| Monroe Sports | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class C (1950–1956) |
| League | Cotton States League (1950–1955) Evangeline League (1956) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | New York Yankees (1955–1956) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1955 |
| Conference titles (2) |
|
| Wild card berths (3) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Monroe Sports (1950–1956) |
| Ballpark | Casino Park / American Legion Memorial Stadium (1950–1956) |
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 League for one season after the Cotton States League folded. The Sports hosted home minor league games at Casino Park.
The Sports were immediately preceded by the Monroe White Sox, who played their final season in the Cotton States league in 1941. The White Sox also played home games at Casino Park. [1]
Monroe, Louisiana next hosted minor league baseball in 1950, when the Monroe Sports franchise resumed play as members of the eight–team Class C level Cotton States League. [2] The Helena Seaporters franchise relocated to Monroe following the 1949 season. [3] The Clarksdale Planters, El Dorado Oilers, Greenville Bucks, Greenwood Dodgers, Hot Springs Bathers, Natchez Indians and Pine Bluff Judges joined Monroe in beginning league play on April 15, 1950. [4] [5] [6]
In their first season of play, the Monroe Sports finished second in the Cotton States League standings. The Sports ended the 1950 season with a record of 81–56, finishing 2.5 games behind the first place Pine Bluff Judges, as Al Mazur served as manager. [6] In the 1st round of the playoffs, the Hot Springs Bathers defeated Monroe Sports 4 games to 2. [7] Cliff Coggin of Monroe led the league with 21 wins and teammate Ronald Lurk had a 1.55 ERA, best in the league. [8]
Monroe won the 1951 Cotton States League pennant. The Sports ended the 1951 season with a record of 89–51, placing first and finishing 6.0 games ahead of the second place Greenwood Dodgers, as Al Mazur returned as manager. [9] In the playoffs, the Natchez Indians defeated Monroe 4 games to 3. [10] Monroe pitcher Billy Muffett led the Cotton States League with 22 wins and a 2.25 ERA. [8]
The 1952 Monroe Sports qualified for the Cotton States League Playoffs. Monroe ended the 1952 regular season in fourth place with a record of 66–60. [11] Fred Harrington served as manager, as the Sports ended the season 12.0 games behind the first place Meridian Millers, who then defeated Monroe 4 games to 2 in their 1st round playoff series. [12] Monroe player John Jones led the league with both 91 RBI and 102 total hits. [8]
The Monroe Sports finished last in the 1953 Cotton States League standings. The Sports ended the 1953 season with a record of 50–76, placing eighth under returning manager Fred Harrington. [13] Monroe finished 29.5 games behind the first place Meridian Millers. [14] Through 1953, the Cotton States League and its member teams were not integrated, as written in the league by-laws. In 1953, the Cotton States League attempted to evict the Hot Springs Bathers for attempting to add two former Negro leagues players, Jim Tugerson and his brother Leander Tugerson to their roster. The league owners voted, 6-0, with Pine Bluff abstaining, to expel the Bathers. On April 15, 1953, the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, ruled against the Cotton States League action and reinstated the Bathers franchise. By choice Jim and Leander Tugerson instead played for the Knoxville Smokies of the Mountain States League to begin the season. The Cotton States League became integrated in 1954, when Uvoyd Reynolds played for Hot Springs. [15]
In 1954, the Monroe Sports ended the Cotton States League regular season in fourth place and qualified for the playoffs. [16] With a record of 53–67, the Sports finished 4th as the league reduced to six teams. Ed Head served as manager, as Monroe finished 27.5 games behind the first place Greenville Tigers. [17] In the playoffs, Greenville defeated the Monroe Sports4 games to 1. [18] Monroe pitcher William Halley led the league with 176 strikeouts. [8]
The 1955 season was the final year of the Cotton States League and the Monroe Sports won both the league pennant and league championship, as the team became a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees.The Monroe Sports ended Cotton States League regular season with a record of 76–41, finishing first in the standings. Playing under returning manager Ed Hear, the Sports finished 7.5 games ahead of the second place El Dorado Oilers in the six–team league. [19] In the first round playoffs, Monroe swept the Hot Springs Bathers in 4 games. In the Cotton States League Finals Monroe won the championship by defeating the El Dorado Oilers 4 games to 3. [20] Marshall Gilbert of Monroe led the league with 19 home runs and 101 RBI. [8]
In 1956, after the folding of the Cotton States league, the Monroe Sports played their final season, with the team becoming members of the eight–team, Class C level Evangeline League and remaining as a New York Yankees affiliate. [21] The Sports joined the Alexandria Aces, Baton Rouge Rebels, Crowley Millers, Lafayette Oilers, Lake Charles Giants, New Iberia Cardinals and Thibodaux Senators in beginning league play on April 19, 1956. [22]
The Monroe Sports ended the 1956 Evangeline League season with a record of 54–68, placing seventh and did not qualify for the playoffs. With Ed Head returning as manager, the Sports finished last after New Iberia folded on May 19, 1956. The Sports finished 27.5 games behind the first place Lafayette Oilers in the regular season standings. [8] [23] The Sports had home total attendance of 25,000 after drawing 57,000 the season before. [24]
The Evangeline League resisted becoming an integrated league. In 1956, the Chicago Cubs assigned two black players, to their affiliate, the Lafayette Oilers, but the team refused to accept them to their roster. Boycotts ensued throughout the league and subsequently, Lafayette Parrish, home of the Baton Rouge Rebels, passed legislation making it illegal for black players to play in its ballparks. The Evangeline League itself also officially banned non–white players from appearing on the rosters of any league teams. These blocks forced the major league teams to reassign the players to other leagues. Due to boycotts, the 1956 playoff finals, featuring Lafayette were cancelled as a result. [25] [26] [27]
In 1957, the Monroe franchise did not return to the Evangeline League, which reduced to six teams and permanently folded following the season. [28] Monroe, Louisiana has not hosted another minor league team. [8] [29]
The Monroe Sports hosted minor league home games at Casino Park. The ballpark was opened in 1931 and had field dimensions of (left–center–right) 360–450–330 in 1950. Casino Park was located at De Siard Street & South 29th Street, at the Missouri Pacific RR tracks. [30] The ballpark also hosted the Negro leagues Monroe Monarchs, of the 1931 Texas–Louisiana Negro League and 1932 Negro Southern League. [31] [32] Today, there is a marker for the Monroe Monarchs near the former ballpark site. [33] The Sports were also noted to have some played home games at the renamed American Legion Memorial Stadium, which was constructed in 1950. [34]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950–1954 | 5 | Monroe Sports | Class C | Cotton States League | None | Casino Park |
| 1955 | 1 | New York Yankees | ||||
| 1956 | 1 | Evangeline League |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Attend | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 81–56 | 2nd | Al Mazur | 80,814 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1951 | 89–51 | 1st | Al Mazur | 70,262 | League pennant Lost in 1st round |
| 1952 | 66–60 | 4th | Fred Harrington | 59,428 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1953 | 50–76 | 8th | Fred Harrington | 40,918 | Did not qualify |
| 1954 | 53–67 | 4th | Ed Head | 30,961 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1955 | 76–41 | 1st | Ed Head | 57,704 | League pennant League champions |
| 1956 | 54–68 | 7th | Ed Head | 25,831 | Did not qualify |
The Evangeline League began in 1934 as a six–team Class D level minor league with teams based in Louisiana, United States, later adding Mississippi and Texas based franchises. In 1935, the league was expanded to eight teams and ceased operations in 1942, with six teams, during World War II. It resumed activities in 1946, getting promoted to Class C in 1949, and lasted through 1957. The Alexandria Aces were the only team that played in all 21 regular seasons. Due to its association with spicy Cajun cuisine, the league was commonly referred to as the "Pepper Sauce League" or the "Tabasco Circuit". Newspapers often abbreviated the league's name as "Vangy" or "Vangey" in headlines.
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 Opelousas Indians was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Opelousas, Louisiana. Between 1907 and 1941, Opelousas teams played as members of the Class D level 1907 Gulf Coast League, 1932 Cotton States League, playing that season known as the "Orphans" and Evangeline League from 1934 to 1941. The Indians won the 1937 league championship. Opelousas hosted minor league home games at Elementary School Park. The Opelousas Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1935 to 1937 and in 1939.
The Hammond Berries were a minor league baseball franchise based in Hammond, Louisiana. From 1946 to 1951, the Berries played exclusively as members of the Evangeline League and captured Evangeline League championships in 1947, 1949 and 1951. The Hammond Berries played home minor league games at Berry Stadium, located on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University.
The Houma Indians was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Houma, Louisiana between 1940 and 1952. Houma teams played as exclusively as members of the Evangeline League. The Houma Indians won the 1946 and 1948 Evangeline League Championships. In 1946, four Houma players were implicated in a baseball gambling scandal.
The Wichita Indians were a minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The "Indians" played as members of the Class A level Western League from 1950 to 1955, winning the 1955 league Championship. The Wichita Indians were an affiliate of the 1950 St. Louis Browns in 1950, Cleveland Indians from 1951 to 1952, St. Louis Browns in 1953 and Baltimore Orioles in 1954 and 1955.
The Statesville Owls were a minor league baseball team located in Statesville, North Carolina. Statesville minor league teams played a member of the North Carolina Association (1900), Tar Heel League (1939–1940), North Carolina State League,, Tar Heel League (1953), Western Carolina League (1960–1962) and Western Carolinas League, winning three league championships.
The Pennington Gap Miners were minor league baseball team based in 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 Mountain States League from 1948 to 1951, winning the 1937 league championship. The team was initially called the "Bears."
The Ogdensburg Maples were a minor league baseball team based in Ogdensburg, New York. In 1900 and 1901, Ogdensburg played as members of the Northern New York League and the Ogdensburg Colts franchise was a member of 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 made seven playoff appearances, won three league championships and one pennant. The teams hosted minor league home games at Winter Park.
The Vicksburg Hill Billies was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Vicksburg, Mississippi between 1893 and 1955. Vicksburg teams played as a member of the Mississippi State League (1893–1894), Cotton States League, Southeastern League (1946–1950) and Cotton States League (1955).
The Bismarck-Mandan Pards were a minor league baseball team based in Bismarck, North Dakota in partnership with neighboring Mandan, North Dakota. The Bismarck–Mandan Pards played as members of the Northern League from 1962 to 1964 and in 1966. Previous Bismarck minor league teams played as members of the 1922 Dakota League, 1923 North Dakota League and the Manitoba-Dakota League from 1955 to 1957. The Bismarck–Mandan Pards were a minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins from 1962 to 1964 and Houston Astros in 1966. Bismarck hosted home minor league games at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark
The Rome Colonels was the primary moniker of minor league baseball teams based in Rome, New York between 1898 and 1951. Rome teams played as members of the New York State League (1898–1901), Empire State League (1905) and Canadian–American League. The Colonels were preceded in Rome by the Rome Romans.
The Minot Mallards were a minor league baseball team based in Minot, North Dakota. Earlier Minot teams preceded the Mallards and played as members of the 1917 Northern League and 1923 North Dakota League. Beginning play in 1950, the Mallards played as members of the Manitoba-Dakota League (1950–1957), Northern League and Prairie League (1995–1997), winning seven league championships in their history. The Mallards hosted minor league home games at Corbett Field and were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1958 to 1960 and Kansas City Athletics in 1962.
The Gulfport Tarpons were a minor league baseball team based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Gulfport teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Cotton States League. The Gulfport "Crabs" teams played in the league from 1906 to 1908, with the Tarpons playing from 1926 to 1928. The Tarpons hosted home minor league games at the Fair Grounds.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in various seasons between 1902 and 2003. The Baton Rouge minor league teams played as members of the Cotton States League, Dixie League (1933), East Dixie League (1934), Evangeline League (1946–1957), Gulf States League (1976), All-American Association (2001) and Southeastern League (2002–2003).
Minor league baseball teams were based in Lafayette, Louisiana between 1907 and 2000. Lafayette teams played as members of the 1907 Gulf Coast League 1920 Louisiana State League and Evangeline League. Lafayette teams won four league championships and one pennant in the era. The early Lafayette teams preceded the 1975 and 1976 Lafayette Drillers, who played as members of the Texas League and the 1998 to 2000 Bayou Bullfrogs of the Texas-Louisiana League.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Ardmore, Oklahoma, playing in various seasons between 1904 and 1961. Ardmore teams played in the 1904 Texas League, Texas-Oklahoma League (1911–1914), 1917 Western Association, Texas-Oklahoma League (1921–1922), 1923 Western Association, 1924 Oklahoma State League, Western Association (1924–1926), Sooner State League (1947–1957) and Texas League (1961). Ardmore captured league championships in 1923, 1925 and 1957.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Lake Charles, Louisiana in various seasons between 1906 and 1957. Lake Charles teams played as members of the South Texas League (1906), Gulf Coast League (1907–1908), Cotton States League (1929–1930), Evangeline League (1934–1942), Gulf Coast League (1950–1953) and Evangeline League (1954–1957). Lake Charles teams won three league championships and two league pennants.
The Dickinson Packers were a minor league baseball team based in Dickinson, North Dakota. The Packers played as members of the Independent level Manitoba-Dakota League in 1955 and 1956, reaching the league finals in 1955.
The Meridian Millers were a minor league baseball team based in Meridian, Mississippi. Between 1937 and 1950, Meridian teams played as a member of the Southeastern League under various nicknames. Meridian became known as the "Millers" beginning in 1949. The Millers continued as members of the Class D level Cotton States League from 1952 to 1955 and won Cotton League championships in 1952 and 1953.