Gastonia Rockets

The Gastonia Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina, United States. The Rockets played as members of the Class B level Tri-State League in 1952 and 1953, winning the 1952 league pennant before the team folded following the 1953 season. The Rockets were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and hosted home games at Sims Legion Park, which is still in use today.

Gastonia Rockets
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass B (1952–1953)
LeagueTri-State League (1952–1953)
Major league affiliations
TeamChicago White Sox (1952–1953)
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Conference titles (1)1952
Team data
NameGastonia Rockets (1952–1953)
BallparkSims Legion Park (1952–1953)

History

Gastonia first hosted minor league baseball in 1923, when the Gastonia Comers played a partial season as members of the Class B level South Atlantic League.[1] The Gastonia Rockets were immediately preceded in minor league play by the 1950 Gastonia Browns, who played the season as members of the Class D level Western Carolina League, finishing last in the league standings with a record of 40-70.[2][3]

In 1952, Gastonia resumed minor league play as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, when the "Rockets" became members of the eight-team Class B level Tri-State League.[4] Gastonia replaced the Greenwood Tigers franchise in joining the league.[5][3][6] The Anderson Rebels, Asheville Tourists, Charlotte Hornets, Greenville Spinners, Knoxville Smokies, Rock Hill Chiefs and Spartanburg Peaches joined Gastonia in beginning league play on April 16, 1952.[7]

The "Rockets" moniker corresponds to aviation history in Gastonia. In 1946, the Gastonia Airport was opened.[8][9]

In their first season of league play, the Gastonia Rockets won the 1952 Tri-State League pennant. The Rockets ended the Tri-State League regular season with a record of 89-50, finishing first in the standings, 1.5 games ahead of the second place Charlotte Hornets. Hal Van Pelt served as the Gastonia manager.[10] In the first round of the four-team playoffs, the Spartanburg Peaches defeated the Rockets three games to two.[11][3] Alex Cosmidis of Gastonia scored 122 runs to lead the Tri-state league in that category.[3]

The Rockets continued play as the 1953 Tri-State League reduced to six teams, in what proved to be the final season of the team.[3][12] Gastonia did not qualify for the 1953 playoffs, as the Rockets placed fifth in the Tri-State League regular season standings with a 66–81 record.[13] With Hal Van Pelt returning as manager, the Rockets ended the season 28.5 behind the first place Spartanburg Peaches.[3][14] Gastonia was replaced by the Knoxville Smokies in the 1954 Tri-State League, after Knoxville had disbanded in 1953.[15]

Gastonia, North Carolina next hosted minor league baseball in 1959, when the Gastonia Pirates played a partial season as members of the Class A level South Atlantic League.[3][16]

The ballpark

In their two seasons of play, the Gastonia Rockets hosted minor league home games at Sims Legion Park.[17] The original ballpark was built in 1950, with a major renovation in 1977 and again in 2021.[18][19] Still in use today, the ballpark is located at 1001 North Marietta Street.[20][21]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliateBallpark
1952-19532Gastonia RocketsClass BTri-State LeagueChicago White SoxSims Legion Park

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerAttendPlayoffs / Notes
195289–501stHal Van Pelt94,788Lost in 1st round
195366–815thHal Van Pelt69,052Did not qualify

[3]

Notable alumni

See also

Gastonia Rockets players

References
  1. "1923 Columbia/Gastonia Comers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1950 Gastonia Browns Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  4. "1952 Gastonia Rockets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "1951 Greenwood Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1951 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1952 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "Lengthening the Runway at Gastonia Municipal Airport". www.academyofaviation.com.
  9. "Municipal Airport". City of Gastonia.
  10. "1952 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "1952 Gastonia Rockets minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1953 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "1953 Gastonia Rockets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "1953 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "1954 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "1959 Columbus/Gastonia Pirates Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "Sims Legion Park in Gastonia, NC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  18. Hughes II, Joe L. (May 25, 2021). "Diggin' in: Gastonia's new professional baseball team, stadium set for grand debut". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  19. Foote, Sharon (March 22, 2022). "Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening for Sims Legion Park". City News Source (Press release). City of Gastonia. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  20. "Sims Legion Park". City of Gastonia.
  21. "Sims Legion Park in Gaston County, NC". Go Gaston NC.
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