The Dyersburg Deers were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Dyersburg, Tennessee, from 1923 to 1925. They were members of the Class D Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (KITTY League) from 1923 to 1924 during which time they were known as the Dyersburg Forked Dears. They played as simply the Dyersburg Deers in the Class D Tri-State League in 1925. Their home games were played at Scot's Field.

Dyersburg Deers
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1923–1925)
League
Major league affiliations
TeamUnaffiliated (1923–1925)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1923
  • 1924
First-half titles (2)
  • 1923
  • 1924
Team data
Name
  • Dyersburg Deers (1925)
  • Dyersburg Forked Deers (1923–1924)
BallparkScot's Field (1923–1925)

Over three seasons of competition, Dyersburg accumulated a regular season record of 170–141 (.547). They won the KITTY League championship in both 1923 and 1924. Their postseason record was 8–2 (.800).

History

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The Dyersburg Forked Deers began competition in 1923 as members of the Class D Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League.[1] Their scheduled season opener on May 15 was rained out. They won the next day's game against the Fulton Railroaders, 3–2 in 10 innings, at Scot's Field before a home audience of around 1,200 people.[1][2] On August 24, June Greene pitched a 10–0 no-hitter against Fulton in the second game of a doubleheader.[3] The Forked Dears won the first half of the league's split season, qualifying for the championship playoffs.[4] They then defeated the Mayfield Pantmakers to win the KITTY League championship, four games to two.[5] Their season record was 51–47 (.520).[4]

The Forked Deers repeated as first half champions in 1924.[6][7] They won a second KITTY League championship by sweeping the Paris Parisians in four games in the best-of-seven championship series.[8] They accumulated a 60–48 (.556) record during the season.[7]

The KITTY League failed to reorganize for the 1925 season,[9] so Dyersburg joined the Class D Tri-State League.[10] They also shortened their name to simply the Dyersburg Deers.[11] On August 17, William Cason no-hit the Blytheville Tigers in a 4–0 home win.[3] The Deers compiled a season record of 59–46 (.562) but failed to win either half of the season.[10]

Dyersburg did not field another team in 1926.[12] Over three years of competition the team accumulated a record of 170–141 (.547).[12]

Season-by-season results

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Season Regular season Postseason Ref.
Record Win % Finish GB Record Win % Result
1923 51–47 .520 3rd 6 4–2 .667 Won first half title
Won KITTY League championship vs. Mayfield Pantmakers, 4–2[5]
[4]
1924 60–48 .556 1st 4–0 1.000 Won first half title
Won KITTY League championship vs. Paris Parisians, 4–0[8]
[7]
1925 59–46 .562 3rd 7+12 [10]
Totals 170–141 .547 8–2 .800

Notable players

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Three players also played in at league one game in Major League Baseball during their careers. These players and their seasons with Dyersburg were:

References

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  1. ^ a b "1923 Dyersburg Forked Deers Roster". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  2. ^ "10 Innings at Dyers". The Paducah Sun-Democrat. Paducah. May 17, 1923. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b McGill, Chuck. "Minor League No-Hitters". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "1923 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Dyersburg Crowned League Champion After Winning Series from Mayfield". News-Democrat. Paducah. September 12, 1923. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Parisians Shut Out By League Leading Deers". The Paducah Sun-Democrat. Paducah. July 11, 1923. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c "1924 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Deers Win Title of Kitty Loop from Paris". The Courier-Journal. Louisville. September 17, 1924. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Kitty League Lost to Fans for 1925 Season". The Courier-Journal. Louisville. February 10, 1925. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b c "1925 Tri-State League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "Mayfield Yanks to Play Deers". News-Democrat. Paducah. June 3, 1925. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b "Sports in Dyersburg, Tennessee". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  13. ^ "June Greene Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Phil Hensiek Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Jack Knight Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
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