Paris Orioles

Minor League baseball began in Paris with the 1896 Paris Midlands of the Texas Association (1896-1897). Paris finished 19–22 and 41–82 in its first two seasons. Paris played in the Southwestern League in 1898.[1][2]

The Paris Eisenfelder's Homeseekers (1902) were named after owner C.W. Eisenfelder and finished 42–65. The Homeseekers, Paris Steers and Paris Parasites played in the Texas League from 1902–1904. Paris joined the reformed league in 1902, along with the Corsicana Oil Citys, Dallas Griffins, Fort Worth Panthers, Sherman-Denison Students/Texarkana Casketmakers and the Waco Tigers. Paris moved to Waco, Texas on June 26, 1903 and finished the season as the Waco Steers, as the Paris/Waco team advanced to the league finals. In 1904, the Paris Red Ravens began the season in Paris, but again moved before the season ended, this time to Ardmore, Oklahoma, finishing the 1904 season as the Ardmore Territorians.[3][4][5]

The Paris Parasites joined the North Texas League in 1905, but again moved in mid-season. Paris moved to Hope, Arkansas on July 20, 1904. The North Texas League disbanded on August 6, 1904. The Paris/Hope team was in first place, with a 48–32 record, when the league disbanded.[5][6]

The Paris Athletics joined the reorganized North Texas League in 1907. Paris was in second place with a 36–23 record when the league disbanded on June 30, 1907.[6][7]

In 1912, the Paris Boosters played in the South Central League, where the team finished 4th with a 46–63 record. The Boosters joined the Texas-Oklahoma League in 1913, where they finished 2nd with an 80–45 record.[8][9]

The Paris Snappers remained in the Texas-Oklahoma League in 1914. The Snappers captured the league pennant with a 77–39 record, but were defeated in the league finals 3 games to 1 by the Texarkana Tigers.[9][10]

On March 10, 1914, Rogers Hornsby, a young shortstop from Paris, Texas played one preseason game for his home town Snappers in his professional debut. He eventually played the 1914 season for the Denison and Hugo teams. Hornsby went on to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and have a career as a manager.[11][12]

The Paris Red Snappers named themselves after their manager, Red Snapp in joining the Western Association in 1915. The team finished 5th at 66–66.[13]

The 1916 Paris Survivors (1916) and Paris Athletics (1917) continued play in the Western Association. The Survivors finished 8th under Red Snapp in 1916. The Paris Athletics were 16–12 under Red Snapp when the team moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 20, 1917. They finished the 1917 season 43–84 as the Ardmore Foundlings.[14][15][16]

Paris Snappers (1921–1922), resumed play in the Texas-Oklahoma League under namesake manager Red Snapp. The Snappers won the 1921 Championship with a 89–38 record and a forfeit by the Ardmore Peps. After the league finals were tied 4 games to 4 and the Peps refused to play a 9th game at Paris. The 1922 Snappers were declared champions, as they were in 1st place with a 72–36 record when the season ended due to a railroad strike on August 6, 1922.[10][9]

The Paris Grays joined the East Texas League in 1923. The Paris North Stars (1924) and Paris Bearcats (1925–1926) continued play in the East Texas League. With a record on 76–43, the Paris Grays captured the 1923 East Texas League Championship. The Paris North Stars then finished last in 1924. The 1925 Paris Bobcats finished in 1st place with a 76–46 record and the defeated the Texarkana Twins in the league finals to capture the 1925 East Texas League Championship. In 1926, the team finished last with a 39–81 record. The East Texas League did not return in 1927.[17][18]

The Paris Snappers became members of the Lone Star League in 1927, finishing 54–67 under Manager Red Snapp. The Paris Colts continued play in the 1928 Lone Star League, finishing last with a 42–81 record. Paris folded after the season.[19][20][10]

The Paris Pirates played in the West Dixie League (1934) as an affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals. The team moved to Lufkin, Texas to become the Lufkin Lumbermen on June 27, 1934.[21][22][23][24]

The Paris Red Peppers played in the East Texas League (1946) and the Big State League (1947). The Red Peppers were an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns in 1946.[25]

The Paris Rockets (1948) continued play in the Big State League, finishing 62–85.[26]

The Paris Panthers were members of the East Texas League (1949-1950), making the 1949 playoffs with a 75–52 record.[27]

The Paris Indians rejoined the Big State League (1952–1953), finishing 5th at 79-58 and last with a 48–96 record.[21][22][28]

The Paris Orioles were members of the Sooner State League (1955–1957). After making the playoffs with 4th place finishes in their first two seasons, the Orioles captured the 1957 Sooner State League pennant. After a 74–51 1957 regular season, the Paris Orioles defeated the Shawnee Hawks 3 games to 1 in their first round playoff series. The Orioles then were defeated by the Ardmore Cardinals 4 games to 0 in the championship series. The Sooner State League folded after the 1957 season.[29][21][22][30]

Paris teams from 1912-1934 played at League Park. League Park had a capacity of 2,000.[27][31]

In 1952 and 1953, Paris played some games at Memorial Stadium, which had a capacity of 5,200.[32][33]

From 1946-1957 Paris teams played at City Ball Park, which had a capacity of 4,000.[34][35][33]