Greeneville Burley Cubs

Last updated
Greeneville Burley Cubs
1921 – 1942
(1921–1925, 1938–1942)
Greeneville, Tennessee
Minor league affiliations
Class Class D (1921–1925, 1938–1942)
League Appalachian League (1921–1925, 1938–1942)
Major league affiliations
Team
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1938
Pennants (1)1925
First half titles (1)1921
Team data
NameGreeneville Burley Cubs (1921–1925, 1938–1942)
Ballpark

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.

Contents

The Burly Cubs were affiliated with four Major League Baseball teams over their 10-year run in Greeneville: the Chicago Cubs (1938 and 1940), Cleveland Indians (1939), and Boston Braves (1942). Over all 10 seasons of competition, their all-time regular season win–loss record was 482–486 (.498). They won the Appalachian League pennant in 1925 and the league's playoff championship in 1938.

History

First stretch (1921–1925)

The Burley Cubs became the first professional baseball team to hail from Greeneville, Tennessee, when they joined the Appalachian League in 1921. [1] They opened their inaugural season with a 2–1 road victory over the Johnson City Soldiers on May 12. [2] Greeneville won the first half of the league's split season on the way to compiling a full season record of 58–48 (.547). [3] In the postseason championship playoffs, the Burley Cubs lost to Johnson City, five games to one. [3]

Greeneville ended the 1922 season last of six teams with a record of 50–70 (.417). [4] The 1923 team improved to 51–56 (.477). [5] From 1924 to 1925, the club was managed by former Baltimore Terrapins catcher Harvey Russell. [6] He led the team to a third-place 54–52 (.509) finish in 1924, but they missed the playoffs having not won either half of the season. [7] On July 15, 1925, the Bristol State Liners dropped out of the league due to financial difficulties, and the remaining three-team league disbanded the same day. [8] The Burley Cubs lost both games of a doubleheader to the Morristown Roosters, 3–2 and 10–4, on July 15. [8] At the time of the disbandment, Greeneville was in first place with a 28–16 (.636) record, making them the de facto pennant winners. [9] Over five years of competition, the team's all-time record was 250–222 (.530).

Second stretch (1938–1942)

Burley Cub Dale Alexander (1923-1924, 1942) was a native of Greeneville. Dale Alexander (R316).jpg
Burley Cub Dale Alexander (1923–1924, 1942) was a native of Greeneville.

The Appalachian League reorganized 12 years later in 1937 without a Greeneville team. [10] The Burley Cubs were revived in 1938 as an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. [1] [11] They won their May 12 Opening Day road game versus the Newport Canners, 9–4. [12] They were defeated in the next day's home opener against Newport, 10–3. [13] Greeneville ended the season in third place, qualifying for the playoffs, at 60–45 (.571). [14] They won the semifinals, defeating the Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox, two games to none. [14] They then won the Appalachian League championship against the Kingsport Cherokees, 3–1. [14]

In 1939, the team became an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. [15] They qualified for the playoffs again with a fourth-place 65–54 (.546) finish, [16] but were eliminated by Elizabethton in the first round, 2–1. [16] The 1940 club, which had re-affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, [17] qualified for the league's expanded playoffs with a fifth-place mark at 55–63 (.466). [18] They defeated Newport, 2–1, to advance to the semifinals, where they lost to the Johnson City Cardinals, 2–1. [18] An unaffiliated 1941 team placed fifth, missing a contracted version of the playoffs, at 43–75 (.364). [19]

The Burly Cubs affiliated with the Boston Braves for 1942 and were managed by ex-major leaguer Dale Alexander. [20] On June 15, standing last of six teams, Greeneville surrendered its franchise to the Appalachian League. [21] Their 9–27 (.250) record hampered attendance, resulting in financial problems for owner Carl Lyerly. [21] [22] They dropped their final two games to Elizabethton, a June 12 home doubleheader, 5–0 and 9–4. [23] Over their second five-year run, the team accumulated a record of 232–264 (.468). Combining all 10 years of competition, their all-time record was 482–486 (.498).

Greeneville did not return to professional baseball until the Greeneville Astros began competition in the Appalachian League in 2004. [1]

Season-by-season results

SeasonRegular seasonPostseasonMLB affiliateRef.
RecordWin %FinishGBRecordWin %Result
192158–48.5472nd (tie)4+1⁄21–5.167Won first half title
Lost Appalachian League championship vs. Johnson City Soldiers, 5–1		— [3]
192251–56.4774th16+1⁄2———— [4]
192359–50.5412nd1+1⁄2———— [5]
192454–52.5093rd11———— [7]
192528–16.6231st———Won Appalachian League pennant — [9]
193860–45.5713rd75–1.833Won semifinals vs. Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox, 2–0
Won Appalachian League championship vs. Kingsport Cherokees, 3–1		 Chicago Cubs [14]
193965–54.5464th61–2.333Lost semifinals vs. Elizabethton Betsy Red Sox, 2–1 Cleveland Indians [16]
194055–63.4665th29+1⁄23–3.500Won quarterfinals vs. Newport Canners, 2–1
Lost semifinals vs. Johnson City Cardinals, 2–1		 Chicago Cubs [18]
194143–75.3645th30———— [19]
19429–27.250DNFDNF——— Boston Braves [22]
Totals482–486.498——10–11.476———

Notable players

Nine Burley Cubs also played in at least one game in Major League Baseball during their careers. These players and their season with Greeneville 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 wood bats, its season runs from June to August. The league is part of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline.

Iowa Cubs Minor League Baseball team

The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Triple-A East 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.

Elizabethton Twins 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.

Greeneville Astros 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 Union City Dodgers were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League from 1935 to 1942 and 1946 to 1955. They were located in Union City, Tennessee, and played their home games at Turner Memorial Field. Originally known as the Union City Greyhounds, the team had affiliations with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians. They changed their name to the Union City Dodgers upon becoming a Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate in 1953.

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.

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. Thusly, the Twins were named for the twin cities. They won the MSL pennant in 1953.

The Erwin Mountaineers were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League in 1940. They were located in Erwin, Tennessee, and played their home games at Gentry Stadium.

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.

Morristown Cubs 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.

Greeneville Reds Minor League Baseball team

The Greeneville Reds were a Minor League Baseball team of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. They represented the town of Greeneville, Tennessee, though Pioneer Park, their home stadium, was located in the nearby city of Tusculum on the campus of Tusculum College. They were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Greeneville Reds replaced the Greeneville Astros (2004–2017) as the city's entry in the league.

The Pikeville Cubs was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Pikeville, Kentucky from 1982 to 1984. Pikeville teams played as a member of the Rookie level Appalachian League from 1982 to 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 were a member of the Class D level Appalachian League from 1946 to 1950. The Rebels captured Appalachian League Championships in 1946 and 1947.

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. The team was initially called the "Bears."

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).

The Jackson Generals were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1950 to 1954. The Generals were located in Jackson, Tennessee, and played their home games at Lakeview Ball Park in their first run and at Municipal Park in their second stretch. They were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in 1953.

Greeneville Flyboys

The Greeneville Flyboys are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Greeneville, Tennessee, and play their home games at Pioneer Park.

Minor league baseball teams 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Greeneville, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Soldiers Lose to Burly Cubs". The Journal and Tribune. Knoxville. May 13, 1921. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 "1921 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "1922 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "1923 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Harvey Russell Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "1924 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "App League". The Knoxville Journal. Knoxville. July 16, 1925. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 "1925 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ "1937 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ "1938 Greeneville Burley Cubs Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. ↑ Shelton, James (May 13, 1938). "Greeneville Takes Opening Tilt from Newport 9 to 4". The Greeneville Sun. Greeneville. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Shelton, James (May 14, 1938). "Newport Defeats Greeneville to Even Series". The Greeneville Sun. Greeneville. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "1938 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  15. ↑ "1939 Greeneville Burley Cubs Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  16. 1 2 3 "1939 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ "1940 Greeneville Burley Cubs". Baseball-Reference. Sports-Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  18. 1 2 3 "1940 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "1941 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  20. ↑ "1942 Greeneville Burley Cubs". Baseball-Reference. Sports-Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  21. 1 2 Shelton, James (June 15, 1942). "Cubs Surrender Franchise In Appalachian League". The Greeneville Sun. Greeneville. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. 1 2 "1942 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Minner Wins Pair For Sox". Johnson City Chronicle. Johnson City. June 13, 1942. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Dale Alexander Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Bob Brady Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Jim Brillheart Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Buddy Crump Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Cookie Cuccurullo Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Abie Hood Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  30. ↑ "John O'Neil Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Merle Settlemire Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Frank Watt Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 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.