Welch Miners
Encyclopedia
The Welch Miners were a Minor league baseball
team based in Welch, West Virginia
. The team operated from 1937 through 1942 in the Mountain State League
and in the Appalachian League
from 1946 to 1955. Their ballpark data is not available.
Over the course of nineteen seasons, the Welch Miners were affiliated with the Boston Braves
(1942, 1952), Philadelphia Athletics
(1947-'50, 1953-'55) and Cincinnati Reds
(1951).
The team won consecutive league titles in 1952 and 1953, and moved to Marion, Virginia
during the 1955 midseason, changing their name to the Marion Athletics.
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...
team based in Welch, West Virginia
Welch, West Virginia
Welch is a city located in McDowell County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The population was 2,406 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1893, it is the county seat of McDowell County.-History:...
. The team operated from 1937 through 1942 in the Mountain State League
Mountain State League
The Mountain State League was a Class-D professional baseball league that existed from 1936 to 1941 and a Class-C league in 1942.-1937:The league began play in 1937 with six teams: the Beckley Bengals, based in Beckley, West Virginia; the Welch Miners, based in Welch, West Virginia; the Williamson...
and in the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
from 1946 to 1955. Their ballpark data is not available.
Over the course of nineteen seasons, the Welch Miners were affiliated with the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1942, 1952), Philadelphia 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....
(1947-'50, 1953-'55) and 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....
(1951).
The team won consecutive league titles in 1952 and 1953, and moved to Marion, Virginia
Marion, Virginia
Marion is a town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,968 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Smyth County. The town is named for American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion.-Tourism:...
during the 1955 midseason, changing their name to the Marion Athletics.
Team history
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager(s) | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59-43 | 2nd | Eddie Krajnik | Lost in 2nd round | ||
| 56-64 | 4th | Eddie Krajnik Charles Bowie Carlos Ratliff |
Lost in 1st round | ||
| 72-57 | 2nd | Sam Gray | Lost in 1st round | ||
| 63-62 | 4th | Tex Stuart Roy Hall |
Lost in 1st round | ||
| 64-62 | 4th | Fred Neisler | Lost in league finals | ||
| 67-55 | 2nd | Don Manno | Lost in 1st round | ||
| 33-84 | 8th | Steve Secik George Smiley Jim McNeish Joe Santomauro |
|||
| 49-74 | 8th | Walter Youse Joe Bird |
|||
| 70-53 | 2nd | Woody Wheaton | Lost in 1st round | ||
| 48-73 | 6th | William Hoffner Mike Kreshka |
|||
| 46-76 | 6th | Eddie Morgan Woody Wheaton |
|||
| 54-74 | 6th | Mike Blazo | |||
| 59-57 | 3rd | Jack Crosswhite | League Champs | ||
| 82-43 | 2nd | Jack Crosswhite | League Champs | ||
| 59-54 | 4th | Jack Crosswhite | Lost in 1st round | ||
| 45-77 | 8th | Herb Mancini | |||