Newark Yankees

Newark returned to minor league play in 1944, when the Newark Moundsmen became members of the Class D level Ohio State League and won the Ohio State League Championship. The Moundsmen began play as an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns and played four seasons in the Ohio State League. The 1944 Ohio State League reformed as a six–team league in 1944 after a hiatus due to World War II. Playing with league members Lima Red Birds, Marion Diggers, Middletown Red Sox, Springfield Giants and Zanesville Dodgers, the Moundsmen finished second in the standings. The "Moundsmen" moniker was the result of a newspaper contest. With a regular season record of 71–59, Newark finished in 2nd place, 4.5 games behind the first place Springfield Giants in the regular season standings under manager Clay Bryant. In the 1944 Playoffs the Newark Moundsmen defeated the Lima Red Birds 3 games to 1 and advanced. In the Finals, Newark defeated the Middletown Red Sox 4 games to 2 to claim the championship. Ned Garver led the Ohio State league with 21 wins, 221 strikeouts and a 1.21 ERA. He also hit .407.[4][5][1][6][7][8]

Garver enjoyed his time in Newark. "It was a good baseball town – we drew big crowds."[9] The fans were generous to the low-paid players, sometimes collecting $16 to $18 dollars for Garver following a win. When someone stole his glove during the season, the fans raised him enough money to buy a new one. Local restaurants would give the pitchers free meals for winning games.[9]

Continuing play in the 1945 Ohio State League, the Newark Moundsmen finished last in the standings. With a 1945 regular season record of 57–82, the Moundsmen finished in sixth place. Led by manager Mickey O'Neill, Newark finished 32.0 games behind the first place Middletown Rockets in the regular season standings.[10][11][1][12][13]

The 1946 Newark Moundsmen finished in fourth place as the Ohio State League expanded to eight teams. Newark qualified for the playoffs after the Moundsmen ended the regular season with a record of 74–65 under manager Bob Boken, finishing 8.0 games behind the Springfield Giants. In the first round of the playoffs, Newark lost to the Springfield Giants four games to two.[14][15][1][16][17]

On June 28, 1946, Newark pitcher Carl Schulte threw a no-hitter in a 7–0 victory over the Richmond Roses.[18][19]

In 1947, the Ohio State League played its final season, before changing its name. The Newark Moundsmen had a 64–76 regular season record and finished in seventh place, playing the season under manager Ed Dancisak. The Moundsmen finished the season 25.5 games behind the first place Zanesville Dodgers in the eight–team league.[20][21][1][17][22][23]

On June 6, 1947, William Woolard of Newark pitched a no–hitter in an 8–0 victory over the Muncie Reds.[18][19]

In 1948, Newark gained a new affiliate as the franchise continued play as members of the Class D level Ohio-Indiana League, when the Ohio State League changed names. The Newark Yankees began play as an affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Lima Terriers, Marion Cubs, Muncie Reds, Portsmouth A's, Richmond Roses, Springfield Giants and Zanesville Dodgers joined the Newark Yankees in league play. With a record of 64–74, Newark finished in fifth place. Managed by Bobby Dill and Solly Mishkin, Newark finished 17.0 games behind the 1st place Zanesville Dodgers.[24][25][1][26][27]

Continuing Ohio–Indiana League play, the 1949 Newark Yankees had a regular season record of 65–72. The Yankees placed sixth and were managed by Jim McLeod. Newark finished 15.0 games behind the first place Portsmouth A's.[24][25][1][28][29]

Yankee pitcher George Vinston threw a no–hitter on July 22, 1949 in a 3–0 victory over the Marion Red Sox.[18][19][30]

The 1950 Newark Yankees reached the Ohio–Indiana League Finals. With an 89–49 record, Newark placed second under manager Billy Holm. Newark finished 1.0 games behind the first place Marion Red Sox in the regular season standings. In the first round of the playoffs, the Newark Yankees beat the Richmond Tigers 3 games to 2. In the finals, the Marion Red Sox beat the Newark Yankees 4 games to 0.[1][31][32]

In their final season of play, the Newark Yankees won the first half standings which ended June 18. The Newark Yankees won the first half of the season by 2.5 games over the Marion Red Sox. On July 17, 1951, the Yankees had a record of 49–31 when the team folded. The 1951 Newark Yankees were managed by Malcolm Mickthen. The Ohio–Indiana League permanently folded after the 1951 season was concluded.[24][25][1][33][34]

Newark, Ohio was without minor league baseball until the 1994 Newark Buffalos began play as members of the Independent level Frontier League.[3]

Newark Moundsmen players
Newark Yankees players