Vernon Dusters

The Vernon Dusters were a minor league baseball team based in Vernon, Texas. From 1947 to 1952, the Dusters played exclusively as members of the Longhorn League, qualifying for the playoffs on three occasions. Hosting home games at Wilbarger Memorial Stadium, the Dusters were the only minor league based in Vernon, Texas.

Vernon Dusters
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1947–1950)
Class C (1951–1952)
LeagueLonghorn League (1947–1952)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Wild card berths (3)
  • 1948
  • 1949
  • 1950
Team data
NameVernon Dusters (1947–1952)
BallparkWilbarger Memorial Stadium (1947–1952)

History

Minor league baseball started in Vernon in 1947, when the Vernon "Dusters" became charter members of the six-team Class D level Longhorn League. The Ballinger Cats, Big Spring Broncs, Midland Indians, Odessa Oilers and Sweetwater Sports joined Vernon in beginning Longhorn League play on April 23, 1947.[1][2][3]

In their first season of play, the Dusters finished in last place. With a 42–87 record, the Vernon Dusters placed sixth in their first season of play Longhorn League play. Vernon drew 30,758 fans at home games for the 1947 season.[4][5][6]

In 1948, the San Angelo Colts and Del Rio Cowboys joined the Longhorn League as the league expanded to eight teams. The Vernon Dusters placed fourth in the eight–team league with a 76–64 record, playing under manager Lloyd Rigby, drawing 50,250 fans. In the playoffs, Vernon defeated the Big Spring Broncs four games to two to advance. In the Finals, the Vernon Dusters lost to the Midland Indians in seven games.[7][8][5]

The Dusters qualified for the playoffs in 1949. The Dusters finished with a record of 72–66 in 1949, placing third in the Longhorn League. Vernon lost to the Midland Indians four games to one in their playoff series. Vernon drew 50,386 for the season.[9][5]

In 1949, Monty Stratton pitched briefly for the Vernon Dusters. Stratton had been a major league pitcher, whom had his career affected after a 1939 hunting accident that necessitated his right leg being amputated below the knee. Stratton pitched a complete-game shutout for the Vernon Dusters on a wooden right leg. Stratton was the inspiration for the feature film The Stratton Story starring James Stewart. The film opened in theaters in June, 1949.[10][11][12][13]

The 1950 Vernon Dusters finished with a record 83–70, placing fourth in the Longhorn League final standings. They lost to the Odessa Oilers four games to one in the playoffs. Vernon drew 46,099 fans for the season.[14][15][5]

In 1951, the Vernon Dusters did not qualify for the playoffs. Vernon finished with a regular season record of 67–71 and a sixth-place finish. The team drew 36,686 home game fans in 1951.[16][17][5]

In 1952, Vernon played their final season and finished last. The Vernon Dusters finished with a record of 45–95, placing last in the Longhorn League. Vernon drew 30,015 total home game fans for the season. The franchise folded after the 1952 season.[18][19][5]

Vernon, Texas has not hosted another minor league team.[20][5]

The ballpark

The Vernon Dusters hosted minor league home games at Wilbarger Memorial Stadium. The ballpark had a capacity of 3,000 in 1947 and 3,500 in 1950. Wilbarger Memorial Stadium was located at 1826 Pease Street, Main Street & Wilbarger Street in Vernon, Texas.[21]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
1947–19504Vernon DustersClass DLonghorn LeagueWilbarger Memorial Stadium
1951–19522Class C

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
194742–876thCarl KottDid not qualify
194876–644thLloyd RigbyLost league finals
194972–663rdRobert HuntleyLost 1st round
195086–704thJoe BerryLost 1st round
195167–716thJoe Berry / Homer MatneyDid not qualify
195245–958thChester Fowler / Albert Richardson
Pat McLaughlin		Did not qualify

[5]

Notable alumni

See also

Vernon Dusters players

References
  1. "Longhorn League (C) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. Vernon by Preston Cary. Arcadia Publishing (2013)p. 102. ISBN 978-0-7385-9546-7.
  3. "1947 Longhorn League (LL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1947 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. "1947 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. "1948 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "1948 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1949 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. Baseball's Comeback Players: Forty Major Leaguers Who Fell and Rose Again, by Rick Swaine. McFarland and Company Publishing (2014)p. 22-23. ISBN 978-0-7864-7654-1
  11. "Monty Stratton Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "Monty Stratton: Baseball's version of profile in courage". November 27, 2018.
  13. "1949 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "1950 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "1950 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "1951 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. "1951 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. "1952 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  19. "1952 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. "Vernon, Texas Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. "Wilbarger Memorial Stadium in Vernon, TX history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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