Spartanburg Peaches

Last updated
Spartanburg Peaches
Minor league affiliations
Class Class B (1946–1955)
League Tri-State League (1946–1951)
Major league affiliations
Team St. Louis Browns (1946)
Cleveland Indians (1947–1955)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1951
  • 1955
Conference titles (2)
  • 1947
  • 1953
Wild card berths (5)
  • 1949
  • 1950
  • 1951
  • 1952
  • 1954
Team data
NameSpartanburg Peaches (1946–1955)
Ballpark Duncan Park (1946–1955)

The Spartanburg Peaches were a minor league baseball franchise based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. From 1946 to 1955, the "Peaches" teams played exclusively as members of the Class B level Tri-State League, capturing league pennants in 1947 and 1953 and league championships in 1951 and 1955. The Peaches were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns in 1946 and the Cleveland Indians from 1947 to 1955. The Spartanburg Peaches hosted their home minor league games at Duncan Park, which is still in use today after opening in 1926.

Contents

History

1946 to 1950 Tri-State League

Minor league baseball began in Spartanburg, North Carolina in 1904, when the "Spartanburg" team played the season as members of the independent Carolina Interstate League. [1] The Peaches were preceded in minor league play by the 1939 Spartanburg Spartans, who ended a tenure as members of the Class B level South Atlantic League. [2] [3]

In 1946, Spartanburg resumed minor league play as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns, when the "Peaches" became members of the six-team Class B level Tri-State League, which reformed. [3] [4] The Anderson A's, Asheville Tourists, Charlotte Hornets, Knoxville Smokies and Shelby Cubs teams joined the Spartanburg Peaches in beginning league play on April 24, 1946. [5]

The Spartanburg "Peaches" nickname corresponds with local agriculture history. There were peach orchards in the region in the era and the orchards continue today. [6] [7] [8] The Peaches began play at Duncan Park, which would remain the team's home ballpark for their duration. [9]

Duncan Park Stadium in 2016. The ballpark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 Duncan Park Stadium in 2016.jpg
Duncan Park Stadium in 2016. The ballpark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016

The Peaches finished their first season of Tri-State League play in last place. [10] With a 52–87 record in 1946, Spartanburg ended the season in sixth place in the six–team league regular season, finishing 41.0 games behind the first-place Charlotte Hornets. Spartanburg played the season under manager Ed Dancisak and did not qualify for the four team playoffs won by Charlotte. [4] [3] Pud Miller of Spartanburg led the Tri-State League with 19 home runs and pitcher Ralph Germano had 19 wins to lead the league. [3]

The 1947 Spartanburg Peaches became a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and won the Tri-State League pennant, as the Class B level Tri-State League expanded to eight teams. [11] After placing first with a 88–51 regular season record, finishing 4.0 games ahead of the second place Anderson Rebels, the Peaches qualified for the playoffs. Kerby Farrell managed the Peaches and began a tenure as the Spartanburg manager. In the first-round playoff series, the eventual champion Charlotte Hornets defeated the Peaches 4 games to 1. [3] [12] Pitcher James Kleckley of Spartanburg led the Tri-State League with 19 wins. [3]

In 1948 Tri-State League play, the Peaches finished in next to last place in the regular season. With Kerby Farrell returning as manager, Spartanburg continued play as a Cleveland Indians affiliate and ended the 1948 season with a record of 68–77, placing seventh in the standings of the eight-team league. [13] [14] The Peaches finished 26.5 games behind the first place Asheville Tourists and did not qualify for the playoffs, won by the Fayetteville Cubs. [15] [3] Spartanburg's Len Cross hit 29 home runs to lead the Tri-State League. [3]

Kerby Farrell. April 1957 Baseball Digest cover (cropped). Farrell managed the Spartanburg Peaches from 1947 to 1950. Kirby Farrell April 1957 BB Digest cover (cropped).jpg
Kerby Farrell. April 1957 Baseball Digest cover (cropped). Farrell managed the Spartanburg Peaches from 1947 to 1950.

Continuing play as an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the 1949 Spartanburg Peaches advanced to the Tri–State League playoff finals. [16] Spartanburg ended Tri–State League regular season with a record of 81–60, placing second in the eight-team league and finishing 2.0 games behind the first place Florence Steelers as Kerby Farrell returned as manager. In the playoffs, the Peaches defeated the Anderson Rebels 3 games to 1 and advanced. In the finals, Florence won the championship by defeating the Spartanburg Peaches 4 games to 2 in the finals. [17] [18] [3]

In 1950, Spartanburg qualified for the 1950 Tri–State League playoffs, as Kerby Farrell again managed the team as a Cleveland Indians affiliate. [19] The Peaches ended the 1950 Tri–State League regular season with a record of 80–63 to place third, finishing. 7.0 games behind the first place Knoxville Smokies. [20] [21] [3] Spartanburg pitcher John Carmichael had 19 wins to lead the Tri-State League. [3]

1951 to 1955 Tri-State League, two championships

Playing under a new manager, the Spartanburg Peaches captured the 1951 Tri-State League championship. [22] Under manager Harry Griswold, Spartanburg continued as a Cleveland Indians affiliate and placed fourth with a 73–67 record in the regular season, finishing 27.0 games behind the first place Charlotte Hornets. [23] In the first-round playoff series, the Peaches defeated the pennant winning Charlotte team 3 games to 1 and advanced. In the finals, the Spartanburg Peaches swept the Ashville Tourists 4 games to 0 to win the Tri-State League championship. [3] Spartanburg's Albert Neal led the Tri-State League with both 44 home runs and 154 RBI. [3]

In 1952, Spartanburg continued play as a Cleveland Indians affiliate in the eight-team Class B level Tri-State League, qualified for the playoffs for a fourth straight season and advanced to the finals. [24] The Peaches ended the Tri-State League regular season with a record of 83-55, placing third in the standings, 5.5 games behind the first place Gastonia Rockets. Merrill "Pinky" May served as the Spartanburg manager. In the first round of the four-team playoffs, the Spartanburg Peaches defeated the Gastonia three games to two. Advancing to the finals, the Peaches lost to the Charlotte Hornets 4 games to 1. [25] [3] Pitcher Bill Upton of Spartanburg had 21 wins to lead the Tri-state League. [3]

Spartanburg won the Tri-State League pennant, remaining a Cleveland Indians affiliate, as the 1953 Tri-State League reduced to six teams. [3] [26] Playing under manager Jimmy Bloodworth, the Peaches won the regular season by a large margin, placing first the Tri-State League regular season standings with a 96–54 record, finishing 13.0 games ahead of the second place Ashville Tourists. In the first round of the four-team playoffs, the Charlotte Hornets swept Spartanburg in three games to end their season. [3] [27] The Peaches' Joe Fuller led the Tri-State League with both 228 total hits and 134 runs scored, while teammates James Finn Had 140 RBI and Lamar Bowen hit 26 home runs, both leading the league. Spartanburg pitcher Eugene Law had 24 wins to lead the Tri-State League. [3]

Defending their Tri-State League championship in 1954, the Spartanburg Peaches qualified for the playoffs for a sixth straight season, as the league continued as a six-team Class B level league. [28] With a final regular season record of 66–72, the Peaches placed fourth. Jimmy Bloodworth remained as manager as the Cleveland Indians affiliate Peaches ended the regular season 19.0 games behind the first place Ashville Tourists. In the four-team playoffs, Spartanburg lost in first round to the Knoxville Smokies 3 games to 2. [29] [3]

In the final season of the Tri-State League, the 1955 league was reduced to four teams and the Spartanburg Peaches were the 1955 Tri-State League champions. [30] [31] With the Ashville Tourists, Greenville Spinners and Rock Hill Chiefs teams in the league, the Peaches played a final season as a Cleveland Indians affiliate and ended their last season with a record of 74–44, playing under manager Spud Chandler. The Peaches won the league pennant, finishing 12.5 games ahead of second place Greenville in the overall standings. The Tri-State League played a split-season schedule in 1955, with Greenville winning the first half and Spartanburg winning the second half. The two teams then met in a final series, with Spartanburg winning the championship by sweeping Greenville in three games. [32] [3] Robert Jarvis of Spartanburg won the Tri-State batting title, hitting .361 with a league leading 157 total hits. Paul Jones had 18 home runs and scored 106 runs and William Kallas had 86 RBI, both league leaders. [3]

The Tri-State League did not return to play in 1956. [3] After an eight-season absence, minor league baseball returned to Spartanburg in 1963, when the Spartanburg Phillies began a second tenure as members of the South Atlantic League, returning to play in the league. [9] [3] [33]

(2015) Shibe Park seats at Duncan Park Stadium Shibe Park seats at Duncan Park Stadium.jpg
(2015) Shibe Park seats at Duncan Park Stadium

The ballpark

The Spartanburg Peaches teams hosted home Tri-State League games at Duncan Park. [34] The ballpark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. [35] The Duncan Park Stadium hosted its first game on July 8, 1926, when the minor league Spartanburg Spartans defeated the Macon Peaches by the score of 5-1. [36]

In 1937, the New York Yankees, with six future members of the Baseball Hall of Fame: Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, Red Ruffing and Joe DiMaggio, played an exhibition game at Duncan Park as the team was returning from their spring training. [9] Negro league baseball teams played games Duncan Park, with Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Larry Doby, and Jackie Robinson playing in games at the ballpark. [37] When Shibe Park in Philadelphia was demolished, Duncan Park received 582 seats from the old stadium. [38] [39]

The 102-acre Duncan Park was founded in 1926. [40] Today, Duncan Park is still in use as a public park with the ballpark within. The park is located at 1000 Duncan Park Drive in Spartanburg, South Carolina. [41]

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliateBallpark
19461Spartanburg Peaches Class B Tri-State League St Louis Browns Duncan Park
1947–19559 Cleveland Indians

Year–by–year records

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
194652–876thEd DancisakDid not qualify
194788–511st Kerby Farrell Won league pennant
Lost in 1st round
194868–777th Kerby Farrell Did not qualify
194981–602nd Kerby Farrell Lost in finals
195080–633rd Kerby Farrell Lost in 1st round
195173–674thHarry GriswoldQualified for playoffs
League Champions
195283–553rd Pinky May Lost in finals
195396–541st Jimmy Bloodworth Won League pennant
Lost in 1st round
195466–724th Jimmy Bloodworth Lost in 1st round
195574–441st Spud Chandler League Champions

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

The Tifton Blue Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Tifton, Georgia. From 1949 to 1955, Tifton played as members of the Class D level Georgia State League (1949–1950) and Georgia–Florida League (1951–1956), winning the 1949 league championship. The Tifton teams hosted home minor league games at Eve Park.

The Rock Hill Chiefs was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA between 1908 and 1968. Rock Hill teams played as members of the South Carolina League (1908), Tri-State League (1947–1955) and Western Carolinas League (1963–1968).

The Vidalia Indians were a minor league baseball team based in Vidalia, Georgia. With the exception of 1951, Vidalia teams between 1948 and 1956 played exclusively as members of the Class D level Georgia State League, winning Georgia State League championships in 1952 and 1954. From 1948 to 1950, Vidalia played as the "Vidalia-Lyons Twins," in partnership with neighboring Lyons, Georgia. The "Indians" nickname was adopted as Vidalia served as a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1952 to 1956. Vidalia hosted home games in all minor league seasons at Vidalia Municipal Stadium.

The Paris Orioles were a minor league baseball team based in Paris, Texas. From 1955 to 1957, the Orioles played as members of the Class D level Sooner State League League as a minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Hosting home games at the City Ball Park, the Orioles qualified for the playoffs in all three seasons of play, winning the 1957 pennant. The Orioles were the final minor league team based in Paris. There were numerous prior Paris minor league teams, after Paris first hosted a minor league baseball in 1896.

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 Seminole Oilers were a minor league baseball team based in Seminole, Oklahoma. Between 1947 and 1957, Seminole teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Sooner State League from 1947 to 1951 and 1954 to 1957, winning league championships in 1948 and 1956. The Oilers and Seminole Ironmen hosted minor league home games at Oiler Park.

The Ada Herefords was a minor league baseball team based in Ada, Oklahoma. From 1947 to 1954, the Herefords played exclusively as a member of the Class D level Sooner State League, winning the league pennant in 1950. The Herefords were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns from 1947 to 1953 and remained an affiliate when St. Louis relocated to become the Baltimore Orioles in 1954. Ada Hosted minor league home games at Hereford Park.

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 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 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 Carbondale Pioneers were a minor league baseball team based in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Between 1895 and 1950, Carbondale teams played as members of the Pennsylvania State League in 1895 and 1896 and North Atlantic League from 1946 to 1950. The Carbondale Pioneers were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1947 to 1950, winning league championships in 1947 and 1948. The Pioneers hosted minor league home games at Russell Park.

The Newark Yankees were a minor league baseball team based in Newark, Ohio. From 1948 to 1951, the "Yankees" played as members of the Class D level Ohio-Indiana League as an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Before the league changed names, the Newark "Moundsmen" played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League from 1944 to 1947, winning the 1944 league championship. The Moundsmen were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns. Newark hosted minor league home games at White Field from 1944 to 1946 before moving to Arnold Park from 1947 to 1951.

The Madisonville Miners were a minor league baseball team based in Madisonville, Kentucky. Madisonville played in various seasons between 1896 and 1955. The Madisonville Miners teams played as members of the Class D level Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. In 1896, the Madisonville team played as members of both the Kentucky-Indiana League and Pennyrile League.

Minor league baseball teams based in Fayetteville, North Carolina played between 1910 and 1956. Fayetteville teams played as members of the 1910 Eastern Carolina Association, the Eastern Carolina League in 1909, 1911, 1928 to 1929 and Carolina League from 1953 to 1956. The early minor league teams preceded today's Fayetteville Woodpeckers, who resumed minor league play in 2019, as members of the Carolina League.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Fulton, Kentucky in various seasons between 1911 and 1955. Fulton teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League under differing names in five different decades, winning three league championships and two league pennants. Fulton was a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers from 1939 to 1942 and Washington Senators from 1948 to 1955. Fulton minor league teams hosted home games at High Street Park from 1922 to 1924 and Fairfield Park between 1936 and 1955.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Lafayette, Indiana in various seasons between 1909 and 1994. Lafayette teams played as members of the Northern State of Indiana League from 1909 to 1911, the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League in 1955, the Midwest League in 1956 and 1957 and 1994 Great Central League, winning two league championships. Lafayette was a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians in 1955 and Boston Red Sox in 1956 and 1957.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Centreville, Maryland between 1937 and 1946. Centreville teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League in the 1937–1941 and 1946 seasons.

The Florence Steelers were a minor league baseball team based in Florence, South Carolina. From 1948 to 1950, the Steelers played as members of the Class B level Tri-State League, hosting home games at American Legion Stadium. The Steelers won the 1949 Tri–State League championship.

The Gastonia Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina, United States. The Rockets played as members of the Class B level Tri-State League in 1952 and 1953, winning the 1952 league pennant before the team folded following the 1953 season. The Rockets were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and hosted home games at Sims Legion Park, which is still in use today.

References

  1. ↑ "1904 Spartanburg Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ↑ "1939 Spartanburg Spartans Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  4. 1 2 "1946 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ↑ "1946 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. ↑ "Peaches in Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer". Fishers Orchard.
  7. ↑ "Feelin' Peachy".
  8. ↑ "What should Spartanburg's new baseball team be named? We have some ideas. What are yours?". Spartanburg Herald Journal.
  9. 1 2 3 Herald-Journal, DAN ARMONAITIS For the. "Rich history at Duncan Park". Spartanburg Herald Journal.
  10. ↑ "1947 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. ↑ "1947 Spartanburg Peaches minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. ↑ "1947 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ↑ "1948 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ↑ "1948 Spartanburg Peaches minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. ↑ "1948 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ↑ "1949 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. ↑ "1949 Spartanburg Peaches minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  18. ↑ "1949 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ↑ "1950 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. ↑ "1950 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. ↑ "1950 Spartanburg Peaches minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  22. ↑ "1951 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  23. ↑ "1951 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  24. ↑ "1952 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  25. ↑ "1952 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  26. ↑ "1953 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  27. ↑ "1953 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  28. ↑ "1954 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  29. ↑ "1954 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  30. ↑ "1955 Spartanburg Peaches minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  31. ↑ "1955 Spartanburg Peaches Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  32. ↑ "1955 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  33. ↑ "1963 Spartanburg Phillies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  34. ↑ "Duncan Park in Spartanburg, SC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  35. ↑ "SC Historic Properties Record : National Register Listing : Duncan Park Stadium [S10817742072]". schpr.sc.gov.
  36. ↑ Henderson, Gary (September 2, 1997). "Glory days still fresh for reunited players American Legion Champs: The boy of 1936". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. p. A-1.
  37. ↑ Lavender, Chris (February 19, 2020). "Film explores Negro League baseball players experiences". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  38. ↑ Lowry, Philip (2006). Green Cathedrals. Walker & Company. p. 176. ISBN   978-0-8027-1608-8.
  39. ↑ "Duncan Park - Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues | littleballparks.com". February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-02-18.
  40. ↑ "A part of Spartanburg for a century, Duncan Park is set for redevelopment". September 5, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Duncan Park". Visit Spartanburg.
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.