Albany Senators (minor league baseball)
Encyclopedia
The Albany Senators was the name of an American
minor league baseball
franchise representing Albany, New York
, that existed between 1885 and 1959. The Senators fielded teams in higher-classification leagues such as the New York State League
, the Eastern League
that played between 1916 and 1932, the International League
, the 1923-37 New York-Pennsylvania League
, and the modern Eastern League, in which it played 22 consecutive seasons, 1938-59, before the team disbanded. The Senators also played in "outlaw" minor leagues such as the Hudson River League during the 19th century in between stints in "organized baseball."
The Senators won six league championships over their organized baseball history, the last in . The club was a powerhouse during the 1940s as a Class A farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates
, posting winning records between 1942-48, making the Eastern League playoffs six times, leading in attendance five times, and taking the 1945 EL championship. Among the Pittsburgh farmhands who played for the club was Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner
, in 1941-42.
Over the years, the Senators were also affiliated with the New York Yankees
, Cincinnati Reds
, Boston Red Sox
and Kansas City Athletics
. The last-place 1959 Senators — the latest in a succession of poor clubs — drew only 45,000 fans for the season and Albany was dropped from the Eastern League when it contracted from eight to six teams for 1960. Professional baseball and the EL would not return to New York
's state capital until 1983, when the West Haven A's moved to the area as the Albany-Colonie A's.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
franchise representing Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, that existed between 1885 and 1959. The Senators fielded teams in higher-classification leagues such as the New York State League
New York State League
This article refers to the modern New York State League. For the original incarnations of the New York State League see New York State League ...
, the Eastern League
Eastern League (baseball, 1916-32)
The Eastern League of 1916 through the mid-season of 1932 was an American minor baseball league and the third of four circuits to use the Eastern League name since the 19th century...
that played between 1916 and 1932, the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, the 1923-37 New York-Pennsylvania League
New York-Pennsylvania League (early 20th century)
The New York-Pennsylvania League of 1923 through 1937 was an American minor league baseball circuit.The forerunner to the modern Class AA Eastern League, it was a Class B circuit through 1932 and upgraded to Class A for the final five seasons of its existence. It is actually the second of three...
, and the modern Eastern League, in which it played 22 consecutive seasons, 1938-59, before the team disbanded. The Senators also played in "outlaw" minor leagues such as the Hudson River League during the 19th century in between stints in "organized baseball."
The Senators won six league championships over their organized baseball history, the last in . The club was a powerhouse during the 1940s as a Class A farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, posting winning records between 1942-48, making the Eastern League playoffs six times, leading in attendance five times, and taking the 1945 EL championship. Among the Pittsburgh farmhands who played for the club was Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner
Ralph Kiner
Ralph McPherran Kiner is an American former Major League Baseball player and has been an announcer for the New York Mets since the team's inception. Though injuries forced his retirement from active play after 10 seasons, Kiner's tremendous slugging outpaced nearly all of his National League...
, in 1941-42.
Over the years, the Senators were also affiliated with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. The last-place 1959 Senators — the latest in a succession of poor clubs — drew only 45,000 fans for the season and Albany was dropped from the Eastern League when it contracted from eight to six teams for 1960. Professional baseball and the EL would not return to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's state capital until 1983, when the West Haven A's moved to the area as the Albany-Colonie A's.