There have been eight Minor leagues teams that have represented the city of Americus, Georgia. Since classification of the minors began, seven of them have been labeled as class D loops and one played in an independent league.

History

Americus Pallbearers

The Americus Pallbearers became a founding member of the original Georgia State League in

1906 Events January–February * January 12 – Persian Constitutional Revolution: A nationalistic coalition of merchants, religious leaders and intellectuals in Persia forces the shah Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar to grant a constitution, ...

. The Pallbearers finished dead-last in the six-team league, with a record of 13–32, a full 22 games behind the first place Waycross Machinists. The league folded at the end of the season, and Americus was without a professional team in 1907.

Americus Muckalees

The Americus Muckalees were members of the

Empire State League The Empire State League was a Minor league baseball circuit which operated in the 1913 season. It was a Class-D, six-team league, with teams based exclusively in Georgia, U.S. In 1914, the league evolved to become the Georgia State League. Ci ...

1913 Events January * January 5 – First Balkan War: Battle of Lemnos (1913), Battle of Lemnos – Greek admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis forces the Turkish fleet to retreat to its base within the Dardanelles, from which it will not ven ...

and continued playing from

1914 This year saw the beginning of what became known as World War I, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne was Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. It als ...

1915 Events Below, the events of World War I have the "WWI" prefix. January * January – British physicist Sir Joseph Larmor publishes his observations on "The Influence of Local Atmospheric Cooling on Astronomical Refraction". *January 1 ...

when the six-team circuit was renamed the Georgia State League. In 1913, the Muckalees ended in fourth place with a 45–54 record, games behind first place

Valdosta Millionaires The Valdosta Millionaires were a minor league baseball team, based in Valdosta, Georgia from 1913 until 1916. However the team's roots can be traced back to 1906 as the Valdosta Stars of the Georgia State League. The Millionaires became Valdosta's ...

. Then, in 1914 the Americus team became the first champion team in Georgia State League history. But the resurgence of the league did not even last two years. The circuit started 1915 as the Georgia State League and was renamed the

Florida–Alabama–Georgia League The Georgia State League was an American Class D minor league in professional baseball that existed in 1906, 1914, 1920–1921 and 1948–1956. During its last incarnation, it existed alongside two nearby Class D circuits, the Georgia–Florida Le ...

(FLAG League), which operated in Florida, on June 15. The Americus Muckalees (11–18) then were forced to move to Florida and changed its name to Gainesville Sharks (18–24), ending fifth with a combined 29–42 record, 16 games out of the first place spot.

Americus Cardinals

The Americus Cardinals operated in the Georgia–Florida League from

1935 Events January * January 7 – Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval conclude Franco-Italian Agreement of 1935, an agreement, in which each power agrees not to oppose the other's colonial claims. * ...

through

1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...

. During that span, Americus had affiliation agreements with the St. Louis Cardinals (1936),

Brooklyn Dodgers The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1884 as a member of the American Association (19th century), American Association before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brooklyn until 1957, after which the ...

(1937) and Washington Senators (1938). The team had records of 59–57 in 1935 (3rd place), 58–58 in 1936 (3rd), 50–71 in 1937 (6th), and 65–61 in 1938 (3rd), reaching the postseason in 1938, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Americus Pioneers

1939 This year also marks the start of the Second World War, the largest and deadliest conflict in human history. Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January 1 ** Third Reich *** Jews are forbidden to ...

, the Cardinals changed its name to the Americus Pioneers and continued to operate in the Georgia–Florida League until

1942 Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January 1 – WWII: The Declaration by United Nations is signed by China, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and 22 other nations, in wh ...

, first as a

affiliate (1939–1940) and then with the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

(1942). This time the team suffered four losing seasons, going 63–76 in 1939 (7th place), 67–72 in 1940 (5th), 56–81 in 1941 (6th) and 49–77 in 1942 (7th).

Americus Phillies

After a long absence, in

1946 Events January * January 6 - The 1946 North Vietnamese parliamentary election, first general election ever in Vietnam is held. * January 7 – The Allies recognize the Austrian republic with its 1937 borders, and divide the country into f ...

the franchise returned to the Georgia–Florida League as the Americus Phillies, playing there uninterrupted until the

1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 cr ...

season as a

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...

affiliated team. In its first season, Americus won the title in the eight-team league after sporting an 87–37 record, having games of advantage over second place

Moultrie Packers The Moultrie Packers were a class D, and class A minor league baseball team, based in Moultrie, Georgia, founded by J.S. Dillard. History Moultrie teams played in the Dixie League from 1916 to 1917 and the Georgia–Florida League from 1935 t ...

. The team won the first round of the playoffs, but lost the final series to Moultrie. Americus declined the next two years, ending with records of 65–74 in 1947 (6th place) and 50–89 in 1948 (8th). Then, they went 71–67 in 1948 (4th) and 70–67 in 1950 (4th). Both times they reached the postseason, losing in the first round and the league finals, respectively.

Americus Rebels

In 1951, the Phillies were replaced by the Americus Rebels, though the team lasted only one year in the GFL. Americus finished sixth with a 55–70 mark, games out of contention.

Americus-Cordele Orioles

The franchise returned to the league in

1954 Events January * January 1 – The Soviet Union ceases to demand war reparations from West Germany. * January 3 – The Italian broadcaster RAI officially begins transmitting. * January 7 – Georgetown-IBM experiment: The fir ...

, this time as the Americus-Cordele Orioles affiliated team of the Baltimore Orioles. Americus finished last of the eight teams with a 51–88 mark and games out from first place.

Americus Arrows

Americus also was represented in the independent Southeastern League during its

2002 File:2002 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 2002 Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and her daughter Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon die; East Timor gains East Timor independence, indepe ...

season. Playing as the Americus Arrows, the team were 10–17 before folding on July 15. Since then, no other team based in Americus has participated in professional baseball.

MLB alumni

Pete Center Marvin Earl "Pete" Center (April 22, 1912 – August 8, 2004) was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 77 Major League games over all or part of four seasons (1942–1943; 1945–1946) for the Clevelan ...

Ellis Clary Ellis Clary (September 11, 1916 – June 2, 2000), nicknamed "Cat", was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. Born in Valdosta, Georgia, he threw and batted right-handed, stood tall, and weighed 160 pounds (73 kg). He ...

Chuck Cottier Charles Keith Cottier (born January 8, 1936) is a former second baseman, manager, coach and scout in American Major League Baseball. Born in Delta, Colorado, Cottier graduated from Grand Junction High School, where he lettered in four sports � ...

* Jack Cusick *

Bill DeKoning William Callahan DeKoning (December 19, 1918 – July 26, 1979) was a Major League Baseball catcher Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of ...

Bernie DeViveiros Bernard John DeViveiros (April 19, 1901 – July 5, 1994) was a Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the Chicago White Sox in and the Detroit Tigers in . In 1951, DeViveiros wrote a section on base running in The Sporting News The ...

* Bob Geary * Greek George * Bill Glynn *

Ray Hamrick Raymond Bernard Hamrick 'Handsome Ray'' (August 1, 1921 – June 9, 2009) was an infielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. Listed at , 165 lb., Hamrick batted and t ...

* Stew Hofferth *

Mickey Kreitner Albert Joseph "Mickey" Kreitner (October 10, 1922 – March 6, 2003) was a Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Chicago Cubs during the 1943 and 1944 seasons. Listed at 6' 3", 190 lb., he batted and threw right handed. As a 20-year- ...

Guy Lacy Osceola Guy Lacy (June 12, 1897 in Cleveland, Tennessee – November 19, 1953) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the 1926 Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based i ...

* Angelo LiPetri * Alex McColl *

Jerry McQuaig Gerald Joseph McQuaig (January 31, 1912 – February 5, 2001) was an American backup outfielder for the Philadelphia Athletics The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when th ...

Cliff Melton Clifford George Melton (January 3, 1912 – July 28, 1986) was an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Giants over parts of eight seasons spanning 1937–44. Listed at , ...

Hillis Layne Ivoria Hillis Layne (February 23, 1918 – January 12, 2010) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators (1901–60), Washington Senators in parts of three seasons spanning 1941–1945. Listed at 6 ...

Red Marion John Wyeth "Red" Marion (March 14, 1914 – March 13, 1975) was briefly an outfielder in American Major League Baseball and a longtime manager at the minor league level. A native of Richburg, South Carolina, he was the older brother of Marty Mario ...

* Mike Milosevich *

Les Moss John Lester Moss (May 14, 1925 – August 29, 2012) was an Americans, American professional baseball player, Coach (baseball), coach, Scout (sports), scout and Manager (baseball), manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the S ...

Bitsy Mott Elisha Matthew Mott (June 12, 1918 – February 25, 2001), known as Bitsy Mott, was a backup infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies. Listed at , , he batted and threw right-handed. Born in Arcadia, Florida, M ...

Glen Moulder Glen Hubert Moulder (September 28, 1917 – November 27, 1994) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1946), St. Louis Browns (1947) and Chicago White Sox (1948). Moulder batted and threw right-handed. He was bor ...

* Ed Murphy * Dixie Parker *

Hal Quick James Harold Quick (October 4, 1917 – March 9, 1974) nicknamed "Blondie", was a shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators in the 1939 This year also marks the start of the Second World War, the larges ...

* Jack Sanford *

LeGrant Scott LeGrant Edward Scott (July 25, 1910 – November 12, 1993) was a professional baseball player. He was an outfielder for one season (1939) with the Philadelphia Phillies. For his career, he compiled a .280 batting average in 232 at-bats, wit ...

* Dick West * Lefty West * Leonard Martin

References

External links

Baseball Reference: Americus, Georgia – Minor League City Encyclopedia
{{DEFAULTSORT:Americus Defunct minor league baseball teams Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates Brooklyn Dodgers minor league affiliates Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliates Washington Senators minor league affiliates Professional baseball teams in Georgia (U.S. state) Southeastern League teams Defunct baseball teams in Georgia Defunct Georgia State League teams Baseball teams disestablished in 2002 Baseball teams established in 1906