Cumberland Colts


The Cumberland Colts was the primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Cumberland, Maryland. Cumberland played as members of the Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League, Western Pennsylvania League, Potomac League, Blue Ridge League and Middle Atlantic League. The Cumberland Colts were an affiliate of the New York Yankees in 1931–1932.

History

The 1906 Cumberland Giants were the first minor league baseball team based in Cumberland, Maryland. The Giants were charter members of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League. The Cumberland Giants finished with a record of 50–48, 5th place in the in the eight–team Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League. Cumberland was managed by Harry Irvine and Dan Raley. The Cumberland franchise folded after the 1906 season. The Giants played at South End Park.
Cumberland briefly had a team during the 1907 season. The Cumberland Rooters played 25 games in the Class D Western Pennsylvania League after the Latrobe, Pennsylvania franchise was moved to Cumberland mid–season. The Rooters had a record of 5–20 before the franchise moved to Piedmont, West Virginia on June 27, 1907. The franchise folded before the end of the 1907 season. The franchise finished 18–46 overall, managed by S. Whaley, William Morrow, Tom Dillon, Don Curtis and Bill Malarkey.
In 1916, the Cumberland Colts became charter members of the four–team Class D Potomac League. On August 16, 1916, the Colts were in 3rd place with a 23–35 record when the Potomac League permanently folded. The Colts' 1916 manager was Thomas Russler. The Colts finished behind the Frostburg Demons, and Piedmont Drybugs. The Lonaconing Giants had previously folded on July 23, 1916.
In 1917, the Cumberland Colts became members of the Class D Blue Ridge League in mid–season. On June 20, 1917 the Chambersburg Maroons franchise of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania moved to Cumberland with a 16–25 record. The team was 20–38 in Cumberland. With an overall record of 36–63, the Chambersburg/Cumberland team was 6th and last in the Blue Ridge League under managers Eddie Hooper and Brook Crist. The Colts continued play at South End Park.
The 1918 Cumberland Colts were in 1st place when the Blue Ridge League disbanded on June 18, 1918. The Colts finished 11–6 under Manager Eddie Hooper in the shortened season.
After a seven year absence, the Cumberland Colts began play as charter members of the 1925 Class C Middle Atlantic League. The Colts finished with a record of 56–40, placing 2nd in the Middle Atlantic League standings under managers Thomas Ray, Hank McEnroe and James McGuire. The Cumberland Colts began play at Community Park.
The Cumberland Colts finished 3rd in the Middle 1926 Atlantic League regular season standings. Cumberland had a record of 62–48, playing under manager Pat Ragan.
The 1927 Cumberland Colts were Middle Atlantic League Champions. In the 1927 Middle Atlantic League regular season, the Colts finished 66–47, 1st in the standings, to capture the Pennant under Manager Guy Thompson. In the 1927 Atlantic League Playoffs, the Cumberland Colts defeated the Johnstown Johnnies 4 games to 2 to win the championship.
The Colts had the best record in the Middle Atlantic League in 1928, but did not qualify for the league playoffs. With a 75–49 record, Cumberland was 1st overall under Manager John Byrnes. The Fairmont Black Diamonds were the Middle Atlantic League champions after defeating the Wheeling Stogies in the playoffs.
With a record of 65–53, the Cumberland Colts finished 1929 3rd in the Middle Atlantic League. The Colts' manager was John Byrnes.
The Cumberland Colts finished 6th in the 1930 Middle Atlantic League. The Colts finished with a record of 59–59 under managers Joe Phillips and John Byrnes.
The 1931 Cumberland Colts became an affiliate of the New York Yankees and were the 1931 Middle Atlantic League Champions. The Colts had a regular season record of 82–46, finishing 2nd in the Middle Atlantic League under Manager Leo Mackey. In the Playoffs, the Cumberland Colts defeated the Charleston Senators 4 games to 2 to capture the championship.
The 1932 season was the final season for minor league baseball in Cumberland. The Cumberland Colts finished 62–60, 4th in the Middle Atlantic League under Manager Leo Mackey as an affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Colts finished play at Community Park. The Cumberland Colts franchise folded after the 1932 season.

The ballparks

Cumberland teams played at South End Park in 1906–1907 and 1916–1918. Also known as Southside Park, the ballpark was located near the C&O Canal & King Street in Cumberland, Maryland.
The Cumberland Colts played at Community Park from 1925–1932. As Cumberland was an affiliate of the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth appeared in an exhibition game at Community Park, hitting a home run. The ballpark was also known as Mid-City Park and had a capacity of 3,000 and 2,400.

Notable alumni