Outstanding Team Award

Induction Year: 2017

During the 1970s and 80s, the Grand Rapids Sullivan’s baseball team was the winningest non-professional team in the United States.
In 46 seasons, the Furnituremen posted a 1,895-510 record with four National Baseball Congress titles, six international tournament crowns, 30 NBC state championships, 27 United Baseball League championships and 40 City Major titles.
More than 600 players played for the team, with 240 eventually signing professional contracts and 76 making Major League Baseball rosters. A former Sullivan’s player was part of every Major League roster in the modern era.
Three major league managers also were former members in Phil Reagan, John Farrell and Kirk Gibson.
Managed and sponsored by local businessman and Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Famer Bob Sullivan, the team first played in 1953 and filled a void for local baseball after the Grand Rapids Jets folded in 1950 until the West Michigan Whitecaps, a professional minor league franchise, started play in 1994.