Texas Valley League

Texas Valley League
FormerlyGulf Coast League
ClassificationIndependent (1901–1908)
Class D (1927–1928, 1938)
SportMinor League Baseball
First season1901
Ceased1938
PresidentGuy Airey (1938)
No. of teams9
CountryUnited States of America
Most titles1
Corpus Christi Seahawks (1927)
Harlingen Hubs (1938)

The Texas Valley League was a minor league baseball league that played in three different periods. The league was an Independent league from 1901 to 1908 and a Class D level league from 1927 to 1928 and in 1938. In every season of play, the Texas Valley League consisted of teams based exclusively in Texas.

History

The Texas Valley League began play as an Independent league in the 1901 season and played continuously through 1908. The exact records and teams in the seasons from 1901 to 1908 are unknown.[1][2][3]

In 1927, the Texas Valley League reformed and began play as a four–team Class D level league, evolving from the 1926 Gulf Coast League. The 1927 Texas Valley League members were the Corpus Christi Seahawks, Edinburg Bobcats, Laredo Oilers and Mission Grapefruiters. All four teams had played the previous season as the only members of the 1926 Gulf Coast League. The Texas Valley League began play on April 5, 1927, with the Corpus Christi Seahawks winning the first–half standings. Laredo won the second–half standings. Mission had the best overall record. In the Final, Corpus Christi Swept Laredo in three games.[4][5][6][7]

The Texas Valley League continued play as a four–team league in 1928 before folding. The Corpus Christi Seahawks and Mission Grapefruits were joined by teams from Brownsville, Texas and McAllen, Texas in the Class D level league, as Edinburg and Laredo had folded. The 1928 season standings are unknown. The league folded after the 1928 season.[8][9]

The Texas Valley League formed for a final season in 1938, playing as a six–team Class D level league. The Brownsville Charros, Corpus Christi Spudders, Harlingen Hubs, McAllen Packers, Refugio Oilers and Taft Cardinals teams made up the 1938 league franchises. The league president was Guy Airey. Corpus Christi won the regular season pennant with a 92–44 record, finishing 8.5 games ahead of second place Harlingen. In the first round of the playoffs, the Harlingen Hubs defeated the Taft Cardinals 3 games to 0 and the Corpus Christi Spudders defeated the Refugio Oilers 3 games to 2. In the Finals, the Harlingen Hubs won the championship, defeating Corpus Christi in a four–game sweep. The Texas Valley League permanently folded after the 1938 season.[10][11][7]

Cities represented

[7]

Standings & statistics

1901 to 1908 Texas Valley League

The standings in the 1901 to 1908 seasons are unknown.[7][12]

1927 Texas Valley League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Mission Grapefruiters 62 55 .529 – Harry Davis / Ed Marburger
Corpus Christi Seahawks 63 56 .523 0.5 Jimmy Payton
Edinburg Bobcats 57 58 .496 4.0 Roy Morton / Cam Hill
Laredo Oilers 53 66 .445 10.0 Nate Smith / Tex Wisterzil

Playoff: Corpus Christi 3 games, Laredo 0. Corpus Christi won the first half standings. Laredo won the second half standings.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Garland Orr Mission BA .372 Herbert Pyle Mission W 15
Les Mallon Mission Runs 94 Glenn Brown Corpus Christi W 15
Les Mallon Mission Hits 162 Fay Haddock Laredo SO 1.13
Jack Holloway Mission HR 17 R.S. "Red" Hill Laredo Pct .750; 12–4

[7]

1928 Texas Valley League

The 1928 Texas Valley League standings are unknown.[7][12]

1938 Texas Valley League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Corpus Christi Spudders 92 44 .677 – Rod Whitney
Harlingen Hubs 84 53 .613 8.5 Jake Atz
Taft Cardinals 68 67 .504 23.5 John Morrow / Herbert Fash
Refugio Oilers 67 67 .500 24.0 Carlisle Littlejohn
McAllen Packers 65 72 .474 27.5 Skipper Friday / Walter Kopp
Brownsville Charros 30 103 .226 60.5 Ed Konetchy / Jimmie Wilson /
Brooks Conover / Dutch Hoffman /
Vernon Deck

Playoffs: Harlingen Hubs 3 games, Taft Cardinals 0; Corpus Christi Spudders 3 games, Refugio Oilers 2.
Finals: Harlingen Hubs 4 games Corpus Christi Spudders 0.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Manuel Cortinas Corpus Christi BA .380 Gene Hinrichs Harlingen W 27
George Hausmann Corpus Christi Runs 157 Gene Hinrichs Harlingen SO 223
K. Steve Carter Harlingen Hits 207 Tom Finger Corpus Christi ERA 2.75
Manuel Cortinas Corpus Christi HR 20 Tom Finger Corpus Christi PCT .815 22–5
Leo Najo McAllen HR 20
Bill McClaren Harlingen HR 20
Kirby Jordan McAllen HR 20
Bill McClaren Harlingen RBI 151

[7]

References

  1. ^ "1901 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  2. ^ "1908 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  3. ^ "1904 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  4. ^ "1927 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  5. ^ "Stats". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  6. ^ "Stats". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  8. ^ "1928 Texas Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  9. ^ "1928 McAllen Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  10. ^ "Texas Valley League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  11. ^ "Stats". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  12. ^ a b "Texas Valley League (No Classification) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.

External links

  • Texas Valley League - Baseball Reference
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