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Piedmont League

From BR Bullpen

A long-standing minor league based in North Carolina and Virginia, the Piedmont League operated from 1920 to 1955], not even stopping for World War II when many minor leagues closed up shop. The widespread death of minor leagues in the 1950s (the dark ages of minor league baseball) ended the Piedmont's long run. It was a 4th-tier Class B league for much of its existence (1932-1955), after being a Class D league for its first year and Class C for ten years after that (1921-1931). It was home to many up-and-coming players over the decades.

Cities Represented[edit]

1920-1955[edit]


Teams & Statistics[edit]

Years 1920-1955[edit]

1920 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Greensboro Patriots 69 51 .575 - Charlie Carroll
Raleigh Nats 67 53 .558 2 Joe Ward
High Point Furniture Makers 57 57 .500 9 Dick Miller / Bill Pierre
Winston-Salem Twins 56 65 .463 13.5 Bill Shumaker / Eddie Brennan / Jim Kelly
Danville Tobacconists 54 65 .454 14.5 Jim Moore / Rebel Williams
Durham Bulls 53 65 .449 15 Frank Manush

Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Raleigh 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hobart Whitman Winston-Salem BA .351 George Nelson
Roy Saddler
William Hughes		 Durham
Greensboro
Raleigh		 W 19
John Koval Winston-Salem Runs 92 Frank Allen Raleigh SO 205
Sparky Adams Danville Hits 157 Jess Eldridge High Point ERA 1.35
Doc Smith Greensboro HR 16 Tom Friday Danville PCT .750 12-4


1921 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Raleigh Red Birds 68 52 .567 - Joe Ward
High Point Furniture Makers 65 55 .542 3 Bill Pierre
Greensboro Patriots 64 58 .525 5 Charlie Carroll
Winston-Salem Twins 62 58 .517 6 Charles Clancy
Durham Bulls 57 64 .471 11.5 Frank Manush
Danville Tobacconists 46 75 .380 22.5 Herb Murphy / Pat Devereaux

Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, High Point 1

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Lloyd Smith Greensboro BA .404 William Hughes Raleigh W 26
Hoke Floyd Raleigh Runs 102 Gilbert Price Durham SO 158
Lloyd Smith Greensboro Hits 195 Thomas Day High Point PCT .875 14-2
Jim Holt High Point RBI 118
Jim Holt High Point HR 26


1922 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
High Point Furniture Makers 70 55 .560 - Hardin Herndon
Durham Bulls 69 58 .543 2 Lee Gooch
Winston-Salem Twins 66 59 .528 4 Charles Clancy
Greensboro Patriots 60 63 .488 9 Charlie Carroll
Raleigh Capitals 60 66 .476 10.5 Duke Duncan
Danville Tobacconists 50 74 .403 17.5 Tom Abbott

Playoff: Durham 4 games, High Point 3, one tie

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
J. Smith High Point BA .366 Rube Eldridge High Point W 26
Hardin Herndon High Point Runs 87 Fair Crews Greensboro SO 128
Hoke Floyd Raleigh Hits 169 Rube Eldridge High Point PCT .743 26-9
Hoke Floyd Raleigh RBI 102
Floyd Trexler
Edward Regan		 Danville HR 11


1923 Piedmont League
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Danville Tobacconists 74 50 .597 - Herb Murphy
Greensboro Patriots 66 58 .532 8 Charlie Carroll
High Point Pointers 66 58 .532 8 Hardin Herndon
Winston-Salem Twins 59 64 .480 14.5 Bill Leard / Mike Fuhry
Raleigh Capitals 57 67 .460 17 Duke Duncan
Durham Bulls 49 74 .398 24.5 Bill Pierre / Lee Gooch

Playoff: Danville 4 games, Greensboro 0

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Carr Smith Raleigh BA .418 Fair Crews Greensboro W 22
Carr Smith
Dutch Dorman		 Raleigh
Danville		 Runs 107 Alex Gibson Danville SO 120
John Kane High Point Hits 189 Cy Twombly Danville ERA 1.97
Carr Smith Raleigh RBI 137 Grier Friday Raleigh PCT .800 8-2
Carr Smith Raleigh HR 24


1924 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Durham Bulls 74 46 .617 - Bill Pierre / Art Bourg
High Point Pointers 71 52 .577 4.5 Hardin Herndon
Greensboro Patriots 61 59 .508 13 Charlie Carroll
Winston-Salem Twins 59 62 .488 15.5 Bill Jackson
Danville Tobacconists 53 67 .442 21 Herb Murphy
Raleigh Capitals 45 77 .369 30 Duke Duncan
Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hobe Brummitt Durham BA .356 Bill Hackney Durham W 19
Loren Thrasher High Point Runs 93 John Wertz Winston-Salem SO 129
Loren Thrasher High Point Hits 160 Walt Masters Durham ERA 1.90
Arnold Townsend High Point RBI 102 Walt Masters Durham PCT .773 17-5
Arnold Townsend
Dave Harris		 High Point
Greensboro		 HR 27


1925 Piedmont League
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Winston-Salem Twins 77 49 .611 - Charlie Carroll
Durham Bulls 68 58 .540 9 Art Bourg
Greensboro Patriots 61 63 .492 15 Lee Gooch / Hardin Herndon / Dick Smith
High Point Pointers / Danville Leafs # 58 67 .464 18.5 Lloyd Smith / Hardin Herndon
Raleigh Capitals 57 69 .452 20 Hardin Herndon / Charles Doak
Salisbury Colonials 54 69 .439 21.5 Patsy O'Rourke / Red Stewart / Rowdy Elliott

# High Point (18-32) moved to Danville June 18; first home game June 19
Playoff: Durham 4 games, Winston-Salem 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harry Smith Durham BA .385 Roy Sullivan Winston-Salem W 21
Art Bourg Durham Runs 108 Roy Sullivan Winston-Salem SO 127
Harry Smith Durham Hits 192 Bernie Thompson Winston-Salem ERA 2.39
Otis Cashion Salisbury HR 25 Roy Sullivan Winston-Salem PCT .750 21-7


1926 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Greensboro Patriots 86 60 .589 - Lee Gooch
Danville Leafs / High Point Pointers # 85 61 .582 1 Bob Higgins
Durham Bulls 73 71 .507 12 Art Bourg / Lew McCarty
Salisbury-Spencer Colonials 69 75 .479 16 Moose Marshall
Winston-Salem Twins 64 81 .441 21.5 Cy Chisholm / Crawford Gray / Red Irby / Walt Christensen / Art Bourg
Raleigh Capitals 57 86 .399 27.5 Runt Marr / Bennie Allen / Charlie Carroll / Cy Chisholm / Duke Duncan|V.D. Duncan

# Danville (11-10) moved to High Point May 12, first home game May 14
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Durham 1

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Dan Boone High Point BA .399 Ray Phelps High Point W 27
Dan Boone High Point Runs 112 Ray Phelps High Point SO 151
Dan Boone High Point Hits 214 Buck Taylor Winston-Salem ERA 2.21
Dan Boone High Point RBI 117 Fair Crews Greensboro PCT .792 19-5
Dave Barbee Greensboro HR 29


1927 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Rocky Mount Buccaneers 84 60 .583 - Lee Gooch
Salisbury-Spencer Colonials 83 62 .572 1.5 George Whiteman
Winston-Salem Twins 79 64 .552 4.5 Charles McMillan
Raleigh Capitals 77 70 .524 7.5 Al Watt
High Point Pointers 62 82 .431 22 Pop Kitchens / Jay Smith / Dan Boone
Durham Bulls 48 95 .336 35.5 Lew McCarty / Barney Cleveland / Possum Whitted

Playoff: Salibury-Spencer 3 games, Raleigh 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Moose Clabaugh High Point BA .363 James Richardson
Harry Moger		 Salisbury-Spencer
Raleigh		 W 23
Otis Cashion Rocky Mount Runs 113 James Richardson Salisbury-Spencer SO 161
Moose Clabaugh High Point Hits 187 Roy Sullivan Winston-Salem ERA 2.04
Charles Wade Winston-Salem RBI 111 Bob Huffman Salisbury-Spencer PCT .842 16-3
Charles Wade Winston-Salem HR 24


1928 Piedmont League
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Winston-Salem Twins 82 51 .617 - Bunn Hearn
High Point Pointers 83 52 .615 - Dan Boone
Greensboro Patriots 76 56 .576 5.5 Charlie Carroll
Salisbury-Spencer Colonials 61 74 .452 22 George Whiteman
Raleigh Capitals 56 74 .431 24.5 Jim Viox / Henry Dawson / Stump Edington
Durham Bulls 40 91 .305 41 Possum Whitted

Playoff: Winston-Salem 4 games, High Point 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Dan Boone High Point BA .419 Cyrus Smith Winston-Salem W 20
Jim Stewart High Point Runs 126 Max Wilson Greensboro SO 101
Dan Boone High Point Hits 196 Jack Fogelman Winston-Salem ERA 2.68
Dan Boone High Point RBI 131 Cyrus Smith Winston-Salem PCT .769 20-6
Dan Boone High Point HR 38


1929 Piedmont League
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Durham Bulls 85 51 .625 - Possum Whitted
Greensboro Patriots 83 54 .606 2.5 Charlie Carroll
Winston-Salem Twins 77 63 .550 10 George Whiteman
High Point Pointers 67 72 .482 19.5 Dan Boone
Henderson Bunnies 54 85 .388 32.5 Bunn Hearn / Lew Murphy / Lee Gooch / Guy Winston
Salisbury Colonials 48 89 .350 37.5 Jess Altenburg

Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Durham 1


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Dan Boone High Point BA .372 Jim Turner Greensboro W 25
Dan Boone
Henry Parrish		 High Point
Greensboro		 Runs 116 Howell Conklin High Point SO 160
Dan Boone High Point Hits 191 Monte Weaver Durham ERA 1.94
Tom Wolfe Durham RBI 134 Jim Turner Greensboro PCT .735 25-9
Dan Boone High Point HR 46


1930 Piedmont League
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Henderson Gamecocks 78 63 .553 - Jim Teague
Durham Bulls 71 68 .511 6 Possum Whitted
Greensboro Patriots 70 71 .496 8 Everett Booe / Hobe Brummitt / Clay Hopper
Winston-Salem Twins 70 71 .496 8 Hal Weafer / Claude Joyner / Charlie Carroll / Johnny Brock
Raleigh Capitals 68 72 .486 9.5 Pat Haley
High Point Pointers 64 76 .457 13.5 Dan Boone

Playoffs: Durham 4 games, Henderson 3


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Dan Boone High Point BA .385 Elmer Bray
Richard Durham		 Winston-Salem
High Point		 W 22
Jack Lindley Durham Runs 148 DeWitt Perry Durham SO 211
Fred Tauby Durham Hits 203 Arthur Yeager Winston-Salem ERA 3.47
Tom Wolfe Durham RBI 154 Charles Swaney Henderson PCT .769 10-3
Tom Wolfe Durham HR 39


1931 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Charlotte Hornets 100 37 .730 - Guy Lacy
Raleigh Capitals 86 50 .630 13.5 Odie Strain Sr.
Greensboro Patriots 81 56 .591 19 Johnny Kane
Asheville Tourists 66 67 .496 32 Ray Kennedy / Bobby Hipps
Durham Bulls 56 72 .438 39.5 Possum Whitted
Winston-Salem Twins 55 79 .410 43.5 Bunn Hearn / Stuffy McCrone
Henderson Gamecocks 51 82 .383 47 Jim Teague
High Point Pointers 39 91 .300 57.5 Dan Boone / Hobe Brummitt / Tom Young

Playoff: Charlotte 4 games, Raleigh 2


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Frank Packard Charlotte BA .366 Bud Shaney Charlotte W 24
Frank Packard Charlotte Runs 145 Frank Coleman Raleigh SO 173
Frank Packard Charlotte Hits 185 Jim Lyle Charlotte ERA 1.92
Frank Packard Charlotte RBI 123 Thurman Wical Charlotte PCT .842 16-3
Frank Packard Charlotte HR 21


1932 Piedmont League - schedule
President: William G. Bramham

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Charlotte Hornets 80 53 .602 - Guy Lacy
Greensboro Patriots 76 59 .563 5 Fred Myers
Winston-Salem Twins / High Point Pointers + 68 66 .507 12.5 Harry Wilke
Raleigh Capitals 65 71 .478 16.5 Odie Strain Sr.
Wilmington Pirates 62 77 .446 21 Hal Weafer / Peahead Walker / Tweet Walsh
Durham Bulls 56 77 .421 24 Possum Whitted
Asheville Tourists # 35 33 .515 NA Joe Guyon
High Point Pointers # 33 39 .458 NA Buddy Tanner

# Asheville and High Point disbanded July 7
+ Winston-Salem (18-28) in second half moved to High Point August 20
Playoff: Greensboro 4 games, Charlotte 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Tom Wolfe Raleigh/Durham BA .381 Jim Lyle Charlotte W 22
Benny Borgmann Greensboro Runs 122 Ted Kleinhans Greensboro SO 226
Harry Smith Raleigh Hits 198 Al Smith Winston-Salem ERA 2.21
Emory Culbreth Charlotte RBI 118 Jim Lyle Charlotte PCT .759 22-7
Parker Perry High Point/Winston-Salem HR 19
Benny Borgmann Greensboro SB 51


1933 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Dan W. Hill

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Greensboro Patriots 90 48 .652 - Eddie Dyer / Bob Rice
Charlotte Hornets 80 61 .567 11.5 Johnny Dobbs / Guy Lacy
Richmond Colts 73 68 .518 18.5 Jack Onslow
Wilmington Pirates 70 68 .507 20 Blackie Carter
Durham Bulls 65 76 .461 26.5 Bob Murray / Bill Skiff
Winston-Salem Twins 42 99 .298 49.5 Jim Poole / Art Bourg


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim Bucher Greensboro BA .369 John Chambers Greensboro W 23
Emile Barnes Charlotte Runs 122 Dykes Potter Greensboro SO 189
Jim Bucher Greensboro Hits 188 Al Veach Charlotte ERA 2.42
Charles Wade Richmond RBI 119 Al Veach Charlotte PCT .750 12-4
Jim Bucher Greensboro HR 25


1934 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Dan W. Hill

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 89 49 .645 - Bill Skiff
Charlotte Hornets 87 51 .630 2 Tommy Taylor
Wilmington Pirates 64 74 .464 25 Blackie Carter / Harry McCurdy
Richmond Colts 60 78 .435 29 Ed Hendee / Charles Wade
Columbia Sandlappers / Asheville Tourists + 55 78 .414 31.5 Bill Laval / Possum Whitted
Greensboro Patriots 56 81 .409 32.5 Bob Rice

Playoff: Norfolk 4 games, Charlotte 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim Bryan Norfolk BA .376 Robert Durham Charlotte W 21
Dan Hall Norfolk Runs 126 Junie Barnes Wilmington SO 232
Jim Bryan Norfolk Hits 200 Ray White Norfolk ERA 2.77
Jim Bryan Norfolk RBI 144 Thomas Kain Norfolk PCT .846 11-2
Jim Bryan Norfolk HR 30


1935 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Dan W. Hill

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Asheville Tourists 75 62 .547 - Billy Southworth
Wilmington Pirates 69 65 .5149 4.5 Harry McCurdy / Riley Parker
Richmond Colts 70 66 .5147 4.5 Ed Rommel
Norfolk Tars 67 70 .489 8 Bill Skiff
Portsmouth Truckers 67 72 .482 9 Pip Koehler
Charlotte Hornets 62 75 .453 13 Frank O'Rourke

Playoffs: Richmond 4 games, Asheville 2


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
George Ferrell Richmond BA .377 Herb Moore Asheville W 21
Les Scarsella Wilmington Runs 120 Atley Donald Norfolk SO 160
Lee Gamble Wilmington Hits 191 John Leonardo Richmond ERA 2.19
J.C. Clark Asheville RBI 129 Herb Moore Asheville PCT .808 21-5
Buddy Rosar Norfolk HR 26


1936 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Dan W. Hill

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 93 50 .650 - Johnny Neun
Durham Bulls 79 63 .556 13.5 John Gooch
Richmond Colts 76 66 .535 16.5 George Farrell / Frank Rodgers
Rocky Mount Red Sox 74 69 .517 19 Specs Toporcer
Portsmouth Cubs 66 77 .462 27 Pip Koehler
Asheville Tourists 40 103 .280 53 Billy Southworth

Playoffs: Norfolk 3 games, Richmond 0; Durham 3 games, Rocky Mount 1
Finals: Norfolk 3 games Durham 0


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Frank McCormick Durham BA .381 Joe Beggs Norfolk W 22
Emile Barnes Rocky Mount Runs 126 Johnny Vander Meer Durham SO 295
Frank McCormick Durham Hits 211 Johnny Vander Meer Durham ERA 2.65
Frank McCormick Durham RBI 138 Bill Yocke Norfolk PCT .947 18-1
Jim Bryan Norfolk HR 38


1937 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Dan W. Hill

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Asheville Tourists 89 50 .640 - Hal Anderson
Norfolk Tars 83 53 .610 4.5 Johnny Neun
Portsmouth Cubs 75 62 .547 13 Elmer Yoter
Richmond Colts 72 66 .522 16.5 Eddie Mooers
Durham Bulls 68 69 .496 20 Paul O'Malley
Rocky Mount Red Sox 67 75 .472 23.5 Nemo Leibold
Charlotte Hornets 66 75 .468 24 Lee Head / Bill Rodgers / Alex McColl
Winston-Salem Twins 35 105 .250 54.5 Alvin Crowder / Pepper Rhea / Phil Lundeen / Walt VanGrofski

Playoffs: Norfolk 3 games, Richmond 1; Portsmouth 3 games, Asheville 2
Finals: Norfolk 3 games, Portsmouth 0


Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harl Maggert Asheville BA .342 Alfred Sherer Asheville W 23
Jim Gruzdis Asheville Runs 125 Harry Brecheen Portsmouth SO 185
Harl Maggert Asheville Hits 191 Hiram Bithorn Norfolk PCT .909 10-1
Harl Maggert Asheville RBI 139
Roberto Estalella Charlotte HR 33


1938 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Dan W. Hill

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 84 52 .618 - Ray White
Charlotte Hornets 84 53 .613 0.5 Calvin Griffith
Rocky Mount Red Sox 70 64 .522 13 Herb Brett
Portsmouth Cubs 69 67 .507 15 Dick Luckey
Richmond Colts 66 72 .478 19 Lance Richbourg
Durham Bulls 64 71 .474 20.5 Bill Hughes
Asheville Tourists 63 75 .457 22 Hal Anderson
Winston-Salem Twins 46 92 .333 39 Walt VanGrofski / Joe Prerost

Playoffs: Charlotte 3 games, Portsmouth 2; Rocky Mount 3 games, Norfolk 1
Finals: Charlotte 4 games, Rocky Mount 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Roberto Estalella Charlotte BA .378 Don Hendrickson
Newton Jacobs		 Norfolk
Charlotte		 W 21
Roberto Estalella Charlotte Runs 134 Manuel Norris Winston-Salem SO 222
Antonio Castano Asheville Hits 180 Henry Gornicki Asheville ERA 2.57
Roberto Estalella Charlotte RBI 123 Newton Jacobs Charlotte PCT .808 21-5
Roberto Estalella Charlotte HR 38


1939 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Asheville Tourists 89 55 .618 - Hal Anderson
Durham Bulls 75 65 .536 12 Oscar Roettger
Rocky Mount Red Sox 70 67 .511 15.5 Herb Brett
Richmond Colts 70 71 .496 17.5 Lance Richbourg
Portsmouth Cubs 66 71 .482 19.5 James Keesey
Norfolk Tars 66 71 .482 19.5 Ray White
Charlotte Hornets 68 74 .479 20 Calvin Griffith
Winston-Salem Twins 54 84 .391 32 Charles Clancy / Alvin Crowder

Playoffs: Asheville 3 games, Richmond 0; Rocky Mount 3 games, Durham 1
Finals: Asheville 4 games, Rocky Mount 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Floyd Yount Portsmouth BA .350 Ray Clark Portsmouth W 20
Russ Derry Norfolk Runs 117 Frank Trexler Richmond SO 185
Floyd Yount Portsmouth Hits 175 Herschel Lyons Asheville ERA 1.82
George Ferrell Richmond RBI 129 Herschel Lyons Asheville PCT .923 12-1
Russ Derry Norfolk HR 40


1940 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Richmond Colts 77 59 .566 - Eddie Phillips
Asheville Tourists 75 60 .556 1.5 Tommy West
Rocky Mount Red Sox 75 61 .551 2 Heinie Manush
Durham Bulls 73 62 .541 3.5 Oscar Roettger
Charlotte Hornets 68 65 .511 7.5 Clark Griffith
Norfolk Tars 66 71 .482 11.5 Ray White
Portsmouth Cubs 59 78 .431 18.5 Ray Brubaker / Arthur McHenry
Winston-Salem Twins 48 85 .361 27.5 Eddie Moore / Ray Brubaker

Playoffs: Rocky Mount 4 games, Asheville 2; Durham 4 games, Richmond 3
Finals: Durham 4 games, Rocky Mount 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Buster Maynard Richmond BA .337 Ken Burkhart
Max Wilson
Lynn Watkins		 Asheville
Portsmouth
Richmond		 W 20
Lawrence Kinzer Richmond Runs 115 Ken Burkhart Asheville SO 145
Johnny Pesky Rocky Mount Hits 187 Barney DeForge Durham ERA 2.40
Len Prout Richmond RBI 103 Ken Burkhart Asheville PCT .769 20-6
Buster Maynard Richmond HR 30


1941 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Durham Bulls 84 53 .613 - Bruno Betzel
Portsmouth Cubs 75 65 .536 10.5 Don Curry
Greensboro Red Sox 71 66 .518 23.5 Heinie Manush
Norfolk Tars 71 68 .511 24.5 Eddie Sawyer
Richmond Colts 67 71 .486 28 Eddie Phillips
Charlotte Hornets 65 70 .481 28.5 Calvin Griffith
Asheville Tourists 64 76 .457 31 Henry Cullop
Winston-Salem Twins 54 82 .397 39 Jake Atz Sr.

Playoffs: Greensboro 4 games, Portsmouth 0; Durham 4 games, Norfolk 1
Finals: Durham 4 games, Greensboro 0

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
John Burman Durham BA .327 James Bivin Charlotte W 20
Bill Shewey Asheville Runs 107 Jack Kraus Durham SO 169
John Burman Durham Hits 162 Ed Albosta Durham ERA 1.73
Luis Olmo
Paul Bruno		 Richmond
Durham		 RBI 89 Ed Albosta Durham PCT .750 15-5
Luis Olmo Richmond HR 13


1942 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Greensboro Red Sox 78 53 .595 - Heinie Manush
Portsmouth Cubs 80 55 .593 - Tony Lazzeri
Richmond Colts 74 60 .552 5.5 Ben Chapman
Charlotte Hornets 70 62 .530 8.5 Harry Smythe
Durham Bulls 65 70 .481 15 Bruno Betzel
Asheville Tourists 61 77 .442 20.5 Bill DeLancey
Norfolk Tars 57 79 .419 23.5 Buzz Boyle
Winston-Salem Twins 52 81 .391 27 Jack Tighe / Al Unser

Playoffs: Greensboro 4 games, Charlotte 0; Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 3
Finals: Greensboro 4 games, Portsmouth 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Luis Olmo Richmond BA .337 Joe Ostrowski Greensboro W 21
Luis Olmo Richmond Runs 89 Woody Johnson Portsmouth SO 167
Luis Olmo Richmond Hits 170 Walter Dubiel Norfolk ERA 1.62
Luis Olmo Richmond RBI 92 Gil Torres Charlotte PCT .773 17-5
Luis Olmo
Jim Mathews		 Richmond
Winston-Salem		 HR 10


1943 Piedmont League
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Portsmouth Cubs 90 40 .692 - Milt Stock
Richmond Colts 72 57 .558 17.5 Larry Kinzer
Norfolk Tars 66 63 .512 23.5 Thomas Kain
Roanoke Red Sox 62 68 .477 28 Heinie Manush
Lynchburg Cardinals 54 74 .422 35 Ollie Vanek
Durham Bulls 44 86 .338 46 Bruno Betzel

Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Roanoke 1; Norfolk 4 games, Richmond 0
Finals: Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Tony Castano Richmond BA .333 Irv Stein Portsmouth W 24
William Glover Lynchburg Runs 83 Julio Acosta Richmond SO 208
Wilmer Skeen Portsmouth Hits 172 Garland Braxton Norfolk ERA 0.74
Wilmer Skeen Portsmouth RBI 71 Garland Braxton Norfolk PCT .875 14-2
Jack Phillips Norfolk HR 8


1944 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lynchburg Cardinals 80 60 .571 - George Ferrell
Portsmouth Cubs 72 67 .518 7.5 Bill Steinecke / Jimmie Foxx
Norfolk Tars 72 68 .514 8 Garland Braxton
Richmond Colts 67 72 .482 12.5 Ben Chapman / Taylor Sanford
Roanoke Red Sox 66 73 .475 13.5 Eddie Popowski
Newport News Dodgers 61 78 .439 18.5 Jake Pitler

Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Norfolk 3; Lynchburg 4 games, Richmond 2, one tie
Finals: Lynchburg 4 games, Portsmouth 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Zip Payne Lynchburg BA .340 Al Gettel
Henry Koch		 Norfolk
Lynchburg		 W 17
Bruce Smith Lynchburg Runs 90 Al Gettel Norfolk SO 232
Zip Payne Lynchburg Hits 181 Natilla Jiménez Portsmouth ERA 1.51
Zip Payne Lynchburg RBI 99 Natilla Jiménez Portsmouth PCT .750 15-5
Duke Snider Newport News HR 9


1945 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Ralph Daughton

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 83 57 .593 - Garland Braxton
Richmond Colts 76 60 .559 5 Frank Rodgers
Newport News Dodgers 69 69 .500 13 Jake Pitler
Portsmouth Cubs 67 69 .493 14 Ival Goodman
Roanoke Red Sox 67 71 .486 15 Eddie Popowski
Lynchburg Cardinals 52 88 .371 31 George Ferrell / Zip Payne

Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games. Norfolk 3; Richmond 4 games, Newport News 0
Finals: Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 0

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
William West Richmond BA .373 Mario Picone Richmond W 19
William West Richmond Runs 117 Mario Picone Richmond SO 202
William West Richmond Hits 193 Bill Houtz Norfolk ERA 1.23
William West Richmond RBI 101 Bill Houtz Norfolk PCT .846 11-2
Wayne Maxey
Elwood Grantham		 Lynchburg
Portsmouth		 HR 12


1946 Piedmont League
President: Richard A. Carrington Jr.

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Roanoke Red Sox 89 51 .636 - Eddie Popowski
Portsmouth Cubs 83 57 .593 6 Gene Hasson / Ace Parker
Newport News Dodgers 76 64 .543 13 John Fitzpatrick
Norfolk Tars 71 69 .507 18 Thomas Kain
Richmond Colts 60 80 .429 29 Ray Berres
Lynchburg Cardinals 41 99 .293 48 Wes Ferrell / Emmitt Mueller

Playoffs: Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 0; Roanoke 4 games, Norfolk 2
Finals: Newport News 4 games, Roanoke 2, one tie.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ace Parker Portsmouth BA .331 Jack Clifton Roanoke W 20
Paul Varner Portsmouth Runs 93 Wayne Johnson Newport News SO 193
Virgil Stallcup Roanoke Hits 164 Dalbert Bechtold Roanoke ERA 2.03
Virgil Stallcup Roanoke RBI 93 Jack Clifton Roanoke PCT .870 20-3
Chuck Connors Newport News HR 17


1947 Piedmont League
President: Richard A. Carrington Jr.

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Roanoke Red Sox 90 49 .647 - Pinky Higgins
Norfolk Tars 69 70 .496 21 Buddy Hassett
Portsmouth Cubs 69 71 .493 21.5 Gene Hasson
Richmond Colts 68 71 .489 22 Bob Lotshaw
Lynchburg Cardinals 63 76 .453 27 Jack McLain / Vernon Mackie
Newport News Dodgers 59 81 .421 31.5 John Fitzpatrick

Playoffs: Roanoke 4 games, Richmond 1; Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 0
Finals: Roanoke 4 games, Norfolk 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Rocky Nelson Lynchburg BA .371 Hal Brown Roanoke W 19
George Wilson Roanoke Runs 124 Bob Porterfield Norfolk SO 208
George Wilson Roanoke Hits 206 Elmer Stepanofsky Norfolk ERA 2.35
George Wilson Roanoke RBI 136 Sol Coleman Roanoke PCT .722 13-5
Leonard Morrison
Vern Shetler		 Richmond
Portsmouth		 HR 20


1948 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Richard A. Carrington Jr.

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lynchburg Cardinals 80 58 .580 - Vernon Mackie
Newport News Dodgers 72 67 .518 8.5 Roy Schalk
Portsmouth Cubs 71 69 .507 10 Ace Parker
Roanoke Red Sox 65 73 .471 15 Pinky Higgins
Norfolk Tars 65 75 .464 16 Earl Bolyard
Richmond Colts 64 75 .460 16.5 Charles George

Playoffs: Lynchburg 4 games, Roanoke 3; Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 3
Finals: Newport News 4 games, Lynchburg 0

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Steve Bilko Lynchburg BA .333 Bill Eggert Newport News W 19
Bill Spaeter Roanoke Runs 100 Whitey Ford Norfolk SO 171
Art Schult Norfolk Hits 159 Lou Ciola Portsmouth ERA 1.69
Bill Boyce Roanoke RBI 99 Bill Eggert Newport News PCT .826 19-4
Steve Bilko Lynchburg HR 20


1949 Piedmont League
President: Richard A. Carrington Jr.

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lynchburg Cardinals 77 62 .554 - Pug Griffin / Vernon Mackie
Portsmouth Cubs 74 66 .529 3.5 Frank Scalzi
Richmond Colts 71 68 .511 6 Vince Smith
Roanoke Red Sox 71 69 .507 6.5 Red Marion
Norfolk Tars 68 72 .486 9.5 Earl Bolyard / Frank Novosel
Newport News Dodgers 58 82 .414 19.5 Roy Schalk

Playoffs: Lynchburg 4 games, Roanoke 3; Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 2
Finals: Lynchburg 4 games, Portsmouth 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Charlie Maxwell Roanoke BA .345 Angelo Nardello Portsmouth W 20
Robert Edwards Roanoke Runs 118 Paul Perry Roanoke SO 192
Charlie Maxwell Roanoke Hits 164 Ronnie Lee Newport News ERA 2.40
Charlie Maxwell Roanoke RBI 112 Ronnie Lee Newport News PCT 1.000 13-0
Charlie Maxwell Roanoke HR 29


1950 Piedmont League
President: Richard A. Carrington Jr.

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Portsmouth Cubs 83 54 .606 - Frank Scalzi
Roanoke Red Sox 81 58 .583 3 Red Marion
Lynchburg Cardinals 76 61 .555 7 Whitey Kurowski
Richmond Colts 63 76 .453 21 Vince Smith
Norfolk Tars 58 82 .414 26.5 Frank Novosel
Newport News Dodgers 55 85 .393 29.5 Al Campanis / Bud Methany

Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Richmond 0; Roanoke 4 games, Lynchburg 1
Finals: Roanoke 4 games, Portsmouth 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Daniel Keith Newport News BA .357 Earl Mossor
John Hartsell		 Portsmouth
Roanoke		 W 20
George Contratto Roanoke Runs 104 Duke Markell Portsmouth SO 219
Red Treadway Portsmouth Hits 177 John Ahern Roanoke ERA 1.61
Julio Ondani Roanoke RBI 89 Ralph Brickner Portmouth PCT .769 10-3
Robert Mosakoski Roanoke HR 23


1951 Piedmont League
President: Frank L. Summers

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 81 58 .583 - Mayo Smith
Richmond Colts 77 63 .550 4.5 Billy Herman / Roy Allen
Newport News Dodgers 75 66 .532 7 Clay Bryant
Portsmouth Cubs 74 67 .525 8 Reggie Otero
Lynchburg Cardinals 64 75 .460 17 Frank Scalzi
Roanoke Ro-Sox 49 91 .350 32.5 Walter Millies

Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 1; Richmond 4 games, Newport News 2
Finals: Norfolk 4 games, Richmond 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Charles Frey Lynchburg BA .323 Floyd Melliere Lynchburg W 21
Ken Guettler Portsmouth Runs 114 John Gray Norfolk SO 192
Charles Coles Newport News Hits 165 James Barnhardt Portsmouth ERA 2.53
Ken Guettler Portsmouth RBI 116 Don Bessent Norfolk PCT .846 11-2
Ken Guettler Portsmouth HR 30


1952 Piedmont League
President: Frank L. Summers

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 96 36 .727 - Mayo Smith
Portsmouth Cubs 71 64 .526 26.5 Reggie Otero
Richmond Colts 69 66 .511 28.5 Tom O'Connell
Lynchburg Cardinals 64 66 .492 31 James Brown / Harold Olt
Roanoke Ro-Sox 59 74 .444 37.5 Owen Scheetz
Newport News Dodgers 41 94 .304 56.5 Ray Hathaway

Playoffs: Richmond 4 games, Norfolk 1; Portsmouth 4 games, Lynchburg 2
Finals: Richmond 4 games, Portsmouth 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ken Guettler Portsmouth BA .334 Charles LeBrun Norfolk W 23
Bill Casanova Norfolk Runs 108 Dewey Wilkins Richmond SO 164
Leon Carter Norfolk Hits 168 Charles LeBrun Norfolk ERA 1.87
Ken Guettler Portsmouth RBI 104 Charles LeBrun Norfolk PCT .853 23-4
Ken Guettler Portsmouth HR 28


1953 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Frank L. Summers

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 81 51 .614 - Mickey Owen
Hagerstown Braves 78 53 .595 2.5 Dutch Dorman / Jimmy Zinn / Billy Jurges
Newport News Dodgers 80 56 .588 3 Stan Wasiak
Portsmouth Merrimacks 72 63 .533 10.5 Bob Ankrum
York White Roses 59 70 .457 20.5 Mark Christman / Bill Enos / George Hausmann
Lynchburg Cardinals 55 77 .417 26 Richard Landis / John Sullivan
Richmond Colts 45 86 .344 35.5 Charles Letchas
Roanoke Ro-Sox + 39 53 .424 NA Elmer Yoter

+ Roanoke withdrew July 24.

Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Portsmouth 1; Newport News 4 games, Hagerstown 0
Finals: Norfolk 4 games, Newport News 1

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jerry Lynch Norfolk BA .333 Lloyd Merritt Norfolk W 20
Bob Lillis Newport News Runs 102 Wilson Parsons Norfolk SO 169
Jerry Lynch Norfolk Hits 180 Wilson Parsons Norfolk ERA 2.04
Jerry Lynch Norfolk RBI 133 Lloyd Merritt Norfolk PCT .800 20-5
Ken Guettler Portsmouth HR 30


1954 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Frank L. Summers

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Tars 87 53 .621 - Frank Scalzi
Newport News Dodgers 76 63 .547 10.5 George Scherger
York White Roses 72 67 .518 14.5 George Staller
Portsmouth Merrimacks 71 69 .507 16 Alex Monchak / Pepper Martin
Hagerstown Packets 66 74 .471 21 Paul Campbell / Zeke Bonura
Lynchburg Cardinals 63 77 .450 24 Roland LeBlanc
Lancaster Red Roses 62 78 .443 25 Kemp Wicker / Lena Blackburne / Buddy Walker
Colonial Heights-Petersburg Colts 62 78 .443 25 Johnny Vander Meer

Playoffs: Portsmouth 4 games, Norfolk 2; Newport News 4 games, York 0
Finals: Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 3

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
William Schimchak Colonial Heights-Petersburg BA .336 Paul Doughty Norfolk W 17
Stan Rosenweig Norfolk Runs 116 Al Bennett Hagerstown SO 162
Charles Peete Portsmouth Hits 170 Al Bennett Hagerstown ERA 2.35
Willie Tasby York RBI 121 Guy Grasso Norfolk PCT .833 15-3
Willie Tasby York HR 27


1955 Piedmont League - schedule
President: Benjamin L. Campbell

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Newport News Dodgers 77 52 .597 - George Scherger
Lancaster Red Roses 72 54 .571 3.5 Hank Biasatti
York White Roses 64 65 .496 13 George Staller
Portsmouth Merrimacks 64 66 .492 13.5 Ken Guettler
Lynchburg Cardinals 64 67 .489 14 George Kissell
Hagerstown Packets 58 65 .472 16 Johnny Welaj
Sunbury Redlegs 47 80 .370 29 Virgil Stallcup / Dutch Dorman
Norfolk Tars + 37 34 .521 NA Al Evans / Alton Brown / Bill Herring

+ Norfolk withdrew July 14

Playoffs: Portsmouth 3 games, Newport News 1; Lancaster 3 games, York 1
Finals: Lancaster 3 games, Portsmouth 2

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Robert Phillips Sunbury BA .347 Charles Schassler Newport News W 19
Crawford Davidson Hagerstown Runs 103 Stan Williams Newport News SO 301
Crawford Davidson Hagerstown Hits 164 Stan Williams Newport News ERA 2.42
Ken Guettler Portsmouth RBI 113 Ken Raffensberger York PCT .846 11-2
Ken Guettler Portsmouth HR 41

League Records 1920-1955[edit]

Batting
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Jule Mallonee Durham GA 149 26 Dan Boone High Point BA .419 28
Jimmy Brown Greensboro AB 596 33 Jack Lindley Durham RUNS 149 30
Dan Boone High Point Hits 214 26 Tom Wolfe Durham RBI 154 30
Bobby Goff Henderson 2B 52 30 Carr Smith Raleigh 3B 25 30
Dan Boone High Point HR 46 29 Fred Tauby Durham EBH 96 30
Jack Lindley Durham EBH 96 30 Jack Lindley Durham TB 379 30
Sam Crane Greensboro SAC 50 14 Dave Mann York SB 88 54
Nick Purchia Richmond BB 163 51 Edward Jabb Portsmouth SO 127 36


Pitching
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Vernon Gray Lynchburg GA 62 55 Bill Harris Winston-Salem CG 32 22
Ray Phelps High Point CG 32 26 Rube Eldridge High Point W 26 22
Garland Braxton Norfolk Era 0.74 43 Gene Rumple Winston-Salem L 24 33
Bill Yocke (18-1) Norfolk Pct .947 21 Hank Gornicki Ashville IP 308 38
Jake Levy Portsmouth ShO 7 43 Stan Williams Newport News SO 301 55
Edward Frenick High Point BB 264 23

Hall of Fame Alumni[edit]

Other Notable Alumni[edit]

Source[edit]

The Encyclopedia Of Minor League Baseball: Second and Third Edition

Related Sites[edit]

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