| Galax Leafs | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1946–1950) |
| League | Blue Ridge League (1946–1950) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | New York Giants (1950) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1947 |
| Conference titles (1) | 1948 |
| Wild card berths (2) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Galax Leafs (1946–1950) |
| Ballpark | Felts Park (1946–1950) |
The Galax Leafs were a minor league baseball team based in Galax, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the Galax Leafs played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, winning the 1947 championship and 1948 pennant. The Galax Leafs were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants in 1950. The Leafs hosted minor league home games at Felts Park.
Minor league baseball began in Galax, Virginia in 1946, when the Galax "Leafs" became charter members of the four–team Class D level Blue Ridge League. The Mount Airy Graniteers, Radford Rockets and Salem Friends teams joined Galax as charter members in beginning 1946 league play, which commenced on May 1, 1946. [1] [2] [3]
The Galax, Virginia use of the "Leafs" moniker corresponds to local plant life. The "Galax Leaf," a type of green, waxy leaf is indigenous to the region. Today, Galax, Virginia is host of the annual musical Galax & Leaf Festival. [4] [5] [6]
In their first season of play, the 1946 Galax Leafs finished last in the final Blue Ridge League standings. The Rockets ended the season with a record of 30–78, to place fourth, playing under manager Rex Phillips. The Leafs finished the season 42.0 games behind the first place Salem Friends/Lenoir Red Sox team, as no playoffs were held. [7] [8] [9] Joining the Leafs during the season from Mount Airy, Eddie Morgan led the Blue Ridge League with both 16 home runs and 127 RBI. [7]
The 1947 Galax Leafs won the Blue Ridge League championship. As the league implemented a new playoff system, Galax ended the regular season with a record of 77–47 and finished 3.5 games ahead the second place Mount Airy Graniteers, with Eddie Morgan serving as player/manager. In the first round of the playoffs, the Leafs defeated the Radford Rockets 3 games to 1 in their series to advance. In the Finals, the Galax Leafs defeated the Lenoir Red Sox in seven games to win the championship. [7] [10] [11] [12] [13] Player/manager Eddie Morgan hit a league leading .375 with 11 home runs and a league leading 103 RBI in leading Galax to the championship. [7]
Continuing Blue Ridge League play in 1948, the Galax Leafs won the pennant as the league expanded to six teams. With a record of 75–48, playing under manager Harold Kase, the Leafs finished 4.5 games ahead of the second place North Wilkesboro Flashers in the regular season standings. In the first round of the playoffs, Galax defeated the Radford Rockets 3 games to 0 to advance. In the Finals, the Mount Airy Graniteers defeated Galax Leafs 4 games to 3. [7] [14] [15] Pitcher Cecil Warren of Galax led the Blue Ridge league with 21 wins. [7]
The Galax Leafs placed second in the six–team 1949 Blue Ridge League. The Leafs ended the Blue Ridge League regular season with a 66–61 record, finishing 2.5 games behind the first place Mt. Airy Graniteers, while playing under managers Bob Latshaw and Steve Sloboda. In the playoffs, the North Wilkesboro Flashers defeated Galax Leafs 4 games to 2. [16] [7] [17] [18]
In their final season, the 1950 Galax Leafs became a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants. The Leafs ended the 1950 Blue Ridge League regular season with a record of 68–50, playing under manager James Grigg. Galax finished 16.0 games behind the first place Elkin Blanketeers in the six–team Blue Ridge League final regular season standings. In their final games, the Galax Leafs lost their playoff series to Elkin 3 games to 0. The Blue Ridge League permanently folded after the 1950 season. [19] [20] [7] [21] [22] Bob Horan of Galax led the Blue Ridge with 14 home runs, 104 runs and 153 total hits, while Leafs' teammate Mitchell Mozejko led the league with 18 wins. [7]
Galax, Virginia has not hosted another minor league franchise. [23]
The Galax Leafs were noted to have played minor league home games at Felts Park. The ballpark was reportedly a 2,500 seat ballpark. Today, Felts Park is still in use as a public park with ballfields. The park is located at 601 South Main Street, Galax, Virginia. [24] [25]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946–1949 | 5 | Galax Leafs | Class D | Blue Ridge League | None | Felts Park |
| 1950 | 1 | New York Giants |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 30–78 | 4th | Rex Phillips | No playoffs held |
| 1947 | 77–47 | 1st | Eddie Morgan | League Champions |
| 1948 | 75–48 | 1st | Harold Kase | Lost in finals |
| 1949 | 66–61 | 2nd | Bob Latshaw / Steve Sloboda | Lost in 1st round |
| 1950 | 68–50 | 3rd | James Grigg | Lost in first round |
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 Waynesboro Red Birds was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. From 1920 to 1930, the Waynesboro Red Birds and Waynesville Villagers teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League. The Waynesboro Red Birds were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1925 and from 1928 to 1930. Waynesville played home minor league games at E-B Park.
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 New River Rebels were a minor league baseball team representing Narrows, Virginia and Pearisburg, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the New River Rebels were 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 Narrrows. The New River Rebels were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in 1946.
The Watertown Athletics were a minor league baseball team based in Watertown, New York.. The Athletics played from 1946 to 1951 and were preceded by the 1936 Watertown Greys and an 1888 Watertown team. Watertown teams played as members of the 1888 Eastern International League, 1936 Canadian–American League and Border League from 1946 to 1951. The Watertown Grays and Athletics hosted home games at Duffy Fairgrounds. Watertown was a minor league affiliate of the Boston Bees in 1936.
The Ogdensburg Maples was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Ogdensburg, New York. Between 1900 and 1940, earlier Ogdensburg teams played as members of the Northern New York League in 1900 and 1901 and the Canadian–American League from 1936 to 1940. The Maples played as members of the Class C level Border League from 1946 to 1951. Overall, Ogdensburg teams won three league championships and one pennant. The Maples hosted home games at Winter Park.
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 Cumberland Colts were a minor league baseball team based in Cumberland, Maryland between 1916 and 1932. The Cumberland Giants of the Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League in 1906 and the 1907 Cumberland Rooters of the Western Pennsylvania League preceded the Colts. The Colts played as members of the 1916 Potomac League, the Blue Ridge League from 1917 to 1918 and Middle Atlantic League from 1925 to 1932. The Colts were a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees in 1931 and 1932. With the Colts winning league championships in 1918, 1927 and 1931, Cumberland played home games at South End Park and then Community Park.
The Elkin Blanketeers were a minor league baseball team based in Elkin, North Carolina. The Blanketeers played as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League from 1949 to 1950 and North Carolina State League from 1951 to 1952, winning the 1950 pennant. Elkin hosted home minor league games at Elkin Memorial Park, where a Blanketeer player was married at home plate in 1950.
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. For one season, the team became known as the Mooresville "Braves," playing the 1945 season as a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. The Moors and Braves hosted minor league home games at Mooresville Park.
The Carbondale Pioneers was the final and primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams 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 Sanford Spinners are a minor league baseball team based in Sanford, North Carolina. The Spinners played as members of the Class D level Bi-State League in 1941 and 1942, Tobacco State League from 1946 to 1950, winning league championships in 1942 and 1946, and Old North State League from 2021 to Present. The Spinners hosted minor league home games at Temple Park.
The Radford Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Radford, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the Radford Rockets played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, qualifying for the playoffs on three occasions. The Rockets hosted home minor league games at the Redford High School Park.
The Lenoir Red Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Lenoir, North Carolina. Between 1937 and 1951, Lenoir teams played as members of the 1937 and 1938 Carolina League, 1939 and 1940 Tar Heel League, 1946 and 1947 Blue Ridge League and the Western Carolina League from 1948 to 1951, winning three league championships. Lenoir teams hosted home minor league games at the Lenoir High School Field.
The North Wilkesboro Flashers were a minor league baseball team based in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. From 1948 to 1950, the "Flashers" played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, winning the 1949 league championship. North Wilkesboro hosted home minor league games at Memorial Park. The team nickname was in reference to team manager Harry Lohman, whose nickname was "Flash."
The Clinton Sampson Blues was the final nickname of the minor league baseball teams based in Clinton, North Carolina and within Sampson County, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the Clinton based teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, hosting home games at the Clinton High School Park. The franchise first played as the "Clinton Blues" from 1946 to 1948. The Clinton Blues were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers in 1948.
The Dunn–Erwin Twins were a minor league baseball teams based in Dunn, North Carolina in partnership with Erwin, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the Dunn–Erwin teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League and hosted home games at the Dunn High School Park.
The Smithfield–Selma Leafs were a minor league baseball team based in Smithfield, North Carolina, in partnership with Selma, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the Smithfield–Selma Leafs teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League and hosted home games Legion Park in Smithfield.
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 as 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 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.