Marion Indians

The Marion Indians were a minor league baseball team located in Marion, Illinois in 1947 and 1948. The Indians were charter members of the Class D level Illinois State League. This league evolved into today's Midwest League.

Marion Indians
1947–1948
Marion, Illinois
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
  • Independent (1947–1948)
Team data
Previous names
Marion Indians
Previous parks
Marion City Park (Ray Fosse Park) (1947–1948)

History

In 1947, the Marion Indians joined the Belleville Stags, Centralia Cubs, Mattoon Indians, Mount Vernon Blues, and West Frankfort Cardinals as new franchises and charter members of the Illinois State League.[1]

The Marion franchise was originally awarded to Murphysboro, Illinois. That franchise moved to Marion before play began.[2]

The Marion Indians finished with record of 55–56 to place 3rd in 1947 under manager Melvin Ivy, 19.5 games behind the champion Belleville Stags. The Indians also finished 3rd in 1948, with a 53–56 regular season record, 31.5 games behind the 1st place West Frankfort Cardinals, as Ivy returned as manager.[3][4]

After the 1948 season, the franchise relocated to Paducah, Kentucky to become the Paducah Chiefs in 1949. After the Marion relocation into the State of Kentucky, the league changed its name to the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League and eventually grew into today's Midwest League in 1956.[5]

In 2007, the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League became the first professional team in Marion since the Indians relocated in 1948, a span of 59 seasons.[6]

The ballpark

The Marion Indians played at Marion City Park. Today, the park is known as Ray Fosse Park, after Marion native and All-Star Catcher Ray Fosse. The site has ball fields, golf and a pool. It is located at 500 East Deyoung Street, Marion, Illinois.[7][8][3]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
1947–19482Marion IndiansClass DIllinois State League

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishAttendanceManagerPlayoffs/Notes
194755–563rd36,705Melvin IvyNone
194853–563rd13,697Melvin IvyNone

References
  1. "1947 Illinois State League". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  2. "Baseball in Marion, Illinois". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. "Marion Indians Baseball Team 1947-48". July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  4. "Illinois State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "Midwest League History". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  6. "Southern Illinois Miners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  7. "City Park Minor League History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  8. "Marion City Park". Retrieved July 3, 2018.
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