Harlingen Capitals

The Harlingen Capitals was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Harlingen, Texas in various seasons between 1931 and 1977. Harlingen teams played as members of the Rio Grande Valley League (1931), Texas Valley League (1938), Rio Grande Valley League (1950), Gulf Coast League (1951–1953), Big State League (1954–1955), Texas League (1960–1961), Gulf States League (1976) and Lone Star League (1977). Their home ballpark was Harlingen Field.

Harlingen Capitals
1931–1977
(1931, 1938, 1950–1953, 1960–1961, 1976–1977)
Harlingen, Texas
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass B (1931, 1938, 1951–1953)
Class C (1950)
Class AA (1960-1961)
Class A (1976-1977)
LeagueRio Grande Valley League (1931)
Texas Valley League (1938)
Rio Grande Valley League (1950)
Gulf Coast League (1951–1953)
Big State League (1954–1955)
Texas League (1960–1961)
Gulf States League (1976)
Lone Star League (1977)
Major league affiliations
TeamDetroit Tigers (1938)
San Francisco Giants (1960–1961)
Minor league titles
League titles (2)
  • 1938
  • 1952
Conference titles (2)
  • 1950
  • 1960
Wild card berths (3)
  • 1951
  • 1952
  • 1953
Team data
NameHarlingen Ladds (1931)
Harlingen Hubs (1938)
Harlingen Capitals (1950–1955)
Rio Grande Valley Giants (1960–1961)
Rio Grande Valley White Wings (1976)
Harlingen Suns (1977)
BallparkHarlingen Field

Harlingen teams were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers in 1938 and San Francisco Giants in 1960 and 1961.

History

Minor league baseball began in Harlingen, Texas in 1931. The Harlingen Ladds played as members of the 1931 Rio Grande Valley League and placed 3rd in their first season of play. On July 29, 1931, the 1931 Ladds had a record of 43–49 under manager Paul Trammel when the Rio Grande Valley League folded.[1][2]

The Harlingen Hubs became members of the 1938 Texas Valley League and were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The Hubbs finished 2nd in the regular season in 1938, but swept through the playoffs undefeated to capture the Texas Valley League Championship under manager Jake Atz. The league had reformed and folded after the 1938 season.[1][2][3]

The Harlingen Capitals were members of the Class D Rio Grande Valley League (1950) and Class B Gulf Coast League (1951–1953). They were founding members of the Gulf Coast League, along with the Brownsville Charros, Corpus Christi Aces, Galveston White Caps, Lake Charles Lakers, Laredo Apaches, Port Arthur Seahawks and Texas City Texans. When the Gulf Coast League folded after the 1953 season Harlingen joined the Big State League (1954–1955).[4]

The Rio Grande Valley Giants, played in the Class AA Texas League (1960-1961) as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Gaylord Perry played for the Giants in 1960. The franchise moved to Victoria, Texas on June 10, 1961 to complete the season. In 1976, the Rio Grande Valley White Wings played in the Gulf States League and the Harlingen Suns (1977) played in the Lone Star League, both leagues folded after one season. Later Rio Grande Valley White Wings teams played in independent professional leagues through 2015.[1][5]

The ballpark

Beginning in 1950, Harlingen minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Harlingen Field. Opening as Lon C. Hill Field, the ballpark was also called Giants Field. Harlingen Field is still in use today and most recently was home to the independent professional Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. The ballpark address is North O Street & Fair Park Boulevard, Harlingen, Texas.[6][7]

(1957) Jackson Street. Harlingen, Texas.

Year–by–year record
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
193143–493rdPaul TrammelNone held
193884–532ndJake AtzLeague Champions
195086–621stSam HarshaneyLost League Finals
195186–682ndSam HarshaneyLost in 1st round
195280–732ndBob HamricLeague Champions
195377–693rdBob HamricLost in 1st round
195453–947thSam HarshaneyDid not qualify
195565–795thFord GarrisonDid not qualify
196085–591stRay MurrayLost in 1st round
196169–714thRay MurrayTeam moved June 10
197632–404thTed UhlaenderDid not qualify
197740–382ndPaul ThomasNone held

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

See also

Harlingen Capitals players
Harlingen Hubs players

References
  1. "Harlingen, TX - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Harlingen Hubs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. http://www.milb.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=14
  4. "Gulf Coast League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "Rio Grande Valley Giants - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "Harlingen Field - Harlingen, Texas". ballparkreviews.com.
  7. "Harlingen Field, Harlingen, Texas". www.charliesballparks.com.
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