Portsmouth Cubs
Portsmouth's long-running Piedmont League franchise with 17 playoff berths.
The Portsmouth Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Portsmouth, Virginia, that played in the Class B level Piedmont League from 1935 to 1955. The team qualified for the league playoffs 17 times in 21 seasons, won the 1945 league championship, and captured league pennants in 1942, 1943, and 1950. Baseball Hall of Fame members Buck Leonard, Tony Lazzeri, and Jimmie Foxx were associated with the club during its tenure.
Quick Facts
- City
- Portsmouth, Virginia
- Class level
- Class B (1935–1955)
- League
- Piedmont League (1935–1955)
- Majorleague
- Chicago Cubs (1935–1938)
- Philadelphia Phillies (1939–1940)
- Chicago Cubs (1941–1947)
- Nickname
- Portsmouth Truckers (1935)
- Portsmouth Cubs (1936–1952)
- Portsmouth Merrimacs (1953–1955)
- Ballpark
- Sewanee Stadium (1935–1940); Frank Lawerence Stadium (1941–1955)
Facts from the source article.
History
Portsmouth had semi-professional baseball as early as 1889, when the Piedmont Manufacturing Baseball Team played in a textile league. The city first hosted minor league baseball in 1895 with the Portsmouth Truckers of the Class B Virginia State League. After the Virginia League folded following the 1928 season, Portsmouth next fielded a minor league team in 1935, when the Truckers joined the six-team Class B Piedmont League. The new franchise replaced the Greensboro Patriots and was owned by local businessman Frank Lawrence, who had owned the 1913 Portsmouth Truckers. The Truckers played the 1935 season as a Chicago Cubs affiliate, hosting home games at Sewanee Stadium. That year, Portsmouth finished with a 67–72 record, placing fifth under manager Pip Koehler, 9.0 games behind first-place Asheville. The league used a split-season schedule; Asheville won the first half and Richmond the second half, and Richmond defeated Asheville in the finals. Portsmouth did not qualify for the playoffs in 1935.
The ballparks
From 1935 to 1941, Portsmouth played home games at Sewanee Stadium, built in 1921. The stadium also hosted professional football teams, including the Portsmouth Cubs and Portsmouth Sewanees of the Dixie League. Field dimensions were 290 feet to left, 385 to center, and 335 to right. Sewanee Stadium was located near Washington Street and Lincoln Street. After Portsmouth Stadium was built in 1936, the Cubs split time between the two venues. Beginning in 1941, the team played mainly at Lawrence Stadium, originally named Portsmouth Stadium and later renamed for owner Frank Lawrence, who helped lead efforts to build the $250,000 ballpark. Lawrence leased the stadium to former Negro leagues player Joe Lewis for exhibitions featuring teams like the Indianapolis Clowns, Kansas City Monarchs, and Homestead Grays. Hall of Famer Josh Gibson reportedly hit a 585-foot home run there. The stadium was located at Queens Street and Jamestown Avenue; after bleachers were demolished in 1992, the site became athletic facilities for I. C. Norcom High School.
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