Greenville Greenies

Last updated
Greenville Greenies
Minor league affiliations
Class Class D (1928–1929, 1937–1941, 1946–1951)
League Eastern Carolina League (1928–1929)
Coastal Plain League (1934–1941, 1946–1951)
Major league affiliations
Team Washington Senators (1939)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1949
Conference titles (1)1939
Team data
NameGreenville Tobacconists (1928–1929)
Greenville Greenies (1934–1941, 1946–1949)
Greenville Robins (1950–1951)
BallparkElm Street Park (1934–1937)
Third Street Park (1938–1940)
Guy Smith Stadium (1941, 1946–1951)

The Greenville Greenies were a minor league baseball team based in Greenville, North Carolina. The "Greenies" playes as members of the Coastal Plain League from 1934 to 1941, having been preceded by the Greenville Tobacconists, who played as members of the Eastern Carolina League in 1928 and 1929. Following World War II, the Greenies resumed play in the Class D Coastal Plain League from 1946 to 1949 before beind renamed the Greenville "Robins" for the 1950 and 1951 seasons.

Contents

The 1939 Greenville Greenies were a minor league affiliate of the Washington Senators.

The Greenville minor league teams hosted games at three ballparks, playing at Elm Street Park (1934–1937), Third Street Park (1938–1940) and Guy Smith Stadium (1941, 1946–1951). Elm Street Park and Guy Smith Stadium are still in use today.

History

1928 to 1929 Eastern Carolina League

The first minor league baseball team in Greenville, North Carolina was the 1928 Greenville Tobacconists. The Tobacconists played as members of the Class D level Eastern Carolina League. [1]

In their first season of play, the Greenville Tobacconists finished last in the 1928 six–team Eastern Carolina League, which had reformed. Greenville finished 43–71, playing the season under Managers James Jolliff and Tom Abbott. Greenville [laced sixth in the league standings, behind the Fayetteville Highlanders (53–60), Goldsboro Manufacturers (66–48), Kinston Eagles (55–59), Rocky Mount Buccaneers (55–56) and Wilmington Pirates (68–46). [2] [3] [1] [4]

Continuing play in the 1929 Eastern Carolina League, Greenville had three different managers and finished in fifth place. The Tobacconists had a record of 45–68 under Lester Bangs, Guy Smith and Dan Pasquella. The Eastern Carolina League permanently folded after the 1929 season. [5] [4]

1934 to 1941 Coastal Plain League

In 1934, Greenville resumed minor league play, as the Greenville "Greenies" began play as charter members of the Independent six–team Coastal Plain League. [6] [7] [8]

The Coastal Plain League became classified as a Class D League for the 1937 season. The Greenville Greenies ended the season with a record of 40–58, finishing in seventh place in the eight–team Coastal Plain League. Their manager in 1937 was Bo Farley. [9] [10] [11] [4]

Under managers Alfred Joyner and Halley Wilson, the Greenville Greenies finished the 1938 season with a record of 45–68, placing seventh in the Coastal Plain League. The team began play at Third Street Park. [12] [13] [14] [4]

In 1939, the Greenville Greenies won the 1939 Coastal Plain League pennant as the Greenville franchise became a Washington Senators minor league affiliate. With a Record of 75–47, Greenville placed first in the Coastal Plain League regular season, playing under manager Halley Wilson, In the 1939 playoffs, the Kinston Eagles defeated the Greenville Greenies 4 games to 2. [15] [16] [17] [4]

The 1940 Greenville Greenies finished with a record of 53–71, to place seventh in the Coastal Plain League standings under returning manager Halley Wilson. [4] The 1940 season was their last at Third Street Park. [18] [19] [20]

The Greenville Greenies advanced to the 1941 Coastal Plain League Finals. Playing at Guy Smith Stadium, the Greenies had a record of 64–54, placing second in the regular season under returning player/manager Halley Wilson. In the 1941 Coastal Plain League playoffs, the Greenville Greenies defeated the New Bern Bears 4 games to 2 and advanced. In the Finals, the Wilson Tobs defeated Greenville 4 games to 2. [21] [22] [23] [4]

1946 to 1951 Coastal Plain League

The 1946 Greenville Greenies returned to play after the Coastal Plain League was idle in the 1942–1945 seasons due to World War II. The Greenies ended the season with a 58–67 record in the regular season, placing sixth in the eight–team league. The 1946 manager was Virgil Payne. Returning to play at Guy Smith Stadium, season attendance was 62,354, an average of 998 per game. [24] [25] [26] [4]

Greenville finished in last place in the 1947 Coastal Plain League regular season standings. The Greenies' regular season record of 58–82 placed the team eighth in the Coastal Plain League final standings. The 1947 Greenville Greenies were managed by John Pare, Larry Baldwin and Ordie Timm. [4] Continuing play at Guy Smith Stadium, Greenville drew 66,316 fans for the season. [27] [28] [29]

The 1948 Greenville Greenies again finished in last place in the Coastal Plain League standings. The Greenville Greenies finished 50–89 and placed eighth in the Coastal Plain League final standings. The team again had three managers: Bill Phebus, Izzy Cohen and Kelly Kee. Their home attendance at Guy Smith Stadium was 60,938, an average of 877 per game. [30] [31] [32] [4]

The 1949 Greenville Greenies won the Coastal Plain League Championship. The Greenies finished the regular season with a 71–67 record, placing fourth in the Coastal Plain League under player/manager Fred Williams, qualifying for the playoffs. In the first round of the 1949 Coastal Plain League playoffs, Greenville defeated the Rocky Mount Leafs 4 games to 2 and advanced. In the 1949 Finals, the Greenville Greenies beat the Kinston Eagles 4 games 2 to win the 1949 championship. Season attendance was 72,420, a per-game average of 1,050. [33] [34] [35] [4]

Greenville remained in the 1950 Coastal Plain League, playing with the new Greenville Robins moniker. With a Coastal Plain League regular season record of 67–70, the Robins placed sixth in the Coastal Plain League final standings, missing the playoffs. The Robins' manager was Randy Heflin. Season attendance was 49,140. [36] [37] [38] [4]

The 1951 Greenville Robins folded from the Coastal Plain League mid-season. The Greenville Robins and Tarboro A's both folded from the league on June 6, 1951. The Robins had a 10–24 record under manager John Streza when the franchise folded. Playing their last season at Guy Smith Stadium, Greensville had overall attendance of 5,932, an average of 349 per game, during the partial season. [39] [40] [41] [42] [4]

In 2024 the Greenville became the home of the amateur Greenville Yard Gnomes of the collegiate summer baseball Coastal Plain League, playing their home games at Guy Smith Stadium.

The ballparks

Early Greenville minor league teams played home minor league games at Elm Street Park through 1937. Also called High School Park, the ballpark had a capacity of 1,200. [43] Elm Street Park is still in use today and has a lighted youth baseball field and other youth baseball fields. Elm Street Park is located at 1058 South Elm Street, Greenville, North Carolina. [44] [45]

From 1938 to 1940, the Greenville Greenies minor league teams played home games at Third Street Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 1,500 in 1938 and 3,000 in 1940. The field dimensions were (Left, Center, Right): 320–390–320. [46]

Beginning in 1941, Greenville minor league teams hosted home games at Guy Smith Stadium. [47] The ballpark was built in 1939 for $50,000 as a Works Project Administration Project. Guy Smith Stadium is located within Guy Smith Park and is still in use as a baseball stadium. The location is 1051 Moye Boulevard ini Greenville, North Carolina. [48]

(2017) Elm Street Park. Greenville, North Carolina Little League Baseball at Elm Street Park.jpg
(2017) Elm Street Park. Greenville, North Carolina

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliateBallpark
1928–19292Greenville Tobacconists Class D Eastern Carolina League NoneElm Street Park
1934–19372Greenville Greenies Coastal Plain League
19381Third Street Park
19391 Washington Senators
19401None
19411 Guy Smith Stadium
1946–19494
1950–19512Greenville Robins

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

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 Fayetteville Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1948, the Fayetteville "Cubs" played as members of the Coastal Plain League (1946) and Tri-State League (1947–1948) as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Fayetteville Cubs won the 1948 Tri-State League championship.

The Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown Jags was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams representing the cities of Amsterdam, New York, Gloversville, New York and Johnstown, New York between 1890 and 1908. Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown teams played as members of the New York State League from 1894 to 1895 and 1902 to 1908.

The Lawrenceville Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Lawrenceville, Virginia. In 1948 and 1949, Lawrenceville played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, with the team finishing last in both seasons of league play. The 1948 Cardinals were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, with the team becoming the "Robins" in 1949. Lawrenceville hosted minor league home games at Lawrenceville City Stadium, known today as Sonny Wholey Memorial Park.

The Mahanoy City Brewers was the final and primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania between 1887 and 1950. Mahanoy City teams played as members of the Central Pennsylvania League (1887–1888), Anthracite League (1924) and North Atlantic League (1946–1950). Mahanoy City was an affiliate of the Boston Braves in 1946.

The Snow Hill Billies was a minor league baseball team based in Snow Hill, North Carolina. From 1937 to 1940, the Snow Hill Billies played exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League, winning the 1937 league championship. The Billies played home minor league games at Snow Hill Park.

The Richmond Bluebirds were a minor league baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia. Between 1895 and 1901, the Bluebirds played as members of the Virginia League in 1895 and 1896, Atlantic League from 1897 to 1899, Virginia League in 1900 and Virginia-North Carolina League in 1901. The Bluebirds won league championships in 1895, 1896, 1898 and 1899, all while playing under manager Jake Wells.

The Ayden Aces were a minor league baseball team based in Ayden, North Carolina. In 1937 and 1938, the Aces played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Coastal Plain League, hosting home games at the Ayden High School Park.

The Williamston Martins were a minor league baseball team based in Williamston, North Carolina. From 1937 to 1941, the Martins played as exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League, winning the 1939 league championship. Williamston hosted home minor league games at Taylor Field.

The Edenton Colonials were a minor league baseball team based in Edenton, North Carolina. In 1951 and 1952, the Colonials played as members of the Class D level Virginia League in 1951 and Coastal Plain League in 1952, winning the 1952 league championship in their final season of play. The Edenton Colonials hosted home games at the Historic Hicks Field.

The Laurel Cardinals was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Laurel, Mississippi. From 1923 to 1929, Laurel teams played exclusively as a member of the Cotton States League, hosting home games at Kamper Park. The Laurel Cardinals were minor league affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1928 and 1929, having first played as the Laurel "Lumberjacks."

The Red Springs Red Robins were a minor league baseball team based in Red Springs, North Carolina. From 1947 to 1950, the Red Springs Red Robins played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, winning league championships in 1948 and 1949. The Red Robins were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics for their duration. The 1969 Red Springs Twins succeeded the Red Robins, playing as members of the Class A level Carolina League.

Minor league baseball teams based in Fayetteville, North Carolina played between 1910 and 1956. Fayetteville teams played as members of the 1910 Eastern Carolina Association, the Eastern Carolina League in 1909, 1911, 1928 to 1929 and Carolina League from 1953 to 1956. The early minor league teams preceded today's Fayetteville Woodpeckers, who resumed minor league play in 2019, as members of the Carolina League.

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.

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 Mount Carmel Reliance were a minor league baseball team based in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania. In 1887 and 1888, the Reliance played exclusively as members of the independent Central Pennsylvania League.

The Monroe Sports were a minor league baseball team based in Monroe, Louisiana. The Sports played as members of the Class C level Cotton States League from 1950 to 1955, winning the 1955 league championship. The Sports became a New York Yankees affiliate in 1955 and continued the affiliation in 1956, when the team joined the Class C level Evangeline Leaguefor one season after the Cotton States League folded. The Sports hosted home minor league games at Casino Park.

The Wilmington Sailors were a minor league baseball team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. From 1908 to 1910, the Sailors played exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Carolina League, winning the 1908 pennant. Wilmington hosted minor league home games at Hilton Park.

The Kinston Eagles were a minor league baseball team based in Kinston, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Smith Stadium</span> American sports venue

Guy Smith Stadium is a sports stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home of the Greenville Yard Gnomes, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League.

References

  1. 1 2 "1928 Greenville Tobacconists Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ↑ "1928 Eastern Carolina League (ECL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. ↑ "1928 Greenville Tobacconists Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  5. ↑ "1929 Greenville Tobacconists Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ↑ "1934 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. ↑ "1934 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ↑ "1935 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. ↑ "1937 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. ↑ "1937 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. ↑ "1937 Greenville Greenies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ↑ "1938 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. ↑ "1938 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. ↑ "1938 Greenville Greenies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ↑ "1939 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. ↑ "1939 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. ↑ "1939 Greenville Greenies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ "1940 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  19. ↑ "1940 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  20. ↑ "1940 Greenville Greenies Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. ↑ "1941 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  22. ↑ "1941 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  23. ↑ "1941 Greenville Greenies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  24. ↑ "1946 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  25. ↑ "1946 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  26. ↑ "1946 Greenville Greenies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  27. ↑ "1947 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  28. ↑ "1947 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  29. ↑ "1947 Greenville Greenies Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  30. ↑ "1948 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  31. ↑ "1948 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  32. ↑ "1948 Greenville Greenies Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  33. ↑ "1949 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  34. ↑ "1949 Greenville Greenies Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  35. ↑ "1949 Greenville Greenies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  36. ↑ "1950 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  37. ↑ "1950 Greenville Robins Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  38. ↑ "1950 Greenville Robins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  39. ↑ "1951 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  40. ↑ "1951 Greenville Robins Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  41. ↑ "Coastal Plain League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  42. ↑ "1951 Greenville Robins Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  43. ↑ "High School Park in Greenville, NC history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  44. ↑ "Elm Street Park". www.visitgreenvillenc.com.
  45. ↑ "Facility Directory Table List | Greenville, NC". www.greenvillenc.gov.
  46. ↑ "Third Street Park in Greenville, NC history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  47. ↑ "Guy Smith Stadium in Greenville, NC history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  48. ↑ "Facility Directory Table List | Greenville, NC". www.greenvillenc.gov.
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.