Tombstone
Born: December 9, 1981 – Midwest League expansion franchise1ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Midwest League expands again”. The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI). December 10, 1981
Moved: November 1982 (Peoria Suns)
First Game: April 13, 1982 (W 3-1 vs. Clinton Giants)
Last Game: August 31, 1982 (L 8-3 vs. Beloit Brewers)
Midwest League Championships: None
Stadium
Ownership & Affiliation
Owner: Lou Eliopulos
Major League Affiliation: California Angels
Attendance
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Source: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (1st ed.), Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 1993
Background
The Danville Suns were an Illinois-based farm team of the California Angels during the summer of 1982. The club was part of the 5-team minor league empire assembled by a cemetery plot salesman named Lou Eliopulos between 1979 and 1983. In 1982 Eliopulos owned teams in Jacksonville, Florida; Elmira, New York; Hagerstown, Maryland; and Florence, South Carolina. All of them, with the exception of Florence, were known as the “Suns”.
The Suns marked the return of the Class A Midwest League to Danville after a five-year absence. The city previously hosted the league’s Danville Warriors (1970-1974) and Danville Dodgers (1975-1976).
Road to Anaheim
Four 1982 Suns players went on to make the Major Leagues, all making their debuts with the Angels. They included:
- Pitcher T.R. Bryden
- Pitcher Urbano Lugo
- Shortstop Dick Schofield
- Outfielder Devon White
Dick Schofield won the 1982 Midwest League batting title during his summer in Danville, batting .360.
Devon White went on to earn 3 All-Star selections and 7 Gold Gloves in the Majors. He was also a three-time World Series champion with the Toronto Blue Jays (1992-1993) and Florida Marlins (1997).
Move To Peoria
The Suns lasted only one season in Danville. The Danville Suns weren’t especially good. Their 1982 record of 57-80 was 10th best in the 12-team Midwest League. Attendance was just 44,105 for 70 home dates, a figure that ranked 10th place in the circuit. Eliopulos moved the team to Peoria, Illinois in November 1982.
A year later, in ill health, Eliopulos began divesting from minor league baseball. From his peak of 5 clubs in 1982, he was entirely out of the sport by 1986. He passed away in 1987.
Professional baseball has never returned to Danville, Illinois since the Suns departed in 1982.
Downloads
1982 overview of Baseball Enterprises, Inc., the ownership group behind the Danville Suns.
Introducing Baseball Enterprises Inc.
Links
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One Response
Danville Stadium is still up and hosts a Prospect League franchise. The classic ballpark still holds up well for the summer collegiate crowds each year. https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/danville-stadium-s147