Erwin Cubs

The Erwin Cubs were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1943 to 1944. They were located in Erwin, Tennessee, and played their home games at Gentry Stadium. Known as the Erwin Aces in 1943, they became the Erwin Cubs in 1944 borrowing the moniker from the Chicago Cubs, with whom they were affiliated in both seasons. The Aces won the 1943 Appalachian League playoff championship.

Erwin Cubs
1943–1944
Erwin, Tennessee
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1943–1944)
LeagueAppalachian League (1943–1944)
Major league affiliations
TeamChicago Cubs (1943–1944)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1943
Team data
Name
  • Erwin Cubs (1944)
  • Erwin Aces (1943)
BallparkGentry Stadium (1943–1944)

History

Erwin had previously been home to the Appalachian League's Erwin Mountaineers in 1940.[1]

The Erwin Aces began play in 1943 as the Class D affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.[2] They were managed by Jim Poole, a former American League first baseman who served as a player-manager.[3] The Aces opened the season at home with a 27–11 loss to the Johnson City Cardinals on May 4 at Gentry Stadium.[4][5] Erwin finished the season with an even 53–53 (.500) record, placing third.[6] All four of the circuit's teams participated in the playoffs. The Aces advanced to the finals by beating Johnson City, three games to one, in the semifinals.[6] They then defeated the Bristol Twins, 4–3, in a best-of-seven series to win the Appalachian League playoff championship.[6]

In 1944, the team borrowed the nickname of their Major League Baseball affiliate by becoming the Erwin Cubs.[7] Under Poole,[3] Erwin finished the season with a 45–63 (.417) last-place record.[8] Again, all four teams participated in the playoffs, but the Aces lost their semifinal series to Bristol, three games to one.[8] They lost their final game, 3–2, at Bristol on September 3.[9]

Across both seasons of play, Erwin accumulated a regular season record of 98–116 (.458).[6][8]

Season-by-season results
Season Regular season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % Finish GB Record Win % Result
1943 53–53 .500 3rd ​19 1⁄2 7–4 .636 Won semifinal vs. Johnson City Cardinals, 3–1
Won Appalachian League championship vs. Bristol Twins, 4–3		 Chicago Cubs [6]
1944 45–63 .417 4th ​17 1⁄2 1–3 .250 Lost semifinal vs. Bristol Twins, 3–1 Chicago Cubs [8]
Totals 98–116 .458 — — 8–7 .533 — — —

Notable players

Five Aces/Cubs also played in at least one game in Major League Baseball during their careers. These players and their seasons with Erwin were:

References
  1. "Erwin, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  2. "1943 Erwin Aces Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  3. "Jim Poole Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  4. "Johnson City Routs Erwin Aces, 27-11, in First Game". Kingsport News. Kingsport. May 5, 1943. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "1943 Erwin Aces Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  6. "1943 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  7. "1944 Erwin Cubs Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  8. "1944 Appalachian League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  9. "Twins Erase Erwin 3-2; Play at Kingsport Tonight". The Bristol Herald Courier. Bristol. September 4, 1944. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Herman Fink Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  11. "Dick Sipek Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  12. "Jim Pearce Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  13. "Rube Walker Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
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