Oklahoma City Indians
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma City Indians were an American
minor league baseball
franchise representing Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
, that played in the Texas League
in 1909, 1933-42 and from 1946-57, and in the Western League
from 1918-32. It played at Western League Park, Holland Field and Texas League Park.
Minor league classifications varied somewhat during the Indians' lifetime, but the Western and Texas leagues of the era — rated Class A, A1 or AA — were high-level circuits that usually ranked 2-3 notches below Major League Baseball
calibre.
The Indians won the 1935 Texas League championship and two years later captured 101 regular-season victories, but generally struggled in the TL standings. In the club's last three seasons, 1955-57, it lost 90, 106 and 88 games. The team spent the post-World War II
period as the Class AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians
, but the Oklahoma City Indians' nickname long preceded that relationship. The Indians team spent many years as an unaffiliated franchise, and in its last two seasons was a farm club of the Boston Red Sox
.
Baseball Hall of Fame player Rogers Hornsby
managed the Indians for part of the 1940 season, and future Hall of Fame broadcaster
Curt Gowdy
launched his baseball announcing career with the postwar Indians.
The Oklahoma City Indians folded when the Texas League reorganized following the 1957 season. Five years later, the Oklahoma City 89ers
, Class AAA affiliate of the Houston Colt .45s
, debuted in the American Association
.
Oklahoma City also fielded a Texas League team called the Mets or Metropolitans in 1910-11.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
franchise representing Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
, that played in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in 1909, 1933-42 and from 1946-57, and in the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
from 1918-32. It played at Western League Park, Holland Field and Texas League Park.
Minor league classifications varied somewhat during the Indians' lifetime, but the Western and Texas leagues of the era — rated Class A, A1 or AA — were high-level circuits that usually ranked 2-3 notches below Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
calibre.
The Indians won the 1935 Texas League championship and two years later captured 101 regular-season victories, but generally struggled in the TL standings. In the club's last three seasons, 1955-57, it lost 90, 106 and 88 games. The team spent the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
period as the Class AA affiliate of 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...
, but the Oklahoma City Indians' nickname long preceded that relationship. The Indians team spent many years as an unaffiliated franchise, and in its last two seasons was a farm club of 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"...
.
Baseball Hall of Fame player Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
managed the Indians for part of the 1940 season, and future Hall of Fame broadcaster
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
Curt Gowdy
Curt Gowdy
Curtis Edward "Curt" Gowdy was an American sportscaster, well known as the longtime "voice" of the Boston Red Sox and for his coverage of many nationally-televised sporting events, primarily for NBC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:The son of a manager for the Union Pacific railroad,...
launched his baseball announcing career with the postwar Indians.
The Oklahoma City Indians folded when the Texas League reorganized following the 1957 season. Five years later, the Oklahoma City 89ers
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
, Class AAA affiliate of the Houston Colt .45s
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, debuted in 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...
.
Oklahoma City also fielded a Texas League team called the Mets or Metropolitans in 1910-11.