Albuquerque Cardinals

Last updated
Albuquerque Cardinals
Minor league affiliations
Class Class D (1932, 1937–1939)
Class C (1940–1941)
League Arizona-Texas League (1932, 1937–1941)
Major league affiliations
Team St. Louis Cardinals (1937–1941)
Minor league titles
League titles (3)
  • 1932
  • 1937
  • 1939
Wild card berths (2)
  • 1937
  • 1939
Team data
NameAlbuquerque Dons (1932)
Albuquerque Cardinals (1937–1941)
Ballpark Tingley Field (1932, 1937–1941)

The Albuquerque Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque teams played exclusively as a member of the Arizona-Texas League in 1932 and from 1937 to 1941, winning three league championships. The team played as the Albuquerque "Dons" in 1932 before the league folded, resuming play in 1937. The franchise became known as the Albuquerque "Cardinals" while serving as a minor league affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals from 1937 to 1941. The Dons and Cardinals hosted home minor league games at Tingley Field

Contents

History

Minor league baseball first began in Albuquerque in 1915, when the Albuquerque Dukes played one season in the Rio Grande Association. [1] The Albuquerque Dons returned minor league baseball to the city, joining the 1932 Class D level Arizona-Texas League [2] [3] [4]

In 1932, Albuquerque Dons had a record of 57–42 and were in first place under Manager Bobby Coltrin when the five–team league disbanded on July 24, 1932. The Arizona-Texas League did not play for the next four seasons. [5] [2] [4]

In 1937, the Arizona-Texas League reformed. The Albuquerque "Cardinals" took the moniker of their major league affiliate as they joined the Class D level league and won the league championship. [6] [3] The Albuquerque Cardinals played as an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1937, the first of a five–year partnership. [7] The Cardinals placed third with an overall record of 56–59, playing the season under manager Bill DeLancey. The 1937 regular season standings were led by the El Paso Texans with a 73–49 record, followed by Albuquerque (56–59), the Bisbee Bees (51–71), and Tucson Cowboys (57–58). Albuquerque won the second–half championship, after the Cardinals defeated El Paso in a one–game playoff for second–half championship to force a final series. El Paso had won the first–half championship. In the 1937 Finals, the Albuquerque defeated the El Paso 4 games to 3 to capture the 1937 championship. Total home attendance for the Cardinals was 30,110. [8] [4]

The 1938 Albuquerque Cardinals placed third in the four–team Arizona–Texas League regular season standings. The Cardinals ended the season with a 67–65 record, playing under returning manager Bill DeLancey and did not qualify for the playoff, won by El Paso. [9] Albuquerque had season home attendance of 60,000, averaging 909 per home game. [10] [3] Albuquerque finished 6.0 games behind first place Bisbee in the final standings. [4] [11]

The 1939 Albuquerque Cardinals won their second Arizona–Texas League Championship. The Cardinals finished the regular season with a record of 70–60, placing second in the overall standings under manager Bill DeLancey, winning the second half–standings of the split–season schedule. In the playoff final, the Cardinals defeated the Bisbee-Douglas Bees 4 games to 2 to claim the 1939 championship. [12] [3] [4] [13] The Cardinals had home season attendance of 100,000. [14]

The 1940 four-team Arizona–Texas League became a Class C level league. [15] The Albuquerque Cardinals finished with a record of 60–64, placing third in the league, playing the season under manager Jack Farmer. The Cardinals did not play in the post season, won by El Paso over Tucson. [3] [16] [17] The Cardinals finished 6.5 games behind 1st place Tucson in the final overall standings. [4]

1941 was the final season for the Albuquerque Cardinals. [18] The Arizona-Texas League continued as a four–team, Class C level league. [19] The 1941 Cardinals manager was Jimmy Zinn. Under Zinn, the Cardinals finished 63–65, placing second in the league and finishing 21.0 games behind the first place Tucson Cowboys (86–46). No playoffs were held. The Arizona–Texas League folded after the 1941 season. [3] [20] [4]

In 1942, Albuquerque continued play as the Albuquerque Dukes, joining the West Texas-New Mexico League. Today, Albuquerque is home to the Class AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. [1] [21]

The ballpark

The Albuquerque Dons and Albuquerque Cardinals played minor league home games at Tingley Field. Also called "Apprentice Field," the stadium was upgraded in 1937 with a $10,900 Works Progress Administration grant. The ballpark officially opened April 6, 1932. Tingley Field, was named for Mayor Clyde Tingley. St. Louis Cardinals general manager Branch Rickey was present for first game in 1937 and called Tingley Field "one of the finest minor league parks in America". Tingley Field was demolished in 1969. Today, the old ticket booth remains and the site is called Tingley Park, a public park with baseball and softball fields. [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Tingley Field Ticket Office Albuquerque Tingley Field Ticket Office Albuquerque.jpg
Tingley Field Ticket Office Albuquerque

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliateBallpark
19321Albuquerque Dons Class D Arizona-Texas League None Tingley Field
1937–19393Albuquerque Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals
1940–19412 Class C

Season–by–season

YearRecordManagerFinishPlayoffs/Notes
193257–42Bobby Coltrin1stLeague champions
League Disbanded July 24
193756–59 Bill DeLancey 3rdLeague Champions
193867–65Bill DeLancey3rdDid not qualify
193970–60Bill DeLancey2ndLeague Champions
194060–64 Jack Farmer 3rdDid not qualify
194163–65 Jimmy Zinn 2ndNo playoffs held

[4]

Notable alumni

See also

Albuquerque Cardinals players

Related Research Articles

The Arizona–Texas League was a Class D level American minor league baseball league that existed for nine seasons, from 1931–32, 1937–41, 1947–50 and 1952-54. In 1951, the Arizona-Texas loop merged with the Sunset League to form the Southwest International League. However, the Arizona and Texas clubs played only that one season (1951) in the new circuit before seceding and reforming the A-TL in 1952. From 1928 to 1930, it was known as the Arizona State League.

The Sophomore League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that operated from 1958 through 1961. League franchises were located in New Mexico and Texas. The league evolved from the Southwestern League, which played in 1956 and 1957. The name change was part of a systemic change. The circuit went from being one with almost no ties to major league baseball to a league where every team was a minor league affiliate of a major league team.

The West Texas–New Mexico League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1937 through 1955, with a hiatus from 1943 to 1945 during World War II. The league started as a Class D level league, upgraded to Class C in 1946 and then a final advancement to Class B level status in 1955. League franchises were based exclusively in New Mexico and Texas.

The Springfield Browns was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Springfield, Illinois between 1931 and 1950. Springfield teams played as members of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1931–1932), Mississippi Valley League (1933), Central League (1934), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League and Mississippi-Ohio Valley League (1950), winning the 1939 league championship. Hosting home games at Reservoir Park, Lanphier Park and Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Stadium, Springfield teams were an affiliate of the 1931 St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Cardinals (1933–1934), 1935 Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns.

The Mitchell Kernels were a minor league baseball team based in Mitchell, South Dakota. The Kernels played as members of the South Dakota League (1920), Dakota League (1921–1922), South Dakota League (1923), Nebraska State League (1936–1937) and Western League (1939–1940), winning four league championships. The Mitchell Kernels were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936 and 1937.

The Midland Indians were a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas. Between 1937 and 1959, Midland teams played as members of West Texas-New Mexico League (1937–1940), Longhorn League (1947–1955), Southwestern League (1956–1957) and Sophomore League (1958–1959), while hosting minor league games at City Park and then Christensen Stadium. Midland teams played as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals (1937–1938), Milwaukee Braves (1958–1959) and Washington Senators (1957).

The Opelousas Indians was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Opelousas, Louisiana. Between 1907 and 1941, Opelousas teams played as members of the Class D level 1907 Gulf Coast League, 1932 Cotton States League, playing that season known as the "Orphans" and Evangeline League from 1934 to 1941. The Indians won the 1937 league championship. Opelousas hosted minor league home games at Elementary School Park. The Opelousas Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1935 to 1937 and in 1939.

The Salina Blue Jays were a minor league baseball team based in Salina, Kansas. The Salina Blue Jays and their immediate predecessor, the Salina "Millers" played as members of the Southwestern League (1922–1926) and Western Association, winning the 1926 league championship and two league pennants. The Salina Millers were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians in 1941 and the Blue Jays were a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate from 1946 to 1952. Salina hosted home minor league games at Oakdale Park from 1922 to 1926 and Kenwood Field from 1938 to 1952. The 1922 Salina Millers team was preceded by the 1914 Salina Coyotes of the Kansas State League.

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 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.

The Fostoria Red Birds was a minor league baseball team based in Fostoria, Ohio, playing from 1937 to 1941. First known as the Fostoria "Cardinals" in 1936, Fostoria teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Ohio State League, and played as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals for the entirety of their existence. Fostoria hosted minor league home games at Redbird Park.

The Fremont Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Fremont, Ohio. From 1936 to 1941, Fremont teams played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League, winning two league championships. The Fremont Reds were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds from 1936 to 1938, before playing from 1939 to 1941 as the Fremont "Green Sox." The Fremont Reds and Green Sox teams hosted home minor league games at Anderson Field, which is still in use today.

The Federalsburg A's were a minor league baseball team based in Federalsburg, Maryland. Federalsburg teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League from 1937 to 1941 and 1946 to 1949, winning the 1939 league pennant. The "A's" moniker was interchanged with the similar "Athletics" and "Little A's" before the franchise became the "Feds" for their final season of 1949. Hosting all minor league home games at Federal Park, Federalsburg played as a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics from 1937 to 1941 and 1946 to 1948.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Ardmore, Oklahoma, playing in various seasons between 1904 and 1961. Ardmore teams played in the 1904 Texas League, Texas-Oklahoma League (1911–1914), 1917 Western Association, Texas-Oklahoma League (1921–1922), 1923 Western Association, 1924 Oklahoma State League, Western Association (1924–1926), Sooner State League (1947–1957) and Texas League (1961). Ardmore captured league championships in 1923, 1925 and 1957.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Centreville, Maryland between 1937 and 1946. Centreville teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League in the 1937–1941 and 1946 seasons.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Easton, Maryland between 1924 and 1949. Easton teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League from 1924 to 1928, 1937 to 1941 and 1946 to 1949.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Norfolk, Nebraska in various seasons between 1914 and 1941. The Norfolk minor league teams played as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League in 1914 to 1915 and 1922 to 1923, the Tri-State League in 1924, the Nebraska State League from 1928– to 1938 and the Western League from 1939 to 1941. The 1936 Norfolk Elks were a St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliate, before Norfolk teams played as an affiliate of the New York Yankees from 1937 to 1941, with Norfolk hosting minor league home games at Athletic Park.

The Douglas Miners were a short–lived minor league baseball team based in Douglas, Arizona in 1915. The Miners briefly played in the 1915 season as members of the Class D level Rio Grande Association, before folding during the season.

The New Bern Bears were a minor league baseball team based in New Bern, North Carolina. Between 1937 and 1952, with a break during World War II, the Bears teams played exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League, winning three league championships with six playoff appearances. New Bern hosted minor league home games at Kafer Park.

The El Paso Mackmen were a minor league baseball team based in El Paso, Texas. In 1915, the Mackmen played as members of the short–lived Class D level Rio Grande Association, with El Paso finishing in second place, as the league permanently folded during the season. The Mackmen hosted minor league home games at Rio Grande Park.

References

  1. 1 2 "Albuquerque, New Mexico Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. 1 2 "1932 Albuquerque Dons Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Arizona-Texas League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lloyd Johnson; Miles Wolff, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  5. ↑ "1932 Albuquerque Dons Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. ↑ "1937 Arizona-Texas League (AAL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. ↑ "1937 Albuquerque Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. ↑ "1937 Albuquerque Cardinals Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. ↑ "1938 Arizona-Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ↑ "1938 Albuquerque Cardinals Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. ↑ "1938 Albuquerque Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ↑ "1939 Arizona-Texas League (AAL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. ↑ "1939 Albuquerque Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ↑ "1939 Albuquerque Cardinals Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. ↑ "1940 Arizona-Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ↑ "1940 Albuquerque Cardinals Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. ↑ "1940 Albuquerque Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ "1941 Albuquerque Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ↑ "1941 Arizona-Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. ↑ "1941 Albuquerque Cardinals Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  21. ↑ "1942 Albuquerque Dukes Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  22. ↑ "Duke City Cards look good in Pirates Game". Albuquerque Journal. April 8, 1937. p. 6. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  23. ↑ Kailer, J. D. (May 5, 2000). "Duke City Baseball Has Mixed History". Albuquerque Journal.
  24. ↑ "Tingley Field in Albuquerque, NM history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  25. ↑ "Clipped From Albuquerque Journal". Albuquerque Journal. April 5, 1932. p. 2 – via newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Tingley Park". City of Albuquerque.
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.