The Evansville Braves was the primary nickname of a minor league baseball team based in Evansville, Indiana 1938–1942 and 1946–1957, playing in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees Bob Uecker and Warren Spahn played for Evansville during this era.
| Evansville Braves | |
|---|---|
| |
 | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Previous classes | Class B (1938–1942, 1946–1957) |
Previous leagues | Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (Three-I League) (1938–1942, 1946–1957) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 4 1946, 1948, 1956, 1957 |
| Team data | |
Previous names | Braves (1941–1942; 1946–1957) Bees (1938–1940) |
Previous parks | Bosse Field (1938–1942, 1946–1957) |
History edit
The Evansville Bees and Braves played the Class B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (the "Three-I" League) from 1938 to 1957, interrupted when the league ceased play during World War II. They played home games at Bosse Field, which is currently the third oldest baseball stadium in regular use in the United States.
Evansville of the Three-I League had a single affiliation with the Major League Braves franchise, playing as affiliates of the Boston Bees (1938–1940), Boston Braves (1941–1942 and 1946–1952) and the Milwaukee Braves (1953–1957). The Evansville Bees (1938–1940) took their name when the Boston Braves changed their nickname to the Bees for a few seasons.
The team ceased after the 1957 season and Evansville was without baseball until the Evansville White Sox began play in the Class AA Southern League in 1966.[1] Today, Evansville and Bosse Field are home to the Frontier League's Evansville Otters.[2]
The ballpark edit
The franchise played at Bosse Field. Bosse Field was built in 1915 and had a capacity of 7,200 during the Braves era.[3] Historic Bosse Field is still in use today, serving as the home park for the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League.[2] Next to Fenway Park (1912) and Wrigley Field (1914), Memorial Stadium in the third oldest professional park in existence, opening on June 17, 1915. Bosse Field is located at 1701 Main Street & Morgan Street, Evansville, Indiana.[4]
Championships edit
- The franchise won four Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League Championships: 1946, 1948, 1956 and 1957.
Major League Affiliations edit
- 1938–1942; 1946–1952, Boston Braves/Bees
- 1953–1957, Milwaukee Braves
Notable alumni edit
Baseball Hall of Fame alumni edit
- Warren Spahn (1941) Inducted, 1973
- Bob Uecker (1957) Ford C. Frick Award, 2003
Notable alumni edit
- Claud Raymond (1957) MLB All-Star
- Lee Maye (1955-1956)
- Jim Frey (1951-1952)
- Del Crandall (1949) MLB All-Star
- Dick Donovan (1948) MLB All-Star
- Chuck Tanner (1946) Manager: 1979 World Series Champion - Pittsburgh Pirates
Year-by-year record edit
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 68-51 | 3rd | Bob Coleman | League Champs |
| 1947 | 70-55 | 5th | Bob Coleman | NA |
| 1948 | 67-54 | 3rd | Bob Coleman | League Champs |
| 1949 | 74-51 | 1st | Bob Coleman | Lost League Finals |
| 1950 | 56-70 | 6th | Ernie White | NA |
| 1951 | 69-60 | 2nd | Bob Coleman | Lost in 1st round |
| 1952 | 74-47 | 1st | Bob Coleman | Lost League Finals |
| 1953 | 70-59 | 3rd | Bob Coleman | Lost League Finals |
| 1954 | 81-54 | 1st | Bob Coleman | Lost in 1st round |
| 1955 | 60-66 | 5th | Bob Coleman | NA |
| 1956 | 84-36 | 1st | Bob Coleman | League Champs |
| 1957 | 81-49 | 1st | Bob Coleman | League Champs |
References edit
- ^ "Evansville, Indiana Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ a b "Evansville Otters – Frontier League".
- ^ "Bosse Field Minor League History | Baseball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on 2016-04-06.
- ^ "EvansvilleOtters". July 5, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-07-05.