Hartford Laurels

• Location: Hartford, CT
• League: Eastern League 1938, 1944
• Affiliation: Boston Bees 1938, 1944
• Ballpark:

After a bad start in their first year (holding last place in early August), the Hartford Laurels rose to finish fourth in the Eastern League in 1938 at 67-67-2. Eddie Onslow managed the club, which had no All-Stars. The best career would be had by third baseman Sibby Sisti, who hit .293/~.372/.401 with 14 steals in 20 tries.

The team became the Hartford Bees from 1939-1943, then reverted to the Laurels name. The move worked, as they had the Eastern League's best record in 1944 with a dazzling 99-38 record, routing the opposition by a composite score of 786-474. They were second in the league in offense, while allowing 171 runs less than anyone else. Pete Naktenis (18-3, 1.93) was one of three 18-game winners and led the EL in ERA; he completed 19 of 20 starts that year and threw six shutouts, the most in the league. Leading the offense were 3B-OF Roland Gladu (.372/~.473/.556, 14 triples, 102 RBI, second in the league in average, second with 7 HR), 1B Vince Shupe (.339/~.379/.446, 109 RBI, third in average, first in RBI) and OF Stan Wentzel (.323/~.379/.456, a league-high 9 homers).

Sources: 1939 Spalding Guide and 1945 Baseball Guide

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1938	67-67	4th	Eddie Onslow	Lost in 1st round
1944	99-38	1st	Del Bissonette	Lost in 1st round

External Links

• 1944 Hartford Laurels