Columbus Red Birds
Encyclopedia
The Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball
team that played in Columbus, Ohio
, in the American Association
from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators
— a typical appellation for a team based in a state (or national) capital. It was independently and locally owned through the 1920s.
The economic distress of the Great Depression
was accompanied by the rise of the farm system — pioneered by the St. Louis Cardinals
' Branch Rickey
. The Cardinals purchased minor league teams at all levels to develop their talent as if on an assembly line, and when they needed a second top-level farm club (St. Louis already owned the Rochester Red Wings
of the International League
), they purchased the struggling Senators club and dubbed it the Red Birds, a popular nickname for the big-league club.
The first business manager of the Red Birds was a baseball novice named Larry MacPhail
. A bold promoter, he supervised the building of Redbird Stadium
, championed night baseball games, and tried to make baseball more fan-friendly. Attendance tripled between 1930 and 1932. MacPhail left Columbus after a dispute with the Cardinals' ownership, and moved up to Major League Baseball
as the general manager
of three teams between 1933 and 1947, and earned a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Columbus produced a number of great players, including Hall of Famers Enos Slaughter
and Billy Southworth
. Slaughter (who batted
.382 for the 1937 Red Birds with 245 hits
), and won Association titles in 1933, 1934, 1937, 1941–43 and 1950. Southworth managed the 1932 Red Birds. In the early 1950s a series of losing teams, and the encroachment of television, depressed the Red Birds' attendance, and the club moved to Omaha, Nebraska
, for the 1955 season and was re-christened the Omaha Cardinals
.
Columbus immediately gained a new AAA team when the Ottawa franchise of the International League began playing there in 1955. This club, the Columbus Jets
, briefly moved to Charleston, West Virginia
, in the 1970s, but then returned to Columbus in 1977 as the Columbus Clippers
and was the longtime AAA affiliate (1979–2006) of the New York Yankees
, (2007–2008) the Washington Nationals
, and in 2009 became the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians
.
of Columbus, Georgia
, in the Class A Sally League
. When the Sally League resumed play in after World War II, the Georgia-based farm club changed its name to the Columbus Cardinals.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team that played in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, in the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators
Columbus Senators
The Columbus Senators Minor league baseball team was born in as a founding member of the Tri-State League. After that, the Senators played in the Western League , Interstate League Western Association and American Association...
— a typical appellation for a team based in a state (or national) capital. It was independently and locally owned through the 1920s.
The economic distress of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
was accompanied by the rise of the farm system — pioneered by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
. The Cardinals purchased minor league teams at all levels to develop their talent as if on an assembly line, and when they needed a second top-level farm club (St. Louis already owned the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
), they purchased the struggling Senators club and dubbed it the Red Birds, a popular nickname for the big-league club.
The first business manager of the Red Birds was a baseball novice named Larry MacPhail
Larry MacPhail
Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail, Sr. was an American lawyer, and an executive and innovator in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
. A bold promoter, he supervised the building of Redbird Stadium
Cooper Stadium
Cooper Stadium is a baseball stadium in Columbus, Ohio and was the home of the minor league Columbus Clippers from 1977 to 2008. Cooper Stadium has had several names over the years, including Red Bird Stadium, Jets Stadium and Franklin County Stadium, but in 1984 the stadium was renamed in honor of...
, championed night baseball games, and tried to make baseball more fan-friendly. Attendance tripled between 1930 and 1932. MacPhail left Columbus after a dispute with the Cardinals' ownership, and moved up to Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
as the general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of three teams between 1933 and 1947, and earned a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Columbus produced a number of great players, including Hall of Famers Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
and Billy Southworth
Billy Southworth
William Harrison Southworth was an American right fielder, center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Playing in and and from to , he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Southworth managed in and from through...
. Slaughter (who batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.382 for the 1937 Red Birds with 245 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
), and won Association titles in 1933, 1934, 1937, 1941–43 and 1950. Southworth managed the 1932 Red Birds. In the early 1950s a series of losing teams, and the encroachment of television, depressed the Red Birds' attendance, and the club moved to Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, for the 1955 season and was re-christened the Omaha Cardinals
Omaha Cardinals
The Omaha Cardinals was the name of the minor league baseball club based in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, from 1947 through 1959. It played in the Class A Western League through 1954 and in the AAA American Association from 1955-59 as an affiliate of its major league namesake, the St...
.
Columbus immediately gained a new AAA team when the Ottawa franchise of the International League began playing there in 1955. This club, the Columbus Jets
Columbus Jets
The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the International League. From 1955-56 they were the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City...
, briefly moved to Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
, in the 1970s, but then returned to Columbus in 1977 as the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
and was the longtime AAA affiliate (1979–2006) of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, (2007–2008) the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and in 2009 became the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
Notable Red Birds Alumni
- Sammy BaughSammy BaughSamuel Adrian "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American. He then played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952...
- Ray BladesRay BladesFrancis Raymond Blades was an American left fielder, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.A native of McLeansboro, Illinois, Blades was first scouted as a baseball player as a teenager in 1913. Branch Rickey, then the manager of the St. Louis Browns, spotted Blades during a sandlot...
- Bennie BorgmannBennie BorgmannBernhard "Bennie" Borgmann was one of the early pro basketball players. He played for 17 years between 1919 and 1936, and is mostly known for his time with the Kingston Colonials and Original Celtics. Borgmann is regarded as the best offensive player of his era...
- Mort CooperMort CooperMorton Cecil Cooper was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals...
- Nick CullopNick Cullop (outfielder)Henry Nicholas Cullop was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1920s and 1930s. Cullop was better known, however, as a feared batsman in minor league baseball and as a longtime manager at the minor league level. He is the all-time minor league RBI king...
- Cot DealCot DealEllis Ferguson "Cot" Deal is a former pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball. Listed at 5' 10.5", 185 lb., Deal was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
- Paul "Daffy" DeanPaul Dean (baseball)Paul Dee "Daffy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Born in Lucas, Arkansas, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals , the New York Giants , and the St. Louis Browns ....
- Tony FreitasTony FreitasAntonio "Tony" Freitas, Jr. was an American athlete who played as a pitcher in the minor leagues and Major League Baseball, spending most of his career with the Sacramento Senators of the Pacific Coast League. He played in the majors with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds...
- Chick FullisChick FullisCharles Philip "Chick" Fullis was a professional baseball player]]. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants , Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals , primarily as a center fielder...
- Joe GaragiolaJoe GaragiolaJoseph Henry "Joe" Garagiola, Sr. is an American former catcher in Major League Baseball who later became an announcer and television host, popular for his colorful personality. He was well known for being one of the regular panelists of The Today Show on NBC for many years.-Early life:Garagiola...
- Don GutteridgeDon GutteridgeDonald Joseph Gutteridge was an American second and third baseman, coach and manager in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, and later managed the Chicago White Sox in 1969-1970...
- Harvey HaddixHarvey HaddixHarvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
- Solly HemusSolly HemusSolomon Joseph Hemus is a retired infielder, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball.As a player with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, Hemus was primarily a shortstop, although he also saw significant time as a second baseman. He compiled a lifetime batting average...
- Rollie HemsleyRollie HemsleyRalston Burdett Hemsley was a professional baseball catcher. Born in Syracuse, Ohio, he played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie".-Major League career:...
- Max LanierMax LanierHubert Max Lanier was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the National League in earned run average in , and was the winning pitcher of the clinching game in the 1944 World Series against the crosstown St. Louis...
- Nemo LeiboldNemo LeiboldHarry Loran "Nemo" Leibold was an outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1913-1925. He played for the Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Senators...
- Larry McPhailLarry McPhailLarry McPhail is a retired American soccer forward who played one season each in the American Professional Soccer League and SISL.McPhail was a member of the United States U-17 men's national soccer team at the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship. He played all three games as the U.S. went 1-2-0 in...
- Mickey OwenMickey OwenArnold Malcolm "Mickey" Owen was a catcher for St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Between 1937 and 1954, Owen played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox...
- Rip RepulskiRip RepulskiEldon John Repulski was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. From 1953 through 1961, he played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
- Branch RickeyBranch RickeyWesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
- Jack RothrockJack RothrockJohn Huston Rothrock was a utility player in Major League Baseball who played for four different teams between the and seasons. Listed at 5'11", 165 lb., Rothrock was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. He was born in Long Beach, California.Rothrock was a line drive hitter and...
- Mike RybaMike RybaDominic Joseph "Mike" Ryba was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A native of De Lancey, Pennsylvania, he attended Saint Francis University, Loretto, Pennsylvania.. He was a right-hander and played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox...
- Bill SarniBill SarniWilliam Florine Sarni was an American professional baseball player who played as a catcher in the Major Leagues. A native of Los Angeles, California, he played for the St...
- Burt ShottonBurt ShottonBurton Edwin Shotton was an American player, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball. As manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers , he won two National League pennants and served as Jackie Robinson's first permanent major league manager.-Playing career: Fleet-of-foot outfielder:Shotton was born...
- Enos SlaughterEnos SlaughterEnos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
- Billy SouthworthBilly SouthworthWilliam Harrison Southworth was an American right fielder, center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Playing in and and from to , he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Southworth managed in and from through...
- Harry "The Hat" WalkerHarry WalkerHarry William Walker, known to baseball fans of the middle 20th century as "Harry the Hat" , was an American baseball player, manager and coach.-Early life and family:...
- Burgess WhiteheadBurgess WhiteheadBurgess Urquhart "Whitey" Whitehead was a Major League Baseball second baseman from 1933 to 1946. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Pirates.-Biography:...
- Jack WinsettTom WinsettJohn Thomas Winsett was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers . Winsett batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
See also
From through , the parent Cardinals also operated the Columbus Red BirdsColumbus Red Birds (Georgia)
For the team based in Columbus, Ohio, see: Columbus Red BirdsThe Columbus Red Birds were a South Atlantic League baseball team based in Columbus, Georgia, USA that played from 1936 to 1942. They were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals and played at Golden Park.They won two league championships...
of Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
, in the Class A Sally League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. When the Sally League resumed play in after World War II, the Georgia-based farm club changed its name to the Columbus Cardinals.