Rio Grande Association

The Rio Grande Association was a Class-D minor baseball league that lasted for less than one season, 1915. The league initially consisted of six teams based in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico: the Albuquerque Dukes, Douglas Miners, El Paso Mackmen, Las Cruces Farmers, Phoenix Senators and Tucson Old Pueblos. By May 24, the Miners and Farmers had disbanded and on July 6, the league disbanded.[1] The league was founded by John McCloskey, who also founded the Texas League.[2]

Each team that appeared in the Rio Grande Association was the first professional baseball team to come out of their respective cities, often predating their successors by many years. For example, after its appearance in the Association, Phoenix and Tucson did not again have a professional team until 1928; El Paso until 1930; Albuquerque until 1932; Douglas until 1948 and Las Cruces until 2010.

The league officially started after a meeting held at the Hotel Sheldon, at El Paso, Texas, February 18, 1915.[3]

On May 4 the league was officially accepted into the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.[4] Tucson hosted Opening day April 26, Tucson defeated Phoenix 10-2.[5][6]

Nearly a month into the season, May 24, the Douglas and Las Cruces teams were dropped from the league due to financial difficulties. The teams' records were 5-13 and 5-14 respectively.[7]

At a league meeting held at El Paso, July 5, it was decided to close the league because of sustaining losses.[8]

1915 Standings
Team--------------------------------------WLPct.GB
El Paso Mackmen2415.615--
Phoenix Senators2316.5501
Albuquerque Dukes1920.4875.5
Tucson Old Pueblos1227.30812
*Douglas Miners513.278
*Las Cruces Farmers514.263

Denotes team disbanded May 24.

The league featured multiple notable players and managers, including those who would attain major league experience and those who had major league experience. They include Kitty Brashear, Frank Huelsman (who led the league with ten home runs), Rudy Kallio, Stoney McGlynn and Herb Hall.[9][10][11][12]

References
  1. Johnson, Lloyd (1997). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Second Edition. Baseball America. ISBN 0-9637189-8-3.
  2. PublicBroadcasting.net
  3. "Class D Baseball Is Proposed Here". Arizona Daily Star (1 ed.). Tucson, Arizona. Special. 11 February 1915. p. 3. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  4. "Rio Grande League Part Of Organized Ball". El Paso Herald (1 ed.). El Paso, Texas. Special. 8 May 1915. p. 5. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  5. "Tucson defeats Phoenix 10-2". El Paso Herald (1 ed.). El Paso, Texas. Locke. 28 April 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  6. "Standing and Schedule". Arizona Daily Star (1 ed.). Tucson, Arizona. 29 April 1915. p. 5. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  7. "Las Cruces and Douglas Dropped From The League". Albuquerque Journal (1 ed.). Albuquerque, New Mexico. Special. 25 May 1915. p. 4. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  8. "League Closed For 1915 Season, Losses, Cause". Albuquerque Journal (1 ed.). Albuquerque, New Mexico. Special. 6 July 1915. p. 4. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  9. BR Minors
  10. BR Minors
  11. BR Minors
  12. BR Minors
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