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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 SeasonThe Pensacola Journal''. March 4, 1927. p. 5. Retrieved June 2, 2019 – via [[Wikipedia:Newspapers.com|Newspapers.com]]</ref> The team's home uniform was white with black borders and featured the letter "P", while away uniforms were grey and featured the word "Fliers."<ref name=="Name" />

In 1937, Pensacola joined ===1927 season===[[Wikipedia:Bill Holden (baseball)|Bill Holden]] served as the Southeastern League. The team was named club's manager at the Fliers in honor beginning of the pilots at 1927 season but was replaced as manager by [[Wikipedia:Doc Johnston|Wheeler "Doc" Johnston]] midway through the Pensacola Naval Air Stationseason. The [[Lee Conner Hagler]] was the team won the regular season campaign with an 83's president, [[Dan Oppenheimer]] was its vice president, and [[T. M. Lloyd]] was its secretary-52 recordtreasurer.

==The team opened the season on April 11, 1927 in Columbus, Georgia against the [[Wikipedia:Columbus Foxes|Columbus Foxes]]. The Fliers won by a score of 6 to 4.<ref>"Fliers Take Opening Game From Foxes. ''The Pensacola Journal'1938 Season'''==. April 12, 1927. p. 1.</ref>

In 1938, as a farm team of the ====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" | '''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:Brooklyn DodgersBill Holden (baseball)|Brooklyn DodgersBill Holden]], the Fliers repeated with an even better record of 95-53.*Stirling Lipp*Clarence Nachand*Dick Porter|}

=='''1939 Season'''=1928 season===Doc Johnston returned as the club's manager for the 1928 season.

The ====Roster===={| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"|-! colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center;" | 1928 Pensacola Fliers changed major league affiliations to the National League |-| colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center;" | '''Opening Day Roster'''|-| valign="top" | '''Pitchers'''*"Skeets" McBride*John Clowers*"Spec" Ellis*Carlos Moore*Buster Nobles*Roy Appleton| width="25px" | | valign="top" | '''Catchers'''*[[Wikipedia:Philadelphia PhilliesJohnny Pasek|Philadelphia PhilliesJohnny Pasek]] organization. The new parent team made no difference, as the squad took home the bunting for the third straight year. *"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'''*Tommie Pyle*Dick Tangeman*Don Thomas|}

=='''1940-42 Seasons'''=1929 season===After a narrow one game miss in 1940The 1929 Fliers welcomed several major league teams to Pensacola during spring training, losing 12-2 to the Fliers slipped into [[Wikipedia:New York Yankees|New York Yankees]] on [[March 31]] and 5-2 to the second division before [[Wikipedia:History of the league closed up shop for Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]] on April 4. The team also played several spring training games against the duration barnstorming [[Wikipedia:House of World War II after the completion David (commune)|House of the 1942 seasonDavid]] team.

=='''1946 Season'''=1930 season===

With World War II over, ==Second iteration (1946-1950)==The Fliers were a minor league AA baseball team in the [[Wikipedia:Southeastern League|Southeastern started anew in League]] from 1946-1950. The Fliers, now an affiliate were a farmclub of the National League [[Wikipedia:Washington SenatorsPhiladelphia Phillies|Washington SenatorsPhiladelphia 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 yet another flagthe pennant in 1949 and 1950.

=='''1947The Fliers were preceeded by the [[Pensacola Pilots]] and played their home games at [[Legion Field]], a Pensacola ballpark fronting on Gregory and "H" Streets featuring a single-48 Seasons''decked, wooden grandstand. The Fliers fit into Pensacola'==s professional baseball heritage with the [[Pensacola Pilots]], [[Pensacola Dons]], [[Pensacola Angels]], [[Pensacola Senators]], [[Pensacola Pelicans]], and currently the [[Pensacola Blue Wahoos]].

==With World War II over, the Southeastern League started anew in 1946. Now named the Fliers and an affiliate of the [[Wikipedia:Washington Senators|Washington Senators]] . The team was named the Fliers in honor of the pilots at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. In '47 and ''1949 Season'''==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.

The ’49 Fliers were managed by 36-year-old Bill Herring. A long-time minor leaguer, Herring spent much of his career posted an easy win in the Coastal Plain Southeastern League, both as finishing 98-42, with a pitcher and manager.700 win percentage, 16 games ahead of Meridian. In 1941the playoffs, Pensacola whitewashed Jackson, four games to none, he managed the Wilson Tobs before besting Vicksburg, four games to one to a place on win the top 100 listSoutheastern League championship. After stops in Portland (PCL) and Goldsboro (Coastal Plain)Later, Herring signed on to manage Pensacola in 1949. In addition to piloting a matchup of Class B leagues called the clubLittle Dixie Series, Herring contributed from the mound, winning 10-of-13 decisions. After Fliers defeated the seasonFlorida International’s Tampa franchise, he returned four games to familiar stomping grounds in the Coastal Plain, managing Wilson in 1950two.

Pensacola featured two players who The ’49 Fliers were legends in minor league baseball in the Southeastern United States, 43managed by 36-year-old first baseman '''Bill McGhee and outfielder Nesbit (Neb) WilsonHerring'''. McGhee was in A long-time minor leaguer, Herring spent much of his 21st year career in pro ball the Coastal Plain League, both as a pitcher and had been manager. In 1941, he managed the Wilson Tobs to a wartime player with place on the [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]], batting top 100 list.272 After stops in 170 games Portland (PCL) and Goldsboro (Coastal Plain), '''Herring''' signed on to manage Pensacola in 1944-451949. He played all but 79 of his 2In addition to piloting the club,292 minor league games below Herring contributed from the Masonmound, winning 10-Dixon Lineof-13 decisions. He had a .321 career average with 2After the season,791 hits, but was not a power hitter, recording just 45 home runs. As playing manager at Gadsen he returned to familiar stomping grounds in 1947the Coastal Plain, he had led managing the Southeastern League Tobs in batting (.349)1950.

Pensacola featured two players who were legends in minor league baseball in the Southeastern United States, 43-year-old first baseman '''Bill McGhee''' and outfielder '''Nesbit (Neb) Wilson, then 26, '''. '''McGhee''' was in his 21st year in pro ball and had been a career which also spanned 21 years (1940wartime player with the Philadelphia Athletics, batting .272 in 170 games in 1944-60), 45. He played all but parts 79 of two seasons in his 2,292 minor league games below the SouthMason-Dixon Line. He had a .326 321 career average with 2,369 791 hits including 329 homers, but was not a power hitter, recording just 45 home runs. Wilson played four years with Pensacola (As playing manager at Gadsen in 1947-50), leading he had led the Southeastern League in RBI (129) in 1947 and hits (165) and total bases (254) in 1949, then winning the triple crown in 1950 batting (.355-35-163349). He won three more batting titles, with a high mark of .403 as player-manager of Crestview in the [[Wikipedia:Alabama-Florida League|Alabama-Florida League]] in 1955. He led his league in RBI five times and in homers and doubles four times each.

Aside from McGhee'''Wilson''', then 26, had a career which also spanned 21 years (1940-60), all but parts of two seasons in the only other Flier who reached South. He had a .326 career average with 2,369 hits including 329 homers. '''Wilson''' played four years with Pensacola (1947-50), leading the majors was outfielder Benjamin Southeastern League in RBI (Bob129) Thorpe in 1947 and hits (165) and total bases (254) in 1949, then winning the triple crown in 1950 (.275355-1535-96163). He won three more batting titles, who hit with a high mark of .251 403 as player-manager of Crestview in 110 games for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves [[Wikipedia:Alabama-Florida League|Alabama-Florida League]] in 1951-531955. Second baseman Jack Hollis (.315) played three seasons for the Los Angeles Angels He led his league in RBI five times and in the Pacific Coast Leaguehomers and doubles four times each.

The fact that so few Pensacola players made Aside from '''McGhee''', the only other Flier who reached the big leagues majors was not unique for the eraoutfielder '''Bob Thorpe''' (. In 1949, minor league baseball was at its height with 59 leagues operating275-15-close to 1096),000 minor league players competing who hit .251 in 110 games for a spot on one of 16 major league teamsthe Boston/Milwaukee Braves in 1951-53. Second baseman '''Jack Hollis''' (. In addition, 315) played three seasons for the Fliers were an independent outfit, not affiliated with any big league team that could conceivably pull its players up Los Angeles Angels in the ladderPacific Coast League.

The Fliers’ pitching staff fact that so few Pensacola players made the big leagues was anchored by not unique for the era. In 1949, minor league baseball was at its height with 59 leagues operating--close to 10,000 minor league players competing for a pair spot on one of 20-game winners - right-handers Alvin Henencheck (22-6) and Ken Deal (21-5)16 major league teams. Left-hander Joe Kirkland (13-3) also chipped inIn addition, the Fliers were an independent outfit, earning not affiliated with any big league team that could conceivably pull its players up the ERA crown (1.62) while twirling six shutouts in only 18 startsladder.

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''', 3B third baseman '''Minor Scott ''' and Henencheck were named to the All-Star second team.

=='''==1949 Roster'''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)  

Pitchers:

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 pennant championship in 1950'50, 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.

=='''Special Notes'''==

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. 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 '''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 1998, Pensacola would have another team several teams with the same name, the : The [[Pensacola Flyers]], of the Eastern Indoor Soccer Leaguein 1998, and the [[Pensacola Ice Flyers]] of the Southern Professional Hockey League whose first season is 2009-2010.

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