Springfield Cubs

The Springfield Cubs, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, was an American minor league baseball franchise that served as a farm club of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball from 1948–1953. It was a member of the Class B New England League in 1948–1949, and the Triple-A International League from 1950–1953, and played at Pynchon Park.

Although the NEL Springfield franchise had mediocre won-loss records in 1948 and 1949, the team finished second in attendance in 1948 and led the New England League in its final season of operation (1949), drawing over 102,000 fans. After the NEL folded in the autumn of 1949, Springfield received a franchise in the International League when the Newark Bears transferred there for 1950. However, the Bears' parent team, the New York Yankees, did not follow, and Springfield retained its Cubs affiliation. It became Chicago's second Triple-A team, along with the Los Angeles Angels, the Cubbies' longtime franchise in the Pacific Coast League. Springfield's first Triple-A manager was Chicago favorite Smilin' Stan Hack.

The Triple-A Springfield franchise drew over 200,000 fans in its maiden season, and just missed the playoffs, finishing fifth in the eight-team International League. Future MLB third baseman Randy Jackson won rookie of the year honors. But that first season could not be duplicated, on or off the field. The Cubs did not have enough depth to field two strong Triple-A clubs, and the 1951–1953 Springfield Cubs placed last in the IL and last, or next to last, in attendance. The franchise folded and was replaced by the Havana Sugar Kings in the 1954 IL lineup.

Notable alumni

• Gene Baker
• Bob Borkowski
• Jim Brosnan
• Smoky Burgess
• Harry Chiti
• Don Elston
• Warren Hacker
• Dave Hillman
• Randy Jackson
• Billy Klaus
• Carmen Mauro
• Ron Northey
• Johnny Pramesa
• Dusty Rhodes

References

• Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 3d edition. Durham, N.C.: Baseball America, 2007.