Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings

From BR Bullpen

The Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings were active from 1949-1955 in the Arizona-Texas League and its successors, the Arizona-Mexico League and Southwest International League. In 2003, the independent professional league by the Arizona-Mexico League name suspended operations three weeks into the season.

The team played home games in both Bisbee, Arizona and Douglas, Arizona. In Bisbee they played their home games at Warren Ballpark, the oldest ballpark in the United States with baseball still regularly being played as of 2006, constructed in 1909. Games in Douglas were played at Copper King Stadium.

The 2003 Copper Kings gained national attention with their colorful promotions including Ted Williams Night in which they gave away free popsicles to their fans in relation to Ted Williams being cryogenically frozen in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The original Arizona-Mexico League team featured future major leaguers Clint Courtney, Johnny Keane, Jim Tobin and Earl Wilson. The ballpark, built with adobe and steel, still stands in a suburb of Bisbee as does Copper King Stadium in Douglas.


Year-by-Year Record[edit]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1949 66-83 5th Elmer Williamson / Paul Jones / Buck Elliott
1950 69-79 4th Buck Elliott Lost in 1st round
1951 64-80 8th Syd Cohen
1952 60-80 5th Syd Cohen none
1953 59-80 5th Syd Cohen none
1954 57-83 7th Edwin Roberts / Ron Smith none
1955 63-77 6th Everett Robinson
2003 9-7 2nd