| Lumberton Cubs | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1947–1950) |
| League | Tobacco State League (1947–1950) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | Chicago Cubs (1947–1949) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Conference titles (1) | 1950 |
| Wild card berths (2) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Lumberton Cubs (1947–1948) Lumberton Auctioneers (1949–1950) |
| Ballpark | Lumberton Armory Field (1946–1950) |
The Lumberton Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Lumberton, North Carolina. From 1947 to 1950, Lumberton teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, winning the league pennant in 1950. The franchise played as the Lumberton Auctioneers in 1949 and 1950. Lumberton hosted home games at Lumberton Armory Field.
The Lumberton Cubs were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs from 1947 to 1949.
Lumberton, North Carolina first hosted minor league play in 1947. The Lumberton "Cubs" began play as members of the eight–team Class D level Tobacco State League as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Clinton Blues, Dunn-Erwin Twins, Red Springs Red Robins, Sanford Spinners, Smithfield-Selma Leafs, Warsaw Red Sox and Wilmington Pirates teams joined Lumberton in league play. [1] [2]
The Lumberton minor league franchise was formed in 1947. Reportedly a group of 10 local businessmen, including Tim Murcheson, led an effort to the apply to the Tobacco State League for membership. The league accepted the application and expanded from six to eight teams, adding Lumberton and Red Springs teams as new members for the 1947 season. Jack Sheahan was president of the franchise in 1947; Harold K. George, vice president and Elton Frazier, business manager. [3] [4]
The home opener at Lumberton was on April 24, 1947. It was noted the Fairmont and Lumberton High School bands performed, as Reverend R.L. Alexander served as master of ceremonies. Lumberton Mayor “Rom” A. Hedgpeth addressed the 3,000 fans in attendance before the games. Mrs. M.F. Townsend and Henry McDuffie sing the national anthem. Lumberton lost to Red Springs by the score of 14–3 in the opening game. [3]
In their first season of play, the 1947 Lumberton Cubs ended the season in second place. Playing in the eight–team league, Lumberton ended the regular season with a 71–49 record under manager Red Lucas. Lumberton finished 12.5 games behind of the first place Sanford Spinners. In the playoffs, Lumberton first defeated the Dunn-Erwin Twins 4 games to 1 to advance. The Cubs lost to Sanford 4 games to 3 in the final series. [5] [6]
In 1948, the Lumberton Cubs continued play as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League. The Cubs ended the regular season in seventh place with an 55–81 record, playing under manager Charles Jamin. Lumberton finished 25.0 games behind the first placed Sanford Spinners in the final standings. Lumberton did not qualify for the playoffs, won by the Reeds Springs Robins. [7] [8]
Continuing play in the 1949 Tobacco State League, the newly named Lumberton Auctioneers placed third in the eight–team league in their final season as a Chicago Cubs affiliate. The Auctioneers finished the regular season with a record of 75–61, playing under managers Red Lucas and Jim Guinn. Lumberton finished 6.5 games behind the first place Dunn-Erwin Twins in the regular season standings. Lumberton lost in the first round playoff series against the Dunn-Erwin Twins 4 games to 1. [9] [10]
In 1949, it was reported the team held a contest to pick a new name for the team. Reverend R.L. Alexander led six other judges in picking the winner, and the Lumberton "Auctioneers" was chosen. The club was generally referred to as the Auks. It was noted Murphy Bowman was the Lumberton franchise president. R.A. Hedgpeth was the vice-president and Buddy Frazier continued as business manager. [3]
In their final season, the 1950 Lumberton Auctioneers won the Tobacco State League pennant. On July 12, 1950, John Gerace of Lumberton threw a no-hitter in a 5–0 victory over the Red Springs Red Robins. With a 93–41 regular season record, the Auctioneers placed first in the regular season standings, finishing 1.5 games ahead of the second place Sanford Spinners. Led by manager John Streza, Lumberton proceeded to the playoffs, losing to the Rockingham Eagles 4 games to 2. Lumberton reportedly lost the first two playoff games at home and won two games on the road. The Auctioneers played their last game with a 17–inning 7–6 loss. The Tobacco State League permanently folded following the 1950 season. [11] [12] [3]
Lumberton, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team. [13]
The Lumberton minor league teams were noted to have played home games at the Lumberton Armory Field. The ballpark reportedly underwent improvements to begin hosting minor league games in 1947, including new sod on the infield, improved restrooms and updated grandstands. In 1948, it was reported a roof was built over the grandstands and a visiting locker room was constructed. 1947 admission was 65 cents for adults, 35 cents for high school students and 25 cents for children younger than 12. The site today contains the Bill Sapp Recreation Center. The location is 1100 North Cedar Street, Lumberton, North Carolina. [3] [14] [15]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947–1948 | 2 | Lumberton Cubs | Class D | Tobacco State League | Chicago Cubs | Armory Field |
| 1949 | 1 | Lumberton Auctioneers | ||||
| 1950 | 1 | None |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Attend | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | 71–49 | 2nd | Red Lucas | 50,758 | Lost in Finals |
| 1948 | 55–81 | 7th | Charles Jamin | 38,772 | Did not qualify |
| 1949 | 75–61 | 3rd | Red Lucas / Jim Guinn | 60,038 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1950 | 92–43 | 1st | John Streza | 42,796 | Lost in 1st round |
The Tobacco State League was a Class D level American minor baseball league that played for five seasons (1946–1950) in Organized Baseball in the state of North Carolina. The Red Springs Red Robins won two league championships.
The Pittsburg Browns were a minor league baseball team based in Pittsburg, Kansas. From 1946 to 1951, the Browns played as members of the Class D level Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns, winning the 1946 league championship. The Browns hosted home minor league games at Jaycee Park.
The Rock Hill Chiefs was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA between 1908 and 1968. Rock Hill teams played as members of the South Carolina League (1908), Tri-State League (1947–1955) and Western Carolinas League (1963–1968).
The Statesville Owls were a minor league baseball team located in Statesville, North Carolina. Statesville minor league teams played a member of the North Carolina Association (1900), Tar Heel League (1939–1940), North Carolina State League,, Tar Heel League (1953), Western Carolina League (1960–1962) and Western Carolinas League, winning three league championships.
The Concord Weavers were a minor league baseball team based in Concord, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1951, Concord teams played as a member of the Independent level Carolina League from 1936 to 1938 and the Class D level North Carolina State League from 1939 to 1942 and 1945 to 1951, winning two league pennants and one championship. The franchise played as the Concord Nationals from 1949 to 1950 and Concord Sports in 1951, with Concord teams hosting minor league home games at Webb Field.
The Elkin Blanketeers were a minor league baseball team based in Elkin, North Carolina. The Blanketeers played as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League from 1949 to 1950 and North Carolina State League from 1951 to 1952, winning the 1950 pennant. Elkin hosted home minor league games at Elkin Memorial Park, where a Blanketeer player was married at home plate in 1950.
The Mooresville Moors were a minor league baseball team based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1953, the Mooresville Moors teams played as members of the 1936 Carolina League, the North Carolina State League from 1937 to 1942 and 1945 to 1952 before playing a final season in the 1953 Tar Heel League. The Mooresville Moors won six North Carolina State League Championships. For one season, the team became known as the Mooresville "Braves," playing the 1945 season as a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. The Moors and Braves hosted minor league home games at Mooresville Park.
The Sanford Spinners were a professional minor league baseball team based in Sanford, North Carolina. The Spinners played as members of the Class D level Bi-State League in 1941 and 1942 and the Tobacco State League from 1946 to 1950, winning league championships in 1942 and 1946. The Spinners hosted minor league home games at Temple Park.
The Rutherford County Owls were a minor league baseball team based in the Rutherford County, North Carolina cities of Spindale, North Carolina and Forest City, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1960, the Rutherford County based teams played as members of the 1936 Carolina League, the Western Carolina League from 1948 to 1952, Tar Heel League from 1953 to 1954 and Western Carolina League in 1960, winning the 1949 league championship and qualifying for the playoffs six other times. The franchise played as the Forest City Owls in the 1948 and 1953 seasons.
The Lenoir Red Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Lenoir, North Carolina. Between 1937 and 1951, Lenoir teams played as members of the 1937 and 1938 Carolina League, 1939 and 1940 Tar Heel League, 1946 and 1947 Blue Ridge League and the Western Carolina League from 1948 to 1951, winning three league championships. Lenoir teams hosted home minor league games at the Lenoir High School Field.
The Red Springs Red Robins were a minor league baseball team based in Red Springs, North Carolina. From 1947 to 1950, the Red Springs Red Robins played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, winning league championships in 1948 and 1949. The Red Robins were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics for their duration. The 1969 Red Springs Twins succeeded the Red Robins, playing as members of the Class A level Carolina League.
The Clinton Sampson Blues was the final nickname of the minor league baseball teams based in Clinton, North Carolina and within Sampson County, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the Clinton based teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, hosting home games at the Clinton High School Park. The franchise first played as the "Clinton Blues" from 1946 to 1948. The Clinton Blues were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers in 1948.
The Dunn–Erwin Twins were a minor league baseball teams based in Dunn, North Carolina in partnership with Erwin, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the Dunn–Erwin teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League and hosted home games at the Dunn High School Park.
The Whiteville Tobs were a minor league baseball team based in Whiteville, North Carolina. In 1950, the Tobs played a partial season as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League in the final season of the league, hosting home games at Legion Memorial Field.
The Rockingham Eagles were a minor league baseball team based in Rockingham, North Carolina who won the league championship in their only season of play. In 1950, the Eagles played as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, winning the league championship in the last season of play for the league. The Rockingham Baseball Park served as home to the Eagles.
The Smithfield–Selma Leafs were a minor league baseball team based in Smithfield, North Carolina, in partnership with Selma, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the Smithfield–Selma Leafs teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League and hosted home games Legion Park in Smithfield.
The Angier–Fuquay Springs Bulls were a minor league baseball team based in Angier, North Carolina in partnership with the Fuquay Mineral Spring area. In 1946, the Bulls played as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, winning the league championship in their only season of minor league play. The team hosted home games at the Angier Baseball Park.
The Warsaw Red Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Warsaw, North Carolina. From 1947 to 1948, the Warsaw Red Sox played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, hosting home minor league games at Warsaw Park.
Minor league baseball teams based in Fayetteville, North Carolina played between 1910 and 1956. The Fayetteville teams played as members of the Eastern Carolina Association in 1910, Eastern Carolina League in 1909, 1911, 1928 to 1929 and Carolina League from 1953 to 1956. The early minor league teams preceded today's Fayetteville Woodpeckers, who began play in the Carolina League in 2019.
The Florence Steelers were a minor league baseball team based in Florence, South Carolina. From 1948 to 1950, the Steelers played as members of the Class B level Tri-State League, hosting home games at American Legion Stadium. The Steelers won the 1949 Tri–State League championship.