Cleveland Counts

History

The Counts joined the Appalachian League as a charter member in 1911. Their debut on May 22 ended in a 6–1 defeat to the Johnson City Soldiers, with roughly 500 fans in attendance. Following six straight losses, Cleveland earned its first victory on May 30, beating the Knoxville Appalachians 2–1. The club wrapped up its first season in fifth place out of six teams, posting a 39–56 record.

On August 21, 1912, James Gudger threw a 2–0 no-hitter against Johnson City. The 1912 squad improved to 51–51, good for fourth place. On June 4, 1913, Walter E. Rodgers, serving as both team and league president, gave up the Counts to the league because he worried the circuit might fold after the Bristol Boosters dropped out. The league ran the team until June 7, when it shifted to Morristown, Tennessee, as the Morristown Jobbers.

Cleveland's last games came on May 30 in a doubleheader versus the Rome Romans: an 8–0 win followed by a 6–0 loss, with the series' other four contests rained out. As of June 4, the Counts held second place with a 10–8 mark. The combined Cleveland/Morristown squad ended the season third at 55–46. Cleveland went without a professional baseball team until the Cleveland Manufacturers joined the Appalachian League in 1921.

Did You Know?

• Cleveland's final games were a doubleheader on May 30, 1913, against the Rome Romans, with an 8–0 win and a 6–0 loss.
• The team was in second place with a 10–8 record when it was surrendered to the league on June 4, 1913.
• Seven Counts players later appeared in at least one Major League Baseball game, including Buck Thrasher, who played all three seasons with Cleveland.