the historic baseball team names blog @historicteamnames-blog - Tumblr Blog

So, I know this is pretty crazy since I just started this blog, but I realized that there just really isn’t enough to write about in this subject. I had originally intended it to be a basic list of funny/interesting/unique team names, but I ended up spending way too much time trying to research the backgrounds of these names and the histories of these teams and not being able to find anything.

Therefore, from now on, this “blog” will just be a list of names, like I originally planned, with one name being posted per day, with no further comment unless there is something really interesting about it. However, the pool of names to choose from is not bottomless, so at some point (probably in the near future) I will run out of team names. Unfortunately, Tumblr will not allow me to set my queue to post less often than once per day so I don’t know how to stretch the remaining list out.

I hope you will still find these names interesting and intriguing enough to dive in and do your own research about.

Thanks!

Lindsay

#historicteamnames #history #baseball #teamnames

Vacation

I will be on vacation for the next week or so. Don’t expect too many posts (or any) until I am back.

Time for the beach! :D

Atlanta Black Crackers

Atlanta, GA (1919-1952)

We now know of the term “cracker” as a derogatory and pejorative term for a white Southerner, or just white people in general. So how could a Negro League team be full of “Black Crackers?”

Originally founded as the Atlanta Cubs, this seemingly contradictory name came from the common practice of the Negro League team taking the same name as the white team in a given city.

The term “Georgia Cracker” in the sense of the Atlanta Crackers white minor league baseball team was not derogatory, but rather one of pride. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, “the origin of the nickname "Crackers" is unknown. Cracker was once a derogatory term for a poor white southerner, but it was also used to denote someone quick and efficient at any task. One theory is that the team was named after local farmers who cracked whips over oxen and horses. Another theory is that the name originated from the city's previous team, the Firecrackers.“

Both teams played at Ponce de Leon Park, which was demolished in 1965 when the (white) Crackers folded due to the major-league-Braves moving from Milwaukee to Atlanta. According to Wikipedia, “The team played their home games at Ponce de Leon Park, along with the white Atlanta Crackers. However, the Black Crackers were not allowed to play at Ponce de Leon Park when the Crackers had a home game. The Black Crackers were then forced to play at either Morehouse College or Morris Brown College.” Ponce de Leon Park is now the site of a strip mall in which I bring my dog to the PetSmart for a bath. Oh, history.

#atlanta #atlantaGA #blackCrackers #AtlantaCrackers #AtlantaBlackCrackers #baseball #history #negro leagues #georgia #teamNames

Leavenworth Convicts

Leavenworth, KS (1906-1907), previously “Leavenworth Soldiers” and “Leavenworth Old Soldiers”

In 1827, what is now known as Fort Leavenworth (named as such in 1832) was established in Louisiana Territory, at the eastern terminus of the Oregon Trail by a Col. Leavenworth.

It was (and is) a successful military base, and later became home to the “The Western Branch National Military Home“ or “Old Soldiers’ Home” after the Civil War (1885), leading to baseball teams named the “Soldiers” and the “Old Soldiers.”

United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth (image via Kent State University)

In 1903, the US decided to build a federal prison in the city of Leavenworth, abutting the fort. This prison later became notorious for its maximum-security setting and infamous prisoners. Along with USP Leavenworth, the area is also home to several other prisons, including the United States Disciplinary Barracks, the only maximum security military prison in the United States.

The area’s reputation as a home for thousands of convicts gave rise to the 1906 renaming of the local Western Association ball club. The “Old Soldiers” became the “Convicts,” but the team folded after only one season as the Convicts.

#leavenworth #leavenworthks #fortleavenworth #ftleavenworth #baseball #history #prison #crime #military #soliders #army #civilwar #kansas #penitentiary #jail

Leaksville-Spray-Draper Triplets

Leaksville, Spray, and Draper, NC (now combined into one town, Eden, NC) (1934-1948)

Leaksville, Spray, and Draper are known as the “Tri-Cities,” situated just south of the Virginia border halfway across the state.

I don’t have much to say about this team, other than that it is quite unfortunate that two of the three towns deal with unwanted liquid - Leaksville and Spray.

19-year-old outfielder Joe Frazier, 1941 (image via Leaksville.com)

In 1967, the three towns merged to become one city, known as Eden. Each former town is now a neighborhood or historic district in Eden.

#edenNC #northcarolina #tricities #tricity #leaksville #draper #spray #history #baseball #teamnames

Bristol Bellmakers

Bristol, CT (1899-1901)

While now known almost exclusively as the headquarters of ESPN, Bristol, Connecticut also made a huge contribution to the American Industrial Revolution.

According to Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011 by Richard Worth, “two industries in Bristol that go back to the seventeenth century are clocks and bells.”

The American Clock & Watch Museum is located in Bristol, which also has a history of developing “spring-loaded doorbells” and bicycle bells. New Departure, now known as a ball bearing manufacturer owned by General Motors, began in Bristol in the corner of a clock factory.

(image via Throwin’ Wrenches)

I would say a better team name would have been the “Bristol Clockmakers” but I guess they wanted alliteration. :)

#bristolCT #connecticut #bristol #watches #watchmaking #horology #bellmaking #clockmaking #clocks #history #baseball

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