Wink Spudders

The Wink Spudders were a minor league baseball team based in Wink, Texas. In 1937 and 1938, the Spudders played exclusively as members of the Class D level West Texas-New Mexico League, winning the 1937 league championship. Wink hosted minor league home games at Spudder Park.

Wink Spudders
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1937–1938)
LeagueWest Texas-New Mexico League (1937–1938)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1937
Conference titles (1)1937
Wild card berths (1)1938
Team data
NameWink Spudders (1937–1938)
BallparkSpudder Park (1937–1938)

History

Minor league baseball began in Wink, Texas in 1937. The Wink "Spudders" became charter members of the six–team Class D level West Texas-New Mexico League. The Hobbs Drillers, Midland Cardinals, Monahans Trojans, Odessa Oilers and Roswell Sunshiners teams joined with Wink as charter league members.[1][2]

The Wink use "Spudders" moniker corresponds to local potato industry and agriculture in Wink, Texas in the era.[3][4]

In their first season of play, the Wink Spudders won the West Texas-New Mexico League pennant and championship. Wink began play in the West Texas-New Mexico League on May 4, 1937 and finished the season with a record of 68–50, playing under managers D.E. Perry and Joe Tate. Wink placed first overall in the league regular season standings, finishing 12.5 games ahead the second place Roswell Sunshiners. The final overall regular season standings were led Wink, followed by the Roswell Sunshiners (55–62), Monahans Trojans (55–64) and Hobbs Drillers (45–74). The Odessa Oilers (28–17) and Midland Cardinals (41–25) franchises both folded before the end of the season. In the first round of the playoffs, Wink swept the Hobbs Drillers in 3 games to advance. In the Finals, Wink defeated the Roswell Sunshiners 3 games to 0 to win the championship.[5][6][7] Robert Hood of Wink had a Triple Crown season, leading the West Texas-New Mexico League with a .372 average, 30 home runs and 140 RBI. Teammate Red Hay led the league with 18 wins and a 3.97 ERA.[5]

In 1938, the Wink Spudders played their final minor league season. Continuing play in the six–team West Texas-New Mexico League, Wink placed fourth in the final regular season standings and qualified for the playoffs.[8][9] The Spudders finished the season with a record of 63–65, playing under returning manager Joe Tate. Wink finished 16.0 games behind the first place Lubbock Hubbers in the final standings. In the 1st round of the playoffs, Lubbock swept Wink in 3 games.[5][8][9] Pitcher Red Roberts of Wink led the West Texas-New Mexico League with a 3.08 ERA.[5]

After the 1938 season, the Wink Spudders franchise permanently folded as the 1939 West Texas-New Mexico League expanded to eight teams without Wink.[5] Wink, Texas has not hosted another minor league team.[10]

The ballpark

The Wink Spudders teams hosted minor league home games at Spudder Park.[11] The ballpark site is still in use today as a public park called Winkler County Park. Winkler Park is located on NW 2nd Street, Wink, Texas.[12]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
1937–19382Wink SpuddersClass DWest Texas-New Mexico LeagueSpudder Park

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
193768–501stD.E. Perry / Joe TateLeague champions
193863–654thJoe TateLost 1st round

Notable alumni

References
  1. "1937 West Texas-New Mexico League (WTNML) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. "1937 West Texas-New Mexico League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. "Winkler | Texas AgriLife Extension Service". winkler.agrilife.org.
  4. Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011. McFarland. 26 February 2013. ISBN 9780786468447.
  5. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  6. "1937 Wink Spudders minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1937 Wink Spudders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1938 Wink Spudders minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "1938 Wink Spudders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "Wink, Texas Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "Spudder Park in Wink, TX minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "Winkler County Park Walking and Running - Texas, USA | Pacer". www.mypacer.com.
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