Morristown Reds Explained

Morristown Reds
Firstseason:1954
City:Morristown, Tennessee
Class Level:Class C
League:Mountain States League
Majorleague:Cincinnati Redlegs
Nickname:Morristown Reds
Ballpark:Sherwood Park
Leaguenum:0
Leaguechamps:None

The Morristown Reds were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class C Mountain States League (MSL) in 1954 as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Redlegs.[1] They were located in Morristown, Tennessee, and played their home games at Sherwood Park.[2]

A separate team called the Morristown Red Sox began the 1954 season in the MSL but withdrew on May 19 citing high expenses and low revenues due in part to the league operating with seven teams instead of an even number.[3] [4]

On June 19, the owners of the Maryville-Alcoa Twins surrendered their franchise to the league due to financial problems of its own.[5] The league placed the team in Morristown on June 20,[5] where they became the Morristown Reds, an affiliate of the major league Cincinnati Redlegs.[1] They lost their first two games, a road doubleheader to the Middlesboro Athletics on June 20, 6–4 and 9–1.[6]

Morristown withdrew from the league on July 1 due to a lack of good players and financial losses.[7] They lost both games of a doubleheader to the Kingsport Cherokees, 7–6 and 13–2, on June 30, their final day of play.[8] The Reds went 3–9 (.250) in Morristown.[3] The league ceased operations on July 20.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Hodges. Bill. Morristown Back in MSL League. Newspapers.com. Morristown Gazette Mail. Morristown. June 20, 1954. 8.
  2. Web site: 1954 Maryville-Alcoa/Morristown Twins Roster. Stats Crew. May 27, 2020.
  3. Web site: 1954 Mountain States League Standings. Stats Crew. May 27, 2020.
  4. News: Sox Officially Out of MSL. Newspapers.com. Morristown Sun. Morristown. May 19, 1954. 1.
  5. News: Pitner. Julian. Morristown Replaces M-A in MSL. Newspapers.com. The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Knoxville. June 20, 1954. B-4.
  6. News: Hodges. Bill. Morristown Reds Dropped Double Header Sunday; Play at Sherwood Tonight. Newspapers.com. Morristown Gazette Mail. Morristown. June 21, 1954. 4.
  7. News: Hodges. Bill. Morristown Withdraws From MSL; Giles Terms This Action 'Permanent'. Newspapers.com. Morristown Gazette Mail. Morristown. July 1, 1954. 1.
  8. News: Hodges. Bill. Red Drop Pair to Kingsport by 7 to 6 and 13 to 2. Newspapers.com. Morristown Gazette Mail. Morristown. June 30, 1954. 10.