History of Pawtucket Baseball
Encyclopedia
Professional baseball
has been played in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
since 1892 and continually since 1970. The first team to call Pawtucket home, the Secrets of the New England League, disbanded on July 26, 1892 with a dismal 17-43 record. The team played its games on the Dexter Street grounds, which housed two other Pawtucket teams in the New England League through 1899.
Following the Secrets (1892), the Maroons (1894-95, 97-99) and Phenoms (1896) called Pawtucket home. After the Maroons were expelled in August 1899, Pawtucket would be without baseball until 1908, although the Colts of the Class C Atlantic Association lasted only 9 games before disbanding and leaving Pawtucket without a team for 6 more seasons.
In 1914 the Rovers joined the Class C Colonial League, playing their games at the Sabin Street grounds in the Royal Square area, but were kicked out in August 1915 because of an affiliation with a competing league.
McCoy Stadium
, named in honor of Thomas P. McCoy, the Mayor of Pawtucket from 1936-1945, was dedicated just in time for the return of professional baseball in 1946 as the Pawtucket Slaters
of the Class B New England League
debuted. The Slaters lasted 4 full seasons, but in 1950 the New England League disbanded and 8-year old McCoy Stadium was left without a permanent tenant.
That would change in 1966 when the Cleveland Indians
' Double-A Eastern League
team, the Pawtucket Indians
, relocated to Pawtucket. The Indians left after the 1967 season but professional baseball, and the Eastern League, would return to McCoy in 1970 when the city's affiliation with the Boston Red Sox
began. After 3 seasons (1970-72) as a host to Boston's Double-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox
moved their Triple-A operation to Pawtucket in time for the 1973 season and the team has remained there since. The 1973 PawSox were the first Pawtucket team ever to win a league championship
, a feat they repeated in 1984.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
has been played in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
since 1892 and continually since 1970. The first team to call Pawtucket home, the Secrets of the New England League, disbanded on July 26, 1892 with a dismal 17-43 record. The team played its games on the Dexter Street grounds, which housed two other Pawtucket teams in the New England League through 1899.
Following the Secrets (1892), the Maroons (1894-95, 97-99) and Phenoms (1896) called Pawtucket home. After the Maroons were expelled in August 1899, Pawtucket would be without baseball until 1908, although the Colts of the Class C Atlantic Association lasted only 9 games before disbanding and leaving Pawtucket without a team for 6 more seasons.
In 1914 the Rovers joined the Class C Colonial League, playing their games at the Sabin Street grounds in the Royal Square area, but were kicked out in August 1915 because of an affiliation with a competing league.
McCoy Stadium
McCoy Stadium
McCoy Stadium is a Minor League baseball stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It is currently home to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League.-History:...
, named in honor of Thomas P. McCoy, the Mayor of Pawtucket from 1936-1945, was dedicated just in time for the return of professional baseball in 1946 as the Pawtucket Slaters
Pawtucket Slaters (baseball)
The Pawtucket Slaters were a minor-league baseball team based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. From 1946 through 1949, the team played its games at McCoy Stadium as a member of the class-B New England League, and was affiliated with the Boston Braves of the National League...
of the Class B New England League
New England League
The New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
debuted. The Slaters lasted 4 full seasons, but in 1950 the New England League disbanded and 8-year old McCoy Stadium was left without a permanent tenant.
That would change in 1966 when the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
' Double-A Eastern League
Eastern League (U.S. baseball)
The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
team, the Pawtucket Indians
Pawtucket Indians
For the tribe, see PennacookThe Pawtucket Indians were a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. Located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Indians existed from 1966 to 1967, playing in the Eastern League. They came into existence after 1965, when the Reading...
, relocated to Pawtucket. The Indians left after the 1967 season but professional baseball, and the Eastern League, would return to McCoy in 1970 when the city's affiliation with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
began. After 3 seasons (1970-72) as a host to Boston's Double-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
moved their Triple-A operation to Pawtucket in time for the 1973 season and the team has remained there since. The 1973 PawSox were the first Pawtucket team ever to win a league championship
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
, a feat they repeated in 1984.