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Portsmouth A's

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Portsmouth A's
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1948–1950)
LeagueOhio-Indiana League (1948–1950)
Major league affiliations
TeamPhiladelphia Athletics (1948–1950)
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Conference titles (1)1949
Wild card berths (1)
  • 1948
Team data
NamePortsmouth A's (1948–1950)
BallparkRiverside Park/Branch Rickey Park (1948–1950)

The Portsmouth A's were a minor league baseball team based in Portsmouth, Ohio from 1948 to 1950. The A's played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Ohio-Indiana League and were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. The Portsmouth A's hosted minor league home games at Riverside Park, known today as Branch Rickey Park.

History

The Portsmouth A's were immediately preceded by the Portsmouth Red Birds, who played as members of the Middle Atlantic League from 1937 to 1940 as an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.[1]

In 1948, the Portsmouth A's were formed, serving as a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. Portsmouth became members of the eight-team Class D level Ohio-Indiana League.[2] Portsmouth joined the Lima Terriers, Marion Cubs, Muncie Packers, Newark Yankees, Richmond Braves, Springfield Giants, and Zanesville Dodgersin beginning league play on May 15, 1948.[3]

In their first season of play, Portsmouth A's placed 2nd in the Ohio–Indiana League regular season standings. The A's ended the 1948 season with a record of 82-58, as George Staller served as manager.[4] Portsmouth finished a mere 0.5 games behind the 1st place Zanesville Dodgers in the final standings.[5] In the playoffs, the Muncie Packers swept Portsmouth 4 games to 0.[6]

The 1949 Portsmouth A's won the Ohio–Indiana League pennant before losing in the playoffs. Playing under manager Homer Cox, Portsmouth placed first in the regular season standings with a 81–58 record.[7] Portsmouth finished 4.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Springfield Giants.[8] In the 1st round of playoffs, the Marion Red Sox defeated the A's 3 games to 1.[9]

In their final season, the Portsmouth A's did not qualify for the 1950 playoffs to defend their championship. The Portsmouth A's ended their final Ohio–Indiana League season with a 46–89 record to place 7th. Walter Van Grofski served as manager, as Portsmouth finished 42.5 games behind the 1st place Marion Red Sox.[10][11] The A's scored 568 total runs, last in the league.[12]

In 1951, the Portsmouth A's did not return to play as the Ohio–Indiana League reduced from eight teams to six teams.[13]

Portsmouth was without minor league baseball until the 1993 Portsmouth Explorers began a three season tenure as members of the Frontier League.[14][15]

Ballpark

The Portsmouth A's hosted minor league home games at Riverside Park. The ballpark was renamed "Branch Rickey Park" in 1950.[16] The ballpark was constructed in 1935 and is still in use today, as home to the Shawnee State Bears collegiate team.[17]

Timeline

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League Affiliate
1948–1950 3 Portsmouth A's Class D Ohio-Indiana League Philadelphia Athletics

Year–by–year record

Year Record Finish Manager Attend Playoffs
1948 82–58 2nd George Staller 73,533 Lost 1st round
1949 81–48 1st Homer Cox 61,106 Won pennant
Lost 1st round
1950 46–89 7th Walter Van Grofski 21,685 Did not qualify

[18][19][20]

Notable alumni

See also

Portsmouth A's players

References

  1. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pb13895/y-1940
  2. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=8d4bf1af
  3. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-OHSL4/y-1948
  4. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-pa13885/y-1948
  5. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-OHSL4/y-1948
  6. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pa13885/y-1948
  7. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=471adeac
  8. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=c80c77cf
  9. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pa13885/y-1949
  10. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=fd705a10
  11. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e7edc5d9
  12. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pa13885/y-1950
  13. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1e5b9697
  14. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/t-pe13891
  15. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Portsmouth&state=OH&country=US
  16. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-2172
  17. ^ http://www.ssubears.com/f/Facilities/Branch_Rickey_Park.php
  18. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pa13885/y-1948
  19. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pa13885/y-1949
  20. ^ https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-pa13885/y-1950
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