Crookston Pirates Explained

Crookston Pirates
Firstseason:1902
Lastseason:1941
Allyears:1902–1905, 1933–1941
City:Crookston, Minnesota
Class Level:Class D (1902–1905, 1933–1940)
Class C (1941)
League:Northern League (1902–1905, 1933–1941)
Majorleague:Chicago White Sox (1936)
St. Louis Cardinals (1937)
Boston Red Sox (1938)
Nickname:Crookston Crooks (1902–1905)
Crookston Pirates (1933–1941)
Ballpark:Crookston Field (1902–1905)
Highland Park (1933–1941)
Leaguenum:0
Leaguechamps:None
Wildcardnum:2

The Crookston Pirates were a minor league baseball team based in Crookston, Minnesota. Crookston teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Northern League, in two different spans, fielding league teams from 1902 to 1905 and again from 1933 to 1941. The Crookston Pirates were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in 1936, St. Louis Cardinals in 1937 and Boston Red Sox in 1938. Crookston teams hosted home Northern League games at Crookston Field (1902–1905) and Highland Park (1933–1941).

Today, the Crookston "Pirates" moniker is used by Crookston High School, established in 1914.

History

Crookston was a charter member of the Class D level Northern League in 1902, playing as the Crookston Crooks before disbanding after the 1905 season.[1] [2] [3]

Beginning in 1933, the Crookston Pirates played in the Northern League from 1933 to 1941 and were affiliates of the Chicago White Sox in 1936, St. Louis Cardinals in 1937 and Boston Red Sox in 1938.[1] [2] [4]

The Crookston teams did not win a championship in their duration of play but did qualify for the 1937 and 1938 Northern League playoffs.[2]

Crookston High School in Crookston, Minnesota was founded in 1914 and still uses the "Pirates" moniker.[5] [6]

The ballparks

The Crookston Crooks teams hosted minor league home games at Crookston Field from 1902 to 1905.[7]

From 1933 to 1941, the Crookston Pirates hosted home games at Highland Park. With dimensions of 340–420–329, Highland Park had a capacity of 2,000 (1938). Today, the park is still in use a public park. The Highland Park Complex sits on 40 acres, located at North Central Avenue and Barrette Street in Crookston, Minnesota.[8] [9] [10] [11]

Timeline

Year(s)
  1. Yrs.
Team Level LeagueAffiliateBallpark
1902–19054 Crookston Crooks Class DNorthern LeagueNoneCrookston Field
1933–19353 Crookston PiratesHighland Park
19361Chicago White Sox
19371St. Louis Cardinals
19381Boston Red Sox
1939-19402None
19411Class C

Year-by-year records

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/Notes
190231–252ndWilliam LycanNo playoffs held
190355–413rdWilliam Lycan / William BrayNo playoffs held
190433–364thBill McNeil / William LycanNo playoffs held
190538–636thBill McNeil / N. DaviesNo playoffs held
48–48 5th No playoffs held
62–58 3rd No playoffs held
45–65 7th Did not qualify
54–68 7th Did not qualify
61–57 4th Erwin Schueren Lost in 1st round
69–47 3rd Lost in finals
43–76 8th Did not qualify
49–74 7th Fred Neisler Did not qualify
46–68 7th Abe Stemig Did not qualify
[2]

Notable alumni

See also

Crookston Crooks players
Crookston Pirates players

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Crookston, Minnesota Register History . Baseball-Reference.com . 2016-04-09.
  2. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Lloyd Johnson . Miles Wolff . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
  3. Web site: Crookston Crooks minor league baseball Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
  4. Web site: Crookston Pirates minor league baseball Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
  5. Web site: Schedule - Crookston Pirates (Crookston, MN) Varsity Baseball 21-22.
  6. Web site: HOME | CROOKSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. District 593.
  7. Web site: Crookston Field in Crookston, MN minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
  8. Web site: Highland Park Minor League History . Baseball-Reference.com . 2016-02-25 . 2016-04-09.
  9. Web site: Highland Park - Crookston, Minnesota . Infosports.com . 2016-04-09 .
  10. Web site: Highland Park Complex | City of Crookston, Minnesota . Crookston.mn.us . 2016-04-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160420184853/http://www.crookston.mn.us/ns/residents/services/parks/highland . 2016-04-20 . dead .
  11. Web site: Highland Park in Crookston, MN minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.