The Hartford Senators were a minor league baseball team based in

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

. They operated in the

Connecticut League The Connecticut League, also known as the Connecticut State League, was a professional baseball association of teams in the state of Connecticut. The league was a Minor League Baseball, minor league for most of its existence. It began as offshoot o ...

from 1902–1912, the

Eastern Association The Eastern Association of counties was an administrative organisation set up by Parliament in the early years of the First English Civil War. Its main function was to finance and support an army which became a mainstay of the Parliamentarian m ...

from 1913–1914, the Eastern League from 1916–1932 and the Northeastern League in 1934. For the 1932 season they were affiliated with the

Brooklyn Dodgers The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays. In 1884, it became a member of the American Association as the Brooklyn Atlantics before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brook ...

. The team's most famous players were future Hall of Famers

Lou Gehrig Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...

(who played for the Senators on three separate occasions before being a starting first baseman for the New York Yankees) and

Hank Greenberg Henry Benjamin Greenberg (January 1, 1911 – September 4, 1986), nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank", "Hankus Pankus", and "the Hebrew Hammer", was an American professional baseball player and team executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB), p ...

. The team won league championships in 1909, 1913, 1923 and 1931. The 1931 Senators were recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time.

History

The March 12, 1933 ''Hartford Courant'' obituary of James H. Clarkin, "quarter of a century owner of the Hartford Baseball Club", indicates that he sold both the Eastern League Franchise and Clarkin Field (now the Bulkeley Stadium) when he retired in 1928. Clarkin entered league baseball in 1904 when he purchased the league franchise from William J. Tracey of Bristol, CT, as a partner, but soon after was the sole owner of The Hartford Club. "Although he had many acrimonious disputes with fellow magnates, he came to their assistance in more than one crisis and saved the Eastern League during the World War, when the league's fortunes were at a low ebb. Money furnished by Mr. Clarkin kept two of the other franchises in operation, and the Eastern League road out the storm." Hartford was in the old Connecticut State League when Clarkin took over, then in the Colonial League, the Eastern Association, and then the Eastern League. Some of the well known players "graduated from his direction to fame in the big leagues" were Ray Fisher, Hughie High, Walter (Kid) Rehg, "Buck" O'Brien, Walter Leverenz, Leo Durocher, Heinie Scheer and Pete Wilson. "Lou Gehrig, first baseman and home run hitter of the New York Yankees made his name in league ball under Jim Clarkin" starring for the Hartford Senators in 1923-24 and drawing big crowds to Wethersfield Avenue Grounds (also known as Hartford Baseball Park). "Jim Thorpe, famous Redskin, was another notable who wore a Hartford uniform during the 1922 season." Many well known men grew up as managers in Hartford under Clarkin, among them were Bob Connery, "now president of the St. Paul (Minn.) club"; Dan Howley, later manager of the Cincinnati Reds; Si McDonald, Paddy O'Connor, Jack Coffey, Chet Thomas, Arthur Irwin, Tom Dowd, Danny Murphy of the Philadelphia Athletics fame. Three pennants were brought to Hartford under Clarkin's ownership of the club. Bob Connery was the first to win a championship for Clarkin in 1901, Si McDonald repeated in 1913, and Paddy O'Connor of Springfield won the Eastern League championship in 1923. "His salary roll in 1923 set a new high mark for the Eastern League" Mr. Clarkin replaced the old Wethersfield Ave grounds in 1921, at Hanmer and George Sts, off of Franklin Ave., "a few minutes walk from the former field". He had a fine playing surface laid out and erected one of the best minor league structures in the country, with a stand of steel and concrete, dressing rooms, shower baths and complete modern equipment. Although not ready for the opening game in 1921 and for some two weeks, the Senators played all their games on the road, returning to Hartford for a gala opening. "In 1927, fire destroyed the stand and fence at Clarkin Field but was rebuilt at once. The new stand erected in less than a month, and the Senators had a home again after having played at Trinity Field and in Manchester during the interval" Tribute was paid to Clarkin by Jack Coffey, his manager in 1922 and graduate manager of athletics at Fordham University, who said, "He had many endearing qualities hidden from those who did not know him intimately."

Vintage Base Ball team

The Hartford Senators were re-established in 2001 for the purpose of perpetuating, promoting, and playing the game of baseball as it was when it first existed. The Vintage Base Ball Federation was founded by New York Yankees World Series pitcher Jim Bouton and funded by Mass Mutual Financial Group. On August 19, 2007 at Bullens Field in

Westfield, Massachusetts Westfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. Westfield was first settled by Europeans in 1660. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield metrop ...

, the Hartford Senators won the 2007 World Series of Vintage Base Ball. The Senators defeated Division Champions from California, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Massachusetts to win the Pennant. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully called the 2007 Senators "The greatest Vintage team ever assembled." The Senators were led by players Chris "Grit" Moran, Steve “Big Train” Burke, Jeff "Bull" Durham, Matt "Crazy legs" March, Craig "Rabbit" Pinney, Nick "Hobbs" Roy, Brian "Flatfoot" Logan, Rob "Penguin" Miller, Ryan "Kid" Grew, David "Fleetwood" Chambers, Brendan "Pony" Canny, Brendon “Plywood” Moore, John “Eskimo” Quinn, and Mike "Broadway" Hickey. The Senators play home games at Colt Park in Hartford, Connecticut.

Notable alumni

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 ...
alumni

Jesse Burkett Jesse Cail Burkett (December 4, 1868 – May 27, 1953), nicknamed "Crab", was an American professional baseball left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1890 to 1905 for the New York Giants, Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Per ...

(1916) Inducted, 1946 *

Roger Connor Roger Connor (July 1, 1857 – January 4, 1931) was an American 19th-century Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He played for several teams, but his longest tenure was in New York, where he was responsible for the New York Gothams becoming kno ...

(1878) Inducted, 1976 *

Candy Cummings William Arthur "Candy" Cummings (October 18, 1848 – May 17, 1924) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a pitcher in the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players, and National League. Cummings is widely cred ...

(1875-1878) Inducted, 1939 *

Hugh Duffy Hugh Duffy (November 26, 1866 – October 19, 1954) was an American outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was a player or player-manager for the Chicago White Stockings, Chicago Pirates, Boston Reds, Boston Beaneaters, Milwau ...

(1886) Inducted, 1945 *

Leo Durocher Leo Ernest Durocher (French spelling Léo Ernest Durocher) (; July 27, 1905 – October 7, 1991), nicknamed "Leo the Lip" and "Lippy", was an American professional baseball player, manager (baseball), manager and coach (baseball), coach. He playe ...

(1925) Inducted, 1994 *

(1921, 1923-1924) Inducted, 1939 *

(1930) Inducted, 1956 *

Connie Mack Cornelius McGillicuddy (December 22, 1862 – February 8, 1956), better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and team owner. Mack holds records for the most wins (3,731), losses (3,948), ties (76), and ga ...

(1885-1886) Inducted, 1937 Hank Greenberg Minor Leagues Statistics & History , Baseball-Reference.com
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Notable alumni

* Pete Appleton (1927) * Huck Betts (1923) *

George Bradley George Washington Bradley (July 13, 1852 – October 2, 1931), nicknamed "Grin", was an American professional baseball player who was a pitcher and infielder. He played for multiple teams in the early years of the National League, the oldest le ...

(1878) ERA Title *

Oyster Burns Thomas P. "Oyster" Burns (September 6, 1864November 11, 1928) was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned 15 seasons, 11 of which were spent with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Wilmington Quicksteps (1884), Baltimore Oriol ...

(1897) *

Jim Delahanty James Christopher Delahanty (June 20, 1879 – October 17, 1953) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. He played thirteen seasons with eight clubs: the Chicago Orphans (1901), New York Giants (1902), Boston Beaneaters (1904–05), Cinc ...

(1915) *

Bill Donovan William Edward Donovan (October 13, 1876 – December 9, 1923), nicknamed "Wild Bill" and "Smiling Bill", was an American right-handed baseball pitcher and manager. Donovan played Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators (1898), Bro ...

(1900) 1901 NL Wins Leader; NY Yankee Manager * Tommy Dowd *

Duke Esper Charles H. "Duke" Esper (July 28, 1867 – August 31, 1910) was an American professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1890 to 1898. Esper played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phil ...

(1900) * Bob Ferguson (1877) * Ray Fisher (1909) *

Patsy Flaherty Patrick Joseph Flaherty (June 29, 1876 – January 23, 1968), born in Mansfield (now Carnegie), Pennsylvania, was a pitcher for the Louisville Colonels (1899), Pittsburgh Pirates (1900 and 1904–05), Chicago White Sox (1903–1904), Boston Dov ...

(1900) *

Joe Gerhardt John Joseph Gerhardt (February 14, 1855 – March 11, 1922) was an American professional baseball second baseman whose career spanned from 1873 to 1893. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 11 major league clubs. Early years ...

(1889) *

George Gore George F. Gore (May 3, 1854 – September 16, 1933), nicknamed "Piano Legs", was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for 14 seasons, eight for the Chicago White Stockings, five for the New York Giants, one for the St. ...

(1878) Batting Title *

Ray Grimes Oscar Ray Grimes Sr. (September 11, 1893 – May 25, 1953) was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox (1920), Chicago Cubs (1921–1924) and Philadelphia Phillies (1926). Grimes batted and threw right-handed. H ...

(1918) *

Heinie Groh Henry Knight "Heinie" Groh (September 18, 1889 – August 22, 1968) was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman from 1912 to 1927, spending nearly his entire career with the ...

(1929) *

George Hemming George Hemming (December 15, 1868 – June 3, 1930), also known as ''Old Wax Figger'', was an American pitcher in Major League baseball in the late 19th century. His first season was with the Cleveland Infants, most likely because his hometo ...

(1901) *

Arthur Irwin Arthur Albert Irwin (February 14, 1858 – July 16, 1921), nicknamed "Doc", "Sandy", "Cutrate" or "Foxy", was a Canadian-American shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the late nineteenth century. He played regularly in t ...

(1921) * Fielder Jones (1896) Player/Manager: 1906 World Series Champion

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

Benny Kauff Bennie Michael "Benny" Kauff (January 5, 1890 – November 17, 1961)Benny Kauff Pla ...

(1913) *

Matt Kilroy Matthew Aloysius "Matches" Kilroy (June21, 1866March2, 1940) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. During his rookie season in 1886, he had 513 strikeouts, which remains the MLB single-season record. Early life Kilroy was ...

(1899) 1887 Wins Leader *

Arlie Latham Walter Arlington Latham (March 15, 1860 – November 29, 1952) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played from through for the Buffalo Bisons (NL), Buffalo Bisons, St. Louis Browns (NL), St. Louis Browns, Chicago Pirates ...

(1898) * Bill Lohrman (1934) * Carl Lundgren (1912) * Van Mungo (1931) 5 x MLB All-Star *

Jim Mutrie James J. Mutrie (June 13, 1851 – January 24, 1938) was an American baseball pioneer who was the co-founder and first manager of both the original New York Metropolitans and the New York Giants. He had a winning percentage of .611, the highest fo ...

(1878) Manager: 2 x World Series Champion

New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...

Billy Nash William Mitchell Nash (June 24, 1865 – November 15, 1929) was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He played 15 seasons in the majors, from to . He served as player-manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in , and in 1901 he umpired ...

(1899) *

Paul Radford Paul Revere Radford (October 14, 1861 – February 21, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball player in the late 19th century. Paul, nicknamed "Shorty", played with many teams over his 12-season career. He was a starting outfielder with the ...

(1897) *

Billy Shindle William D. Shindle (December 5, 1860 – June 3, 1936) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played from 1886 to 1898 for the Detroit Wolverines (1886–87), Baltimore Orioles (1888–89, 1892–93), Philadelphia Athletics (1 ...

(1900-1901) *

George Shoch George Quintus Shoch (January 6, 1859 – September 30, 1937) was an American baseball player. A utility member of the Washington Nationals from 1886 through 1889, he also played for the Milwaukee Brewers (1891), Baltimore Orioles (1892) and Broo ...

(1901) *

Mose Solomon Mose Hirsch Solomon, nicknamed the Rabbi of Swat (December 8, 1900 – June 25, 1966) was an American left-handed baseball player. In 1923, he hit 49 home runs in the minors, a new minor league record. He briefly played for the New York Giants i ...

(1925) *

Joe Start Joseph Start (October 14, 1842 – March 27, 1927), nicknamed "Old Reliable", was one of the most durable regulars of baseball's earliest era, and one of the top first baseman, first basemen of his time. He began his playing career in 1859, ...

(1877) * Scott Stratton (1900) 1890 ERA Leader *

Harry Stovey Harry Duffield Stovey (''né'' Stowe; December 20, 1856 – September 20, 1937) was an American 19th-century Major League Baseball player and the first player in major league history to hit 100 home runs. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Stove ...

(1878) *

Ezra Sutton Ezra Ballou Sutton (September 17, 1849 – June 20, 1907) was an American third baseman in the National Association and Major League Baseball from 1871 to 1888. Sutton collected 1,574 hits during this time period; he had a lifetime batting avera ...

(1890) *

Ira Thomas Ira Felix Thomas (January 22, 1881 – October 11, 1958) was an American professional baseball player. He played all or part of ten seasons of Major League Baseball, all in the American League, with the New York Highlanders (1906–07), Detroit T ...

(1903) * Tuck Turner (1901) * Russ Van Atta (1928) * Heinie Wagner (1916) * Tom York (1875)

Notes

External links

Minor League Baseball in Hartford

1931 Senators- Top 100 Minor League Teams of all-time
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519142054/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=26 , date=2011-05-19 Connecticut League teams Sports clubs and teams in Hartford, Connecticut Brooklyn Dodgers minor league affiliates Defunct Atlantic League teams Defunct Connecticut State League teams Defunct Atlantic Association teams Defunct Southern New England League teams Defunct International Association teams Defunct sports clubs and teams in Connecticut 1878 establishments in Connecticut 1934 disestablishments in Connecticut Baseball teams established in 1878 Sports clubs and teams disestablished in 1934 Professional baseball teams in Connecticut Defunct baseball teams in Connecticut Baseball teams disestablished in 1934 Northeastern League teams Colonial League teams Eastern League (1916–1932) teams Defunct Eastern Association teams

History

Vintage Base Ball team

Notable alumni

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 ... alumni

Notable alumni

Notes

External links

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 ...
alumni