Canton Chinks
The Canton Chinks was the primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Canton, Illinois. Canton played as members of the Illinois-Missouri League from 1908–1913.
Canton Chinks 1908–1913 (1908–1913) Canton, Illinois | |
Minor league affiliations | |
---|---|
Previous classes | Class D (1908–1913) |
Previous leagues | Illinois-Missouri League (1908–1913) |
Major league affiliations | |
Previous teams | None |
Team data | |
Previous names | Canton Chinks (1908–1911) Canton Highlanders (1912) Canton Chinks (1913) |
Previous parks | Athletic Park |
History
In 1908, the Canton Chinks were founded as the first minor league baseball team in Canton. Canton joined the newly formed Class D Illinois-Missouri League. The Canton Chinks moniker derived from Canton being named after a Chinese city, as is nearby Pekin, Illinois. Relatedly, Pekin High School used the same moniker until 1981, when the slur was deemed offensive and replaced.[1][2][3][4]
Canton finished 1908 with a 56–61 record in the Illinois–Missouri League under Manager Chuck Murphy. The charter members in the 1908 six–team league standings were the Canton Chinks (56–61), Galesburg Hornets (50–67), Hannibal Cannibals (68–49), Havana Perfectors (58–61) and Macomb Potters (66–53) and Monmouth Browns (55–62).[5][6][7][8][9][1]
In the 1909 Illinois–Missouri League, Canton finished 5th. Canton finished with a regular season record of 51–79. The 1909 Manager was Harry Lloyd (51–79). Canton 1909 home season attendance was 30,000, an average of 462 per contest.[10][11][7][8][12]
In 1910, Canton finished 3rd in Illinois–Missouri League play. Canton had a 55–62 record playing under Managers Elmer Smith and M. McDonald.[13][14][7][8][15]
Canton had a 60–62 record playing in the 1911 Illinois–Missouri League, which remained a Class D league. Canton was 4th in the league standings under Manager Blackie Wilson.[16][17][18][7][8]
In 1912, Canton played as the Canton Highlanders. Continuing play in the Illinois-Missouri League. Canton finished with a record of 57–56. The Highlanders were 3rd in the Illinois-Missouri League, behind the champion Lincoln Abes.[19][20][7][21]
In 1913, Canton returned to the Canton Chinks moniker, in what was their final season. Beginning play in the –team Class D Illinois–Missouri League, Canton did not complete the season. Canton folded on July 10, 1913 with a 20–26 record under Manager Ted Raines. The neighboring Pekin Celestials also folded on July 10, 1913, leaving the league with just four teams to complete the season. [22][23][7][8]
Canton was without a minor league team until the Canton Citizens played in the 1952 Mississippi-Ohio Valley League.[24]
The ballpark
Canton teams played at Athletic Park. Today, the Canton Athletic Park is still in use. The park is located at 900 First Avenue Canton, Illinois.[25][26]
Notable alumni
- Jerry Akers (1912)
- Joe McManus (1910–1911)
- Paul Smith (1910)
Year-by-year records
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1908 | 56-61 | 4th | Rodney Turner/Charles Murphy | None |
1909 | 51-79 | 5th | Harry Lloyd | None |
1910 | 55-72 | 3rd | Elmer Smith/M. McDonald | None |
1911 | 60-62 | 4th | Fred Wilson | None |
1912 | 57-56 | 3rd | Unknown | Canton Highlanders |
1913 | 20-26 | NA | Ted Raines | Disbanded July 10 |
References
- "1908 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- SIMON, ROGER. "The Chinks' nickname: It's not PC, it's decency". baltimoresun.com.
- "Controversial sports team mascots". www.cbsnews.com.
- "1981: The Pekin Chinks high school team becomes the Pekin Dragons". Chinese American Museum of Chicago. April 28, 2018.
- "1908 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1908 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Illinois-Missouri League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Canton Chinks - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Illinois-Missouri League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1909 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1909 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- <https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=f718fd8c
- "1910 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1910 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1910 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1911 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1911 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1911 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1912 Canton Highlanders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1912 Canton Highlanders Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1912 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1913 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1913 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Canton Citizens - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Athletic Park | Canton Parks".
- "Canton Athletic Park | MWLguide.com". www.mwlguide.com.