Louie Graupmann
2021 Hall of Fame Inductee
Plato, MN
Plato, MN
Louie’s baseball career began at a young age watching his father play amateur baseball and playing pickup games with his friends. He graduated from Glencoe High School in 1964, participating in baseball, football and basketball serving as team captain in both baseball and football.
Louis had an 18-year career with the Plato Blue Jays. He was a Crow River Valley League All Star while playing catcher, first base and outfield. In 1966, Plato won the league championship and Louie was named league MVP with a batting average of .429. He was also a member of Plato’s first State Tournament teams in 1977 and 1979. At the end of his career he was the team’s co-manager and is currently Plato’s baseball board president.
Over the years, Louie has been a team host at state amateur tournaments and has umpired numerous local amateur events in the area. He was instrumental in constructing the new baseball field in Plato along with revamping the bleachers, dugouts, concession stand, storage shed and new little league fields. He continues to help with field maintenance and field scheduling of all levels of baseball and softball. He is well-known for keeping the refreshments going in Louie’s Snack Shack.
Louie was a volunteer fireman for 46 years for the City of Plato, including time as the Fire Chief. He is a member of St. Paul’s UCC Church where he has been president, board member, Sunday School teacher, and confirmation mentor. He was President of Glencoe High School Lettermen’s Club, a member of their Booster Club, and is a fixture on the chain gang for Glencoe-Silver Lake football games. He is also a volunteer for the McLeod County Food Shelf and a Red Cross blood donor.
Louie and his wife, Ardeen, have two children and five grandchildren: daughter Joan Hansel and husband Brent and their children Jacob and Noelle; and son Chris and wife Cory and their children Nolan, Nick and Hannah.
Louis had an 18-year career with the Plato Blue Jays. He was a Crow River Valley League All Star while playing catcher, first base and outfield. In 1966, Plato won the league championship and Louie was named league MVP with a batting average of .429. He was also a member of Plato’s first State Tournament teams in 1977 and 1979. At the end of his career he was the team’s co-manager and is currently Plato’s baseball board president.
Over the years, Louie has been a team host at state amateur tournaments and has umpired numerous local amateur events in the area. He was instrumental in constructing the new baseball field in Plato along with revamping the bleachers, dugouts, concession stand, storage shed and new little league fields. He continues to help with field maintenance and field scheduling of all levels of baseball and softball. He is well-known for keeping the refreshments going in Louie’s Snack Shack.
Louie was a volunteer fireman for 46 years for the City of Plato, including time as the Fire Chief. He is a member of St. Paul’s UCC Church where he has been president, board member, Sunday School teacher, and confirmation mentor. He was President of Glencoe High School Lettermen’s Club, a member of their Booster Club, and is a fixture on the chain gang for Glencoe-Silver Lake football games. He is also a volunteer for the McLeod County Food Shelf and a Red Cross blood donor.
Louie and his wife, Ardeen, have two children and five grandchildren: daughter Joan Hansel and husband Brent and their children Jacob and Noelle; and son Chris and wife Cory and their children Nolan, Nick and Hannah.