Lexington Indians

The Lexington Indians was a primary moniker for the minor league baseball teams based in Lexington, North Carolina between 1937 and 1967. Lexington teams played as members of the North Carolina State League (1937–1942, 1945–1952), Tar Heel League (1953) Western Carolina League (1960–1961) and Western Carolinas League ( 1963–1967).

For the Lexington Giants of the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, see Lexington Giants (KITTY League).
Lexington Indians
1937–1967
(1937–1942, 1945–1953, 1960–1961, 1963–1967)
Lexington, North Carolina
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class A (1963–1967)
  • Class D (1937–1942, 1945–1953, 1960–1961)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 1940, 1953,
Conference titles 1960
Team data
Previous names
  • Lexington Indians (1937–1942)
  • Lexington A's (1945–1950)
  • Lexington Indians (1951–1953, 1960–1961)
  • Lexington Giants (1963–1966)
  • Lexington Braves (1967)
Previous parks
  • Wennonah Field (1937)
  • Holt Moffit Field (1938–1942, 1945–1953, 1960–1961, 1963–1967)

Lexington was an affiliate of the Philadelphia A's (1938–1939, 1945–1952), New York Mets (1961), San Francisco Giants (1963–1966) and Atlanta Braves (1967).

History

In 1937, the Lexington Indians began play as members of the reformed Class D level North Carolina State League. The North Carolina League had reformed in 1937, with Lexington playing joining the Cooleemee Weavers, Landis Sens, Mooresville Moors, Newton-Conover Twins, Thomasville Chair Makers, Salisbury Bees and Shelby Cardinals in the eight–team league. Lexington became an affiliate of the Philadelphia A's in 1938–1939. [1][2]

After being defeated in the playoffs in 1938 and 1939, the Lexington Indians captured the 1940 North Carolina State League Championship. After finishing with a 64–38 record and placing 3rd in the regular season, Lexington defeated the 1st place Kannapolis Towelers 3 games to 0 in the semi–finals. In the Finals, Lexington defeated the Mooresville Moors 4 games to 1 to claim the Championship.[2]

After the North Carolina State League had a hiatus due to World War II in 1943 and 1944, the Lexington A's began play as the league reformed in 1945. Taking their moniker, Lexington also resumed as an Philadelphia A's affiliate in 1945, a relationship which lasted to 1952.The Lexington A's advanced to the North Carolina State League finals in 1945, 1947 and 1949, losing each time.[3][2]

Lexington resumed using the Lexington Indians moniker in 1951. In 1953, the North Carolina State League and Western Carolina League merged, creating the ten–team Tar Heel League. The Lexington Indians finished 59–54, placing 4th in the regular season. In the playoffs, Lexington defeated the Forest City Owls 4 games to 2. In the Tar Heel League finals, the Lexington Indians defeated the Marion Marauders 4 games to 2, to win the 1953 Tar Heel League Championship. However, Lexington was one of six league teams that did not return to play in 1954.[1][2][4]

In 1960, the Lexington Indians began play as founding members in the reformed Class D level Western Carolina League. The Indians were an affiliate of the New York Mets in 1961. Lexington finished 70–29 to finish with the league pennant in 1960, before losing in the playoffs. In 1961, the Indians advanced to the league finals before losing. The Lexington Indians folded after the 1961 season.[1][5]

After not fielding a team in 1962, the Lexington Giants returned to the renamed Class A level Western Carolinas League in 1963, as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants would not reach the playoffs in their four seasons of play.[6][7]

The Lexington Braves continued play in the Western Carolinas League in 1967, becoming an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. the Braves finished 55-67, missing the playoffs. The franchise folded after the 1967 season.[8][6]

The ballparks

For their duration, Lexington teams played at Holt-Moffit Field. The ballpark was called Wennonah Field in 1937 and a WPA Project was completed in time for the 1938 season. Holt-Moffit Field is still in use today. The address is 101 South State Street, Lexington, North Carolina, 27292.[9][10][11]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Lexington Indians - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "North Carolina State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "Lexington A's - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "Tar Heel League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "Western Carolina League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "Western Carolinas League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  7. "Lexington (NC) Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  8. "Lexington Braves - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  9. "Holt Moffit Field - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  10. "Holt-Moffitt Field in Lexington, NC history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "Holt Moffitt Field – Lexington, NC".

External References

Baseball Reference

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