Macon Peaches

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Macon Peaches
1892–2003
(1892-1894, 1904–1917; 1923–1930; 1932; 1936–1942; 1946–1964; 1966–1967; 1980–1987; 1991–2003)
Macon, Georgia
Class-level
  • Class A (1980–1987; 1991–2002)
  • Double A (1963–1964; 1966–1967)
  • A (1962)
  • AA (1961)
  • A (1946-1960)
  • B (1923–1930; 1932; 1936–1942)
  • C (1904–1917)
  • B (1892-1894)
Minor league affiliations
Major league affiliations
Name
  • Macon Peaches (2003)
  • Macon Braves (1991-2002)
  • Macon Pirates (1984-1987)
  • Macon Redbirds (1983)
  • Macon Peaches (1962-1964, 1966-1967, 1980-1982)
  • Macon Dodgers (1956-1960)
  • Macon Peaches (1923-1930, 1932, 1936-1942, 1946-1955)
  • Macon Tigers (1916-1917)
  • Macon Peaches (1908-1915)
  • Macon Brigands (1905-1907)
  • Macon Highlanders (1904)
  • Macon Hornets (1893-1894)
  • Macon Central City (1892-1893)
Ballpark
Minor league titles
League titles 1904–1905, 1930, 1938, 1942, 1949–1950, 1958, 1962
Division titles
1947 Macon Peaches Mascot

The Macon Peaches was the predominant name of the American minor league baseball franchise representing Macon, Georgia, during the 20th century.

Although Macon did not field teams during and immediately after World War I, the height of the Great Depression and World War II, the name Peaches was used continuously between 1907 and 1955, except for 1916–1917. The Peaches nickname was also used from 1961–1964, 1966–1967, and 1980–1982.[1] Much of that time, the Peaches played in the original South Atlantic "Sally" League, although they made brief appearances in the Southeastern League and the Southern Association. During the 1980s, the Peaches were members of the modern South Atlantic League. After 1929, the team played at Luther Williams Field.

Macon was represented by professional baseball teams in the 19th century and joined the Sally League in 1904 as the Highlanders. From 1956–1960, the club was known as the Macon Dodgers, adopting the name of their parent club. After 1982, the franchise also adopted its parents' identities, as the Redbirds, Pirates, and the Macon Braves.[2]

Reds' farm team produced Rose, Pérez, May and Helms

From 1962–1964, the Peaches were an important upper-level affiliate (Double-A after 1962) of the Cincinnati Reds, producing Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, Lee May and Tommy Helms. All four were members of Cincinnati's first "Big Red Machine" team, the 1970 National League champions. Rose and Pérez would be cornerstones of the dynasty, while May and Helms would be traded to the Houston Astros after 1971 to obtain Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan, who would help lead the Reds to the NL pennant in 1972 and World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.

Macon was Rose's last minor league address before he launched his Major League career as the 1963 National League Rookie of the Year. He had batted .330 for the 1962 Peaches.[3]

Macon Braves

The Macon Braves were a class-A minor league baseball team associated with the Atlanta Braves. The team was known as the Macon Braves from 1991 to 2002.[4]In 2003, the Macon Braves were moved to Rome, Georgia. The team is now known as the Rome Braves, and is currently managed by Rick Albert. Rick Albert started managing the team in the second half of the 2011 season, after Matt Walbeck (who replaced Randy Ingle from the previous season) was fired. Luther Williams Field was the former home stadium for the Macon Braves. After losing the Macon Braves, Macon now has a new minor league team known as the Macon Pinetoppers that calls Luther Williams Field "home". Even though the Macon Braves are no longer in Macon, they still have Macon fans. Many well known major league players came from the Macon Braves, such as Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Rafael Furcal, Tony Graffanino, John Rocker, John Smoltz, and Marcus Giles.

[5]

An independent league baseball team called the Macon Peaches played in the 21st century Southeastern League in 2003.

Notable alumni (as Macon Peaches)

See also

  • Macon Braves
  • Macon Dodgers

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (1997). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (2nd ed.). Durham, N.C.: Baseball America. ISBN 978-0-9637189-8-3. 
  2. ↑ Baseball Reference
  3. ↑ Baseball Reference
  4. ↑ "Macon Team History." The Baseball Cube. N.p., 15 Aug 2010. Web. 2 Sep 2010. <http://www.thebaseballcube.com/teams/team_10284.shtml>.
  5. ↑ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 14, 2002 Sunday,, Home Edition, Sports;, Pg. 6D, 751 words, CARLOS FRIAS
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