Mt. Sterling Essex

Last updated
Mt. Sterling Essex
Minor league affiliations
Class Class D (1912, 1922–1923)
League Blue Grass League (1912, 1922–1923)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameMt. Sterling Orphans (1912)
Mt. Sterling Essex (1922–1923)
BallparkMontgomery County Fairgrounds (1922–1923)

The Mt. Sterling Essex were a minor league baseball team based in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. In 1912 and from 1922 to 1923, Mt. Sterling teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, hosting home games at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The team played as the "Orphans" in 1912.

Contents

History

In 1912, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky first hosted minor league baseball, when the Mt. Sterling Orphans played a partial season as members of the six–team Class D level Blue Grass League, finishing in last place in their initial season. [1] [2]

On June 8, 1912, the Kentucky-based Winchester Hustlers, with a record of 13–24, moved to Nicholasville, Kentucky. After compiling a 3–27 record while based in Nicholasville, the franchise moved to Mt. Sterling on June 26, 1912, to complete the season, becoming known as the Mt. Sterling "Orphans." Under managers Courtney McBrair and Bob Spade, the Orphans finished the 1912 season with an overall record of 31–97, placing sixth in the six–team Blue Grass League. The Orphans finished 54.5 games behind the first place Frankfort Lawmakers (85–42) in the final standings. The Lexington Colts (60–65), Maysville Rivermen (82–47), Paris Bourbonites (60–69) and Richmond Pioneers (66–64) all finished ahead of Mt. Sterling. It was noted by the Spalding Guide that the Mount Sterling Orphans team "was in poor shape all of the year." The Blue Grass League did not return to play in the 1913 season. [3] [4] [5]

After a decade absence, the Blue Grass League reformed in 1922. The "Mt. Sterling Essex" resumed as members of the reformed six–team Class D level Blue Grass League. [6] The 1922 league franchises were the Cynthiana Merchants (34–30), Lexington Reds (28–36), Maysville Cardinals (33–28), Mount Sterling Essex (30–31), Paris Mammoths (36–28) and Winchester Dodgers (28–36). [5] [7] [8]

The team's use of the "Essex" moniker corresponds with Mt. Sterling being named after Stirling, Scotland, which was the former home to early settlers. [9] According to an article in the local newspaper, The Mt. Sterling Advocate, the name was chosen after the Ragan-Gay Motor Company offered to donate the uniforms. [10]

Resuming play in the 1922 Blue Grass League, the Mt. Sterling Essex placed fourth in the overall standings. [11] With a record of 30–31, playing the season under player/manager Hod Eller, the Essex finished 4.5 games behind the first place Paris Bourbons in the overall standings. The Maysville Cardinals, with a 16–6 record, won the first half standings and Cynthiana Cobblers, with a 25–17 record, won the second half standings. Maysville defeated Cynthiana in the playoffs to win the championship. Mt. Sterling played home games at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds and did not qualify for the playoffs. [6] [12] [5]

In their final season of play, the 1923 Essex finished last in the Blue Grass League standings. [13] With a 38–54 record, Mt. Sterling finished in sixth place, playing under managers Charles Ellis and Hod Eller. The Essex finished 13.5 games behind the first place Cynthiana Cobblers in the final standings of the six–team league. No playoffs were held in 1923. [5] [14] [15] [16]

Mt. Sterling permanently folded after the 1923 season, as the Blue Grass League reduced to four teams for their final season of 1924. [17] [5]

Mt. Sterling, Kentucky has not hosted another minor league team. [18]

(2005) Downtown. National Register of Historic Places. Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Downtown Mount Sterling, Kentucky.JPG
(2005) Downtown. National Register of Historic Places. Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

The ballpark

The Mt. Sterling Essex teams hosted home minor league games at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in 1922 and 1923. The ballpark had a small grandstand and was located near the racetrack. Today, the fairgrounds are still in use as home to the annual Montgomery County Fair. The Montgomery County Fairgrounds are located on U.S route 60, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. [19] [20] [21] [22]

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
19121Mt. Sterling Orphans Class D Blue Grass League Montgomery County Fairgrounds
1922–19232Mt. Sterling Essex

Year–by–year records

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
191231–976thCourtney McBrair / Bob SpadeNo playoffs held
192230–314th Hod Eller Did not qualify
192338–546thCharles Ellis / Hod EllerNo playoffs held

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

The Blue Grass League was a minor league baseball circuit at the Class D level that existed in the early 1900s. There were two incarnations of the league, one that ran from 1908 to 1912 and one that existed from 1922 to 1924. It consisted entirely of teams based in Kentucky.

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 Cynthiana Cobblers were a minor league baseball team based in Cynthiana, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, Cynthiana teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, winning the 1923 league championship. Cynthiana played as the "Merchants" in 1922 and the franchise hosted minor league home games at River Road Park.

The Shelbyville Grays were a minor league baseball team based in Shelbyville, Kentucky. From 1908 to 1910, the Grays played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, hosting home games at the Shelbyville Base Ball Park.

The Paris Bourbonites were a minor league baseball team based in Paris, Kentucky. The Bourbonites played as members of the Blue Grass League from 1909 to 1912, with Paris joining the Ohio State League in 1914 and the "Bourbons" returning to Blue Grass League play from 1922 to 1924. Paris teams won league championships in 1910, 1911 and 1924 and hosted home minor league games at Bourbon County Park.

The Southern Illinois League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that played in the 1910 season. The five–team Southern Illinois League consisted of franchises based exclusively in Illinois. The Southern Illinois League permanently folded during the 1910 season, with the McLeansboro Merchants in first place.

The Henderson Hens was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Henderson, Kentucky in various seasons between 1896 and 1916. Henderson teams played as members of the Kentucky–Indiana League and Pennyrile League in 1896, Central League in 1897 and Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. Henderson hosted minor league games at Fairgrounds Park.

The Ironton Nailers were a minor league baseball team based in Ironton, Ohio. In 1884 and from 1911 to 1915, Ironton teams played as members of the 1884 Ohio State League, the Mountain States League from 1911 to 1912 and Ohio State League from 1912 to 1915. Ironton won the 1912 league championship. Ironton teams hosted home minor league games at Beechwood Park.

The Port Huron Saints was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Port Huron, Michigan between 1883 and 1926.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Chillicothe, Ohio between 1884 and 1916. Chillicothe teams played as members of the Ohio State League in 1884, Tri-State League in 1894 and Ohio State League from 1910 to 1916.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Aurora, Illinois, in various seasons from 1888 to 1915. Playing under numerous monikers, Aurora teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1888, Illinois-Iowa League from 1890 to 1892, Western Interstate League in 1895, Wisconsin-Illinois League from 1910 to 1912 and Bi-State League in 1915, winning the 1907 league championship. Aurora hosted home minor league games at the Driving Park, Hurds Island Park and Fox River Park.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Maysville, Kentucky in various seasons between 1894 and 1923. Maysville teams played as members of the Tri-State League in 1894, Blue Grass League from 1910 to 1912, Ohio State League from 1913 to 1916 and Blue Grass League from 1922 to 1923, winning one league championship. Maysville hosted home minor league games at the Maysville Base Ball Park/League Park. Baseball Hall of Fame member Casey Stengel played for the 1910 Maysville Rivermen in his first professional season.

Minor league baseball teams were based in McLeansboro, Illinois. In 1910 and 1911, McLeansboro teams played under three nicknames as members of the 1910 Southern Illinois League and the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League from 1910 to 1911, winning two league championships in 1910. McLeansboro hosted home minor league games at Fairgrounds Park.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Frankfort, Kentucky in various seasons between 1885 and 1916. Frankfort teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1885, the Blue Grass League from 1908 to 1912 and Ohio State League in 1915 and 1916. Frankfort won Blue Grass League championships in 1908 and 1912.

The Lawrenceburg Distillers were a minor league baseball team were based in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. In 1908, the Distillers played as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League. The Distillers finished in fourth place in the 1908 standings, hosting home games at St. Charles Park.

The Ashland–Catlettsburg Twins were a minor league baseball team based in the partnering cities of Ashland, Kentucky and Catlettsburg, Kentucky from 1910 to 1912. The Twins played as members of the Class D level Virginia Valley League in 1910 and Mountain States League from 1911 to 1912.

The Lexington Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Lexington, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, Lexington teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League. After two seasons of playing as the "Reds," the 1924 Lexington became known as the "Studebakers" after the team owner reached an agreement with a local car dealership. Lexington hosted minor league home games at Stivers Park.

The Winchester Hustlers were a minor league baseball team based in Winchester, Kentucky. From 1908 to 1912, the Hustlers played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, winning the 1909 league championship. Winchester hosted home games at Garner's Park. In 1909, Winchester's Fred Toney pitched a 17-inning complete game no hitter, the longest no hitter thrown in organized baseball.

The Winchester Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Winchester, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, the Dodgers played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, having been preceded in the league by the 1908 to 1912 Winchester Hustlers. Winchester hosted home games at Garner's Park.

The Jackson Convicts were a minor league baseball team based in Jackson, Michigan. From 1906 to 1915, Jackson teams played as members of the Southern Michigan League for the duration of the league but did not claim a league championship in their tenure. In 1914 and 1915, Jackson played one season each known as the "Chiefs" and "Vets." Jackson teams hosted home minor league teams at Keeley Park. The team "Convicts" nickname corresponded to Jackson serving as home to the Michigan State Prison in the era.

References

  1. ↑ "1912 Winchester Hustlers/Nicholasville Orphans/Mount St Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ↑ "1912 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ↑ "1912 Blue Grass League (BGL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ↑ "1912 Blue Grass League (BGL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  6. 1 2 "1922 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. ↑ "1922 Blue Grass League (BGL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ↑ "1922 Mount Sterling Essex Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statNcrew.com.
  9. ↑ "Mount Sterling, Kentucky". www.kyatlas.com.
  10. ↑ "Mt. Sterling Essex Name of Local Team". The Mt. Sterling Advocate. Vol. 31, no. 50. Mount Sterling, Kentucky. April 6, 1922. p. 1.
  11. ↑ "1922 Mount Sterling Essex Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ↑ "Donald Terman Presents - The Blue Grass League, 1922-1924". www.dtermanpresents.com.
  13. ↑ "1923 Mount Sterling Essex Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ↑ "Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew". www.statscrew.com.
  15. ↑ "1923 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ↑ "1923 Mount Sterling Essex Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. ↑ "1924 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ "Mount Sterling, Kentucky Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ↑ "Montgomery County Fair Grounds in Mount Sterling, KY history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  20. ↑ "Montgomery County Fairgrounds - Mount Sterling, KY".
  21. ↑ "Montgomery County Fair". www.kafs.net.
  22. ↑ "HOME". Montgomery Co. Fair.
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.