Sapulpa Sappers
The Sapulpa Sappers was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Sapulpa played as members of the Western Association(1909–1911), Southwestern League (1921), Southwestern Association (1922) and Southwestern League (1923)
Sapulpa Sappers (1909–1911, 1921–1923) Sapulpa, Oklahoma | |
Minor league affiliations | |
---|---|
Previous classes | Class C (1909-1910, 1922–1923) Class D (1911, 1921) |
Previous leagues | Western Association (1909–1911) Southwestern League (1921–1923) |
Major league affiliations | |
Previous teams | None |
Minor league titles | |
League titles | 1 1922 |
Team data | |
Previous names | Sapulpa Oilers (1909–1911) Sapulpa Sappers (1921–1922) Sapulpa Yanks (1923) |
Previous parks | Athletic Park (1909–1911) League Park (1921–1923) |
History
Minor league baseball began in Sapulpa, Oklahoma in 1909. On July, 18, 1909, the Webb City Webfeet of the Class C Western Association moved from Webb City, Missouri to Sapulpa, playing the remainder of the 1909 season as the Sapulpa Oilers. Sapulpa played at Athletic Park. Overall, Webb City/Sapulpa finished 5th in the eight-team Western Association. Their overall record was 64–59, playing under managers Perry Parker and Frank Everhart.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Continuing play in the 1910 Western Association, Sapulpa finished 3rd with a 65–61 record in the 1910 standings. The Oilers' manager was Larry Millton.[7][2][1][8]
In 1911, the Class D Western Association folded. The Sapulpa Oilers were 23–21 and in 3rd place on June 18, 1911 when the league disbanded. Six Western Association teams had folded, causing the league to disband. The Sapulpa Oilers were managed by George McAvoy and Harry Bradbury in 1911.[2][9][10][11]
The Sapulpa Sappers franchise was a charter member of the 1921 Class D southwestern League. Playing at League Park, Sapulpa finished with a 68–76 record, 5th in the 1921 Southwestern League under managers Jerry Jones and Larry Quigley. The 1921 charter member standings featured the Bartlesville Braves (64–80), Coffeyville Refiners (71–72), Independence Producers (103–38), Miami Indians (59–84), Muskogee Mets (93–56), Parsons Parsons/Cushing Oilers (34–110), Pittsburg Pirates (87–63) and the Sapulpa Sappers (68–76).[12][13][14][15]
In 1922, the Southwestern League continued play as a Class C league. The 1922 league is also referred to as the Southwestern Association. The Sapulpa Sappers captured the 1922 Southwestern Association Championship. Playing under Manager Barney Cleveland, Sapulpa finished with a regular season record 81–58, 3rd overall. In the 1922 Playoffs, Sapulpa defeated the Muskogee Mets 4 games to 2 to claim the 1922 Southwestern Association Championship.[16][17][13][18][19]
The 1923 season was Sapulpa's final minor league season. Playing in the 1923 Class C Southwestern League, the Sapulpa Yankees finished 2nd overall in the Southwestern League standings. The Sapulpa Yankees were 76–55 under Manager Barney Cleveland. After the season, the Southwestern League returned only three of the eight franchises in 1924, adding five new franchises to the 1924 league. Sapulpa has not hosted another minor league team.[20][21][13][22]
The ballparks
From 1909–1911, the Sapulpa Oilers played at Athletic Park. The ballpark was built in 1905.[23]
The Sapulpa teams from 1921–1923 played at League Park.[24][25]
Notable alumni
- Uke Clanton (1921)
- Dick Crutcher (1909)
- Denver Grigsby (1921-1922)
- George McAvoy (1910) (1911,MGR)
- George Milstead (1923)
- Larry Milton (1910, MGR)
- Skinny O'Neal (1923)
Season-by-season
(from Baseball Reference)
Year | Record | Manager | Finish | Playoffs/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1909 | 64–59 | Perry Parker / Frank Everhart | 5th | Moved from Webb City July 18, 1909 |
1910 | 65–61 | Larry Milton | 3rd | None |
1911 | 23–21 | George McAvoy / Harry Bradbury | 3rd | League disbanded June 18, 1911 |
1921 | 68–76 | Jerry Jones / Larry Quigley | 5th | None |
1922 | 81–58 | Barney Cleveland | 3rd | League Champions |
1923 | 76–55 | Barney Cleveland | 2nd | None |
References
- "Sapulpa Oilers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Western Association - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Webb City Webbfeet/Sapulpa Oilers Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1909 Webb City Webbfeet/Sapulpa Oilers Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1909 Western Association (WA) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1909 Webb City Webfeet/Sapulpa Oilers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1910 Sapulpa Oilers Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1910 Sapulpa Oilers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1911 Sapulpa Oilers Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1911 Western Association (WA) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1911 Sapulpa Oilers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1921 Sapulpa Sappers Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Southwestern League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "1921 Southwestern League (SL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1921 Sapulpa Sappers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1922 Southwestern League (SL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1922 Sapulpa Yanks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Sapulpa Sappers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "1922 Sapulpa Sappers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1923 Sapulpa Yanks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Sapulpa Yanks - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "1923 Southwestern League (SL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Athletic Park in Sapulpa, OK history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "League Park in Sapulpa, OK history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "League Park (Sapulpa, OK) - SABR Encyclopedia". encyclopedia.sabr.org.