| Carthage Pirates | |
| Allyears: | 1938–1941, 1946–1951 |
| City: | Carthage, Missouri |
| Past Class Level: | Class C (1941) Class D (1938–1940, 1946–1951) |
| Past League: | Arkansas-Missouri League (1938–1940) Western Association (1941) Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League (1946–1951) |
| Pastmajorleague: | Pittsburgh Pirates (1938–1940) St. Louis Browns (1940) St. Louis Cardinals (1946–1948) Chicago Cubs (1949–1951) |
| Nickname: | Carthage Pirates (1938–1940) |
| Pastnames: | Carthage Browns (1941) Carthage Cardinals (1946–1948) Carthage Cubs (1949–1951) |
| Ballpark: | Carl Lewton Stadium |
| Leaguechamps: | 3 (1938, 1939, 1951) |
The Carthage Pirates was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Carthage, Missouri from 1938 to 1941 and 1946 to 1951. Carthage won three league titles playing as members of the Arkansas-Missouri League from 1938 to 1940, the 1941 Western Association and the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League from 1946 to 1951. Carthage hosted home minor league games at Carl Lewton Stadium.
Carthage was initially a Class D level affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates that played in the Arkansas–Missouri League from 1938 to 1940. The Arkansas–Missouri League existed for only two full seasons, with the Pirates winning the league title each of those years. The league formally disbanded on July 1, 1940. When this occurred, the Pirates held a 10 1/2 game lead on first place in the league standings. The team then folded with the league.[1]
The franchise then became the Class C level Carthage Browns in 1941 after the St. Joseph Ponies relocated to Carthage on June 3, 1941. They were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns, playing as members of the Western Association.[2] [1]
From 1946 to 1948, the Carthage "Cardinals" were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals playing as members of the Class D level Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. The franchise remained in the league thougu 1951, becoming the Carthage "Cubs," an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs won the league title in 1951.[1] [3]
Carthage teams played home minor league games at Carl Lewton Stadium. Sadly, this ballpark is closing as of February 2023. The Stadium's namesake was a local umpire and educator.[4] [5]
| Year | Record | Win–loss % | Manager | Regular season finish | Playoffs/notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | 69–49 | .585 | Adolph Arlitt | 2nd place | Won Championship vs. Neosho Yankees, 4-1 | |
| 1939 | 67–54 | .554 | Adolph Arlitt | 2nd place | Won Championship vs. Fayetteville Angels, 4-1 | |
| 1940 | 37–18 | .673 | Adolph Arlitt | 1st place | League disbanded on July 1, 1940 | |
| 1941 | 40–96 | .294 | 8th | St. Joseph Ponies moved to Carthage June 3 | ||
| 1946 | 54–66 | .450 | Adolph Arlitt | 5th | None | |
| 1947 | 66–59 | .573 | Woody Fair/Alvin Kluttz | 5th place | None | |
| 1948 | 51–67 | .432 | Alvin Kluttz | 6th Place | None | |
| 1949 | 62–64 | .492 | Don Anderson | 6th Place | None | |
| 1950 | 75–50 | .600 | Don Anderson | 3rd Place | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1951 | 60–65 | .480 | Don Anderson (29–36)/Al Reitz (31–29) | 4th Place | League champs |