Willows Cardinals

The Willows Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Willows, California from 1948 to 1950. The Cardinals played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Far West League as a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate.

Willows Cardinals
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1948–1950)
LeagueFar West League (1948–1950)
Major league affiliations
TeamSt. Louis Cardinals (1948–1950)
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Wild card berths (1)1949
Team data
NameWillows Cardinals (1948–1950)
BallparkAjax Field (1948–1950)

History

Semi–professional level baseball in Willows, began in 1900, with the Willows Giants.[1]

The Willows 1948 minor league franchise was supported by locals John Baker, Larry Cummins, Arno Poggi and others, who helped secure a franchise.[1]

The Willows Cardinals began minor league baseball play in 1948 as charter members of the eight–team Class D level Far West League.[2] The "Cardinals" moniker reflected the franchise playing an as affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Joining Willows as charter members of the Far West League were the Klamath Falls Gems, Marysville Braves, Medford Dodgers, Oroville Red Sox, Pittsburg Diamonds, Redding Browns and Santa Rosa Pirates.[3]

Beginning play in the 1948 Far West League, the Willows Cardinals placed 5th with a 62–63 record, playing the season under managers James Tyack and Bill Krueger. The Cardinals finished 8.5 games behind the 1st place Oroville Red Sox in the final Far West League regular season standings. The team did not qualify for the playoffs.[4][5]

Continuing play in the 1949 Far West League season, Willows qualified for the playoffs. The 1949 Cardinals placed 3rd as the league lost two teams during the season, completing the season playing as a six–team league.[4] With a 68–68 record under managers Bert Bonomi and Fred Fass, the Cardinals finished 15.5 games behind the 1st place Pittsburg Diamonds in the final regular season standings. In the playoffs, eventual champion Pittsburg defeated Willows 3 games to 2 in the 1st round.[6][7]

In their final season of play, the 1950 Willows Cardinals finished last eight–team Far West League.[4] With a record of 54–85 under manager Ray Malgradi, Willows finished 33.0 games behind the 1st place Klamath Falls Gems, missing the playoffs.[8]

Willows permanently folded from minor league play following the 1950 season, as the Far West League reduced to six teams in their final season of 1951.[9]

Ballpark

The Willows Cardinals played home games at Ajax Field. The ballpark was located at North Culver Avenue & West Walnut Street, Willows, California.[10]Ajax Field was named for Tom Ajax, a local businessman and long time manager of the local Willows Giants team, who died in 1949. The ballpark grandstand was completely destroyed by fire in 1961.[1]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliate
1948–19503Willows CardinalsClass DFar West LeagueSt. Louis Cardinals

Year-by-year record

(from BR Bullpen)

YearRecordFinishManagerAttendancePlayoffs
194862–635thJames Tyack / Bill Krueger21,314Did not qualify
194968–583rdBert Bonomi / Fred Fass24,918Lost 1st round
195054–858thRay Malgradi17,128Did not qualify

Notable alumni

See also

Willows Cardinals players

References
  1. "Ajax Field and remembering the good old days in Willows". goodoldsandlotdays.com.
  2. "1948 Far West League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. "1948 Far West League (FWL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "Far West League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "1948 Willows Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1949 Far West League (FWL) Minor League Baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1949 Willows Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1950 Willows Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "Willows, California Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "Ajax Field in Willows, CA minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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