The Gastonia Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina, United States. The Rockets played as members of the Class B level Tri-State League in 1952 and 1953, winning the 1952 league pennant before the team folded following the 1953 season. The Rockets were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and hosted home games at Sims Legion Park, which is still in use today.
| Gastonia Rockets | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class B (1952–1953) |
| League | Tri-State League (1952–1953) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | Chicago White Sox (1952–1953) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Conference titles (1) | 1952 |
| Team data | |
| Name | Gastonia Rockets (1952–1953) |
| Ballpark | Sims Legion Park (1952–1953) |
History
editGastonia first hosted minor league baseball in 1923, when the Gastonia "Comers" played a partial season as members of the Class B level South Atlantic League.[1] The Gastonia Rockets were immediately preceded in minor league play by the 1950 Gastonia "Browns," who played the season as members of the Class D level Western Carolina League, finishing last in the league standings with a record of 40-70.[2][3]
In 1952, Gastonia resumed minor league play as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, when the "Rockets" became members of the eight-team Class B level Tri-State League.[4] Gastonia replaced the Greenwood Tigers franchise in joining the league.[5][3][6] The Anderson Rebels, Asheville Tourists, Charlotte Hornets, Greenville Spinners, Knoxville Smokies, Rock Hill Chiefs and Spartanburg Peaches joined Gastonia in beginning league play on April 16, 1952.[7]
The "Rockets" moniker corresponds to aviation history in Gastonia. In 1946, the Gastonia Airport was opened.[8][9]
In their first season of league play, the Gastonia Rockets won the 1952 Tri-State League pennant. The Rockets ended the Tri-State League regular season with a record of 89-50, finishing first in the standings, 1.5 games ahead of the second place Charlotte Hornets. Hal Van Pelt served as the Gastonia manager.[10] In the first round of the four-team playoffs, the Spartanburg Peaches defeated the Rockets three games to two.[11][3] Alex Cosmidis of Gastonia scored 122 runs to lead the Tri-state league in that category.[3]
The Rockets continued play as the 1953 Tri-State League reduced to six teams, in what proved to be the final season of the team.[3][12] Gastonia did not qualify for the 1953 playoffs, as the Rockets placed fifth in the Tri-State League regular season standings with a 66–81 record.[13] With Hal Van Pelt returning as manager, the Rockets ended the season 28.5 behind the first place Spartanburg Peaches.[3][14] Gastonia was replaced by the Knoxville Smokies in the 1954 Tri-State League, after Knoxville had disbanded in 1953.[15]
Gastonia, North Carolina next hosted minor league baseball in 1959, when the Gastonia Pirates played a partial season as members of the Class A level South Atlantic League.[3][16]
The ballpark
editIn their two seasons of play, the Gastonia Rockets hosted minor league home games at Sims Legion Park.[17] The original ballpark was built in 1950, with a major renovation in 1977 and again in 2021.[18][19] Still in use today, the ballpark is located at 1001 North Marietta Street.[20][21]
Timeline
edit| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952-1953 | 2 | Gastonia Rockets | Class B | Tri-State League | Chicago White Sox | Sims Legion Park |
Year–by–year records
edit| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Attend | Playoffs / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 89–50 | 1st | Hal Van Pelt | 94,788 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1953 | 66–81 | 5th | Hal Van Pelt | 69,052 | Did not qualify |
Notable alumni
edit- Alex Cosmidis (1952)
- Zeb Eaton (1952)
- Mike Garbark (1953)
- Rudy Hernandez (1953)
- Howie Moss (1952)
- Gastonia Rockets players
References
edit- ^ "1923 Columbia/Gastonia Comers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1950 Gastonia Browns Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ "1952 Gastonia Rockets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1951 Greenwood Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1951 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1952 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "Lengthening the Runway at Gastonia Municipal Airport". www.academyofaviation.com.
- ^ "Municipal Airport". City of Gastonia.
- ^ "1952 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1952 Gastonia Rockets minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1953 Tri-State League (TSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1953 Gastonia Rockets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1953 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1954 Tri-State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1959 Columbus/Gastonia Pirates Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Sims Legion Park in Gastonia, NC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ Hughes II, Joe L. (May 25, 2021). "Diggin' in: Gastonia's new professional baseball team, stadium set for grand debut". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ Foote, Sharon (March 22, 2022). "Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening for Sims Legion Park". City News Source (Press release). City of Gastonia. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ "Sims Legion Park". City of Gastonia.
- ^ "Sims Legion Park in Gaston County, NC". Go Gaston NC.