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Opelousas Indians

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Opelousas Indians
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1907, 1932, 1934–1941)
LeagueGulf Coast League (1907)
Cotton States League (1932)
Evangeline League (1934–1941)
Major league affiliations
TeamCleveland Indians (1935–1937, 1939)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1937
Wild card berths (4)
  • 1934
  • 1935
  • 1936
  • 1937
Team data
NameOpelousas Indians (1907)
Opelousas Orphans (1932)
Opelousas Indians (1934–1941)
BallparkElementary School Park (1907, 1932, 1934–1941)

The Opelousas Indians was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Opelousas, Louisiana. Between 1907 and 1941, Opelousas teams played as members of the Class D level 1907 Gulf Coast League, 1932 Cotton States League, playing that season known as the "Orphans" and Evangeline League from 1934 to 1941. The Indians won the 1937 league championship. Opelousas hosted minor league home games at Elementary School Park. The Opelousas Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1935 to 1937 and in 1939.

History

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Minor League baseball began in Opelousas in 1907 when the Opelousas Indians played one season in the early Gulf Coast League, finishing in last place. Beginning play on April 24, 1907, the Indians placed sixth with a record of 48–67. Playing under manager D. Edmonds, Opelousas finished 19.0 games behind the 1st place Lake Charles Creoles in the final Gulf Coast League standings.[1][2][3][4]

In 1932, minor league baseball returned, then the Opelousas Orphans were briefly members of the Class D level Cotton States League.[5] The Port Arthur Refiners moved to DeQuincy, Louisiana on June 19, 1932. Shortly after, the DeQuincy Railroaders moved to Opelousas on July 7, 1932. The Opelousas Orphans were 1–5 when the team disbanded on July 10, 1932, with an overall record of 17–45, playing in the three cities. The Cotton States League then disbanded on July 13, 1932.[1][6][7]

In 1934, the Opelousas Indians became founding members of the newly formed Class D level Evangeline League. The Alexandria Aces, Lafayette White Sox, Lake Charles Lakers, New Iberia Cardinals and Rayne Red Sox joined Opelousas as fellow founding franchises in league play.[1][8][9] On May 20, 1934, Indians pitcher Wallace Pate threw a no–hitter in a 1–0 7–inning victory over the Lafayette White Sox.[10][11]

The Indians remained in the Evangeline League from 1934 to 1941, winning the 1937 Evangeline League Championship. In 1937, under manager Harry Strohm, the Indians finished with a regular season record of 73-65 to finish in third place in the regular season. in the 1937 playoffs, the Opelousas defeated the Rayne Rice Birds 4 games to 1. In the finals the Opelousas Indians won the championship by defeating the Lake Charles Skippers 4 games to 3. Overall, the Indians made the playoffs in each of their first four seasons of Evangeline League play. The Opelousas Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1935 to 1937 and 1939.[12][13][1]

On May 22, 1935, Opelousas Indians pitcher Everett Albritton threw a no–hitter in a 3–0 victory over the Jeanerette Blues.[10][11]

After the 1941 season, the Opelousas Indians permanently disbanded. The Rayne Rice Birds had disbanded near the end of the 1941 season. Subsequently, the 1942 Evangeline League dropped from eight teams to six teams, playing until the league disbanded on May 30, 1942.[1][14][15]

Opelousas has not hosted another minor league team.[16]

The ballpark

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The Orphans and Indians teams played home minor league games at Elementary School Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 3,500 after an expansion in 1939. It had dimensions of (Left, Center, Right): 360–450–360 (1936) and 362–400–362 (1939). The ballpark was located at 1218 East Leo Street, Opelousas, Louisiana.[17][18]

(2005) Opelousa, Louisiana. Old City Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places

Timeline

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Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League Affiliate
1907 1 Opelousas Indians Class D Gulf Coast League None
1932 1 Opelousas Orphans Cotton States League
1935–1937 1 Opelousas Indians Evangeline League Cleveland Indians
1938 1 None
1939 1 Cleveland Indians
1940–1941 1 None

Year–by–year records

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Year(s) Record Place Managers Playoffs/Notes
1907 48–67 6th D. Edmonds No playoffs held
1932 1–5 NA Milt Delmas DeQuincy (2–12) moved to Opelousas July 7
Team disbanded July 10
1934 62–50 2nd Patsy Flaherty / Clay Guilbeau Lost League Finals
1935 69–60 4th Jay Kirke /
Milt Delmas/ Don McShane		 Lost in 1st round
1936 89–48 2nd Carlos Moore Lost League Finals
1937 73–65 3rd Harry Strohm League Champs
1938 64–67 6th Harry Strohm Did not qualify
1939 51–84 8th Joe Woodward Did not qualify
1940 59–75 6th Conrad Flippen Did not qualify
1941 60–69 6th Eldon Breese Did not qualify

Notable alumni

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See also

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Opelousas Indians players

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  2. ^ "1907 Opelousas Indians Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "1907 Opelousas Indians minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ^ "1907 Gulf Coast League (GCL) minor league baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. ^ "1932 Cotton States League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ^ "1932 Cotton States League (CSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. ^ "1932 Port Arthur Refiners/DeQuincy Railroaders/Opelousas Orphans minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ^ "1934 Opelousas Indians Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. ^ "1934 Evangeline League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ^ a b "Minor League No Hitters". Google Docs.
  11. ^ a b "Searching for missing Minors no-hitters". MiLB.com.
  12. ^ "1936 Opelousas Indians Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ^ "1937 Opelousas Indians minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. ^ "1941 Opelousas Indians Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ^ "1941 Evangeline League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ^ "Opelousas, Louisiana Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. ^ "Elementary School Park in Opelousas, LA history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  18. ^ "Evangeine League - Defunct Class D". digitalballparks.com.
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