:Centralia Cubs

{{Infobox Minor League Baseball

|name = Centralia Cubs

|firstseason = 1947

|lastseason = 1952

|allyears = 1947–1952

|city = Centralia, Illinois

|past class level = {{plainlist|Class D 1947–1952

}}

|past league = {{plainlist|

Mississippi–Ohio Valley League (1949–1952)
Illinois State League (1947–1948)

}}

|pastmajorleague = {{plainlist|

Chicago Cubs (1947–1948)

}}

|pastnames = {{plainlist|

Centralia Sterlings (1950)
Centralia Zeros (1951–1952)

}}

|pastparks = Fan's Field

}}

The Centralia Cubs, based in Centralia, Illinois, US, were one namesake of the Centralia franchise that played in the Illinois State League (1947–1948) and Mississippi–Ohio Valley League (1949–1952), the two leagues that were the direct predecessors of the Midwest League.

History

The Centralia franchise lasted for six seasons. The two leagues it played in were direct predecessors of today's Midwest League. Centralia was a charter member of the ISL. Centralia was affiliated with the Chicago Cubs in 1947 and 1948 and played home games at Fan's Field.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Centralia&state=IL&country=US Baseball Reference] The franchise was also known as the Centralia Sterlings (1950) and the Centralia Zeros (1951–1952). The 1950 squad finished 83–40.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Centralia&state=IL&country=US&empty=0|title=Centralia, Illinois Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=July 3, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mwlguide.com/cities/centralia/|title=Baseball in Centralia, Illinois|accessdate=July 3, 2018}} The franchise folded in 1952 and was not replaced in the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League. Their overall record was 368–349 (.513).{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball |editor-first1=Lloyd |editor-last1=Johnson |editor-first2=Miles |editor-last2=Wolff |edition=Third |publisher=Baseball America |date=2007 |isbn=978-1932391176}}

The ballpark

The franchise played at Fan's Field, which was located at East Rexford Street at Jackson Avenue, where the park sat adjacent to the public school.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@38.5325952,-89.1222596,3a,75y,65h,98.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMVauxV0fDaqDPHHv74lhYQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1|title = Google Maps}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/park.cgi?id=IL009 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330185034/http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/park.cgi?id=IL009 |archive-date=2016-03-30 |url-status=dead }}

No Hitters

On July 8, 1950, Centralia's Gene Pisarski threw a no-hitter against the West Frankfort Cardinals, winning 6–0.{{cite web|url=http://mwlguide.com/reference/nohitters.html|title=No Hit Games|accessdate=July 3, 2018}}

Notable alumni

Chuck Hawley (1947, MGR) Also played professional basketball
Billy Klaus (1947) 2nd in 1955 AL Rookie of the Year voting
Claude Passeau (1948, MGR/Player) 5 x MLB All-Star; 1939 NL Strikeout Leader

References

Category:Centralia, Illinois

Category:Baseball teams established in 1947

Category:Defunct minor league baseball teams

Category:Professional baseball teams in Illinois

Category:Defunct baseball teams in Illinois

Category:Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates

Category:Illinois State League

Category:Mississippi-Ohio Valley League

Category:1947 establishments in Illinois

Category:1949 disestablishments in Illinois

Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1949

Category:Illinois State League teams

Category:Mississippi-Ohio Valley League teams