Wink Spudders

The Wink Spudders were a minor league baseball team based in Wink, Texas in 1937 and 1938. The Wink Spudders teams played exclusively as members of the West Texas-New Mexico League.

Wink Spudders
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1937–1938)
LeagueWest Texas-New Mexico League (1937–1938)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1937
Wild card berths (1)1938
Team data
NameWink Spudders (1937–1938)
BallparkSpudder Park (1937–1938)

History

Minor league baseball began in Wink, Texas in 1937. The Wink "Spudders" became charter members of the six–team Class D level West Texas-New Mexico League. The Hobbs Drillers, Midland Cardinals, Monahans Trojans, Odessa Oilers and Roswell Sunshiners joining Wink as charter members.[1][2]

The Wink use "Spudders" moniker corresponds to local potato industry and agriculture in Wink, Texas in the era.[3][4]

In their first season of play, the Wink Spudders won the West Texas-New Mexico League championship. Wink began play in the West Texas-New Mexico League on May 4, 1937 and finished the season with a record of 68–50, playing under managers D.E. Perry and Joe Tate. Wink placed 1st overall in the league regular season standings, finishing 12.5 games ahead the 2nd place Roswell Sunshiners. The final overall regular season standings were led Wink, followed by the Roswell Sunshiners (55–62), Monahans Trojans (55–64) and Hobbs Drillers (45–74). The Odessa Oilers (28–17) and Midland Cardinals (41–25) franchises both folded before the end of the season. In the 1st round of the playoffs, Wink swept the Hobbs Drillers in 3 games to advance. In the Finals, Wink defeated the Roswell Sunshiners 3 games to 0 to win the championship. Robert Hood of Wink had a Triple Crown season, leading the West Texas-New Mexico League with a .372 average, 30 home runs and 140 RBI. Teammate Red Hay led the league with 18 wins and a 3.97 ERA.[5][6][7]

In 1938, the Wink Spudders played their final minor league season. Continuing play in the six–team West Texas-New Mexico League, Wink placed 4th in the final regular season standings and qualified for the playoffs. The Spudders finished the season with a record of 63–65, playing under returning manager Joe Tate. Wink finished 16.0 games behind the 1st place Lubbock Hubbers in the final standings. In the 1st round of the playoffs, Lubbock swept Wink in 3 games. After the 1938 season, the Wink Spudders franchise permanently folded as the 1939 West Texas-New Mexico League expanded to eight teams without Wink. Pitcher Red Roberts of Wink led the West Texas-New Mexico League with a 3.08 ERA.[5][8][9]

Wink, Texas has not hosted another minor league team.[10][11]

The ballpark

The Wink Spudders reportedly played minor league home games at Spudder Park. The ballpark site is still in use today as a public park called Winkler County Park. It is located on NW 2nd Street, Wink, Texas.[12][13]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
1937–19382Wink SpuddersClass DWest Texas-New Mexico League

Year–by–year record
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
193768–501stD.E. Perry / Joe TateLeague champions
193863–654thJoe TateLost 1st round

Notable alumni

References
  1. "1937 West Texas-New Mexico League (WTNML) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. "1937 West Texas-New Mexico League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. "Winkler | Texas AgriLife Extension Service". winkler.agrilife.org.
  4. Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011. McFarland. 26 February 2013. ISBN 9780786468447.
  5. "West Texas-New Mexico League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "1937 Wink Spudders minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "1937 Wink Spudders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1938 Wink Spudders minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "1938 Wink Spudders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "Wink, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  11. "Wink, Texas Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. "Spudder Park in Wink, TX minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "Winkler County Park Walking and Running - Texas, USA | Pacer". www.mypacer.com.
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