El Reno Railroaders

Last updated
El Reno Railroaders
Minor league affiliations
Class Class D (1904, 1908)
Class C (1909–1910)
Class D (1922–1923)
League Southwestern League (1904)
Oklahoma State League (1908)
Western Association (1909–1910)
Oklahoma State League (1922–1923)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameEl Reno Indians (1904, 1908)
El Reno Packers (1909–1910)
El Reno Railroaders (1922–1923)
BallparkPeach's Park/Legion Park (1904, 1908–1910, 1922–1923)

The El Reno Railroaders were a minor league baseball team based in El Reno, Oklahoma. El Reno minor league teams played as members of the Southwestern League in 1904 and Oklahoma State League in 1908 known as the "Indians." The El Reno "Packers" were members of the Western Association in 1909 and 1910. The Railroaders played as members of the Oklahoma State League in 1922 and 1923. The El Reno teams hosted minor league home games at Legion Park, formerly known as Peach's Park.

Contents

History

Minor league baseball play began in El Reno, Oklahoma with the 1904 El Reno Indians who played briefly as members of the Southwestern League. On July 29, 1904, the Chickasha Indians franchise moved to El Reno and the franchise quickly folded after playing one game based in El Reno. [1]

In 1908, the El Reno Indians became members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League. The Indians had a 4–5 record replacing the Hennessey Merry Widows, who had folded on May 19, 1908. The league began play on May 3, 1908, and folded on June 19, 1908. [2] [3] [1]

El Reno gained a team in 1909 when the Joplin Miners relocated during the season to become the El Reno Packers. On July 4, 1909, Joplin moved to El Reno with a record 20-43 playing in the Class C level Western Association. The Joplin/El Reno team ended the 1909 season in last place with a record of 36–89. The team placed eighth under managers Thomas Hayden, Bailey Vinson and Jack McConnell, finishing 45.5 games behind the first place Enid Railroaders in the final standings. [4] [5] [6] [1]

In 1910, the El Reno Packers folded during the Western Association season. On July 31, 1910, with a record of 65–43, the El Reno Packers franchise folded. The 1910 player/manager was Art Riggs. [7] [8] [9] [1]

El Reno was without minor league baseball until the 1922 El Reno "Railroaders" rejoined the six–team, Class D level Oklahoma State League. The Railroaders of the Oklahoma State League ended the 1922 season with a record of 53–56. The Railroaders placed fourth in the final standings, finishing 16.0 games behind the first place Duncan Oilers as Virgil Moss served as manager. [10] [11] [1]

The El Reno use of the "Railroaders" moniker corresponds to local industry. El Reno was home to the Rock Island Depot beginning in 1907. El Reno was also home to a Rock Island Railroad rail yard. [12] [13] [14]

In their final season of play, the 1923 El Reno Railroaders placed seventh in the eight–team Oklahoma State League. The Railroaders ended the 1923 season with a record of 56–63 playing under manager Harry Burge. El Reno finished 12.0 games behind the first place Duncan Oilers in the final standings. [15] [16] [1]

El Reno permanently folded following the 1923 season. El Reno, Oklahoma has not hosted another minor league team. [17]

(2018) El Reno Heritage Express Trolley car in front of carbarn. El Reno, Oklahoma El Reno Heritage Express Trolley car in front of carbarn (2018).jpg
(2018) El Reno Heritage Express Trolley car in front of carbarn. El Reno, Oklahoma

The ballpark

The El Reno minor league teams played home minor league games at Legion Park, formerly known as Peach's Park. [18] [19] [20] [21] Legion Park has been in continuous use since it hosted minor league baseball, [22] and it is still in use as a public park with ballfields on the west side of the park property. [23] [24] The Legion Park property is bounded by West Pine Street to the north, South Reno Avenue to the east, West Ash Street to the south, and Morrison Avenue to the west. [25]

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
19041El Reno Indians Class D Southwestern League Adams Park
19081 Oklahoma State League
1909–19102El Reno Packers Class C Western Association
1922–19232El Reno Railroaders Class D Oklahoma State League

Year–by–year records

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
190425–42NAWilliam Hazlett / Lackey /
Van Ness / Palmer		Chickaska moved to El Reno Aug 1
team folded after 0–1 record
19084–53rdNAreplaced Hennessey May 19
190936–898thThomas Hayden /
Bailey Vinson / Jack McConnell		Joplin moved to El Reno July 4
16–46 in El Reno
191065–43NAArt RiggsTeam folded July 31
192253–564thVirgil MossDid not qualify
192356–637thHarry BurgeDid not qualify

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

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 Chickasha Chicks were a minor league baseball team based in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Preceded by the short lived 1904 Chickasha Indians of the Class D level Southwestern League, the Chicks played as members of Western Association from 1920 to 1921 and Oklahoma State League in 1922, winning two league championships.

The Salina Coyotes was the final moniker of minor league baseball teams based in Salina, Kansas between 1898 and 1914. In that span, Salina teams played as members of the Class D level Kansas State League (1898), Central Kansas League, and Kansas State League (1913–1914), winning the 1898 league championship. The early Salina teams hosted minor league games at Athletic Park. The Coyotes were succeeded by the 1922 Salina Millers of the Southwestern League.

The Cushing Refiners were a minor league baseball teams based in Cushing, Oklahoma in 1921 and from 1923 to 1925. The "Refiners" played a members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League from 1923 to 1924 and Southwestern League in 1925. The Refiners were preceded in minor league play by the Cushing "Oilers, who played the season as members of the 1921 Southwestern League.

The Sapulpa Sappers was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Between 1909 and 1923, Sapulpa teams played as members of the Western Association from 1909 to 1911, Southwestern League in 1921, Southwestern Association in 1922 and Southwestern League in 1923, capturing the 1922 league championship.

The Newton Railroaders were a minor league baseball team based in Newton, Kansas between 1909 and 1924. Preceded by the 1888 Newton team and the 1908 Newton Browns, Newton minor league teams played as members of the Western League in 1888, Central Kansas League in 1908, Kansas State League from 1909 to 1911, Central Kansas League in 1912 and Southwestern League in 1924. The Newton Browns and Railroaders hosted home games at Athletic Park.

The Bristow Producers were a minor league baseball team based in Bristow, Oklahoma. In 1923 and 1924, the Producers hosted home games at the Bristow Base Ball Park and played exclusively as members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League, winning the 1923 Oklahoma State League pennant and championship.

The McPherson Merry Macks were a minor league baseball team based in McPherson, Kansas. The "Merry Macks" played as members of the 1908 Class D level Central Kansas League and Kansas State League from 1909 to 1911. McPherson hosted home minor league games at the County Fair Association Fairgrounds.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Jacksonville, Illinois, playing in eight leagues under four nicknames in their seasons of play between 1892 and 1910. Jacksonville teams played as members of the 1892 Illinois–Iowa League, Western Association (1894–1895), 1900 Central League, 1906 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, 1907 Iowa State League, Central Association (1908–1909), 1910 Northern Association and 1910 Illinois–Missouri League. Jacksonville teams hosted minor league home games exclusively at League Park.

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 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 Muskogee, Oklahoma in various seasons between 1905 and 1957. The final team, the Muskogee Giants, played as members of the Western Association (1951–1954) and the Sooner State League (1955–1957). Earlier Muskogee teams played as members of the Missouri Valley League (1905), South Central League (1906), Oklahoma-Arkansas-Kansas League (1907–1908), Western Association (1909–1911), Oklahoma State League (1912), Western Association, Southwestern League (1921–1923), Western Association (1924–1932), Western League (1933), Western Association and Sooner State League (1955–1957). Muskogee never captured a league championship, making league finals on multiple occasions.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Webb City, Missouri in various seasons between 1887 and 1912. Under numerous nicknames, Webb City teams played as members of the 1887 Southwestern League, 1891 Southwestern Missouri League, the Missouri Valley League in 1903 and 1905, Western Association from 1906 to 1909 and 1912 Missouri-Kansas League. Webb City hosted home minor league games at Sunset Park for the duration of their minor league play.

The Duncan Oilers were a minor league baseball team based in Duncan, Oklahoma. From 1922 to 1924, the Oilers played as members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League, winning two league pennants. Duncan hosted minor league home games at the Duncan Baseball Park.

The Hutchinson Salt Packers were a minor league baseball team based in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The Clinton Bulldogs were a minor league baseball team based in Clinton, Oklahoma. In 1922 and 1923, the Bulldogs played as members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League, winning a split-season pennant in 1922. The Bulldogs hosted minor league home games at the Clinton Baseball Park.

The Okmulgee Glassblowers were a minor league baseball team based in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Okmulgee County, Oklahoma for one shortened championship season. In 1912, the Glassblowers played as members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League, winning the league championship as the league folded during the season. Okmulgee hosted home minor league games at the Thomas Park West End Grounds, located on West Sixth Street.

The Bartlesville Bearcats were a minor league baseball team based in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Bartlesville teams played as members of the Class D and Class C level Southwestern League from 1921 to 1923. After leaving the southwestern League, Bartlesville hosted two separate partial season teams in the 1924 Western Association. Bartlesville teams were known by a different nickname in each season.

The Drumright Oilers were a minor league baseball team based in Drumright, Oklahoma.

The Henryetta Hens were a minor league baseball team based in Henryetta, Oklahoma.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  2. ↑ "1908 El Reno minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. ↑ "1908 Oklahoma State League (OSL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ↑ "1909 Joplin Miners/El Reno Packers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. ↑ "1909 Western Association". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ↑ "1909 Joplin Miners/El Reno Packers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. ↑ "1910 Western Association (WA) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ↑ "1910 El Reno Packers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. ↑ "1910 El Reno Packers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ↑ "1922 El Reno Railroaders minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. ↑ "1922 El Reno Railroaders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ↑ "Heritage Express Trolley". TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site.
  13. ↑ "Significant Dates in El Reno's History – Canadian County Historical Society Museum".
  14. ↑ "The Spirit of Rock Island Keeps Haunting El Reno". Oklahoman.com. May 6, 1984.
  15. ↑ "1923 El Reno Railroaders minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. ↑ "1923 El Reno Railroaders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. ↑ "El Reno, Oklahoma Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ ""McConnell May Manage El Reno, Opening Game Here Tomorrow," El Reno Daily American, July 8, 1909, p.1". gateway.okhistory.org.
  19. ↑ ""Baseball League To Open Here on May 25, Says Manager," El Reno American, May 4, 1922, p.1". gateway.okhistory.org.
  20. ↑ ""League Season To Open Today, Declare Holiday To Celebrate Initial Game at Legion Park," El Reno American, May 25, 1922, p.1". gateway.okhistory.org.
  21. ↑ ""El Reno Recreational Areas - History"". canadiancountymuseum.com.
  22. ↑ ""1950 Census Enumeration District Maps - Oklahoma (OK) - Canadian County - El Reno - ED 9-7 to 21"". catalog.archives.gov.
  23. ↑ ""El Reno Recreational Areas - History"". canadiancountymuseum.com.
  24. ↑ ""Facilities: Legion Park"". www.elrenook.gov.
  25. ↑ "Google Maps". www.google.com.
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.