Kinston Expos

Did You Know?

• The Kinston Expos were the result of an experiment by Montreal to have two High-A affiliates, with all top players placed in West Palm Beach.
• Attendance for the Expos fell to only 27,000 in their final season.
• The Expos franchise folded after the 1974 season when Montreal withdrew and Kinston had no major league sponsor.

History

Kinston's return to Carolina League baseball was successful both on the field and in attendance. The Eagles won their first Carolina League crown, attracting over 140,000 fans despite a local population of only 25,000. The Pittsburgh Pirates supplied talent including Steve Blass (17–3, 1.97 ERA, 209 strikeouts) and Frank Bork (19–7, 2.00 ERA). The team was community-owned under the non-profit Kinston Eagles Baseball Company, run by an elected unpaid board of directors, with profits reinvested into stadium improvements, promotion, and youth equipment.

This arrangement lasted through all thirteen years of Kinston's second Carolina League tenure. When minor league baseball was restructured, the Carolina League became a High-A circuit. The Eagles made the playoffs in six of thirteen seasons but won no championships in this era. The Eagles then affiliated with the Atlanta Braves for two seasons under manager Andy Pafko, followed by a New York Yankees affiliation through 1974, during which future all-stars including Ron Guidry played in Kinston.

Grainger Stadium

The Kinston Expos and all Kinston teams since 1949 played at Grainger Stadium, located at 400 East Grainger Avenue. Designed by architect John J. Rowland, the stadium was built in 1949 for $170,000, with $150,000 raised by bond issue. Owned by the city and leased by the team, it was originally named "Municipal Stadium" but has always been called Grainger Stadium, after its street and Grainger High School.