Bay City Billikens

From 1907 to 1915, Bay City teams played exclusively as members of the Southern Michigan League under numerous nicknames.

The Bay City Southern Michigan League baseball teams played single seasons known as the "Reds" and "Cardinals" before 1911, when they became known as the "Billikens."

Before joining the Southern Michigan League in 1907, the "Bay city" team played briefly in the 1906 season as members of the Class C level Interstate Association.

The Anderson, Indiana, Flint Vehicles, Fort Wayne Railroaders, Lima Lees, Marion Moguls, Muncie Fruit Jars and Saginaw teams joined Bay City in beginning the league schedule on April 26, 1906.

The Battle Creek Crickets, Flint Vehicles, Jackson Convicts, Kalamazoo White Sox, Lansing Senators, Mount Clemens Bathers and Tecumseh Indians teams joined Bay City in beginning league play on May 14, 1907.

Taylor, Bay City finished 19.0 games behind the first place Tecumseh Indians in the final standings, as the league held no playoffs.

Taylor and Clyde McNutt, Bay City finished the season 25.0 games behind the first place Saginaw Wa-was, as the league held no playoffs.

[5][11][12] After a thirteen-year major league career that ended with a .302 average, 1,124 RBI, 1,227 runs scored and 324 stolen bases as a shortstop, Ed McKean played for Bay City in 1908.

[13][14] The renamed Bay City "Cardinals" team improved to finish in fifth place in the 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs.

[19] Playing under managers Elbert Nugent and Leon Foy, Bay City finished with a final record of 59-81.

Bay City ended the Southern Michigan League season 28.5 games behind the first place Lansing Senators.

[24] During the 1911 football season, local reporters opined that Bender resembled the Billiken charm doll, which were a "national fad" at the time.

[26] With a record of 73–64, playing the season under managers Mo Myers and Bo Slear, the Billikens finished 14.0 games behind the first place Kalamazoo Celery Pickers (88-51) in the final league standings.

[5][30][31] Albert "Bull" Durham, who spilt the season between Bay City and Lansing, led the Southern Michigan League hitters with 25 home runs.