The Connecticut League , also known as the Connecticut State League , was a professional baseball association of teams in the state of Connecticut . The league began as offshoot of the original Connecticut State League, which dates back as far as 1884. In 1891, the Connecticut State League included the Ansonia Cuban Giants , a team made up of entirely African-American ballplayers, including future Hall of Famers Frank Grant and Sol White . In 1902, it was a Class D league with teams in eight cities. In 1905, the league became Class B , which lasted until 1913, when the league became the Eastern Association due to several teams outside of the state entering the league. Also a Class B league, it survived two more seasons, then folded after the 1914 season.
67-1572: 1884 Connecticut State League Willimantic expelled September 3. The league played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays 1885 Connecticut State League (Continuation of the Southern New England League ) New Britain disbanded September 8 1888 Connecticut State League President: J. Howard Taylor Bridgeport transferred to Stamford in May, then disbanded June 27. Danbury disbanded June 5. The league disbanded July 25. 1891 Connecticut State League President: A.W. Lang Hartford disbanded June 10; Portland disbanded June 10. 1894 Connecticut State League Standings unknown 1895 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke 1896 Connecticut State League President: D.W. Porter (aka Naugatuck Valley State League) 1897 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock 1898 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock New Britain disbanded June 23. Derby disbanded June 25. 1899 Connecticut State League - schedule President: Tim Murnane No Playoffs. 1900 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs. 1901 Connecticut State League President: Tim Murnane No Playoffs. 1902 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs. 1903 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs: 12 Holyoke games (8-4) were deducted after
134-591: A 47–47 record. In the final 1901 New England League standings, Lowell finished 9.0 games behind the first place Portland team as the league held no playoffs. The Tigers played the season under manager/owner Fred Lake, who began a five-season tenure with the team. Pitcher Frank Willis was obtained after the Bangor franchise folded on July 6, 1901 and led the New England league with both 18 victories and 160 strikeouts. The Lowell Tigers played their second season as members as
201-724: A League Alliance contest. Galvin pitched Pittsburgh to a 3–2 win over Lowell in the game. After the New England League season had completed, in November 1877, the Lowell Ladies Men defeated the major leagues ' National League champion Boston Red Caps 9–4 in an exhibition contest. Continuing minor league play in 1878, the Lowell "Lowells" played the season as members of the International Association . The Lowells ended
268-756: A dispute between the two, Bannwart fired Lake in August and named himself as manager of the Tigers for the remainder of the season. In 1907, Bannwart built a new ballpark for the team in the center of town and continued serving as the team's manager. In 1907 Fred Lake did not return as manager, as he played for the Little Rock Travelers and became a scout for the Boston Red Sox . Lake was credited for discovering future Boston Red Sox stars Tris Speaker , Smokey Joe Wood , Harry Hooper and Bill Carrigan in his time as
335-425: A game for ten days, so I'm going to call you Al Winn. Then maybe we can beat somebody," Lake reportedly said to his new player. From July 7 to 13, after joining the team, Bannwart batted 3-for-16 (.188) in the lineup. When the sale of the team was put up to prospective oners, Bannwart then bought the Tigers franchise. On July 20, 1906, Bannwart purchased the franchise for $ 500 ($ 16,956 in current dollars). Following
402-591: A major league organization. Four of the six 1945 teams made the crossover: the Pawtucket Slaters (Boston Braves), Lynn Red Sox (Boston Red Sox), Cranston Chiefs (independent) and Lawrence Millionaires (independent). They were joined by the Manchester Giants (New York Giants), Nashua Dodgers (Brooklyn Dodgers) and two other independent teams: the Portland Gulls and Fall River Indians . Its most notable member,
469-458: A salary of $ 2,000. Duffy's .440 average in 1894 for the Boston Beaneaters remains the major league record. The 1888 Lowell "Chippies" won the New England League championship. The Chippies ended the 1888 season with a record of 51-36, placing first in the New England League. Jim Cudworth served as manager. Lowell finished the season 3.5 games ahead of the second place Worcester Grays in
536-493: A scout. The Lowell Tigers moved to a new ballpark for the 1907, a facility spearheaded by owner Alexander Bannwart. The team began play at in Washington Park, a 3,500-seat ballpark. Washington Park was located near the downtown Lowell train station. Construction costs for the new park were estimated at $ 10,400. The Lowell Tigers were led by returning owner/manager Alexander Bannwart in 1907. The Lowell Tigers placed sixth in
603-435: A semi–pro league with eight franchises. Many players were in the military assigned to nearby bases, including some major league players (often playing under an assumed name). Football Hall of Famer, Major League umpire and NBA coach Hank Soar sometimes played for Pawtucket. Pawtucket's best pitcher in 1945 was once and future major league pitcher Randy Gumpert , pitching under the alias "Ralph Wilson". The teams in 1941 were
670-446: A team during the season. On May 29, 1899, Cambridge (3-13) moved to Lowell. The team then disbanded on June 1, 1899. The Cambridge/Lowell "Orphans" of the Class F level New England League ended the 1899 season with a record of 4 wins and 16 losses. George Spalding served as manager. The team finished the season as a semi-pro team and had success with future player/manager/owner Fred Lake on
737-616: The Brooklyn Dodgers – were the first 20th century leagues (other than the Negro leagues ) to permit African-Americans to play. The following season, Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby would integrate the major leagues. In 1877 a non–classified league first called the "New England League" played with the Fall River Casscades , Lowell Ladies Men , Lynn Live Oaks , Manchester Reds and Rhode Islands as members. The New England League
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#1732891116575804-639: The Cincinnati Reds , and the Fall River Indians had the same arrangement with the Chicago White Sox . The still independent Lawrence Millionaires cancelled their home game against Pawtucket on July 14 and became the Lowell "Stars" the following day playing in Pawtucket, wearing the uniforms of a popular semi-pro team of the same name. A name-the-team contest never panned out, and the press began calling
871-526: The Nashua Dodgers , was a Brooklyn farm club where, in 1946, African-American players and future Dodger greats Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella made their debuts as part of the handful of men who broke the baseball color line . The players succeeded on the field and were very complimentary in remarks about their Nashua experience in later years. In 1947 the Cranston Chiefs had a working agreement with
938-603: The New Bedford Whalers (which relocated to Cranston, Rhode Island on July 31), Pawtucket Slaters, Lynn Frasers, Worcester Nortons, Woonsocket Marquettes, Quincy Shipbuilders, Fall River , and Manchester (New Hampshire) Dexters. Pawtucket won the championship. 1942 saw seven teams take the field but one, the Fitchburg Blue Sox, dropped out early in the season. Pawtucket, Lynn, Manchester, Worcester, Quincy and Woonsocket all returned and Pawtucket again won
1005-522: The Philadelphia Phillies , Boston Braves , New York Black Yankees , and in other years teams such as the Havana All-Stars, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees , Boston Colored Giants, House of David and the Brooklyn Dodgers . In 1946 with the postwar baseball boom, the New England League was restored to an "affiliated" eight–team Class B level circuit, but only half the teams had ties to
1072-580: The Taunton Tigers and finished in a distant last place in the eight–team league. After compiling a 4–36 record while in Taunton, the Lowell/Taunton team finished with an overall record of 28–82 to place eighth in the eight-team league. Playing the season under managers Bill Connors and George Grant, Lowell/Taunton finished 41.5 games behind the first place Concord Marines . In 1906, despite relocating in
1139-586: The war , the League operated with just four teams. Pawtucket, Woonsocket and Quincy were back, joined by the Providence Frigates of Cranston. Providence, which defeated Pawtucket for the championship in 1943, changed ballparks in 1944, moving from Cranston Stadium to Municipal Stadium in Central Falls, Rhode Island . Joining them were Pawtucket, Lynn, Woonsocket and Quincy. Lynn bested Pawtucket 3 games to 2 for
1206-423: The 1877 New England Association season ended on October 15, 1877. The New England Association folded after the 1877 season. The Lowell and Fall River teams had also been members of the 1877 League Alliance agreement. Lowell finished 12–3 in the alliance contests. On June 12, 1877, future Baseball Hall of Fame member Pud Galvin pitched for the International Association member Pittsburgh Alleghenies in
1273-408: The 1903 season, Graham hit .240 in 89 games with seven triples. Continuing minor league baseball play, the 1903 Lowell Tigers won the New England League championship under owner and manager Fred Lake. The Tigers placed first in the eight–team, Class B level New England League standings with a final record of 74–41. Lowell finished 4.5 games ahead of the second place Nashua team and 45.5 games ahead of
1340-509: The 1906 season, the Lowell franchise was changed when manager Fred Lake gave Alexander Bannwart , a recent Princeton College graduate, a try-out for the team during the season and signed Bannwart to the team. Later in the season, the player Bannwart bought the team and ultimately replaced Lake as manager. The Tigers had been in a ten-game losing streak before Bannwart joined the team, and manager Fred Lake decided to call him "Al Winn." (some references use this name for Bannwart). "We haven't won
1407-873: The 1944 championship. In 1945, Cranston returned to the fold joining Pawtucket and Lynn, the return of the Worcester Nortons and two new teams: the New London Diesels and the Lawrence, Massachusetts based Lawrence Millionaires . The Cranston Firesafes defeated Pawtucket for the championship, 4 games to 1. From 1941 to 1945 the member teams regularly played exhibition matches against teams from other leagues. Major league teams, Negro league teams, famous barnstorming teams and military teams all found their way into New England League ballparks. For example, Pawtucket, with once and future major league players such as Danny MacFayden , Bob Whitcher , Ted Olson and Ed Murphy, hosted
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#17328911165751474-501: The Class B level New England League in 1902. Construction of Spalding Field was completed, and the Tigers began play at the new ballpark. Lowell finished the season in sixth place in the eight-team league. With a 52–59 record under manager Fred Lake, the Tigers ended the season 22.5 games behind the first place Manchester team in the final standings. In 1903, Moonlight Graham played for the league champion Lowell Tigers. Graham later became
1541-506: The International Association 1878 season with a record of 15–20, placing sixth in the twelve-team International Association final standings. Josiah Butler returned as manager and Lowell finished 9.0 games behind the first place Buffalo Bisons . The league did not return to play in 1979. Curry Foley played for Lowell in both the 1877 and 1878 seasons and subsequently advanced to the major leagues. On May 25, 1882, Foley became
1608-459: The Magicians, who rejoined the New England League after an eight-season hiatus. The Magicians ended the 1887 season with a record of 71–33, finishing first in the New England League. The Lowell Magicians ended the New England League season 3.0 games ahead of the second place Portland team in the final standings of the eight-team league, which had reduced to six teams to end the season. Bill McGunnigle
1675-572: The NEL returned in 1926 with eight clubs in the region's mill towns, but the Great Depression devastated the minor leagues, and the NEL was no exception: it disbanded June 22, 1930 . A 1933 revival was followed the next season by a name change to the Northeastern League – and another shutdown that would last through the 1940 baseball season. The New England League was revived in May 1941 as
1742-461: The NEL was graded Class B, at that time two levels below major league status, equivalent to Class AA today. Disruption caused by the outlaw Federal League and the coming of World War I caused the loop to reorganize in 1916 as the Eastern League , ending the NEL's most long-lived period of operation. The league attempted to revive in 1919 , then closed down in early August. Seven years later,
1809-743: The New England League, played as members of the 1877 League Alliance , 1878 International Association , 1889 Atlantic Association and 1887, 1895 New England Association . Lowell teams won league championships in the 1877, 1887 and 1888 seasons. The Lowell teams hosted home minor league games four different ballparks in the era. Lowell played at the River Street Grounds (1877–1878, 1887–1889), Fair Grounds Field (1891–1892, 1895, 1899, 1901), Washington Park (1907–1909) and two stints at Spalding Field (1902–1906, 1910–1911). Two Baseball Hall of Fame members played for Lowell teams. Baseball Hall of Fame member Hugh Duffy played for Lowell in 1887, winning
1876-493: The Tigers to former New York Giants pitcher Jack Sharrott . The Tigers had a 49–75 final record, finishing 31.0 games behind the New England League champion Worcester Busters. Owner Alexander Bannwart hired Tom Fleming to manage the Tigers team in 1909. During a game in the season, Bannwart he was in charge of the team when an umpire tried to remove the owner him from Lowell's bench. In May 1909, Bannwart fired Fleming and hired Tom Bannon as his replacement as manager of
1943-443: The Tigers. In June 1909, Bannwart publicly announced that he wanted to sell the team. The sale went through at the end of the month. Although the 1909 team was initially successful in drawing fans, it was said Bannwart had an "abrasive personality" that negatively affected attendance. In the midst of the 1909 season, the New England League forced Bannwart to sell the team. Bannwart sold the team and offered to rent Washington Park to
2010-491: The basis of the character taking his name in the movie Field of Dreams Author W.P. Kinsella first discovered Graham's name and statistical information in The Baseball Encyclopedia and noticed he played just one major league game with 0 at-bats before becoming a physician. Kinsella used Graham's story for a character in his novel Shoeless Joe . In 1989 the story was made into the movie Field of Dreams . In
2077-502: The best team some 10½ games above second-place Nashua. The Brooklyn Dodgers refused to allow Nashua to participate in any playoffs, wanting to pull the plug on the Nashua operation immediately, thus giving the Portland team a first-round bye in the playoffs, which saw Springfield defeat Pawtucket, 2 games to 0, then Portland taking Springfield in seven games. The league's final regular-season champ
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2144-517: The championship in October when the best-of-7 series against Manchester was halted after five games due to poor weather. In the middle of the championship series the Slaters hosted a game against the Boston Red Sox in front of over 9,000 fans. Pawtucket played their first game at the new Pawtucket Stadium (present-day McCoy Stadium ) on July 5 against Lynn with over 6,000 fans in attendance. By 1943, with
2211-406: The contest. In 1889, the "Lowell" team became members of the eight-team Atlantic Association . Lowell ended the 1889 season with a record of 35-59, placing fifth in the final standings. John Cosgrove, Nate Kellogg and D. A. Sullivan served as the Lowell managers during the season. Lowell finished 23.5 games behind first place Worcester team in the final standings. Lowell's Robert Hamilton won
2278-449: The eight-team league to win the championship. Mark Polhemus of Lowell hit a league leading 14 home runs and teammate Ed Kennedy had a league leading 121 hits. Pitcher Henry Burns led the league with 224 strikeouts. Lowell continued minor league play in a new league in 1889. On July 26, 1889, Lowell pitcher Dick Burns pitched a two-hitter in a game against Worcester. The Sporting Life reported that Burns pitched "a magnificent game" in
2345-473: The eight-team league. In 1911, the Lowell Tigers were led by with Jim Gray, in his first season as manager. Completing a two year turn around for the teams' performance, the 1911 Lowell Tigers won the new England League championship in their final season known as the "Tigers". The Tigers ended the season with a record of 77–46 to place first under new manager Jim Gray. Lowell finished 2.5 games ahead of
2412-413: The eight-team league. In 1895, Lowell rejoined the eight-team New England Association and placed fourth in the eight–team league, which folded during the season. The league folded on July 8, 1895. With a final record of 24–24, Lowell finished 7.5 games behind the first place Lawrence team in the final standings. Michael Mahoney and Billy Meade managed Lowell in 1895. In 1899 Lowell briefly gained
2479-412: The eighth place Haverhill Hustlers. Tigers pitcher Lem Cross led the New England League with 27 wins. In defense of their championship the season before, the 1904 Lowell Tigers placed seventh in the New England League final standings. Lowell ended the season with a 59–62 record to place next to last in the eight–team league. The Tigers finished 22.0 games behind the first place Haverhill Hustlers in
2546-474: The eight–team New England League final standings. Lowell compiled a 48–60 record in the regular season, finishing 26.0 games behind the first place Worcester Busters. Dave Pickett of Lowell had 116 total hits to lead the New England League.< The 1908 Lowell Tigers were managed by Arthur Daly and Alexander Bannwart as the team finished in seventh place in the New England League standings. Officially listed as Lowell manager, Bannwart delegated supervision of
2613-478: The end of the New England League season, Kelley made his major league debut with the Boston Beaneaters . In 1892, Lowell played a partial season, as the Lowells folded during the New England League season. Lowell folded on July 27, 1892. Lowell ended the 1892 season with a record of 30– 30. The Pawtucket team also disbanded on July 27, corresponding with Lowell. Art Whitney and Jim Cudworth served as manager. Woonsocket
2680-410: The final standings, as Haverhill went from last place to first place in the course of two season. The Lowell manager and owner was Fred Lake. The New England League's Lowell Tigers franchise relocated during the 1905 season. On August 3, 1905, the Tigers moved their franchise to Taunton, Massachusetts . Lowell had compiled a 24–46 record at the time of the move. The team finished the season known as
2747-480: The first major league player to officially hit for the cycle . In the 1882 game against the Cleveland Blues , Foley hit a home run in the first inning, a triple in the second inning, a single in third inning and a double in the fifth inning in becoming the first to accomplish the feat. The Lowell "Magicians" continued minor league play in 1887 and won a championship. Bill McGunnigle served as player/manager of
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2814-501: The first place Worcester team in the final standings. At age 19, Baseball Hall of Fame member Joe Kelley made his professional debut with the Lowell of the New England League in 1891. Kelley played both in the field and as a pitcher. During games he did not pitch, Kelley was in the Lowell lineup as an infielder. Kelley had a 10–3 win–loss record as a pitcher and a NEL-leading .323 batting average with Lowell. Following
2881-445: The franchise to former major league outfielder and manager Patsy Donovan . In June 1909, the sale was finalized. On August 19, 1909, Lowell Outfielder Scott Fluharty was 5–5 at the plate, with two triples and four runs scored, as the Tigers lost to the Fall River Indians 7–6 in 10-innings. At the conclusion of the 1909 season, the Lowell Tigers again placed seventh in the eight–team Class B level New England League. Managed during
2948-576: The franchise to suspend operations. The unaffiliated teams in Lynn and Fall River then also announced they were suspending operations, and on July 20, 1949, the New England League closed out their "first half" with Nashua in first place, followed in order by the other surviving teams: Pawtucket, Portland and Springfield. The "second half" season of 38 games resumed with the four remaining teams and concluded with Pawtucket in first place, followed by Portland, Springfield and Nashua. Both halves combined shows Pawtucket as
3015-464: The league batting championship, hitting .341. Hamilton also led the league with 117 total hits. The league folded after the 1889 season. After not fielding a minor league team in 1890, the 1891 Lowell "Lowells" played rejoined the Class B level New England League . The Lowells ended the season with a 37–29 record, as Lowell finished in fourth place in the eight–team league. Playing the season under manager Dick Conway , Lowell finished 7.0 games behind
3082-480: The league batting title. Joe Kelley played for Lowell in 1891, in his first professional season at age 19. The 1912 Lowell Grays continued Lowell's tenure in New England League play. Minor league baseball began in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1877 with a championship team. The Lowell "Ladies Men" played as members of the newly formed New England League, also known as the "New England Association."" The league began play on May 3, 1877, as an eight–team league and ended
3149-487: The league folded and then were reformed with the league for the 1919 season. In the era, the Lowell minor league teams played in four different home ballparks. In the minor league seasons up to 1889, Lowell hosted home games at the River Street Grounds. The ballpark had a capacity of 2,500 and the layout of the field created a short left field line. The ballpark was located on the Merrimack River , which ran just behind
3216-501: The manager of the team. leading Lowell to the 1911 championship. In 1910, Gray still co-owned the team with local tavern owner Andrew Roach and James J. Kennedy. During the 1910 season, pitcher Jiggs Parson compiled a 12–6 record pitching for Lowell after being acquired during the season. Parson had been sent to Lowell by the Boston Doves after beginning the major league season with Boston. After his record for pitching Lowell, Parson
3283-407: The new owners. The new owners chose to play home games back at their former home of Spalding Park rather than pay rent to Bannwart. The team was sold after a complicated situation was resolved. An injunction was obtained by former Lowell Tigers player (and Harvard Law classmate of Bannwart) Alex O'Brien. O'Brien who had filed a reserve clause-based lawsuit against Winn that slowed negotiations to sell
3350-437: The previous season, Lowell Tigers returned to New England League play and the league continued as a Class B level league with eight teams. Lowell again finished in last place as Fred Lake returned as manager to begin the season. With a 28–86 record the Tigers placed eighth in the final standings, 45.0 games behind the first place Worcester Busters . The season was the final one with Fred Lake as owner/manager in Lowell. During
3417-434: The roster. The Lowell Tigers returned to the reformed New England League in 1901. The Tigers played under new owner and manager Fred Lake , who was also constructing a new ballpark for the team. The Augusta Live Oaks , Bangor Millionaires , Haverhill Hustlers , Lewiston , Manchester , Nashua and Portland teams joined Lowell in beginning league play on May 15, 1901. The Lowell Tigers finished in third place with
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#17328911165753484-648: The same five Eastern New England League clubs in Massachusetts and Maine, plus the addition of the Boston Blues as the sixth team. The first New England League champion was the Portland club. The league was inactive in 1889–1890, then resumed play from 1891 to 1915 (with the exception of 1900) under the presidency of Tim Murnane , the Boston Globe sportswriter. When the minor leagues were assigned classifications in 1902,
3551-401: The season by Tom Fleming , Tom Bannon and Phenomenal Smith , the Tigers ended the season with a record of 43–81. Lowell finished 34.0 games behind the first place Worcester Busters in the final standings. On June 22, 1910, John Smith resigned as Lowell's general manager and was replaced in that position by team owner James Gray. Despite never managing or playing baseball, Gray later became
3618-973: The season due to ineligible player violations. 1904 Connecticut League President: Jim O'Rourke Worcester (26-11) moved to Norwich June 21. No Playoffs. 1905 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke No Playoffs. 1906 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke No Playoffs. 1907 Connecticut State League President: W. J. Tracey No Playoffs. 1908 Connecticut State League President: W. J. Tracey No Playoffs. 1909 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke No Playoffs. 1910 Connecticut State League - schedule President: W.J. Tracy] No Playoffs. 1911 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke Northampton and Holyoke disbanded June 26. No Playoffs. 1912 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke New Britain (12-22) moved to Waterbury June 15. No Playoffs. Southern New England League The New England League
3685-522: The season reduced to four teams. The Lowell Ladies Men, with a 33–7 record under manager Josiah Butler, won the championship, finishing 4.0 games ahead of the second place Manchester Reds , who finished with a 29–11 record. Lowell and Manchester were followed by the Fall River Cascades (19–21) and Providence Rhode Islanders (11–29) teams in the final standings. The Lynn Live Oaks (8–22), Fitchburg, Haverhill and Lawrence franchises all folded before
3752-415: The season, finishing sixth in the six-team league. Lowell (14–20) transferred to Manchester June 26; Manchester (3–13) moved to Boston July 16. The returning Bill McGunnigle and Thomas H. O'Brien served as managers during the three-city season. The team finished 28.0 games behind the first place Fall River Indians . The New England League continued play in 1894 without a Lowell or Boston franchise in
3819-485: The second place Worcester Busters in the eight-team league. Cuke Barrows of Lowell won the league batting title, hitting .370, Barrows also led the league with 116 runs scored and 163 total hits. In defending their league championship, the 1912 Lowell team was renamed after their manager Jim Gray and continued New England League play known as the Lowell "Grays." The Grays continued New England League play through 1915 when
3886-639: The team the Lowell Orphans; after August 18 they became a "road" team. Following the 1947 season the franchise was moved to Springfield as a farm team of the Chicago Cubs , and the Springfield Cubs became the only New England League team to survive the 1949 season, as one of the Cubs' two Class AAA team from 1950–1953. Dewacasino168 the most trusted england league match join us now before it's too late. Nashua
3953-491: Was a leading pitcher on the team and pitched underhanded. Ed Kennedy of Lowell hit 15 home runs to lead the league and Lowell pitcher Henry Burns led the New England League with both 32 wins and 137 strikeouts. After managing Lowell, Bill McGunnigle became manager of the Brooklyn Bridegrooms , signed by Brooklyn for a salary of $ 2,500. McGunnigle led Brooklyn to the 1889 and 1890 National League pennants. McGunnigle
4020-660: Was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played intermittently in five of the six New England states ( Vermont excepted) between 1886 and 1949. After 1901 , it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification leagues. In 1946 , the NEL, the International League and the Canadian–American League – which all included farm teams of
4087-496: Was best friends with former teammate Jim Cudworth who replaced him as Lowell's manager in 1888. Baseball Hall of Fame member Hugh Duffy played for Lowell in 1887, coming to the team from after his Salem team folded during the New England League season. Overall, Duffy led the New England League with a .470 average in 1887, Following the season, Duffy was signed by the Chicago White Stockings (today's Chicago Cubs) for
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#17328911165754154-559: Was next called the Eastern New England League beginning play in 1885 with five teams in Massachusetts and Maine . The five teams, playing an 80 game season were, Lawrence, Haverhill, Biddleford /Newburyport, Portland and Brockton, with Lawrence winning the 1885 championship. The league continued play and shortened its name after the 1885 season. The newly named "New England League" played its first game in 1886 , with
4221-439: Was recalled by Boston to end the season. The Boston Manager was Fred Lake. The 1910 Lowell Tigers finished in fourth place in the eight-team league, an improvement after seven consecutive seasons of finishing at or near the bottom of the New England League standings. The Tigers finished above .500, with a record of 65–56. Fred Tenney managed the Tigers as Lowell finished 11.0 games behind the first place New Bedford Whalers in
4288-435: Was replaced by Portsmouth July 20; Lynn disbanded July 20; Salem disbanded August 3. Lowell Ladies Men The Lowell Tigers were a minor league baseball team based in Lowell, Massachusetts . From 1901 to 1911, the Lowell Tigers played as members of the Class B level New England League , winning the 1911 league championship. The Lowell Tigers teams were preceded in minor league play by Lowell teams, who besides
4355-936: Was the Pawtucket Slaters , a farm club of the Boston Braves , but the Portland Pilots, a Phillies affiliate, won the playoffs, thus bookending the championship earned by the Maine city's entry in the NEL's maiden season 63 years earlier. 1886 New England League - schedule President: Jacob C. Morse Newburyport (35-34) moved to Lynn August 14. 1887 New England League - schedule President: Jacob C. Morse Salem disbanded July 9; Haverhill disbanded July 11; Boston (35-18) moved to Haverhill July 11; Lawrence (29-34) moved to Salem July 26. 1888 New England League - schedule President: Edward Chesney Portland disbanded June 9 and
4422-428: Was the eventual champion of the league, which began the season with eight teams and ended with five. Lowell began the 1893 season in the New England League, before two relocations of the franchise saw the team end the season based in Boston, Massachusetts with a last place finish. The Lowell/Manchester/ Boston Reds of the New England League ended the 1893 season with a record of 29–55, playing in three cities during
4489-581: Was the most successful member of the postwar league, winning three consecutive playoff championships from 1946-48. But by the middle of 1949 , it became clear that the New England League was not viable. The league began the season with eight teams, but the Providence Grays dropped out on June 20. In mid-July the New York Yankees announced they were withdrawing their support of the Manchester team, forcing
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