Joplin Miners
The Joplin Miners were a baseball team that lasted on and off from 1902 to 1953. They played in Joplin, Missouri. Initially, the team was known as the Colts before changing to Miners during the first season of play.
From 1902 to 1904, they played in the Missouri Valley League, and from 1905 to 1909 and 1910 to 1911, they played in the Western Association. From 1917 to 1921, they played in the Western League. They were again in the Western Association from 1922 to 1924 and 1927 to 1932. In 1933, they were back in the Western League, and from 1934 to 1942 and 1946 to 1953, they were in the Western Association.
In 1933, they were affiliated with the St. Louis Browns and in 1934 they were affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. For the rest of their existence, they were affiliated with the New York Yankees.
The team had multiple home ballparks, including Cox Base Ball Park, Joe Becker Stadium, and Miners Stadium.[1]
Notable players
- Jack Mealey (born 1899) -- minor league baseball catcher, who also managed in the minor leagues and served as president of the Sooner State League
- Mickey Mantle, in 1950