Lebanon Cedars
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name =Lebanon Cedars
| firstseason =1891
| lastseason =
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| city =Lebanon, Pennsylvania
| logo =
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| class level =Class A (1891)
| league =Eastern Association (1891)
| majorleague =None
| nickname =Lebanon Cedars (1891)
| ballpark =Penryn Park (1891)
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| leaguenum =0
| leaguechamps =None
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The Lebanon Cedars were a minor league baseball team based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In 1891, the Cedars played as members of the Class A level Eastern Association, the highest level of minor leagues in the era. The Cedars hosted minor league home games at Penryn Park.
==History==
Lebanon first hosted minor league baseball with the Lebanon team of the 1889 Middle States League. The Lebanon Cedars were immediately preceded by the 1890 Lebanon team, which played as members of the Atlantic Association.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/t-ww15455|title=Worcester minor league baseball Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{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}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-ww15455/y-1890|title=1890 Worcester/Lebanon minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
In 1891, minor league baseball continued in Lebanon, as the Lebanon "Cedars" became members of the Eastern Association. The Eastern Association formed as a Class A level league, the highest level of minor league baseball in the era, playing under the leadership of league president Charles D. White. The Albany Senators, Buffalo Bisons, New Haven Nutmegs, Providence Clamdiggers, Rochester Hop Bitters, Syracuse Stars and Troy Trojans teams joined the Cedars in beginning league play on April 26, 1891.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?code=EASA&class=B|title=Eastern Association (B) Encyclopedia and History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=592e99e6|title=1891 Eastern Association|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-IL/y-1891|title=1891 Eastern Association (EA) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
The "Cedars" nickname corresponds to both the Cedar of Lebanon a species of wood, also referenced in the Bible{{Cite web|url=https://www.wood-database.com/cedar-of-lebanon/|title=Cedar of Lebanon | The Wood Database (Softwood)}} and the timber industry in Lebanon in the era.{{Cite web|url=http://paheritage.wpengine.com/article/lebanon-county-small-size-rich-heritage/|title=Lebanon County: Small in Size - Rich in Heritage|website=Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine}}
The Lebanon Cedars ended the 1891 Eastern Association season with a record of 48-73, placing fourth in the final standings. Joseph McAllister, Jim Randall and James Farrington served as managers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-lc12520/y-1891|title=1891 Lebanon Cedars minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1891 Lebanon Cedars Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Lebanon finished last of the four remaining teams, finishing 37.0 games behind the first place Buffalo Bisons in the final standings, as the New Haven, Providence, Rochester and Syracuse teams each folded before completing the season. 21 players on the 1891 Lebanon Cedars' roster advanced to play in the major leagues.
The Lebanon franchise did not return to Eastern Association play in 1892. Lebanon instead continued play as the Lebanon Pretzel Eaters, who became charter members of the Class B level Pennsylvania State League,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1892 Lebanon Pretzel Eaters Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} continuing play at Penryn Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-1438|title=Penryn Park in Lebanon, PA minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
The ballpark
The Lebanon Cedars hosted their 1891 home minor league home games at Penryn Park. Penryn Park was first created in 1885 in Lebanon as a public park. The park was intended to attract visitors and increase railroad passenger use of the Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad system serving Lebanon and was constructed by the railroad. Penryn Park contained a railroad station to serve the passengers, which still exists today. Penryn Park was flooded in July, 1925 and never reopened as a public park.{{Cite web|url=https://lebtown.com/2022/03/28/how-a-railroad-rivalry-spurred-the-creation-of-penryn-park-cornwalls-answer-to-mount-gretna/|title=How a railroad rivalry spurred the creation of Penryn Park, Cornwall’s answer to Mount Gretna|first=Joshua|last=Groh|date=March 28, 2022}}
In August 1889, the park hosted four integrated games between the Cuban Giants and Lebanon Grays teams.{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/august-16-1889-integrated-baseball-in-pennsylvania-cuban-giants-defeat-lebanon-grays/|title=August 16, 1889: Integrated baseball in Pennsylvania: Cuban Giants defeat Lebanon Grays – Society for American Baseball Research}}
The Cornwell and Lebanon Railroad Station, constructed in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{cite web| url = https://www.dot7.state.pa.us/ce/SelectWelcome.asp| title = National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania| publisher = CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System| format = Searchable database}} Note: This includes {{cite web| url = {{NRHP-PA|H000777_01H.pdf}}| title = National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad Station| accessdate = 2012-02-28| author = Gerald A. Collins and David C. Stacks| format = PDF| date= April 1974}} Today, the former station is used as a commercial business and is located at 161 North 8th Street.{{Cite web|url=https://stricklerinsurance.com/|title=Strickler Insurance - Personal, Business, Benefits - Lebanon, PA|website=Strickler Insurance Agency Inc}}
Year–by–year record
Notable alumni
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- Dave Anderson (1891)
- Doc Bushong (1891)
- Bill Clymer (1891)
- Ben Conroy (1891)
- Fred Cooke (1891)
- Monte Cross (1891)
- Sun Daly (1891)
- Ira Davis (1891)
- Alexander Donoghue (1891)
- Herb Goodall (1891)
- Bill Greenwood (1891)
- Belden Hill (1891)
- Sparrow McCaffrey (1891)
- Jerry McCormick (1891)
- John Meister (1891)
- Joe Neale (1891)
- Tom O'Brien (1891)
- John Peltz (1891)
- Harry Sage (1891)
- Pop Tate (1891)
- Jack Taylor (1891)
{{Div col end}}
=See also=
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Lebanon&state=PA&country=US Lebanon - Baseball Reference]
Category:Defunct minor league baseball teams
Category:Professional baseball teams in Pennsylvania
Category:Defunct baseball teams in Pennsylvania
Category:Baseball teams established in 1891
Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1891