Mattoon Phillies

The Mattoon Phillies was a primary nickname for the minor league baseball teams based in Mattoon, Illinois between 1899 and 1957. Mattoon teams played as members of the Indiana–Illinois League (1899), Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1906), Eastern Illinois League (1907–1908), Illinois State League (1947–1948), Mississippi–Ohio Valley League (1949–1955) and Midwest League (1956–1957).

Mattoon Phillies
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass E (1899)
Class D (1906–1908, 1947–1957)
LeagueIndiana–Illinois League (1899)
Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1906)
Eastern Illinois League (1907–1908)
Illinois State League (1947–1948)
Mississippi–Ohio Valley League (1949–1955)
Midwest League (1956–1957)
Major league affiliations
TeamChicago White Sox (1947)
Cleveland Indians (1948)
Cincinnati Reds (1952)
Philadelphia Phillies (1953–1956)
Kansas City Athletics (1957)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)
  • 1907
Team data
NameMattoon (1899)
Mattoon Canaries (1906)
Mattoon Giants (1907–1908)
Mattoon Indians (1947–1952)
Mattoon Phillies (1953–1956)
Mattoon Athletics (1957)
BallparkMattoon Baseball Park (1947–1956)

Mattoon teams played as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in 1947, Cleveland Indians in 1948, Cincinnati Reds in 1952, Philadelphia Phillies from 1953 to 1956 and Kansas City Athletics in 1957.

The franchise was the oldest in the Midwest League, evolving to become today's Fort Wayne TinCaps.

History

The Mattoon Phillies were a charter member of the Midwest League in 1953. Additionally, Mattoon teams played in the two leagues directly preceding the Midwest League: the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League and the Illinois State League .[1]

Earlier, Mattoon teams played in the Eastern Illinois League (1907–1908), Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1906) and Indiana–Illinois League (1899). Mattoon was an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox (1947), Cleveland Indians (1948), Cincinnati Reds (1952), Philadelphia Phillies (1953–1956) and Kansas City Athletics (1957).[2][3]

The Mattoon Illinois State League franchise was the direct result of the efforts of the Mattoon Athletic Association, which was formed in 1947 by William Zurheider, Clyde Kirk and Charles Heath. The corporation issued 600 shares of stock at $250 and built a new ballpark. Charles Heath was also a founder of the ISL.[4]

Mattoon had two no-hitters. On August 24, 1954 Tom Cronin defeated the Hannibal Cannibals 2–0 in a no-hitter. On July 16, 1956 Mike Wallace pitched a no-hitter against the Clinton Pirates, winning 6–0.[5]

In 1958, the Mattoon franchise moved to Keokuk, Iowa and became the Keokuk Indians. The franchise is the oldest in the Midwest League, as it has evolved into today's Fort Wayne TinCaps.[1][3]

The ballpark

From 1947 to 1956 Mattoon teams were noted to have played minor league home games at the Mattoon Baseball Park. The ballpark hosted the 1948 Illinois State League All–Star Game and the 1950 Mississippi–Ohio Valley League All–Star Game. Baseball Hall of Fame member Earl Weaver played in the 1948 game. The ballpark had a capacity of 2,500 and was destroyed shortly after minor league team moved. The Mattoon Baseball Park was located at DeWitt Avenue & North Logan Street, Mattoon, Illinois.[4][1][6][7][8]

Dallas Green, 2009. Green managed the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1980 World Series Championship

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliate
18991MattoonClass EIndiana–Illinois LeagueNone
19061Mattoon CanariesClass DKentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League
1907–19081Mattoon GiantsEastern Illinois League
19472Mattoon IndiansIllinois State LeagueChicago White Sox
19481Cleveland Indians
1949–19513Mississippi–Ohio Valley LeagueNone
19521Cincinnati Reds
1953–19552Mattoon PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
19561Midwest League
19571Mattoon AthleticsKansas City Athletics

Notable alumni[2]

See also

Mattoon Giants players
Mattoon Indians players
Mattoon Phillies players
Mattoon-Charleston Canaries players

References
  1. "Baseball in Mattoon, Illinois". Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  2. "Mattoon, Illinois Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  3. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  4. "Summary of Professional Ball in Mattoon, Illinois". Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  5. "No Hit Games". Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  6. "Baseball in Mattoon". Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  7. "Mattoon Baseball Park - Mattoon Indiana - Former Home of the Mattoon Philies". digitalballparks.com.
  8. "Illinois State League 1948". Retrieved July 4, 2018.
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