Elizabethton Phils

Last updated
Elizabethton Phils
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1937–1942, 1945–1951)
League Appalachian League (1937–1942, 1945–1951)
Major league affiliations
Team
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1939
  • 1941
First-half titles (1)1937
Second-half titles (2)
  • 1940
  • 1941
Team data
Name
  • Elizabethton Phils (1951)
  • Elizabethton Betsy Local (1949–1950)
  • Elizabethton Betsy Cubs (1945–1948)
  • Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox (1937–1942)
Ballpark Cherokee Park (1937–1942, 1945–1951)

The Elizabethton Phils were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1937 to 1942 and 1945 to 1951. They were located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and played their home games at Cherokee Park.

Contents

The team was originally known as the Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox for their affiliation with the Boston Red Sox (1937–1940). They retained the moniker in 1941 when they served as a farm club for the Brooklyn Dodgers and in 1942 with no Major League Baseball affiliate. After two years of inactivity due to World War II, the team was revived as the Elizabethton Betsy Cubs for their affiliation with the Chicago Cubs (1945–1948), the Elizabethton Betsy Local during two years as an independent club (1949–1950), and the Phils in affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies (1951).

Over 13 seasons, Elizabethton compiled an all-time regular season record of 811–702 (.536). The Red Sox qualified for postseason playoffs on nine occasions and won the Appalachian League championship in 1939 and 1941. Their all-time postseason record was 24–24 (.500).

History

Betsy Red Sox (1937–1942)

Paul Minner led the 1942 Elizabethton Red Sox with 18 wins and a 1.41 ERA. PaulMinner1953bowman.jpg
Paul Minner led the 1942 Elizabethton Red Sox with 18  wins and a 1.41  ERA.

The Red Sox became the first professional baseball team to hail from Elizabethton, Tennessee, when they joined the Class D Appalachian League in 1937. [2] The team's moniker was a combination of the city's nickname, "Betsy Town", [3] and that of their Major League Baseball affiliate, the Boston Red Sox. [4] Elizabethton won its opening game on the road, defeating the Johnson City Soldiers, 10–7, on May 21. [5] They played their first home game at Cherokee Park before a crowd of around 1,000 people on May 27, defeating Johnson City, 9–5. [6] They went on to win the first half of the season and finish their inaugural campaign with a league-best 57–45 (.559) record. [7] In the playoffs for the Appalachian League championship, Elizabethton was defeated by the Pennington Gap Lee Bears, 3–2, in the best-of-five series. [7] The 1938 team again paced the league with a first-place 65–36 (.644) record, but were eliminated in the semifinals by the Greeneville Burley Cubs, 2–0. [8]

The 1939 Red Sox finished atop the standings having posted a 71–48 (.597) season. [9] They defeated Greeneville in the semifinals, 2–1, before winning their first Appalachian League championship over the Kingsport Cherokees, 3–1. [9] In 1940, Elizabethton returned to the playoffs with a second-half title and a first-place 84–33 (.718) mark. [10] They beat Kingsport in the opening round, 2–0, but lost the finals to the Johnson City Cardinals, 3–0. [10]

Elizabethon's affiliation with the Boston Red Sox ended after the 1940 season, but they retained the Red Sox nickname after affiliating with the Brooklyn Dodgers for 1941. [11] They repeated with a second-half title and a 73–45 (.619) record, the league's best. [12] After defeating the Newport Canners, 3–2, in the semifinals, the Red Sox won their second AL championship by sweeping Johnson City, 3–0. [12]

The Brooklyn affiliation ended after the 1941 season, and the Red Sox were unaffiliated with a Major League Baseball team in 1942. [13] On June 9, Pat McGlothin pitched a no-hitter against Newport in a 2–0 win at Cherokee Park. [14] They ended the season in second place at 60–47 (.561), 11 games out of first. [15] They best Johnson City, 2–1, in the semifinals, but lost the AL championship to the Bristol Twins, 2–0. [15]

Over six years of competition in the Appalachian League, the Red Sox accumulated a 410–254 (.617) record. The city did not field a team from 1943 to 1944. [2]

Betsy Cubs (1945–1948)

Don Elston of the 1948 team went on to be selected as an MLB All-Star in 1959. Don Elston 1964.jpg
Don Elston of the 1948 team went on to be selected as an MLB All-Star in 1959.

The Elizabethton Appalachian League franchise was revived in 1945 as the Elizabethton Betsy Cubs, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. [17] Though they finished last of four teams with a 38–68 (.358) record, every team participated in the postseason playoffs. [18] The Cubs lost to the Bristol Twins, 3–1, in the semifinals. [18] Elizabethton improved to third of eight clubs in 1946 with a 68–57 (.544) mark. [19] They swept Bristol in the semifinals, 3–0, but lost the AL title to the New River Rebels, 4–2, in the finals. [19]

On May 25, 1947, Robert Knaub and Jack Bunger pitched a combined no-hitter against the Kingsport Indians. Kingsport managed to score three runs in the first inning, which were charged to Bunger, who started the game and walked five batters before being relieved by Knaub in the first. Knaub held the Indians hitless until the game was called on account of rain after six innings with the Cubs ahead, 5–3. [20] Elizabethton just missed the playoffs in 1947 (62–64; .492) and 1948 (64–61; .512) with fifth-place finishes. [21] [22]

Betsy Local (1949–1950)

The Chicago Cubs withdrew from the Appalachian League after 1948, so Elizabethton continued as an unaffiliated team in 1949. [23] Competing as the Elizabethton Betsy Local, [2] the team finished seventh of eight clubs at 40–76 (.345). [24] They missed a contracted two-team playoff championship in 1950, finishing fourth at 72–52 (.581). [25]

Phils (1951)

After two seasons as an independent club, the team affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies for 1951, becoming the Elizabethton Phils. [26] They qualified for the playoffs with a 57–70 (.449) season, but were eliminated in the semifinals by the Kingsport Cherokees, 2–0. [27] The Phils lost their final game before their home crown, 7–1, on September 8. [28] Over their second stretch in the Appalachian League, Elizabethton accumulated a record of 401–448 (.472). Over all 13 seasons, their all-time record was 811–702 (.536).

The city went without a team for 36 years until the Minnesota Twins placed the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League as a Rookie-level affiliate in 1974. [2] [29]

Season-by-season results

SeasonRegular seasonPostseasonMLB affiliateRef.
RecordWin %FinishGBRecordWin %Result
193757–45.5591st—2–3.400Won first half
Lost AL championship vs. Pennington Gap Lee Bears, 3–2		 Boston Red Sox [7]
193865–36.6441st—0–2.000Lost semifinals vs. Greeneville Burley Cubs, 2–0 Boston Red Sox [8]
193971–48.5971st—5–2.714Won semifinals vs. Greeneville Burley Cubs, 2–1
Won AL championship vs. Kingsport Cherokees, 3–1		 Boston Red Sox [9]
194084–33.7181st—2–3.400Won second half
Won first round vs. Kingsport Cherokees, 2–0
Lost AL championship vs. Johnson City Cardinals, 3–0		 Boston Red Sox [10]
194173–45.6191st—6–2.750Won second half
Won semifinals vs. Newport Canners, 3–2
Won AL championship vs. Johnson City Cardinals, 3–0		 Brooklyn Dodgers [12]
194260–47.5612nd112–3.400Won semifinals vs. Johnson City Cardinals, 2–1
Lost AL championship vs. Bristol Twins, 2–0		— [15]
194538–68.3584th33+1⁄22–3.400Lost semifinals vs. Bristol Twins, 3–1 Chicago Cubs [18]
194668–57.5443rd165–4.556Won semifinals vs. Bristol Twins, 3–0
Lost AL championship vs. New River Rebels, 4–2		 Chicago Cubs [19]
194762–64.4925th19——— Chicago Cubs [21]
194864–61.5125th21——— Chicago Cubs [22]
194940–76.3457th45———— [24]
195072–52.5814th10———— [25]
195157–70.4494th270–2.000Lost semifinals vs. Kingsport Cherokees, 2–0 Philadelphia Phillies [27]
Totals811–702.536——24–24.500———

Notable players

Andy Seminick of the 1948 team went on to be selected as an MLB All-Star in 1949. Andy Seminick.png
Andy Seminick of the 1948 team went on to be selected as an MLB All-Star in 1949.

Twelve players also played in at least one game in Major League Baseball during their careers. These players and their seasons with Elizabethton were:

Related Research Articles

The Appalachian League is a collegiate summer baseball league that operates in the Appalachian regions of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Designed for rising freshmen and sophomores using wooden bats, its season runs from June through August. The league is part of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline.

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

The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The Cubs play their home games at Principal Park, which opened in 1992. They previously played at Sec Taylor Stadium from 1969 to 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianapolis Indians</span> Minor League Baseball team in Indianapolis, Indiana

The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory Field, which opened in 1996. The Indians previously played at Owen J. Bush Stadium from 1931 to 1996 and at two versions of Washington Park from 1902 to 1931.

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

The Kingsport Mets were a Minor League Baseball team of the Appalachian League from 1921 to 2020. They were located in Kingsport, Tennessee, and were last named for the team's major league affiliate, the New York Mets. The team played its home games at Hunter Wright Stadium which opened in 1995. The Mets previously played at Dobyns-Bennett High School. In 1983, while Dobyns-Bennett's field was being renovated, the team temporarily moved to Sarasota, Florida, and played in the Gulf Coast League as the Gulf Coast League Mets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salem Red Sox</span> Minor league baseball team

The Salem Red Sox are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB), based in Salem, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. The team competes at the Single-A level in the Carolina League. Home games are played at Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, a 6,300-seat facility opened in 1995.

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

The Elizabethton Twins were a Minor League Baseball team of the Appalachian League and a Rookie-level affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They were located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and were named for their major league affiliate. The team played its home games at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark, which opened in 1974.

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

The Greeneville Astros were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Rookie-level Appalachian League from 2004 to 2017. They represented the town of Greeneville, Tennessee, though Pioneer Park, their home stadium, was located in nearby Tusculum on the campus of Tusculum College. They were named for their Major League Baseball affiliate, the Houston Astros.

The Newport Canners were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1937 to 1942 and the Mountain States League from 1948 to 1950. The were located in Newport, Tennessee, and played their home games at City Memorial Park. The team's games were temporarily transferred to Maryville, Tennessee, for approximately two weeks late in the 1940 season.

The Maryville-Alcoa Twins were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D/Class C Mountain States League (MSL) from 1953 to 1954. They played their home games at Hunt Field in Alcoa, Tennessee, but represented both Alcoa and nearby Maryville. Thus, the Twins were named for the twin cities. They won the MSL pennant in 1953.

The Greeneville Burley Cubs were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1921 to 1925 and 1938 to 1942. They were located in Greeneville, Tennessee, and played their home games at Greeneville City Park in their second run and at an unknown ballpark in their first stretch.

The Erwin Cubs were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1943 to 1944. They were located in Erwin, Tennessee, and played their home games at Gentry Stadium. Known as the Erwin Aces in 1943, they became the Erwin Cubs in 1944 borrowing the moniker from the Chicago Cubs, with whom they were affiliated in both seasons. The Aces won the 1943 Appalachian League playoff championship.

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

The Morristown Cubs were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Short Season Appalachian League from 1959 to 1961. They were located in Morristown, Tennessee, and were named for their Major League Baseball affiliate, the Chicago Cubs. Morristown won the Appalachian League pennant in 1959.

The Pikeville Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Pikeville, Kentucky. From 1982 to 1984, Pikeville teams played as a member of the Rookie level Appalachian League, hosting home games at the Pikeville Athletic Field. The 1982 team played as the "Brewers." Pikeville was a minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 and Chicago Cubs in 1983 and 1984.

The New River Rebels were a minor league baseball team representing Narrows, Virginia and Pearisburg, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the New River Rebels played as a member of the Class D level Appalachian League, winning league championships in 1946 and 1947. New River hosted home minor league games at Ragsdale Field in Narrows. The New River Rebels were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in 1946.

The Pennington Gap Miners was the final moniker of minor league baseball teams representing Pennington Gap, Virginia. Between 1937 and 1951, Pennington Gap teams played as members of the Class D level Appalachian League from 1937 to 1940 and the Mountain States League from 1948 to 1951, winning the 1937 league championship. The team was initially called the "Bears." Pennington Gap was a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns from 1938 to 1940. Pennington Gap teams played home minor league games at Leeman Field.

The Morristown Red Sox were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D/Class C Mountain States League (MSL) from 1948 to 1954. They were located in Morristown, Tennessee, and played their home games at Sherwood Park. They won the inaugural MSL championship in 1948. Over seven years of competition, their all-time regular season win–loss record was 416–331 (.557).

The Morristown Roosters were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Morristown, Tennessee, from 1910 to 1914 and 1923 to 1925. Known as the Morristown Jobbers, they were members of the Class D Southeastern League in 1910 before moving to the Appalachian League from 1911 to 1914. The team was revived in the Appalachian League as the Roosters from 1923 to 1925. Over eight seasons of competition, their all-time regular season win–loss record was 325–340 (.489).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabethton River Riders</span> Collegiate baseball team in Elizabethton, Tennessee

The Elizabethton River Riders are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and play their home games at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark.

Minor league baseball teams with varying nicknames were based in Middlesboro, Kentucky in various seasons between 1913 and 1963. Middlesboro teams played as members of the Appalachian League in 1913 and 1914, the Mountain States League from 1949 to 1954 and Appalachian League from 1961 to 1963, winning league championships in 1914, 1954 and 1961. Middlesboro teams were a minor league affiliate of the Washington Senators from 1961 to 1962 and both the Chicago Cubs & Chicago White Sox in 1963. Beginning in 1949, Middlesboro hosted minor league home games at the Hilltop Speedway Park.

The Lima Phillies were a minor league baseball team based in Lima, Ohio. The Lima "Phillies" were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, playing as members of the Class D level Ohio-Indiana League in 1950 and 1951. The Phillies were preceded in Ohio–Indiana League play by the 1948 Lima Terriers, who were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and the 1949 Lima Chiefs. Failing to qualify for the playoffs in each season, the Lima Ohio–Indiana League teams hosted minor league home games at Allen County Park.

References

  1. ↑ "1942 Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Elizabethton, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  3. ↑ Brock, Todd (April 25, 2019). "Jason Witten's Trusted Betsy was Banned by NFL". USA Today. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  4. ↑ "1937 Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Elizabethton Captures Opening Game 10 to 7". Johnson City Chronicle. Johnson City. May 22, 1937. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Sox Treat Fans to 9-5 Victory in Home Game". Elizabethton Star. Elizabethton. May 28, 1937. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 3 "1937 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "1938 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 "1939 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 "1940 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ "1941 Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 "1941 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  13. ↑ "1942 Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  14. ↑ Newberry, Mary C. (June 10, 1942). "McGlothlin Hurls Second No-Hit Game in Appy League History to Down Newport Canners 2-0 in First Game of Series". Elizabethton Star. Elizabethton. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. 1 2 3 "1942 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Don Elston Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  17. ↑ "1945 Elizabethton Betsy Cubs Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  18. 1 2 3 "1945 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  19. 1 2 3 "1946 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Bob Knaub Pitches No-Hitter Against Kingsport Indians". Elizabethton Star. Elizabethton. May 26, 1947. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. 1 2 "1947 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  22. 1 2 "1948 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  23. ↑ "George Miller Again Heads Baseball Club". Elizabethton Star. Elizabethton. January 23, 1949. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 "1949 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  25. 1 2 "1950 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  26. ↑ "1950 Elizabethton Betsy Phils Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  27. 1 2 "1951 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Cherokees Drop Phils From Appy Play-Off". Elizabethton Star. Elizabethton. September 9, 1951. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "1974 Appalachian League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Andy Seminick Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Bob Borkowski Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Jim Brosnan Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Don Elston Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Lew Flick Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Bert Hodges Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Fred Marsh Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Pat McGlothin Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Paul Minner Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Lou Rochelli Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Andy Seminick Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Ray Semproch Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Lee Tate Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
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.