Gulfport Tarpons
| Gulfport Tarpons 1906–1928 (1906–1908, 1926–1928) Gulfport, Mississippi | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
|---|---|
| Class | Class D (1906–1908, 1926–1928) |
| League | Cotton States League (1906–1908, 1926–1928) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Conference titles (0) | None |
| Team data | |
| Name | Gulfport Crabs (1906–1907) Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs (1908) Gulfport Tarpons (1926–1928) |
| Ballpark | Fair Grounds (1926–1928) |
The Gulfport Tarpons was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Gulfport, Mississippi between 1906 and 1928. Gulfport teams played exclusively as members of the Cotton States League from 1906 to 1908 and 1926 to 1928.
History[]
Gulfport, Mississippi first hosted minor league baseball in 1906. The Gulfport Crabs became members of the six–team Class D level Cotton States League. The Baton Rouge Cajuns , Jackson Senators, Meridian White Ribbons, Mobile Sea Gulls and Vicksburg Hill Billies joined Gulfport in 1906 league play.[1][2]
On April 19, 1906, the Gulfport Crabs began league play in their first season of play. With a record of 58–61, Gulfport placed 4th in the six–team league. Laurel finished 16.5 games behind the Mobile Sea Gulls in the final standings, there were no playoffs. They were managed by Eric Miller, John Bolin and Link Stickney.[3][4][5]
The 1907 season saw The Cotton League return to play as a six–team Class D league. The Gulfport Crabs ended the 1908 Cotton States League season schedule with a record of 68–67, placing 4th in the final standings. Managed by Bob Gilk, the Crabs finished 14.5 games behind the 1st place Mobile Sea Gulls in the final standings, as the league had no playoffs. Pitcher jack Ryan of Gulfport led the Cotton States League with 220 strikeouts.[6][7][4][8]
The 1908 team became the Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs in partnership with nearby Biloxi, Mississippi. The Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs placed 3rd in the Cotton States League final standings. Gulfport-Biloxi had a regular season record of 63–52 and finished 7.5 games behind the 1st place Jackson Senators in the six–team league. Following the 1908 season, the Cotton States League did not play in 1909 and returned to play in 1910 without a Gulfport franchise.[9][10][4][11]
Minor league baseball returned to Gulfport in 1926. Reportedly, the Gulfport franchise resumed play when a group of local businessmen bought the Cotton States League's Brookhaven Truckers franchise and moved the team to Gulfport, Mississippi.[12][13]
The 1926 Gulfport "Tarpons" resumed play in the Cotton States League. The Gulfport Tarpons became members of the eight–team Class D level Cotton States League. The Alexandria Reds, Hattiesburg Pinetoppers, Jackson Red Sox, Laurel Lumberjacks, Meridian Mets, Monroe Drillers and Vicksburg Hill Billies joined Laurel in league play. Gulfport ended the 1926 season with a record of 57–66 to place 6th in the league standings, playing under managers Cotton Knaupp and Jack Ryan. The Tarpons finished 16.5 games behind the 1st place Hattiesburg Pinetoppers in the final Cotton States League final standings.[14][15][4][16]
With a record of 57–64, the 1927 Gulfport Tarpons placed 5th in the Cotton States League standings. Playing under manager Joe Evans, the Tarpons finished 29.0 games behind the 1st place Jackson Red Sox in the final standings and did not qualify for the playoffs.[17][18][4][19]
In their final season of play, The Gulfport Tarpons continued play in the 1928 Cotton States League, and finished last. Gulfport finished the regular season with a 50–65 overall record to place 6th in the league, which had two halves. Managed by the returning Cotton Knaupp, Laurel finished 33.0 games behind the 1st place Jackson Red Sox in the final overall standings.[20][21][4][22]
Gulfport, Mississippi has not hosted another minor league team.[23][24]
The ballparks[]
Gulfport minor league teams were noted to have played the 1926 to 1928 season home games at the Gulfport Fair Grounds. The location was referenced to have been at the Gulfport Fairgrounds. Today, the Harrison County Fairgrounds are located at 15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport, Mississippi.[25][26]
It was reported the 1908 Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs played some home games in Biloxi, Mississippi.[13]
It is noted the Detroit Tigers hosted spring training at a location in Gulfport, Mississippi from 1913 to 1915.[27]
Timeline[]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906–1907 | 2 | Gulfport Crabs | Class D | Cotton States League |
| 1908 | 1 | Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs | ||
| 1926–1928 | 3 | Gulfport Tarpons |
Year-by-year record[]
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 58–61 | 4th | Eric Miller John Bolin / Link Stickney |
None played |
| 1907 | 68–67 | 4th | Bob Gilks | None played |
| 1908 | 63–52 | 3rd | Bob Gilks | None played |
| 1926 | 57–66 | 6th | Cotton Knaupp / Jack Ryan | None played |
| 1927 | 57–64 | 5th | Joe Evans | Did not qualify |
| 1928 | 50–65 | 6th | Cotton Knaupp | Did not qualify |
Notable alumni[]
- Joe Berry (1927–1928)
- Jumbo Brown (1927)
- Orth Collins (1906)
- Spud Davis (1926)
- Joe Evans (1927, MGR)
- Don Flinn (1926)
- Tom Gettinger (1908)
- Bob Gilks (1907–1908, MGR)
- Art Goodwin (1907)
- Cotton Knaupp (1926, 1928, MGR)
- Jack Lively (1906–1908)
- Joe Price (1926–1927)
- Tom Reilly (1907–1908)
- Jack Ryan (1906–1907), (1926, MGR)
- Pete Susko (1926)
- Dixie Walker (1928) 5x MLB All–Star
See also[]
Gulfport Crabs players
Gulfport Tarpons players
Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs players
References[]
- ^ "1906 Cotton States League (CSL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1906 Cotton States League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1906 Gulfport Crabs minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cotton States League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- ^ "1906 Gulfport Crabs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1907 Gulfport Crabs minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1924 Cotton States League (CSL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1907 Gulfport Crabs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs minor league baseball Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1925 Cotton States League (CSL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1908 Gulfport-Biloxi Sand Crabs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1925 Cotton States League (CSL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ a b https://www.sunherald.com/sports/article106797797.html[bare URL]
- ^ "1926 Cotton States League (CSL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1926 Gulfport Tarpons minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1926 Laurel Lumberjacks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1927 Cotton States League (CSL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1927 Gulfport Tarpons minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1927 Gulfport Tarpons Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1928 Cotton States League (CSL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1928 Gulfport Tarpons minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1928 Laurel Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Gulfport, MS - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- ^ "Gulfport, Mississippi Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Fair Grounds in Gulfport, MS minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "Harrison County Fairgrounds | Gulfport, MS 39503". www.gulfcoast.org.
- ^ "Spring Training Sites for all American League Baseball Teams". www.baseball-almanac.com.
External links[]
- Defunct minor league baseball teams
- Defunct baseball teams in Mississippi
- Cotton States league
- Baseball teams established in 1926
- Baseball teams disestablished in 1928
- Cotton States League teams
- Gulfport, Mississippi
- 1926 establishments in Mississippi
- 1928 disestablishments in Mississippi