Harlingen Capitals

The Harlingen Capitals was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball franchise based in Harlingen, Texas in various seasons from 1931–1977. The Capitals played as members of the Rio Grande Valley League (1931, 1950), Texas Valley League (1938), Gulf Coast League (1951–1953) and Big State League (1954–1955). Their home ballpark was Harlingen Field.

Harlingen Capitals
1931–1977
(1931, 1938, 1950–1953, 1960–1961, 1976–1977)
Harlingen, Texas
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class B (1931, 1938, 1951–1953)
  • Class C (1950)
  • Class AA (1960-1961)
  • Class A (1976-1977)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 2 1938, 1952
Conference titles 1950, 1960
Team data
Previous names
  • Harlingen Ladds (1931)
  • Harlingen Hubs (1938)
  • Harlingen Capitals (1950–1955)
  • Rio Grande Valley Giants (1960–1961)
  • Rio Grande Valley White Wings (1976)
  • Harlingen Suns (1977)
Previous parks
Harlingen Field

History

The Harlingen Ladds were the first minor league baseball team in Harlingen, when they played as members of the 1931 Rio Grande Valley League.The 1931 Ladds were 43–49 when the Rio Grande Valley League folded on July 29, 1931.[1][2]

The Harlingen Hubs were in the Texas Valley League (1938). The Hubbs finished 2nd in the regular season in 1938, but swept through the playoffs undefeated to capture the Texas Valley League Championship. The league existed for only the 1938 season.[1][2]

The Harlingen Capitals were members of the Class D Rio Grande Valley League (1950) and Class B Gulf Coast League (1951–1953). They were founding members of the Gulf Coast League, along with the Brownsville Charros, Corpus Christi Aces, Galveston White Caps, Lake Charles Lakers, Laredo Apaches, Port Arthur Seahawks and Texas City Texans. When the Gulf Coast League folded after the 1953 season Harlingen joined the Big State League (1954–1955).[3]

The Rio Grande Valley Giants, played in the Class AA Texas League (1960-1961) as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Gaylord Perry played for the Giants in 1960. The franchise moved to Victoria, Texas on June 10, 1961 to complete the season. In 1976, the Rio Grande Valley White Wings played in the Gulf States League and the Harlingen Suns (1977) played in the Lone Star League, both leagues folded after one season. Later Rio Grande Valley White Wings teams played in independent professional leagues through 2015.[1][4]

The ballpark

Beginning in 1950, Harlingen teams played at Harlingen Field. Opening as Lon C. Hill Field, the ballpark was also called Giants Field. Harlingen Field is still in use today and most recently was home to the independent professional Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. The ballpark address is North O Street & Fair Park Boulevard, Harlingen, Texas, 78550.[5][6]

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Record
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
193143-493rdPaul Trammel
193884-532ndJake AtzLeague Champions
195086-621stSam HarshaneyLost League Finals
195186-682ndSam HarshaneyLost in 1st round
195280-732ndBob HamricLeague Champions
195377-693rdBob HamricLost in 1st round
195453-947thSam Harshaney
195565-795thFord Garrison
196085=591stRay MurrayLost in 1st round
196169-714thRay MurrayTeam moved June 10
197632-404thTed Uhlaender
197740-382ndPaul ThomasNone

References
  1. "Harlingen, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Harlingen Hubs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "Gulf Coast League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "Rio Grande Valley Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "Harlingen Field - Harlingen, Texas". ballparkreviews.com.
  6. "Harlingen Field, Harlingen, Texas". www.charliesballparks.com.
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