Jackson Generals (KITTY League)

The Jackson Generals were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (KITTY League) from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1950 to 1954. The Generals were located in Jackson, Tennessee, and played their home games at Lakeview Ball Park in their first run and at Municipal Park in their second stretch. They were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in 1953.

Jackson Generals
1935–1954
(1935–1942, 1950–1954)
Jackson, Tennessee
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1935–1942, 1950–1954)
LeagueKentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1935–1942, 1950–1954)
Major league affiliations
Team
  • Unaffiliated (1954)
  • Cincinnati Reds (1953)
  • Unaffiliated (1935–1942, 1950–1952)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1938
  • 1940
Pennants (1)1941
First half titles (1)1940
Team data
NicknameJackson Generals (1935–1942, 1950–1954)
Ballpark
  • Municipal Park (1950–1954)
  • Lakeview Ball Park (1935–1942)

Over the course of their 12-year run, the Generals played in 1,388 regular season games and compiled a win–loss record of 729–659. Jackson reached the postseason on six occasions, winning one pennant, two half division titles, and two KITTY League championships (1938 and 1940). The team had an overall postseason record of 14–14.

History

Prior professional baseball in Jackson

Professional baseball was first played in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1903 by the Jackson Railroaders of the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League.[1] They were followed in the KITTY League by the Jackson Climbers in 1911 and the Jackson Blue Jays in 1924.[1][2] The Blue Jays moved to the Tri-State League in 1925 as the Jackson Giants and became the Jackson Jays in 1926.[1]

First run (1935–1942)

In 1935, the city fielded a new team known as the Jackson Generals in the KITTY League.[1] The Generals lost their inaugural season opener at home, 10–7, to the Lexington Giants on May 22 at Lakeview Ball Park.[3][4] After two more home losses to Lexington,[5] the Generals won their first game on May 27, beating the Hopkinsville Hoppers on the road, 6–5.[6] Jackson won the second half of the league's split season, but the league refused to award them the second half title because they exceeded the limit of veteran players on their roster.[7][8] Overall, they posted the highest record in the league with a 50–42 (.543) mark.[7] Despite a winning 62–55 (.530) record in 1936, the Generals failed to win either half of the season.[9]

The KITTY League expanded its playoffs in 1937 to include the top four teams over the full season. Jackson finished in a tie for fourth place with the Mayfield Clothiers, each with records of 63–57 (.525).[10] Jackson lost a one-game playoff with Mayfield for the fourth-place spot, 12–4.[11] A second-place finish in 1938 at 74–54 (.578) put the Generals back in the postseason.[12] They defeated Lexington, three games to none, in the semifinals.[12] With a 2–1 lead on Hopkinsville, the finals were abandoned on September 22 when the Hoppers refused to travel to Jackson for the remainder of the series, citing cold weather and a lack of interest.[13] The Generals were declared the playoff champions.[13] On July 1, 1939, William Pavlige pitched a no-hitter against Hopkinsville in a 5–0 road win.[14] Jackson placed fourth in 1939 at 67–59 (.532), but they were eliminated in the playoff semifinals by the Mayfield Browns, 3–2.[15]

The 1941 Jackson Generals

Former nine-year major league catcher Mickey O'Neil led the club as its manager from 1940 to 1942.[16] In his first season, the Generals won the first half and compiled a full-season record of 66–58 (.532).[17] They then defeated the Bowling Green Barons, 4–3, to win their second KITTY League championship.[17] The qualified for the playoffs again in 1941 with a pennant-winning 84–43 (.661) record.[18][19] Jackson was eliminated in the semifinals by Mayfield, 3–1.[19] On June 19, 1942, the league disbanded following the withdrawal of two teams which faced financial difficulties and a vote by the remaining clubs to discontinue the circuit.[20] Jackson lost its final game on the road to Bowling Green, 8–2.[21] The Generals held a third-place 29–19 (.604) record in the abandoned season.[22]

The KITTY League was nonoperational from 1943 to 1945 during World War II,[23] and Jackson did not field another team through 1949.[1] Over eight seasons of competition the Generals accumulated a regular season record of 495–387 (.561).

Second run (1950–1954)

The Jackson Generals returned to the KITTY League in 1950 after a seven-year absence.[1] Instead of Lakeview Ball Park, the team played at Municipal Park at the fairgrounds.[24] Managed by former major league third baseman Glen Stewart,[25] the Generals won their 1950 opener with a home win over Hopkinsville, 4–3, on May 3.[26] Jackson placed third at 68–52 (.567) but were eliminated in the playoff semifinals, 3–2, by the Fulton Railroaders.[27] Stewart's 1951 team just missed the playoffs with a fifth place 59–61 (.492) mark.[28] The 1952 squad, managed at different times by a pair of player-managers and eventually former skipper Mickey O'Neil,[29] placed seventh of eight teams with a record of 48–71 (.403).[30]

In 1953, the Generals became an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.[31] Under O'Neil,[16] Jackson placed sixth at 58–62 (.483).[32] Cincinnati did not continue its affiliation with Jackson in the 1954 season.[33] They opened the campaign with a 20–0 loss to the Union City Dodgers on the road.[34] This was the first of 26 consecutive losses.[35] Their first win came on May 31 in the second game of a doubleheader when they defeated the Madisonville Miners, 10–2.[35] The team's poor play resulting in low attendance and financial loses, the team's owner surrendered the franchise to the league on June 1.[35] Their final record was 1–26 (.037).[36] The franchise was eventually placed in Central City, Kentucky, as the Central City Reds on July 5.[37] In their second stretch of four years, Jackson accumulated a record of 234–272 (.462). Over all 12 years of competition, the Generals had an all-time record of 729–659 (.525).

Jackson was not represented in professional baseball again until 1998 when the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx joined the Double-A Southern League.[1] In 2011, the franchise renamed itself the Jackson Generals.[1]

Season-by-season results
Season Regular season Postseason Ref.
Record Win % Finish GB Record Win % Result
1935 50–42 .543 1st — — — Won second half title, but were disqualified [7]
1936 62–55 .530 5th ​10 1⁄2 — — — [9]
1937 63–57 .525 5th (tie) ​10 1⁄2 0–1 .000 Lost playoff qualifier vs. Mayfield Clothiers [10]
1938 74–54 .578 2nd ​1 1⁄2 5–1 .833 Won semifinals vs. Lexington Giants, 3–0
Won KITTY League championship vs. Hopkinsville Hoppers, 2–1		 [12]
1939 67–59 .532 4th ​9 1⁄2 2–3 .400 Lost semifinals vs. Mayfield Browns, 3–2 [15]
1940 66–58 .532 4th ​8 1⁄2 4–3 .571 Won first half title
Won KITTY League championship vs. Bowling Green Barons, 4–3		 [17]
1941 84–43 .661 1st — 1–3 .250 Won pennant
Lost semifinals vs. Mayfield Browns, 3–1		 [19]
1942 29–19 .604 3rd 3 — — — [22]
1950 68–52 .567 3rd 6 2–3 .400 Lost semifinals vs. Fulton Railroaders, 3–2 [27]
1951 59–61 .492 5th ​14 1⁄2 — — — [28]
1952 48–71 .403 7th 34 — — — [30]
1953 58–62 .483 6th 12 — — — [32]
1954 1–26 .037 DNF DNF — — — [36]
Totals 729–659 .525 — — 14–14 .500 — —

Notable players
Ellis Kinder (1938–1941) played four seasons with Jackson before a 12-year major league career.[38]

Ten Generals also played at least one game in Major League Baseball during their careers. These players and their seasons with Jackson were:

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References
  1. "Jackson, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  2. "Sports in Jackson, Tennessee". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Flag Race". The Leaf-Chronicle. Clarksville. May 23, 1935. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Lakeview Ball Park". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "KITTY League Roundup". Nashville Banner. Nashville. May 26, 1935. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Tops Loop". Kingsport Times. Kingsport. May 27, 1935. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "1935 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  8. "Lexington Declines to Play Portageville in Kitty Series". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. September 5, 1935. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "1936 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  10. "1937 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  11. "Mayfield Drubs Jackson 12-4 To Win Series Spot". The Paducah Sun-Democrat. Paducah. September 8, 1937. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "1938 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  13. "Kitty Playoff Series Is Cancelled". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 23, 1938. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Generals Take Two of Three From Hoppers While Oilers Drop Two at Bowling Green". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. July 2, 1939. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "1939 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  16. "Mickey O'Neil Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  17. "1940 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  18. "The 1941 Kitty League Pennant Winners..." The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 14, 1941. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "1941 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  20. "Curtain To Fall on Kitty Tilts Tonight". The Owensboro Messenger. Owensboro. June 19, 1942. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. Gasser, L.D. (June 20, 1942). "Final Game of Season Here is Postponed". The Owensboro Messenger. Owensboro. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "1942 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  23. "Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Yearly Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  24. "Municipal Park". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  25. "Glen Stewart Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  26. "Generals Score 4-3 Victory Over Hopkinsville Hoppers in Kitty League Opener". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. May 4, 1950. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "1950 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  28. "1951 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  29. "1952 Jackson Generals Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  30. "1952 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  31. "1953 Jackson Generals Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  32. "1953 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  33. "1954 Jackson Generals Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  34. "Generals To Open Home Season Tonight". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. May 5, 1954. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Jackson Ends 26 Game Losing Streak But Is Giving Up Franchise". Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro. June 1, 1954. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. "KITTY League Standings". Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro. June 1, 1954. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. "1954 Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  38. "Ellis Kinder Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  39. "Orlin Collier Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  40. "Tommy Giordano Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  41. "Joe Klinger Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  42. "Bill Nagel Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  43. "Mule Shirley Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  44. "Herb Welch Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  45. "Ed Wright Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
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