| Portsmouth A's | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1948–1950) |
| League | Ohio-Indiana League (1948–1950) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | Philadelphia Athletics (1948–1950) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Conference titles (1) | 1949 |
| Wild card berths (1) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Portsmouth A's (1948–1950) |
| Ballpark | Riverside Park/Branch Rickey Park (1948–1950) |
The Portsmouth A's were a minor league baseball team based in Portsmouth, Ohio. From 1948 to 1950, the A's played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Ohio-Indiana League and were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. The Portsmouth A's hosted minor league home games at Riverside Park, known today as Branch Rickey Park. The A's won the 1949 league pennant.
The Portsmouth A's were immediately preceded by the Portsmouth Red Birds, who played as members of the Middle Atlantic League from 1937 to 1940 as an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. [1]
In 1948, the Portsmouth A's were formed, serving as a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. Portsmouth became members of the eight–team Class D level Ohio–Indiana League. [2] Portsmouth joined the Lima Terriers, Marion Cubs, Muncie Reds, Newark Yankees, Richmond Braves, Springfield Giants and Zanesville Dodgers in beginning league play on May 15, 1948. [3]
In their first season of play, Portsmouth A's placed second in the Ohio–Indiana League regular season standings. The A's ended the 1948 season with a record of 82–58, as George Staller served as manager. [4] Portsmouth finished a mere 0.5 game behind the first place Zanesville Dodgers in the final standings. [5] In the playoffs, the Muncie Packers swept Portsmouth 4 games to 0. [6] [7]
The 1949 Portsmouth A's won the Ohio–Indiana League pennant before losing in the playoffs. Playing under manager Homer Cox, Portsmouth placed first in the regular season standings with a 81–58 record. [8] Portsmouth finished 4.5 games ahead of the second place Springfield Giants. [9] In the first round of playoffs, the Marion Red Sox defeated the A's 3 games to 1. [10] [7]
In their final season, the Portsmouth A's did not qualify for the 1950 playoffs to defend their championship. The Portsmouth A's ended their final Ohio–Indiana League season with a 46–89 record to place seventh. Walter Van Grofski served as manager, as Portsmouth finished 42.5 games behind the first place Marion Red Sox. [11] [12] The A's scored 568 total runs, last in the league. [13] [7]
In 1951, the Portsmouth A's did not return to play, as the Ohio–Indiana League reduced from eight teams to six teams. [14] Portsmouth was without minor league baseball until the 1993 Portsmouth Explorers began a three–season tenure as members of the Frontier League. [15] [16]
The Portsmouth A's hosted minor league home games at Riverside Park. The ballpark was renamed "Branch Rickey Park" in 1950. [17] The ballpark was constructed in 1935 and is still in use today, as home to the Shawnee State Bears collegiate team. [18] The location is 25 Mary Ann Street. [19]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948–1950 | 3 | Portsmouth A's | Class D | Ohio-Indiana League | Philadelphia Athletics | Riverside Park |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Attend | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 82–58 | 2nd | George Staller | 73,533 | Lost 1st round |
| 1949 | 81–48 | 1st | Homer Cox | 61,106 | Won league pennant Lost 1st round |
| 1950 | 46–89 | 7th | Walter Van Grofski | 21,685 | Did not qualify |
The Ohio–Indiana League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that operated from 1948 to 1951. The league was composed of six teams from Ohio and two teams from Indiana. There was also a six–team Ohio–Indiana League in 1907, with unknown standings.
The Zanesville Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Zanesville, Ohio. The Dodgers were an affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers and played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League from 1944 and 1947, before the league changed names in 1948. The Zanesville Dodgers continued play as members of the Class D level Ohio–Indiana League in 1948. The Dodgers won four consecutive league championships in 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1948. Zanesville hosted minor league home games at Gant Park Municipal Stadium.
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The Radford Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Radford, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the Radford Rockets played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, qualifying for the playoffs on three occasions. The Rockets hosted home minor league games at the Redford High School Park.
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