Texas Valley League

Last updated
Texas Valley League
Formerly Gulf Coast League
Classification Independent (1901–1908)
Class D (1927–1928, 1938)
Sport Minor League Baseball
First season1901
Ceased1938
PresidentGuy Airey (1938)
No. of teams9
Country United States of America
Most titles1
Corpus Christi Seahawks (1927)
Harlingen Hubs (1938)

The Texas Valley League was a minor league baseball league that played in three different periods. The league was an Independent league from 1901 to 1908 and a Class D level league from 1927 to 1928 and in 1938. In every season of play, the Texas Valley League consisted of teams based exclusively in Texas.

Contents

History

The Texas Valley League began play as an Independent league in the 1901 season and played continuously through 1908. The exact records and teams in the seasons from 1901 to 1908 are unknown. [1] [2] [3]

In 1927, the Texas Valley League reformed and began play as a four–team Class D level league, evolving from the 1926 Gulf Coast League. The 1927 Texas Valley League members were the Corpus Christi Seahawks, Edinburg Bobcats, Laredo Oilers and Mission Grapefruiters. All four teams had played the previous season as the only members of the 1926 Gulf Coast League. The Texas Valley League began play on April 5, 1927, with the Corpus Christi Seahawks winning the first–half standings. Laredo won the second–half standings. Mission had the best overall record. In the Final, Corpus Christi Swept Laredo in three games. [4] [5] [6] [7]

The Texas Valley League continued play as a four–team league in 1928 before folding. The Corpus Christi Seahawks and Mission Grapefruits were joined by teams from Brownsville, Texas and McAllen, Texas in the Class D level league, as Edinburg and Laredo had folded. The 1928 season standings are unknown. The league folded after the 1928 season. [8] [9]

The Texas Valley League formed for a final season in 1938, playing as a six–team Class D level league. The Brownsville Charros, Corpus Christi Spudders, Harlingen Hubs, McAllen Packers, Refugio Oilers and Taft Cardinals teams made up the 1938 league franchises. The league president was Guy Airey. Corpus Christi won the regular season pennant with a 92–44 record, finishing 8.5 games ahead of second place Harlingen. In the first round of the playoffs, the Harlingen Hubs defeated the Taft Cardinals 3 games to 0 and the Corpus Christi Spudders defeated the Refugio Oilers 3 games to 2. In the Finals, the Harlingen Hubs won the championship, defeating Corpus Christi in a four–game sweep. The Texas Valley League permanently folded after the 1938 season. [10] [11] [7]

Cities represented

[7]

Standings & statistics

1901 to 1908 Texas Valley League

The standings in the 1901 to 1908 seasons are unknown. [7] [12]

1927 Texas Valley League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Mission Grapefruiters 6255.529Harry Davis / Ed Marburger
Corpus Christi Seahawks 6356.523½Jimmy Payton
Edinburg Bobcats 5758.4964Roy Morton / Cam Hill
Laredo Oilers 5366.44510Nate Smith / Tex Wisterzil

Corpus Christi won first half standings. Laredo won second half standings.
Playoff: Corpus Christi 3 games, Laredo 0.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Garland OrrMissionBA.372Herbert PyleMissionW15
Les Mallon MissionRuns94Glenn BrownCorpus ChristiW15
Les Mallon MissionHits162Fay HaddockLaredoSO1.13
Jack HollowayMissionHR17R.S. "Red" HillLaredoPct.750; 12–4

[7]

1928 Texas Valley League

The 1928 Texas Valley League standings are unknown. [7] [12]

1938 Texas Valley League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Corpus Christi Spudders 9244.677Rod Whitney
Harlingen Hubs 8453.613 Jake Atz
Taft Cardinals 6867.50423½John Morrow / Herbert Fash
Refugio Oilers 6767.50024 Carlisle Littlejohn
McAllen Packers 6572.47427½ Skipper Friday / Walter Kopp
Brownsville Charros 30103.22660½ Ed Konetchy / Jimmie Wilson /
Brooks Conover / Dutch Hoffman /
Vernon Deck

Playoffs: Harlingen Hubs 3 games, Taft Cardinals 0; Corpus Christi Spudders 3 games, Refugio Oilers 2.
Finals: Harlingen Hubs 4 games Corpus Christi Spudders 0.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Manuel CortinasCorpus ChristiBA.380Gene HinrichsHarlingenW27
George Hausmann Corpus ChristiRuns157Gene HinrichsHarlingenSO223
K. Steve CarterHarlingenHits207Tom FingerCorpus ChristiERA2.75
Manuel CortinasCorpus ChristiHR20Tom FingerCorpus ChristiPCT.815 22–5
Leo Najo McAllenHR20
Bill McClarenHarlingenHR20
Kirby JordanMcAllenHR20
Bill McClarenHarlingenRBI151

[7]

References

  1. "1901 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  2. "1908 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  3. "1904 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  4. "1927 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  5. "Stats". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  6. "Stats". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  8. "1928 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  9. "1928 McAllen Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  10. "Texas Valley League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  11. "Stats". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  12. 1 2 "Texas Valley League (No Classification) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.