West Palm Beach Indians

The West Palm Beach Indians were a minor league baseball team based in West Palm Beach, Florida. The team played its home games at Connie Mack Field.[1]

West Palm Beach Indians
1940–1956
(1940–1942, 1946–1956)
West Palm Beach, Florida
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class D (1955–1956)
  • Class B (1949–1954)
  • Class C (1946–1948)
  • Class D (1940–1942)
LeagueFlorida State League (1955–1956)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
  • Cincinnati Redlegs (1956)
  • Philadelphia Athletics (1955)
Team data
Previous names
  • West Palm Beach Sun Chiefs (1956)
  • West Palm Beach Indians (1940–1955)
Previous parks
Connie Mack Field

History

Through its existence, the Indians were mostly an independent team playing in the Florida East Coast League from 1940 to 1942, the Florida International League from 1946 to 1954, and the Florida State League in 1955. In between, they were affiliated with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1950, Havana Sugar Kings in 1954, and Milwaukee Braves in 1955.[1] In 1956, the franchise name was changed to the West Palm Beach Sun Chiefs an affiliate of the Cincinnati Redlegs.[2] Managed by Walt Novick, the 1965 team posted an 81-58 record to finish in third place, ​8 1⁄2 games out of the first place spot. The team included on its roster future big leaguers as Dave Bristol, Duane Richards and Cookie Rojas. The franchise but did not return for the 1957 season.[3]

West Palm Beach was without a professional team until 1965, when the West Palm Beach Braves joined the Florida State League as an affiliate of the Milwaukee Braves.[1]

The ballpark

West Palm Beach played at Connie Mack Field. The ballpark was located at the intersection of Tamarind Avenue and Okeechobee Boulevard. It was demolished in 1992 and a parking garage for the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts occupies the site today. [4]

Notable alumni

Year-by-year record
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
194052-604thCecil Downs / Joe MurffLost in First Round
194184-551stHarry HughesLost League Finals
19429-186thAl ReitzLeague disbanded May 14
194658-644thHerb Thomas (6-21) / Shaw Buck (14-11) / Harry Hughes (38-32)Lost League Finals
194768-866thHarry Hughes
194870-836thRudy Laskowski / Michael Schemer
194974-785thLou Finney
195067-856thClyde Smoll / Rudy Laskowski
195164-757thRudy Laskowski / Herschel Held
195268-856thBilly Holm / Bubba Harris
195357-805thWhitey Platt / Bubba Harris
195447-513rdGil TorresLeague disbanded July 27
195571-685thBill Steineckenone

[5]



Sources
  1. "Baseball Reference – West Palm Beach, Florida, Minor League City Encyclopedia".
  2. 1956 West Palm Beach Sun Chiefs
  3. 1956 Florida State League
  4. https://www.deadballbaseball.com/?p=7331
  5. BR Bullpen – West Palm Beach Indians


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