| Taylorville Tailors | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1907–1908, 1911) |
| League | Eastern Illinois League (1907–1908) Illinois-Missouri League (1911) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Team data | |
| Name | Taylorville Tailors (1907–1908) Taylorville Christians (1911) |
| Ballpark | Manners Park* (1907–1908, 1911) |
The Taylorville Tailors were a minor league baseball team based in Taylorville, Illinois. The Tailors teams played as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League in 1907 and 1908. Following the folding of the Eastern Illinois League, the 1911 Taylorville "Christians" played the season as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League.
The 1907 Taylorville Tailors began minor league play as charter members of the Eastern Illinois League. The league was formed under league president L. A. G. Shoaff as a six–team, Class D level league. The 1908 Spalding Guide indicated the league was founded in Pana, Illinois and the league's "godfather" was Joe Adams, also known as "Old Wagon Tongue," who would later manage the 1911 Taylorville team. In 1907 the league teams had a salary limit of $600 for their rosters. The Centralia White Stockings, Charleston Broom Corn Cutters, Mattoon Giants, Pana Coal Miners and Shelbyville Queen Citys joined Taylorville as charter members of the league. [1] [2]
After beginning league play on May 12, 1907, the Taylorville Tailors finished the 1907 Eastern Illinois League season in third place in the six–team league. The Tailors finished with a 60–58 record under managers Phil Ketter and Billy Ryan. Ketter led the Eastern Illinois league in hitting (.284) and in hits with 111. Taylorville finished 14.0 games behind the first place Mattoon Giants in the final Eastern Illinois League standings. [3] [4] [5]
Taylorville continued play in the 1908 Eastern Illinois League, but the league folded during the season. [3] An evangelical movement led by former major league player Billy Sunday promoted a ballot item on April 7, 1908, that sought to abolish alcohol in the region. After the election, six of the Eastern Illinois League’s eight franchise cities voted to become dry and the league began to suffer financially, as Sunday games and support from saloons were eliminated. Affected by finances, the Charleston Evangelists and Mattoon Giants folded on June 30, 1908, leaving six teams. On July 17, 1908, the Pana Coal Miners relocated to Linton, Indiana and the Danville Speakers moved to Staunton, Illinois in efforts to remain viable. On August 20, 1908, the Shelbyville franchise folded, and the Eastern Illinois League permanently folded on the same date. Playing under managers Walter Diehl and Billy Ryan, Taylorville was in second place with a 56–39 record, 10.5 games behind the first place Staunton team when the league permanently folded. [6] [7] [8] [3] [9] [10]
Taylorville returned a team to minor league baseball play in 1911, when the "Taylorville Christians" became members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League and finished last in their only season of play. The Christians ended the season with a 47–82 record to place sixth in the six–team league. Taylorville finished 27.0 games behind the first place Clinton Champs, playing their final season under managers Fred Donovan, Joe Adams and Oscar Denny. [3] [11] [12] [13]
The Taylorville franchise did not return to the Illinois-Missouri league in 1912. [14] Taylorville, Illinois has not hosted another minor league team. [15]
The name of the Taylorville home minor league ballpark is not directly referenced. [16] Since the late 1850's, the Manners Park site has served as a public park in Taylorville and was in use in the era. Manners Park is still in use today, with "several ballfields." The park is located at 18 Manners Park Road in Taylorville, Illinois. [17] [18]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907–1908 | 2 | Taylorville Tailors | Class D | Eastern Illinois League |
| 1911 | 1 | Taylorville Christians | Illinois-Missouri League |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | 60–58 | 3rd | Phil Ketter / Billy Ryan | No playoffs held |
| 1908 | 56–39 | 2nd | Walter Diehl / Billy Ryan | League folded August 20 |
| 1911 | 47–82 | 6th | Fred Donovan / Joe Adams / Oscar Denny | No playoffs held |
Joe Edward "Old Wagon Tongue" Adams was a Major League Baseball player and minor league manager. He was also known as "Old Wagon Tongue."
The Illinois–Missouri League was an American minor league baseball league. The Class D league began operations in 1908, and continued through 1914 with teams located in Illinois and Missouri. The Lincoln Abes won consecutive league titles in 1912–1913. Baseball Hall of Fame members Grover Cleveland Alexander and Ray Schalk are league alumni.
The Eastern Illinois League was a Class-D league in Minor League Baseball that existed during the 1907 and 1908 baseball seasons. The league president as of 1907 was L. A. G. Shoaff. According to the 1908 Spalding Guide, the league got its start in Pana, IL and the league's "godfather" was Joe Adams, also known as "Old Wagon Tongue." In 1907, teams had a salary limit of $600.
The Rock Island Islanders was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Rock Island, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities, between 1892 and 1937. Rock Island teams played as members of the Illinois–Iowa League (1892), Western Association (1894), Eastern Iowa League (1895), Western Association (1898–1899), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1901–1911), Central Association (1914), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, Mississippi Valley League (1922–1933) and Western League (1934–1937).
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 Canton Chinks were a minor league baseball team based in Canton, Illinois. From 1908 to 1913, Canton teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League, as the 1912 team played as the "Highlanders." Canton hosted home minor league games at Athletic Park.
The Falls City Colts were a minor league baseball franchise based in Falls City, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1913, the Colts played exclusively as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League, winning the 1910 league championship and placing second in 1911 and 1912. Falls City hosted home minor league games at the Athletic Park.
The Humboldt Infants were a minor league baseball team based in Humboldt, Nebraska. From 1911 to 1913, the Infants played exclusively as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League, winning the 1911 league championship. Humboldt hosted home minor league games at Humboldt Lake Park.
The Biddeford Orphans were a minor league baseball team based in Biddeford, Maine. Preceded in minor league play by the 1885 Biddeford "Clamdiggers," who played as members of the 1885 Eastern New England League, the Orphans were members of the Class D level Maine State League in 1907 and 1908, hosting home games at St. Louis Park.
The Pana Coal Miners were a minor league baseball team based in Pana, Illinois. In 1907 and 1908, the Coal Miners played exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League. Pana hosted home minor league home games at Kitchell Park.
The Shelbyville Queen Citys were a minor league baseball team based in Shelbyville, Illinois. In 1907 and 1908, the Shelbyville Queen Citys played exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League and hosted home games at Forest Park.
The Kokomo Wild Cats were a minor league baseball team based in Kokomo, Indiana. Between 1890 and 1909, Kokomo teams played as members of the Indiana State League in 1890, 1896 and 1900, the Illinois–Indiana League in 1899, Ohio-Indiana League in 1907 and Northern State of Indiana League in 1909.
The Staunton Speakers were a minor league baseball team based in Staunton, Illinois in 1908. The Staunton Speakers played briefly as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League, which folded during the 1908 season. After relocating from Danville, Illinois, Staunton captured the Eastern Illinois League championship in the shortened season, hosting home games at Sporting Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Galesburg, Illinois between 1890 and 1914. Galesburg teams played as members of the Central Interstate League and Illinois-Iowa League in 1890, Eastern Iowa League in 1895, the Illinois-Missouri League in 1908 and 1909 and the Central Association from 1910 to 1912 and 1914. Galesburg hosted home games at Willard Field, Illinois Field and Lombard College Field.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Jacksonville, Illinois, playing in eight leagues under four nicknames in their seasons of play between 1892 and 1910. Jacksonville teams played as members of the 1892 Illinois–Iowa League, Western Association (1894–1895), 1900 Central League, 1906 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, 1907 Iowa State League, Central Association (1908–1909), 1910 Northern Association and 1910 Illinois–Missouri League. Jacksonville teams hosted minor league home games exclusively at League Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in South Bend, Indiana in various seasons beginning in 1888 through 1932, setting the foundation for the current franchise, who began play in 1988. South Bend teams played as members of the Indiana State League (1888), Central League (1903–1912), Southern Michigan League (1914–1915) and the Central League under numerous monikers. These South Bend teams directly preceded South Bend becoming a Midwest League franchise in 1988. They remain in minor league play today as the South Bend Cubs.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Webb City, Missouri in various seasons between 1887 and 1912. Under numerous nicknames, Webb City teams played as members of the 1887 Southwestern League, 1891 Southwestern Missouri League, the Missouri Valley League in 1903 and 1905, Western Association from 1906 to 1909 and 1912 Missouri-Kansas League. Webb City hosted home minor league games at Sunset Park for the duration of their minor league play.
Minor league baseball franchises were based in Champaign, Illinois and neighboring Urbana, Illinois in various seasons between 1889 and 1914. Champaign and Urbana teams played as members of the Independent level Illinois-Indiana League in 1889 and the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League from 1911 to 1914, winning the 1914 league championship.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Charleston, Illinois from 1906 to 1908, known under a different nickname each season. Charleston teams played as members of the Class D level 1906 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League and the Eastern Illinois League in 1907 and 1908. Charleston hosted minor league home games at Urban Park Field.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Monmouth, Illinois in various seasons between 1889 and 1913. Monmouth teams played as members of the Central Interstate League in 1889, Illinois-Iowa League in 1890, Illinois-Missouri League from 1908 to 1909 and Central Association from 1910 to 1913. Monmouth won the 1909 Illinois-Missouri League championship and hosted home games at the 11th Street Park.