Piedmont League
| Classification | Class D (1920) Class C (1921–1931) Class B (1932–1955) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| First season | 1920 |
| Ceased | 1955 |
| No. of teams | 22 |
| Country |
The Piedmont League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1920 through 1955. The league operated principally in the Piedmont plateau region in the eastern United States.
Cities represented
[edit]The following cities hosted teams that were members of the Piedmont League (in alphabetical order):
- Asheville, North Carolina: Asheville Tourists (1931–1932; 1934–1942); (formerly of the South Atlantic League, 1924–1930)
- Charlotte, North Carolina: Charlotte Hornets (1931–1935); (formerly of the South Atlantic League, 1919–1930; 1937–1942, moved to the Tri-State League, 1946–1953, the South Atlantic League, 1954–1963, and the Southern League, (1964–1971)
- Colonial Heights, Virginia & Petersburg, Virginia: Colonial Heights-Petersburg Colts (1954)
- Columbia, South Carolina: Columbia Sandlappers (1934)
- Danville, Virginia: Danville Tobacconists (1920–1924); Danville Leafs (1925–1926)
- Durham, North Carolina: Durham Bulls (1920–33; 1936–1943)
- Greensboro, North Carolina: Greensboro Patriots (1920–1926; 1928–1934); Greensboro Red Sox (1941–1942)
- Hagerstown, Maryland: (formerly of the Interstate League, 1950–1952); Hagerstown Braves (1953); Hagerstown Packets (1954–1955)
- Henderson, North Carolina: Henderson Bunnies (1929); Henderson Gamecocks (1930–1931)
- High Point, North Carolina: High Point Furniture Makers (1920–1922); High Point Pointers (1923–1932)
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Lancaster Red Roses (1954–1955)
- Lynchburg, Virginia: Lynchburg Cardinals (1943–1955)
- Newport News, Virginia: Newport News Dodgers (1944–1955)
- Norfolk, Virginia: Norfolk Tars (1934–1955)
- Portsmouth, Virginia: Portsmouth Truckers (1935); Portsmouth Cubs (1936–1952); Portsmouth Merrimacs (1953–1955)
- Raleigh, North Carolina: Raleigh Nats (1920); Raleigh Red Birds (1921); Raleigh Capitals (1922–1928; 1930–1932)
- Richmond, Virginia: Richmond Colts (1933–1953)
- Roanoke, Virginia: Roanoke Red Sox (1943–1950); Roanoke Ro-Sox (1951–1953)
- Rocky Mount, North Carolina: Rocky Mount Buccaneers (1927) (moved to the Eastern Carolina League, 1928–1929); Rocky Mount Red Sox (1936–1940)
- Salisbury, North Carolina & Spencer, North Carolina: Salisbury Colonials (1925); Salisbury-Spencer Colonials (1926–1929)
- Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Sunbury Redlegs (1955)
- Wilmington, North Carolina: Wilmington Pirates (1932–1935)
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Winston-Salem Twins (1920–1933; 1937–1942)
- York, Pennsylvania: York White Roses (1953–1955); (formerly of the Interstate League, 1943–1952)
Standings & statistics
[edit]Years 1920 to 1955
[edit]1920 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro Patriots | 69 | 51 | .575 | - | Charlie Carroll |
| Raleigh Nats | 67 | 53 | .558 | 2½ | Joe Ward |
| High Point Furniture Makers | 57 | 57 | .500 | 9 | Dick Miller / Bill Pierce |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 56 | 65 | .463 | 13½ | Bill Shumaker / Eddie Brennan / Jim Kelly |
| Danville Tobacconists | 54 | 65 | .454 | 14½ | J. Moore / Rebel Williams |
| Durham Bulls | 53 | 65 | .449 | 15 | Frank Manush |
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Raleigh 3
1921 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Red Birds | 68 | 52 | .567 | - | Joe Ward |
| High Point Furniture Makers | 65 | 55 | .542 | 3 | Bill Pierce |
| Greensboro Patriots | 64 | 58 | .525 | 5 | Charlie Carroll |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 62 | 58 | .517 | 6 | Charles Clancy |
| Durham Bulls | 57 | 64 | .471 | 11½ | Frank Manush |
| Danville Tobacconists | 46 | 75 | .380 | 22½ | Herb Murphy / Pat Devereaux |
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, High Point 1
1922 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Point Furniture Makers | 70 | 55 | .560 | - | Hardin Herndon |
| Durham Bulls | 69 | 58 | .543 | 2 | Lee Gooch |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 66 | 59 | .528 | 4 | Charles Clancy |
| Greensboro Patriots | 60 | 63 | .488 | 9 | Charlie Carroll |
| Raleigh Capitals | 60 | 66 | .476 | 10½ | Vern Duncan |
| Danville Tobacconists | 50 | 74 | .403 | 17½ | Tom Abbott |
Playoff: Durham 4 games, High Point 3, one tie
1923 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danville Tobacconists | 74 | 50 | .597 | - | Herb Murphy |
| Greensboro Patriots | 66 | 58 | .532 | 8 | Charlie Carroll |
| High Point Pointers | 66 | 58 | .532 | 8 | Hardin Herndon |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 59 | 64 | .480 | 14½ | Bill Leard / Mike Fuhry |
| Raleigh Capitals | 57 | 67 | .460 | 17 | Vern Duncan |
| Durham Bulls | 49 | 74 | .398 | 24½ | Bill Pierre / Lee Gooch |
Playoff: Danville 4 games, Greensboro 0
1924 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Bulls | 74 | 46 | .617 | - | Bill Pierre / Art Bourg |
| High Point Pointers | 71 | 52 | .577 | 4½ | Hardin Herndon |
| Greensboro Patriots | 61 | 59 | .508 | 13 | Charlie Carroll |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 59 | 62 | .488 | 15½ | Bill Jackson |
| Danville Tobacconists | 53 | 67 | .442 | 21 | Herb Murphy |
| Raleigh Capitals | 45 | 77 | .369 | 30 | Vern Duncan |
1925 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem Twins | 77 | 49 | .611 | - | Charlie Carroll |
| Durham Bulls | 68 | 58 | .540 | 9 | Art Bourg |
| Greensboro Patriots | 61 | 63 | .492 | 15 | Lee Gooch / Hardin Herndon / Dick Smith |
| High Point Pointers / Danville Leafs |
58 | 67 | .464 | 18½ | Lloyd Smith / Hardin Herndon |
| Raleigh Capitals | 57 | 69 | .452 | 20 | Hardin Herndon / Charles Doak |
| Salisbury Colonials | 54 | 69 | .439 | 21½ | Patsy O'Rourke / Red Stewart / Rowdy Elliott |
High Point (18-32) moved to Danville June 18.
Playoff: Durham 4 games, Winston-Salem 3
1926 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro Patriots | 86 | 60 | .589 | - | Lee Gooch |
| Danville Leafs / High Point Pointers |
85 | 61 | .582 | 1 | Bob Higgins |
| Durham Bulls | 73 | 71 | .507 | 12 | Art Bourg / Lew McCarty |
| Salisbury-Spencer Colonials | 69 | 75 | .479 | 16 | Moose Marshall |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 64 | 81 | .441 | 21½ | Cy Chisholm / Crawford Gray Red Irby / Walt Christensen Art Bourg |
| Raleigh Capitals | 57 | 86 | .399 | 27½ | Runt Marr / Bennie Allen / Charlie Carroll / Cy Chisholm Vern Duncan |
Danville (11-10) moved to High Point May 12.
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Durham 1
1927 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount Buccaneers | 84 | 60 | .583 | - | Lee Gooch |
| Salisbury-Spencer Colonials | 83 | 62 | .572 | 1½ | George Whiteman |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 79 | 64 | .552 | 4½ | Charles McMillan |
| Raleigh Capitals | 77 | 70 | .524 | 7½ | Al Watt |
| High Point Pointers | 62 | 82 | .431 | 22 | Pop Kitchens / Jay Smith / Dan Boone |
| Durham Bulls | 48 | 95 | .336 | 35½ | Lew McCarty / Barney Cleveland / Possum Whitted |
Playoff: Salibury-Spencer 3 games, Raleigh 2
1928 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem Twins | 82 | 51 | .617 | - | Bunny Hearn |
| High Point Pointers | 83 | 52 | .615 | - | Dan Boone |
| Greensboro Patriots | 76 | 56 | .576 | 5½ | Charlie Carroll |
| Salisbury-Spencer Colonials | 61 | 74 | .452 | 22 | George Whiteman |
| Raleigh Capitals | 56 | 74 | .431 | 24½ | Jim Viox Henry Dawson / Stump Edington |
| Durham Bulls | 40 | 91 | .305 | 41 | Possum Whitted |
Playoff: Winston-Salem 4 games, High Point 3
1929 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Bulls | 85 | 51 | .625 | - | Possum Whitted |
| Greensboro Patriots | 83 | 54 | .606 | 2½ | Charlie Carroll |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 77 | 63 | .550 | 10 | George Whiteman |
| High Point Pointers | 67 | 72 | .482 | 19½ | Dan Boone |
| Henderson Bunnies | 54 | 85 | .388 | 32½ | Bunny Hearn / Lew Murphy Lee Gooch / Guy Winston |
| Salisbury Colonials | 48 | 89 | .350 | 37½ | Jess Altenburg |
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Durham 1
1930 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson Gamecocks | 78 | 63 | .553 | - | Jim Teague |
| Durham Bulls | 71 | 68 | .511 | 6 | Possum Whitted |
| Greensboro Patriots | 70 | 71 | .496 | 8 | Everett Booe / Hobe Brummitt / Clay Hopper |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 70 | 71 | .496 | 8 | Hal Weafer / Claude Joyner / Charlie Carroll / Johnny Brock |
| Raleigh Capitals | 68 | 72 | .486 | 9½ | Pat Haley |
| High Point Pointers | 64 | 76 | .457 | 13½ | Dan Boone |
Playoff: Durham 4 games, Henderson 3
1931 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | 100 | 37 | .730 | - | Guy Lacy |
| Raleigh Capitals | 86 | 50 | .630 | 13½ | Odie Strain |
| Greensboro Patriots | 81 | 56 | .591 | 19 | Johnny Kane |
| Asheville Tourists | 66 | 67 | .496 | 32 | Ray Kennedy / Bobby Hipps |
| Durham Bulls | 56 | 72 | .438 | 39½ | Possum Whitted |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 55 | 79 | .410 | 43½ | Bunny Hearn / Stuffy McCrone |
| Henderson Gamecocks | 51 | 82 | .383 | 47 | Jim Teague |
| High Point Pointers | 39 | 91 | .300 | 57½ | Dan Boone / Hobe Brummitt / Thomas Young |
Playoff: Charlotte 4 games, Raleigh 2
1932 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | 80 | 53 | .602 | - | Guy Lacy |
| Greensboro Patriots | 76 | 59 | .563 | 5 | Fred Myers |
| Winston-Salem Twins / High Point Pointers |
68 | 66 | .507 | 12½ | Harry Wilke |
| Raleigh Capitals | 65 | 71 | .478 | 16½ | Odie Strain |
| Wilmington Pirates | 62 | 77 | .446 | 21 | Hal Weafer / Tweet Walsh |
| Durham Bulls | 56 | 77 | .421 | 24 | Possum Whitted |
| Asheville Tourists | 35 | 33 | .515 | NA | Joe Guyon |
| High Point Pointers | 33 | 39 | .458 | NA | Buddy Tanner |
Asheville and High Point disbanded July 7; Winston-Salem moved to High Point August 20
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Charlotte 3
1933 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro Patriots | 90 | 48 | .652 | - | Eddie Dyer / Bob Rice |
| Charlotte Hornets | 80 | 61 | .567 | 11½ | Johnny Dobbs / Guy Lacy |
| Richmond Colts | 73 | 68 | .518 | 18½ | Jack Onslow |
| Wilmington Pirates | 70 | 68 | .507 | 20 | Blackie Carter |
| Durham Bulls | 65 | 76 | .461 | 26½ | Bob Murray / Bill Skiff |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 42 | 99 | .298 | 49½ | Jim Poole / Art Bourg |
1934 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 89 | 49 | .645 | - | Bill Skiff |
| Charlotte Hornets | 87 | 51 | .630 | 2 | Tommy Taylor |
| Wilmington Pirates | 64 | 74 | .464 | 25 | Blackie Carter / Harry McCurdy |
| Richmond Colts | 60 | 78 | .435 | 29 | Ed Hendee / Charles Wade |
| Columbia Sandlappers / Asheville Tourists |
55 | 78 | .414 | 31½ | Bill Laval / Possum Whitted |
| Greensboro Patriots | 56 | 81 | .409 | 32½ | Bob Rice |
Playoff: Norfolk 4 games, Charlotte 2
1935 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville Tourists | 75 | 62 | .547 | - | Billy Southworth |
| Wilmington Pirates | 69 | 65 | .5149 | 4½ | Harry McCurdy / Riley Parker |
| Richmond Colts | 70 | 66 | .5147 | 4½ | Ed Rommel |
| Norfolk Tars | 67 | 70 | .489 | 8 | Bill Skiff |
| Portsmouth Truckers | 67 | 72 | .482 | 9 | Pip Koehler |
| Charlotte Hornets | 62 | 75 | .453 | 13 | Frank O'Rourke |
Playoff: Richmond 4 games, Asheville 2
1936 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 93 | 50 | .650 | - | Johnny Neun |
| Durham Bulls | 79 | 63 | .556 | 13½ | John Gooch |
| Richmond Colts | 76 | 66 | .535 | 16½ | George Farrell / Frank Rodgers |
| Rocky Mount Red Sox | 74 | 69 | .517 | 19 | Specs Toporcer |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 66 | 77 | .462 | 27 | Pip Koehler |
| Asheville Tourists | 40 | 103 | .280 | 53 | Billy Southworth |
Playoffs: Norfolk 3 games, Richmond 0; Durham 3 games, Rocky Mount 1
Finals: Norfolk 3 games Durham 0
1937 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville Tourists | 89 | 50 | .640 | - | Hal Anderson |
| Norfolk Tars | 83 | 53 | .610 | 4½ | Johnny Neun |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 75 | 62 | .547 | 13 | Elmer Yoter |
| Richmond Colts | 72 | 66 | .522 | 16½ | Eddie Mooers |
| Durham Bulls | 68 | 69 | .496 | 20 | Paul O'Malley |
| Rocky Mount Red Sox | 67 | 75 | .472 | 23½ | Nemo Leibold |
| Charlotte Hornets | 66 | 75 | .468 | 24 | Lee Head / Bill Rodgers / Alex McColl |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 35 | 105 | .250 | 54½ | Alvin Crowder / Pepper Rhea Phil Lundeen / Walt VanGrofski |
Playoffs: Norfolk 3 games, Richmond 1; Portsmouth 3 games, Asheville 2
Finals Norfolk 3 games, Portsmouth 0
1938 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 84 | 52 | .618 | - | Ray White |
| Charlotte Hornets | 84 | 53 | .613 | ½ | Calvin Griffith |
| Rocky Mount Red Sox | 70 | 64 | .522 | 13 | Herb Brett |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 69 | 67 | .507 | 15 | Dick Luckey |
| Richmond Colts | 66 | 72 | .478 | 19 | Lance Richbourg |
| Durham Bulls | 64 | 71 | .474 | 20½ | Bill Hughes |
| Asheville Tourists | 63 | 75 | .457 | 22 | Hal Anderson |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 46 | 92 | .333 | 39 | Walt VanGrofski / Joe Prerost |
Playoffs: Charlotte 3 games, Portsmouth 2; Rocky Mount 3 games, Norfolk 1
Finals: Charlotte 4 games, Rocky Mount 3
1939 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville Tourists | 89 | 55 | .618 | - | Hal Anderson |
| Durham Bulls | 75 | 65 | .536 | 12 | Oscar Roettger |
| Rocky Mount Red Sox | 70 | 67 | .511 | 15½ | Herb Brett |
| Richmond Colts | 70 | 71 | .496 | 17½ | Lance Richbourg |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 66 | 71 | .482 | 19½ | James Keesey |
| Norfolk Tars | 66 | 71 | .482 | 19½ | Ray White |
| Charlotte Hornets | 68 | 74 | .479 | 20 | Calvin Griffith |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 54 | 84 | .391 | 32 | Charles Clancy / Alvin Crowder |
Playoffs: Asheville 3 games, Richmond 0; Rocky Mount 3 games, Durham 1
Finals: Asheville 4 games, Rocky Mount 2
1940 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Colts | 77 | 59 | .566 | - | Eddie Phillips |
| Asheville Tourists | 75 | 60 | .556 | 1½ | Tommy West |
| Rocky Mount Red Sox | 75 | 61 | .551 | 2 | Heinie Manush |
| Durham Bulls | 73 | 62 | .541 | 3½ | Oscar Roettger |
| Charlotte Hornets | 68 | 65 | .511 | 7½ | Calvin Griffith |
| Norfolk Tars | 66 | 71 | .482 | 11½ | Ray White |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 59 | 78 | .431 | 18½ | Ray Brubaker / Arthur McHenry |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 48 | 85 | .361 | 27½ | Eddie Moore / Ray Brubaker |
Playoffs: Rocky Mount 4 games, Asheville 2; Durham 4 games, Richmond 3
Finals: Durham 4 games, Rocky Mount 2
1941 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Bulls | 84 | 53 | .613 | - | Bruno Betzel |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 75 | 65 | .536 | 10½ | Don Curry |
| Greensboro Red Sox | 71 | 66 | .518 | 23½ | Heinie Manush |
| Norfolk Tars | 71 | 68 | .511 | 24½ | Eddie Sawyer |
| Richmond Colts | 67 | 71 | .486 | 28 | Eddie Phillips |
| Charlotte Hornets | 65 | 70 | .481 | 28½ | Calvin Griffith |
| Asheville Tourists | 64 | 76 | .457 | 31 | Henry Cullop |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 54 | 82 | .397 | 39 | Jake Atz |
Playoffs: Greensboro 4 games, Portsmouth 0; Durham 4 games, Norfolk 1
Finals: Durham 4 games, Greensboro 0
1942 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro Red Sox | 78 | 53 | .595 | - | Heinie Manush |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 80 | 55 | .593 | - | Tony Lazzeri |
| Richmond Colts | 74 | 60 | .552 | 5½ | Ben Chapman |
| Charlotte Hornets | 70 | 62 | .530 | 8½ | Harry Smythe |
| Durham Bulls | 65 | 70 | .481 | 15 | Bruno Betzel |
| Asheville Tourists | 61 | 77 | .442 | 20½ | Bill DeLancey |
| Norfolk Tars | 57 | 79 | .419 | 23½ | Buzz Boyle |
| Winston-Salem Twins | 52 | 81 | .391 | 27 | Jack Tighe /Al Unser |
Playoffs: Greensboro 4 games, Charlotte 0; Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 3
Finals: Greensboro 4 games, Portsmouth 2
1943 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Cubs | 90 | 40 | .692 | - | Milt Stock |
| Richmond Colts | 72 | 57 | .558 | 17½ | Larry Kinzer |
| Norfolk Tars | 66 | 63 | .512 | 23½ | Thomas Kain |
| Roanoke Red Sox | 62 | 68 | .477 | 28 | Heinie Manush |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 54 | 74 | .422 | 35 | Ollie Vanek |
| Durham Bulls | 44 | 86 | .338 | 46 | Bruno Betzel |
Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Roanoke 1; Norfolk 4 games, Richmond 0
Finals: Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 2
1944 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 80 | 60 | .571 | - | George Ferrell |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 72 | 67 | .518 | 7½ | Bill Steinecke / Jimmie Foxx |
| Norfolk Tars | 72 | 68 | .514 | 8 | Garland Braxton |
| Richmond Colts | 67 | 72 | .482 | 12½ | Ben Chapman / Taylor Sanford |
| Roanoke Red Sox | 66 | 73 | .475 | 13½ | Eddie Popowski |
| Newport News Dodgers | 61 | 78 | .439 | 18½ | Jake Pitler |
Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Norfolk 3; Lynchburg 4 games, Richmond 2, one tie
Finals: Lynchburg 4 games, Portsmouth 3
1945 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 83 | 57 | .593 | - | Garland Braxton |
| Richmond Colts | 76 | 60 | .559 | 5 | Frank Rodgers |
| Newport News Dodgers | 69 | 69 | .500 | 13 | Jake Pitler |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 67 | 69 | .493 | 14 | Ival Goodman |
| Roanoke Red Sox | 67 | 71 | .486 | 15 | Eddie Popowski |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 52 | 88 | .371 | 31 | George Ferrell / Zip Payne |
Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games. Norfolk 3; Richmond 4 games, Newport News 0
Finals: Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 0
1946 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke Red Sox | 89 | 51 | .636 | - | Eddie Popowski |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 83 | 57 | .593 | 6 | Gene Hasson / Ace Parker |
| Newport News Dodgers | 76 | 64 | .543 | 13 | John Fitzpatrick |
| Norfolk Tars | 71 | 69 | .507 | 18 | Thomas Kain |
| Richmond Colts | 60 | 80 | .429 | 29 | Ray Berres |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 41 | 99 | .293 | 48 | Wes Ferrell / Emmitt Mueller |
Playoffs: Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 0; Roanoke 4 games, Norfolk 2
Finals: Newport News 4 games, Roanoke 2, one tie.
1947 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke Red Sox | 90 | 49 | .647 | - | Pinky Higgins |
| Norfolk Tars | 69 | 70 | .496 | 21 | Buddy Hassett |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 69 | 71 | .493 | 21½ | Gene Hasson |
| Richmond Colts | 68 | 71 | .489 | 22 | Bob Lotshaw |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 63 | 76 | .453 | 27 | Jack McLain / Vernon Mackie |
| Newport News Dodgers | 59 | 81 | .421 | 31½ | John Fitzpatrick |
Playoffs: Roanoke 4 games, Richmond 1; Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 0
Finals: Roanoke 4 games, Norfolk 3
1948 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 80 | 58 | .580 | - | Vernon Mackie |
| Newport News Dodgers | 72 | 67 | .518 | 8½ | Roy Schalk |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 71 | 69 | .507 | 10 | Ace Parker |
| Roanoke Red Sox | 65 | 73 | .471 | 15 | Pinky Higgins |
| Norfolk Tars | 65 | 75 | .464 | 16 | Earl Bolyard |
| Richmond Colts | 64 | 75 | .460 | 16½ | Charles George |
Playoffs: Lynchburg 4 games, Roanoke 3; Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 3
Finals: Newport News 4 games, Lynchburg 0
1949 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 77 | 62 | .554 | - | Pug Griffin / Vernon Mackie |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 74 | 66 | .529 | 3½ | Skeeter Scalzi |
| Richmond Colts | 71 | 68 | .511 | 6 | Vince Smith |
| Roanoke Red Sox | 71 | 69 | .507 | 6½ | Red Marion |
| Norfolk Tars | 68 | 72 | .486 | 9½ | Earl Bolyard / Frank Novosel |
| Newport News Dodgers | 58 | 82 | .414 | 19½ | Roy Schalk |
Playoffs: Lynchburg 4 games, Roanoke 3; Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 2
Finals: Lynchburg 4 games, Portsmouth 2
1950 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Cubs | 83 | 54 | .606 | - | Skeeter Scalzi |
| Roanoke Red Sox | 81 | 58 | .583 | 3 | Red Marion |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 76 | 61 | .555 | 7 | Whitey Kurowski |
| Richmond Colts | 63 | 76 | .453 | 21 | Vince Smith |
| Norfolk Tars | 58 | 82 | .414 | 26½ | Frank Novosel |
| Newport News Dodgers | 55 | 85 | .393 | 29½ | Al Campanis / Bud Methany |
Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 0; Roanoke 4 games, Lynchburg 1
Finals: Roanoke 4 games, Portsmouth 3
1951 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 81 | 58 | .583 | - | Mayo Smith |
| Richmond Colts | 77 | 63 | .550 | 4½ | Billy Herman / Roy Allen |
| Newport News Dodgers | 75 | 66 | .532 | 7 | Clay Bryant |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 74 | 67 | .525 | 8 | Reggie Otero |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 64 | 75 | .460 | 17 | Skeeter Scalzi |
| Roanoke Ro-Sox | 49 | 91 | .350 | 32½ | Walter Millies |
Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 1; Richmond 4 games, Newport News 2
Finals: Norfolk 4 games, Richmond 2
1952 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 96 | 36 | .727 | - | Mayo Smith |
| Portsmouth Cubs | 71 | 64 | .526 | 26½ | Reggie Otero |
| Richmond Colts | 69 | 66 | .511 | 28½ | Tom O'Connell |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 64 | 66 | .492 | 31 | James Brown / Harold Olt |
| Roanoke Ro-Sox | 59 | 74 | .444 | 37½ | Owen Scheetz |
| Newport News Dodgers | 41 | 94 | .304 | 56½ | Ray Hathaway |
Playoffs: Richmond 4 games, Norfolk 1; Portsmouth 4 games, Lynchburg 2
Finals: Richmond 4 games, Portsmouth 2
1953 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 81 | 51 | .614 | - | Mickey Owen |
| Hagerstown Braves | 78 | 53 | .595 | 2½ | Dutch Dorman / Jimmy Zinn / Billy Jurges |
| Newport News Dodgers | 80 | 56 | .588 | 3 | Stan Wasiak |
| Portsmouth Merrimacs | 72 | 63 | .533 | 10½ | Bob Ankrum |
| York White Roses | 59 | 70 | .457 | 20½ | Mark Christman / Bill Enos / George Hausmann |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 55 | 77 | .417 | 26 | Richard Landis / John Sullivan |
| Richmond Colts | 45 | 86 | .344 | 35½ | Charles Letcha |
| Roanoke Ro-Sox | 39 | 53 | .424 | NA | Elmer Yoter |
Roanoke withdrew July 24.
Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 1; Newport News 4 games, Hagerstown
Finals: Norfolk 4 games, Newport News 1.
1954 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Tars | 87 | 53 | .621 | - | Skeeter Scalzi |
| Newport News Dodgers | 76 | 63 | .547 | 10½ | George Scherger |
| York White Roses | 72 | 67 | .518 | 14½ | George Staller |
| Portsmouth Merrimacs | 71 | 69 | .507 | 16 | Alex Monchak / Pepper Martin |
| Hagerstown Packets | 66 | 74 | .471 | 21 | Paul Campbell / Zeke Bonura |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 63 | 77 | .450 | 24 | Roland LeBlanc |
| Lancaster Red Roses | 62 | 78 | .443 | 25 | Kemp Wicker / Lena Blackburne / Buddy Walker |
| Colonial Heights-Petersburg Colts | 62 | 78 | .443 | 25 | Johnny Vander Meer |
Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Norfolk 2; Newport News 4 games, York 0.
Finals: Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 3
1955 Piedmont League
[edit]| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News Dodgers | 77 | 52 | .597 | - | George Scherger |
| Lancaster Red Roses | 72 | 54 | .571 | 3½ | Hank Biasatti |
| York White Roses | 64 | 65 | .496 | 13 | George Staller |
| Portsmouth Merrimacs | 64 | 66 | .492 | 13½ | Ken Guettler |
| Lynchburg Cardinals | 64 | 67 | .489 | 14 | George Kissell |
| Hagerstown Packets | 58 | 65 | .472 | 16 | Johnny Welaj |
| Sunbury Redlegs | 47 | 80 | .370 | 29 | Virgil Stallcup / Dutch Dorman |
| Norfolk Tars | 37 | 34 | .521 | NA | Al Evans / Alton Brown / Bill Herring |
Norfolk withdrew July 14
Playoffs: Portsmouth 3 games, Newport News 1; Lancaster 3 games, York 1
Finals Lancaster 3 games, Portsmouth 2.[citation needed][1]
Champions
[edit]The following teams were champions of the Piedmont League:
| Year | Team |
|---|---|
| 1920 | Greensboro Patriots |
| 1921 | Greensboro Patriots |
| 1922 | Durham Bulls |
| 1923 | Danville Tobacconists |
| 1924 | Durham Bulls |
| 1925 | Durham Bulls |
| 1926 | Greensboro Patriots |
| 1927 | Salisbury-Spencer Colonials |
| 1928 | Winston-Salem Twins |
| 1929 | Greensboro Patriots |
| 1930 | Durham Bulls |
| 1931 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1932 | Greensboro Patriots |
| 1933 | Greensboro Patriots |
| 1934 | Norfolk Tars |
| 1935 | Richmond Colts |
| 1936 | Norfolk Tars |
| 1937 | Norfolk Tars |
| 1938 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1939 | Asheville Tourists |
| 1940 | Durham Bulls |
| 1941 | Durham Bulls |
| 1942 | Greensboro Red Sox |
| 1943 | Norfolk Tars |
| 1944 | Lynchburg Cardinals |
| 1945 | Portsmouth Cubs |
| 1946 | Newport News Dodgers |
| 1947 | Roanoke Red Sox |
| 1948 | Newport News Dodgers |
| 1949 | Lynchburg Cardinals |
| 1950 | Roanoke Red Sox |
| 1951 | Norfolk Tars |
| 1952 | Richmond Colts |
| 1953 | Norfolk Tars |
| 1954 | Newport News Dodgers |
| 1955 | Lancaster Red Roses |
Hall of Fame alumni
[edit]- Yogi Berra (1943, Norfolk)
- Whitey Ford (1948, Norfolk)
- Jimmie Foxx (1944, Portsmouth, MGR)
- Hank Greenberg (1930, Raleigh)
- Whitey Herzog (1951, Norfolk)
- Tony Lazzeri (1942, (Portsmouth, MGR)
- Buck Leonard (1953, Portsmouth)
- Heinie Manush (1940, Rocky Mount; 1941-1942, Greensboro; 1943, Roanoke)
- Johnny Mize (1930-1931, 1933, Greensboro)
- Phil Rizzuto (1938, Norfolk)
- Brooks Robinson (1955, York)
- Red Schoendienst (1943, Lynchburg)
- Duke Snider (1944-1945, Newport News)
- Billy Southworth (1935-1936, Asheville, MGR)
- Early Wynn (1938-1940, Charlotte)
References
[edit]- McCann, M. (n.d.). Minor League Baseball History. Retrieved April 27, 2007, from https://www.webcitation.org/5knFJ3tSg?url=http://www.geocities.com/big_bunko/piedmont2055.htm
- ^ Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States
- Defunct professional sports leagues in the United States
- Baseball leagues in North Carolina
- Baseball leagues in Virginia
- Baseball leagues in South Carolina
- Baseball leagues in Pennsylvania
- Baseball leagues in Maryland
- Piedmont League teams
- Sports leagues established in 1920
- Sports leagues established in 1955