Palatka Azaleas

Last updated
Palatka Azaleas
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass D
League Florida State League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 1 (1952)
Team data
Previous parks
Azalea Bowl

The Palatka Azaleas were a minor league baseball team, based in Palatka, Florida, that existed from 1936 to 1939 and from 1946 to 1953. The Azaleas were members of the Florida State League. In 1936, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, in 1937 they were affiliated with the New York Yankees, and in 1949 they were affiliated with the Tampa Smokers. In 1956, a Palatka team began play again and evolved into the Palatka Redlegs.[ citation needed ] [1]

Contents

The Ballpark

Palatka teams played at the Azalea Bowl in Forrester Field, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The address is 1600 Twigg Street. The park, with the original grandstand demolished, is still in use today as home to the Palatka High School Panthers. Babe Ruth conducted clinics at the field in the late 1930s." [2]

Notable alumni

Year-by-year record

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffsNotes
193660-603rdJeff Emerson / Teen GallegosLost in 1st round
193771-695th Sam Agnew / Shaw Buck
193863-766thGeorge Andrews / Herb Thomas
193936-998thBill Leitz / Sam "Cowboy" Jones
194662-756th Myril Hoag
194764-756thJohn Toncoff
194848-898th Ray Ryan / John Toncoff / Charlie Bowles / Ben Geraghty (17-44)
194976-624thJulian Morgan / Bitsy Mott Lost League Finals
195041-988th Bitsy Mott / Robert Rucker
195180-593rd Bill Steinecke Lost League Finals
195278-593rd Bill Steinecke League Champs
195313-22--Charles BairdPalatka moved to Lakeland (34-67) May 15

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References

  1. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  2. "Azalea Bowl, Palatka, Fla".