The
Lancaster Red Roses baseball team, originally known as the Maroons, changed its name at the start of the 1906 season during a bitter match with the
York, PennsylvaniaYork, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
-based White Roses. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named for the opposing factions in England's historic
Wars of the RosesThe Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
. The Lancaster Red Roses played at Stumpf Field, which is still used today by local baseball and softball leagues.
Early baseball in Lancaster
Organized
baseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
first came to Lancaster in 1884 when Lancaster had two teams for a brief period of time. The
Lancaster Red Stockings played 19 games as a member of the short-lived Keystone Association before the league broke up in June 1884. The
Lancaster Ironsides played in the
Eastern LeagueThe 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...
beginning in 1884. The team remained in Lancaster for the 1885 season under a new name, the
Lancaster Lancasters. Baseball returned for Lancaster in the 1894 season when the Pennsylvania State League
Altoona, Pennsylvania-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
franchise moved to Lancaster for most of the 1894 season and the 1895 season.
In 1896 The
Atlantic LeagueThis article refers to the original incarnation of the Atlantic League, which operated between 1896 and 1900. For the modern league, see Atlantic League of Professional Baseball...
Lancaster Maroons began play when the
New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
team moved to Lancaster. The Maroons became very popular and became one of the powerhouse teams in the Atlantic League. On field successes didn't save the franchise, due to higher player salleries than the income. The team folded at the end of the 1899 season. In 1904 a local businessman built a new ballpark and began an independent team to test the local demand for baseball. After a success with local fans and businesses the team joined the
Tri-State LeagueThe Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
for the 1905 season as the Lancaster Maroons. The Franchise became the Red Roses in 1906.
The first era
The year 1906 brought the Lancaster Red Roses, who changed their name from the Maroons. The new name was unveiled to the public a few days before the season and drew heavy criticism from the rival
York White RosesThe York White Roses was the name of a minor league baseball team in the city of York, Pennsylvania, USA, that existed from 1894–1969.-Early years:...
from nearby
YorkYork, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
. The White Roses manager predicted, in spite, that the Red Roses would be at the bottom of the standings column. The Red Roses went on to win the first game, 9-4, and an even heavier rivalry began. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named for the opposing factions in England's historic
Wars of the RosesThe Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
. In 1909, the team secured its first championship in the
Tri-State LeagueThe Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
, under the leadership of ex-outfielder
Marty HoganMartin Francis Hogan , nicknamed "The Indianapolis Ringer", was an Anglo-American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns . After leaving the National League, Hogan moved on to the minor league Indianapolis Hoosiers...
. That same year, the Red Roses signed on future
Hall of FameThe National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
pitcher
Stan CoveleskiStanley Anthony Coveleski was a Major League Baseball player during the 1910s and 1920s. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969....
.
The second era
In 1932, a new team by the name of the
Lancaster Red Sox, an affiliate of the
Boston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, played in the city but the economic problems related to the
Great DepressionThe 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...
lead to the team folding on June 17, 1932 after only 23 games in the 1932 season. The league disbanded a few days later on the 20th. The league returned in 1939 with only 4 teams and the Lancaster Red Roses followed in 1940 entering the league with four other teams doubling the league. The team returned to its original name of Red Roses in 1940. The Lancaster Red Roses played in the
Interstate LeagueThe Interstate League was the name of five different American minor baseball leagues that played intermittently from 1896 through 1952. The longest tenured of these was the last incarnation, which played in the Middle Atlantic States from 1939 through 1952, and was one of the few mid-level minor...
from 1940 to 1952, and were affiliated with the
Philadelphia AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
from 1944 to 1947 and the
Brooklyn DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
from 1948 to 1952. The Red Roses joined the
Piedmont LeagueThe 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.- Former :...
in 1954, and were affiliated with the
Philadelphia/Kansas City AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
from 1954-1955 season. They became members of the
Eastern LeagueThe Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
in 1958, and were affiliated with the
Detroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for the 1958-1959 season, the
Chicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from 1959 to 1961, and spent their last season ever in 1961 as an affiliate of the
St. Louis CardinalsThe 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...
.
Uniforms
The Lancaster Maroons unveiled new uniforms with new colors, this was soon followed by a name change to the Lancaster Red Roses original Uniforms included white shirt and pants, dark blue stockings, and dark blue cap with a white “L” embroidered across the front.
Tri-State League (1906-1912, 1914) Records
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs | Notes |
| 1906 |
70-57 |
3rd |
Fred Crolius Frederick Joseph Crolius was a professional baseball and football player. He is best remembered as being the first player from Tufts University to come to play Major League Baseball. He was at Tufts in 1894, and at Dartmouth College, where he also played college football, from 1896 until 1899...
|
none |
| 1907 |
73-53 |
3rd |
Pop Foster |
none |
| 1908 |
72-55 |
3rd |
Pop Foster |
none |
| 1909 |
75-39 |
1st |
Marty HoganMartin Francis Hogan , nicknamed "The Indianapolis Ringer", was an Anglo-American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns . After leaving the National League, Hogan moved on to the minor league Indianapolis Hoosiers...
|
none League Champs |
| 1910 |
63-47 |
2nd |
Marty HoganMartin Francis Hogan , nicknamed "The Indianapolis Ringer", was an Anglo-American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns . After leaving the National League, Hogan moved on to the minor league Indianapolis Hoosiers...
|
none |
| 1911 |
54-54 |
4th |
Marty HoganMartin Francis Hogan , nicknamed "The Indianapolis Ringer", was an Anglo-American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns . After leaving the National League, Hogan moved on to the minor league Indianapolis Hoosiers...
|
|
| 1912 |
15-19 (59-92 overall) |
-- |
John Castle |
none |
Lancaster moved to Atlantic City June 18 |
|
| 1914 |
10-46 (26-83 overall) |
6th |
George Heckert / Eddie Hooper |
none |
YorkThe York White Roses was the name of a minor league baseball team in the city of York, Pennsylvania, USA, that existed from 1894–1969.-Early years:...
(16-37)moved to Lancaster July 8 |
Interstate League (1940-1952)
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs | Notes |
| 1940 |
43-39 (62-56 overall) |
4th |
Cy Perkins Ralph Foster "Cy" Perkins was an American catcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. Perkins batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts....
|
League Champs |
Hazleton (19-17) moved to Lancaster June 12 |
| 1941 |
43-83 |
8th |
Billy RogellWilliam George "Billy" Rogell was an American baseball player who played 14 years in Major League Baseball, primarily as a shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. He made his major league debut on April 14, 1925 and played his last game August 25, 1940...
/ Jimmy ArcherJames Patrick Archer was an Irish-born catcher in Major League Baseball who spent nearly his entire career with four National League teams, primarily the Chicago Cubs, for whom he played from 1909 to 1917...
|
|
| 1942 |
59-78 |
5th |
Tom Oliver Tom Oliver is an English television, film and theatre actor best known today for playing the role of Lou Carpenter in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
|
|
| 1943 |
83-55 |
1st |
Elwood Wheaton |
League Champs |
| 1944 |
66-72 |
4th |
Lena BlackburneRussell Aubrey "Lena" Blackburne was an American baseball infielder, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
|
League Champs |
| 1945 |
87-52 |
1st |
Lena BlackburneRussell Aubrey "Lena" Blackburne was an American baseball infielder, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
|
League Champs |
| 1946 |
55-83 |
8th |
Tom Oliver Tom Oliver is an English television, film and theatre actor best known today for playing the role of Lou Carpenter in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
|
|
| 1947 |
64-73 |
6th |
Charlie English / Clayton Sheedy |
|
| 1948 |
50-89 |
8th |
Dib Williams Edwin Dibrell Williams was an American second baseman and shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from 1930-1935 with the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox. Born in Greenbrier, Arkansas, he played in the 1931 World Series with the Athletics. He died at age 82 in Searcy,...
/ Jack KnightJack Knight is the name of:*Jack Knight, US Airmail Pilot, airline builder*Jack Knight , American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball*Jack L...
(interim, 5/29-?) |
|
| 1949 |
71-68 |
5th |
Al Campanis Alexander Sebastian Campanis was an American executive in Major League Baseball. He had a brief Major League career as a second baseman, playing for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' minor-league team...
|
|
| 1950 |
56-82 |
7th |
Ed Head Edward Marvin Head , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1940-1946....
|
|
| 1951 |
71-67 |
5th |
Ed Head Edward Marvin Head , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1940-1946....
|
|
| 1952 |
75-65 |
4th |
James Bivin |
Lost League Finals |
Piedmont League (1954-1955)
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs | Notes |
| 1954 |
62-78 |
7th |
Kemp Wicker Kemp Caswell Wicker was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from 1936 to 1938 and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. Whicker was born in Kernersville, North Carolina to Jasper Newton and Alice Crews Whicker. He played collegiately at North...
/ Lena BlackburneRussell Aubrey "Lena" Blackburne was an American baseball infielder, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
/ Buddy Walker |
|
| 1955 |
72-54 |
2nd |
Hank Biasatti Henry Arcado Biasatti was a Canadian National Basketball Association player and a Major League Baseball first baseman...
|
League Champs |
Eastern League (1958-1961)
| 1958 |
75-57 |
1st |
Johnny Pesky John Michael Pesky , nicknamed "The Needle" and "Mr. Red Sox", was a Major League Baseball shortstop, third baseman, and manager. During a 10-year career, he played in 1942 and from 1946-1954 for three different teams. He missed all of the 1943, 1944, and 1945 seasons while serving in World War...
|
Lost League Finals |
| 1959 |
57-83 |
7th |
Nick Cullop |
|
| 1960 |
66-73 |
6th |
Phil Cavarretta Philip Joseph Cavarretta was an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and manager.Cavarretta spent almost his entire baseball career with the Chicago Cubs. He was voted the National League Most Valuable Player after leading the Cubs to the pennant while winning the batting...
|
|
| 1961 |
60-80 |
5th |
Chase Riddle |
none |
Notable Red Roses
Stan CoveleskiStanley Anthony Coveleski was a Major League Baseball player during the 1910s and 1920s. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969....
, Baseball Hall of Famer
Nellie FoxJacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
, Baseball Hall of Famer
George KellGeorge Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
, Baseball Hall of Famer