Springfield Browns

The Springfield Browns were a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Illinois, which had teams of various monikers in the same era. The Springfield Browns played as members of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1931, 1938–1942, 1946–1949). The Browns were entwined with the Springfield Senators (1933) and Springfield Red Birds (1934), both of the Mississippi Valley League as well as the 1935 Springfield Senators of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. The Springfield Browns were immediately followed by the Springfield Giants of the 1950 Mississippi-Ohio Valley League. Springfield teams were an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns (1931), St. Louis Cardinals (1933–1934), Detroit Tigers (1935) and St. Louis Browns (1938–1942, 1946–1949).

Springfield Browns
1931–1950
(1931–1935, 1938–1942, 1946–1950)
Springfield, Illinois
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass B (1931, 1938–1942, 1946–1949)
Class D (1950)
Previous leagues
Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1931–1932)
Mississippi Valley League (1933)
Central League (1934)
Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1935 1938–1942, 1946–1949)
Mississippi-Ohio Valley League (1950)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
St. Louis Browns (1931)
St. Louis Cardinals (1933–1934)
Detroit Tigers (1935)
St. Louis Browns (1938–1942, 1946–1949)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)
  • 1939
Division titles (1)
  • 1931
Team data
Previous names
Springfield Browns (1931)
Springfield Senators (1932–1933)
Springfield Red Birds (1934)
Springfield Senators (1935)
Springfield Browns (1938–1942, 1946–1949)
Springfield Giants (1950)
Previous parks
Reservoir Park (1931–1933)
Lanphier Park (1938–1942, 1946–1949)
Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Stadium (1950)

History

Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League 1931–1932

The 1931 Springfield Browns won the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League Pennant, adopting the "Browns" moniker after playing as the "Senators" from 1925–1930. As an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns, Springfield ended the 1931 season with a record of 72–45, 1st in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League standings. Bill Wambsganss served as manager. In the Playoffs, the Quincy Indians defeated the Springfield Browns 4 games to 2. Springfield played home games at Reservoir Park.[1][2][3][4]

The Springfield Senators continued play in the 1932 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League, before disbanding mid–season. Springfield (3–7 in second half) and the Decatur Commodores both disbanded July 12, 1932 and the league disbanded on July 19, 1932. The Senators finished with a 32–37 record, 4th in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League standings under Manager Rube Dessau.[5][6][3][7]

Mississippi Valley League 1933/Central League 1934

The 1933 Springfield Senators became an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, playing in the Class B Mississippi Valley League. Springfield ended the 1933 season with a record of 43–70, fifth in the MVL, 38.5 games behind the champion Davenport Blue Sox. Clay Hopper served as manager.[8][9][10][11][12]

The Springfield Red Birds joined the Class B Central League for the 1934 season, adopting the "Red Birds" moniker in their second season as a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate. On June 10, 1934, the Red Birds were 2nd in the Central League standings with a record of 14–12, under Manager Joe Mathes. The League permanently disbanded on June 10, 1934. Springfield teams began play at Lanphier Park in 1934.[13][14][15][16]

Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League 1935, 1938–1942

Springfield returned to the Class B Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League in 1935 as an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The Springfield Senators ended the 1935 season with a record of 74–45, 2nd in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League. Bob Coleman was the manager in 1935. In the Playoffs, the Springfield Senators defeated the Bloomington Bloomers 4 games to 2. However, Bloomington was declared the winner when Springfield refused to replay the protested final game, a ruling that was upheld by the league president.[10][17][18]

After a two–season absence from minor league baseball, the 1938 Springfield Browns began a long affiliation with the St. Louis Browns and the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League, playing at Lanphier Park. The Browns ended the 1938 regular season in 4th place with a record of 63–60, under Manager Walter Holke. In the Playoffs, the Decatur Commodores defeated the Springfield Browns 3 games to 2. Season attendance at Lanphier Park was 66,944, an average of 1,089 per game.[19][20][21][3][22]

The 1939 Springfield Browns were the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League Champions. Springfield ended the 1939 regular season with a record of 65–55, finishing 4th in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League standings under Manager Walter Holke. In the 1939 Playoffs, Springfield first defeated the Evansville Bees 3 games to 1. In the Finals, the Springfield Browns defeated the Decatur Commodores 3 games to 2 to take the championship. Season attendance an Lanphier Park was 37,916 an average of 632.[23][24][21][3][25]

The Browns were 3rd in the 1940 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League and qualified for the playoffs. Springfield finished the 1940 regular season with a record of 73–53, under Manager Art Scharein. In the Playoffs, the Cedar Rapids Raiders swept Springfield in 3 games Attendance: 56,569, Avg. 898.[26][27][21][3][28]

The 1941 Springfield Browns again qualified for the playoffs in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League. Springfield finished 65–59, 4th in the league standings under Manager Art Scharein. In the Playoffs, the Cedar Rapids Raiders again defeated Springfield 3 games to 1. Season attendance in Springfield was 41,194, an average of 664.[29][30][21][3][31]

The Springfield Browns of the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League ended the 1942 season with a record of 67–48, 2nd in the regular season standings, 6.0 games behind the Cedar Rapids Raiders. Under Manager Jimmy Adair, the Browns advanced to the playoffs. In the Playoffs, the Madison Blues defeated the Browns 3 games to 1. After the 1942 season, the league took a hiatus due to World War II.[32][33][21][3]

Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League 1946–1949

Returning to play following World War II, The Springfield Browns and the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League returned to play. Playing at Lanphier Park, Springfield ended the 1946 58–67, finishing 6th in the regular season stndings, missing the playoffs. Tony Robello served as manager in 1946.[34][35][21][3][36][37]

The Springfield Browns finished 3rd in 1947. Finishing the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League regular season with a record of 71–55, under Manager Ben Huffman, Springfield qualified for the post–season. In the 1947 Playoffs, Springfield Browns defeated the Waterloo Hawks in a one–game playoff for third place. Continuing in the Playoffs, the Danville Dodgers defeated the Springfield Browns 3 games to 2. Total season attendance at Lanphier Park was 58,009, an average of 921 per game.[38][39][21][3][40]

The 1948 season began the final two seasons of Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League play, with Springfield finishing in the bottom portion of the standing in Both. The Springfield Browns finished the 1948 season in 6th place, with a 56–67 record. Hank Helf and Irv Hall were the 1948 managers. Season attendance was 54,463, an average of 886.[41][42][21][3][43]

The 1949 Springfield Browns finished last in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League, their final season in the league and their final season as a St. Louis Browns affiliate. Springfield ended the 1949 season with a record of 53–73, finishing 8th under Manager Jimmie Crandall. 1949 attendance at Lanphier Park was 48,952, an average of 777 per game. The Browns folded from the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League after the 1949 season.[44][45][21][3][46]

Mississippi-Ohio Valley League 1950

The Springfield Giants continued minor league play in Springfield in 1950. Springfield became members of the Class D level Mississippi-Ohio Valley League as an unaffiliated member. The Mississippi Valley League eventually evolved to become today's Midwest League. The Springfield Giants ended the 1950 season with a record of 60–59, finishing 5th Mississippi-Ohio Valley League. Ham Schulte and Von Price were the managers. Springfield played the 1950 season home games at Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Stadium. Season attendance at the stadium was 21,126, an average of 355 per game. The Springfield franchise folded after the 1950 season.[47][48][49][50][51]

Springfield remained without a minor league team until the Springfield Cardinals became members of the Midwest League in 1982.[52]

The ballparks

The Springfield teams played at Reservoir Park from 1931–1933. The ballpark was located on the site where Lanphier High School is currently located. The address is 1300 North 11th Street, Springfield, Illinois, 62702.[53][54][55]

In the 1950 season, the Springfield Giants played at Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Stadium. The ballpark also hosted some games of the Springfield Sallies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1948–1950. With a capacity of 4,500, the ballpark was located at South 4th Street & East Stanford Avenue, Springfield, Illinois.[56][57][58]

Beginning in 1934, the Springfield teams played at Lanphier Park. Lanphier Park was built in 1925 at a cost of $49,000. Lanphier Park had a capacity of 4,500 and dimensions of (Left, Center, Right): 320–400–320 (1939). Still in use for baseball today, the ballpark is known as Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park, named after Baseball Hall of Fame member Robin Roberts, who graduated from Lanphier High School. Today, the ballpark is home to the Springfield Sliders, a collegiate summer league baseball team that plays as a member of the Prospect League.[59][60][61][62][63]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliate
1925-19306Springfield SenatorsClass BIllinois-Iowa-Indiana LeagueNone
19311Springfield BrownsSt. Louis Browns
19321Springfield SenatorsNone
19331Mississippi Valley LeagueSt. Louis Cardinals
19341Springfield Red BirdsCentral League
19351Springfield SenatorsIllinois-Iowa-Indiana LeagueDetroit Tigers
1938-19425Springfield BrownsSt. Louis Browns
1946-19494
19501Springfield GiantsClass DMississippi-Ohio Valley LeagueNone

Notable alumni

See also

Springfield Browns players, Springfield Senators players

References
  1. "1931 Springfield Browns Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. "1931 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. "Three-I League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "1931 Springfield Senators Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "1932 Springfield Senators Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1932 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1932 Springfield Senators Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1933 Springfield Senators Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "1933 Mississippi Valley League (MVL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "Springfield Senators - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  11. "Mississippi Valley League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  12. "1933 Springfield Senators Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "1934 Central League (CL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. "1934 Springfield Red Birds Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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  18. "1935 Springfield Senators Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
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  20. "1938 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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  40. "1947 Springfield Browns Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
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  43. "1948 Springfield Browns Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
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  48. "Springfield (IL) Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
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  51. "1950 Springfield Giants Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  52. "Springfield, IL - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
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  55. "Reservoir Park (historical) (in Sangamon County, IL)".
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  58. "AAGPBL Teams: Springfield Sallies". www.aagpbl.org.
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