Suffolk Nuts

Last updated
Suffolk Nuts
Minor league affiliations
Class Class C (1915, 1919-1920)
Class B (1921)
League Virginia League (1915, 1919-1921)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Wild card berths (0)None
Team data
NameSuffolk Tigers (1915)
Suffolk Nuts (1919-1920)
Suffolk Wildcats (1921)
BallparkPeanut Park (1915, 1919-1921)

The Suffolk Nuts were a minor league baseball team based in Suffolk, Virginia. In 1915 and from 1919 to 1921, Suffolk teams played as members of the Virginia League, hosting minor league home games at Peanut Park. Suffolk teams did not win a Virginia League championship, with fifth place being the highest finish for the franchise.

Contents

History

After Norfolk first hosted minor league baseball with the 1911 Suffolk championship team of the Tidewater League, [1] the "Nuts" were preceded in minor league play by the 1915 Suffolk Tigers of the Class C level Virginia League. The Tigers finished the 1915 season in fifth place in the six-team league with a record of 59-62. [2] [3] The Suffolk Tigers folded from the Virginia League following the 1915 season, replaced in 1916 league play by the Hopewell Powder Puffs. [4] [2]

In 1919, the Suffolk "Nuts" rejoined the Virginia League, which was a six–team, Class C level league. The Newport News Shipbuilders, Norfolk Tars, Petersburg Goobers, Portsmouth Truckers and Richmond Colts joined Suffolk in beginning league play on May 8, 1919. [5]

The Suffolk use of the "Nuts" moniker corresponded with local peanut agriculture and production in the city. Suffolk was self–nicknamed as the "Peanut Capitol of the World." [6] The team played home games at Peanut Park, located next to the Suffolk Peanut Company. [7]

In their first season of play, the Suffolk Nuts placed fifth in the Virginia League final standings. The Nuts ended the regular season with a record of 49–58, finishing 12.0 games behind the first place Petersburg Goobers. The league did not hold playoffs. Rube Oldring served as the Suffolk manager. [8] [9] [2]

(1910) Gabby Street, Washington Senators Gabby Street, Washington, AL (baseball) LCCN2014687979.jpg
(1910) Gabby Street, Washington Senators

Playing the 1920 season under manager Gabby Street, who had played for Suffolk in 1915, the Nuts placed seventh as the Virginia League expanded to eight teams. [10] Street would later manage the 1931 St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series championship and become a longtime Cardinals radio announcer. [11] Under Street, Suffolk ended the 1920 season with a record of 47–69 in the Virginia League season standings. The Nuts finished the season 30.0 games behind the first place Richmond Colts in the final standings. [12] [2] [13]

In 1921, Suffolk became known as the "Wildcats," as the Virginia League was upgraded to become a Class B level league and held a playoff for the first time. [14] The Suffolk Wildcats ended the Virginia League regular season in sixth place with a record of 59–78, finishing 20.5 games behind the first place Portsmouth Truckers. [15] Managed by the returning Gabby Street and Bill Cunningham, Suffolk did not qualify for the playoff, won by Portsmouth over the Norfolk. [2] [16]

The Virginia League reduced from eight teams to six for the 1922 season and the Suffold franchise was folded, along with the Tarboro Tarbabies. [2] [17] Suffolk, Virginia next hosted minor league baseball when the 1948 Suffolk Goobers returned to play when the Virginia League reformed. [18]

The ballpark

The Suffolk Nuts and other Virginia League teams hosted home minor league home games at "Peanut Park." The ballpark location was adjacent to the Suffolk Peanut Company, giving it its name. In its history, the park was also known as Smith Street Park, Athletic Park and League Park. [7] Today, Peanut Park is still in use as a public park with a ballfield. Peanut Park is located at 308 South Saratoga Street. [19]

(2018) Suffolk Peanut Company complex. National Register of Historic Places. Suffolk, Virginia Suffolk Peanut Company complex.jpg
(2018) Suffolk Peanut Company complex. National Register of Historic Places. Suffolk, Virginia

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
19151Suffolk Tigers Class C Virginia LeaguePeanut Park
1919-19202Suffolk Nuts
19211Suffolk Wildcats Class B

Year–by–year records

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
191559–625thHarry Welcher / George KellyNo playoffs held
191949–585th Rube Oldring No playoffs held
192047–697th Gabby Street No playoffs held
192159–786thGabby Street / Bill Cunningham Did not qualify

[2]

Notable alumni

See also

Suffolk Nuts players
Suffolk Tigers players
Suffolk Wildcats players

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moline Plowboys</span> Minor league baseball team

The Moline Plowboys was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Moline, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities. Moline teams played as members the 1892 Illinois-Iowa League, 1894 Western Association, the Mississippi Valley League (1924–1932), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League and Central Association (1947–1948), winning four league championships. The franchise played as the "Moline A's" in 1947–1948.

The Rock Island Islanders was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Rock Island, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities, between 1892 and 1937. Rock Island teams played as members of the Illinois–Iowa League (1892), Western Association (1894), Eastern Iowa League (1895), Western Association (1898–1899), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1901–1911), Central Association (1914), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, Mississippi Valley League (1922–1933) and Western League (1934–1937).

The Temple Eagles were a minor league baseball team based in Temple, Texas. From 1949 to 1954, the Eagles played exclusively as members of the Class B level Big State League, winning the 1952 league pennant and qualifying for the playoffs in three seasons. Temple hosted home minor league games at the American Legion Park

The Omaha Packers were a minor league baseball team based in Omaha, Nebraska. Between 1879 and 1935, Omaha minor league teams had a long tenure as members of the Western League and Western Association, winning five league championships. Omaha teams played under numerous other nicknames prior to the becoming the "Packers" in 1930.

The Blackstone Barristers were a minor league baseball team based in Emporia, Virginia. In 1948, the Barristers were a New York Yankees affiliate and played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the league championship. In their only season of minor league play, Blackstone hosted minor league home games at the Blackstone Stadium.

The Lawrenceville Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Lawrenceville, Virginia. In 1948 and 1949, Lawrenceville played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, with the team finishing last in both seasons of league play. The 1948 Cardinals were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, with the team becoming the "Robins" in 1949. Lawrenceville hosted minor league home games at Lawrenceville City Stadium, known today as Sonny Wholey Memorial Park.

The Emporia Nationals were a minor league baseball team based in Emporia, Virginia. From 1948 to 1951, Emporia played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the 1950 league Championship. The Emporia Nationals were a minor league affiliate of the Washington Senators. The team played as the "Rebels" in 1951, with Emporia hosting minor league home games at Slagle Stadium.

The Middle Texas League was a six–team Class D level minor league baseball league that played in the 1914 and 1915 seasons. The Middle Texas League featured franchises based in Texas. The Middle Texas League permanently folded during the 1915 season. Baseball Hall of Fame member Kid Nichols managed the 1914 Temple Tigers and Hall of Famer Ross Youngs played for the 1915 Bartlett Bearcats.

The Waxahachie Athletics were a minor league baseball team based in Waxahachie, Texas in 1915 and 1916. With the Athletics preceded by 1914 Waxahachie Buffaloes, the Waxahachie teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Central Texas League, hosting home games at Jungle Park. The Buffaloes were league Central Texas League champions in 1914.

The Lewiston Twins was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Lewiston, Maine between 1891 and 1930. Lewiston teams played as long time members of the New England League and also in the 1907 Maine State League and 1908 Atlantic Association, winning the 1919 league championship. Lewiston hosted home minor league games at A.A.A. Park from through 1919 and the Lewiston Athletic Park from 1926 to 1930.

The Hanover Raiders was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Between 1896 and 1929, Hanover teams played as members of the Cumberland Valley League in 1896 and Blue Ridge League from 1915 to 1917 and 1920 to 1929, winning the 1928 league championship. The 1896 Hanover Tigers and 1915 Hanover Hornets preceded the Raiders, as Hanover played minor league home games at McAllister Field and Young's Field

The Hopewell Blue Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Hopewell, Virginia. The Blue Sox played as members of the Virginia League in 1949 and 1950, qualifying for the 1950 playoffs. The Blue Sox were preceded in league play by the 1916 Hopewell Power Puffs, who played a partial season as members of the earlier version of the Virginia League. Hopewell hosted minor league home games at the Elm Street Ball Park.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Taunton, Massachusetts between 1897 and 1933. Taunton teams played as members of the New England League from 1896 to 1899 and 1905, the Atlantic Association in 1908, Colonial League in 1914 and 1915 and the New England League in 1933. Taunton teams hosted minor league home games at the Taunton Fairgrounds. Some 1933 games were played at Hopewell Park

Minor league baseball teams were based in Enid, Oklahoma in various seasons between 1904 and 1951. Enid minor league teams played as members of the Southwestern League (1904), Western Association, Oklahoma State League (1924), Southwestern League (1924–1926) and Western Association (1950–1951), winning two league championships.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Petersburg, Virginia and neighboring Colonial Heights, Virginia in various seasons between 1885 and 1954. Playing under numerous monikers, Petersburg teams played as members of the Virginia League beginning in 1885 and ending in 1951 and the 1954 Piedmont League. Petersburg teams won five league championships. Petersburg teams were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1923 and Cincinnati Reds in 1954.

The Griffin Pimientos were a minor league baseball team based in Griffin, Georgia. From 1947 to 1951, Griffin played as members of the Class D level Georgia–Alabama League, playing the 1950 season as the "Griffin Tigers." Griffin did not advance to the playoffs in any of their five seasons. In 1948, the Pimientos were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns. Griffin hosted home minor league games at Pimiento Park. The Pimientos were preceded in Georgia–Alabama League play by the 1915 to 1917 Griffin Griffs.

The Griffin Lightfoots were a minor league baseball team based in Griffin, Georgia. From 1915 to 1917, Griffin played as members of the Class D level Georgia–Alabama League, playing the 1917 season as the "Griffin Griffs." The Griffs were succeeded in Georgia–Alabama League play by the 1947 to 1951 Griffin Pimientos.

The Suffolk Goobers were a minor league baseball team based in Suffolk, Virginia. From 1948 to 1951, the Goobers played as members of the Virginia League, winning the 1948 league pennant. The Suffolk Goobers hosted minor league home games at Peanut Park.

The Elizabeth City Albemarles were a minor league baseball team based in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In 1950 and 1951, the Albemarles played as members of the Virginia League, winning the 1951 league championship in the final season of the league. The Elizabeth City Albemarles hosted minor league home games at Memorial Park.

The Franklin Kildees were a minor league baseball team based in Franklin, Virginia. From 1948 to 1951, Franklin played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the 1949 league pennant. The team played as the "Cubs" in 1948, with Franklin hosting minor league home games at Franklin Park.

References

  1. ↑ "1911 Suffolk Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN   978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ↑ "1915 Suffolk Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. ↑ "1916 Virginia League (VL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. ↑ "1919 Virginia League (VL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. ↑ "Is Suffolk still the peanut capital of the world?". The Virginian-Pilot.
  7. 1 2 "Peanut Park in Suffolk, VA minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ↑ "1919 Suffolk Nuts Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. ↑ "1919 Suffolk Nuts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. ↑ "1920 Suffolk Nuts Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. ↑ "Gabby Street – Society for American Baseball Research".
  12. ↑ "1920 Suffolk Nuts minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. ↑ "1949 Virginia League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ↑ "1921 Suffolk Wildcats Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ↑ "1921 Virginia League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ↑ "1921 Suffolk Wildcats minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. ↑ "1921 Petersburg Goobers/Tarboro Tarbabies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ "1948 Suffolk Goobers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ↑ "Peanut Park". Suffolk, VA.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.