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The '''Pensacola Fliers were a minor league AA baseball team in ''' was the Southeastern League. The Fliers were a farmclub name of the National League two [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia PhilliesSoutheastern League|Philadelphia PhilliesSoutheastern League]]. The Southeastern League consisted of baseball teams such as the Meridian Millers, Montgomery Rebels, Jackson Senators, Vicksburg Billies, Selma Cloverleafs, Gadsden Pilots and Anniston Rams. The Fliers won which called Pensacola home during the pennant in 195020th century.

The Fliers played at their home games at [[Legion Field]], ==First iteration (1927-1930)==Pensacola was granted a Southeastern League team for the 1927 season. Team organizers held a Pensacola ballpark fronting on Gregory contest to name the team and announced in March 1927 the winning name, the "HFliers," Streets featuring a single-decked, wooden grandstandsubmitted by Frank Goodmar. =<ref name="Name">[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32194877/ "'Fliers'is Selected As Local Ball Club's Name"]. '1937 Season'The Pensacola Journal''==. March 4, 1927. p. 5. Retrieved June 2, 2019 – via [[Wikipedia:Newspapers.com|Newspapers.com]]</ref>

In 1937, Pensacola joined the Southeastern League. The team 's home uniform was named white with black borders and featured the letter "P", while away uniforms were grey and featured the word "Fliers in honor of the pilots at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The team won the regular season campaign with an 83-52 record. "<ref name="Name" />

===1927 season===[[Wikipedia:Bill Holden (baseball)|Bill Holden]] served as the club's manager at the beginning of the 1927 season but was replaced as manager by [[Wikipedia:Doc Johnston|Wheeler "Doc" Johnston]] midway through the season. [[Lee Conner Hagler]] was the team''1938 Season'''==s president, [[Dan Oppenheimer]] was its vice president, and [[T. M. Lloyd]] was its secretary-treasurer.

In 1938The team opened the season on April 11, as a farm team of 1927 in Columbus, Georgia against the [[Wikipedia:Brooklyn DodgersColumbus Foxes|Brooklyn DodgersColumbus Foxes]], the . The Fliers repeated with an even better record won by a score of 95-536 to 4.<ref>"Fliers Take Opening Game From Foxes. ''The Pensacola Journal''. April 12, 1927. p. 1.</ref>

====Roster===={| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"|-! colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center;" | 1927 Pensacola Fliers|-| colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center;" | '''Opening Day Roster'''|-| valign="top" | '1939 Season''Pitchers'''*Bill Glass*Dewey Hand*"Red" Herring*"Chuck" Nossett*Bill Polanski*Paul Stone*"Lefty" Strong*Tony Thielen| width="25px" | | valign="top" | '''Catchers'''*Lib Bradley*[[Wikipedia:Johnny Pasek|Johnny Pasek]]*Ed Scholls'''Infielders'''*"Hoot" Gibson*"Red" Griffin*Bill Ploger*Ray Quassius*Hoddy Reis| width="25px" | | valign="top" | '''Outfielders'''*[[Wikipedia:Bill Holden (baseball)|Bill Holden]]*Stirling Lipp*Clarence Nachand*Dick Porter|}

The Fliers changed major league affiliations to the National League [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia Phillies|Philadelphia Phillies]] organization. The new parent team made no difference, ===1928 season===Doc Johnston returned as the squad took home the bunting club's manager for the third straight year1928 season.

====Roster===={| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"|-! colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center;" | 1928 Pensacola Fliers|-| colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center;" | '''Opening Day Roster'1940''|-42 Seasons| valign="top" | '''Pitchers'''*"Skeets" McBride*John Clowers*"Spec" Ellis*Carlos Moore*Buster Nobles*Roy Appleton| width="25px" | | valign="top" | '''Catchers'''*[[Wikipedia:Johnny Pasek|Johnny Pasek]]*"Pop" Kitchens*Jeff Fincher'''Infielders'''*[[Wikipedia:Doc Johnston|Doc Johnston]]*Sam Tangeman*[[Wikipedia:Wally Dashiell|Wally Dashiell]]*Joe Longnecker*Otto Lind*Aaron Brisk| width="25px" | | valign="top" | '''Outfielders'''After a narrow one game miss in 1940, the Fliers slipped into the second division before the league closed up shop for the duration of World War II after the completion of the 1942 season.*Tommie Pyle*Dick Tangeman*Don Thomas|}

=='''1946 Season'''=1929 season===The 1929 Fliers welcomed several major league teams to Pensacola during spring training, losing 12-2 to the [[Wikipedia:New York Yankees|New York Yankees]] on [[March 31]] and 5-2 to the [[Wikipedia:History of the Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]] on April 4. The team also played several spring training games against the barnstorming [[Wikipedia:House of David (commune)|House of David]] team.

=='''1947Second iteration (1946-48 Seasons'''1950)==The Fliers were a minor league AA baseball team in the [[Wikipedia:Southeastern League|Southeastern League]] from 1946-1950. 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.

In 1947 The Fliers were preceeded by the [[Pensacola Pilots]] and 1948played their home games at [[Legion Field]], as an independent operationa Pensacola ballpark fronting on Gregory and "H" Streets featuring a single-decked, wooden grandstand. The Fliers fit into Pensacola finished in 's professional baseball heritage with the middle of the pack. Despite still not having a major league benefactor the next year[[Pensacola Pilots]], [[Pensacola Dons]], [[Pensacola Angels]], [[Pensacola Senators]], [[Pensacola Pelicans]], and currently the Fliers put together the league’s best team to date[[Pensacola Blue Wahoos]].

=='''1949 Season'''=1946-48 seasons===

The Fliers posted an easy win in With World War II over, the Southeastern League, finishing 98-42, with a started anew in 1946.700 win percentage, 16 games ahead Now named the Fliers and an affiliate of Meridianthe [[Wikipedia:Washington Senators|Washington Senators]] . In The team was named the Fliers in honor of the pilots at the playoffs, Pensacola whitewashed JacksonNaval Air Station. In '47 and '48, four games to noneas an independent operation, before besting Vicksburg, four games to one to win Pensacola finished in the middle of the championshippack. Later, in Despite still not having a matchup of Class B leagues called major league benefactor the Little Dixie Seriesnext year, the Fliers defeated put together the Florida International’s Tampa franchise, four games league’s best team to twodate.

The ’49 Fliers were managed by 36-year-old Bill Herring. A long-time minor leaguer, Herring spent much of his career in the Coastal Plain League, both as a pitcher and manager. In 1941, he managed the Wilson Tobs to a place on the top 100 list. After stops in Portland (PCL) and Goldsboro (Coastal Plain), Herring signed on to manage Pensacola in ===1949. In addition to piloting the club, Herring contributed from the mound, winning 10-of-13 decisions. After the season, he returned to familiar stomping grounds in the Coastal Plain, managing Wilson in 1950.===

Pensacola featured two players who were legends in minor league baseball The Fliers posted an easy win in the Southeastern United StatesLeague, 43finishing 98-year-old first baseman Bill McGhee and outfielder Nesbit (Neb) Wilson42, with a . McGhee was in his 21st year in pro ball and had been a wartime player with the [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]]700 win percentage, batting .272 in 170 16 games in 1944-45ahead of Meridian. He played all but 79 of his 2,292 minor league games below In the Mason-Dixon Line. He had a .321 career average with 2playoffs,791 hitsPensacola whitewashed Jackson, but was not a power hitterfour games to none, recording just 45 home runs. As playing manager at Gadsen in 1947before besting Vicksburg, he had led four games to one to win the Southeastern League championship. Later, in batting (.349)a matchup of Class B leagues called the Little Dixie Series, the Fliers defeated the Florida International’s Tampa franchise, four games to two.

Wilson, then 26, had a career which also spanned 21 years (1940The ’49 Fliers were managed by 36-year-old '''Bill Herring'''. A long-60)time minor leaguer, all but parts Herring spent much of two seasons his career in the South. He had Coastal Plain League, both as a pitcher and manager.326 career average with 2In 1941,369 hits including 329 homers. he managed the Wilson played four years with Pensacola (1947-50), leading Tobs to a place on the Southeastern League top 100 list. After stops in RBI Portland (129PCL) in 1947 and hits Goldsboro (165) and total bases (254Coastal Plain) , '''Herring''' signed on to manage Pensacola in 1949. In addition to piloting the club, Herring contributed from the mound, then winning the triple crown in 1950 (.35510-35of-163)13 decisions. He won three more batting titlesAfter the season, with a high mark of .403 as player-manager of Crestview he returned to familiar stomping grounds in the [[Wikipedia:Alabama-Florida League|Alabama-Florida League]] Coastal Plain, managing the Tobs in 1955. He led his league in RBI five times and in homers and doubles four times each1950.

Aside from McGhee, the only other Flier Pensacola featured two players who reached were legends in minor league baseball in the majors was Southeastern United States, 43-year-old first baseman '''Bill McGhee''' and outfielder Benjamin '''Nesbit (BobNeb) Thorpe (Wilson'''.275-15-96)'''McGhee''' was in his 21st year in pro ball and had been a wartime player with the Philadelphia Athletics, who hit batting .251 272 in 110 170 games for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves in 19511944-5345. Second baseman Jack Hollis (.315) He played three seasons for all but 79 of his 2,292 minor league games below the Los Angeles Angels Mason-Dixon Line. He had a .321 career average with 2,791 hits, but was not a power hitter, recording just 45 home runs. As playing manager at Gadsen in 1947, he had led the Pacific Coast Southeastern Leaguein batting (.349).

The fact that so few '''Wilson''', then 26, had a career which also spanned 21 years (1940-60), all but parts of two seasons in the South. He had a .326 career average with 2,369 hits including 329 homers. '''Wilson''' played four years with Pensacola players made (1947-50), leading the big leagues was not unique for Southeastern League in RBI (129) in 1947 and hits (165) and total bases (254) in 1949, then winning the eratriple crown in 1950 (. In 1949, minor league baseball was at its height with 59 leagues operating355-35-close to 10163). He won three more batting titles,000 minor league players competing for with a spot on one high mark of 16 major league teams. In addition, 403 as player-manager of Crestview in the Fliers were an independent outfit, not affiliated with any big [[Wikipedia:Alabama-Florida League|Alabama-Florida League]] in 1955. He led his league team that could conceivably pull its players up the ladderin RBI five times and in homers and doubles four times each.

The Fliers’ pitching staff Aside from '''McGhee''', the only other Flier who reached the majors was anchored by a pair of 20-game winners - right-handers Alvin Henencheck outfielder '''Bob Thorpe''' (22.275-6) and Ken Deal (2115-596), who hit . Left-hander Joe Kirkland (13-3) also chipped 251 in, earning 110 games for the ERA crown Boston/Milwaukee Braves in 1951-53. Second baseman '''Jack Hollis''' (1.62315) while twirling six shutouts played three seasons for the Los Angeles Angels in only 18 startsthe Pacific Coast League.

Hollis and Kirkland The fact that so few Pensacola players made the Southeastern League Allbig leagues was not unique for the era. In 1949, minor league baseball was at its height with 59 leagues operating-Star first team-close to 10,000 minor league players competing for a spot on one of 16 major league teams. WilsonIn addition, Thorpethe Fliers were an independent outfit, 3B Minor Scott and Henencheck were named to not affiliated with any big league team that could conceivably pull its players up the All-Star second teamladder.

==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 '''1949 RosterMinor Scott'''and Henencheck were named to the All-Star second team.  ====1949 roster====

Bill McGhee (1B) .287 batting avg., Jack Hollis (2B) .315, Jimmy Williams (SS) .230, Minor Scott (3B) .277, Neb Wilson (OF) .324, Charles Weathers (OF) .292, Bob Thorpe (OF) .275, Charles Ehlman (C) .265, John McAnulty (SS) .221, Pierce McWhorter (C) .301, Jim Blair (1B) .310, Norman Wilson (C) .308, Rusty Morgan (3B) .333, John Dempsey (OF) .293, George Fisher (1B) .209, Robert Lyons (2B), Curtis Salyer (IF)

After Pensacola won the pennant in ===1950, 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..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 ''Special Notes'Pensacola Senators''=='. Following the latter, Pensacola dropped out of baseball for good until the [[Pensacola Pelicans]] in 2002.

The In 1929, the [[Wikipedia:New York Yankees|New York Yankees]], with star players '''Babe Ruth ''' and '''Lou Gehrig''', played an exhibition game against the Fliers at Legion Field in March of 1929. 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 2001The '''1949 Pensacola Fliers''', during the celebration featuring a cast of the centennial unknowns, augmented by a pair of players among the National Baseball Associationminor leagues’ best, finished with the Association commissioned baseball historians Bill Weiss and Marshall Wright highest mark in Southeastern League history. Their story lends ammunition to develop the theory that a team doesn’t need a list of superstar to lead it to greatness. A well-balanced team featuring good hitting and pitching could accomplish the 100 best minor league baseball teams of all time. The 1949 Fliers ranked #67job just fine.

In 19982001, Pensacola would have another team with during the same namecelebration of the centennial of the National Baseball Association, the [[Pensacola Flyers]], Association commissioned baseball historians Bill Weiss and Marshall Wright to develop a list of the Eastern Indoor Soccer League100 best minor league baseball teams of all time. The 1949 Fliers ranked #67.

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeastern_League Southeastern League Info Siteinfo site]