Warsaw Red Sox

The Warsaw Red Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Warsaw, North Carolina. From 1947 to 1948, the Warsaw Red Sox played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League, hosting home minor league games at Warsaw Park.

Warsaw Red Sox
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1947–1948)
LeagueTobacco State League (1947–1948)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameWarsaw Red Sox (1947–1948)
BallparkWarsaw Park (1947–1948)

History

Warsaw, North Carolina first hosted minor league play in 1947. The Warsaw "Red Sox" began play as members of the eight–team Class D level Tobacco State League. The Clinton Blues, Dunn-Erwin Twins, Lumberton Cubs, Red Springs Red Robins, Sanford Spinners, Smithfield-Selma Leafs and Wilmington Pirates joined Lumberton in the second season of Tobacco League play.[1]

The 1947 league accepted applications and expanded from six to eight teams, adding the Lumberton, Red Springs and Warsaw franchises as new members for the 1947 season, with the Angier-Fuquay Springs Bulls franchise folding.[2]

In 1947, S.W. Marriner was reported to be president of the Warsaw Red Sox, with Arthur Apple serving as vice–president and business manager.[3]

The Warsaw Red Sox hosted their home opener on Tuesday, April 19, 1947, in a night game against the Clinton Blues at 7:45 P.M. at Warsaw Park. It was noted in newspaper reports that the Goldsboro High School Band was to "present music for the occasion." Prior to the beginning the season, Warsaw played home exhibition games against the Wilmington Pirates and the Wallace All–Stars. It was noted the final Wilmington exhibition game was designated as "ladies day" for the Sunday game, with ladies admitted free.[3]

In their first season of play, the 1947 Warsaw Red Sox ended the season in fifth place. Playing in the eight–team league, Warsaw ended the regular season with a 59–64 record under manager James Milner.[4] Warsaw finished 12.5 games behind of the first place Sanford Spinners. The Red Sox did not qualify for the four team playoffs, won by the Sanford Spinners. Pitcher Carl Johnson of Warsaw led the Tobacco State League with 225 strikeouts.[5][6][7]

In 1948, the Warsaw Red Sox continued play as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League.[8] The Reds ended the regular season in fifth place with a 71–67 record, playing under managers Sam Gibson and Verne Blackwell. Warsaw finished 8.5 games behind the first placed Sanford Spinners in the final standings. The Red Sox did not qualify for the playoffs, won by the Reeds Springs Robins.[9][7][10]

The Warsaw Red Sox folded following the 1948 season and were replaced by the Fayetteville Scotties franchise in 1949 Tobacco State League play.[11][7]

Warsaw, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team.[12]

The ballpark

The Warsaw Red Sox minor league teams were noted to have hosted home games at Warsaw Park. The park is called Taylor Field today, with recreational baseball and softball facilities. Taylor Field is located on George Street, Warsaw, North Carolina.[13][14]

(2020) Front Street. National Register of Historic Places. Warsaw, North Carolina

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliateBallpark
1947–19482Warsaw Red SoxClass DTobacco State LeagueNoneWarsaw Park
(Taylor Field)

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerAttendPlayoffs/Notes
194759–645thJames Milner36,865Did not qualify
194871–675thSam Gibson / Verne Blackwell32,482Did not qualify

[15][16]

Notable alumni

See also

Warsaw Red Sox players

References
  1. "1947 Tobacco State League (TSL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. "Lumberton recalls pro baseball past". Robesonian. July 20, 2015.
  3. "The Duplin times. (Warsaw, N.C.) 1933-1963, April 25, 1947, Image 1 · North Carolina Newspapers". newspapers.digitalnc.org.
  4. "1947 Tobacco State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "1947 Warsaw Red Sox minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1947 Warsaw Red Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  8. "1948 Warsaw Red Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1948 Warsaw Red Sox minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1948 Tobacco State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "1949 Tobacco State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. "Warsaw, North Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "Warsaw Park in Warsaw, NC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. "Parks/Locations - Warsaw NC". www.townofwarsawnc.com.
  15. "1947 Warsaw Red Sox minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. "1948 Warsaw Red Sox minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.

Warsaw - Baseball Reference

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