Marlin Marlins
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name =Marlin Marlins
| firstseason =1916
| lastseason =1925
| allyears =1916–1917, 1923–1925
| city =Marlin, Texas
| logo =
| uniformlogo =
| class level =Class D (1916–1917, 1923–1925)
| league =Central Texas League (1916–1917)
Texas Association (1923–1925)
| majorleague =None
| nickname =Marlin Marlins (1916–1917)
Marlin Bathers (1923–1925)
| ballpark =Marlin City Park (1916–1917, 1923–1925)
| classnum =
| classchamps =
| leaguenum =0
| leaguechamps =None
| confnum =
| conferencechamps =
| divnum =
| divisionchamps =
| wildcardnum =
| wildcardberths =
}}
The Marlin Marlins were a minor league baseball team based in Marlin, Texas. The "Marlins" played in 1916 and 1917 as members of the Class D level Central Texas League, The Marlins were succeeded by the Marlin Bathers who played as members of the Class D level Texas Association from 1923 to 1925. Marlin hosted home minor league games at Marlin City Park.
Four Major league baseball teams, most notably the New York Giants trained in Marlin, Texas for spring training from 1904 to 1918, overlapping with the beginning of minor league baseball in Marlin.
History
=1916 and 1917 - Central Texas League=
The Marlin Marlins were formed in 1916, playing as members of the Class D level Central Texas League, which formed as a six–team minor league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=fb2fe191|title=1916 Central Texas League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The six members of the 1916 Central Texas League were Marlin and the Ennis Tigers, Mexia Gassers, Temple Governors, Terrell Terrors and Waxahachie Buffaloes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-CTXL/y-1916|title=1916 Central Texas League (CTL) Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/20081104850/minor-league-baseball/news/central-texas-league|title=Central Texas League|first=Kevin|last=Reichard|date=November 4, 2008}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-CTXL/y-1916|title=1916 Central Texas League (CTL) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://texasalmanac.com/topics/history/minor-leagues-texas|title=The Minor Leagues in Texas | Texas Almanac|website=texasalmanac.com}}
In their first season of league play, the 1916 Marlin Marlins finished last in the league standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1916 Marlin Marlins Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Marlin was in sixth place when the Central Texas League folded on July 16, 1916, before the conclusion of the season. With a 25–36 record, the Marlins placed sixth in the Central Texas League standings, playing the season under managers Bob Tarleton, Bob Countryman and Fielder Murra. The Marlin Marlins finished 11.0 games behind the first place Temple Governors in the shortened season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-mm12824/y-1916|title=1916 Marlin Marlins 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}}
The Marlin Marlins played their final Central Texas League season in the 1917, as the league permanently folded during the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1917 Marlin Marlins Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Central Texas League began the season as a four–team league. The Marlins finished in third place overall after the Central Texas League began their third season of play on May 21, 1917, and disbanded on June 6, 1916. The other final league members joining Marlin in 1917 were the Ennis Tigers (8–7), Mexia Gassers (8–6) and Temple Governors/Corsicana Athletics (6–8). With a 7–8 record when the league folded, the Marlins finished 1.5 games behind the first place Mexia Gassers. The 1917 Marlins played under managers H. Sinclair and Ray Wakefield.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-CTXL/y-1917|title=1917 Central Texas League (CTL) Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-mm12824/y-1917|title=1917 Marlin Marlins Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1bda0196|title=1917 Central Texas League|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
=1923 to 1925 - Texas Association=
Minor league baseball returned in 1923, as the Marlin Bathers became charter members of the Class D level Texas Association.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1923 Marlin Bathers Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The "Bathers" moniker corresponds to the natural springs of the era that produced the hot, mineral water that brought tourists to Marlin, Texas in the era.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tdtnews.com/archive/article_bd641250-1d58-50ba-a507-137efe29e950.html|title=Hot, mineral-laden water once made Marlin a spot for tourists|first=Clay Coppedge|last=TDT|website=Temple Daily Telegram}} The six–team league began play in 1923 with the Austin Rangers, Corsicana Oilers, Mexia Gushers, Sherman-Denison Twins, and Waco Indians teams joining Marlin as charter members. The Bathers finished with a record of 63–7, placing fifth in the Texas Association regular season standings. Playing under manager Walt Alexander, Marlin finished 14.0 games behind the first place Mexia Gushers in the final standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-mb12822/y-1923|title=1923 Marlin Bathers Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-TEXA2/y-1923|title=1923 Texas Association (TA) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4a02d753|title=1923 Texas Association|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
Marlin continued play in the six–team 1924 Texas Association and ended the season as the league runner up.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1924 Marlin Bathers Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} The Marlin Bathers placed second overall. With a 73–55 record under returning manager Walt Alexander, Marlin finished 11.5 games behind the first place Corsicana Oilers. The league held no playoffs{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-mb12822/y-1924|title=1924 Marlin Bathers Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-TEXA2/y-1924|title=1924 Texas Association (TA) on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e3b7434a|title=1924 Texas Association|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2421050/the-waco-news-tribune/|title=Clipped From The Waco News-Tribune|date=April 20, 1924|pages=7|via=newspapers.com}} Pitcher Charles Gressett of Marlin led the league with 22 wins.
In their final season of minor league play, the 1925 Marlin Bathers franchise relocated during the Texas Association season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1925 Marlin Bathers/Palestine Pals Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} On May 13, 1924, with a 7–15 record, the Marlin Bathers moved to Palestine, Texas and finished the season playing as the Palestine Pals, placing fifth overall. The Marlin/Palestine team finished with a 58–75 overall record, playing the season under managers Fred Pipkin and Tommy McMillan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-mb12822/y-1925|title=1925 Marlin Bathers/Palestine Pals Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=433cf32e|title=1925 Texas Association|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
Marlin, Texas has not hosted another minor league team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=Marlin, Texas Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
The ballpark / Spring training ballparks
The Marlin teams were noted to have hosted home games at Marlin City Park. The ballpark was located on Muni Park Road off Williams Street, Marlin, Texas. City Park is still in use today as a public park with a ballpark. The park is noted to have entrances off of Williams Street and Bridge Street in Marlin, Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-1590|title=Marlin City Park in Marlin, TX history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://marlin-tx.proudcity.com/city-park/|title=City Park|website=Marlin, TX}}
Marlin, Texas also hosted spring training for major league baseball teams. The Chicago White Sox (1904), St. Louis Cardinals (1905), Cincinnati Reds (1906–1907) and New York Giants (1908–1918) all utilized the ballparks in Marlin, Texas for spring training. Teams were attracted to the mineral water baths in Marlin. It is unknown if the minor league teams utilized any of the facilities used by the major league teams, but given the small population of the town at the time (4,000), it is likely.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/323092529/|title=25 Jan 1904, 2 - The Topeka State Journal at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/138867024/|title=6 Mar 1905, Page 8 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/cincinnati-reds.htm|title=Cincinnati Reds Spring Training}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/san-francisco-giants.htm|title=San Francisco Giants Spring Training}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/chicago-white-sox.htm|title=Chicago White Sox Spring Training}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2014/03/09/sherrington-giants-manager-john-mcgraw-loved-what-marlin-offered-as-spring-training-site-even-if-his-players-didnt/|title=Sherrington: Giants manager John McGraw loved what Marlin offered as spring-training site, even if his players didn't|date=March 9, 2014|website=Dallas News}}
The White Sox, Cardinals and Reds are noted to have trained at a site near the fairgrounds in Marlin. This ballpark was called "Fairgrounds Field" or "East Side Field." It is possible this was the site of "Marlin City Park, " as Marlin City Park still hosts the Falls County Youth fairs at the site.{{Cite web|url=https://slideplayer.com/slide/4016993/|title=Spring Training at Marlin, Texas - ppt download|website=slideplayer.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://falls.agrilife.org/event/falls-county-youth-fair-2/|title=Falls County Youth Fair|website=falls.agrilife.org}}
The Giants use of Emerson Park in Marlin is noted as being the first "permanent" spring training facility built by a major league team. The Giants' facility had a side field called Rimes Park and other practice areas. While the Giants use of Emerson Park directly overlaps the play of the Marlin Marlins, it is unknown if the minor league team played at the facility or if the Marlin Bathers used it after the Giants left. The ballpark was deeded to the New York Giants from the city and remained the property of the New York Giants and San Francisco Giants until the 1970s. Emerson Park was named after a local postmaster who was instrumental in developing the facility. The Giants would walk the one mile from the team hotel, The Arlington Hotel, to the ballpark twice a day everyday, walking along the railroad tracks. Every year, Marlin hosted a fish fry for the team before the Giants left to begin the regular season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballhistorycomesalive.com/spring-training-1912-style-in-marlin-texas/|title=Spring Training, 1912 Style in Marlin, Texas!|date=February 29, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.elysianfielders.com/marlin-texas-pop-4000/|title=Marlin, Texas (pop. 4,000)|first=Charles|last=Johnson|date=February 14, 2013}}
Timeline
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 95%;"
! Year(s) !! # Yrs. !! Team !! Level !! League | Ballpark | ||||
| 1916–1917 | 2 | Marlin Marlins | rowspan=2|Class D | |Central Texas League | rowspan=2|Marlin City Park |
| 1923–1925 | 3 | Marlin Bathers | Texas Association |
Year–by–year records
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 25–36 | 6th | Bob Tarleton / Bob Countryman / Fielder Murray | League folded July 16 |
| 1917 | 7–9 | 3rd | H. Sinclair / Roy Wakefield | League folded June 6 |
| 1923 | 63–73 | 5th | Walt Alexander | None held |
| 1924 | 73–55 | 2nd | Walt Alexander | None held |
| 1925 | 58–75 | 5th | Fred Pipkin / Tommy McMillan | Marlin (7–15) moved to Palestine May 13 |
Notable alumni
- Walt Alexander (1923–1924, MGR)
- Gene Bailey (1916)
- Boom-Boom Beck (1925)
- Buster Chatham (1923)
- Joe Munson (1924)
- Marlin Bathers players
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Marlin&state=TX&country=US Marlin - Baseball Reference]
Category:Defunct minor league baseball teams
Category:Professional baseball teams in Texas
Category:Defunct baseball teams in Texas
Category:Baseball teams established in 1916
Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1925
Category:1916 establishments in Texas