1998) and attendance (236,476 to 1994’s previous best of 133,081) to number of players (46 to 1995’s 41) and even wild pitches (17 to 1998’s 13).
But perhaps the most memorable milestone in Schaumburg’s inaugural season came August 19 at Alexian Field. In his home-field debut, shortly after being signed by the Flyers, lefty Gino Caruso fired the franchise’s first no-hitter, a nine-strikeout, 3-0 win over Sioux City. As a result, Caruso, who finished a short season with a 3-1 record, a 2.41 ERA and was named Northern League Player of the Week. Caruso’s contract was purchased in January by the Cubs and is currently playing in the minor league farm system.
Two players in particular dominated the 1999 record books: Designated hitter/first baseman Jamie Lopiccolo and outfielder Brian Ralph. Lopiccolo set records for games (86), RBI (78), hits (119) and doubles (28), while Ralph established milestones in runs (73), singles (81), triples (seven) and steals (42). Lopiccolo was named NL Central Player of the Week in late July, while Ralph has since been signed by the Cubs organization where he currently plays for Class A Daytona.
FOR STARTERS…
The Flyers made their debut season a memorable one. Here are some famous firsts at Alexian Field from 1999 (all firsts occurred opening day May 28, unless otherwise indicated):
S = Schaumburg player
Game May 28, vs. St. Paul
First pitch 7:41 p.m.
Final score Flyers 6, Saints 0
Attendance 7,028 (sell-out)
Pitcher S Todd Genke
Batter Charlie Nelson, St. Paul
Plate umpire Scott Hepinstall
Winning pitcher S Todd Genke,
Losing pitcher Scott Ruffcorn, St. Paul
Save Scott Wright, St. Paul, May 29
Run S Terry Beyna, 2nd inning
Hit S Beyna, 2nd inning (HR)
Single S Jay Mansavage, 2nd inning
Double Keith Habig, St. Paul, 2nd inning
Triple S Jamie Lopiccolo, June 7, 5th inning
Home run S Beyna, 2nd inning
RBI S Beyna, 2nd inning
Walk Bill Ashley, St. Paul, 1st inning
Hit by pitch S Jamie Lopiccolo, 5th inning
Strikeout Habig, 1st inning
Putout S Mike Marshall, 1st inning
Assist S Mansavage, 1st inning
Error Charlie Nelson, St. Paul, May 29, 5th inning
Double play St. Paul (5-4-3), 4th inning
Triple play None
Stolen base S Reagan Buckley, May 29, 2nd inning
Caught stealing S Harry Berrios, May 29, 1st inning
Sacrifice bunt S Jay Mansavage,. May 29, 6th inning
Sacrifice fly S Marshall, 7th inning
2-run home run S Marshall, 7th inning
3-run home run Donnie Harris, Madison, June 8, 1st inning
Grand slam Brian Wagner, Madison, June 9, 9th inning
Inside-the-park
home run Ira Smith, Duluth-Superior, July 14
Wild pitch S Jeff Keppen, May 29, 7th inning
Balk Lindsay Gulin, St. Paul, May 30, 1st inning
Ejection S Beyna, June 24, 6th inning
Complete game Aaron Jerslid, Fargo-Moorhead, June 18, 9 innings
Shutout (team) S (Genke, Shawn Miller, Byron Tribe), 6-0 vs. St. Paul
Shutout (individual) Gino Caruso, Aug. 19 vs. Sioux City (a no-hitter)
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ALEXIAN FIELD FACTS
When: Ground was broken on July 10, 1998. Construction was completed in May of 1999 and the Flyers played their first game on May 28, 1999.
Where: At the southeast corner of the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway and Springinsguth Road.
Who: Alexian Field was designed by Sink Combs Dethlefs Architects and was built by Turner Construction.
How much: The Village of Schaumburg and the Schaumburg Park District split the $16 million construction cost.
Capacity: 7,048, including outfield lawn area that accommodates 1,500. There are 16 skyboxes and a bleacher area that seats over 3,000.
Parking: Free parking is available for 2,300 cars.
Public transportation: The stadium is a short walk from the Schaumburg Metra station.
MAJOR LEAGUERS …
Some of the major-leaguers who played in the Northern League:
– Hank Aaron
– Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd
– Lou Brock
– Steve Carlton
– Orlando Cepeda
– Glenn Davis
– J.D. Drew
– Pedro Guerrero
– Don Larsen
– Roger Maris
– Jack Morris
– Darryl Motley
– Matt Nokes
– Rey Ordonez
– Jim Palmer
– Gaylord Perry
– Dwight Smith
– Willie Stargell
– Darryl Strawberry
– Earl Weaver
– Maury Wills
– Gerald Young
FRANCHISE RECORDS …
Set in 1999
(Team was the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks from 1993-98)
VICTORIES: 44 (previous high 40 in 1998)
BATTING AVERAGE: .293 (previous high .279 in 1997)
RUNS: 492 (previous high 426 in 1997)
HITS: 895 (previous high 808 in 1997)
SINGLES: 633 (previous high 554 in 1998)
DOUBLES: 175 (previous high 168 in 1997)
TRIPLES: 20 (previous high 15 in 1993, 1995 and 1996)
BASES ON BALLS DRAWN: 309 (previous high 300 in 1995)
INDIVIDUAL FRANCHISE RECORDS …
Set in 1999
GAMES PLAYED: Jamie Lopiccolo, 86 (previous high Chad Thornhill, 84 in 1997)
RUNS BATTED IN: Lopiccolo, 78 (previous high Larry See, 69 in 1997)
HITS: Lopiccolo, 119 (previous high Danny Lewis, 103 in 1997)
DOUBLES: Lopiccolo, 28 (previous high Chris Sawyer, 23 in 1997)
RUNS SCORED: Brian Ralph, 73 (previous high Jackie Ross 57 in 1995 and 1996, and Sean Hearn, 57 in 1996)
STOLEN BASES: Ralph, 42 (previous high Rodney McCray, 35 in 1993)
SCHAUMBURG FLYERS 2000 SCHEDULE
MAY
Friday 5/26 7:05 PM 5/30 7:20 PM St. Paul
Wednesday 5/31 7:20 PM St. Paul
JUNE
Friday 6/2 7:20 PM Sioux City
Saturday 6/3 6:20 PM Sioux City
Sunday 6/4 1:20 PM Sioux City
Tuesday 6/6 7:00 PM :20 PM Sioux Falls
Sunday 6/11 1:20 PM Sioux Falls
Tuesday 6/13 7:05 PM /20 7:20 PM Fargo-Moorhead
Wednesday 6/21 7:20 PM Fargo-Moorhead
Thursday 6/22 7:20 PM Madison
Friday 6/23 7:20 PM Madison
Saturday 6/24 6:20 PM Madison
Sunday 6/25 1:20 PM Madison
Tuesday 6/27 7:05 PM 20 PM Winnipeg
Wednesday 7/5 7:20 PM Winnipeg
Friday 7/7 7:20 PM Duluth-Superior
Saturday 7/8 6:20 PM Duluth-Superior
Sunday 7/9 1:20 PM Duluth-Superior
Monday 7/10 7:05 PM 20 PM Winnipeg
Sunday 7/16 1:20 PM Winnipeg
Tuesday 7/18 7:05 PM /25 7:20 PM Fargo-Moorhead
Wednesday 7/26 7:20 PM Fargo-Moorhead
Friday 7/28 7:00 PM esday 8/2 7:20 PM Duluth-Superior
Thursday 8/3 7:20 PM Duluth-Superior
Friday 8/4 7:20 PM Duluth-Superior
Saturday 8/5 6:20 PM Sioux Falls
Sunday 8/6 1:20 PM Sioux Falls
Monday 8/7 7:20 PM Sioux Falls
Tuesday 8/8 7:05 PM 8/12 6:20 PM St. Paul
Sunday 8/13 1:20 PM St. Paul
Tuesday 8/15 7:20 PM Sioux City
Wednesday 8/16 7:20 PM Sioux City
Thursday 8/17 7:20 PM Sioux City
Friday 8/18 7:05 PM :20 PM Madison
Sunday 8/27 1:20 PM Madison
Tuesday 8/29 7:05 PM %%
