Hartford Senators
Encyclopedia
The Hartford Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Hartford, Connecticut
. They operated in the Connecticut League
from 1902-1912, the Eastern Association
from 1913-1914, the Eastern League
from 1916-1932 and the Northeastern League in 1934. For the 1932 season they were affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers
. The team's most famous player was Lou Gehrig who played for the Senators on three separate occasions before being a starting first baseman for the New York Yankees. The team won league championships in 1909, 1913, 1923 and 1931.
From the Mar 12,1933 "Hartford Courant" obituary of James H. Clarkin,"quarter of a century owner of the Hartford Baseball Club" indicates he sold both the Eastern League Franchise and Clarkin Field "now the Bulkeley Stadium" in 1928 when he retired. Mr. Clarkin entered league baseball in 1904 when he purchased the league franchise from William J. Tracey of Bristol, CT., as a partner, but soon after was the sole owner of The Hartford Club. "Although he had many acrimonious disputes with fellow magnates, he came to their assistance in more than one crisis and saved the Eastern League during the World War, when the league's fortunes were at a low ebb. Money furnished by Mr. Clarkin kept two of the other franchises in operation, and the Eastern League road out the storm." Hartford was in the old Connecticut State League when Mr. Clarkin took over, then in the Colonial League, the Eastern Association, and then the Eastern League. Some of the well known players "graduated from his direction to fame in the big leagues" were Ray Fisher, Hughie High, Walter (Kid) Rehg, "Buck" O'Brien, Walter Leverenz, Leo Durocher, Heinie Scheer and Pete Wilson. "Lou Gehrig, first baseman and home run hitter of the New York Yankees made his name in league ball under Jim Clarkin" starring for the Hartford Senators in 1923-24 and drawing big crowds to the Franklin Ave area park. "Jim Thorpe, famous Redskin, was another notable who wore a Hartford uniform during the 1922 season." Many well known men grew up as managers in Hartford under Mr. Clarkin, among them were Bob Connery, "now president of the St. Paul (Minn.) club"; Dan Howley, later manager of the Cincinnati Reds; Si McDonald, Paddy O'Connor, Jack Coffey, Chet Thomas, Arthur Irwin, Tom Dowd, Danny Murphy of the Philadelphia Athletics fame. Three pennants were brought to Hartford under Clarkin's ownership of the club. Bob Connery was the first to win a championship for Mr. Clarkin in 1901, Si McDonald repeated in 1913, and Paddy O'Connor of Springfield won the Eastern League championship in 1923. "His salary roll in 1923 set a new high mark for the Eastern League" Mr. Clarkin replaced the old Wethersfield Ave grounds in 1921, at Hanmer and George Sts, off of Franklin Ave., "a few minutes walk from the former field". He had a fine playing surface laid out and erected one of the best minor league structures in the country, with a stand of steel and concrete, dressing rooms, shower baths and complete modern equipment. Although not ready for the opening game in 1921 and for some two weeks, the Senators played all their games on the road, returning to Hartford for a gala opening. "In 1927, fire destroyed the stand and fence at Clarkin Field but was rebuild at once. The new stand erected in less than a month, and the Senators had a home again after having played at Trinity Field and in Manchester during the interval" Tribute was paid to Clarkin by Jack Coffey, his manager in 1922 and graduate manager of athletics at Fordham University, who said, "He had many endearing qualities hidden from those who did not know him intimately."
On August 19, 2007 at Bullens Field in Westfield, MA the Hartford Senators won the 2007 World Series of Vintage Baseball. Hartford defeated Division Champions from California, Michigan, Rhode Island and Massachusetts to win the Pennant. The Senators were led by players Chris "Grit" Moran, Jeff "Bull" Durham, Mike "Broadway" Hickey and Robert "Streak" Silverberg. Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully called the 2007 Hartford Senators "The greatest Vintage Base Ball team that ever played." The Senators play home games at Colt Park in Hartford, Connecticut.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. They operated in the Connecticut League
Connecticut League
The Connecticut League, also known as the Connecticut State League is a now defunct minor baseball league based in Connecticut. The league began as off-shoot of the original Connecticut State League in 1902 as a Class D league with teams in eight cities...
from 1902-1912, the Eastern Association
Eastern Association
The Eastern Association of counties was a Parliamentarian or 'Roundhead' army during the English Civil War. It was formed from a number of pro-Parliamentary militias in the east of England in 1642, including a troop of cavalry led by Oliver Cromwell...
from 1913-1914, the Eastern League
Eastern League (baseball, 1916-32)
The Eastern League of 1916 through the mid-season of 1932 was an American minor baseball league and the third of four circuits to use the Eastern League name since the 19th century...
from 1916-1932 and the Northeastern League in 1934. For the 1932 season they were affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. The team's most famous player was Lou Gehrig who played for the Senators on three separate occasions before being a starting first baseman for the New York Yankees. The team won league championships in 1909, 1913, 1923 and 1931.
From the Mar 12,1933 "Hartford Courant" obituary of James H. Clarkin,"quarter of a century owner of the Hartford Baseball Club" indicates he sold both the Eastern League Franchise and Clarkin Field "now the Bulkeley Stadium" in 1928 when he retired. Mr. Clarkin entered league baseball in 1904 when he purchased the league franchise from William J. Tracey of Bristol, CT., as a partner, but soon after was the sole owner of The Hartford Club. "Although he had many acrimonious disputes with fellow magnates, he came to their assistance in more than one crisis and saved the Eastern League during the World War, when the league's fortunes were at a low ebb. Money furnished by Mr. Clarkin kept two of the other franchises in operation, and the Eastern League road out the storm." Hartford was in the old Connecticut State League when Mr. Clarkin took over, then in the Colonial League, the Eastern Association, and then the Eastern League. Some of the well known players "graduated from his direction to fame in the big leagues" were Ray Fisher, Hughie High, Walter (Kid) Rehg, "Buck" O'Brien, Walter Leverenz, Leo Durocher, Heinie Scheer and Pete Wilson. "Lou Gehrig, first baseman and home run hitter of the New York Yankees made his name in league ball under Jim Clarkin" starring for the Hartford Senators in 1923-24 and drawing big crowds to the Franklin Ave area park. "Jim Thorpe, famous Redskin, was another notable who wore a Hartford uniform during the 1922 season." Many well known men grew up as managers in Hartford under Mr. Clarkin, among them were Bob Connery, "now president of the St. Paul (Minn.) club"; Dan Howley, later manager of the Cincinnati Reds; Si McDonald, Paddy O'Connor, Jack Coffey, Chet Thomas, Arthur Irwin, Tom Dowd, Danny Murphy of the Philadelphia Athletics fame. Three pennants were brought to Hartford under Clarkin's ownership of the club. Bob Connery was the first to win a championship for Mr. Clarkin in 1901, Si McDonald repeated in 1913, and Paddy O'Connor of Springfield won the Eastern League championship in 1923. "His salary roll in 1923 set a new high mark for the Eastern League" Mr. Clarkin replaced the old Wethersfield Ave grounds in 1921, at Hanmer and George Sts, off of Franklin Ave., "a few minutes walk from the former field". He had a fine playing surface laid out and erected one of the best minor league structures in the country, with a stand of steel and concrete, dressing rooms, shower baths and complete modern equipment. Although not ready for the opening game in 1921 and for some two weeks, the Senators played all their games on the road, returning to Hartford for a gala opening. "In 1927, fire destroyed the stand and fence at Clarkin Field but was rebuild at once. The new stand erected in less than a month, and the Senators had a home again after having played at Trinity Field and in Manchester during the interval" Tribute was paid to Clarkin by Jack Coffey, his manager in 1922 and graduate manager of athletics at Fordham University, who said, "He had many endearing qualities hidden from those who did not know him intimately."
The Hartford Senators Today
The Hartford Senators were re-established in 2001 for the purpose of perpetuating, promoting, and playing the game of Baseball as it was when it first existed. The Vintage Base Ball Federation was founded by World Series pitcher Jim Bouton and funded by Mass Mutual Financial Group.On August 19, 2007 at Bullens Field in Westfield, MA the Hartford Senators won the 2007 World Series of Vintage Baseball. Hartford defeated Division Champions from California, Michigan, Rhode Island and Massachusetts to win the Pennant. The Senators were led by players Chris "Grit" Moran, Jeff "Bull" Durham, Mike "Broadway" Hickey and Robert "Streak" Silverberg. Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully called the 2007 Hartford Senators "The greatest Vintage Base Ball team that ever played." The Senators play home games at Colt Park in Hartford, Connecticut.
Notable players
- Lou GehrigLou GehrigHenry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, Baseball Hall of Famer - Hank GreenbergHank GreenbergHenry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
, Baseball Hall of Famerhttp://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=greenb001hen