Louisville Colonels (Original)
From SoSH
- Red Sox Affiliate: 1939-1955
- League: American Association
- Stadium: Parkway Field
Contents |
History with the Sox
The Red Sox moved their Highest designated affiliate (at the time AA Minneapolis Millers) to Louisville in 1939. It would prove to be a long and successful marriage, as the team won six American Association Championships in the 17 years association.
They started winning right away, as the Colonels won their first Championship as a Sox affiliate in their first season together. They would follow that up with their second consecutive championship in 1940. The 1939 team would win the Junior World Series against International League foe Rochester, but would lose the JWS in 1940, losing to the Newark Bears.
Many leagues would shut down during WWII, but the American Association would not be one of them. The Red Sox, who reduced their number of affiliates from 7 (in 1942) to 3 (in 1943), shuffled their highest ranked players through Louisville and won 3 consecutive Championships from 1944-1946. The 1946 team was lead by the pitching staff, in particular Al Widmar, who lead the Association in ERA with a 2.43 (going 12-9). The '44-'46 teams would go 1-2 in Junior World Series appearances, winning in 1945 versus Newark while losing in 1944 to Baltimore and 1946 to Montreal. The 1946 series was the beginning of the integration movement in minor league baseball, as the Colonels played host to Jackie Robinson. Robinson would recount that his experience in Louisville was amongst the worst due to hostile crowds.
The team would win their final championship in 1954. They played their final season in Louisville in 1955, moving to San Francisco for the 1956 season. The Red Sox would return to Louisville in 1968, with the rebirth of the Colonels.
Teams and Records
- 1939 Manager Donie Bush/Bill Burwell
- 1940 75-75 Manager Bill Burwell
- 1941 87-66 Manager Bill Burwell
- 1942 Manager Bill Burwell
- 1943 Manager Bill Burwell
- 1944 83-71 Manager Harry Leibold
- 1945 Manager Harry Leibold
- 1946 92-61 Manager: Harry Leibold/Fred Walters
- 1947 Manager Harry Leibold
- 1948 Manager Harry Leibold
Awards
League Championships
- 1939, 1940, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1954
Junior World Series Championships
- 1939, 1945, 1954
American Association MVP
- 1941 - Johnny Pesky
League Leaders - Wins
- 1944 - Jim Wilson - 19
- 1947 - Clem Dreisewerd - 18
- 1951 - Jim Atkins - 18
League Leaders - ERA
- 1946 - Al Widmar - 2.43
League Leader - Hits
- 1941 - Johnny Pesky - 195
Colonels to the Majors
- Al Widmar
- Harry Dorish
- Jim Piersall
- Andy Gilbert
- Jim Wilson
- Jim Atkins
- Mickey McDermott
- Johnny Pesky
Trivia
- Fred Walters replaced Harry Leibold as Manager of the Colonels in 1946 due to a lengthy suspension for disciplinary reasons.
- On May 24th, 1949, Mickey McDermott struck out 20 St. Paul Saints.
