| Peekskill Highlanders | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Independent (1888) Class C (1903, 1905) Class D (1946–1949) |
| League | Hudson River League (1888, 1903, 1905) North Atlantic League (1946–1949) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | New York Giants (1946–1947) St. Louis Browns (1948) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1946 |
| Conference titles (1) |
|
| Wild card berths (2) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Peekskill (1888, 1903, 1905) Peekskill Highlanders (1946–1949) |
| Ballpark | Peekskill Stadium (1946–1949) |
The Peekskill Highlanders were a minor league baseball team based in Peekskill, New York. Early "Peekskill" teams played as members of the Class C level Hudson River League in 1888, 1903 and 1905. The "Highlanders" played as members of the Class D level North Atlantic League from 1946 to 1949. The Peekskill Highlanders hosted home games at Peekskill Stadium and were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants in 1946 and 1947 and St. Louis Browns in 1948.
Peekskill first hosted minor league baseball in 1888, when the "Peekskill" team played the season as a member of the Independent level Hudson River League. [1] [2] The 1888 Hudson River League stopped play on June 7, 1888. [3] [4] [5]
In 1903, Peekskill returned to minor league play with the Peekskill team becoming a member of Class C level Hudson River League, which reformed after a fifteen–year absence. [6]
On March 25, 1903, and April 1, 1903, meetings were held which resulted in forming the Hudson River League for 1903, which began play without a Peekskill team among the six league teams. Peekskill was accepted as a seventh league team on August 2, 1903. Peekskill began league play on August 10, 1903, and the team was given the same record as Poughkeepsie, 21–24. [1] [7] Fred Valentine served as Peekskill manager, as the team ended the 1903 season with an official record of 48–39, placing third in the Hudson River League. Valentine previously served as manager of the semi–professional team in Peekskill. Peekskill had been initially supportive of becoming a 1903 Hudson Valley League member when the league was formed. However, Peekskill realized that playing five to six games a week would require their players to leave more “lucrative positions” in their regular jobs. Peekskill instead played independent exhibition games and Valentine eventually reapplied for admission to the Hudson River League. Peekskill folded from the Hudson River League after the season, having experienced financial difficulties in their brief period of play in the league. [8] [9] [10] [11]
In 1905, Peekskill played a partial season in their final year as a member of the Class C level Hudson River League. [12] On June 1, 1905, Peekskill ended the 1905 season with a record of 5–13 when the Peekskill franchise disbanded. Paddy Burke and Walter Dobbins served as the Peekskill managers in 1905. [13] [14] [1] [11] The Hudson River League played a final season in 1906, without a Peekskill franchise. [11]
Minor league baseball returned to Peekskill in 1946, when the Peekskill "Highlanders" became charter members of the Class D North Atlantic League, playing as an affiliate of the New York Giants. [15] The North Atlantic League featured the Peekskill Highlanders 82–32, Nazareth Cement Dusters 78–40, Stroudsburg Poconos 72–47, Carbondale Pioneers 69–48, Nyack Rockies 67–53, Bloomingdale Troopers 41–78, Mahanoy City Bluebirds 30–79 and Newburgh Hummingbirds/Walden Hummingbirds 27–89. [16] [11] [17]
The Highlanders owner was Lou Baselice of Mount Vernon, New York. Baselice was the simultaneous owner of both the Peekskill Highlanders and the Poughkeepsie Chiefs of the Colonial League. It was reported that Baselice would move his best Peekskill players to the Poughkeepsie team. [17]
The Peekskill Highlanders won the 1946 North Atlantic League championship in their first season. [18] The Highlanders ended the 1946 season with a record of 82–32, placing first in the regular season standings, finishing 6.0 games ahead of the second place Nazareth Cement Dusters, playing the season under Manager Tony Ravish. In the playoffs, the Highlanders defeated the Stroudsburg Poconos 4 games to 2 to advance. In the Finals, the Peekskill Highlanders won the championship by defeating the Carbondale Pioneers 4 games to 3. Playing at Peekskill Stadium, season home attendance was 51,200, an average of 898 per home game. [16] [19] [11]
The Highlanders' Tony Napoles pitched to a perfect 18–0 record with a 2.32 ERA in the 1946 regular season. Napoles then had a 4–0 record in the playoffs, for a final record of 22–0. [20]
In their second season of North Atlantic League play, the 1947 Peekskill Highlanders reached the Finals of the North Atlantic League. [21] Remaining as a New York Giants affiliate, Peekskill finished the 1947 regular season with a record of 69–64, placing third in the North Atlantic League standings under player/Manager Al Gardella. In the first round of the playoffs, Peekskill defeated the Kingston Dodgers 4 games to 1. In the North Atlantic League finals, the Carbondale Pioneers beat the Peekskill Highlanders in five games. Season attendance was 23,300, an average of 350. [22] [23] [11] [24]
The 1948 Peekskill Highlanders won the North Atlantic League pennant under returning player/Manager Al Gardella. [25] Playing as a St. Louis Browns affiliate, the Highlanders advanced to the league finals for the third consecutive season. Peekskill ended the 1948 regular season with a record of 84–49, placing first in the North Atlantic League and 2.0 games ahead of the second place Carbondale Pioneers. In the 1948 Playoffs, Peekskill defeated the Bloomingdale Troopers 4 games to 3. In the finals, Carbondale swept the Highlanders in four games. Home season attendance was 42,023, an average of 632. [26] [27] [11] [28]
The Peekskill Highlanders played their final North Atlantic League season in 1949, advancing to the Finals for the fourth consecutive season. [29] The Highlanders ended the 1949 regular season with a record of 64–75, placing fourth in the North Atlantic League standings with Al Gardella again serving as manager. In the first round of the four-team playoffs, the Highlanders defeated the Lebanon Chix 4 games to 1. In the finals, the Stroudsburg Poconos defeated the Peekskill Highlanders in six games. Stroudsburg had finished the regular season with a 101–36 record and are listed among The National Baseball Association's top 100 minor league teams. [30] The final season of play at Peekskill stadium saw total attendance of 27,300 an average of 393. Peekskill folded after the 1949 season. The North Atlantic League itself folded after the 1950 season. [31] [32] [11] [33]
Peekskill has not fielded another minor league team. [34]
In July, 2012, former Peekskill players and fans gathered for a 3–day reunion event at the Peekskill Museum, celebrating minor league baseball in Peekskill. [35] [36]
Today, Peekskill hosts a team in the amateur Hudson Valley Collegiate Baseball League. [37] [38]
From 1946 to 1949 the Peekskill Highlanders hosted minor league home games at Peekskill Stadium. [39] The stadium had a capacity of 3,700. The original Peekskill Stadium was torn down and the site is a retail area today. The ballpark was located on Grant Avenue between East Main & Park Streets in Peekskill, New York. Today, a new "Peekskill Stadium," which opened in 2004, hosts baseball. The new ballpark is located at 30 Louisa Street in Peekskill, New York. [38] [40] [41]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | 1 | Peekskill | Independent | Hudson River League | None |
| 1903 | 1 | Class C | |||
| 1905 | 1 | ||||
| 1946–1947 | 2 | Peekskill Highlanders | Class D | North Atlantic League | New York Giants |
| 1948 | 1 | St. Louis Browns | |||
| 1949 | 1 | None | |||
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | 0–0 | NA | Unknown | League folded June 7, 1888 |
| 1903 | 48–39 | 3rd | Fred Valentine | No playoffs held |
| 1905 | 5–13 | 7th | Paddy Burke / Walter Dobbins | Folded June 1, 1905 |
| 1946 | 82–32 | 1st | Tony Ravish | League Champions |
| 1947 | 69–64 | 3rd | Al Gardella | Lost in Finals |
| 1948 | 84–49 | 1st | Al Gardella | Lost in Finals |
| 1949 | 64–75 | 4th | Al Gardella | Lost in Finals |
The Vicksburg Hill Billies was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Vicksburg, Mississippi between 1893 and 1955. Vicksburg teams played as a member of the Mississippi State League (1893–1894), Cotton States League, Southeastern League (1946–1950) and Cotton States League (1955).
The Sedalia Goldbugs were a minor league baseball team based in Sedalia, Missouri. Between 1904 and 1911, Sedalia teams played as a member of the Missouri Valley League (1902–1904), Western Association (1905) and Missouri State League (1911), winning league championships in 1903 and 1911. Sedalia played as the Sedalia Cubs in 1911. Sedalia hosted minor league home games at Liberty Park Stadium.
The Greenville Greenies was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Greenville, North Carolina between 1928 and 1951. Greenville teams played as members of the Eastern Carolina League from 1928 to 1929 and Coastal Plain League from 1934 to 1941 and 1946 to 1951.
The Rome Colonels was the primary moniker of minor league baseball teams based in Rome, New York between 1898 and 1951. Rome teams played as members of the New York State League (1898–1901), Empire State League (1905) and Canadian–American League. The Colonels were preceded in Rome by the Rome Romans.
The Poughkeepsie Colts was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Between 1886 and 1950, Poughkeepsie teams played as members of the Hudson River League, New York State League (1894), Hudson River League (1903–1907), Eastern Association (1909), New York-New Jersey League (1913), Atlantic League (1914) and Colonial League (1948–1950). Poughkeepsie teams won five league championships.
The Mahanoy City Brewers was the final and primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania between 1887 and 1950. Mahanoy City teams played as members of the Central Pennsylvania League (1887–1888), Anthracite League (1924) and North Atlantic League (1946–1950). Mahanoy City was an affiliate of the Boston Braves in 1946.
The Carbondale Pioneers were a minor league baseball team based in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Between 1895 and 1950, Carbondale teams played as members of the Pennsylvania State League in 1895 and 1896 and North Atlantic League from 1946 to 1950. The Carbondale Pioneers were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1947 to 1950, winning league championships in 1947 and 1948. The Pioneers hosted minor league home games at Russell Park.
The Nyack Rocklands were a minor league baseball team based in Nyack, New York. The Rocklands were unofficially nicknamed the "Rockies" and played as members of the Class D level North Atlantic League from 1946 to 1948. The 1947 Nyack Rocklands were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. Nyack hosted home minor league games at the Nyack High School ballpark.
The Bangor Bangors were an American minor league baseball team based in Bangor, Pennsylvania, United States. Bangor teams played as members of the 1907 Blue Mountain League and the Class D level North Atlantic League in 1949 and 1950, hosting home games at Bangor Stadium. The team played a partial season in 1949 known as the "Pickers."
The Lansdale Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. The Dukes played as members of the 1948 Class D level North Atlantic League, finishing last in their only season of minor league play. Lansdale finished the season with a 28–101 record, hosting home games at Weaver Field.
The Newburgh Taylor–mades was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Newburgh, New York. Between 1886 and 1914, Newburgh teams played under numerous nicknames as members of the Hudson River League, the 1913 New York-New Jersey League and 1914 Atlantic League. Newburgh hosted minor league home games at the West End Park and Driving Park.
The Hudson Marines were a minor league baseball team based in Hudson, New York. From 1903 to 1907, the Marines played exclusively as members of the Hudson River League, managed by Augie Schnack each season. The Marines captured the 1905 Hudson River League championship.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Fall River, Massachusetts between 1877 and 1949. Fall River teams played as members of the New England Association (1877), League Alliance (1877), New England League, Colonial League (1914–1915) and New England League (1946–1949), winning five league championships. Fall River hosted home minor league games at the Athletic Grounds beginning in 1893 through 1915 and at Fall River Stadium from 1946 to 1949.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Lawrence, Massachusetts between 1877 and 1946. Lawrence minor league baseball teams played as members of the 1877 New England Association, 1884 Massachusetts State Association, 1885 Eastern New England League, New England League, 1895 New England Association, New England League, Eastern League (1916–1917) and New England League.
Minor league baseball teams based in Fayetteville, North Carolina played between 1910 and 1956. Fayetteville teams played as members of the 1910 Eastern Carolina Association, the 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 resumed minor league play in 2019, as members of the Carolina League.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in various seasons between 1902 and 2003. The Baton Rouge minor league teams played as members of the Cotton States League, Dixie League (1933), East Dixie League (1934), Evangeline League (1946–1957), Gulf States League (1976), All-American Association (2001) and Southeastern League (2002–2003).
The Lebanon Chix were a minor league baseball team based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In 1949 and 1950, the Chix played as members of the North Atlantic League and were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. After qualifying for the 1949 playoffs, Lebanon won the 1950 North Atlantic League championship in the final season of play for the league. Lebanon hosted home games at Grimes Stadium, built by the owners of the Chix.
The Paterson Invaders were a minor league baseball team based in Paterson, New Jersey. From 1904 to 1907, Paterson teams played as members of the Class C level Hudson River League, winning the 1906 league championship. The team played as the "Intruders" in the 1904 and 1907 seasons, before the franchise folded during the 1907 season, leading to the demise of the league.
The Nazareth Barons were a minor league baseball team based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. From 1946 to 1950, Nazareth teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level North Atlantic League, qualifying for the 1946 playoffs and finishing in last place in both of their final two seasons. Nazareth was a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers in 1947. Nazateth hosted home minor league home games at Nazareth Borough Park.
The Saugerties team was a minor league baseball team based in Saugerties, New York. From 1903 to 1905, Saugerties played as members of the Hudson River League. The team relocated to become the Pittsfield Hillies during the 1905 season.