Dallas–Fort Worth Spurs
The Dallas–Fort Worth Spurs were an American minor league baseball team in the Texas League from 1965–1971.[1] The team played in Turnpike Stadium in Arlington, Texas.[2]
| Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs 1965–1971 Arlington, Texas | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
|---|---|
| Previous classes | AA |
| League | Texas League |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | None |
| Team data | |
Previous names | Spurs |
Previous parks | Turnpike Stadium |
The Spurs were created when the Triple-A Dallas Rangers moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1965.[3] With the opening of Turnpike Stadium, the Double-A Texas League's Fort Worth Cats, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, moved into the new venue and adopted the regional Dallas-Fort Worth designation and the Spurs nickname.[2]
The Spurs were affiliated with the Cubs (1965–1967),[4] Houston Astros (1968)[5] and Baltimore Orioles (1969–1971).[6][7]
As a Cubs' affiliate, the Spurs groomed future Major League players Don Kessinger,[4] Chuck Hartenstein,[4] Joe Niekro,[8] Fred Norman[8] and Bill Stoneman.[9] The club's one season in the Houston organization was lean in terms of prospects, with Fred Stanley and Danny Walton enjoying the longest big-league careers.[5] During their affiliation with Baltimore, the Spurs featured Don Baylor,[6] Bobby Grich,[6] Enos Cabell[7] and Wayne Garland,[7] along with managers Cal Ripken Sr.[7] and Joe Altobelli[6] and batboy Cal Ripken Jr.
The Spurs set many Texas League attendance records, especially after Turnpike Stadium expanded to a capacity of 20,500 in 1970.[10] The Dallas-Fort Worth area was considered a prime location for an expansion team or a re-located franchise. Indeed, Turnpike Stadium had been built specifically to attract a major-league team to the Metroplex. That dream nearly came to fruition when the National League expanded in 1969. But the league instead expanded to Montreal, with the Expos.[11]
Two years later, the struggling Washington Senators received American League permission to transfer to the area in 1972 as the Texas Rangers,[12] who moved into Turnpike Stadium (expanded and renamed Arlington Stadium).[13]
Yearly record
| Year | Record | Finish Full Season | Attendance | Manager | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 80–61 | Second (East Division) | 329,294 | Whitey Lockman | DNQ |
| 1966 | 59–81 | Sixth | 271,367 | Stan Hack Pete Reiser Lou Klein | DNQ |
| 1967 | 62–78 | Sixth | 246,315 | Jo-Jo White | DNQ |
| 1968 | 60–79 | Fourth (East Division) | 215,756 | Hub Kittle | DNQ |
| 1969 | 75–58 | Second (West Division) | 235,827 | Joe Altobelli | DNQ |
| 1970 | 63–73 | Third (West Division) | 182,743 | Joe Altobelli | DNQ |
| 1971 | 82–59 | Second (West Division) | 213,249 | Cal Ripken Sr. | DNQ |
References
- Franchise History since 1902 Archived 2009-12-31 at WebCite at texas-league.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. 12/30/09
- The History of Baseball in Fort Worth at fwcats.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. Archived December 31, 2009, at WebCite 12/30/09
- Pacific Coast League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. Archived 12/30/09
- "1965 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- "1968 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- 1969 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs Archived 2009-12-31 at WebCite at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. 12/30/09
- 1971 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs Archived 2009-12-31 at WebCite at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. 12/30/09
- "1966 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- "1967 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- A look at historic stadiums in Dallas-Fort Worth area at pe.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. Archived December 31, 2009, at WebCite 12/30/09
- The Team That Nearly Wasn’t: The Montreal Expos Archived 2009-12-31 at WebCite by Maury Brown at hardballtimes.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. 12/30/09
- Historical Moments Archived 2009-12-31 at WebCite at sportsencyclopedia.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. 12/30/09
- Arlington Stadium at ballparks.com, URL accessed December 30, 2009. Archived 2009-12-31 at WebCite 12/30/09
| Preceded by Fort Worth Cats |
Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate 1965–1967 |
Succeeded by San Antonio Missions |
| Preceded by Amarillo Sonics |
Houston Astros Double-A affiliate 1968 |
Succeeded by Savannah Senators |
| Preceded by Elmira Pioneers |
Baltimore Orioles Double-A affiliate 1969–1971 |
Succeeded by Asheville Orioles |