Geneva Cubs Explained

Geneva Cubs
Firstseason:1947
Lastseason:1993
Allyears:1947–1951, 1958–1973, 1977–1993
City:Geneva, New York
Past Class Level:
  • Short Season – A (1967–1973, 1977–1993)
  • Class A (1962–1966)
  • Class D (1958–1961)
  • Class C (1947–1951)
Past League:Border League (1947–1951)
New York–Penn League (1958–1973, 1977–1993)
Pastmajorleague:
Pastnames:
  • Geneva Cubs (1977–1993)
  • Geneva Twins (1973)
  • Geneva Senators (1970–1972)
  • Geneva Pirates (1969)
  • Geneva Senators (1963–1968)
  • Geneva Redlegs (1958–1962)
  • Geneva Robins (1948–1951)
  • Geneva Red Birds (1947)
Pastparks:McDonough Park
Leaguechamps:5 (1949, 1958, 1978, 1987, 1992)

The Geneva Cubs was the final moniker of the minor league baseball team located in Geneva, New York. Their home stadium was at McDonough Park.

Geneva teams played in the Border League (1947–1951) and New York–Penn League (1958–1973, 1977–1993).

Geneva teams were an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs (1977–1993), Minnesota Twins (1973), Texas Rangers (1972), Washington Senators (1970–1971), Pittsburgh Pirates (1969), Washington Senators/Texas Rangers (1963–1968), Cincinnati Reds (1958–1962) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1949).

Baseball Hall of Fame member Tony Perez Played for Geneva in 1960–1961. All-time MLB hits leader Pete Rose played for Geneva in 1960.

History

The Geneva Cubs were a member of the New York–Penn League. However the team can be traced back to 1947 as the Geneva Red Birds, a member of the Border League. The team's name changed a year later to the Geneva Robins and was affiliated with Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949. Geneva disbanded their team on June 26, 1951, and the rest of the league folded a few weeks later.

Geneva next played in 1958, rejoining as a member of the New York–Penn League and playing as the Geneva Redlegs, as affiliate the Cincinnati Redlegs. The affiliation lasted until 1963, when the team was renamed the Geneva Senators and became affiliated with the Washington Senators. In 1969 the team briefly became the Geneva Pirates and were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team once again took up the Senators name in 1970. In 1973 the team became an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and were renamed the Geneva Twins. After a four-year hiatus the team took the Cubs name and began their affiliation with the Chicago Cubs from 1977 to 1993,[1] after which time they moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The franchise still exists today, as the Williamsport Crosscutters.

The ballpark

Beginning in 1958, Geneva teams played at McDonough Park. The ballpark is still in use as home to the Geneva RedWings, a collegiate summer baseball franchise and to the Hobart Statesmen baseball team. The address is 180 Lyceum Street, Geneva, New York, 14456.[2]

Timeline

Year(s)
  1. Yrs.
Team Level LeagueAffiliate
1947 1 Geneva Red Birds Border LeagueNone
1948 1 Geneva RobinsBrooklyn Dodgers
1949–1951 3 None
1958–1961 4 Geneva Redlegs New York–Penn LeagueCincinnati Reds
1962 1 Class A
1963–1968 6 Geneva SenatorsWashington Senators
1969 1 Geneva PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
1970–1971 2 Geneva Senators Washington Senators
1972 1 Texas Rangers
1973 1 Geneva TwinsMinnesota Twins
1977–1993 17 Geneva Cubs Chicago Cubs

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geneva, New York Minor League History. baseball-reference.com. 2014-01-11.
  2. Web site: McDonough Park. FingerLakes1 com. Inc. November 16, 2015.