Cortland Wagonmakers

The Cortland Wagonmakers was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Cortland, New York between 1897 and 1905. Corltland teams played as members of the New York State League from 1897 to 1901 and the Empire State League in 1905.

Cortland Wagonmakers
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass C (1897–1901)
Independent (1905)
LeagueNew York State League (1897–1901)
Empire State League (1905)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameCortland Hirelings (1897)
Cortland Wagonmakers (1898–1901)
Cortland (1905)
BallparkUnknown

History

Cortland first began minor league baseball play in 1897, when the Cortland Hirelings became charter members of the Class C level New York State League. The Cortland franchise joined the league on June 2, 1897, after the season had already begun. Cortland completed the season and had a 29–36 record with a winning percentage that placed fifth in the league standings. The team was managed by George Geer and Otis Smith as the Hirelings finished behind the first place Canandaigua Rustlers [1][2][3][4][5]

The Cortland Wagonmakers continued play in the 1898 the New York State League as the league became an eight-team league. The Wagonmakers finished in fifth place with a record of 45–49. Thomas McGuirk, Ed Delaney and Frank Leonard managed the team in 1898, as the Wagonmakers finished 8.5 games behind the first place Canandaigua Rustlers.[6][7][8]

The Cortland use of the "Wagonmakers" moniker corresponds to local industry in Cortland, New York in the era. The city was home to numerous carriage and wagon manufacturers in the era, including the Brockway Carriage Works.[9][10]

Finishing above .500 for the first time in 1899, the Cortland Wagonmakers placed third in the eight–team New York State League. Finishing with a 56–46 record, the Wagonmakers were managed by Henry Ramsey. Cortland finished 17.0 games behind the first place Rome Romans in the final standings, as the league did not hold playoffs for its duration.[11][12][13]

Cortland improved to place in second place in 1900. Managed by J.D. Roche, the Wagonmakers had a 70–43 record in the New York State League final standings. Cortland finished 2.0 games behind the first place Utica Reds.[14][15][16]

The Cortland franchise relocated in 1901. On July 11, 1901, the Cortland Wagonmakers had a 22–34 record when the franchise moved to Waverly, New York. Completing the season as the Waverly Wagonmakers, the team had an overall record of 36–68, placing seventh in the New York State League under managers William A. Smith and M.T. Roche.[17][18][19]

After a three-season hiatus, the 1905 Cortland team resumed minor league play. Cortland joined the Independent level Empire State League for the 1905 season. The franchise folded from the league on July 18, 1905. The Cortland record and standing from 1905 are unknown. Cortland has not hosted another minor league baseball team.[20][21][22][23][24]

In 2008, a vintage baseball game was held honoring the Cortland Wagonmakers. The team honoring the Cortland Wagonmakers played against a team from Truxton, honoring the Truxton Giants. The teams played a double header using rules from the era.[25]

The ballpark

The name of the Cortland minor league home ballpark(s) is not referenced.[26]

(1994) Former Cortland Wagon Company building built in 1872. Cortland, New York.

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
18971Cortland HirelingsClass CNew York State League
1898–19014Cortland Wagonmakers
19051CortlandIndependentEmpire State League

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
189729–365thGeorge Geer / Otis SmithEntered league June 2
189845–495thThomas McGuirk /
Ed Delaney / Frank Leonard		No playoffs held
189956–463rdHenry RamseyNo playoffs held
190070–432ndJ.D. RocheNo playoffs held
190136–687thWilliam A. Smith / M.T RocheMoved to Waverly July 11
1905NANANATeam folded July 18

Notable alumni

See also

Cortland Wagonmakers players
Cortland Hirelings players
Cortland (minor league baseball) players

References
  1. "1897 Cortland Hirelings Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. "1897 New York State League (NYSL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. "1897 New York State League (NYSL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1897 Cortland Hirelings Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "1897 New York State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1898 New York State League (NYSL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1898 Cortland Wagonmakers Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "1898 Cortland Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "Carriage and Wagon Manufacturers of Cortland in 1894".
  10. "Brockway | Home of the Brockway Truck Preservation Association".
  11. "1899 Cortland Wagonmakers Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1899 Cortland Wagonmakers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "1899 New York State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "1900 Cortland Wagonmakers Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "1900 New York State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "1900 Cortland Wagonmakers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "1901 Cortland/Waverly Wagonmakers Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  18. "1901 Cortland/Waverly Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. "1901 New York State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. "Cortland Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  21. "1905 Cortland Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  22. "1905 Empire State League (ESL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  23. "1905 Cortland Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  24. "1905 Empire State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  25. "Cortland Standard .net". www.cortlandstandard.net.
  26. "Unknown in Cortland, NY history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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