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 ...

teams were based in

Meriden, Connecticut Meriden ( ) is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located halfway between the regional cities of New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford. The city is part of the South Central Connecticut Planni ...

in various seasons between 1884 and 1913. Meriden teams played as members of the

Connecticut State 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 for most of its existence. It began as offshoot of the original Connecti ...

(1884–1885),

Southern New England League The New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played intermittently in five of the six New England states (Vermont excepted) between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Ba ...

(1885), Eastern League (1886), Connecticut State League (1888, 1891, 1895, 1897–1902),

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 ...

(1903), Connecticut State League (1904-1905, 1908),

Connecticut Association The Connecticut Association was a Class D (baseball), Class D level minor league baseball league that played in the 1910 season. The four–team Connecticut Association consisted of franchises based exclusively in Connecticut. The Connecticut Ass ...

(1910) and

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 ...

(1913).

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 ...

members

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 ...

(1884), Frank Grant (1887) and

Ed Walsh Edward Augustine Walsh (May 14, 1881 – May 26, 1959) was an American pitcher and manager (baseball), manager in Major League Baseball, nicknamed "Big Ed". From 1906 to 1912, he had several seasons where he was one of the best pitchers in baseb ...

(1902–1903) played for Meriden minor league teams.

History

1884 to 1898

Minor league baseball play began in

, in 1884. The Meriden team became members of the

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in Pennsylvania, United States * Independentes (English: Independents), a Portuguese artist ...

level

. Meriden ended their first season with a record of 25–22 to place second in the six–team league standings. Managed by George Lyon and Albert Boardman, Meriden finished 9.0 games behind the first place Waterbury team. Baseball Hall of Fame member

played for Meriden in 1884, at age 21, in his first professional season. It was reported that local lawyer and team promoter Cornelius J. Danaher, signed Cornelius McGillicuddy, Mack's given name, as catcher for a salary of $90 per month. On September 15, 1884, it was reported that Meriden won a disputed contest against Hartford. Meriden was leading 5–3 in the 9th inning, when Hartford forfeited the game, refusing to play with a new baseball after the previous ball was hit foul into a marsh area. Earlier in the game, Connie Mack hit the only home run of the season at the Meriden Ball Park. On July 1, 1947, the city of Meriden reportedly hosted "Connie Mack Day" as a celebration of his accomplishments in baseball. Mack was noted to have brought his

Philadelphia Athletics The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, they became the Oakland ...

team to Meriden "many times" to play local teams in his years of owning and managing the team. The City of Meriden placed Connie Mack in their hall of fame in 1980. The 1885 Meriden Maroons played in two leagues during the season and won championships in both. The Maroons began the season as members of the

. The league folded on August 25, 1885, and reformed, leaving Meriden with a 41–21 record and in first place under manager William Thomas when the league stopped play. The league then restructured to become the Connecticut State League, beginning play on August 27, 1885. The Maroons again finished first as the team compiled an 8–2 record in the remaining Connecticut State League portion of the season, continuing play under manager William Thomas. Meriden continued minor league play in 1886, adopting the Meriden Silvermen moniker. The Silvermen became members of the eight–team Independent level Eastern League. The Meriden Silvermen franchise folded July 13, 1886, with a record of 12–34. Jack Remsen and Walter Burnham were the Meriden managers. Baseball Hall of Fame member Frank Grant played for the 1886 Meriden Silvermen, integrating the team in the era before the

Negro leagues The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relativel ...

were formed and race restrictions imposed. Reportedly, Grant was one of six black players playing in the otherwise all–white baseball leagues in 1886. After the Silvermen folded, Frank Grant played the remainder of the season for the

Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...

in the International League. In 1886, it was reported that Meriden was the smallest city in the Eastern League and that the franchise had suffered financially due to a schedule that had no weekend dates during May and only seven total home games during May, 1886. The financial hardships from lack of revenue were noted to have contributed to the franchise folding. The Meriden team returned to minor league play in 1888, winning a championship in a shortened season. Meriden began the season, playing as members of the six–team Connecticut State League. The league folded July 25, 1888, with Meriden in first place with a 9–3 record, ending the season as Connecticut State League champions. The Connecticut State League resumed play in 1891, with Meriden as a member of the ten–team league. The league folded June 13, 1891. Meriden was in second place with a record of 10–4, playing under manager Tom Reilly, when the league folded. In 1895, the Meriden Silvermen became members of the four–team Connecticut State League, which played a shortened season. The Silverman compiled a record of 4–3 to place second in the league standings. Connie Miller and Tom Reilly were managers, as the Connecticut State League played from July 2, 1895, to August 31, 1895. The 1897 Meriden Bulldogs won a championship as the franchise resumed play. Playing as members of the six–team Class F level Connecticut State League, the Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 52–21 to place first in the final standings. Jack Chapman managed the league champions, who finished 5.0 games ahead of the second place Derby Angelsin the final standings. Meriden would play uninterrupted through the 1905 season. The Meriden Bulldogs continued play in the 1898 eight–team Class F level Connecticut State League. The Bulldogs placed fifth in the standings, compiling a record of 46–48 under returning manager Jack Chapman. Meriden finished 8.0 games behind the first place Waterbury Pirates in the final standings.

1899 to 1905

Meriden adopted the "Meriden Silverites" moniker in 1899 and would play a predominant number of seasons under the nickname. Continuing play in the Class F level Connecticut State League, the Silverites compiled a record of 44–47, placing fifth in the eight–team league. Managed in 1899 by A. R. Penny and George Courtney, Meriden finished 9.5 games behind the first place New Haven Blues in the final standings. Meriden, Connecticut use of the "Silverites" and their other silver related nicknames corresponds to local history and industry. Meriden is called the "Silver City." In the era, there were numerous silver companies based in Meriden, including the

Meriden Britannia Company The Meriden Britannia Company was formed in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut, as a manufacturing company focused on producing wares in britannia metal. It became, for a time, the largest Household silver, silverware company in the world.(Undated)"Phil ...

, founded in 1852. The Silverites placed 5th in the 1900 Class F level Connecticut State League. Playing under managers Connie Miller, A.R. Penny and Tom Reilly, Meriden ended the season with a record of 47–48. The Meriden Silverites finished 16.0 games behind the first place Norwich Witches. Adopting the Silver Citys moniker in 1901, Meriden placed fourth in the eight–team Class F level Connecticut State League. The Silver Citys compiled a record of 55–50, playing the season under the direction of returning manager Tom Reilly. Also called the "Miler" team in 1901, Meriden finished the season 10.0 games behind the first place Bristol Woodchoppers in the final league standings. Meriden returned to the "Meriden Silverites" moniker in 1902, as the eight–team Connecticut State League became a Class D level league. Ending the season with a final record of 51–58, the Silverites placed sixth in the league. Meriden was managed by Connie Miller and Tommy Tucker. The Silverites ended the season 17.5 games behind the first place New Haven Blues team. At age 21, Baseball Hall of Fame member

played for the Meriden Silverites in 1902 in his first professional season. Walsh signed his first professional contract with the Meriden Silverites, earning $150 per month. Walsh ended the season with a 16–5 record and 2.31 ERA for the Silverites, pitching in 22 games. The 1903 Meriden Silverites were the runner–up, as the league changed names for one season. Meriden ended the season with a record of 60–41 to place second in eight-team Class D level

. Managed by Sam Kennedy, the Silverites ended the season 4.5 games behind the first place

Holyoke Paperweights The Holyoke Paperweights were a professional minor league baseball team based in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, that played in the now defunct Connecticut League from 1903 to 1911. From 1907 to 1911, they were also known as the Papermakers. The team ...

in the final standings. In 1903, Ed Walsh continued play with Meriden, compiling an 11–10 record with a 2.14 ERA in 21 games. Walsh began his Hall of Fame major league career the next season with the

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 ...

. While playing in Meriden, Connecticut, it was noted that Ed Walsh met his wife Rosemary Carney, who sold ice cream at the ballpark in Meriden. The pair settled in Meriden, raised a family and lived there during Walsh's career in the major leagues. After his retirement from baseball, Walsh became a chemical engineer, working at a filtration plant for the Meriden municipal water department. Walsh also loved the game of golf and reportedly became the course professional in Meriden. The Silverites finished in last place in the 1904 season. With a record of 31–84, Meriden placed eighth under manager Sam Kennedy. The Class D level league returned to "Connecticut State League" name, as Meriden finished 39.0 games behind the first place Bridgeport Orators. 1905 the Meriden Silverites placed fifth, as the Connecticut State League became a Class B level League. The Silverites ended the season with a final record of 49–64, led by returning manager Sam Kennedy. Meriden finished 19.0 games behind the first place Holyoke Paperweights. The Meriden Silverites folded after the season and did not return to play as members of the 1906 Connecticut State League.

1908 to 1913

After a two-season hiatus, the Meriden Silverites franchise returned to minor league play in 1908. Meriden rejoined the eight–team Class B level Connecticut State League in what was their final season as a member of the league. The Silverites placed seventh, with a final record of 54–72. Playing the season under the direction of manager Billy Lush, Meriden ended their last Connecticut State League season 30.5 games behind the first place

Springfield Ponies Springfield Ponies was the primary name of minor-league baseball teams based in Springfield, Massachusetts, that played between 1893 and 1943. The team competed as the Ponies through its history, except for single seasons as the Maroons (1895), T ...

in the standings. The Meriden franchise folded following the 1908 season and did not return to the 1909 Connecticut State League. In 1910, Meriden, Connecticut regained a franchise for a partial season. On July 10, 1910, the Norwich Bonbons of the four–team Class D level

moved to Meriden with a record of 19–21. Based in Meriden, the franchise became the Meriden Doublins on July 15, 1910, playing their first home game on July 19, 1910. The team had an 0–4 record while briefly based in Meriden, as the franchise disbanded on July 24, 1910. the Norwich/Meriden team finished with an overall record of 19–25, playing under managers Dennis Hayes, John Stone and Patsy Flanagan. The Connecticut Association permanently stopped play on August 4, 1910, never to reform. In the final season of minor league baseball, the 1913 Meriden Hopes finished last, as the team played a partial season as members of the Class B level

. The Holyoke Papermakers, with a 24–52 record, moved to Meriden on July 11, 1913. After compiling a record of 16–43 based in Meriden, the team ended the season with an overall record of 40–95, placing eighth, playing under manager

Jim Garry James Thomas Garry (September 21, 1869 – January 13, 1917) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for the 1893 Boston Beaneaters. He had an extensive career as a minor league baseball player, which stretched from 1891 through 1913. He played ...

in both locations. The Holyoke/Meriden team finished 45.0 games behind the first place

Hartford Senators The Hartford Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They operated in the Connecticut League from 1902–1912, the Eastern Association from 1913–1914, the Eastern League from 1916–1932 and the Northeastern ...

in the final standings. The Meriden franchise folded following the 1913 season and did not return to the 1914 Eastern Association. Meriden, Connecticut has not hosted another minor league team.

The ballpark

For their duration of play, aside from their first season, Meriden minor league teams were noted to have hosted home games at the Meriden Ball Park. Reportedly, the ballpark opened on May 12, 1885. PostcardMeridenCTViewFromTownHallTwr1907

PostcardMeridenCTViewFromTownHallTwr1907

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

* Frank Grant (1886), Inducted

2006 *

(1884), Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame 1937 *

(1902), Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame 1946 * John Ake (1886) * Dave Altizer (1902–1904) * Ed Barney (1913) * George Bone (1897, 1904–1905) * Frank Burke (1902–1905) * James Burke (1885) * Tom Catterson (1913) *

Bill Clay William Lacy "Bill" Clay Sr. (born April 30, 1931) is an American politician from Missouri who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st congressional district representing portions of St. Louis for 3 ...

(1900–1901, 1903) * John Crowley (1885) * John Cuff (1886) * Tom Daly (1885) * Dummy Deegan (1902) * Tom Donovan (1897–1898) *

Jerry Dorgan Jeremiah F. Dorgan (1856 – June 10, 1891) was an American professional baseball player from 1879 to 1887. He played four seasons of Major League Baseball as a right fielder and catcher for five major league clubs. He appeared in 131 major ...

(1884, 1886) * Tom Downey (1902) * Pat Duff (1910) * Steve Dunn (1886) *

Cy Ferry Alfred Joseph "Cy" Ferry (September 1, 1877 – September 27, 1938) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for two seasons. He pitched in three games for the Detroit Tigers during the 1904 Detroit Tigers season and in one game for the ...

(1901) *

Steamer Flanagan James Paul Flanagan (April 20, 1881 – April 21, 1947) was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates just at the end of the 1905 season (September 25-October 7). The 24-year-old rookie, who stood and weighed ...

(1901–1903) * Jocko Flynn (1885) *

Frank Foreman Francis Isaiah Foreman (May 1, 1863 – November 19, 1957) was an American pitcher who played professional baseball from 1884 to 1905. He played for eight different major league teams. Listed at , 160 lb., Foreman batted and threw right-hand ...

(1905) * Frank Foutz (1899–1900) *

(1913, MGR) * Charlie Gessner (1885) * Billy Gleason (1913) *

Harry Gleason Harry Gilbert Gleason (March 28, 1875 – October 21, 1961) was a utility infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1901 through 1905 for the Boston Americans (1901–03) and St. Louis Browns (1904–05). Listed at 5' 6", 16 ...

(1900) *

Joe Gunson Joseph Brook Gunson (March 23, 1863 – November 15, 1942) was a Major League Baseball catcher between and . Biography Born in Philadelphia, Gunson played for the Cleveland Spiders, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Cowboys, Baltimore Orioles, ...

(1885) * Joe Harrington (1904) * Mike Hickey (1900–1901) * Jack Hoey (1913) * Larry Hoffman (1903) * Harry Howell (1898) * Al Hubbard (1884) *

Jumping Jack Jones Daniel Albion "Jumping Jack" Jones, Jr. (October 23, 1860 – October 19, 1936) was an American professional baseball pitcher, dentist and voice trainer. He played in Major League Baseball in 1883, splitting the season between the Detroit Wolver ...

(1885) * Slats Jordan (1900) * Bill Karns (1905) * Pete Lamer (1901) *

Billy Lauder William Lauder (February 23, 1874 – May 20, 1933) was an American professional baseball third baseman and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, and New York Giants. Career After ...

(1895) * Ed Lennox (1905) * Billy Lush (1908, MGR) * Jimmy Mathison (1900) * Swat McCabe (1905) * Jerry McCormick (1886) * John Meister (1884–1885) * George Moolic (1885) * Willie Murphy (1885–1886) *

Gene Moriarty Eugene John Moriarty (January 6, 1863 – May 18, 1904) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These def ...

(1884) *

Bob Pettit Robert E. Lee Pettit Jr. ( ; born December 12, 1932) is an American former professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association, NBA, all with the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965). In ...

(1884, 1897) *

Jack Remsen John Jay Remsen (April, 1850 – After 1884), was an American Major League Baseball player who played mainly in center field for eight teams in nine seasons, from 1872 to 1884. He played for the Brooklyn Atlantics, New York Mutuals, Hartfor ...

(1886) * Dorsey Riddlemoser (1903) * Jimmy Ryan (1884) Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame * Spike Shannon (1900) * Doug Smith (1913) * Tom Stankard (1913) * Mike Sullivan (1884–1885) * Len Swormstedt (1913) *

Sleeper Sullivan Thomas Jefferson Sullivan (1859 – October 13, 1909) was an Irish born catcher in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "Sleeper" and "Old Iron Hands", Sullivan played for the National League's Buffalo Bisons, the American Association's St. Louis ...

(1886) * Tommy Tucker (1902, MGR) * Tom Tuckey (1908) * Bob Unglaub (1900) *

Ham Wade Abraham Lincoln "Ham" Wade (December 20, 1879 – July 21, 1968) was a Major League Baseball player. Wade played in one game in the 1907 season with the New York Giants. He was hit by a pitch in his only plate appearance, giving him a perfect OB ...

(1908) * Johnny Wanner (1913) * John Walsh (1902) * Gary Wilson (1898–1900) *

Pete Wilson Peter Barton Wilson (born August 23, 1933) is an American attorney and politician who served as governor of California from 1991 to 1999. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, Wilson previously served as a United S ...

(1913) *

Meriden Silverites players Meriden may refer to: Places United Kingdom *Meriden, Hertfordshire, England, a suburb of Watford; see List of United Kingdom locations: Me-Mic, List of United Kingdom locations *Meriden, West Midlands, England *Meriden (UK Parliament constituency ...

Meriden Bulldogs players Meriden may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Meriden, Hertfordshire, England, a suburb of Watford; see List of United Kingdom locations *Meriden, West Midlands, England *Meriden (UK Parliament constituency), in the West Midlands United States * ...

* Meriden Hopes players *

Meriden Maroons players Meriden may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Meriden, Hertfordshire, England, a suburb of Watford; see List of United Kingdom locations *Meriden, West Midlands, England *Meriden (UK Parliament constituency), in the West Midlands United States * ...

Meriden Miler players Meriden may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Meriden, Hertfordshire, England, a suburb of Watford; see List of United Kingdom locations *Meriden, West Midlands, England *Meriden (UK Parliament constituency), in the West Midlands United States * ...

Meriden Silvermen players Meriden may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Meriden, Hertfordshire, England, a suburb of Watford; see List of United Kingdom locations *Meriden, West Midlands, England *Meriden (UK Parliament constituency), in the West Midlands United States * ...

Meriden (minor league baseball) players Meriden may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Meriden, Hertfordshire, England, a suburb of Watford; see List of United Kingdom locations *Meriden, West Midlands, England *Meriden (UK Parliament constituency), in the West Midlands United States * ...

References

{{Reflist, 2

External links

Meriden - Baseball Reference
Meriden, Connecticut