Longhorn League

Last updated

Longhorn League
Classification Class D (1947–1950)
Class C (1951–1955)
Sport Minor League Baseball
Inaugural season1947
Ceased1955
Replaced by Southwestern League
PresidentHoward Green (1947–1948)
Hal Sayles (1949–1953)
Harry A. James (1954)
J.C. Cunningham (1955)
No. of teams15
Country United States of America
Most titles2
Odessa Oilers
Midland Indians
Related
competitions		 Rio Grande Valley League

The Longhorn League was the name of a Minor league baseball circuit that operated from 1947 through 1955 in the Southwestern United States. In 1956, it was renamed the Southwestern League and operated through 1957 before changing its name to the Sophomore League. Joe Bauman hit 72 home runs in 1954 to set the minor league record, while playing for the Roswell Rockets.

Contents

History

The Longhorn League was a high–offense league that operated from 1947 through 1955. In 1956, it was renamed the Southwestern League. A league with only three teams ever affiliated with major league clubs, all for one year only, the league was home to veteran minor leaguers who were no longer of interest to major league teams. In two of the league's nine seasons, a Longhorn League player posted the top average in the minors – Jim Prince in 1947 and Tom Jordan in 1955. A .400 average or .700 slugging in this league was not uncommon. [1] The league is notable for Joe Bauman setting the all–time minor-league home run record in 1954 with 72 home runs. [2]

Cities represented

Championship teams

[1]

Standings & statistics

1947 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Big Spring Broncs 8148.628–43,153Pat Stasey
Midland Indians 7555.5776.534,013Harold Webb
Ballinger Cats 6862.52313.542,662Stuart Williams
Sweetwater Sports 6367.48518.531,631Rowland Murphy
Odessa Oilers 6070.46221.538,415 Howie McFarland
Vernon Dusters 4287.32639.030,758Carl Kott

Playoffs: Big Springs 4 games, Sweetwater 3; Ballinger 4 games, Midland 3.
Finals: Ballinger 4 games, Big Springs 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
James PrinceMidlandBA.429Jose CendanBig SpringW24
Orlando MorenoBig SpringRuns186 Nippy Jones BallingerSO249
Pat Stasey
Bob Cowsar		Big Spring
Sweetwater		Hits209Ernie NelsonMidlandERA3.87
Bob CowsarSweetwaterRBI176Jose CendanBig SpringPCT.828 24–5
Bob CowsarSweetwaterHR37

1948 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Big Spring Broncs 8453.613–59,503Pat Stasey
Odessa Oilers 8158.5834.061,193Bill Davis / Merle Coleman
Midland Indians 7960.5686.051,865Harold Webb
Vernon Dusters 7664.5439.550,250Lloyd Rigby
Ballinger Cats 6871.48917.034,413Bill Atwood
Sweetwater Sports 6476.45721.535,425Clarence Gann
San Angelo Colts 6377.45022.529,145Robert Martin / Alvin Leedy
Del Rio Cowboys 4298.30043.513,425John Zanet /
Bill Lacy / Sam Harshany

Playoffs: Veron 4 games, Big Spring 2; Midland 4 games, Odessa 0.
Finals: Midland 4 games, Vernon 3.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pat StaseyBig SpringBA.389Edward JacomeVernonW22
Wilfred RheingansOdessaRuns134William GannSweetwaterSO207
Roberto FernandezBig SpringHits203 Jerry Fahr VernonERA1.96
Kenneth PeacockSweetwaterRBI162Eusebio PerezBig SpringPCT.833 15–3
Kenneth PeacockSweetwaterHR34

1949 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Big Spring Broncs 9445.676–58,559Pat Stasey
Midland Indians 7466.52920.552,078Harold Webb
Vernon Dusters 7266.52221.550,386Robert Huntley
San Angelo Colts 6968.50424.083,245 Sam Harshany
Odessa Oilers 6674.47128.560,426 Alex Monchak
Ballinger Cats 6476.45730.544,815 Charlie English /
Stuart Williams / Lindsay Brown
Sweetwater Swatters 6079.43234.033,770 Dick Gyselman / Kermit Lewis
Roswell Rockets 5782.41037.043,584Bob Crues / Potsy Allen

Playoffs: Big Spring 4 games, San Angelo 0; Midland 4 games, Vernon 1; Finals: Big Spring 4 games, Midland 0.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pat StaseyBig SpringBA.376Julio RamosBig SpringW22
Alex Monchak OdessaRuns147Julio RamosBig SpringSO262
Carlos Pascual
Harry Scherting		Big Spring
Vernon		Hits188Humberto GarciaBig SpringERA1.77
Frank MorminoOdessaRBI140Julio RamosBig SpringPCT.846 22–4
Alex Monchak OdessaHR35

1950 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Odessa Oilers 9755.638–73,226 Alex Monchak
Roswell Rockets 8962.5897.582,671 Tom Jordan
Big Spring Broncs 8468.55313.049,302Pat Stasey
Vernon Dusters 8370.54214.546,099 Joe Berry
San Angelo Colts 8271.53615.597,936James McClure
Sweetwater Swatters 6884.44729.039,773 John Bottarini / Dom Chiola
Midland Indians 6687.43131.547,042Harold Webb / Ralph Blair
Ballinger Cats 39111.26057.027,902Dutch Funderburk / Larry Gilchrist

Playoffs: Odessa 4 games, Vernon 1; Big Spring 4 games, Roswell 0.
Finals: Odessa 4 games, Big Spring 3.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Tom Jordan RoswellBA.391Billy RussellVernonW25
Leo EasthamOdessaRuns166Ray HillRoswellSO195
Tom Jordan RoswellHits216James McClureSan AngeloERA2.54
Tom Jordan RoswellRBI180Ray DrakeRoswellPCT.846 11–2
Tom Jordan RoswellHR44

1951 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
San Angelo Colts 9347.664–115,118Dutch Funderburk
Big Spring Broncs 8257.59010.543,370Pat Stasey
Roswell Rockets 7961.56414.065,361 Alex Monchak
Odessa Oilers 7663.54716.558,825 Jackie Sullivan / Robert Martin
Midland Indians 6970.49723.552,797Harold Webb / Zeke Bonura
Vernon Dusters 6771.48625.036,686 Joe Berry / Homer Matney
Sweetwater Swatters 4693.33146.532,430Earl Harriman / Warren Sliter /
Joe Bratcher / Julian Morgan /
Julian Pressley
Artesia Drillers 4595.32148.034,545Hayden Greer

Playoffs: Odessa 4 games, San Angelo 1; Roswell 4 games, Big Spring 2.
Finals: Odessa 4 games, Roswell 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pat StaseyBig SpringBA.387Dean FranksRoswellW30
Leo EasthamOdessaRuns157Marshall EppersonVernonSO167
John TayoanSan AngeloHits209 Mike Fornieles Big SpringERA2.85
Wilbur CearleyRoswellRBI141Ray SimsOdessaPCT.917 11–1
Wayne WallaceSan AngeloHR36

1952 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Odessa Oilers 8753.621–72,665Robert Martin
Big Spring Broncs 8654.6141.049,652Pat Stasey
Midland Indians 8555.6072.064,188 Zeke Bonura / Jay Haney
Artesia Drillers 7565.53612.042,972Earl Perry
Roswell Rockets 6575.46422.052,583 Alex Monchak
San Angelo Colts 6575.46422.076,892 Mark Christman
Sweetwater Braves 5288.37135.037,060 Alex Carrasquel / John Morris
Vernon Dusters 4595.32142.030,105Chester Fowler /
Albert Richardson / Pat McLaughlin

Playoffs: Odessa 4 games, Artesia 1; Midland 4 games, Big Spring 0; Finals: Midland 4 games, Odessa 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Charles BuckSweetwaterBA.382Gilberto GuerraBig SpringW26
Leo EasthamOdessaRuns157Gilberto GuerraBig SpringSO225
Charles BuckSweetwaterHits210Israel TenMidlandERA2.51
Joe Bauman ArtesiaRBI157Keith NichollsMidlandPCT.750 24–8
Joe Bauman ArtesiaHR50

1953 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Carlsbad Potashers 8052.606–83,462 Pat McLaughlin
San Angelo Colts 7752.5971.568,146Rudy Briner
Midland Indians 7358.5576.552,035Jay Haney
Artesia Drillers 7262.5379.040,042Earl Perry / Joe Bauman
Roswell Rockets 6070.46219.035,459Pat Stasey
Odessa Oilers 5378.40526.541,931Robert Martin
Big Spring Broncs 3557.380NA24,089 Hack Miller / Joe Niedson
Lamesa Lobos /
Winters-Ballinger Eagles 		1031.244NA8,314Harold Webb

Lamesa/Winters–Ballinger disbanded June 7; Big Spring disbanded July 31.
Playoffs: Carlsbad 4 games, Artesia 3; Midland 4 games, San Angelo 3; Finals: Carlsbad 4 games, Midland 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ike JacksonCarlsbadBA.388Audie MaloneCarlsbadW25
Joe Bauman ArtesiaRuns135Marshall EppersonCarlsbadSO214
Ike JacksonCarlsbadHits190Mario SaldanaSan AngeloERA3.46
Joe Bauman ArtesiaTB376Audie MaloneCarlsbadPCT.806 25–6
Joe Bauman ArtesiaHR53

1954 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Artesia Numexers 9246.667–54,450John Gibson / Jimmy Adair
Roswell Rockets 8751.6305.053,280Pat Stasey
Carlsbad Potashers 8752.6265.560,963 Pat McLaughlin
Midland Indians 8059.57612.543,109Rudy Briner
Big Spring Broncs 7065.51920.542,078Robert Martin
Odessa Oilers 5482.39737.026,281 Jack Knight / Wayne Batson
San Angelo Colts 5386.38139.572,727 Hillis Layne
Wichita Falls Spudders /
Sweetwater Spudders 		27109.19964.020,101Red McCarty

Wichita Falls moved to Sweetwater May 6. Playoffs: Artesia 4 games, Midland 2; Carlsbad 4 games, Roswell 2; Finals: Artesia 4 games, Carlsbad 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Joe Bauman RoswellBA.400Robert WeaverCarlsbadW21
Joe Bauman RoswellRuns188Julio RamosSweet/MidSO222
Ike JacksonCarlsbadHits215Bartolo DiMaggioArtesiaERA3.60
Joe Bauman RoswellRBI224Wayne GoodellArtesiaPCT.720 18–7
Joe Bauman RoswellHR72
Joe Bauman RoswellTB456

1955 Longhorn League schedule

Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers
San Angelo Colts 8555.607–62,446 Pat McLaughlin
Roswell Rockets 7956.5853.539,911Hayden Greer
Artesia Numexers 8057.5843.528,880 Tom Jordan
Carlsbad Potashers 7267.51812.546,152 Thurman Tucker
Midland Indians 6772.48217.562,602Bill Capps
Hobbs Sports 6277.44622.546,101Pat Stasey
Big Spring Cosden Cops 5783.40728.027,918Robert Martin
Odessa Eagles 5186.37232.534,574 Tony York

Playoffs: San Angelo 4 games, Carlsbad 1; Roswell 4 games, Artesia 3.
Finals: San Angelo 4 games, Roswell 0.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Tom Jordan ArtesiaBA.407 Evelio Hernandez HobbsW23
Elias OsorioSan AngeloRuns142 Evelio Hernandez HobbsSO227
Tom Jordan ArtesiaHits221 Red Swanson MidlandERA3.04
Tom Jordan ArtesiaRBI159Ed LockeArtesiaPCT.741 20–7
Joe Bauman RoswellHR46
Tom Jordan Artesia2B69

[1]

League Records 1947-1955

Batting
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
[ William PeelerVernonGA15350Jim PrinceMidlandBA.42947
Felix GomezBig SpringAB64250 Joe Bauman RoswellRuns18854
Tom Jordan ArtesiaHits22155 Joe Bauman RoswellRBI22454
Tom Jordan Artesia2B6955Roman LoykoOdessa3B2452
Joe Bauman RoswellHR7254 Joe Bauman RoswellEBH11054
Joe Bauman RoswellTB45654Orlando MorenoBig SpringHS4347
Tony GuerreroOdes/San AngSac2250Duane WhiteRoswellSB5355
Leo EasthamOdessaBB17050Joe CalderonArtesiaSO14253
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Dean FranksRoswellW3051Dean FranksRoswellCG3051
Lee ZamoraSweetwaterBB19250Julio RamosBig SpringPct.846, 22–449
Lloyd WallisVernonL2252Roy SimsOdessaPct.917, 11–151
Humberto GarciaBig SpringERA1.7749Eddie JacomeMidlandIP33851
Billy RussellVernonSho750Julio RamosBig SpringSO26249

[1]

Sources

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roswell International Air Center</span> Airport

Roswell Air Center is an airport five miles (8.0 km) south of Roswell, in Chaves County, New Mexico, United States.

The Mississippi–Ohio Valley League was a Class D level American minor league baseball league. Evolving from the renamed Illinois State League (1947-1948), the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League operated for seven seasons, from 1949 through 1955. In 1956 the league was renamed the Midwest League, which still exists today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission</span>

The Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission (PBRPC) is a voluntary association of cities, counties and special districts in the Permian Basin region of West Texas.

The Arizona–Texas League was a Class D level American minor league baseball league that existed for nine seasons, from 1931–32, 1937–41, 1947–50 and 1952-54. In 1951, the Arizona-Texas loop merged with the Sunset League to form the Southwest International League. However, the Arizona and Texas clubs played only that one season (1951) in the new circuit before seceding and reforming the A-TL in 1952. From 1928 to 1930, it was known as the Arizona State League.

The Sooner State League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that operated from 1947 through 1957. The league owners kept it alive in 1958, anticipating a return to play in 1959. However, when only Ardmore and Paris, Texas, were able to secure working agreements, the league folded on February 12, 1959. It was the last Class D league west of the Mississippi River. The league franchises were based in Oklahoma and Texas.

The Sophomore League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that operated from 1958 through 1961. League franchises were located in New Mexico and Texas. The league evolved from the Southwestern League, which played in 1956 and 1957. The name change was part of a systemic change. The circuit went from being one with almost no ties to major league baseball to a league where every team was a minor league affiliate of a major league team.

The Southwestern League was the name of four former minor league baseball leagues that operated in the Southwestern United States. The second league, also known as the Oklahoma State League, was in operation for the 1904 season. The third league operated from 1921 to 1926. The fourth league, formerly the Longhorn League, operated from 1956 to 1957 before changing its name to the Sophomore League.

The Odessa Dodgers were a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They played in the Sophomore League from 1959 to 1960 and represented Odessa, Texas. The Dodgers manager was Roy Hartsfield.

The West Texas–New Mexico League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1937 through 1955, with a hiatus from 1943 to 1945 during World War II. The league started as a Class D level league, upgraded to Class C in 1946 and then a final advancement to Class B level status in 1955. League franchises were based exclusively in New Mexico and Texas.

William Hayden "Stubby" Greer was a player, coach and manager in Minor League Baseball.

The Lamesa Lobos were a minor league baseball team based in Lamesa, Texas. They played in the West Texas–New Mexico League from 1939 to 1942, shut down for World War II, and then resumed from 1946–1952. They moved to the Longhorn League in 1953 and moved on June 3 to become the Winters-Ballinger Eagles. In 1957 the Midland Indians of the Southwestern League moved to town and became the Lamesa Indians for the rest of the season.

The West Texas League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that existed from 1920 to 1922 and from 1928 to 1929.

The Midland Indians were a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas. Between 1937 and 1959, Midland teams played as members of West Texas-New Mexico League (1937–1940), Longhorn League (1947–1955), Southwestern League (1956–1957) and Sophomore League (1958–1959), while hosting minor league games at City Park and then Christensen Stadium. Midland teams played as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals (1937–1938), Milwaukee Braves (1958–1959) and Washington Senators (1957).

The Vernon Dusters were a minor league baseball team based in Vernon, Texas. From 1947 to 1952, the Dusters played exclusively as members of the Longhorn League, qualifying for the playoffs on three occasions. Hosting home games at Wilbarger Memorial Stadium, the Dusters were the only minor league based in Vernon, Texas.

The Wink Spudders were a minor league baseball team based in Wink, Texas. In 1937 and 1938, the Spudders played exclusively as members of the Class D level West Texas-New Mexico League, winning the 1937 league championship. Wink hosted minor league home games at Spudder Park.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Roswell, New Mexico, in various seasons between 1923 and 1959, before resuming play in 2011. Roswell teams played as members of the Panhandle-Pecos Valley League in 1923, West Texas–New Mexico League in 1937, Longhorn League from 1949 to 1955, Southwestern League in 1956, Sophomore League in 1959 and Pecos League from 2011 to present. The 1959 Roswell Pirates were a minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rosewll hosted home games at League Park in 1937 and Fair Park Stadium.

The Ballinger Westerners were a minor league baseball team based in Ballinger, Texas. In the 1956 and 1957 seasons, the Westerners played as members of the Class B level Southwestern League in both seasons. The Westerners were the final minor league team hosted in Ballinger, hosting home games at Cat Park.

The Monahans Trojans were a minor league baseball team based in Monahans, Texas for one season. In 1937, the Trojans played as charter members of the Class D level West Texas-New Mexico League, qualifying for the league playoffs. Monahans hosted minor league home games at Allen Park.

The Sweetwater Sports were a minor league baseball team based in Sweetwater, Texas. In 1947 and 1948, the Sports played exclusively as members of the Class D level Longhorn League, qualifying for the 1947 playoffs. Hosting home games at City Park, the Sports evolved to continue play as the Sweetwater Swatters in 1949.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  2. ↑ "When Joe Bauman Hit 72 Home Runs – Society for American Baseball Research".
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.