Galveston White Caps

The Galveston White Caps was the final moniker of the minor league baseball franchises based in Galveston, Texas in various seasons from 1888–1955. The White Caps played in the Big State League (1954–1955) and Gulf Coast League (1950–1953) after earlier Galveston teams had played in the Texas League. Galveston played at Moody Stadium.

Galveston White Caps
1888–1955
(1888–1890, 1892, 1897–1899, 1907–1917, 1919–1924, 1931–1937 1950–1955)
Galveston, Texas
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class B (1888–1890, 1892, 1897–1899, 1907–1917, 1919–1924, 1951–1955)
  • Class C (1950)
  • Class A (1921–1924, 1931–1937)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
  • Non Affiliated
Minor league titles
League titles 4 1890, 1899, 1904, 1934
Conference titles 1953
Team data
Previous names
Previous parks
  • Moody Stadium (1931–1937, 1950–1955
  • Gulfview Park (1921–1924) / Pirate Field (1915–1920)
  • Beach Park (1888-1915)

History

Early Galveston teams called the Galveston Sand Crabs evolved from the 1888 Galveston Giants of the Texas League. The Sand Crabs continued play in the Texas League from 1889–1890, 1892, 1897–1899 and 1907–1911.[1][2]

The Galveston Pirates (1912–1917, 1919–1921), Galveston Sand Crabs (1922–1924) and Galveston Buccaneers (1931–1937) played as members of the Texas League.[3]

The Galveston Buccaneers first began play in 1931, when the Waco Cubs relocated to Galveston. Galveston owner Shearn Moody had purchased the Waco franchise, moved the team to Galveston and constructed Moody Stadium. The Buccaneers won the Texas League championship in 1934. The franchise moved to become the Shreveport Sports after the 1937 season when Shearn Moody died and the franchise was sold.[4][5][6]

The Galveston White Caps were founding members of the Class B Gulf Coast League (1950–1953) before joining the Big State League (1954–1955).[3]

The Gulf Coast League folded after the season 1953 season, with members Galveston White Caps, Harlingen Capitals, Laredo Apaches, Brownsville Charros, Port Arthur Seahawks, Corpus Christi Aces, Lake Charles Lakers and Texas City Texans. Galveston won the league's final regular season title with a record of 94–48.[7]

In 1954, the White Caps joined the Big State League, alongside the Austin Pioneers, Corpus Christi Clippers, Del Rio Indians, Harlingen Capitals, Temple Eagles, Tyler Tigers, Port Arthur Sea Hawks and Waco Pirates. The White Caps folded on June 12, 1955 with a record of 28–30.[8][9]

In the Gulf Coast League, Galveston finished 80–68 .541 (1950), 71–83 .461 (1951), 80–74 .519 (1952) and 94–48 .662 (1953). Joining the Big State League, the White Caps finished 73–73 .500 (1954) and were 28–30 .483 when the franchise folded on June 12, 1955.[3][10]

Ballparks

Early teams played at Beach Park (1888–1915) and Pirate Field / Gulfview Park (1915–1924).

Beach Park was located at the corner of Avenue Q and & 23rd Street, Galveston, Texas, 77550. The small, 500 capacity stadium was located across the street from the Beach Hotel. In 1895 the bleachers collapsed during a game.[11]

Gulfview Park / Pirate Field was located at 2802 Avenue R, Galveston, Texas, 77550. The ballpark had a capacity of 4,000. It had dimensions of 260 RF and was called Pirate Field when hosting the Pirates. The ballpark was damaged by a tropical storm on August 15, 1915, and the park was unusable for the remainder of the 1915 season.[12]

Beginning in 1931, Galveston played at Moody Stadium. Moody Stadium was one of the first minor-league stadiums equipped with lights. Moody Stadium was located ad 5108 Avenue G Galveston, TX 77551. Moody Stadium had a capacity of 8,000 (1937) and dimensions of (left, center, right): 338-460-324.[13][14][5][15]

Notable alumni

Media

The Galveston Buccaneers were the subject of a 2015 book, "The Galveston Buccaneers" by Kris Rutherford, Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 1626198373[5]

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References
  1. "Galveston, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Galveston Sand Crabs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "Galveston, Texas Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. "Galveston Buccaneers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. RANKIN, JAMES M. "'The Galveston Buccaneers' captures a snapshot of isle history". The Daily News.
  6. "Past Treasure of the Month – June 2013 – Rosenberg Library Museum".
  7. "1953 Gulf Coast League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1954 Big State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "Galveston White Caps - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  10. "Galveston White Caps Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "Beach Park in Galveston, TX history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "Gulfview Stadium in Galveston, TX history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "Galveston Pirates - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. LIBRARY, ROSENBERG. "Buccaneers baseball artifacts on display". The Daily News.
  15. "Moody Stadium in Galveston, TX history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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