Midland Indians

The Midland Indians was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball franchise based in Midland, Texas from 1928–1959. The Midland Indians played as members of the Class C Longhorn League (1947–1955) and remained in the league when it changed names to the Southwestern League (1956–1957) and Sophomore League (1958–1959).

Midland Indians
1928–1959
(1928–1929, 1937–1940, 1947–1959)
Midland, Texas
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class B (1956–1957)
  • Class C (1951–1955)
  • Class D (1928–1929, 1937–1940, 1947–1950, 1958–1959)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 3 1948, 1952, 1958
Conference titles 1929
Team data
Previous names
  • Midland Braves (1958–1959)
  • Midland Indians (1947–1957)
  • Midland Cowboys (1939–1940)
  • Midland Cardinals (1937–1938)
  • Midland Colts (1928–1929)
Previous parks

Midland was an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals (1937–1938), Milwaukee Braves (1958–1959) and Washington Senators (1957).

Baseball Hall of Fame member Travis Jackson was Manager of the Midland Indians in 1958.

The Indians set the foundation for today's Class AA Midland Rockhounds of the Texas League.

History

The Indians were preceded in Midland by the Midland Colts of the West Texas League (1928–1929) and the Midland Cardinals (1937-1938) and Midland Cowboys (1939–1940), both of the West Texas-New Mexico League (1937-1940).Midland was an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals (1937–1938).[1]

The Midland Indians were members of the Class C Longhorn League 1947–1955, and remained in the league as it evolved into the Class B Southwestern League 1956–1957 and Class D the Sophomore League in 1958–1959. Midland was an affiliate of the Washington Senators (1957) and the Milwaukee Braves (1958–1959), changing its moniker to match the Braves.[1][2][3][4]

In 1947, the Midland Indians became charter members of the Longhorn League. The Indians joined the mew six-team league with fellow members Ballinger Cats, Big Spring Broncs, Odessa Oilers, Sweetwater Sports and Vernon Dusters.[5][3]

The Midland Indians finished 75–55 (2nd) in 1947. In the playoffs, the Ballinger Cats defeated Midland 4 games to 3.[6]

The 1948 Midland Indians captured the Longhorn League Championship. Midland finished 79–60 (3rd) in regular season. In the playoffs, Midland defeated the Odessa Oilers 4 games to 0 in a sweep. In the Finals, the Midland Indians defeated the Vernon Dusters 4 games to 3 and captured the championship. The team drew 51,865, an average of 746.[7][8]

Midland finished 66-87 (7th) in 1950 and in 1951, the Indians finished 69–70 (5th). The Midland Indians missed the playoffs in both seasons.[9][10]

In 1952, the Midland Indians won their second Longhorn League Championship. In the 1952 regular season, Midland finished 85–55 (3rd). In the playoffs, the Midland Indians defeated the Big Spring Broncs 4 games to 0. In the Finals, the Indians defeated the Odessa Oilers 4 games to 2. The Midland season attendance was 64,188, an average of 917.[11][8]

The 1953 Indians advanced to the Longhorn State League Finals. Midland finished 73–58 (3rd) in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Midland Indians defeated the San Angelo Colts 4 games to 3. In the league Finals, the Carlsbad Potashers defeated the Midland Indians 4 games to 2. Season attendance was 52,035, an average of 794.[12][8]

Midland finished 80–59 (4th) in 1954. In the playoffs, the Artesia Numexers, behind Joe Bauman, who hit .400 with 72 home runs and 224 RBI, defeated Midland 4 games to 2. Attendance was 43,109 in 1954.[13]

In their final Longhorn State Season, the Midland Indians finished 62–72 (5th) in 1955, missing the playoffs.[14][8]

Playing in the Class B Southwestern League in 1956, the Indians finished eighth at 63–81. The Longhorn State League had reorganized to become the Southwestern League, expanding to ten teams. Attendance was 77,601, an average of 1,078.[15][16]

The Midland Indians were an affiliate of the Washington Senators in 1957, as the Southwestern League played with eight teams. However, near the end of the season, the franchise moved to Lamesa, Texas on August 1, 1957 and finished the 1957 season as the Lamesa Indians. The team drew 19,212, finished 45–79 and were 4th of the remaining teams, as the Clovis Redlegs, El Paso Texans, Pampa Oilers/San Angelo Colts and Plainview Ponies all folded mid-season. There were no 1957 playoffs. The Southwestern League folded after the 1957 season.[17][16][18]

The franchise reformed as the Midland Braves in 1958 and captured the a championship. Midland became an affiliate of the Milwaukee Braves and joined the newly formed six-team Sophomore League. Fellow members were the Artesia Giants, Carlsbad Potashers, Hobbs Cardinals, Plainview Athletics and San Angelo Pirates.[19]

The 1958 Midland Braves finished 72–48 (1st) in the regular season. They captured the East Division. In the Finals, the Midland Braves defeated the West Division winner Artesia Giants 3 games to 1 to capture the 1958 Sophomore League Championship. Midland had a season attendance of 28,210.[20][21]

In 1959, Midland finished 56–70, 2nd in the South Division, as the Sophomore League expanded to eight teams. In the playoffs, the Carlsbad Potashers defeated the Midland Braves 2 games to 0. Midland drew 17,106, an average of 272. Midland folded after the 1959 season, as the Sophomore League reduced from eight teams to six.[22][20][18]

In 1972, the Midland Indians were succeeded by the Midland Cubs, who joined the Class AA Texas League. Midland has since remained as a member of the Texas League without interruption.[1]

The ballpark

Early Midland teams played at City Park.[23]

Beginning in 1952, Midland played at Christensen Stadium in Midland, Texas. It was home to the Midland Indians (1952-1957) and Midland Braves (1958-1959). It later served as home to the Midland Cubs (1972-1984), Midland Angels (1985-1998) and today's Midland Rockhounds (1999-2001). Christensen Stadium had a seating capacity of 5,000.[24][25]

Located at 4300 North Lamesa Road, Midland, Texas, 79705, the ballpark is still in use. Today Christensen Stadium is home to the Midland College Chaparral Baseball team and is utilized by local high school baseball teams.[26]

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

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References
  1. "Midland, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Midland Braves - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "Midland Indians - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "Midland Cardinals - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "1947 Longhorn League (LL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1947 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1948 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "Longhorn League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  9. "1950 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1951 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "1952 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1953 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "1954 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. "1955 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "1956 Midland Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. "Southwestern League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  17. "1957 Midland/Lamesa Indians Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  18. "Lamesa Indians - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  19. "1958 Sophomore League (SL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  20. "Sophomore League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  21. "1958 Midland Braves Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  22. "1959 Midland Braves Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  23. "City Park in Midland, TX history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  24. "Christensen Stadium - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  25. "St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Stadium History - Major & Minor League Baseball Parks for the St. Louis Cardinals and their Minor League teams and franchises". digitalballparks.com.
  26. "Christensen Stadium". midland.edu.
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