Bakersfield Drillers

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Bakersfield Drillers
1910–1929
(1910, 1929)
Bakersfield, California
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1910, 1929)
LeagueSan Joaquin Valley League (1910)
California State League (1929)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1910
Team data
NameBakersfield Drillers (1910)
Bakersfield Bees (1929)
BallparkRecreation Park (1910)

The Bakersfield Drillers was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Bakersfield, California in 1910 and 1929. Bakersfield teams played as members of the Class D level San Joaquin Valley League in 1910 and California State League in 1929.

History[]

Minor league baseball was first hosted in Bakersfield, California in 1910. The Bakersfield Drillers became founding members of the four–team Class D level San Joaquin Valley League. The Coalinga Savages, Tulare Merchants and Visalia Pirates joined Bakersfield as charter members to begin the season. On September 12, 1910 , Bakersfield had a record of 21–9 under manager Brick Devereaux when the San Joaquin Valley League folded. Bakersfield was 7.5 games ahead of 2nd place Visalia (13–17) in the standings at the time the league folded. Previously, the Tulare (13–15) franchise had folded on August 8, 1910 and Coalinga (9–14) folded on August 18, 1910. Pitcher Willard Meikle of Bakersfield led the league with 11 wins, 101 strikeouts and an 11–4 record.[1][2][3][4][5]

The Bakersfield use of the "Drillers" moniker corresponds with oil drilling in the area. The Kern River Oil Field began oil production in 1899 and is still in operation today.[6]

(1910) Kern River Oil Field. Bakersfield, California.

Minor league baseball returned briefly to Bakersfield in 1929. The Bakersfield Bees began the season as members of the four–team Class D level California State League. The San Diego Aces, San Bernardino Padres and Santa Ana Orange Countians joined Bakersfield in league play. On opening day, April 10, 1929, Santa Ana defeated Bakersfield 7-6. Josh Clark was president of the Bakersfield team.[7][8]

During the season, the California State League permanently folded on June 17, 1929. At the time the league folded, Bakersfield was in 2nd place with a 32–28 overall record. Managed by Louis Guisto and Ned Porter, the Bakersfield Bees finished 2.5 games behind the 1st place San Diego Aces in the final standings. Lou Martin of Bakersfield led the league in hitting, batting .389 and player/manager Ned Porter led the California State League with 15 home runs.[7][9][10][11][12]

Bakersfield, California next hosted minor league baseball when the 1941 Bakersfield Badgers began play as members of the California League.[13]

The ballpark[]

It was noted that the Bakersfield Drillers hosted games at Recreation Park in 1910.[14]

(1909) Santa Fe Depot. Bakersfield, California.

Timeline[]

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League
1910 1 Bakersfield Drillers Class D Southern California League
1929 1 Bakersfield Bees California State League

Year-by-Year Record[]

Year Record Finish Manager Notes
1910 21–9 1st Brick Devereaux League folded September 12
1929 32–28 2nd Louis Guisto / Ned Porter League folded June 17

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Bakersfield Bees players

References[]

  1. ^ "San Joaquin Valley League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. ^ "Bakersfield Drillers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. ^ "1910 Bakersfield Drillers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. ^ "1910 San Joaquin Valley League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "1910 Bakersfield Drillers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. ^ "Discovery Well Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  7. ^ a b "California State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  8. ^ Swank, Bill (September 3, 2005). Baseball in San Diego: From the Plaza to the Padres. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738534121 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Bakersfield Bees - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  10. ^ "California State League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. ^ "1929 Bakersfield Bees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ "1929 Bakersfield Bees minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. ^ "Bakersfield Badgers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. ^ Nowlin, Bill (January 10, 2014). The Great Red Sox Spring Training Tour of 1911: Sixty-Three Games, Coast to Coast. McFarland. ISBN 9780786462209 – via Google Books.

External link[]

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