Palmyra Mormans

The Palmyra Mormans were a minor league baseball team based in Palmyra, New York. In 1897 and 1898, the Mormans played as members of the Class C level New York State League. In 1905, Palmyra played briefly in the Empire State League before relocating during the season. The nickname corresponds to Palmyra having been home to Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Palmyra Mormans
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass C (1897–1898)
LeagueNew York State League (1897–1898)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NamePalmyra Mormans (1897–1898)
BallparkUnknown (1897–1898)

History

The Palmyra "Mormans" (the spelling is also "Mormons" in other references) began play in the six–team, Class C level New York State League in 1897.[1] The Auburn Maroons, Batavia Giants, Canandaigua Rustlers, Cortland Hirelings and Lyons teams joined Palmyra in beginning league play on May 12, 1897.[2][3]

The team use of the "Mormans" moniker corresponds to local history. Palmyra was home to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4][5]

During their first season of play, manager Charles Faatz wrote a letter to management of the team. The letter was addressed to J.C. Coates, who was on the board of directors as listed on the letterhead for the "Palmyra Base Ball Association Season of 1897." Faatz also directed the letter to F.W Griffith. The letterhead lists F.H Brown as president, W.A. Powers as vice president, C.J. Wimple as secretary and J.W. Phelps as treasurer. E.B. Anderson, J.C Coates, F.H Brown, W.A. Powers and C.J. Wimple are listed as "Directors" on the letterhead. Faatz discusses personnel strategy and finances in the letter. Faatz concluded the letter by stating "I shall...get every out I can for you, let me hear from you at once."[6][7]

The 1897 Palmyra Mormons ended their first season of play in second place in the New York State League. The Mormans ended the season with a record of 51–35, playing the season under manager Charles Faatz. Palmyra finished 1.0 games behind the league champion Canandaigua Rustlers in the final standings.[8][9]

Palmyra continued play in the 1898 New York State League, before the franchise relocated during the season. The league had expanded to eight teams to begin the season.[10] On July 31, 1898, Palmyra transferred to Johnstown with a record of 25–35. Johnstown then folded on August 16, 1898. The team had an overall record of 29–40, playing under managers Doc Kennedy and Cyclone Ryan before folding.[11][12]

Palmyra briefly hosted minor league baseball again in 1905, when the team began the season as a member of the independent Empire State League. The Palmyra team moved to Geneva, New York in June 1905. The Palmyra/Geneva team had a 33–22 overall record and placed second in the league final standings.[13][14]

Palmyra has not hosted another minor league team.[15]

The ballparks

The name of the home ballpark for the Palmyra minor league teams is unknown.[16]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
1897–18981Palmyra MormansClass CNew York State League
19051PalmyraIndependentEmpire State League

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/notes
189751–352ndCharles FaatzNo playoffs held
189829–40NADoc Kennedy / Cyclone RyanPalmyra (25–35) moved to Johnstown July 31
190533–222ndBade Myers / George WilliamsTeam moved to Geneva in June

Notable alumni

References
  1. "1897 Palmyra Mormans Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1897 New York State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. "1897 New York State League (NYSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. Todras-Whitehill, Ethan (July 27, 2007). "Mormon Faith and Spectacle at Hill Cumorah in Palmyra, N.Y." – via NYTimes.com.
  5. "Mormons Flock To Palmyra, New York To Learn About Historical Roots". hwpi.harvard.edu.
  6. "Page 1". nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org.
  7. "Page 2". nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org.
  8. "1897 Palmyra Mormons minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "1897 New York State League (NYSL) Minor League Baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1898 New York State League (NYSL) Minor League Baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "1898 Palmyra Mormons/Johnstown minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1898 Johnstown/Palmyra Mormans Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "1905 Palmyra/Geneva Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "1905 Empire State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "Palmyra, New York Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "Unknown in Palmyra, NY minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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