Okmulgee Glassblowers
| Okmulgee Glassblowers | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| League | Oklahoma State League (1912) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1912 |
| Team data | |
| Name | Okmulgee Glassblowers (1912) |
| Ballpark | Sixth Street Park (1912) |
The Okmulgee Glassblowers were a minor league baseball team based in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Okmulgee County, Oklahoma for one shortened championship season. In 1912, the Glassblowers played as members of the Class D level Oklahoma State League, winning the league championship as the league folded during the season. Okmulgee hosted home minor league games at the Sixth Street Park.
History[edit]
In 1910, Okmulgee first hosted minor league baseball for three games. On July 22, 1910, the Muskogee Navigators of the Class D level Western Association moved to Okmulgee with a record of 36-60. The team had compiled a record of 0-3 based in Okmulgee when the league disbanded on July 24, 1910.[1][2]
In 1912, in their only season of minor league play, the Okmulgee "Glassblowers" became charter members of the eight-team Class D level Oklahoma State League.[3] The Anadarko Indians, Guthrie Spas, Holdenville Hitters, McAlester Miners, Muskogee Indians, Oklahoma City Senators and Tulsa Terriers teams joined Okmulgee in beginning league play on April 30, 1912.[4][5][6]
The Okmulgee use of the "Glassblowers" nickname corresponds to local industry in the era. The Baker Brothers and Graham Glass Company were both located in Okmulgee.[7] The glass industry continues in Okmulgee today.[8]
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The 1912 Oklahoma State League lost two teams early in its first season, when both the Anadarko Indians and Oklahoma City Senators teams disbanded. After the two teams folded the league continued play and reorganized. A second Oklahoma State League schedule was created after Anadarko was relocated to Enid, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City to Eufaula, Oklahoma. The new schedule started, but shortly after, the Oklahoma State League officially disbanded on July 1, 1912.[9][4][2][3]
The overall standings when the league folded had Okmulgee in first place, winning the league championship while playing under manager Frank Gardner. The final standings were led by Okmulgee, who had a record of 37–9. The Glassblowers were followed by the Tulsa Terriers (33–15), Anadarko Indians (24–23), Holdenville Hitters (21–23), McAlester Miners (21–25), Guthrie (15–33) and Oklahoma City Senators (15–33) in the final standings. The Eufaula team was 2–2 and Enid 1–4 in their brief period of play.[10][2]
The Oklahoma State League reformed in 1922, without an Okmulgee franchise.[2] The Okmulgee Drillers had begun play in 1920, as members of the Class D level Western Association.[11][12]
The ballpark[edit]
The Okmulgee Glassblowers hosted minor league games at the Sixth Street Park. The ballpark had a small grandstand. The field was situated in a manner that Studd's Machine Shop was located in foul territory near 1B.[13]
Year-by-year record[edit]
| Year | Record | Place | Manager | Playoffs/notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 37–9 | 1st | Frank Gardner | League folded July 1 League champions |
Notable alumni[edit]
- Complete roster information for the 1912 Okmulgee team is not referenced.[3]
A photo of the team shows members to include: Matticks; Upton; Pierce; Roberts; Jeffries; Everdon; Gardiner (Manager); Burnett; Clayton; Taylor; Clark; Harris; Ash; Baxter; "Bill" Mascot.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ "1910 Muskogee Navigators/Okmulgee minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ a b c d Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ a b c "1912 Okmulgee Glassblowers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ a b "1912 Oklahoma State League (OSL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (November 5, 2008). "Oklahoma State League".
- ^ "1912 Oklahoma State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Glass Manufacturing | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". Oklahoma Historical Society | OHS.
- ^ "LOCAL INDUSTRY SUCCESS". Choose Okmulgee.
- ^ "1912 Okmulgee Glassblowers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1912 Oklahoma State League (OSL) minor league baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "Okmulgee, Oklahoma Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1920 Western Association". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Sixth Street Park in Okmulgee, OK minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ Spalding's Official Baseball Guide, 1913, p. 236.