Newark Colts

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Newark Colts
1896–1900
Newark, New Jersey
Minor league affiliations
Class
  • Class A (1896)
  • Class B (1897–1998))
  • Class A (1899–1900)
League
Major league affiliations
Team
  • None
Minor league titles
League titles (1)
  • 1896
Team data
Name
  • Newark Colts (1896–1900)
BallparkUnknown

The Newark Colts were a minor league baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey from 1896 and 1900. The Newark Colts played exclusively as members of the Atlantic League.

The Newark Colts were preceded in Newark by the 1890 Newark Little Giants of the Atlantic Association and succeeded by the 1902 Newark Sailors of the 1902 Eastern League.

History[]

In 1896, the Newark Colts became charter members of the seven–team Class A level Atlantic League, the highest level of minor leagues in the era. The Hartford Bluebirds, Lancaster Maroons, New Haven Texas Steers, Philadelphia Athletics, Paterson Silk Weavers and Wilmington Peaches joined Newark in beginning league play on April 23. 1896.[1][2]

The Newark Colts were the 1896 Atlantic League champions in their first season of play. Playing under manager George Ellis, the Colts ended the 1896 season with a final record of 82–61, placing 1st and finishing 2.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Hartford Bluebirds (73–56) in the final standings of the seven–team league. They were followed by the Paterson Silk Weavers (74–60), Wilmington Peaches (58–79), New York Metropolitans/Philadelphia Athletics (57–69) and Lancaster Maroons (26–30) and New Haven Texas Steers (21–38) in the final standings. Lancaster and New Haven folded before the end of the season, leaving five teams to complete the 1896 season. Jack Rothfuss of Newark led the Atlantic League with both 13 home runs and 87 stolen bases.[3][1][4]

After the 1896 season, Hartford challenged Newark's final record, arguing that it was unfairly inflated due to a dozen extra games played. It was argued that Newark also used suspended pitcher Joseph Frye, who had left Hartford mid year. As a result, the 2nd place Hartford team challenged Newark to a 7–game series to decide the championship. Newark declined the invitation and remained champions as decided by the league. The 3rd place Paterson club accepted the Hartford invitation to play a series and prevailed over Hartford 5 games to 2 in what was called the "Soby Cup."[5][3][6]

The 1897 Newark Colts were the runner–up as the Colts continued play as members of the eight–team Class B level Atlantic League, as the league expanded. Managed again by George Ellis, the Colts ended the 1897 season with a record of 89–52, placing 2nd and finishing 4.0 games behind the 1st place Lancaster Maroons. Rasty Wright of Newark won the Atlantic League batting title, hitting .372. Newark pitcher Bill Carrick won 31 games to lead the Atlantic League.[3][7][8]

The Newark Colts placed 6th in the 1898 Atlantic League. The Colts ended the 1898 season with a record of 58–71, as Oyster Burns served as manager. Newark finished 26.0 games behind the 1st place Richmond Bluebirds in final standings of the eight–team league. Pat Meaney of Newark won the Atlantic League batting championship, hitting .330.[3][9][10]

The 1899 Newark Colts continued play as the Atlantic League was elevated to a Class A level league. Newark ended the 1899 season with a record of 42–54, placing 6th in the final standings, as Jim Field and Abner Powell managed the Colts during the season. Newark finished 25.0 games behind the 1st place Richmond Blue Birds in the final Atlantic League standings.[3][11][12]

In their final season of play, the 1900 Newark Colts disbanded during the season. On June 2, 1900, the Newark Colts franchise folded with a record of 8–12. John Irwin served as manager. The Jersey City team folded from the Atlantic League on the same day. On June 14, 1900, the Atlantic League folded. John Thornton of Newark led the Atlantic League in hitting during the brief season, batting .379.[3][12][11]

After the Newark Colts folded, Newark, New Jersey was without a minor league team in 1901. The 1902 Newark Sailors began play as members of the Eastern League.[13][14]

When the Atlantic League resumed play in 1914, the Newark Cubans were a member.[14]

The ballpark[]

The name of the Newark Colts' home ballpark is unknown.[15]

Timeline[]

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League
1896 1 Newark Colts Class A Atlantic League
1897–1998 2 Class B
1899–1900 2 Class A

Year-by-year record[]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/Notes
1896 82–61 1st George Ellis League champions
1897 89–52 2nd George Ellis None held
1898 58–71 6th Oyster Burns None held
1899 42–54 6th Jim Field
Jack Chapman / Abner Powell		 None held
1900 8–12 NA John Irwin Team folded June 2
League folded June 14

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "1896 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1896 Atlantic League (AL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Atlantic League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. ^ "1896 Newark Colts Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "atlantic".
  6. ^ "Atlantic League Matters". Passaic Daily News. September 16, 1896. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "1897 Newark Colts Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. ^ "1897 Newark Colts minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. ^ "1898 Newark Colts Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ^ "1898 Newark Colts minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. ^ a b "1899 Newark Colts Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ a b "1899 Newark Colts minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. ^ "Newark, NJ - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. ^ a b "Newark, New Jersey Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ^ "Unknown in Newark, NJ minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.

External links[]

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