Lutz Ranks Bee Jays #6 All-Time and Best in Kansas

Wichita Eagle columnist Bob Lutz ranked what he thinks is the top 25 National Baseball Congress franchises of all-time in Sunday’s Wichita Eagle. Lutz ranked the Bee Jays sixth on the all-time list and number one in Kansas.

Other Jayhawk League teams that made the list were the El Dorado Broncos at number seven and the Hays Larks at number 16. The Nevada Griffons who were in the Jayhawk League but dropped out this year due to the cost of travel rounded out Lutzź??s list at number 25.

Top 7 courtesy of kansas.com

1. Fairbanks (Alaska) Goldpanners ź?? The six championships and six runners-up speak for themselves. No team has produced more big-name players.

2. Anchorage (Alaska) Glacier Pilots ź?? Four titles and a bunch of near misses. The Pilots won in 1969, their first season.

3. Grand Rapids (Mich.) Sullivans ź?? Bob Sullivan, the skipper and owner, is one of the most colorful figures in NBC history and his team won four championships, including back-to-back in 1983 and ’84.

4. Boulder (Colo.) Collegians ź?? The mystique of the team and its leader, Bauldie Moschetti, was off the charts. Won in 1966, 1967, 1975 and 1978.

5. Ft. Wayne (Ind.) General Electrics/Capeharts/ Dairymen ź?? The most powerful early franchise won four straight from 1947-50 and added a fifth title in 1956.

6. Liberal BeeJays ź?? Now in its 55th year of operation, Liberal has been Kansas’ best team over the long haul. Won championships in 1969, 1979, 1985 and 2000.

7. Hutchinson-Wichita-El Dorado Broncos ź?? The orange-and-black dominated the late 1980s and ’90s, winning in

1989, 1990, 1996 and 1998.

For the complete list go to http://www.kansas.com/sports/lutz/story/905546.html