Winter Haven Super Sox
Encyclopedia
The Winter Haven Super Sox were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association
in 1989. The club featured future Hall of Fame
r Ferguson Jenkins
as part of its pitching staff. In the league's inaugural season, the Super Sox struggled and went through several managerial changes. Player/manager Bill Lee
was replaced after just seven games by Ed Nottle
, who was in turn replaced by Leon Roberts
. Cecil Cooper
retired after just 16 games with the club. The club finished in last place in the Northern Division and did not make the playoffs. Despite the team's poor performance, pitcher Bill Campbell led the league with a 2.12 ERA
. After their first season, the Winter Haven Super Sox ceased operations.
Home Ballpark: Chain of Lakes Park
Managers: Bill Lee
(1-6; player/manager), Ed Nottle
, Leon Roberts
(12-20; player/manager)
Coaches: Dalton Jones
, Doug Griffin
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
in 1989. The club featured future Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
r Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
as part of its pitching staff. In the league's inaugural season, the Super Sox struggled and went through several managerial changes. Player/manager Bill Lee
Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher)
William Francis Lee III , nicknamed "Spaceman", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox from - and the Montreal Expos from -...
was replaced after just seven games by Ed Nottle
Ed Nottle
Edward William Nottle , nicknamed "Singing Ed" because of his avocation as a singer, is a former minor league baseball relief pitcher and manager....
, who was in turn replaced by Leon Roberts
Leon Roberts
Leon Kauffman Roberts is a former major league outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Kansas City Royals...
. Cecil Cooper
Cecil Cooper
Cecil Celester Cooper , nicknamed "Coop," is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball and the former manager of the Houston Astros. From through , Cooper played for the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers...
retired after just 16 games with the club. The club finished in last place in the Northern Division and did not make the playoffs. Despite the team's poor performance, pitcher Bill Campbell led the league with a 2.12 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. After their first season, the Winter Haven Super Sox ceased operations.
Home Ballpark: Chain of Lakes Park
Chain of Lakes Park
Chain of Lakes Park is a baseball field located in Winter Haven, Florida. The stadium was built in 1966 and holds 7,000 people. It was the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox from 1966 to 1992, after which the Red Sox relocated operations to City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida.In...
Managers: Bill Lee
Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher)
William Francis Lee III , nicknamed "Spaceman", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox from - and the Montreal Expos from -...
(1-6; player/manager), Ed Nottle
Ed Nottle
Edward William Nottle , nicknamed "Singing Ed" because of his avocation as a singer, is a former minor league baseball relief pitcher and manager....
, Leon Roberts
Leon Roberts
Leon Kauffman Roberts is a former major league outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Kansas City Royals...
(12-20; player/manager)
Coaches: Dalton Jones
Dalton Jones
James Dalton Jones is a former Major League Baseball player who played nine seasons in the big leagues for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and Texas Rangers .-Biography:...
, Doug Griffin
1989 Opening Day Roster
- Pitchers: Jim BibbyJim BibbyJames Blair Bibby was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 12-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1984 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he was a member of its 1979 World Series Champions...
, Mark BombackMark Bomback (baseball)Mark Vincent Bomback was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Sources:...
, Pedro BorbónPedro BorbónSpudro spärde Von Dolan is a former pitcher. He played Major League Baseball for 12 seasons for four teams, including 10 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds , playing on two World Series winning teams...
, Darrell Brandon, Bill Campbell, Mike CuellarMike CuellarMiguel Ángel Cuellar Santana [KWAY-ar] was a Cuban left-handed starting pitcher who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and California Angels...
, Ferguson JenkinsFerguson JenkinsFerguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
, John LaRoseJohn LaRoseHenry John LaRose is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the season. Listed at 6' 1", 185 lb., he batted and threw left-handed....
, Bill LeeBill Lee (left-handed pitcher)William Francis Lee III , nicknamed "Spaceman", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox from - and the Montreal Expos from -...
, Jim WilloughbyJim WilloughbyJames Arthur Willoughby is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox...
, Rick WiseRick WiseRichard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons... - Catchers: Gary AllensonGary AllensonGary Martin Allenson is a former Major League Baseball catcher and the current manager of the Norfolk Tides, the AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.-Playing career:...
, Doug Simunic - Infielders: Cecil CooperCecil CooperCecil Celester Cooper , nicknamed "Coop," is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball and the former manager of the Houston Astros. From through , Cooper played for the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers...
, Mario GuerreroMario GuerreroMario Miguel Guerrero Abud is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for four teams in an eight-year career from to .Guerrero signed with the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in...
, Butch HobsonButch HobsonClell Lavern "Butch" Hobson, Jr. is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Hobson played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.After retiring, he managed the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox...
, Dalton JonesDalton JonesJames Dalton Jones is a former Major League Baseball player who played nine seasons in the big leagues for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and Texas Rangers .-Biography:...
, Tom McMillan, Joe PittmanJoe PittmanJoseph Wayne Pittman is a retired Major League Baseball infielder. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants. He was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the amateur draft... - Outfielders: Al BumbryAl BumbryAlonza Benjamin Bumbry is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres from 1972 through 1985.-Playing career:...
, Bernie CarboBernie CarboBernardo 'Bernie' Carbo is a former outfielder and designated hitter who played from through for the Cincinnati Reds , St. Louis Cardinals , Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, Pete LaCockPete LaCockRalph Pierre "Pete" LaCock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/outfielder.In 1975, he hit the only grand slam of his career, on the final pitch ever thrown by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson.-Career:LaCock was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 1970...
(also with St. Petersburg), Gene RichardsGene Richards (baseball)Eugene Richards Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played eight seasons in the majors, from 1977 until 1984, for the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. He was born in Monticello, South Carolina.-See also:...
, Leon RobertsLeon RobertsLeon Kauffman Roberts is a former major league outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Kansas City Royals... - Disabled list: Julio Soto, Scipio SpinksScipio SpinksScipio Ronald Spinks was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals between 1969 and 1973. He was a promising prospect until injuries prematurely ended his career....
- Other Players: Matt AlexanderMatt AlexanderMatthew Alexander was a Utility Player for the Chicago Cubs , Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Ron Dunn, Ben OglivieBen OglivieBenjamin Ambrosio Oglivie Palmer is a former Major League Baseball left fielder for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and the Milwaukee Brewers . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes...
, Tony ScottTony Scott (baseball)Anthony Scott is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Montreal Expos:Scott was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 71st round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. After five seasons in their farm system, he received a September call-up to the Expos in...