Newark Bears (1926-1949)
Encyclopedia
The Newark Bears were a team in the International League
from 1926 to 1949. They played their home games at Ruppert Stadium
in what is now known as the Ironbound
section of Newark; the stadium was demolished in 1967.
Newark was a hotbed of minor league baseball
from the time of the formation of the Newark Indians in 1902, and the addition of the Newark Eagles
of the Negro National Leagues
in 1936. A Federal League
team, the Newark Peppers
, played in 1915.
In 1937, as a farm club of the New York Yankees
, the Bears featured one of the most potent lineups in baseball, including Charlie Keller
, Joe Gordon, Spud Chandler
and George McQuinn
, among others. They won the pennant by 25½ games to become known as one of the greatest minor league teams of all time. Their legacy was ensured when, after trailing 3 games to 0, they won the last four games against the Columbus Red Birds
of the American Association
to capture the Junior World Series
.
Following the 1949 season, the Bears moved to Springfield, Massachusetts
. Their departure, and the folding of the Eagles a year later, left Newark without professional baseball for nearly 50 years, until the formation of the Atlantic League Bears (see above).
One of the Bears' players, veteran pitcher George Earl Toolson, was reassigned by the Yankees to the AA Binghamton Triplets
for the 1950 season. He refused to report and filed a lawsuit
challenging the reserve clause
, which went all the way to the Supreme Court
. The justices upheld the clause and baseball's antitrust
exemption, 7-2.
, the championship of the IL, 4 times, and played in the championship series 7 times.
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
from 1926 to 1949. They played their home games at Ruppert Stadium
Ruppert Stadium (Newark)
Ruppert Stadium was a baseball stadium that formerly stood in Newark, New Jersey, in the area now known as the Ironbound. Originally named Davids' Stadium, it was home to the minor league Newark Bears of the International League from 1926 to 1949 and the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues from 1936...
in what is now known as the Ironbound
Ironbound
The Ironbound is a large working-class neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. This close-knit, multi-ethnic community covers approximately four square miles . Historically, the area was called "Dutch Neck," "Down Neck," or simply "the Neck," because of the way the Passaic River curved to form what...
section of Newark; the stadium was demolished in 1967.
Newark was a hotbed of minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
from the time of the formation of the Newark Indians in 1902, and the addition of the Newark Eagles
Newark Eagles
The Newark Eagles was a professional Negro league baseball team that played in the second Negro National League from 1936 to 1948.- Formation :...
of the Negro National Leagues
Negro National League (the second)
The second Negro National League was one of the several Negro leagues which were created during the time organized baseball was segregated. It established in 1933, two years after the first Negro National League had disbanded...
in 1936. A Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
team, the Newark Peppers
Newark Peppers
The Newark Peppers, originally known as the Indianapolis Hoosiers, were a Federal League baseball team from 1914-1915.When the Federal League opened for business in 1914 as a challenger to the two major leagues, one franchise was located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Primarily owned by oil magnate...
, played in 1915.
In 1937, as a farm club of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, the Bears featured one of the most potent lineups in baseball, including Charlie Keller
Charlie Keller
Charles Ernest "Charlie" Keller was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1939 through 1952, Keller played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers...
, Joe Gordon, Spud Chandler
Spud Chandler
Spurgeon Ferdinand "Spud" Chandler was an American right-handed starting pitcher in major league baseball, who played his entire career for the New York Yankees from 1937 through 1947...
and George McQuinn
George McQuinn
George Hartley McQuinn was a left handed, Major League Baseball first baseman.-Early life:A native of Arlington, Virginia, and a graduate of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia,-Baseball career:...
, among others. They won the pennant by 25½ games to become known as one of the greatest minor league teams of all time. Their legacy was ensured when, after trailing 3 games to 0, they won the last four games against the Columbus Red Birds
Columbus Red Birds
The Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, in the American Association from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators — a typical...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
to capture the Junior World Series
Junior World Series
The Junior World Series was the name given to a postseason series between champions of two of the three high-minor baseball leagues, modeled on the World Series of Major League Baseball...
.
Following the 1949 season, the Bears moved to Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. Their departure, and the folding of the Eagles a year later, left Newark without professional baseball for nearly 50 years, until the formation of the Atlantic League Bears (see above).
One of the Bears' players, veteran pitcher George Earl Toolson, was reassigned by the Yankees to the AA Binghamton Triplets
Binghamton Triplets
The Binghamton Triplets were a minor league baseball team in Binghamton, New York, affiliated with the New York Yankees ; the team also had brief affiliations with the Kansas City Athletics and the Milwaukee Braves...
for the 1950 season. He refused to report and filed a lawsuit
Toolson v. New York Yankees
Toolson v. New York Yankees is a 1953 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld, 7–2, the antitrust exemption first granted to Major League Baseball three decades earlier in Federal Baseball Club v. National League...
challenging the reserve clause
Reserve clause
The reserve clause is a term formerly employed in North American professional sports contracts. The reserve clause, contained in all standard player contracts, stated that, upon the contract's expiration the rights to the player were to be retained by the team to which he had been signed...
, which went all the way to the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. The justices upheld the clause and baseball's antitrust
Antitrust
The United States antitrust law is a body of laws that prohibits anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition in the marketplace. These competition laws make illegal certain practices deemed to hurt businesses or consumers or both,...
exemption, 7-2.
Season-by-season records
| Newark Bears - 1926 to 1949 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Affiliation | Manager | Record |
| 1926 | None | Fred Burchell | 99-66, 3rd place |
| 1927 | None | John Egan | 90-77, 3rd place |
| 1928 | None | Walter Johnson | 81-84, 7th place |
| 1929 | None | Tris Speaker | 81-85, 7th place |
| 1930 | None | Tris Speaker/Al Mamaux | 80-88, 5th place |
| 1931 | None | Al Mamaux | 99-69, 2nd place |
| 1932 | Yankees | Al Mamaux | 109-59, 1st place |
| 1933 | Yankees | Al Mamaux | 102-62, 1st place South |
| 1934 | Yankees | Bob Shawkey | 93-60, 1st place |
| 1935 | Yankees | Bob Shawkey | 81-71, 4th place |
| 1936 | Yankees | Ossie Vitt | 88-67, 3rd place |
| 1937 | Yankees | Ossie Vitt | 109-43, 1st place |
| 1938 | Yankees | Johnny Neun | 104-48, 1st place |
| 1939 | Yankees | Johnny Neun | 82-73, 4th place |
| 1940 | Yankees | Johnny Neun | 95-65, 2nd place |
| 1941 | Yankees | Johnny Neun | 100-54, 1st place |
| 1942 | Yankees | Bill Meyer | 92-61, 1st place |
| 1943 | Yankees | Bill Meyer | 85-68, 2nd place |
| 1944 | Yankees | Bill Meyer | 85-69, 2nd place |
| 1945 | Yankees | Bill Meyer | 89-64, 2nd place |
| 1946 | Yankees | George Selkirk | 80-74, 4th place |
| 1947 | Yankees | George Selkirk | 65-89, 6th place |
| 1948 | Yankees | Bill Skiff | 80-72, 2nd place |
| 1949 | Yankees | Buddy Hassett | 55-98, 8th place |
| Totals | Overall record | Winning percentage |
|---|---|---|
| (1926-1949) | 2039-1586 | .562 |
Post-Season Results
- 1932: Defeated Minneapolis MillersMinneapolis MillersThe Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
(American AssociationAmerican Association (20th century)The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
), 4 games to 2, in Junior World Series - 1933: Lost to Rochester Red WingsRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, 3 games to 1, in opening round - 1934: Lost to Toronto Maple Leafs, 4 games to 3, in opening round
- 1935: Lost to Syracuse ChiefsSyracuse SkyChiefsThe Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals...
, 4 games to 0, in opening round - 1936: Lost to Buffalo BisonsBuffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, 4 games to 1, in opening round - 1937: Defeated Syracuse ChiefsSyracuse SkyChiefsThe Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals...
, 4 games to 0; defeated Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
, 4 games to 0, for league championship; defeated Columbus Red BirdsColumbus Red BirdsThe Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, in the American Association from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators — a typical...
, 4 games to 3, in Junior World Series - 1938: Defeated Rochester Red WingsRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, 4 games to 3; defeated Buffalo BisonsBuffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, 4 games to 1, for league championship; lost to Kansas City BluesKansas City Blues (American Association)The Kansas City Blues are a former minor league baseball team located in Kansas City, Missouri, in the Midwestern United States. The team was one of the eight founding members of the American Association....
, 4 games to 3, in Junior World Series - 1939: Defeated Jersey City GiantsJersey City GiantsThe Jersey City Giants was the name of a high-level American minor league baseball franchise that played in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the top farm system affiliate of the New York Giants from 1937 through 1950. The Jersey City club played in the International League...
, 4 games to 2; lost to Rochester Red WingsRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, 4 games to 3, in championship round - 1940: Defeated Jersey City GiantsJersey City GiantsThe Jersey City Giants was the name of a high-level American minor league baseball franchise that played in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the top farm system affiliate of the New York Giants from 1937 through 1950. The Jersey City club played in the International League...
, 4 games to 0; defeated Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
, 4 games to 3, for league championship; defeated Louisville ColonelsLouisville Colonels (minor league baseball team)The Louisville Colonels was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 20th century. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels.-Twentieth century minor league teams:...
, 4 games to 2, in Junior World Series - 1941: Defeated Rochester Red WingsRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, 4 games to 1; lost to Montreal RoyalsMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, 4 games to 3, in championship round - 1942: Lost to Jersey City GiantsJersey City GiantsThe Jersey City Giants was the name of a high-level American minor league baseball franchise that played in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the top farm system affiliate of the New York Giants from 1937 through 1950. The Jersey City club played in the International League...
, 4 games to 2, in opening round - 1943: Lost to Syracuse ChiefsSyracuse SkyChiefsThe Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals...
, 4 games to 2, in opening round - 1944: Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs, 4 games to 0; lost to Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
, 4 games to 3, in championship round - 1945: Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs, 4 games to 2; defeated Montreal RoyalsMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, 4 games to 3, for league championship; lost to Louisville ColonelsLouisville Colonels (minor league baseball team)The Louisville Colonels was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 20th century. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels.-Twentieth century minor league teams:...
, 4 games to 2, in Junior World Series - 1946: Lost to Montréal RoyalsMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, 4 games to 2, in opening round - 1948: Lost to Syracuse ChiefsSyracuse SkyChiefsThe Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals...
, 4 games to 3, in opening round
Titles
The Bears won the Governors' CupGovernors' 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:...
, the championship of the IL, 4 times, and played in the championship series 7 times.
- 1937 - Defeated BaltimoreBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
- 1938 - Defeated BuffaloBuffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
- 1939 - Lost to RochesterRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
- 1940 - Defeated BaltimoreBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
- 1941 - Lost to MontrealMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
- 1944 - Lost to BaltimoreBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
- 1945 - Defeated MontrealMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
Other Historical Newark Teams
- Newark Domestics, played in the Eastern LeagueEastern 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...
from 1884 to 1885. - Newark Little Giants, played in the Eastern LeagueEastern 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...
in 1886, and the International LeagueInternational LeagueThe International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in 1887. - Newark, played in the Central LeagueCentral LeagueThe or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
in 1888, and the Atlantic Association from 1889 to 1890. - Newark, played in the Atlantic League in 1896, and from 1899 to 1900.
- Newark Indians, played in the Eastern LeagueEastern 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...
from 1902 to 1911, and the International LeagueInternational LeagueThe International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
from 1912 to the middle of the 1915 season. They were the International League champions in 1913. - Newark Stars, played in the Eastern Colored LeagueEastern Colored LeagueThe Mutual Association of Eastern Colored Clubs, more commonly known as the Eastern Colored League , was one of the several Negro leagues, which operated during the time organized baseball was segregated.- History :...
in 1926. - Newark Browns, played in the East-West LeagueEast-West LeagueThe East-West League was an American Negro baseball league that operated during the period when professional baseball in the United States was segregated. Cum Posey organized the league in 1932, but it didn't last the full year and folded in June of that year...
in 1932. - Newark Dodgers, played in the Negro National League from 1934 to 1935.
- Newark Peppers, played in the Federal LeagueFederal LeagueThe Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
in 1915. - Newark Bears, played in the New York-Penn League in 1950 to 1952.