Joplin Miners
Encyclopedia
The Joplin Miners were a baseball team that lasted on and off from 1902 to 1953. They played in Joplin, Missouri
. Initially, the team was known as the Colts before changing to Miners during the first season of play.
From 1902 to 1904, they played in the Missouri Valley League
, and from 1905 to 1909 and 1910 to 1911, they played in the Western Association
. From 1917 to 1921, they played in the Western League
. They were again in the Western Association from 1922 to 1924 and 1927 to 1932. In 1933, they were back in the Western League, and from 1934 to 1942 and 1946 to 1953, they were in the Western Association.
In 1933, they were affiliated with the St. Louis Browns
and in 1934 they were affiliated with the Boston Red Sox
. For the rest of their existence, they were affiliated with the New York Yankees
.
The team had multiple home ballparks, including Cox Base Ball Park
, Joe Becker Stadium
, and Miners Stadium.
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
. Initially, the team was known as the Colts before changing to Miners during the first season of play.
From 1902 to 1904, they played in the Missouri Valley League
Missouri Valley League
The Missouri Valley League was an American minor league baseball league which operated from 1902 through 1904.-1902:New teams in Nevada, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri, Fort Scott, Kansas, Sedalia, Missouri, Joplin, Missouri, Coffeyville, Kansas, Jefferson City, Missouri, and Iola, Kansas formed...
, and from 1905 to 1909 and 1910 to 1911, they played in the Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
. From 1917 to 1921, they played in the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
. They were again in the Western Association from 1922 to 1924 and 1927 to 1932. In 1933, they were back in the Western League, and from 1934 to 1942 and 1946 to 1953, they were in the Western Association.
In 1933, they were affiliated with the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and in 1934 they were affiliated with the 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"...
. For the rest of their existence, they were 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...
.
The team had multiple home ballparks, including Cox Base Ball Park
Base Ball Park
Base Ball Park served as the home ballpark for the Joplin Miners, a Joplin, Missouri based minor league baseball team in the Missouri Valley League and Western Association, from 1902 to 1908 and from 1910 to 1911....
, Joe Becker Stadium
Joe Becker Stadium
Joe Becker Stadium is a baseball ballpark, built in 1918, located in Joplin, Missouri, USA. It has a current seating capacity of 2,000.Previous tenants include the Joplin Miners, with whom baseball star Mickey Mantle played in 1950...
, and Miners Stadium.
Notable players
- Jack MealeyJack MealeyMaurice F. "Jack" Mealey was a long-time minor league baseball catcher, who also managed in the minor leagues and served as president of the Sooner State League for five years.-Playing career:...
(born 1899) -- minor league baseball catcher, who also managed in the minor leagues and served as president of the Sooner State League - Mickey MantleMickey MantleMickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
, in 1950