Minor league baseball teams were based in

Connecticut Association The Connecticut Association was a Class D level minor league baseball league that played in the 1910 season. The four–team Connecticut Association consisted of franchises based exclusively in Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernm ...

(1910) and Eastern Association (1913).

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 ...

members Connie Mack (1884), Frank Grant (1887) and Ed Walsh (1902–1903) played for Meriden minor league teams.

History

1884 to 1898

Minor league baseball play began in

Meriden, Connecticut Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located halfway between the regional cities of New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford. In 2020, the population of the city was 60,850.independent level Connecticut State League. Meriden ended their first season with a record of 25–22 to place second in the six–team league standings. Managed by George Lyon and Albert Boardman, Meriden finished 9.0 games behind the first place Waterbury team. Baseball Hall of Fame member Connie Mack played for Meriden in 1884, at age 21, in his first professional season. It was reported that local lawyer and team promoter Cornelius J. Danaher, signed Cornelius McGillicuddy, Mack's given name, as catcher for a salary of $90 per month. On September 15, 1884, it was reported that Meriden won a disputed contest against Hartford. Meriden was leading 5–3 in the 9th inning, when Hartford forfeited the game, refusing to play with a new baseball after the previous ball was hit foul into a marsh area. Earlier in the game, Connie Mack hit the only home run of the season at the Meriden Ball Park. On July 1, 1947, the city of Meriden reportedly hosted "Connie Mack Day" as a celebration of his accomplishments in baseball. Mack was noted to have brought his

Philadelphia Athletics The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...

team to Meriden "many times" to play local teams in his years of owning and managing the team. The City of Meriden placed Connie Mack in their hall of fame in 1980. The 1885 Meriden Maroons played in two leagues during the season and won championships in both. The Maroons began the season as members of the Southern New England League. The league folded on August 25, 1885, and reformed, leaving Meriden with a 41–21 record and in first place under manager William Thomas when the league stopped play. The league then restructured to become the Connecticut State League, beginning play on August 27, 1885. The Maroons again finished first as the team compiled an 8–2 record in the remaining Connecticut State League portion of the season, continuing play under manager William Thomas. Meriden continued minor league play in 1886, adopting the Meriden Silvermen moniker. The Silvermen became members of the eight–team Independent level Eastern League. The Meriden Silvermen franchise folded July 13, 1886, with a record of 12–34. Jack Remsen and Walter Burnham were the Meriden managers. Baseball Hall of Fame member Frank Grant played for the 1886 Meriden Silvermen, integrating the team in the era before the Negro leagues were formed and race restrictions imposed. Reportedly, Grant was one of six black players playing in the otherwise all–white baseball leagues in 1886. After the Silvermen folded, Frank Grant played the remainder of the season for the Buffalo Bisons in the International League. In 1886, it was reported that Meriden was the smallest city in the Eastern League and that the franchise had suffered financially due to a schedule that had no weekend dates during May and only seven total home games during May, 1886. The financial hardships from lack of revenue were noted to have contributed to the franchise folding. The Meriden team returned to minor league play in 1888, winning a championship in a shortened season. Meriden began the season, playing as members of the six–team Connecticut State League. The league folded July 25, 1888, with Meriden in first place with a 9–3 record, ending the season as Connecticut State League champions. The Connecticut State League resumed play in 1891, with Meriden as a member of the ten–team league. The league folded June 13, 1891. Meriden was in second place with a record of 10–4, playing under manager Tom Reilly, when the league folded. In 1895, the Meriden Silvermen became members of the four–team Connecticut State League, which played a shortened season. The Silverman compiled a record of 4–3 to place second in the league standings. Connie Miller and Tom Reilly were managers, as the Connecticut State League played from July 2, 1895, to August 31, 1895. The 1897 Meriden Bulldogs won a championship as the franchise resumed play. Playing as members of the six–team Class F level Connecticut State League, the Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 52–21 to place first in the final standings. Jack Chapman managed the league champions, who finished 5.0 games ahead of the second place

Derby Angels Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby gaine ...

in the final standings. Meriden would play uninterrupted through the 1905 season. The Meriden Bulldogs continued play in the 1898 eight–team Class F level Connecticut State League. The Bulldogs placed fifth in the standings, compiling a record of 46–48 under returning manager Jack Chapman. Meriden finished 8.0 games behind the first place Waterbury Pirates in the final standings.

1899 to 1905

Meriden adopted the "Meriden Silverites" moniker in 1899 and would play a predominant number of seasons under the nickname. Continuing play in the Class F level Connecticut State League, the Silverites compiled a record of 44–47, placing fifth in the eight–team league. Managed in 1899 by A. R. Penny and George Courtney, Meriden finished 9.5 games behind the first place

New Haven Blues The New Haven Blues were an early minor league baseball team based in New Haven, Connecticut. The New Haven "Blues" teams played as members of the Connecticut State League from 1899 to 1908, winning league championships in 1899 and 1902. Earlier N ...

in the final standings. Meriden, Connecticut use of the "Silverites" and their other silver related nicknames corresponds to local history and industry. Meriden is called the "Silver City." In the era, there were numerous silver companies based in Meriden, including the Meriden Britannia Company, founded in 1852. The Silverites placed 5th in the 1900 Class F level Connecticut State League. Playing under managers Connie Miller, A.R. Penny and Tom Reilly, Meriden ended the season with a record of 47–48. The Meriden Silverites finished 16.0 games behind the first place

Norwich Witches Norwich () is a cathedral city and district of Norfolk, England, of which it is the county town. Norwich is by the River Wensum, about north-east of London, north of Ipswich and east of Peterborough. As the seat of the See of Norwich, with ...

. Adopting the Silver Citys moniker in 1901, Meriden placed fourth in the eight–team Class F level Connecticut State League. The Silver Citys compiled a record of 55–50, playing the season under the direction of returning manager Tom Reilly. Also called the "Miler" team in 1901, Meriden finished the season 10.0 games behind the first place

Bristol Woodchoppers Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, city, Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Glouces ...

in the final league standings. Meriden returned to the "Meriden Silverites" moniker in 1902, as the eight–team Connecticut State League became a Class D level league. Ending the season with a final record of 51–58, the Silverites placed sixth in the league. Meriden was managed by Connie Miller and Tommy Tucker. The Silverites ended the season 17.5 games behind the first place New Haven Blues team. At age 21, Baseball Hall of Fame member Ed Walsh played for the Meriden Silverites in 1902 in his first professional season. Walsh signed his first professional contract with the Meriden Silverites, earning $150 per month. Walsh ended the season with a 16–5 record and 2.31 ERA for the Silverites, pitching in 22 games. The 1903 Meriden Silverites were the runner–up, as the league changed names for one season. Meriden ended the season with a record of 60–41 to place second in eight-team Class D level Connecticut League. Managed by Sam Kennedy, the Silverites ended the season 4.5 games behind the first place

Holyoke Paperweights The Holyoke Paperweights were a professional minor league baseball team based in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, that played in the now defunct Connecticut League from 1903 to 1911. From 1907 to 1911, they were also known as the Papermakers. The team ...

in the final standings. In 1903, Ed Walsh continued play with Meriden, compiling an 11–10 record with a 2.14 ERA in 21 games. Walsh began his Hall of Fame major league career the next season with the Chicago White Sox. While playing in Meriden, Connecticut, it was noted that Ed Walsh met his wife Rosemary Carney, who sold ice cream at the ballpark in Meriden. The pair settled in Meriden, raised a family and lived there during Walsh's career in the major leagues. After his retirement from baseball, Walsh became a chemical engineer, working at a filtration plant for the Meriden municipal water department. Walsh also loved the game of golf and reportedly became the course professional in Meriden. The Silverites finished in last place in the 1904 season. With a record of 31–84, Meriden placed eighth under manager Sam Kennedy. The Class D level league returned to "Connecticut State League" name, as Meriden finished 39.0 games behind the first place

Bridgeport Orators Bridgeport is the most populous city and a major port in the U.S. state of Connecticut. With a population of 148,654 in 2020, it is also the fifth-most populous in New England. Located in eastern Fairfield County at the mouth of the Pequonnock ...

. 1905 the Meriden Silverites placed fifth, as the Connecticut State League became a Class B level League. The Silverites ended the season with a final record of 49–64, led by returning manager Sam Kennedy. Meriden finished 19.0 games behind the first place Holyoke Paperweights. The Meriden Silverites folded after the season and did not return to play as members of the 1906 Connecticut State League.

1908 to 1913

After a two-season hiatus, the Meriden Silverites franchise returned to minor league play in 1908. Meriden rejoined the eight–team Class B level Connecticut State League in what was their final season as a member of the league. The Silverites placed seventh, with a final record of 54–72. Playing the season under the direction of manager

Billy Lush Billy Lush (born November 30, 1981) is an American actor from New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated from Coral Springs High School in Coral Springs, Florida in 1999. He later attended Florida State University to pursue theatre. He is known for hi ...

, Meriden ended their last Connecticut State League season 30.5 games behind the first place

Springfield Ponies Springfield Ponies was the primary name of minor league baseball teams based in Springfield, Massachusetts that played between 1893 and 1943. The team competed as the Ponies through its history except for single seasons as the Maroons (1895), Tip ...

in the standings. The Meriden franchise folded following the 1908 season and did not return to the 1909 Connecticut State League. In 1910, Meriden, Connecticut regained a franchise for a partial season. On July 10, 1910, the Norwich Bonbons of the four–team Class D level

moved to Meriden with a record of 19–21. Based in Meriden, the franchise became the Meriden Doublins on July 15, 1910, playing their first home game on July 19, 1910. The team had an 0–4 record while briefly based in Meriden, as the franchise disbanded on July 24, 1910. the Norwich/Meriden team finished with an overall record of 19–25, playing under managers Dennis Hayes, John Stone and Patsy Flanagan. The Connecticut Association permanently stopped play on August 4, 1910, never to reform. In the final season of minor league baseball, the 1913 Meriden Hopes finished last, as the team played a partial season as members of the Class B level Eastern Association. The Holyoke Papermakers, with a 24–52 record, moved to Meriden on July 11, 1913. After compiling a record of 16–43 based in Meriden, the team ended the season with an overall record of 40–95, placing eighth, playing under manager

Jim Garry James Thomas Garry (September 21, 1869 – January 13, 1917) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for the 1893 Boston Beaneaters. He had an extensive career as a minor league baseball player, which stretched from 1891 through 1913. He played ...

in both locations. The Holyoke/Meriden team finished 45.0 games behind the first place

Hartford Senators The Hartford Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They operated in the Connecticut League from 1902–1912, the Eastern Association from 1913–1914, the Eastern League (baseball, 1916-32), Eastern League from ...

in the final standings. The Meriden franchise folded following the 1913 season and did not return to the 1914 Eastern Association. Meriden, Connecticut has not hosted another minor league team.

The ballpark

For their duration of play, aside from their first season, Meriden minor league teams were noted to have hosted home games at the Meriden Ball Park. Reportedly, the ballpark opened on May 12, 1885. PostcardMeridenCTViewFromTownHallTwr1907

PostcardMeridenCTViewFromTownHallTwr1907

Timeline

Year–by–year records

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

* Frank Grant (1886) Inducted, 2006 * Connie Mack (1884) Inducted, 1937 * Ed Walsh (1902) Inducted, 1946

Notable alumni

John Ake John Leckie Ake (August 29, 1861 – May 11, 1887) was an American Major League Baseball player who played as a third baseman for the 1884 Baltimore Orioles of the American Association (AA). Before and after his Major league career, he ...

(1886) *

Dave Altizer David Tilden Altizer (November 6, 1876 – May 14, 1964) was a Major League Baseball shortstop who played six seasons for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox, and Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. Altizer served ...

(1902–1904) * Ed Barney (1913) * George Bone (1897, 1904–1905) * Frank Burke (1902–1905) * James Burke (1885) *

Tom Catterson Thomas Henry Catterson (August 25, 1884 in Warwick, Rhode Island – February 5, 1920 in Portland, Maine), was a professional baseball player "TomCat" who played right field outfield from 1908 to 1909 for the Brooklyn Superbas later called "Brook ...

(1913) * Bill Clay (1900–1901, 1903) *

John Crowley John Crowley may refer to: *John Crowley (Irish revolutionary) (1891-1942), Irish revolutionary and hunger striker *John Crowley (author) (born 1942), American author *John Crowley (baseball) (1862–1896), American Major League catcher *John Crowl ...

(1885) * John Cuff (1886) * Tom Daly (1885) *

Dummy Deegan William Joseph "Dummy" Deegan (November 16, 1874 – May 17, 1957) was an American professional baseball pitcher. In 1901, he played in two games for New York Giants (NL), New York Giants of Major League Baseball. Deegan, Dummy (nickname), nickn ...

(1902) * Tom Donovan (1897–1898) * Jerry Dorgan (1884, 1886) * Tom Downey (1902) * Pat Duff (1910) * Steve Dunn (1886) *

Cy Ferry Alfred Joseph "Cy" Ferry (September 1, 1877 – September 27, 1938) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for two seasons. He pitched in three games for the Detroit Tigers during the 1904 Detroit Tigers season and in one game for the ...

(1901) * Steamer Flanagan (1901–1903) *

Jocko Flynn John A. "Jocko" Flynn (June 30, 1864 – December 31, 1907) was an American Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Stockings who played pitcher only in the 1886 season, during which the team again won the National League championship. ...

(1885) *

Frank Foreman Francis Isaiah Foreman (May 1, 1863 – November 19, 1957) was an American pitcher who played professional baseball from 1884 to 1905. He played for eight different major league teams. Listed at , 160 lb., Foreman batted and threw right-hande ...

(1905) *

Frank Foutz Frank Hayes Foutz (1877-1961) was a Major League Baseball first baseman. He was born on April 8, 1877, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the brother of Dave Foutz. He played 1 season in the Major League Baseball, with the Baltimore Orioles in 1901. F ...

(1899–1900) *

(1913, MGR) * Charlie Gessner (1885) * Billy Gleason (1913) *

Harry Gleason Harry Gilbert Gleason (March 28, 1875 – October 21, 1961) was a utility infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1901 through 1905 for the Boston Americans (1901–03) and St. Louis Browns (1904–05). Listed at 5' 6", 160 ...

(1900) *

Joe Gunson Joseph Brook Gunson (March 23, 1863 – November 15, 1942) was a Major League Baseball catcher between and . Biography Born in Philadelphia, Gunson played for the Cleveland Spiders, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Cowboys, Baltimore Orioles, a ...

(1885) * Joe Harrington (1904) * Mike Hickey (1900–1901) * Jack Hoey (1913) *

Larry Hoffman (baseball) Lawrence Charles Hoffman (July 18, 1878 – December 29, 1948) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Orphans The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs co ...

(1903) * Harry Howell (1898) * Al Hubbard (1884) *

Jumping Jack Jones Daniel Albion "Jumping Jack" Jones, Jr. (October 23, 1860 – October 19, 1936) was an American professional baseball pitcher, dentist and voice trainer. He played in Major League Baseball in 1883, splitting the season between the Detroit Wolveri ...

(1885) * Slats Jordan (1900) * Bill Karns (1905) * Pete Lamer (1901) *

Billy Lauder William Lauder (February 23, 1874 – May 20, 1933) was an American professional baseball third baseman and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, and New York Giants. Career After a ...

(1895) * Ed Lennox (1905) *

(1908, MGR) *

Jimmy Mathison James Michael Ignatius Mathison (November 11, 1878 – July 4, 1911) was an American professional baseball player who played in twenty-nine games for the Baltimore Orioles (1901–02), Baltimore Orioles during the season. He was born in Balt ...

(1900) * Swat McCabe (1905) *

Jerry McCormick James J. McCormick (December 31, 1861 – September 11, 1905) was a third baseman in Major League Baseball for the 1883 Baltimore Orioles of the American Association and the 1884 Philadelphia Keystones and Washington Nationals The Washingto ...

(1886) *

John Meister John F. Meister (May 10, 1863 – January 17, 1923) was an American baseball player. Meister played two seasons in Major League Baseball, 1886–87, for the New York Metropolitans, primarily as a second baseman. He was listed in the Allent ...

(1884–1885) *

George Moolic George Henry "Prunes" Moolic (March 12, 1867 in Lawrence, Massachusetts – February 19, 1915 in Lawrence, Massachusetts) was a professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues in 1886. He played for the Chicago White Stocki ...

(1885) * Willie Murphy (1885–1886) *

Gene Moriarty Eugene John Moriarty (January 6, 1863 – May 18, 1904) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These def ...

(1884) * Bob Pettit (1884, 1897) * Jack Remsen (1886) * Dorsey Riddlemoser (1903) * Jimmy Ryan (1884) Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame *

Spike Shannon William Porter "Spike" Shannon (February 7, 1875 – May 16, 1940) was a professional baseball player and umpire. Shannon was an outfielder over parts of five seasons (1904–1908) with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pi ...

(1900) * Doug Smith (1913) *

Tom Stankard Thomas Francis Stankard (1882–1958), was an American football and baseball player. He played college football and baseball at College of Holy Cross. In 1903, he compiled a .412 batting average for the Holy Cross baseball team and was selected ...

(1913) * Mike Sullivan (1884–1885) *

Len Swormstedt Leonard Brodbeck Swormstedt (October 6, 1878 – July 19, 1964) was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between and for the Cincinnati Reds (1901–1902) and Boston Americans (1906). Swormstedt batted and threw ...

(1913) * Sleeper Sullivan (1886) * Tommy Tucker (1902, MGR) * Tom Tuckey (1908) * Bob Unglaub (1900) *

Ham Wade Abraham Lincoln "Ham" Wade (December 20, 1879 – July 21, 1968) was a Major League Baseball player. Wade played in one game in the 1907 season with the New York Giants. He was hit by a pitch in his only plate appearance, giving him a perfect OBP ...

(1908) * Johnny Wanner (1913) * John Walsh (1902) * Gary Wilson (1898–1900) * Pete Wilson (1913)

References

{{Reflist, 2

External links

Meriden - Baseball Reference
Meriden, Connecticut

History

1884 to 1898

1899 to 1905

1908 to 1913

The ballpark

Timeline

Year–by–year records

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

See also

References

External links

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