Natchez Giants

The Natchez Giants was a primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Natchez, Mississippi in various seasons from 1893–1953. The Natchez Giants played in the Evangeline League (1942, 1946–1947) and were an affiliate of the New York Giants (1942).

Natchez Giants
1893–1953
(1893–1894, 1902–1905, 1940–1942, 1946–1953)
Natchez, Mississippi
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class C (1948–1953)
  • Class D (1902–1905, 1941–1942, 1946–1947)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 4 1902, 1942, 1949, 1951
Team data
Previous names
  • Natchez (1893–1894)
  • Natchez Indians (1902–1905)
  • Natchez Pilgrims (1940–1941)
  • Natchez Giants (1942, 1946–1957)
  • Natchez Indians (1948–1953)
Previous parks
  • Athletic Park (1893–1894, 1902–1905)
  • Liberty Park (1940–1942, 1946–1953)

History

Natchez began play in minor league baseball as a member of the Mississippi State League (1893–1894).[1]

The Natchez Indians played in the Cotton States League (1902–1905). The Indians were founding members of the Cotton States League in 1902, along with the Baton Rouge Cajuns, Greenville Cotton Pickers and Vicksburg Hill Climbers. The Natchez Indians were Cotton States League Champions in 1902. Natchez finished 3rd in 1903 (59–59) and 6th in 1904 (42–74). The Indians were 18–27 on June 26, 1905, when the franchise moved to Mobile, Alabama and became the Mobile Sea Gulls.[2][3][4]

After a 25-year span between teams, the Natchez Pilgrims began play in the 1940 Evangeline League. The Houma Buccaneers moved to Natchez on June 27, 1940. The Pilgrims finished 7th in both 1940 and 1941.[5][6][7]

In 1942, Natchez became an affiliate of the New York Giants and became the Natchez Giants. The Evangeline League suspended play on May 30, 1942 season, with the Giants in 1st place (29–10). The League resumed in 1946, with the Natchez Giants finishing 2nd in 1946 and being eliminated in the playoffs. The Giants finished 6th in 1947.[7][8]

In 1948, Natchez joined the Cotton States League as the Natchez Indians. The Indians played in the league from 1948–1953, capturing the 1949 and 1951 Cotton States League championships and losing in the league Finals in 1950 and 1952. Natchez folded after a 50–75, 7th-place finish in the 1953 season.[2][3]

The ballparks

Early Natchez teams played at Athletic Park in Natchez, Mississippi.[9]

Beginning in 1940, Natchez teams played at Liberty Park. The ballpark had a capacity 1,400 (1941) and 2,700 (1949). Still in use today, Liberty Park is located at 301 Liberty Road, Natchez, Mississippi, 39120.[10][11]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "1893 Natchez Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "Cotton States League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "Natchez Indians - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "Mobile Sea Gulls - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "Houma Buccaneers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "Natchez Pilgrims - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  7. "Evangeline League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  8. "Natchez Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  9. "Athletic Park in Natchez, MS history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "Liberty Park in Natchez, MS history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "Liberty Park - Natchez, Mississippi - Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
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