The Portsmouth Cobblers were a minor league baseball team based in

Portsmouth, Ohio Portsmouth is a city in and the county seat of Scioto County, Ohio, United States. Located in southern Ohio south of Chillicothe, it lies on the north bank of the Ohio River, across from Kentucky, just east of the mouth of the Scioto River. ...

. From 1908 to 1915, the Cobblers played exclusively as members of the Class D level

Ohio State League The Ohio State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in numerous seasons between 1887 and 1947, predominantly as a Class D level league. League franchises were based in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Histo ...

, winning league championships in 1910, 1912, 1914 and 1915. The Cobblers hosted home games at Millbrook Park and were immediately succeeded by the 1916

Portsmouth Truckers The Portsmouth Truckers were a Virginia League baseball team based in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States that existed on-and-off from 1895 to 1928. They also played in the Piedmont League in 1935, when they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. I ...

who won the Ohio State League championship. The "Cobblers" nickname was in reference to the large shoe industry in Portsmouth in the era. In 1913, Portsmouth hosted an exhibition game against the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

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 Billy Southworth began his professional career with the 1912 and 1913 Cobblers.

History

In 1868 the "Riverside club" baseball amateur team was formed in Portsmouth. The Cobblers were preceded in minor league baseball by the 1884 Portsmouth Riversides, who played the season as members of the

, playing under manager Daniel Spry. In 1909, Portsmouth resumed minor league play, when the city gained a franchise in the middle of the Ohio State League season. On June 16, 1908, the Springfield Reapers franchise moved to Portsmouth. Springfield had a 17–30 record at the time of the move. Portsmouth joined the

Lancaster Lanks The Lancaster Lanks, based in Lancaster, Ohio, were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1905 to 1911. They played in the Ohio–Pennsylvania League from 1905 to 1907, and the Ohio State League from 1908 to 1912. On June 18, 1912, they m ...

Lima Cigarmakers The Lima Cigarmakers were a minor league baseball team based in Lima, Ohio. From 1908 to 1912, the Cigarmakers played as members of the Class D (baseball), Class D level Ohio State League, winning the 1909 league championship. The Cigarmakers host ...

, Mansfield Pioneers,

Marion Diggers The Marion Diggers were a minor league baseball team based in Marion, Ohio and Marion County, Ohio. From 1908 to 1912, the Diggers played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League, hosting home minor league games at Webb Park. Despite no ...

and

Newark Newks The Newark Newks was the predominant name of a minor league baseball team based in Newark, Ohio from 1905 until 1915. The team was first known as the Newark Idlewilds and began playing in the Ohio–Pennsylvania League. In 1906 the club changed its ...

in Ohio State League play, which began scheduled games on April 23, 1908. Portsmouth was once known as "The Shoe Capital of the World." The Portsmouth use of the "Cobblers" nickname for the team corresponded to the large shoe industry in Portsmouth in the era, with numerous shoe manufacturing companies based in Portsmouth. Finishing the 1908 season with a 29–73 record after being based in Portsmouth, the Springfield/Portsmouth "Cobblers" finished last in the Ohio State League final standings. The team ended the 1908 season with an overall record of 46–103, as Ned Ransick and R. Quinn served as managers. The Cobblers finished the season 46.0 games behind first place Lancaster. In their second season of play, the Portsmouth Cobblers placed fourth in the six–team Ohio State League standings. The Cobblers ended the 1909 season with a record of 48–76, as Jack McCallister, Billy Doyle, and Charley O'Day served as managers during the season. In 1910, the Portsmouth Cobblers won their first Ohio State League championship. The Cobblers ended the 1910 season with a record of 86-52, placing first in the Ohio State League standings as

Pete Childs Peter Pierre Childs (November 15, 1871 – February 15, 1922) was an infielder in Major League Baseball in 1901 and 1902. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. ...

served as manager, a position he would hold for five seasons. Portsmouth finished 4.0 games ahead of the second place Lima Cigar Makers in the six–team league. Portsmouth's Frank O'Day won the Ohio State League batting championship, hitting .324. 1910 Portsmouth player

Ed Irwin The Detroit Tigers replacement players represented the Detroit Tigers on May 18, 1912. On May 15, 1912, Detroit star Ty Cobb was taunted in New York by a fan named Claude Lueker. According to several accounts, Lueker triggered Cobb's anger by c ...

died in 1916. Irwin was killed as a result of being thrown through a saloon window in Philadelphia, as a shard of glass penetrated his jugular vein. On June 18, 1910, Portsmouth player/manager Pete Childs threw a one–pitch

triple play In baseball, a triple play (denoted as TP in baseball statistics) is the act of making three outs during the same play. There have only been 733 triple plays in Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1876, an average of just over five per season. Th ...

. Portsmouth was losing to the 7–3 to the Marion Diggers in the bottom of the 8th inning. Player/manager Childs put himself in to pitch with the bases loaded and 0 outs, replacing

Frank Harter Franklin Pierce Harter (September 19, 1886 – April 14, 1959) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched in parts of three seasons in the majors, from until , for the Cincinnati Reds and Indianapolis Hoosiers Indianapolis Hoosiers was t ...

. The Marion batter hit Childs' first pitch to the fence in center field, where it was caught by Frank O'Day, with the three base runners all running on the play. O'Day then threw to the cutoff man and runners were forced out at 1st base and 2nd base to complete the triple play. The Cobblers ended the 1911 season with a record of 78–61, placing third in the standings. Pete Childs served as manager. Portsmouth finished 6.0 games behind the first place Springfield Reapers in the final standings, as the Ohio State League expanded to eight teams. The Portsmouth Cobblers won their second Ohio State League championship in 1912. The Cobblers ended the 1912 season with an overall record of 81–52, with Pete Childs served as manager. Portsmouth won both half–seasons of the eight–team 1912 Ohio State League. At age 19,

member Billy Southworth began his professional career with the 1912 Cobblers. Southworth hit .278 playing in 134 games for Portsmouth. Southworth had been a catcher, but was switched to outfield when Portsmouth already had two catchers on their roster. On September 23, 1913, Portsmouth hosted an exhibition game against the

. Portsmouth native

Al Bridwell Albert Henry Bridwell (January 4, 1884 – January 23, 1969) was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for several MLB teams, most notably the New York Giants from 1908 to 1911, when the team was managed by John McGraw. ...

was playing shortstop for the Cubs. The day was proclaimed to be, "Al Bridwell Day" in Portsmouth. Continuing Ohio State League play in 1913, the Cobblers placed third in the eight–team league, finishing with a record of 83–55 under returning manager Pete Childs Portsmouth finished 3.0 games behind the first place

Chillicothe Babes Chillicothe may refer to: * Chillicothe, Ohio **Chillicothe Turnpike, a highway **Chillicothe Paints, a collegiate summer baseball team *Chillicothe, Illinois *Chillicothe, Iowa *Chillicothe, Missouri *Chillicothe, Texas *Chillicothe (film), a 1999 ...

in the final standings. Ed Donalds had a 30–8 record pitching record for the Cobblers, leading the Ohio State League in wins. Billy Southworth began the 1913 season with Portsmouth, hitting .310 in 77 games before being promoted to the

Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A Mud Hens team has played in ...

. Southworth ended the 1913 season in the major leagues with the Cleveland Naps. The 1914 Portsmouth Cobblers won their third Ohio State League championship. Ending the 1914 season with a record of 86–53, the Cobblers finished first in the eight-team Ohio State League standings as Pete Childs served his final season as the Portsmouth manager. The Cobblers finished 8.0 games ahead of the second place

Charleston Senators The Charleston Senators were an American minor league baseball team based in Charleston, West Virginia. They were the first professional baseball team to play in Charleston, beginning play in 1910. The team was inactive during a few periods, playin ...

in the final standings. Paul Carter of Portsmouth led the league in wins with 22. In their final season of play, the 1915 Portsmouth Cobblers defended their championship under a new manager and won their fourth league title.

Chet Spencer Chester Arthur "Chet" Spencer (March 4, 1883 – November 10, 1938) was a Major League Baseball outfielder. Spencer played for the Boston Beaneaters in . In eight career games, he had four hits in 27 at-bats. He batted left and threw right-ha ...

served as manager as the Portsmouth Cobblers of the Ohio State League ended the 1915 season with a record of 71–42, to win the league pennant and the first–half title. In the playoffs the Cobblers defeated the

Maysville Angels Maysville is the name of several places in the United States of America: * Maysville, Alabama * Maysville, Arkansas * Maysville, Colorado * Maysville, Georgia * Maysville, Illinois * Maysville, Indiana * Maysville, Iowa * Maysville, Kentucky * May ...

, winners of the second–half title, 4 games to 1 to win the championship. Portsmouth's

Ralph Sharman Ralph Edward Sharman (April 11, 1895 – May 24, 1918), nicknamed "Bally", was a professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the 1917 Philadelphia Athletics. Career Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sharman was a ...

led the league in hitting, batting .374. Portsmouth continued Ohio State League play in 1916 under a different nickname and won a fifth Ohio State League title for Portsmouth. The

won the 1916 Ohio State League championship under returning manager Chet Spencer.

The ballpark

The Portsmouth Cobblers and Portsmouth Truckers hosted home minor league home games at Millbrook Park. Millbrook Park was completed in 1902 and was prone to flooding, closing in 1937. The park was located adjacent to a steel mill in New Boston, Ohio, the adjacent village to Portsmouth. The amusement park had streetcar service and amenities that included the ballfield, a roller coaster, carousel, pavilion, a concert pavilion called "The Casino" and lakes for boating and ice skating. The ballpark had a covered grandstand.https://www.yourppl.org/history/files/original/2db49eaa3299aea0ceb692b403c3930a.jpg

Timeline

Year–by–year record

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

* Billy Southworth (1912–1913) Inducted, 2008

Notable alumni

Harry Blake Harry Cooper Blake (June 16, 1874 – October 14, 1919), sometimes known by the nickname "Dude", was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played in the late 19th century. He played for the Cleveland Spiders (1894–1898) and for th ...

(1909) *

Jack Bushelman John Francis Bushelman (August 29, 1885 – October 26, 1955) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed. Bushelman attended the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ...

(1908) * Paul Carter (1914) * Howdy Caton (1914) *

(1910–1914, MGR) * Ed Conwell (1909–1914) *

Cal Crum Clarence Newton Crum (July 27, 1889July 7, 1945) was a professional baseball player. In an eight-year career, Crum played in the 1917 and 1918 Major League Baseball seasons for the Boston Braves. Crum was officially listed as standing and weighi ...

(1914) *

Pickles Dillhoefer William Martin "Pickles" Dillhoefer (October 13, 1893 – February 23, 1922) was a Major League Baseball catcher for parts of the 1917–1921 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. Dillhoefer was famously on ...

(1914–1915) * Ed Donalds (1912–1913) * Frank Emmer (1915) *

(1910–1912) *

(1910) * Bill Jackson (1909) * Larry Jacobus (1915) * Bill Jones (1910) *

Sad Sam Jones Samuel Pond "Sad Sam" Jones (July 26, 1892 – July 6, 1966) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators and the Chicago White Sox between 1914 ...

(1914) *

Tacks Latimer Clifford Wesley "Tacks" Latimer (November 30, 1875 – April 24, 1936) was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants, Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, a ...

(1908) *

Rube Marshall Roy De Verne "Rube" Marshall (July 19, 1890 – June 11, 1980) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of four seasons in the majors, from until , for the Philadelphia Phillies and Buffalo Blues The Buffalo Blues were a ...

(1912) * Jack McCallister (1909, MGR) *

Alex McColl Alexander Boyd McColl Red"(March 29, 1894 – February 6, 1991) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Washington Senators in and . McColl made his MLB debut at the age of 39, one of 8 pitchers in MLB history to debut at 39 or o ...

(1915) * Austin McHenry (1915) * Jack Mercer (1908) *

Frank Mills Frank Mills (born June 27, 1942) is a Canadian pianist and recording artist, best known for his solo instrumental hit "Music Box Dancer". Early life and education Mills was born in Montreal, Quebec. He was raised in Verdun, Quebec and started pl ...

(1915) * Frank Moore (1910–1911) * John Potts (1911) *

(1915) *

(1908–1909), (1915, MGR) *

Al Tedrow Allen Seymour Tedrow (December 14, 1891 – January 23, 1958) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched in four games for the Cleveland Naps The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guard ...

(1914)

References

{{reflist

External links

Portsmouth - Baseball Reference

Millbrook Park postcard

Millbrook ballpark photo

1910 Portsmouth team photo
Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in Ohio Defunct baseball teams in Ohio Baseball teams established in 1908 Baseball teams disestablished in 1915 Ohio State League teams Portsmouth, Ohio

History

The ballpark

Timeline

Year–by–year record

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