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− | The | + | The Pensacola Fliers were a minor league AA baseball team in the [[Wikipedia:Southeastern League|Southeastern League]] . The Fliers were a farmclub of the National League [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia Phillies|Philadelphia Phillies]]. The Southeastern League consisted of teams such as the Meridian Millers, Montgomery Rebels, Jackson Senators, Vicksburg Billies, Selma Cloverleafs, Gadsden Pilots and Anniston Rams. The Fliers won the pennant in 1949 and 1950. |
− | + | The Fliers played at their home games at [[Legion Field]], a Pensacola ballpark fronting on Gregory and "H" Streets featuring a single-decked, wooden grandstand. | |
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− | + | =='''1927 Season--Pilots'''== | |
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− | + | From 1926-1930 the Southeastern League operated as a class B loop. The circuit went out of operation for the 1931 season, reformed briefly in 1932, before collapsing on May 23rd of that year. The team began as the Pilots and became a part of the league in the 1927 year coached by '''Bill Holden'''. The Pilots would go 79-73 and finish fourth in the division. | |
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− | === | + | =='''1937-38 Seasons--Pilots'''== |
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− | + | In 1937, Pensacola re-joined the Southeastern League and were revived as the Pilots with '''Frank Kitchens''' named as manager. The team won the regular season campaign with an 83-52 record but lost in the finals. In 1938, '''Wally Dashiell''' was selected manager and the team became a farm team of the [[Wikipedia:Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]]. The Pilots repeated with an even better record of 95-53 but were shocked in the first round of the playoffs. | |
− | == | + | =='''1939-42 Seasons--Pilots'''== |
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− | The | + | The Pilots changed major league affiliations to the National League [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia Phillies|Philadelphia Phillies]] organization in '39 with '''Dashiell''' at the helm. The new parent team made no difference and went 87-48, as the squad took home the championship for the first time ever. In '40, the team went 89-60 with a narrow one game miss for the division. The Pilots would eventually lose in the league finals still a Phillies affliation. In '41 Kitchens again became manager and the team slipped into fourth with a 75-67 record. Although a playoff berth, the squad exited early in the first round. The '42 team was now managed by '''Buster Chatham''', and later '''Jake Baker'''. Neither man could inspire the team as the Pilots endured their first losing season going 59-84 and a fifth place finish. The league closed up shop for the duration of World War II after the completion of the '42 season. |
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− | == | + | =='''1946-48 Seasons'''== |
− | With World War II over, the Southeastern League started anew in 1946. Now named the Fliers and an affiliate of the | + | With World War II over, the Southeastern League started anew in 1946. Now named the Fliers and an affiliate of the Washington Senators. The team was named the Fliers in honor of the pilots at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. In '47 and '48, as an independent operation, Pensacola finished in the middle of the pack. Despite still not having a major league benefactor the next year, the Fliers put together the league’s best team to date. |
− | == | + | =='''1949 Season'''== |
The Fliers posted an easy win in the Southeastern League, finishing 98-42, with a .700 win percentage, 16 games ahead of Meridian. In the playoffs, Pensacola whitewashed Jackson, four games to none, before besting Vicksburg, four games to one to win the Southeastern League championship. Later, in a matchup of Class B leagues called the Little Dixie Series, the Fliers defeated the Florida International’s Tampa franchise, four games to two. | The Fliers posted an easy win in the Southeastern League, finishing 98-42, with a .700 win percentage, 16 games ahead of Meridian. In the playoffs, Pensacola whitewashed Jackson, four games to none, before besting Vicksburg, four games to one to win the Southeastern League championship. Later, in a matchup of Class B leagues called the Little Dixie Series, the Fliers defeated the Florida International’s Tampa franchise, four games to two. | ||
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The Fliers’ pitching staff was anchored by a pair of 20-game winners - right-handers '''Alvin Henencheck''' (22-6) and '''Ken Deal''' (21-5). Left-hander '''Joe Kirkland''' (13-3) also chipped in, earning the ERA crown (1.62) while twirling six shutouts in only 18 starts. '''Hollis''' and '''Kirkland''' made the Southeastern League All-Star first team. '''Wilson''', '''Thorpe''', third baseman '''Minor Scott''' and Henencheck were named to the All-Star second team. | The Fliers’ pitching staff was anchored by a pair of 20-game winners - right-handers '''Alvin Henencheck''' (22-6) and '''Ken Deal''' (21-5). Left-hander '''Joe Kirkland''' (13-3) also chipped in, earning the ERA crown (1.62) while twirling six shutouts in only 18 starts. '''Hollis''' and '''Kirkland''' made the Southeastern League All-Star first team. '''Wilson''', '''Thorpe''', third baseman '''Minor Scott''' and Henencheck were named to the All-Star second team. | ||
− | == | + | =='''1949 Roster'''== |
Fielders: | Fielders: | ||
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Alvin Henencheck 22-6, 3.08 era; Ken Deal 21-5, 2.54; Joe Kirkland 13-3, 1.62; Bert Heffernan 12-9, 2.56; George Koval 11-8, 4.07; Bill Herring 10-3, 3.25; Francis Murray 9- 8, 3.46; Andy Elko 6-3, 3.34; Robert Galey 3-2, 4.31; Ted Beck 2-1; Vernon Horn 0-1; Tony Polink 0-1; Larry Hartley 0-0; Ben Thorpe 0-0 | Alvin Henencheck 22-6, 3.08 era; Ken Deal 21-5, 2.54; Joe Kirkland 13-3, 1.62; Bert Heffernan 12-9, 2.56; George Koval 11-8, 4.07; Bill Herring 10-3, 3.25; Francis Murray 9- 8, 3.46; Andy Elko 6-3, 3.34; Robert Galey 3-2, 4.31; Ted Beck 2-1; Vernon Horn 0-1; Tony Polink 0-1; Larry Hartley 0-0; Ben Thorpe 0-0 | ||
− | == | + | =='''1950 Season'''== |
After Pensacola won the championship in '50, the Southeastern League folded, taking the Fliers with it for the third time in 40 years. Seven years later, a team from the town joined the Class D [[Wikipedia:Alabama-Florida League|Alabama-Florida League]]. In their six-year stay (1957-62), the team won a playoff championship in 1960 and a regular season crown in 1962 as the '''Pensacola Senators'''. Following the latter, Pensacola dropped out of baseball for good until the [[Pensacola Pelicans]] in 2002. | After Pensacola won the championship in '50, the Southeastern League folded, taking the Fliers with it for the third time in 40 years. Seven years later, a team from the town joined the Class D [[Wikipedia:Alabama-Florida League|Alabama-Florida League]]. In their six-year stay (1957-62), the team won a playoff championship in 1960 and a regular season crown in 1962 as the '''Pensacola Senators'''. Following the latter, Pensacola dropped out of baseball for good until the [[Pensacola Pelicans]] in 2002. | ||
− | ==Notes== | + | =='''Special Notes'''== |
In 1929, the [[Wikipedia:New York Yankees|New York Yankees]], with star players '''Babe Ruth''' and '''Lou Gehrig''', played an exhibition game at Legion Field in March. The Yankees were playing various teams as part of a spring training tour of the South. The Yanks prevailed 12-2 in front of 3,000+ fans. | In 1929, the [[Wikipedia:New York Yankees|New York Yankees]], with star players '''Babe Ruth''' and '''Lou Gehrig''', played an exhibition game at Legion Field in March. The Yankees were playing various teams as part of a spring training tour of the South. The Yanks prevailed 12-2 in front of 3,000+ fans. | ||
− | The | + | The 1949 Pensacola Fliers, featuring a cast of unknowns, augmented by a pair of players among the minor leagues’ best, finished with the highest mark in Southeastern League history. Their story lends ammunition to the theory that a team doesn’t need a superstar to lead it to greatness. A well-balanced team featuring good hitting and pitching could accomplish the job just fine. |
In 2001, during the celebration of the centennial of the National Baseball Association, the Association commissioned baseball historians Bill Weiss and Marshall Wright to develop a list of the 100 best minor league baseball teams of all time. The 1949 Fliers ranked #67. | In 2001, during the celebration of the centennial of the National Baseball Association, the Association commissioned baseball historians Bill Weiss and Marshall Wright to develop a list of the 100 best minor league baseball teams of all time. The 1949 Fliers ranked #67. | ||
− | In 1998, Pensacola would have | + | In 1998, Pensacola would have another team with the same name, the [[Pensacola Flyers]], of the Eastern Indoor Soccer League. |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thorpbo01.shtml?redir Bob Thorpe info] | * [http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thorpbo01.shtml?redir Bob Thorpe info] | ||
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Wally_Dashiell Wally Dashiell info site] | * [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Wally_Dashiell Wally Dashiell info site] | ||
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− | [[Category:Baseball | + | [[Category:Baseball Teams]] |
+ | [[Category:Men's Sports Teams]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Sports Leagues]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Professional Sports Teams]] |