| Suffolk Goobers | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1948–1951) |
| League | Virginia League V (1948–1951) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Conference titles (1) | 1948 |
| Wild card berths (2) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Suffolk Goobers (1948–1951) |
| Ballpark | Peanut Park (1948–1951) |
The Suffolk Goobers were a minor league baseball team based in Suffolk, Virginia. From 1948 to 1951, the Goobers played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the 1948 league pennant. The Suffolk Goobers hosted minor league home games at Peanut Park.
The "Goobers" were preceded in minor league play by the 1921 Suffolk Wildcats of the Class B level Virginia League. [1] [2]
In 1948, the Suffolk Goobers became members of the reformed Virginia League, which formed as a six–team, Class D level league. The Blackstone Barristers, Emporia Nationals, Franklin Cubs, Lawrenceville Cardinals and Petersburg Generals joined Suffolk in beginning league play on April 23, 1948. [3]
The Suffolk use of the "Goobers" moniker corresponds with peanut agriculture in the region in the era. Suffolk was self–nicknamed as the "Peanut Capitol of the World." [4] The term was known to be used as a nickname for peanuts. [5]
In their first season of play, the Suffolk Goobers won the 1948 Virginia League pennant. The Goobers ended the regular season with a record of 83–52, finishing 1st in the standings, 7.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Blackstone Barristers. Bill Steinecke served as manager in leading the team to the league pennant. In the 1st round of the four–team playoffs, the Petersburg Generals defeated Suffolk 4 games to 2, ending their season. Pitcher Cecil Hutson of Suffolk led the league with 23 wins. [6] [7] [1]
Playing under returning manager Bill Steineke and Paul Badgett, the Goobers qualified for the 1949 Virginia League playoffs. [8] Suffolk finished the 1949 season with a record of 57–65, placing 4th in the Virginia League regular season standings. The Goobers finished the regular season 20.0 games behind the 1st place Franklin Kildees. In the playoffs, Franklin defeated the Goobers 4 games to 1. [9] [1] [10]
In 1950, the Suffolk Goobers placed 6th in the Virginia League regular season standings, missing the playoffs. With a record of 50–79, Suffolk ended the regular season in last place, with the Goobers playing under manager Buster Kinard. Suffolk finished 21.5 games behind the 1st place Emporia Nationals. [11] [12] [1] [13]
In their final season, the 1951 Goobers returned to the playoffs with a 4th place finish in the league standings. [14] The Suffolk Goobers ended the Virginia League regular season with a record of 56–62, finishing 23.5 games behind the 1st place Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals. [15] In the playoffs, Colonial Heights-Petersburg defeated Suffolk Goobers 4 games to 1, in the last games for the franchises. Buster Kinard of Suffolk won the league batting title, hitting .378. [1] [16]
The Virginia League permanently folded as a minor league following the 1951 season. [1] Suffolk, Virginia has not hosted another minor league team. [17]
The Suffolk Goobers hosted home minor league home games at Peanut Park. The ballpark was located next to the Suffolk Peanut Company, giving it its name. In its history, the site was also known as Smith Street Park, Athletic Park and League Park, with the capacity being expanded from 2,500 in 1948 to 5,000 in 1950. [18] Peanut Park is still in use today as a public park with a ballfield. The location is 308 South Saratoga Street. [19]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948–1951 | 4 | Suffolk Goobers | Class D | Virginia League | Peanut Park |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Attend | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 83–52 | 1st | Bill Steinecke | 60,873 | Won league pennant Lost in 1st round |
| 1949 | 57–65 | 4th | Paul Badgett / Bill Steinecke | 41,381 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1950 | 50–79 | 6th | Buster Kinard | 28,638 | Did not qualify |
| 1951 | 56–62 | 4th | Red Treadway | 26,000 | Lost in 1st round |
The Jesup Bees were a minor league baseball team based in Jesup, Georgia that played from 1950 to 1953. The Bees played exclusively as members of the Class D level Georgia State League, winning league pennants in 1951 and 1953. The Bees hosted home games at Milikin Park and permanently folded following the 1953 season.
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 Concord Weavers were a minor league baseball team based in Concord, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1951, Concord teams played as a member of the Independent level Carolina League from 1936 to 1938 and the Class D level North Carolina State League from 1939 to 1942 and 1945 to 1951, winning two league pennants and one championship. The franchise played as the Concord Nationals from 1949 to 1950 and Concord Sports in 1951, with Concord teams hosting minor league home games at Webb Field.
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 Pennington Gap Miners was the final moniker of minor league baseball teams representing 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 the Mountain States League from 1948 to 1951, winning the 1937 league championship. The team was initially called the "Bears." Pennington Gap was a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns from 1938 to 1940. Pennington Gap teams played home minor league games at Leeman Field.
The Ogdensburg Maples was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Ogdensburg, New York. Between 1900 and 1940, earlier Ogdensburg teams played as members of the Northern New York League in 1900 and 1901 and 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 won three league championships and one pennant. The Maples hosted home games at Winter Park.
The Blackstone Barristers were a minor league baseball team based in Emporia, Virginia. In 1948, the Barristers were a New York Yankees affiliate and played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the league championship. In their only season of minor league play, Blackstone hosted minor league home games at the Blackstone Stadium.
The Lawrenceville Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Lawrenceville, Virginia. In 1948 and 1949, Lawrenceville played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, with the team finishing last in both seasons of league play. The 1948 Cardinals were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, with the team becoming the "Robins" in 1949. Lawrenceville hosted minor league home games at Lawrenceville City Stadium, known today as Sonny Wholey Memorial Park.
The Emporia Nationals were a minor league baseball team based in Emporia, Virginia. From 1948 to 1951, Emporia played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the 1950 league Championship. The Emporia Nationals were a minor league affiliate of the Washington Senators. The team played as the "Rebels" in 1951, with Emporia hosting minor league home games at Slagle Stadium.
The Mooresville Moors were a minor league baseball team based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1953, the Mooresville Moors teams played as members of the 1936 Carolina League, the North Carolina State League from 1937 to 1942 and 1945 to 1952 before playing a final season in the 1953 Tar Heel League. The Mooresville Moors won six North Carolina State League Championships. For one season, the team became known as the Mooresville "Braves," playing the 1945 season as a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. The Moors and Braves hosted minor league home games at Mooresville Park.
The Big Stone Gap Rebels were a minor league baseball team based in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. From 1949 to 1953, Big Stone Gap played exclusively as members of the Class D level Mountain States League, qualifying for the league playoffs in 1950 and 1952. The Big Stone Gap Rebels were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants in 1952. Big Stone gap hosted home minor league games at Bullitt Park.
The Morganton Aggies were a minor league baseball team based in Morganton, North Carolina from 1948 to 1952. Morganton teams played exclusively as members of the Western Carolina League, winning the 1951 league pennant. The Aggies played home minor league games at Morganton High School Park.
The Galax Leafs were a minor league baseball team based in Galax, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the Galax Leafs played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, winning the 1947 championship and 1948 pennant. The Galax Leafs were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants in 1950. The Leafs hosted minor league home games at Felts Park.
The Hopewell Blue Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Hopewell, Virginia. The Blue Sox played as members of the Virginia League in 1949 and 1950, qualifying for the 1950 playoffs. The Blue Sox were preceded in league play by the 1916 Hopewell Power Puffs, who played a partial season as members of the earlier version of the Virginia League. Hopewell hosted minor league home games at the Elm Street Ball Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Petersburg, Virginia and neighboring Colonial Heights, Virginia in various seasons between 1885 and 1954. Playing under numerous monikers, Petersburg teams played as members of the Virginia League beginning in 1885 and ending in 1951 and the 1954 Piedmont League. Petersburg teams won five league championships. Petersburg teams were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1923 and Cincinnati Reds in 1954.
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 Elizabeth City Albemarles were a minor league baseball team based in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In 1950 and 1951, the Albemarles played as members of the Virginia League, winning the 1951 league championship in the final season of the league. The Elizabeth City Albemarles hosted minor league home games at Memorial Park.
The Franklin Kildees were a minor league baseball team based in Franklin, Virginia. From 1948 to 1951, Franklin played as members of the Class D level Virginia League, winning the 1949 league pennant. The team played as the "Cubs" in 1948, with Franklin hosting minor league home games at Franklin Park.
The Springfield Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Ohio. The "Giants" were an affiliate of the New York Giants and played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League from 1944 and 1947, before the league changed names in 1948. The Giants continued play as members of the Class D level Ohio–Indiana League from 1948 to 1951. Hosting minor league home games at Municipal Stadium, the Springfield Giants won the 1944 and 1946 league pennants and made eight playoff appearances, qualifying for the postseason in each season of play.
The Suffolk Nuts were a minor league baseball team based in Suffolk, Virginia. In 1915 and from 1919 to 1921, Suffolk teams played as members of the Virginia League, hosting minor league home games at Peanut Park. Suffolk teams did not win a Virginia League championship, with fifth place being the highest finish for the franchise.