Harlingen Capitals

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Harlingen Capitals
1931–1977
(1931, 1938, 1950–1953, 1960–1961, 1976–1977)
Harlingen, Texas
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass B (1931, 1938, 1951–1953)
Class C (1950)
Class AA (1960-1961)
Class A (1976-1977)
LeagueRio Grande Valley League (1931)
Texas Valley League (1938)
Rio Grande Valley League (1950)
Gulf Coast League (1951–1953)
Big State League (1954–1955)
Texas League (1960–1961)
Gulf States League (1976)
Lone Star League (1977)
Major league affiliations
TeamDetroit Tigers (1938)
San Francisco Giants (1960–1961)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1938
  • 1952
Conference titles (2)
  • 1950
  • 1960
Wild card berths (3)
  • 1951
  • 1952
  • 1953
Team data
NameHarlingen Ladds (1931)
Harlingen Hubs (1938)
Harlingen Capitals (1950–1955)
Rio Grande Valley Giants (1960–1961)
Rio Grande Valley White Wings (1976)
Harlingen Suns (1977)
BallparkHarlingen Field

The Harlingen Capitals was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Harlingen, Texas in various seasons between 1931 and 1977. Harlingen teams played as members of the Rio Grande Valley League (1931), Texas Valley League (1938), Rio Grande Valley League (1950), Gulf Coast League (1951–1953), Big State League (1954–1955), Texas League (1960–1961), Gulf States League (1976) and Lone Star League (1977). Their home ballpark was Harlingen Field.

Harlingen teams were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers in 1938 and San Francisco Giants in 1960 and 1961.

History[]

Minor league baseball began in Harlingen, Texas in 1931. The Harlingen Ladds played as members of the 1931 Rio Grande Valley League and placed 3rd in their first season of play. On July 29, 1931, the 1931 Ladds had a record of 43–49 under manager Paul Trammel when the Rio Grande Valley League folded.[1][2]

The Harlingen Hubs became members of the 1938 Texas Valley League and were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The Hubbs finished 2nd in the regular season in 1938, but swept through the playoffs undefeated to capture the Texas Valley League Championship under manager Jake Atz. The league had reformed and folded after the 1938 season.[1][2][3]

The Harlingen Capitals were members of the Class D Rio Grande Valley League (1950) and Class B Gulf Coast League (1951–1953). They were founding members of the Gulf Coast League, along with the Brownsville Charros, Corpus Christi Aces, Galveston White Caps, Lake Charles Lakers, Laredo Apaches, Port Arthur Seahawks and Texas City Texans. When the Gulf Coast League folded after the 1953 season Harlingen joined the Big State League (1954–1955).[4]

The Rio Grande Valley Giants, played in the Class AA Texas League (1960-1961) as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Gaylord Perry played for the Giants in 1960. The franchise moved to Victoria, Texas on June 10, 1961 to complete the season. In 1976, the Rio Grande Valley White Wings played in the Gulf States League and the Harlingen Suns (1977) played in the Lone Star League, both leagues folded after one season. Later Rio Grande Valley White Wings teams played in independent professional leagues through 2015.[1][5]

The ballpark[]

Beginning in 1950, Harlingen minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Harlingen Field. Opening as Lon C. Hill Field, the ballpark was also called Giants Field. Harlingen Field is still in use today and most recently was home to the independent professional Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. The ballpark address is North O Street & Fair Park Boulevard, Harlingen, Texas.[6][7]

(1957) Jackson Street. Harlingen, Texas.

Year–by–year record[]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1931 43–49 3rd Paul Trammel None held
1938 84–53 2nd Jake Atz League Champions
1950 86–62 1st Sam Harshaney Lost League Finals
1951 86–68 2nd Sam Harshaney Lost in 1st round
1952 80–73 2nd Bob Hamric League Champions
1953 77–69 3rd Bob Hamric Lost in 1st round
1954 53–94 7th Sam Harshaney Did not qualify
1955 65–79 5th Ford Garrison Did not qualify
1960 85–59 1st Ray Murray Lost in 1st round
1961 69–71 4th Ray Murray Team moved June 10
1976 32–40 4th Ted Uhlaender Did not qualify
1977 40–38 2nd Paul Thomas None held

Notable alumni[]

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni[]

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Harlingen Capitals players
Harlingen Hubs players

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Harlingen, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. ^ a b "Harlingen Hubs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. ^ http://www.milb.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=14
  4. ^ "Gulf Coast League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. ^ "Rio Grande Valley Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. ^ "Harlingen Field - Harlingen, Texas". ballparkreviews.com.
  7. ^ "Harlingen Field, Harlingen, Texas". www.charliesballparks.com.
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