Fall River Indians

The Fall River Indians was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball franchise based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Fall River teams played as members of the New England Association (1877), League Alliance (1877), New England League (1893–1898, 1902–1913), Colonial League (1914–1915) and New England League (1946–1949).

Fall River Indians
1877–1949
(1877, 1893–1898, 1902–1915, 1946–1949)
Fall River, Massachusetts
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass B (1895–1898, 1946–1949)
Class C (1914)
Class D (1908–1913)
Independent (1877, 1893–1894, 1915)
Previous leagues
New England Association (1877)
League Alliance (1877)
New England League (1893–1898, 1902–1913)
Colonial League (1914–1915)
New England League (1946–1949)
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsChicago White Sox (1946–1949)
Minor league titles
League titles 5
1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1914
Team data
Previous names
Fall River Cascades (1877)
Fall River Indians (1893–1910)
Fall River Brinies (1911-1912)
Fall River Adopted Sons (1913)
Fall River Spindles (1914–1915)
Fall River Indians (1946–1949)
Previous parks
Athletic Grounds (1893–1898, 1902-1915)
Fall River Stadium (1946–1949)

The Fall River Indians were an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox from 1946 to 1949.

Baseball Hall of Fame members Ned Hanlon (1877), Nap Lajoie (1896) and Roger Connor (1897) played for Fall River.

History

New England Association 1877/League Alliance 1877

In 1877, minor league baseball began in Fall River, when the Fall River Cascades played in two leagues in their first season. First, Fall River became founding members of the eight–team New England Association and also played in the 1877 League Alliance.[1][2][3][4]

The Fall River Cascades finished 3rd in the 1877 New England Association, with an 19–21 record under Manager Jim Mutrie. The New England Association folded after the 1877 season. The Cascades continued play in the 1877 League Alliance, where the team finished 2–12. The League Alliance also folded after the 1877 season.[1][2][5][6][4][7]

Baseball Hall of Fame member Ned Hanlon played for the 1877 Falls River Cascades at age 19.[8][4]

New England League 1893–1898

In 1893 the Fall River Indians joined the six–team New England League and won the first of four consecutive league Championships.[9]

Capturing their first New England League championship, the 1893 Fall River Indians ended the regular season with a 60–30 record playing home games at the Athletic Grounds. Fall River was 1st in the standings under Manager Mike McDermott, 5.5 games ahead of 2nd place Lewiston. The New England League had no playoffs, using the regular season standings to determine the league champions. On July 5, 1893, Fall River Indian pitcher Ezra Lincoln threw the first known Fall River No-hitter in a 9-0 victory over Dover.[10][11][9][12][13]

McDermott and the Fall River Indians defended their championship in 1894 as the New England League expanded to eight teams. The Indians again finished 1st in the New England League standings, ending the 1894 season 7.5 games ahead of 2nd place Haverhill with a record of 62–35.[14][15][9][16]

The 1895 Fall River Indians won the championship again as the New England League became a Class B level league in 1895. With Mike McDermott again managing the Indians, Falls River ended the regular season with a 67–39 record. Fall River finished 6.5 games ahead of the 2nd place New Hartford Whalers and 11.0 games ahead of the 3rd place Bangor Millionaires in the final standings of the eight–team league.[17][18][9]

The Fall River Indians won their 4th consecutive New England League Championship in 1896, with a future hall of fame player on the roster. Falls River completed the season with a record of 68–39 behind Manager Charley Marston. The Indians were 2.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Bangor Millionaires.[19][20][9][21]

Baseball Hall of Fame member Nap Lajoie left his $7.50 per week job as a taxi driver to join the 1896 Fall River Indians. Lajoie played as a center fielder, first baseman and catcher for the Indians, while earning $25 per week at age 22.[22][23]

With the Indians in 1896, Nap Lajoie hit .429 with 17 triples, 15 home runs, slugging .726 for Fall River. Indians owner Charlie Marston rejected an offer of $500.00 from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Lajoie, who was also scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Beaneaters. On August 9, 1896, the Philadelphia Phillies purchased Lajoie and Indian teammate Phil Geier from Fall River for $1,500. Phillies' manager Billy Nash originally went to Fall River to sign Geier, but obtained Lajoie when the team agreed to include him in their asking price. Lajoie made his major league debut shortly after being obtained.[24][25][26]:p.55[23][27][28]

In 1897, the Fall River Indians championship run ended. Fall River ended the 1897 New England League season with a 47–59 record, as Mike McDermott and owner Charley Marston served as managers, the Indians were 22.5 games behind the champion Brockton Shoemakers in the six–team New England League final standings.[29][30][9][31]

Baseball Hall of Fame member Roger Connor played for the Fall River Indians in 1897 at age 39, hitting .287 in 47 games after beginning the 1897 season with the St. Louis Browns.[32]

The 1898 Fall River Indians placed 3rd in the six–team Class B New England League standings. Falls River ended with a 28–25 record under Manager [[Phenomenal Smith], 6.5 games behind the 1st place Brockton Shoemakers and percentage points behind the 2nd place Pawtucket Tigers. On June 22, 1898, Indian pitcher Tom Flanagan threw a no-hitter. Flanagan defeated the Brockton Shoemakers 5–0.[33][34][9][35][13]

The Fall River franchise folded after the 1898 season and did not return to the 1899 New England League.[9]

New England League 1902–1913

In 1902, the Fall River Indians returned to the Class B New England League, playing at Athletic Park. The Fall River Indians were last in the 1902 New England League standings. The Indians finished with a record of 37–74, as Sandy McDermott served as manager, beginning a five-year tenure. Falls River finished 37.5 games behind 1st place Manchester.[9][36][37][38]

Fall River finished 5th in the 1903 New England League standings. With a 57–56 record, the Indians were 15.0 games behind the Lowell Tigers in the final standings. Sandy McDermott served his second season as the Fall city manager as the Indians continued play in the eight–team Class B league.[39][40][9][41]

With Sandy McDermott continuing as manager, the Fall River Indians finished 3rd in the 1904 New England League. Fall River ended the season with a 65–60 record in the eight–team league, 18.0 games behind the 1st place Haverhill Hustlers (82–41).[42][43][9][44]

The 1905 New England League standings saw the Fall River Indians finish a close 2nd place. Fall River finished the season with a record of 66–40, 2.0 games behind the 1st place Concord Marines, who had a 69–39 record. Sandy McDermott again managed the Indians.[45][46][9][47]

Finishing 6th in the eight–team 1906 New England League, Sandy McDermott managed the Falls River Indians for the final time. Ending the season with a record of 55–59, Fall River was 18.0 games behind the champion Worchester Busters in the final standings.[48][49][9][50]

Manager John O'Brien began a six–season tenure as the 1907 Fall River Indians finished 5th in the Class B New England League. The Indians ended the 1907 season with a record of 56–56, 20.0 games behind the 1st place Worchester Busters.[51][52][9][53]

As the Worchester Busters again won the league championship, the Fall River Indians finished 6th in the 1908 New England League. Fall River had a final record of 53–70 under the direction of manager John O'Brien, finishing 26.5 games behind in the eight–team league.[54][55][9][56]

The 1909 Fall River Indians were 4th in the New England League, as Worchester again won the championship. With a 71–53, record, Falls City finished 6.0 games out of 1st place as John O'Brien again managed the Indians.[57][58][9][59]

The Fall River Indians of the New England League ended the 1910 season with a record of 61–60. Fall River was 5th in the standings under John O'Brien, 15.0 games behind the New Bedford Whalers. On June 8, 1910, Fall River pitcher Harry Wormwood threw an 11-inning no-hitter against the Worcester Busters. Wormwood and Fall River won the game 1-0.[60][61][62][9][63]

The Fall River franchise changed monikers and became the Fall River Brinies for the 1911 New England League season. The Fall River Brinies of the New England League ended the 1911 season with a 59–57 season record, as John O'Brien served as manager. The Brinies were 4th in the standings, 14.0 games behind the Lowell Tigers. Fall River had three pitchers throw three no-hitters in 1911, On June 7, 1911 Fred Reiger, pitching for Fall River, defeated Haverhill 7–2 in while throwing a no-hitter. Fall River had a second no-hitter in 1911 when Fred Blum defeated Lawrence 4–0 in a 7–inning game on July 31, 1911. On August 28, 1911, Harry Wormwood threw his second Fall River no-hitter, pitching a 13-inning no-hitter against Lawrence in a game that ended in a 0–0 tie.[64][65][66][9][67][60]

The 1912 Fall River Brinies finished last in the eight–team New England League. With John O'Brien finishing his tenure as manager, Fall River finished with a 46–74 record. The 1st place Lawrence Barristers (76–47) were 28.5 games ahead of the Brinies in the league standings. On May 29, 1912, Harry Wormwood threw his third Fall River no-hitter against Worcester. Wormwood threw 12-innings of no-hit ball in a game that ended with a 2–2 tie.[68][69][9][70][60]

The franchise had a new moniker as the Fall River Adopted Sons continued play in the 1913 New England League. Ending the season in 7th place, the Fall River Adopted Sons had a 45–76 record under Manager Dan Clohecy. Fall River finished 33.5 games behind the champion Lowell Grays.[71][72][73][9][74]

Colonial League 1914–1915

In 1914, Fall River captured the 1914 Colonial League Championship. The Fall River franchise did not return to the New England League as the franchise joined the 1914 six–team Class C level Colonial League, playing as the Fall River Spindles. The Fall River Spindles of the Colonial League ended the 1914 season with a record of 62–37, finishing 2.5 games ahead of the 2nd place New Bedford Whalers, as John Kiernan was manager of the championship team. On June 18, 1915 Merdic McLeod, pitching for Fall River, threw a no-hitter against the Springfield Tips in a 3–0 Fall River victory.[75][76][77][78][79][80][60]

In 1915, the Colonial League essentially became the minor league feeder for the Federal League. This structure was a financial downfall for the Colonial League and the league folded after the 1915 season, with defending champion Fall River folding before the end of the 1915 season.[81]

The Fall River Spindles disbanded on July 10, 1915. The Colonial League became an Independent league and the Spindles ended the 1915 season with a record of 22–24. The Taunton franchise disbanded with Fall River on July 10. Frank Connaughton and Bill Phoenix served as managers of the Spindles.[82][83][81][84]

New England League 1946–1949

In 1946, Fall River returned to play as members the Class B New England League, which reformed for the 1946 season with eight teams. The Falls River Indians resumed play as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and began playing home games at Fall River Stadium. The Fall River Indians finished 7th in 1946 New England League regular season standings and did not qualify for the playoffs, finishing 53.0 games behind the 1st place Lynn Red Sox. With a record of 30–94, Falls River was 7th in the standings playing under Manager Jack Burns.[9][85][86][87][88][89][90]

The 1947 Fall River Indians continued as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, a relationship which continued in subsequent seasons. Fall River played under Manager Joe Holden and finished the 1947 season with a record of 49–76, placing 6th in the New England League regular season standings, 37.5 games behind the 1st place Lynn Red Sox. Season attendance at Fall River Stadium was 57,468, an average of 919 per game.[91][92][9][93]

The 1948 Fall River Indians finished last in the New England League. Fall River ended the 1948 season with a record of 38–87, 8th in the standings, 47.0 games behind the 1st place Lynn Red Sox. Frank Zubik and Luke Urban were the 1948 managers. Playing at Fall River Stadium, the overall home attendance was 22,589, an average of 361.[94][95][9][96]

The Fall River Indians played their final season in 1949. The Fall River Indians played their final game on July 19, 1949, After falling to the Nashua Dodgers 10–5, the Indians, along with the Lynn and Manchester franchises, withdrew from the league with a 27–42 record. The New England League folded following the 1949 season. Minor league baseball has not returned to Fall River.[27][97][98][99]

The ballparks

from 1893 to 1915, Fall River teams played at the Athletic Grounds. Also known as the Bedford Street Grounds (1893–1898), the ballpark had a capacity of 3,000. The Athletic Grounds were located on Bedford Street at Oak Grove Avenue & Beattie Street in Fall River, Massachusetts.[100]

The Fall River Indians played at Fall River Stadium from 1946 to 1949. The ballpark was located at Wordell Street & Plymouth in Fall River, Massachusetts. The site today is still in use as a soccer filed.[88][101]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliate
1877 (1)1Fall River CascadesIndependentNew England AssociationNone
1877 (2)1League Alliance
1893–18942Fall River IndiansNew England League
1895–18982Class B
1902–19109
1911–19122Fall River Brinies
19131Fall River Adopted Sons
19141Fall River SpindlesClass CColonial League
19151Independent
1946–19494Fall River IndiansClass BNew England LeagueChicago White Sox

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

See also

Fall River Indians players

References
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Baseball Reference Bullpen

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