League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Vic Johnson

Pitcher

Eau Claire Skelly Oilers 1938; Girard’s Hillbillies 1939; Leif’s Conoco Oilers 1953

Simply put, Vic Johnson is the only person in CRBL history to have played in the Major Leagues, doing so with the Boston Red Sox in 1944 and 1945 as well as the Cleveland Indians in 1946.

Playing in what at the time was called the Chippewa Valley Rural League, the left-handed Johnson’s time in league history was brief but memorable.  In 1938, he tied for the league lead in wins (7) and saves (1), while leading the league with a 1.000 percentage (7-0) for the league champion, 12 and 2 Eau Claire Skelly Oilers.  In 1939, he led the league with a 1.91 ERA (7 ER in 33 IP) and authored the third no-hitter in CRBL history, a 10-3 nine-inning job vs. Jim Falls while hurling for Girard’s Hillbillies.

After bouncing between area teams and leagues over the next few seasons, Johnson was signed by the Eau Claire Bears in 1942.  Pitching at a level roughly equivalent to single A, he went 18 and 7 in 1942, making the Northern League’s all-star team.  In 1943, he went a combined 17 and 12 between stops in Louisville, KY and Scranton, PA as he again made an all-star team, this time in the American Association.  His promising development prompted a call-up to the Red Sox of Boston in 1944, where he debuted against the Yankees on May 3rd in a 11-7 Red Sox loss.  He finished his rookie season with a 0-3 record in 7 appearances, 5 games started, and 27.1 innings pitched with 7 strikeouts and a 6.26 ERA.

In 1945, for a 71 and 83 Boston team that finished in 7th place, Vic emerged as one of the main components on the Red Sox pitching staff.  In 26 appearances and 9 starts, Johnson was 6 and 4 with 4 complete games, 2 saves, 1 shutout, 85 innings pitched, 21 strikeouts, and a 4.02 ERA.

The zenith of his pitching career occurred on August 29th, 1945 when he threw a 1-0 shutout  against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.  Incredibly, he threw 16 consecutive scoreless innings against a Yanks team that year which included Major League Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Joe Gordon, and Bill Dickey.

In 1946, Vic was unexpectedly traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for pitcher Jim Bagby and cash.  For the 6th place Tribe, he was 0-1 in 9 appearances, 1 start, and 13.2 innings pitched with 3 K’s and a 9.22 ERA.  He would be sent to the minors by mid-season, with his last game in the majors being on June 11th, 1946.  Johnson would spend over two more years successfully pitching in the minor leagues, in the process notching a no-hitter vs. future Brooklyn Dodger all-star Carl Erskine on May 28th, 1948.  Vic’s 13 and 7 mark from the mound that summer would count as the last tally on his professional resume.

A finesse pitcher who relied on locating his sinker and curveball, Vic Johnson’s final major league numbers are that of 42 appearances, 6 wins, 8 losses, 15 games started, 4 complete games, 2 saves, 126 innings pitched, 152 hits allowed, 60 walks, 31 strikeouts, 1 shutout, and an ERA of 5.07.  During his seven seasons as a minor leaguer, he won 68 games against 58 setbacks for a winning percentage of .540 while piling up 1,012 innings in 215 pitching appearance, 53 as a starter.

Post-professional baseball found Vic playing and managing on several area teams before returning to league play for one season in 1953 with Leif’s Conoco Oilers out of Eau Claire.  As their player/manager, Johnson threw just 2 innings while guiding the young group to an 8-3 record and assisting in the process of getting several Oiler players signed to professional contracts.

Chippewa Falls LumberJacks

The 2025 version of the Chippewa Falls LumberJacks will be looking to continue their successful tradition in the CRBL. In the past five years the Jacks have played in two CRBL playoffs including a runner up finish in 2021, five straight WBA appearances including qualifying for State in 2024. There were many team and individual highlights in 2024 for the Jacks. Appearing in the All Star game was starter CJ Varsho (CF) as well as Jake Varsho (SS), Tyson Lucas (P), Dawson Rice (P), and Blake Trippler (OF) as substitutes. All of them made significant contributions during the game for the North. Three LumberJacks were honored at the end of the CRBL season with All League awards and they were CJ Varsho (OF & Gold Glove), Tyson Lucas (P), and Jake Varsho (Honorable Mention SS). The Jacks would like to thank all of our sponsors, fans, media, and support staff for all of their efforts in keeping amateur baseball alive and well in Chippewa Falls. Our 2025 season looks to be an exciting one so come on out to Casper Park to watch us in action. Roll Jacks!

ROSTER: Preston Alger, Jack Bowe, Trevor Franz, RJ Freid, Caleb Gardow, Carter Gunderson, Ryan Krumenauer, Leo Lauscher, Blake Loegering, Tyson Lucas, Matt Martineau, Dawson Mathwig, Matt Pomietlo, Dawson Rice, Kellen Smith, Beau Snyder, Griffin Spindler, Sawyer Stein, Bennett Stokke, Blake Trippler, CJ Varsho, Jake Varsho, Dylan Waters

Chippewa Falls LumberJacks Team Pictures - 2024 Season
Chippewa Falls LumberJacks Team Pictures – 2024 Season

 

Sponsors

Casper Park – Chippewa Falls, WI

Chippewa LumberJacks 2025 Season Schedule

DateHomeTime/ResultsAwayField

Chippewa Prides

  • Years in League – 1974-’77
  • 4Seasons
  • All-Time Record 10-43 (.189)

Jim Hoepner

Pitcher, Outfielder

Chippewa Prides 1975-77; Lafayette Lakers 1978-83; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1983-97

A right-handed pitcher, Jim Hoepner used pinpoint control, a sharp curveball, and an unrepentant competitive nature to capture a league record 109 wins during a long and very successful 23-year career.

Despite facing batters swinging metal bats in the hitter friendly parks of Lafayette and Chippewa’s Cardinal Field, Hoepner carved out eight seasons with an ERA of under 3.00.  His low water mark came in 1984, when he led the league with a stifling 1.13 in 55.2 innings.  Set the pace two other years with a 1.73 ERA in 1979 (73 innings) and a 1.98 mark in 1983 (72.1 innings).  In addition to leading the league in ERA three times, he was a strikeout champ twice with totals of 77 in 1985 and 60 in 1991.  Also posted sub-2.00 ERA’s in 1980 (1.94 in 55.2 innings) and 1981 (1.98 in 54.2 innings).  His total of five seasons with an ERA beneath 2.00 is an unmatched league record.

From 1978 to 1991, his seasonal averages were 7 wins, 70 innings thrown, 58 strikeouts, and an accumulative ERA of 2.88.  These totals would have made for a great season, let alone for a 14-year period of being a depended upon ace.

Holds the all-time record for shutouts with 19, leading the league or tying for the league lead in shutouts during seven seasons.  His career high of 4 shutouts in 1984 is tied for the single season mark.

In becoming one of only two pitchers to break the 1,000 inning barrier, Hoepner led the CRBL in this area in 1986 with 80 innings, 1987 with 69 frames, and in 1991 when he notched 78 innings.

On his way to a seemingly unbreakable mark of 109 league wins, Jim was the leader in that category during four years.  His career high of 10 wins against just 1 loss in 1987 tied for the league high.  Also tied for the lead with 6 wins in 1985.  Led the loop outright in 1984 with 8 victories and in 1991 with 7 wins.

Made a habit of helping himself at the plate, gathering 230 hits in 786 at-bats for a career batting average of .293.  Popped out 16 homeruns (high of 4 in 1986) and 51 doubles (high of 6 in 1985).  As a regular, Jim hit .300 or better twelve times, hitting a peak of .432 in 1984 (19 for 44).

A member of six division winners, five league champions, 18 WBA qualifiers, and five Final 8 teams, Hoepner was the unquestioned big game pitcher for the Prides, Lakers, and Lumberjacks.  In his six championship game appearances for the ‘Jacks, Jim was 4 and 1 in 42 innings with 14 strikeouts, 6 walks, 1 save, and an ERA of 4.50.  His complete game shutout in the Lumberjacks’ 12-0 victory over Hallie in the 1987 CRBL title game was an example of his determined pitching style.  In that performance, Jim scattered 10 hits, struck out 1, and did not walk an Eagle batter.

One of only three pitchers in CRBL history to throw two no-hitters, Hopener claimed the 17th and 18th in league play while pitching for Lafayette.  Notched his first as a Laker in a 9-inning, 12-0 decision in 1979 vs. the Jim Falls Sturgeons.  His second came against Tilden in a 1-0, 7-inning gem in 1980.  Combined with fellow Lumberjack Steve Nelson in 1986 to throw one of the four shared no-hitters in league history with a 6-inning, 12-0 win vs. the Cadott Red Sox.

Elected All-CRBL as a pitcher eight times (1979, 1981, 1983-1985, 1987, 1991, 1995) and Honorable Mention three times (1986,1988,1989).  Participated in five All-Star games (1980,1983,1987,1994,1995).

Phil Gannon

Pitcher, Utility

Lafayette Braves 1955-60; Lafayette Generals 1961-64; Lafayette Indians 1965-74

Known as “The Little Lefty”, Gannon effectively used a straight over the top, windmill style delivery to become one of the winningest southpaws in league history.

Playing his entire 20-year career in the baseball hot bed of Lafayette, the bespectacled Gannon was the go to workhorse in the “one game a week” era of league play.

The pinnacle of his pitching prowess came in 1961, when he paced the league with 118 innings pitched, 10 wins, 2 shutouts, and a 2.06 ERA.  1961 also saw him whiff 140 batters.  He had previously K’d over 100 in 1957 with 148 in 108 innings and in 1959 when his tally of 118 sit-downs in 98.1 IP led the league.  Gannon’s sub-100 total of 76 K’s in 1956 was his other league leading effort in that category.

From 1956 to 1963, he averaged 93 innings pitched, with his career high coming in that 1961 season.  Led the league in innings pitched three times, doing so in 1959 with 98.1 IP, 1961 with 118 IP, and in 1962 with 86.1 IP.  Also led the league with a 2.19 ERA in 1962.  Tied for the league lead in shutouts with 2 in 1959 and 1 in 1960.  Co-holder of the single game mark for innings pitched with 16, doing so against the Lake Hallie Lakers while striking out 15 in a 7-5 Braves’ win in 1959.

A regular in Lafayette line-ups, Phil molded a notable offensive career.  In total, he collected 251 hits, 41 doubles, 15 homeruns, 149 RBI’s, 167 runs scored, 160 walks, and 349 total bases in 952 at-bats.  His best offensive season also came in his standout 1961 campaign, when he hit .351 (13 for 37), with league high totals in stolen bases (10) and walks (13).  Tied for the league lead in triples with 2 in 1963.  Led the league with 21 RBI’s in 1971.

Gannon’s stalwart 1961 effort boosted the 10 and 1 Generals to an Eastern Division Crown, a WBA birth, and a spot in the Final 8.  In 1963, his 10 and 4 record accounted for each of the Generals’ decisions, as the crew from Lafayette duplicated their team achievements of 1961.

Provided a veteran presence and a solid stick for the upstart Indians when they won the East Division in 1966, as well as for the Indians’ WBA qualifiers of 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974.  Participated in nine consecutive All-Star games (1955 to 1963).  A memorable performer, Gannon played the first 17 years of his career prior to the annual tradition of All-CRBL awards.

Jeff Couey

1st Basemen, Pitcher

Cadott Red Sox 1972-73, 78-83

Often recalled as the “Babe Ruth” of CRBL play, Jeff Couey was an imposing left-handed masher and a shut-down right-handed closer during his eight seasons for the Cadott Red Sox.

His first two years in the league were of modest beginnings, as he hit a combined .287 (25 for 87) with 1 homerun and 18 RBI’s.  As a pitcher in 1972 he threw only 6 innings, but in 1973 he emerged as a #1, going 4 and 0 with a 2.80 ERA in 35.1 innings and striking out 52 of the opposition.

In Cadott‘s 5-4 championship game win vs. the Jim Falls Sturgeons in 1973, Couey hit a key two-run double and struck out 15 in a complete game effort that should have served as a warning shot for what was to come.

After spending several seasons with the Eau Claire Cavaliers, Couey returned in 1978 to wreak havoc on league competition.  At the plate, he won the triple crown (.483 AVG, 6 HR, 26 RBI) and from the hill he was the ERA champ with a mark of 1.43 (5 ER/31.2 IP) while winning 4 games and losing 1.  In 1979, Couey became the first person in league history to win two triple crowns — and still is the only batter to claim them back to back — leading hitters with a .420 AVG, 8 HR, and 31 RBI.  He went on to lead the league in homeruns and RBI’s the next three years — 8 HR’s and a since broken league record of 38 RBI’s in 1980, 5 HR’s and 26 RBI’s in 1981, and 6 HR’s (tied) and 37 RBI’s in 1982.  Out of this five season rampage, Couey set league marks for most seasons as a home run leader (5), RBI leader (5), and most consecutive seasons leading in each category (5).

Also led the league in hits with 29 in 1979, and runs scored twice with 24 in 1978 and 25 in 1979.  The respect he was shown as a hitter was evident in that he led the league in walks four times — 18 in 1978, 20 in 1979, 18 (tied) in 1981, and 16 in 1982.  Received over one walk per game in his career.  Reportedly, he was once intentionally walked with the bases loaded.

From the bullpen, Couey acted as the late-inning hammer for the championship Cadott Red Sox teams.  In addition to winning the ERA title in 1978, Couey did the same in 1982 at 1.02 (9 ER/26.2 IP).  From his closing role, Jeff tied for the league lead in saves with 2 in 1979 and 1 in 1980, before setting a yet to be broken league record of 7 lockdowns in 1981.

During that 1978 to 1982 run, the Couey fueled Cadott Red Sox went an accumulative 81 and 9 in CRBL play, won four South Division crowns, three league championships, qualified for the WBA each year, and made the Final 8 in 1981.  His legend began to grow when he clubbed 3 homers and knocked in 5 runs during Cadott’s 8-2 South Division playoff win against the Lafayette Lakers in 1979 .  In Cadott’s 8-5 title loss vs. Tilden that year, he was walked 4 times, twice intentionally.  He hit 2 bombs against the Lafayette Lakers in Cadott’s 5-3 Southern Divison playoff victory in 1980, propelling the Sox to their first of three consecutive championships.  In five total championship games, he went 6 for 12 with a double, 2 homeruns, 10 base on balls, and 5 RBI’s while earning a save, a win, and whiffing 31 men in 18 innings of work with an ERA of 1.16.

Elected All-CRBL from 1978 to 1982.  Participated in three All-Star games (1973, 1980, 1981).  A full-time player in six of his eight league seasons, a longer stay would have enabled Couey to make even more immovable marks on the record books.  As it stands, his 37 homeruns rank him tied for 10th all-time while his save total of 12 puts him alone in 5th place.  Whatever his numbers may be, Jeff Couey indisputably etched his name as one of the more memorable players to ever don a uniform in the CRBL.