Macon Peaches
Encyclopedia
The Macon Peaches was the predominant name of the American
minor league baseball
franchise representing Macon, Georgia
, during the 20th century.
Although Macon did not field teams during and immediately after World War I
, the height of the Great Depression
and World War II
, the name Peaches was used continuously between and , except for 1916–1917. The Peaches nickname was also used from 1961–1964, 1966–1967, and 1980–1982. Much of that time, the Peaches played in the original South Atlantic "Sally" League
, although they made brief appearances in the Southeastern League
and the Southern Association
. During the 1980s, the Peaches were members of the modern South Atlantic League
. After 1929, the team played at Luther Williams Field
.
Macon was represented by professional baseball
teams in the 19th century and joined the Sally League in 1904 as the Highlanders. From 1956–1960, the club was known as the Macon Dodgers
, adopting the name of their parent club. After 1982, the franchise also adopted its parents' identities, as the Redbirds, Pirates, and the Macon Braves.
From 1962–1964, the Peaches were an important upper-level affiliate (Class AA after 1962) of the Cincinnati Reds
, producing Pete Rose
, Tony Pérez
, Lee May
and Tommy Helms
. All four were members of Cincinnati's first "Big Red Machine" team, the National League
champions. Rose and Pérez would be cornerstones of the dynasty, while May and Helms would be traded to the Houston Astros
after 1971 to obtain Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman
Joe Morgan
, who would help lead the Reds to the NL pennant in and World Series
titles in and .
An independent league baseball team called the Macon Peaches played in the 21st century Southeastern League
in 2003.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minor league baseball
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...
franchise representing Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, during the 20th century.
Although Macon did not field teams during and immediately after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the height 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...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the name Peaches was used continuously between and , except for 1916–1917. The Peaches nickname was also used from 1961–1964, 1966–1967, and 1980–1982. Much of that time, the Peaches played in the original South Atlantic "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...
, although they made brief appearances in the Southeastern League
Southeastern League
The Southeastern League was the name of three baseball circuits in minor league baseball league which operated in the Southeastern and South Central United States...
and the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
. During the 1980s, the Peaches were members of the modern South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. After 1929, the team played at Luther Williams Field
Luther Williams Field
Luther Williams Field is a baseball stadium in Macon, Georgia, and is the home of the Macon Pinetoppers of the Peach State League and the Macon State College Blue Storm. It was built in 1929, and is the centerpiece of Central City Park in Macon. Today, it is the second-oldest minor league stadium...
.
Macon was represented by professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
teams in the 19th century and joined the Sally League in 1904 as the Highlanders. From 1956–1960, the club was known as the Macon Dodgers
Macon Dodgers
The Macon Dodgers were a minor league baseball team that operated in the South Atlantic League between the and seasons. They were an affiliate of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
, adopting the name of their parent club. After 1982, the franchise also adopted its parents' identities, as the Redbirds, Pirates, and the Macon Braves.
From 1962–1964, the Peaches were an important upper-level affiliate (Class AA after 1962) of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, producing Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
, Tony Pérez
Tony Pérez
Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...
, Lee May
Lee May
Lee Andrew May is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. From through , May played for the Cincinnati Reds , Houston Astros , Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed. He is the brother of former Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees outfielder...
and Tommy Helms
Tommy Helms
Tommy Vann Helms is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Over a fourteen year career , Helms played for four different teams, including eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, four with the Houston Astros, and one apiece with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox...
. All four were members of Cincinnati's first "Big Red Machine" team, the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
champions. Rose and Pérez would be cornerstones of the dynasty, while May and Helms would be traded to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
after 1971 to obtain Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, who would help lead the Reds to the NL pennant in and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
titles in and .
An independent league baseball team called the Macon Peaches played in the 21st century Southeastern League
Southeastern League
The Southeastern League was the name of three baseball circuits in minor league baseball league which operated in the Southeastern and South Central United States...
in 2003.