Hammond Berries
| Hammond Berries | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Previous classes | Class D (1946–1948) Class C (1949–1951) |
Previous leagues | Evangeline League (1946–1951) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams | None
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 3 (1947, 1949, 1951) |
| Team data | |
Previous names |
|
Previous parks | Southeastern College Stadium (1946–1951) |
The Hammond Berries were a minor league baseball franchise in Hammond, Louisiana from 1946–1951. The Berries were members of the Class D Evangeline League and captured Evangeline League Championships in 1947, 1949 and 1951.
History
Hammond began play in the Evangeline League in 1946, as the league was reforming. Other members in 1946 were the Abbeville Athletics, Alexandria Aces, Baton Rouge Red Sticks, Houma Indians, Natchez Giants, New Iberia Cardinals and Thibodaux Giants.[1][2][3]
The Berries finished 44–87 in 1946, finishing last in the eight team league.[4]
The 1947 team captured the Evangeline League Championship. After finishing 4th with a 73–60 regular season record, the Berries defeated the Alexandria Aces 4 games to 1 in the first round playoff series. In the Finals, the Hammond Berries swept the Thibodaux Giants in four games to win the championship.[5][2]
In 1948, Hammond finished 79–58, 2nd in the league. Their playoff series with the Thibodaux Giants was tied 2 games to 2 when the postseason was cancelled due to bad weather.[6][2][3]
Ray Sanner won the Evangeline League Triple Crown playing for the Berries in 1948. Sanner, nicknamed "Tex" hit .386 with 34 home runs and 126 RBI on the season.[3][3]
The 1949 Hammond Berries won their second Evangeline League Championship. They finished the regular season 3rd with a 73–63 record, then defeated the Lafayette Bulls 4 games to 1 and the Alexandria Aces 4 games to 2 in the playoffs.[7][2]
The 1950 Berries finished 71–65 and advanced to the finals. they were led by Ray Dunn, who hit 39 home runs to lead the league. The Berries defeated the Lafayette Bulls 4 games to 1, before being swept by the Baton Rouge Red Sticks 4 games to 0 in the Finals.[8][2][9]
In their final season, the Hammond Berries captured their third Evangeline League Championship. Their championship run was led by Hammond pitcher Jack Cardey, who led the Evangeline League with both 25 wins and a 2.67 ERA. After finishing third with a 73–64 record in the regular season, the Berries defeated the New Iberia Pelicans 4 games to 3 in the playoffs. In the Finals series, they defeated the Baton Rouge Red Sticks 4 games to 2. The franchise folded after the 1951 season.[10][2][1][11][11]
The ballpark
The Hammond Berries played home games at Southeastern College Stadium. The ballpark had a capacity of 1,800 (1949) and 3,500 (1950). Southeastern College Stadium was located at 300 SW Railroad Avenue, Hammond, Louisiana.[12][13]
Notable alumni
- Joe Kracher (1950, MGR)
References
- ^ a b "Hammond Berries - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "Evangeline League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- ^ a b c d Peloquin, Steve. "Remembering The Evangeline League: 1948". SPORTS RADIO ESPN 1420.
- ^ "1946 Hammond Berries Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1947 Hammond Berries Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1948 Hammond Berries Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1949 Hammond Berries Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1950 Hammond Berries Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ Peloquin, Steve. "Remembering The Evangeline League: 1950". SPORTS RADIO ESPN 1420.
- ^ "1951 Hammond Berries Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ a b Peloquin, Steve. "Remembering The Evangeline League: 1951". SPORTS RADIO ESPN 1420.
- ^ "Southeastern College Stadium in Hammond, LA history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "Evangeine League - Defunct Class D". digitalballparks.com.