The Fitzgerald Pioneers were a minor league baseball team, based in

Fitzgerald, Georgia Fitzgerald is a city in and the county seat of Ben Hill County, Georgia, Ben Hill County in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. As of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, it had a population of 9,05 ...

that played from 1948 until 1957. The team played in 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 ...

and won the league's title in 1948.

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...

member

Earl Weaver Earl Sidney Weaver (August 14, 1930 – January 19, 2013) was an American professional baseball manager, author, and television broadcaster. After playing in minor league baseball, he retired without playing in Major League Baseball (MLB). He be ...

was the player/manager for Fitzgerald in 1957

History

In 1953, the team joined the

Georgia–Florida League The Georgia–Florida League was a minor baseball league that existed from 1935 through 1958 (suspending operations during World War II) and in 1962–1963. It was one of many Class D circuits that played in the Southeastern United States during ...

and became an affiliate of the

Cincinnati Redlegs Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

. The following year the team name changed to the Fitzgerald Redlegs, to match their affiliate. In 1956 the team became and affiliate of the

Kansas City Athletics The history of the Athletics Major League Baseball franchise spans the period from 1901 to the present day, having begun as a charter member franchise in the new American League in Philadelphia before moving to Kansas City in 1955 for 13 seas ...

and was renamed the Fitzgerald Athletics. Finally in 1957, the team became affiliated with

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...

and were renamed the Fitzgerald Orioles and were managed by player/manager

, who was inducted into the

in 1996. On July 19, 1952, at Pilots Field against the

Statesboro Pilots The Statesboro Pilots were a minor league baseball team based in Statesboro, Georgia Statesboro is the largest city and county seat of Bulloch County, Georgia, United States, located in the southeastern part of the state. Statesboro is home to ...

, Joe Reliford of the visiting Fitzgerald Pioneers, age 12, became the youngest person to play in a professional baseball game. Reliford simultaneously broke the racial barrier for the segregated Georgia State League. A photo of Reliford in uniform is housed in the

Library in Cooperstown, NY. During the game, Reliford, playing outfield for one inning, made a catch over the wall, robbing Pilot player Jim Shuster of a home run to end the game. He was congratulated by Pilot fans, who came on the field and cheered him.

The ballpark

Fitzgerald played home games at Blue & Grey Park. The ballpark was located at 301 East Palm Street, Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750.

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...
alumni

(1957) Inducted, 1996

Notable alumni

Ace Adams Ace Townsend Adams (March 2, 1910 – February 26, 2006) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Giants (1941–46). Adams batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Willows, California. In a six-season career, Ad ...

(1952) MLB All-Star * Joe Reliford (1952) Youngest professional and broke league color barrier

References

External link

Baseball Reference – Fitzgerald, Georgia
{{Georgia-Florida League Baseball teams established in 1948 Baseball teams disestablished in 1953 Defunct Georgia-Florida League teams Defunct Georgia State League teams Professional baseball teams in Georgia (U.S. state) Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliates Kansas City Athletics minor league affiliates 1948 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) 1957 disestablishments in Georgia (U.S. state) Ben Hill County, Georgia Defunct baseball teams in Georgia

History

The ballpark

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ... alumni

Notable alumni

References

External link

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...
alumni