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
Inaugural 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 6255.529–Harry Davis / Ed Marburger
Corpus Christi Seahawks 6356.5230.5Jimmy Payton
Edinburg Bobcats 5758.4964.0Roy Morton / Cam Hill
Laredo Oilers 5366.44510.0Nate Smith / Tex Wisterzil

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

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 9244.677–Rod Whitney
Harlingen Hubs 8453.6138.5 Jake Atz
Taft Cardinals 6867.50423.5John Morrow / Herbert Fash
Refugio Oilers 6767.50024.0 Carlisle Littlejohn
McAllen Packers 6572.47427.5 Skipper Friday / Walter Kopp
Brownsville Charros 30103.22660.5 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]

Related Research Articles

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The Corpus Christi Clippers was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Corpus Christi, Texas between 1910 and 1959. Corpus Christi teams played as members of the Southwest Texas League (1910–1911), Gulf Coast League (1926), Texas Valley League (1927–1928), Rio Grande Valley League (1931), Texas Valley League (1938), Rio Grande Valley League (1949–1950), Gulf Coast League (1951–1953), Big State League (1954–1957), Rio Grande Valley League (1949–1950) and Texas League (1958–1959).

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The Mission Grapefruiters were a minor league baseball team based in Mission, Texas. The Grapefruiters played as members of the Class D level Gulf Coast League in 1926 and Texas Valley League from 1927 to 1928, winning the 1927 league pennant.

The Beeville Orange Growers was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams that were based in Beeville, Texas between 1910 and 1977. The Beeville Orange Growers played exclusively as members of the Southwest Texas League in 1910 and 1911, winning the 1911 league championship. The Beeville "Bees" played in the 1926 Gulf Coast League, with the name revived for the 1976 Gulf States League team. The Beeville "Blaze" played as members of the 1977 Lone Star League.

The Taft Cardinals were a minor league baseball franchise based in Taft, Texas. In 1938, the Cardinals played as members of the Class D level Texas Valley League in their only season of minor league play, qualifying for the playoffs. Taft hosted home minor league games at the Taft High School Field.

The Edinburg Bobcats were a minor league baseball franchise based in Edinburg, Texas. In 1926 and 1927, the Bobcats played as members of two Class D level leagues. Edinburg played a partial season in the Gulf Coast League in 1926, winning the league championship and in the 1927 Texas Valley League. The Edinburg Bobcats hosted home minor league home games exclusively at the Edinburg High School Field.

The Donna Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Donna, Texas. In 1949 and 1950, Donna based teams played exclusively as members of the Rio Grande Valley League. The 1950 Donna-Weslaco Twins played in partnership with neighboring Weslaco, Texas. Donna hosted minor league games at Avila Park.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Harlingen, Texas in various seasons between 1931 and 2014. Harlingen teams played as members of the 1931 Rio Grande Valley League, 1938 Texas Valley League, 1950 Rio Grande Valley League, the Gulf Coast League from 1951 to 1953, Big State League in 1954 and 1955, Texas League in 1960 and 1961, 1976 Gulf States League and 1977 Lone Star League, winning four league championships. The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings played in various leagues between 1994 and 2014. The Harlingen minor league home ballpark was Harlingen Field.

Playing a partial season in 1931, the La Feria Nighthawks were a minor league baseball team based in La Feria, Texas. La Feria played as members of the Class D level Rio Grande Valley League in their only season of minor league play. The team was established when the Corpus Christi Seahawks franchise moved to La Feria during the season. The Nighthawks won the second–half pennant and lost in the league finals. La Feria played home games in Harlingen, Texas.

The San Benito Saints were a minor league baseball team based in San Benito, Texas. In 1931, San Benito played as members of the Class D level Rio Grande Valley League, finishing in last place in their only season of minor league play. The Saints hosted home games at the San Benito Base Ball Park.

The Robstown Rebels were a minor league baseball team based in Robstown, Texas in 1949 and 1950. Preceded by the 1949 Robstown Cardinals, the Robstown teams played exclusively as members of the Rio Grande Valley League, playing partial seasons in both years. Robstown hosted home minor league games at the Sun Sport Ball Park.

The Refugio Oilers were a minor league baseball team based in Refugio, Texas and Refugio County, Texas. In 1938, the Oilers played as members of the Class D level Texas Valley League, qualifying for the playoffs. Refugio hosted home games at Ryals Field in their only season of minor league play. Refugio is the birthplace of Baseball Hall of Fame member Nolan Ryan.

The McAllen Packers were a minor league baseball franchise based in McAllen, Texas. In 1938, the Packers played as members of the Class D level Texas Valley League, hosting home games at Legion Park.

The McAllen Palms were a minor league baseball team based in McAllen, Texas. In 1931, the Palms played as members of the Class D level Rio Grande Valley League, winning the league championship in a shortened season.

The McAllen Giants were a minor league baseball franchise based in McAllen, Texas. In 1949 and 1950, the Giants played as members of the Class D level Rio Grande Valley League, hosting home games at Paris Field. The Giants qualified for the 1949 playoffs, before finishing last in 1950, which proved to be the final season of the league.

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.
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