The Gulf League was an independent
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
minor baseball league that played in the 1886 season. The four–team league franchises were based in
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile ( , ) is a city and the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population within the city limits was 187,041 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 195,111 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 cens ...
and
New Orleans, Louisiana, with each city hosting two teams. The
Acid Iron Earths won the league championship.
History
On April 7, 1886, the "Gulf League" finalized plans to play in the 1886 season. Teams were to be placed in
Columbus, Georgia,
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile ( , ) is a city and the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population within the city limits was 187,041 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 195,111 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 cens ...
,
Montgomery, Alabama,
New Orleans, Louisiana,
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola () is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, and the county seat and only incorporated city of Escambia County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 54,312. Pensacola is the principal ...
and
Selma, Alabama
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, in the Black Belt region of south central Alabama and extending to the west. Located on the banks of the Alabama River, the city has a population of 17,971 as of the 2020 census. About ...
, with play beginning on April 24, 1886.
Ultimately, the league formed as a four–team league, based in two cities.
The
Moblie team and the
Acid Iron Earths team were both based in Mobile, Alabama. The New Orleans team and the
Robert E. Lee's team were based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
On June 16, 1886, J.G. Brien, of the Robert E. Lee's was announced as the Gulf League president; Richard Sheridan of the Acid Iron Earths, vice president; Charles Shaffer of Mobile, treasurer; and F. McKeough, of New Orleans, secretary.
The "Acid Iron Earth" team was so named because medicine and tonic was being made from the so named "Acid Iron Earth" in Alabama.
The Acid Iron Earth Company was founded in April, 1886. The team was also the first known professional team to travel to another country, playing exhibition games in
Cuba.
The Gulf League began play on June 20, 1886, with the season ending on Oct 31, 1886.
In the final standings, the 1886 Gulf League champion was Acid Iron Earth. They finished with a (20–11) record, finishing 1.0 game ahead of 2nd place Mobile (19–12). They were followed by New Orleans (15–15) and the Robert E. Lees (7–23).
In 1887, the Gulf League did not resume play.
The
Mobile Swamp Angels
Mobile may refer to:
Places
* Mobile, Alabama, a U.S. port city
* Mobile County, Alabama
* Mobile, Arizona, a small town near Phoenix, U.S.
* Mobile, Newfoundland and Labrador
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Mobile (b ...
and
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division and play their hom ...
teams began play as members of the 1887
Southern League.
Cities represented
*
Mobile, AL:
Acid Iron Earths (1886)
*
Mobile, AL:
Mobile (1886)
*