Arizona–Texas League

Arizona–Texas League
Formerly	Arizona State League
Classification	Class D (1931–1932; 1937–1939); Class C (1940–1941, 1947–1950, 1952–1954)
Sport	Minor League Baseball
Inaugural season	1931
Ceased	1954
Replaced by	Arizona-Mexico League
President	Wilford S. Sullinger (1931); Allan Stewart (1931); P. A. Nathan (1932); Dr. R. E. Soners (1937–1941); G. R. Michaels (1947); Riney B. Salmon (1948–1950); G. R. Sloane (1952–1953); Tim Cusick (1954)
No. of teams	11
Country	Mexico; United States of America
Most titles	5; El Paso Texans
Related; competitions	Southwest International League

The Arizona–Texas League was a Class D level American minor league baseball league that existed for nine seasons, from 1931–32, 1937–41, 1947–50 and 1952-54. In 1951, the Arizona-Texas loop merged with the Sunset League (based primarily in California but with teams in Nevada and New Mexico) to form the Southwest International League. However, the Arizona and Texas clubs played only that one season (1951) in the new circuit before seceding and reforming the A-TL in 1952. From 1928 to 1930, it was known as the Arizona State League.

History

After the 1930 season, the Arizona State League, which began play in 1928, changed their name and evolved into the 1931 Class D Arizona–Texas League. Arizona State League president Wilford S. Sullinger remained as president of the newly named league. Former Arizona State League members Bisbee Bees, El Paso Texans, Globe Bears, Phoenix Senators and Tucson Missions continued play in the 1931 Arizona–Texas League, joined by the Nogales Internationals.[1][2]

The Arizona–Texas League was the lowest level in the minor leagues, Class D, through 1939, and upgraded to Class C from 1940 onward. Its longest tenured clubs included:

The Arizona-Texas circuit also had teams in Mexico as early as 1931, although its name did not reflect this fact. Indios de Ciudad Juárez team was a member for seven years in the 1940s and 1950s. But in 1955, when the league lost its lone Texas franchise, in El Paso, its name was formally changed to the Arizona–Mexico League. In 1958, its Phoenix franchise moved all the way up to Class AAA when it received the old San Francisco Seals club after the Giants moved West. That signaled the end of the Class C Arizona–Mexico League; its final champion in 1958 was the Douglas Copper Kings, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

List of teams

Albuquerque, NM: Albuquerque Dons 1932; Albuquerque Cardinals 1937–1941
Bisbee, AZ: Bisbee Bees 1931–1932; 1937–1941; Bisbee Yanks 1947
Bisbee, AZ & Douglas, AZ: Bisbee-Douglas Miners 1948; Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings 1949–1950; 1952–1954
Cananea, Sonora, MEX: Cananea Mineros 1954
Chihuahua, Chihuahua, MEX: Chihuahua Dorados 1952
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, MEX: Juarez Indios 1947–1950; 1952–1954
El Paso, TX: El Paso Texans 1931–1932; 1937–1941; 1947–1950; 1952–1954
Globe, AZ: Globe Bears 1931
Globe, AZ & Miami, AZ: Globe-Miami Browns 1947–1950
Mesa, AZ: Mesa Orphans 1947
Mexicali, Baja California, MEX: Mexicali Eagles 1953–1954
Nogales, Sonora, MEX: Nogales Internationals 1931; Nogales Yaquis 1954
Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix Senators 1931–1932; 1947–1950; 1952–1953; Phoenix Stars 1954
Tucson, AZ: Tucson Missions 1931; Tucson Lizards 1932; Tucson Cowboys 1937–1941; 1947–1950; 1952–1954

Champion teams

1931 – El Paso Texans
1932 – Unknown
1937 – Albuquerque Cardinals
1938 – El Paso Texans
1939 – Albuquerque Cardinals
1940 – El Paso Texans
1941 – Tucson Cowboys
1947 – Globe-Miami Browns
1948 – Globe-Miami Browns
1949 – El Paso Texans
1950 – El Paso Texans
1952 – Juarez Indios
1953 – Tucson Cowboys
1954 – Phoenix Stars

Standings & statistics

1931 to 1940

1931 Arizona–Texas League schedule

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
El Paso Texans	79	52	.603	–	Royce Washburn
Tucson Missions	72	59	.550	7.0	Bobby Coltrin
Phoenix Senators	65	63	.508	12.5	Louis Guisto
Bisbee Bees	63	68	.481	16.0	Roy Johnson
Nogales Internationals	62	67	.481	16.0	Dick Cox
Globe Bears	49	81	.377	29.5	Mickey Shader

Playoff: El Paso 5 games, Bisbee 0.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
John Keane	Bisbee	BA	.408	Joe Sullivan	Tucson	W	23
Emil Mailho	Phoenix	Runs	108	George Nielson	El Paso	SO	196
Red Anderson	Tusc/Noga	Hits	190	Joe Sullivan	Tucson	Pct	.767; 23–7
Walter Carson	Globe	HR	34

1932 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Albuquerque Dons	57	42	.576	–	Bobby Coltrin
Bisbee Bees	50	49	.505	7.0	Roy Johnson
El Paso Texans	51	53	.490	8.5	Royce Washburn
Tucson Lizards	44	53	.454	12.0	Mickey Shader
Phoenix Senators	8	13	.381	NA	Dick Cox

Phoenix disbanded May 9. The league disbanded July 24.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Dick Gyselman	Albuquerque	BA	.392	Bill Chamberlain	Phoe/Alb	W	15
Dick Gyselman	Albuquerque	Runs	104	Guido Simoni	Phoe/Tucs	SO	157
Dick Gyselman	Albuquerque	Hits	165	Boyd Biggers	El Paso	ERA	3.78
Vince DiMaggio	Tucson	HR	25

1937 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
El Paso Texans	73	49	.598	–	Jimmy Zinn
Tucson Cowboys	57	58	.496	12.5	Harry Krause
Albuquerque Cardinals	56	59	.487	13.5	Bill DeLancey
Bisbee Bees	51	71	.418	22.0	Mickey Shader

Playoffs: Albuquerque defeated El Paso in a one game playoff
for the second half title. Finals: Albuquerque 4 games, El Paso 3.

Player statistics
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Richard Lang	Albuquerque	BA	.374	Milo Candini	El Paso	W	21
Hubert Singer	Albuquerque	Runs	122	Floyd Bevens	El Paso	SO	179
Richard Lang	Albuquerque	RBI	109	Lawrence Powell	Tucson	ERA	2.56
James Nicholson	El Paso	HR	10	Ken Manning	El Paso	Hits	179

1938 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Bisbee Bees	72	58	.554	–	Charlie Moglia
El Paso Texans	68	64	.515	5.0	Jimmy Zinn
Albuquerque Cardinals	67	65	.508	6.0	Bill DeLancey
Tucson Cowboys	55	75	.423	17.0	Harry Krause

Playoffs: El Paso 4 games, Bisbee 3.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Mike Simon	Tucson	BA	.367	Jesse Flores	Bisbee	W	24
Dick Warfield	Bisbee	Runs	120	Walter Stewart	El Paso	W	24
Ed Morris	Albuquerque	Runs	120	Walter Stewart	El Paso	SO	270
Mike Simon	Tucson	Hits	195	Jesse Flores	Bisbee	ERA	2.37
Mike Simon	Tucson	RBI	121	Bill Creager	Bisbee	HR	20

1939 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Bisbee Bees	72	57	.558	–	Carl Dittmar
Albuquerque Cardinals	70	60	.538	2.5	Bill DeLancey
El Paso Texans	68	62	.523	4.5	Ted Mayer
Tucson Cowboys	49	80	.380	23	Bill Salkeld / Mike Simon

Playoffs: Albuquerque 4 games, Bisbee 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Bob Joratz	Albuquerque	BA	.348	Eddie King	Bisbee	W	25
Bob Joratz	Albuquerque	Runs	126	Jack Hawkins	El Paso	SO	257
Willie Reyes	Albuquerque	RBI	124	Ned Rogers	El Paso	ERA	2.20
Dale Gill	Bisbee	Hits	182	Al Montgomery	Bisbee	HR	17

1940 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Tucson Cowboys	64	59	.520	–	Lester Patterson
El Paso Texans	64	60	.516	0.5	Specs Williamson
Albuquerque Cardinals	60	64	.484	4.5	Jack Farmer
Bisbee Bees	58	63	.479	5.0	Carl Dittmar

Playoffs: El Paso 4 games, Tucson 3.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Joe Brovia	El Paso	BA	.383	Bob Raines	El Paso	W	18
Elwood Curtis	Albuquerque	Runs	118	Frank Totaro	Bisbee	SO	251
Harry Clements	Tucson	Hits	175	Luther French	Albuquerque	ERA	3.50
Joe Brovia	El Paso	RBI	103	Joe Skeber	El Paso	HR	10

1941 to 1950

1941 Arizona–Texas League schedule

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Tucson Cowboys	86	46	.652	–	Lester Patterson
Albuquerque Cardinals	63	65	.492	21.0	Jimmy Zinn
El Paso Texans	61	71	.462	25.0	Specs Williamson
Bisbee Bees	51	79	.392	34.0	Carl Dittmar

Playoffs: None Scheduled

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Burl Horton	El Paso	BA	.375	Harry Parks	Albuquerque	W	24
Doug Smith	Tucson	Runs	147	Marino Pieretti	El Paso	SO	237
Burl Horton	El Paso	Hits	216	Lee Porterfield	Tucson	ERA	3.01
Clarence Maddern	Bisbee	RBI	129	Doug Smith	Tucson	HR	15

1947 Arizona–Texas League schedule

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Phoenix Senators	82	51	.617	–	55,452	Alton Biggs
Tucson Cowboys	80	52	.606	1.5	63,580	Joe Vosmik
Bisbee Yanks	74	59	.556	8.5	33,686	Charlie Metro
Juarez Indios / Mesa Orphans	61	69	.469	19.5	27,153	Manuel Fortes
Globe-Miami Browns	53	77	.408	27.5	60,669	Lloyd Brown
El Paso Texans	44	86	.338	36.5	39,996	Syd Cohen

Juarez disbanded June 22 after winning the first half and was replaced by Mesa June 27.
Playoffs: Tucson 2 games, Bisbee 0; Globe-Miami 2 games, Phoenix 0; Finals: Globe–Miami 3 games, Tucson 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Billy Martin	Phoenix	BA	.392	John Conant	Phoenix	W	19
Pete Hughes	Phoenix	Runs	180	Lloyd Brown	Globe-Miami	SO	167
Billy Martin	Phoenix	Hits	230	Syd Cohen	El Paso	ERA	3.38
Billy Martin	Phoenix	RBI	174	Pete Hughes	Phoenix	HR	38
Pete Hughes	Phoenix	BB	193

1948 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Globe-Miami Browns	80	60	.571	–	75,001	Don Heffner
Tucson Cowboys	78	62	.557	2	79,327	Lloyd Brown
El Paso Texans	74	66	.529	6	73,766	Walter Millies
Juarez Indios	74	66	.529	6	52,525	Manuel Fortes / Francisco Barradas
Phoenix Senators	67	73	.479	13	79,821	Alton Biggs
Bisbee-Douglas Miners	47	93	.336	33	43,610	Mel Steiner / Mitchell Chetkovitch

Playoffs: El Paso defeated Juarez in a one game playoff for third place; Globe–Miami 4 games, El Paso 2; Juarez 4 games, Tucson 1.
Finals: Globe–Miami 4 games, Juarez 3.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Gene Lillard	Phoenix	BA	.364	Thomas Radcliff	El Paso	W	17
Dick Sabatini	Phoenix	Runs	145	Alwin Aguilar	Tucson		17
Ramon Vargas	Tucson	Hits	197	William Abernathie	Tucson		17
Daniel Baich	Globe-Miami	RBI	152	Edward Graham	Phoenix	SO	178
Daniel Baich	Globe-Miami	HR	27	Lloyd Brown	Tucson	ERA	3.01
Pete Hughes	Phoenix	BB	207

1949 Arizona–Texas League schedule

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Phoenix Senators	94	55	.631	–	126,347	Don Trower
Juarez Indios	92	58	.613	2.5	85,769	Hector Leal / Victor Canales
Tucson Cowboys	74	76	.493	20.5	53,771	Gene Lillard
El Paso Texans	67	83	.447	27.5	107,778	Syd Cohen
Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings	66	83	.443	28.0	60,149	Elmer Williamson / Paul Jones / Buck Elliott
Globe-Miami Browns	56	94	.373	38.5	60,394	Frank Volpi / Edward Dancisak

Playoffs: Phoenix 4 games, Tucson 2; El Paso 4 games, Juarez 2.
Finals: El Paso 4 games, Phoenix 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Vinicio Garcia	Juarez	BA	.377	Edward Graham	Phoenix	W	24
Vinicio Garcia	Juarez	Runs	170	Richard Drilling	Phoenix	ERA	2.55
Vinicio Garcia	Juarez	Hits	227	William Abernathie	Tucson	SO	220
Dick Steinhauer	Phoenix	RBI	151	Gene Lillard	Tucson	BB	154
Gene Clough	Bisbee-Douglass	HR	37

1950 Arizona–Texas League schedule

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Juarez Indios	93	55	.628	–	69,738	Syd Cohen
El Paso Texans	92	58	.613	2.0	100,212	Art Lilly
Phoenix Senators	82	68	.547	12.0	104,137	Don Trower
Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings	69	79	.466	24.0	68,651	Buck Elliott
Tucson Cowboys	64	86	.427	30.0	61,254	Hank Leiber
Globe-Miami Browns	48	102	.320	46.0	47,388	Thornton Lee

Playoffs: Phoenix 4 games, Juarez 2; El Paso 4 games, Bisbee-Douglas 2.
Finals: El Paso 4 games, Phoenix 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Art Lilly	El Paso	BA	.386	Hector Anzamar	Juarez	W	25
Alfredo Perez	Tucson	Runs	172	Jesus Valenzuela	Juarez	W	25
Dick Zwaing	Tucson	Hits	221	Jesus Valenzuela	Juarez	SO	256
Len Noren	Phoenix	RBI	169	Jesus Valenzuela	Juarez	ERA	3.47
Donald Mason	El Paso	RBI	169	Hector Lara	El Paso	HR	28

1952 to 1954

1952 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Juarez Indios	84	55	.604	–	64,870	Manuel Fortes
El Paso Texans	79	61	.564	5.5	83,373	Art Lilly
Phoenix Senators	78	62	.557	6.5	64,410	Jeep Trower
Tucson Cowboys	61	78	.439	23.0	68,500	Don Jameson
Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings	60	80	.429	24.5	56,206	Syd Cohen
Chihuahua Dorados	57	83	.407	27.5	130,329	Domingo Santana / Marvin Williams

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Marvin Williams	Chihuahua	BA	.401	Wenceslao Gonzalez	Juarez	W	25
Felipe Hernandez	Juarez	Runs	144	Wenceslao Gonzalez	Juarez	SO	222
Dick Steinhauer	Phoenix	Hits	233	Donald Cantrell	Phoenix	ERA	3.64
Ramon Vargas	El Paso	RBI	143	Marvin Williams	Chihuahua	HR	45

1953 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Tucson Cowboys	90	49	.647	–	92,157	Don Jameson
Mexicali Eagles	77	62	.554	13.0	68,719	Art Lilly
Juarez Indios	74	65	.532	16.0	46,800	Manuel Fortes / Pingua Canales
El Paso Texans	60	80	.429	30.5	52,501	Diamond Cecil
Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings	59	80	.424	31.0	44,650	Syd Cohen
Phoenix Senators	58	82	.414	32.5	49,270	Buck Elliott

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Edwin Roberts	Tucson	BA	.392	Corky Reddell	Tucson	W	29
Joe Joshua	Tucson	Runs	164	Wenceslao Gonzalez	Juarez	SO	276
Roberto Canales	Juarez	Hits	208	Corky Reddell	Tucson	ERA	2.64
Lloyd Jenney	Tucson	RBI	152	Charles Lundgren	Tucson	HR	34

1954 Arizona–Texas League

Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Phoenix Stars	93	47	.664	–	114,450	Jerry Gardner
Mexicali Eagles	92	48	.657	1.0	92,377	Art Lilly
Cananea Mineros	69	71	.493	24.0	85,083	Memo Garibay
El Paso Texans	69	71	.493	24.0	63,401	Syd Cohen
Tucson Cowboys	64	76	.457	29.0	60,735	Don Jameson
Nogales Yaquis	61	79	.436	32.0	98,092	Manuel Fortes / Virgilio Arteaga
Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings	57	83	.407	36.0	45,031	Edwin Roberts / Ron Smith
Juarez Indians	55	85	.393	38.0	69,365	Enrique Fernandez

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Leo Rodriquez	Cananea	BA	.430	Nathaniel Moreland	Mexicali	W	22
Ken Toothman	Tucson	Runs	193	Richard Schroyer	Phoenix	SO	196
Leo Rodriquez	Cananea	Hits	259	Fernando Ramirez	Mexicali	ERA	3.51
Earl Smith	Phoenix	RBI	195	Claudio Solano	Cananea	TB	394
Claudio Solano	Cananea	HR	47

[1]

References

Johnson, Lloyd and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997.

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
"1931 Arizona-Texas League (AAL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.

External links

Baseball Reference – Arizona–Texas League Encyclopedia and History

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[encyc-1] The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

[2] "1931 Arizona-Texas League (AAL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.