Temple Eagles
The Temple Eagles was a primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Temple, Texas. The Temple Eagles (1949–1954) were members of the Class B Big State League. The Temple Redlegs were a subsequent member of the Big State League in 1957, after previous Temple teams had played in the Texas League, Middle Texas League, Central Texas League and Texas Association.
Temple Eagles 1905–1957 (1905–1907, 1914–1917, 1924–1926, 1949–1954) Temple, Texas | |
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Previous leagues |
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Major league affiliations | |
Previous teams |
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Minor league titles | |
League titles | 1914 |
Conference titles | 1952 |
Team data | |
Previous names |
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Previous parks | Woodson Field |
Temple was an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds (1957).
History
Minor league baseball began when in Temple, Texas with the Temple Boll Weevils of the Texas League (1905-1907). The Temple Tigers and Temple Governors were members of the Middle Texas League (1914-1915). The Temple Governors played in the Central Texas League (1916-1917). The Temple Surgeons were members of the Texas Association (1924-1926).[1]
The 1949 Temple Eagles joined the Big State League with the Austin Pioneers, Gainesville Owls, Greenville Majors, Sherman-Denison Twins, Texarkana Bears, Waco Pirates and Wichita Falls Spudders.[2]
The Temple Eagles finished 58–89 (8th) 74–70 in 1949. The Eagles had records of, 88–60 (1951), 85–62 (1952), 72–73 (1953) and 44–102 (1954) in the Big State League. The 1952 Eagles captured the Big State League Pennant. The Temple Eagles folded after the 1954 season.[3]
On May 30, 1957, the Port Arthur Redlegs moved to Temple and finished the season playing as the Temple Redlegs. The Port Arthur/Temple team finished 48–56 overall, after a 20-15 record in Port Arthur. The team folded on August 20, 1957. The Big State League folded after the 1957 season.[4][5][6]
The ballpark
Temple teams played at Woodson Field. The site is still in use as a football and soccer facility for Temple High School. Woodson Field is located at 670 West Elm, Temple, Texas 76501.[7]
Notable alumni
- Walter Blair (1905)
- Walt Dickson (1905)
- Lou Finney (1950) MLB All-Star
- Ray Francis (1915)
- Lon Goldstein (1951-1953)
- Con Lucid (1907)
- Fred Martin (1954)
- Roy Mitchell (1905, 1925–1926)
- Salty Parker (1952–1953)
- Homer Peel (1949)
- Bill Shores (1925)
References
- "Temple, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Big State League (B) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "Temple Eagles - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Temple Redlegs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Port Arthur Redlegs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Temple, Texas Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "Woodson Field".