Crisfield Crabbers

The Crisfield Crabbers were a minor league baseball team based in Crisfield, Maryland between 1922 and 1937. The Crisfield Crabbers teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League from 1922 to 1928 and in 1937.

The 1937 Crisfield Crabbers were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants.

History[]

Eastern Shore League 1922–1928[]

Minor league baseball began in Crisfield, Maryland with the 1922 Crisfield Crabbers, who became charter members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League, which began play as a six–team league. The Crisfield Crabbers joined fellow Eastern Shore League charter members Cambridge Canners, Laurel Blue Hens, Parksley Spuds, Pocomoke City Salamanders and Salisbury Indians in league play. Crisfield ended the 1922 season with a record of 36–32, placing 3rd as Jack Ryan served as manager. The Crabbers finished 6.5 games behind the champion Parksley Spuds. Joe Tagg of Crisfield led the Eastern Shore League in batting average, hitting .329.^[1][2][3][4]

The "Crabbers" moniker was in reference to local industry, as today, Crisfield is still noted as the greatest crab shipping point in the United States. Crisfield Academy and High School continues to use the "Crabbers" moniker today. The city of Crisfield continues to host the annual Crab Derby.^[5][6][7]

The 1923 Crisfield Crabbers finished last in the final Eastern Shore League standings. Crisfield ended the 1923 season with a record of 26–47, placing 6th as the Eastern Shore League expanded to eight teams to begin the season. However, the Milford Sandpipers withdrew from the league in a dispute over an ineligible player and the Pocomoke City Salamanders folded during the season. Jack Ryan again served as the Crisfield manager, as the Crabbers finished 24.0 games behind the 1st place Dover Senators.^{[8][9][10][4]}

The Crisfield Crabbers of the Eastern Shore League ended the 1924 season with a record of 41–39, placing 4th in the Eastern Shore League. Joseph Riley served as manager. In the six–team league, Crisfield finished the season 5.0 games behind the champion Parksley Spuds.^[11][12][4]

Continuing Eastern Shore League play, the 1925 Crisfield Crabbers finished in 5th place. The Crabbers ended the 1925 season with a record of 42–48 to place 5th in the six–team Eastern Shore League. Martin Breslin and Herb Armstrong served as managers, as Crisfield finished 9.5 games behind the 1st place Cambridge Canners.^{[13][14][15][4]}

The 1926 Crisfield Crabbers won the Eastern Shore League Championship of the six–team Eastern Shore League. On August 27, 1926, pitcher William Everham of Crisfield threw a no-hitter against the Salisbury Indians. Crisfield defeated Salisbury 5–0 in the game. The Crisfield Crabbers ended the 1926 Eastern Shore League season with a record of 63–21, to place 1st in the final standings. With Danny Pasquella serving as manager, Crisfield finished 7.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Salisbury Indians. The Easton Yankees were stripped of 34 wins due to roster violations and ended the 1926 season with an official overall record of 24–60.^{[16][17][18][19][20][4][21]}

After the conclusion of the 1926 Eastern Shore Season, Crisfield represented the Eastern Shore League in the Five State Championship against the Hagerstown Hubs, champions of the Blue Ridge League. Hagerstown defeated Crisfield 4 games to 2 in the series.^[4]

The Crisfield Crabbers of the 1927 Eastern Shore League ended the regular season with a record of 44–43. The Crabbers placed 3rd in the final standings under returning manager Dan Pasquella, finishing 15.5 games behind the 1st place Parksley Spuds. Pitcher Cecil Rose of Crisfield led the Eastern Shore League with 17 wins.^{[22][23][24][4]}

The 1928 Eastern Shore League folded during the season. On July 10, 1928, as the league folded, the Crisfield Crabbers had a record of 14–17 under manager Billy Lush. Crisfield was in 3rd place in the standings when the league folded, 8.0 games behind the 1st place Northampton Red Sox.^{[25][26][27][4]}

Eastern Shore League 1937[]

The Eastern Shore League resumed play in 1937 with Crisfield becoming a member once again, joining the eight–team league. Crisfield became an affiliate of the New York Giants. Crisfield ended the 1937 season with a 40–57 record, placing 7th in the regular season, finishing 19.5 games behind the 1st place Salisbury Indians, who had 21 wins taken away due to roster violations, but still won the pennant. The 1937 Crabbers were managed by Bob Clark and returning manager Dan Pasquella in their final season.^{[28][29][30][31]}

The Crisfield franchise folded from the Eastern Shore League following the 1937 season. Crisfield, Maryland has not hosted another minor league team.^[32]

The ballparks[]

Early Crisfield teams were noted to have played minor league home games at Crisfield Ball Park. The ballpark was located on Cove Road at 1st Street & 2nd Street, Crisfield, Maryland.^[33]

In 1937, Crisfield was referenced to have played home games at Clarke Park.^[34]

(2007) Chesapeake Bay, Crisfield, MD

Timeline[]

Year-by-Year Record[]

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Crisfield Crabbers players players

References[]

External links[]

• Baseball Reference Bullpen