Winchester Dodgers

The Winchester Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Winchester, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, the Dodgers played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, having been preceded in the league by the 1908 to 1912 Winchester Hustlers. Winchester hosted home games at Garner's Park.

Winchester Dodgers
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1922–1924)
LeagueBlue Grass League (1922–1924)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameWinchester Dodgers (1922–1924)
BallparkGarner's Park (1922–1924)

History

The Dodgers were immediately preceded in minor league play be the 1912 Winchester Hustlers, who played a partial season as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League before relocating during the season to eventually become the Mt. Sterling Orphans.[1][2] The Blue Grass League folded following the 1912 season and did not return to play until 1922.[3]

After a decade absence, the 1922 Winchester Dodgers resumed play as members of the six–team, Class D level Blue Grass League, which reformed.[4] The Cynthiana Merchants, Lexington Reds, Maysville Cardinals, Mount Sterling Essex and Paris Bourbons joined Winchester in beginning league play on April 23, 1922.[5][3]

Beginning play in the 1922 Blue Grass League, the Dodgers finished in a tie for last place.[4] In the overall standings, Winchester placed fifth with their record of 28–36 under managers Walter Van Winkle and Howie Camnitz.[6] The Dodgers and the Lexington Reds ended the season with identical records and finished 8.0 games behind the first place Paris Bourbons in the overall standings, with neither team reaching the playoff. In the 1922 Finals, Maysville defeated Cynthiana to win the championship.[7][3]

Continuing play in the 1923 Blue Grass League season, the Dodgers finished in as the league runner-up.[8] With a 53–44 record, the Dodgers finished in second place under manager Pat Devereaux.[9] Winchester finished just 1.0 game behind the first place Cynthiana Cobblers in the final standings of the six–team league. No playoffs were held in 1923.[9][10][3]

In their final season of play, the 1924 Winchester Dodgers finished last in the final standings.[11] With a record of 43–51 under manager George Bell in the four–team Blue Grass League, Winchester finished in fourth place, ending the season 8.0 games behind the first place Paris Boosters. No playoffs were held.[12][3] Pitcher Weldon of Winchester led the Blue Grass League with a 14-3 record.[3]

The Blue Grass League permanently folded after the 1924 season.[13] Winchester has not hosted another minor league team.[14][3]

The ballpark

Winchester teams hosted minor league home games at Garner's Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 1,000 and was noted to be near the business district in Winchester.[15] Today, "College Park" is in use as a public park, with a playing field and amenities, located at the end of Garner Street. College Park is located at 30 Wheeler Avenue.[16]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
1922–19243Winchester DodgersClass DBlue Grass LeagueGarner's Park

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
192228–365th (t)Walter Van Winkle / Howie CamnitzDid not qualify
192355–442ndPat DevereauxNo playoff held
192443–514thGeorge BellNo playoffs held

Notable alumni

References
  1. "1912 Winchester Hustlers/Nicholasville Orphans/Mount St Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1912 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  4. "1922 Winchester Dodgers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "1922 Blue Grass League (BGL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1922 Winchester Dodgers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. "Donald Terman Presents - The Blue Grass League, 1922-1924". www.dtermanpresents.com.
  8. "1923 Winchester Dodgers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1923 Winchester Dodgers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1923 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "1924 Winchester Dodgers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. "1924 Winchester Dodgers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "1924 Blue Grass League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "Winchester, Kentucky Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "Garner's Park in Winchester, KY minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. "College Park". Visit Winchester Kentucky.
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