The Artesia Dodgers was the final nickname of the
minor league baseball team based in
Artesia, New Mexico
Artesia is a city in Eddy County, New Mexico, centered at the intersection of U.S. routes 82 and 285; the two highways serve as the city's Main Street and First Street, respectively. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,301.
Hist ...
. Artesia teams played from 1951-1955 and 1958-1961 as an affiliate of the
San Francisco Giants and
Los Angeles Dodgers.
History
The Artesia Drillers (1951-1953) and later the Artesia Numexers(1954-1955) first began play in Artesia as members of the
Longhorn League
The Longhorn League was the name of a Minor league baseball circuit that operated from through in the Southwestern United States. In , it was renamed the Southwestern League and operated through before changing its name to the Sophomore Leag ...
from 1951-1955.
They were later an affiliate of the
Los Angeles Dodgers during final season of existence in 1961. They finished 48-78 in the
Sophomore League
The Sophomore League was a Class D (baseball), Class D level minor league baseball league that operated from 1958 in sports, 1958 through 1961 in sports, 1961. League franchises were located in New Mexico and Texas. The league evolved from the Sou ...
under manager
Spider Jorgensen
John Donald "Spider" Jorgensen (November 3, 1919 – November 6, 2003) was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1947 through 1951 for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–50) and New York Giants (1950–51). Jorgensen made his MLB de ...
. Before becoming the Dodgers, they were a
San Francisco Giants affiliate known as the Artesia Giants from 1958-1960.
The 1954 Numexers were Longhorn League Champions after finishing 92-46 in the regular season. The team moniker was a combination of "New" and "Mexico."
The 1958 team finished 63-57, losing in the league Finals.
The ballpark
Artesia teams played at Brainard Park on 13th Street. The ballpark is still in use today, known as Brainard Baseball Field, home to Artesia High School teams. The ballpark is located at 1102 North 13th Street in Artesia, New Mexico.
Notable alumni
*
Jesus Alou
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
(1960)
*
Dick Dietz (1960) MLB All-Star
*
Clarence Jones (1961)
References
External links
Artesia - Baseball Reference
Defunct minor league baseball teams
Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliates
Professional baseball teams in New Mexico
Baseball teams established in 1961
Baseball teams disestablished in 1961
1961 establishments in New Mexico
1961 disestablishments in New Mexico
Eddy County, New Mexico
Defunct baseball teams in New Mexico
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