The Cocoa Tigers were a

minor league baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

team based in

Cocoa, Florida Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida. Its population was 19,041 at the 2020 United States census, up from 17,140 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Palm Bay, Florida, Palm Bay–Melbourne, Florida, Melbourne–Titusville, Flori ...

in the 1964 season. The Cocoa Tigers played exclusively as members of the four–team

Rookie A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year). In contrast with a veteran who has experience, a rookie is typically considered needing more tra ...

level Cocoa Rookie League, with all league games played at the

Cocoa Expo Sports Center Coastal Florida Sports Park (formerly known as Cocoa Expo Sports Center) is a multi-sport complex located in Cocoa, Florida. Coastal Florida facilities include outdoor baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse fields, an indoor multipurpose fiel ...

. The Cocoa Tigers were a minor league affiliate of the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

in 1964 and placed fourth in the standings.

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...

member

Jim Leyland James Richard Leyland (born December 15, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager. He serves as a special assistant to the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Leyland led the Florida Marlins to t ...

played for the Cocoa Tigers.

History

The Cocoa Rookie League began play in the 1964 season, with all games based in Cocoa, Florida. The Cocoa "Tigers" became members of the four–team

level Cocoa Rookie League. The Cocoa Colts, Cocoa Mets and Melbourne Twins joined the Cocoa Tigers in the four–team league, beginning league play on July 1, 1964. On July 4, 1964, The Tigers were on the losing end as Melbourne Twins' pitchers Jerry Lyscio and Gene Melton threw a combined 7–inning

no-hitter In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...

in a 2–0 victory over the Cocoa Tigers. In their only season of play, the Cocoa Tigers finished last in the Cocoa Rookie League final standings. With a record of 17–33, playing under manager

Doc Daugherty Harold Ray "Doc" Daugherty (October 12, 1927 – August 15, 2015) was an American professional baseball player and manager, and high school football head coach. A shortstop in minor league baseball, he made one appearance as a pinch hitter I ...

, the Tigers placed fourth and finished 16.0 games the first place Melbourne Twins (34–18) in the final regular season standings, as the league had no playoffs. The Tigers also finished behind the second place Cocoa Mets (28–22) and third place Cocoa Colts (23–29). Cocoa Tiger player Lawrence Seneta won the Cocoa Rookie League batting title with a .383 batting average. Seneta also led the league with 52 total hits. The complex–based Tigers and other 1964 Cocoa Rookie League teams did not charge paid admission to games and individual attendance records were not kept. The league drew 1,683 total fans for the season. The Cocoa Rookie League folded after one season of play. In the following season, Cocoa, Florida hosted the

Cocoa Astros The Cocoa Astros were a professional minor league baseball team in the Florida State League (FSL), as a Class A level affiliate with the Houston Astros from 1965–72 and 1977. The team played at the Astros' spring training facility. The first ...

, who began play as members of the 1965 Class A level

Florida State League The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...

The ballparks

The Cocoa Rookie League teams played games at the

. The facility was built in 1964 and initially hosted the

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...

spring training. Still in use today, the complex is located at 500 Friday Road, Cocoa, Florida.

Year–by–year record

Notable alumni

(1964) Inducted

, 2023 *

(1964, MGR) * Mike Kilkenny (1964) * Ray Newman (1964) * Cocoa Rookie League Tigers players

References

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External references

Cocoa - Baseball Reference
Defunct minor league baseball teams Baseball teams established in 1964 Baseball teams disestablished in 1964 Defunct baseball teams in Florida Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates Cocoa, Florida 1964 establishments in Florida 1964 disestablishments in Florida