The Cedartown Sea Cows were a minor league baseball team based in

Cedartown, Georgia Cedartown is a city and the county seat of Polk County, Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,190. Cedartown is the principal city of and is included in the Cedartown, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is i ...

. Cedartown teams played as members of the Class D level Georgia-Alabama League from 1928 to 1930, winning one league pennant and one league championship. The 1930 team became known as the "Braves."

History

The Sea Cows were preceded in minor league baseball by the Cedartown Cedars, who played as members of the Class D level

Georgia State 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 ...

in the 1921 and 1922 seasons. In 1928, Cedartown resumed minor league play, as the "Sea Cows" were formed and became members of the reformed six-team, Class D level Georgia-Alabama League. The

Anniston Nobles The Anniston Nobles were a minor league baseball team based in Anniston, Alabama, United States, that operated in the Georgia–Alabama League The Georgia–Alabama League was a minor league baseball league that operated in its two namesake stat ...

, Carrollton Frogs,

Gadsden Eagles The Gadsden Eagles were a Minor League Baseball team based in Gadsden, Alabama, that played in the Georgia–Alabama League The Georgia–Alabama League was a minor league baseball league that operated in its two namesake states. The circuit fi ...

, Lindale Dragons and

Talladega Indians The Talladega Indians (also known as the Tigers and Highlanders) were a Minor League Baseball team based in Talladega, Alabama, that played in the Georgia–Alabama League from 1913 to 1917 and 1928–1930. The team originated in Huntsville, Alaba ...

teams joined Cedartown in beginning league play on May 24, 1928. In their first season of Georgia-Alabama League play, the Sea Cows had the best overall record in the league. Cedartown did not qualify for the league playoff, as the league played a spilt-season schedule. The Sea Cows ended the season with an overall record of 55–34 record, playing under manager

Sherry Smith Sherrod Malone (Sherry) Smith (February 18, 1891 – September 12, 1949) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1911 until 1927, he pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1911–12), Brooklyn Robins (1915–17, 1919–1922) and Clevela ...

, who would manage the team in all three seasons. The Cedartown record was the best in the league, as the Sea Cows finished 0.5 game ahead of the second place Carrolton Frogs in the overall regular season standings. In the playoff, the split-season winners met, with Carrolton defeating Talladega the win the league championship. The 1929 Cedartown Sea Cows finished last in the Georgia-Alabama League standings. The Sea Cows finished in sixth place in the regular season, with a 40–60 record. Playing under managers Shelly Smith and Buck Thrasher, Cedartown finished 20.5 games behind the first place Lindale Collegians in the six–team league regular season standings. In the playoff, Carrollton swept Lindale in four games and won their second championship. Charles Knowles of Cedartown hit a league leading 25 home runs and also led the league with 92 runs scored. In their final season of minor league play, the 1930 Cedartown "Braves" won the Georgia-Alabama League championship. With a 60–41 record, the Braves placed second in the regular season standings. Cedartown finished 3.0 games behind the first place Lindale Pepperels, playing under returning manager Shelley Smith. In the playoff, Cedartown defeated Lindale 4 games to 3 to claim the championship. Player/Manager Shelly Smith led the Georgia-Alabama League with a 14–2 record and an era of 3.34. The Georgia-Alabama League folded after the 1930 season. Cedartown has not hosted another minor league baseball team.

The ballpark

The name of the Cedartown Sea Cows and Braves' minor league home ballpark is not directly referenced. It is known that Peek Park was in use as a public park in the era. Peek Park was built on land donated by Captain J.A. Peek. Still in use today as a public park, Peek Park is located on North College Street.

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

(1928-1930, MGR) *

Ray Treadaway Edgar Raymond Treadaway (October 31, 1907 – October 12, 1935) was a third baseman in Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. ML ...

(1928)

References

{{reflist, 2

External links

Cedartown - Baseball Reference
Defunct baseball teams in Georgia (U.S. state) Baseball teams established in 1928 Baseball teams disestablished in 1929 Defunct Georgia-Alabama League teams