Corsicana Oilers

Minor league baseball began in Corsicana with the 1902 Corsicana Oil Citys of the Class D level Texas League. The Oil Citys won the league championship in dominant fashion, as the team ended the 1902 season with a record of 87–23, placing first in the Texas League under manager Mike O'Connor. On Sunday, June 15, 1902, Corsicana defeated the Texarkana Casketmakers by a score of 51–3 as J.J. Clarke reportedly hit 8 home runs in the contest. In winning both halves of the season standings, the Oil Citys' season included a 27–game winning streak. The 1902 team is listed at #51 on The National Baseball Association's top 100 minor league teams of all time.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

1902 Corsicana Oil Citys

In their second season, the 1903 Corsicana Oil Citys placed fourth in the Texas League final standings. Corsicana had an overall record of 54–54 under manager Mike O'Connor.[9][2]

The Corsicana Oil City Oil Citys won the Texas League championship. The Oil Citys ended the 1904 season with a record of 48–53, placing third in the Texas League regular seasons. Curley Maloney and Walter Salm served as managers as the Oil Citys went on to win the 1904 championship. In the extended playoffs, Corsicana defeated the Fort Worth Panthers 11 games to 8.[10][2][11]

The Corsicana Oilers began the season playing in the Texas League. However, on June 1, 1905, the Oilers had a record of 10–30 when Corsicana surrendered its franchise and was dropped from the league on June 6, 1905. The managers were Walter Salm, Con Lucid and Lou Mahaffey[2][12][13]

The Corsicana Desperados returned minor league baseball when the team became members of the 1907 Class D level North Texas League. The Desperados had a 38–21 record and were in first place when the, four–team league folded on June 30, 1907. Dee Poindexter served as manager, as Corsicana finished 2.0 games ahead of the second place Paris Athletics.[14][2][15]

In 1914, the Corsicana Athletics became charter members of the Central Texas League, which was formed as a six–team Class D level league. The Athletics ended the 1914 Central Texas League regular season with a record of 26–32, placing fifth in the standings under manager Neal Kennedy.[16][2][17]

Continuing play in 1915, Corsicana placed second in the Central Texas League standings. The Athletics or A's for short, ended the 1915 season with a 32–29 record, finishing 3.0 games behind the first place Ennis Tigers. On May 27, 1915, Erwin of Corsicana threw a no-hitter against the Kaufman Kings as the Athletics won 2–0. On June 19, 1915, Corsicana pitcher Joe Page threw the second no-hitter of the season against the Ennis Tigers in a 2–1 victory.[18][19] Roy Morton was the 1915 manager. The Corsicana franchise folded after the 1915 season.[20][2][21]

The Corsicana Athletics briefly returned to play in the 1917 the Central Texas League. With a 4–4 record, the Temple Governors franchise moved to Corsicana June 1, 1917. Shortly after, the team had an overall record of 6–8 under manager Paul Trammel when the Central Texas League permanently folded on June 6, 1917.[2][22][23]

The 1922 Corsicana Gumbo Busters returned the city to minor league play and were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Playing as members of the Class D level Texas-Oklahoma League, the Gumbo Busters finished the 1922 regular season with a 56–46 record, placing third in the league standings, 13.0 games behind the Paris Snappers in the final league standings. Chuck Miller and Harvey Grubb served as managers.[24][2][25][26][27]

The Corsicana "Oilers" moniker returned as the franchise joined the Class D level 1923 Texas Association. The Oilers finished 1923 with a record of 68–70, placing fourth in the six–team Texas Association, 11.0 games behind the first place Mexia Gushers under manager Harvey Grubb.[28][2][29]

The 1924 Corsicana Oilers won the Texas Association Championship. The Oilers ended the 1924 season with a record of 83–42, placing first in the Texas Association standings under manager John Vann. The Oilers were 11.5 games ahead of the second place Marlin Bathers in the six–team standings.[30][2][31]

The Corsicana Oilers won a second consecutive Texas Association Championship in 1925. Again under manager John Vann, the Oilers finished the 1925 season with a record of 85–48, finishing first in the Texas Association standings, 9.0 games ahead of the second place Mexia Gushers.[32][2][33]

The 1926 Corsicana Oilers finished last in the Texas Association. With a record of 53–72, Corsicana placed sixth in the Texas Association under manager John Vann. The Oilers were 21.5 games behind the first place Austin Senators. The Texas Association folded after the 1926 season.[34][2][35]

In 1927, the Corsicana Oilers became charter members of the Lone Star League, which formed as an eight–team Class D level league. The Oilers ended the 1927 season with a record of 48–72, placing sixth in the final standings under managers Les Nunamaker and Ben Brownlow. Corsicana finished 21.0 games behind the first place Palestine Pals.[36][2][37][38]

In their final season of play, the 1928 Corsicana Oilers placed fifth in the Lone Star League. Corsicana ended their final season with a record of 55–68 under manager Ray Falk. The Corsicana franchise permanently folded after the 1928 season.[39][2][40][41]

Corsicana has not hosted another minor league baseball team.[42]

Corsicana teams were noted to have played home games at Oil City Park in the seasons from 1902 to 1907.[43]

Beginning in 1914, Corsicana teams played at Athletic Park. The ballpark was located between South Seaton & South 9th Streets and between East 10th Avenue & East 11th Avenue.[44]

[18][19]

Corsicana Oilers players
Corsicana Oil Citys players

• Corsicana - Baseball Reference