Harlingen Capitals
The Harlingen Capitals was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball franchise based in Harlingen, Texas in various seasons from 1931–1977. The Capitals played as members of the Rio Grande Valley League (1931, 1950), Texas Valley League (1938), Gulf Coast League (1951–1953) and Big State League (1954–1955). Their home ballpark was Harlingen Field.
Harlingen Capitals 1931–1977 (1931, 1938, 1950–1953, 1960–1961, 1976–1977) Harlingen, Texas | |
Minor league affiliations | |
---|---|
Previous classes |
|
Previous leagues |
|
Major league affiliations | |
Previous teams |
|
Minor league titles | |
League titles | 2 1938, 1952 |
Conference titles | 1950, 1960 |
Team data | |
Previous names |
|
Previous parks |
History
The Harlingen Ladds were the first minor league baseball team in Harlingen, when they played as members of the 1931 Rio Grande Valley League.The 1931 Ladds were 43–49 when the Rio Grande Valley League folded on July 29, 1931.[1][2]
The Harlingen Hubs were in the Texas Valley League (1938). The Hubbs finished 2nd in the regular season in 1938, but swept through the playoffs undefeated to capture the Texas Valley League Championship. The league existed for only the 1938 season.[1][2]
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).[3]
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][4]
The ballpark
Beginning in 1950, Harlingen teams played 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, 78550.[5][6]
Notable alumni
Baseball Hall of Fame alumni
- Gaylord Perry (1960) Inducted, 1991
Notable alumni
- Jake Atz (1938, MGR)
- Bobby Bolin (1960)
- Earl Caldwell (1951-1952)
- Ford Garrison (1955)
- Sam Harshaney (1950-1951)
- Ron Herbel (1960)
- Chuck Hiller (1960)
- Manny Mota (1960) MLB All-Star
- John Orsino (1960)
- Dee Phillips (1938)
- Jose Tartabull (1961)
- Ted Uhlaender (1976, MGR)
Record
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1931 | 43-49 | 3rd | Paul Trammel | |
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 | |
1955 | 65-79 | 5th | Ford Garrison | |
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 | |
1977 | 40-38 | 2nd | Paul Thomas | None |
References
- "Harlingen, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Harlingen Hubs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Gulf Coast League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Rio Grande Valley Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Harlingen Field - Harlingen, Texas". ballparkreviews.com.
- "Harlingen Field, Harlingen, Texas". www.charliesballparks.com.