The New Bedford Whalers were a minor league baseball team based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Between 1895 and 1933, New Bedford teams played as members of the

New England League The New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played intermittently in five of the six New England states (Vermont excepted) between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League B ...

(1895–1898, 1902–1913),

Colonial League The Colonial League is an athletic conference consisting of 14 high schools mostly from the Lehigh Valley portion of eastern Pennsylvania. It is part of PIAA District 11, District XI of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The C ...

(1914–1915), New England League (1929 and 1933) and 1934 Northeastern League, winning the 1910 and 1933 league championships. New Bedford was nicknamed the "Whalers" in each season, with the exceptions of the "Browns" in 1896 and the "Millmen" in 1928. New Bedford hosted home minor league games at Olympic Field beginning in 1893 through 1898 and at Sargent Field from 1903 until their final season of 1934. Baseball Hall of Fame member

Rabbit Maranville Walter James Vincent "Rabbit" Maranville (November 11, 1891 – January 6, 1954) was an American professional baseball shortstop, second baseman and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, ...

played for the 1911 and 1912 New Bedford Whalers

History

New England League 1895 to 1898

The Whalers were preceded in minor league play by the 1878 New Bedford team, that briefly played as members of the

International Association for Professional Base Ball Players The International Association for Professional Base Ball Players, commonly known as the International Association, was the name for two separate Canadian-American professional baseball leagues that first operated during 1877–1878 (plus an addi ...

before relocating to first

New Haven, Connecticut New Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut and is part of the New York City metropolitan area. With a population of 134 ...

and then to Hartford, Connecticut, where the team was folded after playing 12 total games, compiling 1-11 record. Baseball Hall of Fame members

Candy Cummings William Arthur "Candy" Cummings (October 18, 1848 – May 17, 1924) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a pitcher in the National Association and National League. Cummings is widely credited with inventing the curveball. ...

and

Roger Connor Roger is a given name, usually masculine, and a surname. The given name is derived from the Old French personal names ' and '. These names are of Germanic origin, derived from the elements ', ''χrōþi'' ("fame", "renown", "honour") and ', ' ( ...

played for the 1878 team. In 1895 the New Bedford Whalers joined the eight–team Class B level

Augusta Kennebecs,

Bangor Millionaires Bangor or City of Bangor may refer to: Places Australia * Bangor, New South Wales * Bangor, Tasmania Canada * Bangor, Nova Scotia * Bangor, Saskatchewan * Bangor, Prince Edward Island United Kingdom Northern Ireland * Bangor, County Down ** ...

, Brockton Shoemakers, Fall River Indians, Lewiston, Pawtucket Maroons and

Portland Portland most commonly refers to: * Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States * Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...

joined New Bedford in beginning league play on April 27, 1895. The New Bedford use of the "Whalers" nickname corresponds with the local whaling industry and history. The New Bedford area was first developed as a whaling port in the mid 1700s. The city gained a reputation as the greatest whaling port in the world and claimed to be the richest city per capita in the world. The city remains home to the

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NBWNHP) is a United States National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and is maintained by the National Park Service (NPS). The park commemorates the heritage of the world's preeminent ...

. Today,

New Bedford High School New Bedford High School (NBHS) is a public high school located at 230 Hathaway Boulevard in the West End of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The school has approximately 2,000 students, and is one of the largest schools in the state. New Bedford is al ...

teams have long held the "Whalers" nickname. The school was founded in 1827. The 1895 New Bedford Whalers placed second as the New England League played in their first season as a Class B level league. With

Fred Doe Alfred George "Fred" Doe (April 18, 1864 – October 4, 1938) was a professional baseball pitcher who played in the minor leagues from 1886 to 1902, and in the Players' League (PL) in 1890. Doe played in one game for both the Buffalo Bisons and th ...

managing the Whalers, the team finished behind the first place Fall River Indians, who ended the regular season with a 67–39 record and finished 6.5 games ahead of New Bedford, who had a 60-45 record in the final standings of the eight–team league. New Bedford hosted home games at Olympic Field. Entrance at New Bedford Whaling Museum

The New Bedford "Browns" continued New England League play in 1896 and placed fourth in the eight-team league. The Browns completed the season with a record of 57–48, playing the season under returning manager Fred Doe. New Bedford finished 5.5 games behind the first place Falls River Indians in the final standings. The New Bedford resumed the "Whalers" nickname and the team placed last in the six-team 1897 New England League. New Bedford ended the 1897 New England League season with a 38–67 record, as Con Murphy and Michael McDermott served as managers. The Whalers finished 33.5 games behind the co-champion Brockton Shoemakers and Newport Colts (tie) in the six–team New England League final standings. The 1898 New Bedford Whalers relocated after beginning the season as members of the six–team 1898 Class B New England League. On June 14, 1898, the New Bedford franchise moved to

Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester ( , ) is a city and county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, the city's population was 206,518 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the second-List of cities i ...

, with a 18-20 record. After seven games based in Worcester, the team folded and ended play with an overall record of 22–23. The team played their partial season under managers Charles Rice and Fred Doe before folding, as the first place Brockton Shoemakers captured the league championship. New Bedford played its final minor league games at Olympic Field in 1898. The New Bedford franchise did not return to the 1899 New England League.

New England League 1903 to 1913

In 1903, the New Bedford Whalers resumed minor league play, returning to the eight–team Class B level New England League during the season. On June 23, 1903, the Brockton Shoemakers moved to New Bedford with an 18-23 record. The Whalers joined the Concord Marines, Fall River Indians,

Haverhill Hustlers The Haverhill Hustlers were a minor league baseball team located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. They played in the New England League The New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played intermittently in ...

, Lawrence Colts, Lowell Tigers, Manchester and Nashua teams in league play. Finishing our the season, theNew Bedford Whalers placed seventh in the 1903 New England League standings. With an overall record of 46–63 record, the Whalers finished 24.0 games behind the first place Lowell Tigers in the final standings. Fred Doe served his second season as the manager in New Bedford. New Bedford began playing home games at Sargent Field, which would host minor league baseball until the Whalers played their last season in 1934. With Fred Doe continuing as manager, the New Bedford Whalers placed second in the 1904 New England League. The Whalers ended the season with a 64–58 record in the eight–team league, finishing 17.0 games behind the first place Haverhill Hustlers (82–41) in the final standings. Fred Doe continued his tenure as the New Bedford manager. The 1905 New England League standings saw the New Bedford Whalers finish in fourth place. New Bedford ended the season with a record of 60–50, finishing 10.0 games behind the first place Concord Marines, who had a 69–39 record. Fred Doe again managed the Whalers in the final season of his New Bedford managerial tenure. With the New Bedford Whalers placing fourth in the eight–team 1906 New England League. Ending the season with a record of 63–54, the Whalers finished 11.5 games behind the champion

Worcester Busters The Worcester Busters was an American baseball team which played at Boulevard Park, Worcester, Massachusetts. They played in Class B of the New England League from 1906 and the Eastern League Eastern League may refer to: Baseball in the United ...

in the final standings. Jim Canavan managed New Bedford in 1906. Whaler statue

The 1907 New Bedford Whalers placed seventh in the Class B level New England League. Playing under returning manager Jim Canavan, the Whalers ended the 1907 season with a record of 48–62, finishing 27.0 games behind the 1st place Worcester Busters. As the Worcester Busters again won the league championship, the New Bedford Whalers finished last in the 1908 New England League. New Bedford had a final record of 46–78 under the direction of managers Jim Canavan and Tommy Corcoran. Finishing 34.0 games behind Worcester, the Whalers placed eighth in the eight–team league. The 1909 New Bedford Whalers placed sixth in the New England League, as Worcester again won the championship. With a 51–72, record, New Bedford finished 25.5 games out of first place, as Tommy Dowd managed the IWhalers. Roland Barrows led the New England in runs scored, with 88. The New Bedford Whalers won their first New England League championship in 1910 season, ending the season with a record of 77–48. New Bedford placed first in the standings under returning manager Tommy Dowd, finishing 15.0 games ahead of the second place

Lynn Shoemakers The Lynn Shoemakers were an early minor league baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts. The "Shoemakers" and other Lynn teams played as members of the New England League beginning in 1877 and continuing through the 1915 season. Lynn played the ...

in the final standings of the eight-team league. The New Bedford Whalers placed seventh in the 1911 New England League standings one season after winning the league championship. The Whalers ended the 1911 season with a 45–75 season record, as Jim Sullivan served as manager. New Bedfo finished 30.50 games behind the champion Lowell Tigers. Future Baseball Hall of Fame member

played

shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists wh ...

for the Whalers in 1911. In his first professional season at age 19, Maranville hit .228 in 117 games for New Bedford. The 1912 New Bedford Whalers continued play and finished sixth in the eight–team New England League. Playing under managers Frank Connaughton and Jim Sullivan, New Bedford finished with a 57–67 record. The 1st place Lawrence Barristers (76–47) were 19.5 games ahead of the Whalers in the league standings. Rabbit Maranville returned to play for the 1912 Whalers before advancing to the major leagues during the season. In 112 games for New Bedford, Maranville hit .283, before making his major league debut with 26 games for the 1912 Boston Braves. Rabbit Maranville 1914

The 1913 New Bedford Whalers placed sixth in the eight-team New England League. The Whalers had a 45–76 record under returning manager Frank Connaughton and Jack O'Brien. New Bedford finished 32. games behind the champion Lowell Grays.

Colonial League 1914 & 1915

New Bedford Whalers switched leagues and finished as runner-up in the 1914

. New Bedford did not return to the 1914 New England League, as the franchise joined the 1914 six–team Class C level Colonial League. The Brockton Shoemakers, Fall River Spindles, Pawtucket Tigers, Taunton Herrings and Woonsocket Speeders joined with New Bedford in league play. Playing 1914 season under returning manager Jack O'Brien, the Whalers ended the 1914 season with a record of 60–40, finishing 2.5 games behind the first place Fall River Spindles. The New Bedford Whalers placed third in the 1915 eight-team independent Colonial League. The Whalers ended the 1915 season with a record of 56–45, as John O'Brien served as manager, ending the season 1.0 game behind the first place Hartford Senators in a close race. In 1915, the Colonial League had essentially become the minor league feeder for the

Federal League The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that played its first season as a minor league in 1913 and operated as a "third major league", in competition with the e ...

, a structure that was the downfall for the Colonial League. The Federal League was forced to fold following the 1915 season, leaving the Colonial League unable to continue following the conclusion of the season. In the era, the "Whalers" nickname was shared by the semi-professional

New Bedford Whalers New Bedford Whalers was the name of three American soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League ...

soccer team, also based in the city. The team played as members of the Southern New England Soccer League from 1914 and 1918 and continued to play until 1932 in two other leagues. The team also played at Sargent Field, sharing it with the baseball team.

New England League 1929 & 1933 / Northeastern League 1934

In 1929, New Bedford returned to minor league play. The New Bedford "Millmen" returned to play as members the eight-team Class B level New England League. The New Bedford Whalers placed third in 1929 New England League standings, finishing 12.0 games behind the 1st place Lynn Red Sox. With a record of 62–51, the Whalers played the season under manager Jack Ryan. The Millmen folded after the 1929 season and did not play in the 1930 New England League. The 1933 New Bedford "Whalers" returned to play and played their final New England League season, finishing in first place. New Bedford played under manager Freddie Maguire and finished the 1947 season with a record of 58–33, placing first in the New England League regular season standings, finishing 2.0 games ahead of the second place Worcester team. After having the league's best record, New Bedford refused to participate in a post season playoff. Second place Worcester and third place Winchester began a playoff that was cancelled due to weather with each team winning one game. Edward Baker of New Bedford won the New England League batting title, hitting .413. In 1934, the Whalers played their final season in a new league, joining the eight-team Class B Northeastern League, which played only the 1934 season before permanently folding. The Cambridge Cantabs, Hartford Senators, Lowell Hustlers, Manchester Indians, Springfield Ponies, Waltham Rosebuds and Watertown Townies, joined the Whalers in beginning league play. Playing their final season, New Bedford placed fifth in the Northeastern League standings. Playing the season under manager Jean Dubuc, the Whalers ended the season with a record of 46-60, finishing 18.5 games behind the first place Worcester Rosebuds. After the Northeastern League folded after one season, New Bedford has not hosted another minor league team.

The ballparks

In the 1895 to 1898 seasons, the New Bedford teams played home minor league games at the "Olympic Field." The ballpark was located at Kempton Street & Jenny Lind Street. Today, the site contains both commercial and residential properties. When the Whalers resumed minor league in 1903, New Bedford began play at "Sargent Field" and would continue to host home games at the ballpark until the minor league Whalers played their final season in 1934. The ballpark had a capacity of 3,500. The Sargent Field site was first named after William E. Sargent, who was a teacher and administrator at

, until his death in 1910, when he was serving as principal of the school. In 1990, the athletics field site was renamed to include school board member Dr. Paul F. Walsh. The ballpark site is still in use today, located adjacent to the school at 1121 Ashley Boulevard.

Timeline

Notable alumni

(1911-1912) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 1954 *

Doc Amole Morris George "Doc" Amole (July 5, 1878 – March 9, 1912) was a professional baseball player who career spanned nine season, including parts of two in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles (1897) and the Washington Senators (1898). On ...

(1904) *

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(1933-1934) *

Bob Barr Robert Laurence Barr Jr. (born November 5, 1948) is an American attorney and politician. He served as a federal prosecutor and as a Congressman. He represented Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Republican from 1995 to 2003. Barr attai ...

(1933) *

Cuke Barrows Roland "Cuke" Barrows (October 20, 1883 – February 10, 1955) was a baseball outfielder who played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball from 1909 to 1912. Barrows played in 32 games and had a career batting average (baseball), ...

(1908-1909) *

Paddy Baumann Charles John "Paddy" Baumann (December 20, 1885 – November 20, 1969) was an American second baseman. His professional career lasted 21 years, including seven years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers from 1911 to 1914 and the ...

(1909-1911) * Frank Bennett (1929) * Jake Boyd (1898) * Harrison Briggs (1913) * Fred Brown (1904) * Dan Burke (1896) * Buster Burrell (1903-1906) * Jack Bushelman (1910-1911) * Jim Canavan (1906-1907, MGR) * Win Clark (1904) * Frank Connaughton (1912-1913, MGR) *

Dan Coogan Daniel George Coogan (February 16, 1875 – October 28, 1942) was an American baseball player and coach. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he played professionally for 11 seasons, including one in Major League Baseball wit ...

(1898) *

Tommy Corcoran Thomas William Corcoran (January 4, 1869 – June 25, 1960) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from to for the Pittsburgh Burghers (1890), Philadelphia Athletics (1891), Brooklyn G ...

(1908, MGR) * Jack Coveney (1904-1906; 1907, MGR) *

Tom Crooke Thomas Aloysius Crooke (July 26, 1884 – April 4, 1929) was a first baseman in Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is ...

(1915) *

Bill Cunningham Bill Cunningham may refer to: People *Bill Cunningham (rugby union) (1874–1927), New Zealand rugby union player * Bill Cunningham (footballer), Irish international footballer active in the 1890s *Bill Cunningham (infielder) (1886–1946), profe ...

(1909-1910) * Babe Danzig (1907) * Ira Davis (1896) * Bill Day (1895-1898, 1904) * Bill Deegan (1905) * Dill Delaney (1895-1896) * Hal Deviney (1914-1915) *

(1895-1896, 1898, 1903-1906 MGR) * John Donahue (1914) * Tommy Dowd (1909-1910, MGR) * Jean Dubuc (1934, MGR) * Pat Duff (1908) * Ben Ellis (1896) *

Bill Foxen William Aloysius Foxen (May 31, 1879 in Tenafly, New Jersey – April 17, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York) was a professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1908 to 1911 for the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies ...

(1903) * Danny Friend (1895, 1904-1906) * Joe Gleason (1914-1915) * Ed Glenn (1896-1898) *

Gene Good Eugene Joseph Good (December 13, 1882 – August 6, 1947) was a 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 defenders are ...

(1904) *

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(1906) * Tommy Griffith (1909-1913) * Joe Harrington (1898, 1904) * Tom Hernon (1896-1897) *

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(1912) * Dan Howley (1905) * Pat Kilhullen (1912-1913) * Fred Klobedanz (1905-1907) * Jim Korwan (1895) *

Fred Lake Frederick Lovett Lake (October 16, 1866 – November 24, 1931) was a Canadian professional baseball catcher and Major League manager for Boston American and National leagues teams in the early 20th century. Lake hailed from Cornwallis Township, ...

(1905) * Art LaVigne (1911) * Ezra Lincoln (1896) * Jim Long (1896-1897) * Freddie Maguire (1933, MGR) * Joe Martin (1898) * Gene McAuliffe (1904) * Michael McDermott (1896; 1897, MGR) * Sandy McDermott (1896) * Ed McDonald (1906) * Dan McGee (1933) * John McPherson (1986-1897) *

George McQuillan George Watt McQuillan (May 1, 1885 – March 30, 1940) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1907 to 1918 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians. I ...

(1905) * Bill McTigue (1910) * George Meakim (1895) * Frank Morrissey (1905-1906) * Con Murphy (1897, MGR) * Connie Murphy (1895-1896, 1903) * Dave Murphy (1904-1905) * Jack Ness (1911-1912) * Charlie Nyce (1895) * Pat O'Connor (1895) * Andy O'Connor (1907, 1909) * Rube Peters (1915) *

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(1910-1911) * Tex Pruiett (1910-1912) * Pop Rising (1910-1911) * Jack Ryan (1929, MGR) * Jack Scheible (1896) *

Crazy Schmit Frederick M. "Crazy" Schmit (February 13, 1866 – October 5, 1940) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, Baltimore Orioles, New York Giants, Cleveland Spiders, and Baltimore Orioles. At the time of t ...

(1896) * Doc Sechrist (1897-1898) *

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(1896-1897) *

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(1898) * Jack Slattery (1896, 1909) * Jonn Stafford (1898) * Gene Steere (1895-1898) * Len Swormstedt (1912) * Wally Taylor (1905) *

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(1934) 4x MLB All-Star *

Fred Tenney Frederick Tenney (November 26, 1871 – July 3, 1952) was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned 20 seasons, 17 of which were spent with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Boston Beaneaters/Doves/Rustlers (1894–1907, 1911) ...

(1895) * Walt Thomas (1909) *

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(1914-1915) * Red Torphy (1913) * Tuck Turner (1905) *

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(1903, 1905) * Tom Vickery (1898) *

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(1908, 1913) * Bill Whitrock (1895) * Gary Wilson (1909-1910) * Les Wilson (1911-1912) * Harry Wilson (1904) *

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(1895) * Ducky Yount (1913, 1915)

References

{{reflist, 2

External links

New Bedford - Baseball Reference
Whalers (baseball) Baseball teams established in 1895 Baseball teams disestablished in 1934 New England League teams Colonial League teams Northeastern League teams Defunct baseball teams in Massachusetts Sports clubs and teams in Bristol County, Massachusetts