Alton Blues

The Alton Blues were a minor league baseball team based in Alton, Illinois. In 1917, the Blues played as members of the Class B level Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League, hosting home games at Sportsman's Park. The league folded during the 1917 season with the Blues in last place.

Alton Blues
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass B (1917)
LeagueIllinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1917)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameAlton Blues (1917)
BallparkSportsman's Park (1917)

History

Minor league baseball began in Alton, Illinois in 1917, when the Alton "Blues" became members of the eight–team, Class B level Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League.[1] The Blues replaced the Davenport Blue Sox franchise in the league, which was nicknamed the "Three–I League."[2] Alton was joined by the Bloomington Bloomers, Hannibal Mules, Moline Plowboys, Peoria Distillers, Quincy Gems, Rockford Rox and Rock Island Islanders in the beginning league play on May 3, 1917.[3]

The Blues were so named, matching the blue trim on their uniforms.[1]

On July 8, 1917, in the midst of World War I, the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League League received approval to cease play. The Alton Blues were in last place with a record of 18–44, playing under managers Harry Bay and Jim Duggan when the league folded. 8th place Alton finished 23.0 games behind the 1st place Peoria Distillers.[4] The Alton Blues finished behind Peoria (43–23), Rockford Rox (39–21), Hannibal Mules (39–27), Rock Island Islanders (36–26), Moline Plowboys (27–38), Quincy Gems (27–38) and Bloomington Bloomers (25–37) in the 1917 league standings.[5][3][2]

After the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League shortened the 1917 season, the league did not play in 1918 due to World War I, with many minor leagues folding during for the 1918 season.[6] The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League returned in 1919 as a six–team league, but without Alton and a lineup of the Bloomington Bloomers, Evansville Evas, Moline Plowboys, Peoria Tractors, Rockford Rox and Terre Haute Browns. Alton, Illinois has not hosted another minor league team.[2][1][3]

In 2021, organized baseball returned to Alton, Illinois when the Alton River Dragons franchise began play.[7] The River Dragons became members of the Prospect League, a summer collegiate baseball league.[8]

The ballpark

The 1917 Alton Blues were noted to have played minor league home games at Sportsman's Park.[9] While the Alton Blues played there, it was nicknamed "Three-I League Park." The ballpark was built in 1911. Today, the Alton Police Department occupies the site. The location is 1700 East Broadway, Alton, Illinois.[10][11]

(2008) Aerial view of Alton Illinois

Year–by–year record
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
191718–448thHarry Bay / Jim DugganLeague folded July 8

Notable alumni

See also

Alton Blues players

References
  1. Emery, Tom; Telegraph, For the (May 20, 2017). "A league of their own: Alton had minor league baseball a century ago". Alton Telegraph.
  2. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  3. "1917 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1917 Alton Blues Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "1917 Alton Blues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1919 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "Home Page | Prospect New Team - Pointstreak Sites". www.pointstreaksites.com.
  8. "Alton River Dragons | Prospect Collegiate Baseball LLC". www.prospectleague.com.
  9. "Sportsman's Park in Alton, IL history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "Madison County ILGenWeb". www.facebook.com.
  11. "Home | Alton Police | City of Alton". www.cityofaltonil.com.

Alton - Baseball Reference

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