Mooresville Moors

The Mooresville Moors first began minor league play in 1936. The Salisbury Colonials were 2–6 in the first season of the Independent Carolina League when the franchise moved to Mooresville, North Carolina. Beginning play at Mooresville Park, the Salisbury/Mooresville team ended the 1936 season with a overall record of 35–64 under Manager Jim Poole, finishing 7th in the eight–team Carolina League. Salisbury originally surrendered its franchise to the league on May 18, 1936. Mooresville, North Carolina was awarded the franchise after agreeing to buy the team equipment and honor player contracts. The team moniker derived from the local industry. The Moor brand Turkish towel was a featured product of Mooresville cotton mills.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The Mooresville Moors left the Carolina League and joined the North Carolina League in 1937. The 1937 Moors won their first of six championships. The 1937 Moors were charter members of the eight–team Class D North Carolina State League, playing home games at Mooresville Park. Mooresville had a 1937 regular season record of 74–35 to finish 1st in the North Carolina State League standings, capturing the pennant under Manager Jim Poole and president C.F Clark. In the Playoffs, the Mooresville Moors defeated the Landis Sens 3 games to 1. In the Finals, Mooresville defeated the Shelby Cardinals 4 games to 3 to capture the 1937 North Carolina State League Championship. Mooresville native Tripp Sigman played for the 1937 Moors.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

The Mooresville Moors were co–champions of the 1938 North Carolina State League. The Moors the 1938 season 59–53, finishing 4th under Manager John Hicks. In the Playoffs, Mooresville defeated the Shelby/Gastonia Cardinals 3 games to 0. In the Finals, the Mooresville Moors and Thomasville Tommies were tied 3 games to 3. In the 7th game on September 18, 1938, the game was abandoned due to fan violence in Thomasville. Mooresville and Thomasville were declared co–champions.[13][14][9][10][15]

The 1939 Mooresville Moors were North Carolina State League Champions for the third straight season, In the regular season, the Moors won the league Pennant, ending the 1939 season with a record of 71–38, 1st in the North Carolina State League standings under Manager John Hicks. In the Playoffs, the Moors defeated the Concord Weavers 3 games to 1. In the Finals the Mooresville Moors again played the Thomasville Tommies, winning 4 games to 1. Playing at Mooresville Park, season attendance was 20,093, an average of 369 per game.[16][17][9][10][18]

The Mooresville Moors finished 4th in the 1940 North Carolina State League regular season and advanced to the league Finals. With a regular season record of 60–51 under Manager John Hicks, Mooresville qualified for the Playoffs, In the Playoffs, the Mooresville Moors swept the Salisbury Giants in 3 games. In the Finals, the Lexington Indians won the title, defeating Mooresville 4 games to 1.[19][20][21]

The 1941 Mooresville Moors of the North Carolina State League advance to the league finals again. The Moors finished the 1941 regular season with a record of 57–43, 3rd in the league standings under Manager Ginger Watts. The Mooresville Moors defeated the Kannapolis Towelers 3 games to 1 in the Playoffs. In the Finals, the Salisbury Giants and Mooresville Moors series went to 7 games, with Salisbury winning the championship.[22][23][24]

The Moors finished in a tie for 2nd in the 1942 North Carolina State League. Mooresville had a 61–39 record under Manager John Hicks. In the Playoffs, the Landis Senators swept Mooresville in three games. Baseball Hall of Fame member Hoyt Wilhelm pitched the first of his three seasons for Mooresville in 1942, finishing 10–3 with a 4.25 ERA at age 19. After the 1942 season, the North Carolina State League suspended play due to World War II.[25][26][27][9][10][28][29]

Mooresville returned to play in the 1945 North Carolina State League. The Mooresville Braves were an affiliate of the Boston Braves. Upon returning to North Carolina State League play, Mooresville ended the 1945 season with a record of 51–61, finishing 6th in the standings. Jack Quinlan was the 1945 Manager.[10][30][31][32][33]

The franchise returned to the Mooresville Moors moniker in 1946 and captured the North Carolina State League Championship. The Moors finished the 1946 season with a 57–52, record, 4th in the regular season standings under Managers Robert Crow and Norm Small. In the Playoffs, Mooresville defeated the Landis Millers 4 games to 3. In the Finals the Mooresville Moors won the championship by defeating the Concord Weavers 4 games to 2. Hoyt Wilhelm returned to Mooresville in 1946, pitching to a 21–8 record with a 2.47 ERA. Wilheim returned after serving in the Army during World War II and earning the Purple Heart. He had been injured, with shrapnel permanently embedded in his back.[34][35][9][10][36][37]

Mooresville won another North Carolina State League Championship in 1947. The Moors finished the regular season with a record of 68–43, 1st in the league standings as Norm Small served as manager. In the Playoffs, Mooresville defeated the Hickory Rebels 4 games to 3. In the Finals, the Mooresville Moors and Lexington Indians played a 7 game series, with Mooresville capturing the championship. Hoyt Wilhelm finished 20–7 with a 3.36 ERA. Season attendance at Mooresville Park was 39,091 an average of 704 per game.[38][39][9][10][40]

Mooresville finished 5th in the North Carolina State League 1948 season standings and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Moors finished with a record of 57–52, 5th in the league under Manager Norm Small. Season attendance at Mooresville Park was 33,569.[41][42][43]

The 1949 Mooresville Moors ended the 1949 season with a record of 72–52, 2nd in the North Carolina State League regular season. Jim Mills was the 1949 Manager. In the Playoffs, the Lexington Indians swept Mooresville in four games. Attendance at Mooresville Park for the season was 37,414.[44][45][9][10][46]

Mooresville was 2nd in the 1950 North Carolina State League. The Moors ended the 1950 season with a record of 64–47 under Manager Jim Mills. In the Playoffs, the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms defeated Mooresville Moors 4 games to 2. Season attendance at Mooresville Park was 32,798.[47][48][9][10][49]

The Mooresville Moors finished 55–71 in 1951 and did not qualify for the Playoffs. Mooresville finished 7th in the North Carolina State League regular season standings under Managers Tuck McWilliams and Jim Mills. Season attendance was 18,666,an average of 296 per game.[50][51][9][10][52]

The 1952 Mooresville Moors were the North Carolina State League Champions. Mooresville ended the 1952 regular season with a 70–39, record to finish 2nd under Manager Jim Mills. In the Playoffs, the Mooresville Moors defeated the Elkin Blanketeers 4 games to 1. In the Finals – Mooresville Moors defeated the Salisbury Pirates 4 games to 3 to win their 6th championship. Season attendance at Mooresville Park was 18,241, an average of 335. After the season, the North Carolina State League permanently folded.[53][54][9][10][55]

In their final season, the 1953 Mooresville Moors became members of the Class D Tar Heel League. Mooresville had a record of 58–55, finishing 5th under Manager Jim Mills. Mooresville Park season attendance was 19,413 an average of 344. The Mooresville franchise folded from the Tar Heel League following the season. Minor league baseball has not returned to Mooresville following the demise of the Moors.[56][57][58][59]

Since 2014, Mooresville has hosted the Mooresville Spinners, a collegiate summer baseball team, playing at Moor Park.[60]