Louisville Colonels

The Louisville Colonels were a baseball team that played in the American Association until 1891, first as the Louisville Eclipse (1882- 1884) and later as the Louisville Colonels (1885 -1891).

Related Topics:
Baseball - American Association - 1891

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In 1892 the team moved to the National League where they played until 1899. The Colonels won a pennant in the AA and had one playoff appearance.

Related Topics:
1892 - National League - 1899

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Some notable Colonels players

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• Pete Browning (outfielder)
• Fred Clarke (outfielder-manager)
• Harry Davis (first baseman-manager)
• Jerry Denny (third baseman)
• Jack Glasscock (shortstop)
• Hughie Jennings (shortstop)
• Honus Wagner (shortstop)
• Rube Waddell (pitcher)

Hall of Fame

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In the 20th century, the Louisville Colonels has been the name of several minor league baseball teams in Louisville. In 1909 the Colonels won the American Association pennant, as they also did in 1921, 1925, 1926 and 1930 while featuring players such as Joe McCarthy, Billy Herman and Earle Combs; Combs hit .344 in 1923 and .380 in 1924 before joining the New York Yankees in 1925. Pee Wee Reese was a rookie with the 1938 Colonels. The Colonels were one of few minor league teams to play throughout World War II and they won pennants in 1944 and 1945. In 1944 the Colonels played in the Junior World Series against Baltimore and the game drew attendance of 52,833 - 16,265 more than any single World Series game that year. In 1946 the Colonels played a role in the desegregation of baseball when they faced the Montreal Royals and Jackie Robinson in the 1946 Junior World Series. Sadly, Robinson later recalled his appearance in Louisville as among his worst experiences with hostile crowds. Through the 1940s and 1950s the Colonels were part of the Boston Red Sox farm system, and they won the pennant in 1954 but the Red Sox transferred its farm team to San Francisco after the 1955 season.

Related Topics:
20th century - American Association - Joe McCarthy - Billy Herman - Earle Combs - New York Yankees - Pee Wee Reese - World War II - Baltimore - World Series - Montreal Royals - Jackie Robinson - Boston Red Sox - San Francisco

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Starting in 1956 the Colonels were affiliated with the Washington Senators. They moved to Fairgrounds Stadium in 1957. In 1959 the Colonels became affiliated with the Milwaukee Braves. They won (in 1960) one of three appearances in the Junior World Series in that time, but in 1962 the American Association folded.

Related Topics:
Washington Senators - Milwaukee Braves - American Association

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In 1968 Walter J. Dilbeck purchased the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League and moved them to Louisville, renaming them the Colonels. This last Louisville Colonels team played in the minor league International League until the 1972 when they were relocated to Pawtucket, Rhode Island and became known as the Pawtucket Red Sox. During this last incarnation, stars included Carlton Fisk, Dwight Evans and Cecil Cooper. The franchise came to an end when the Kentucky State Fair Board announced that their stadium would be renovated for football. Ironically, baseball returned to Louisville when the same stadium was renovated for baseball in 1981 and the Springfield Redbirds came to Louisville as the Louisville Redbirds, setting minor league attendance records and outdrawing several major league teams including the nearby Cincinnati Reds in some years.

Related Topics:
International League - Minor league - 1972 - Pawtucket, Rhode Island - Pawtucket Red Sox - Carlton Fisk - Dwight Evans - Cecil Cooper - Cincinnati Reds

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Louisville Colonels: External links ►