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Bangor, Maine minor league baseball history

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Minor league baseball teams were based in Bangor, Maine between 1894 and 1913, before resuming minor league play in 1994. Playing under numerous nicknames, Bangor teams played as members of the New England League from 1894 to 1896, Maine State League in 1897, New England League in 1901, Maine State League from 1907–1908 and New Brunswick-Maine League in 1913, winning two league championships while hosting early minor league home games at Maplewood Park.

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20-690: Many decades later, Bangor hosted the Bangor Blue Ox (1994–1997) and Bangor Lumberjacks (2003–2004), who played as members of the Independent Northeast League . Minor league baseball began in Bangor, Maine with the 1894 Bangor "Millionaires," who became members of the eight–team New England League . In the 1894 season, the Millionaires finished with a 48–48 record and placed fourth in the league final standings. Bangor

40-787: A minor league baseball team based in Bangor, Maine . The team played in the Northeast League (now the Can-Am League ). The Northeast League was an independent baseball league and as such none of its teams had an affiliation with Major League Baseball . The team existed from 1996 to 1997 and played its home games at Larry Mahaney Diamond on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono, Maine . The Northeast League played its first season in 1995 with all six teams located in

60-567: A permanent minor-league park. The team was sold to new ownership and moved to Quebec City for the 1998 season; the franchise still exists as the Québec Capitales . Other players with Major League experience included pitcher Mike Smith in 1996, (five seasons with the Reds, Pirates, and Expos), and in 1997 Fernando Ramsey (one season with the Cubs), outfielder Bob Zupcic (four seasons with

80-517: A second team in Portland ( Portland Blue Sox ) and Waterville, Maine (Waterville). Bangor and the 1907 Maine State League began play on May 24, 1907. The league lost several franchises before the season concluded. Both Manchester and Waterville folded in June, Manchester with a 1–7 record and Waterville with an 8–14 record. The Augusta franchise disbanded on July 29, 1907, with a 27–28 record. Lewiston

100-455: A team to the city would induce the city of Bangor to build a new ballpark for the team; in the meantime, the Ox would play their home games at Mahaney Diamond on the University of Maine campus in Orono . The Blue Ox would have a fairly successful season in their first year, finishing third with a 46-33 record. Bangor's starting rotation was led by former Major Leaguer Oil Can Boyd , who at age 36

120-471: The Bangor Blue Ox became members of the 1994 independent Northeast League . Early Bangor minor league teams played home games at Maplewood Park. The ballpark was called Maplewood Park as the site was home to the Maplewood Hotel. The site was later called Eastern Maine Fairgrounds and then Bass Park. Harness racing has been hosted at the site throughout its duration. Today, Bass Park continues as

140-485: The Bangor Maroons were charter members of the four–team 1913 Class D level New Brunswick-Maine League . Bangor finished with a 18–48, record and in fourth place, playing the season under managers George Magoon, Frank Connaughton and Lamorey. Bangor finished 23.5 games behind the first place Fredericton Pets. The league folded after their only season. Bangor was without a minor league team for over 80 years, until

160-507: The Blue Ox would finish the season at 40-43, sixth place. Attendance did not improve, with just 35,591 fans showing up, again next-to-last in the NEL. At the end of the 1997 season, it was clear that Bangor would not be building a new stadium anytime soon (as of 2021, the city still hasn't done so). Although Mahaney Diamond was a very suitable college baseball field, it was simply not designed to be

180-569: The New England League standings. Bangor finished 2.5 games behind the first place Fall River Indians with a 63–39 record in the eight–team league. William Long and Mike McDermott were the managers. In 1897, the Bangor Millionaires switched leagues, joining the independent level Maine State League , which folded during the season. With Jack Sharrott returning as manager, Bangor had 12–19 record and were in third place when

200-640: The Portland Blue Sox disbanded on August 28, 1908, the Maine State League permanently folded. The Portland Blue Sox were in 1st place with a 32–20 record when disbanding. Portland finished ahead of the Bangor White Sox (31–22), Lewiston/Augusta (20–26) and Biddeford (18–30) in the standings. However, since Portland folded, the Bangor White Sox were awarded the 1908 Maine State League Championship. Baseball returned to Bangor when

220-700: The Red Sox and White Sox), pitcher Joe Grahe (seven seasons with the Angels, Rockies, and Phillies), and pitcher George Tsamis (one season with the Twins). Each season featured a skipper who had played in the Major Leagues. In 1996, former infielder/outfielder Dick Phillips, who had already managed almost 1,500 minor league games in the Twins, Padres and Brewers systems before piloting Bangor, played four seasons in

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240-532: The State of New York ; however, only three of these clubs would return for a second season. The NEL wanted to expand into New England and it chose West Warwick, Rhode Island and Bangor—which had not seen a pro baseball team in over 80 years—as two new teams for the 1996 season (also, Elmira was added to round the roster out to six teams again). The Blue Ox and the Northeast League had hoped that moving

260-634: The completion of the season. Bangor returned to play as the Bangor White Sox in the six–team 1908 Maine State League, winning a second consecutive championship in an unconventional manner. Bangor joined Augusta, Biddeford, and the Portland Blue Sox as the 1908 league members who finished the season, as Pine Tree and York Beach disbanded during the season. Bangor and the Maine State League began play on June 10, 1908. The Lewiston franchise moved to Augusta after twelve games. Pine Tree (15–13) and York Beach (10–15) both disbanded on July 19, 1908. When

280-521: The early 1960s for the Giants and Senators. Managing the Blue Ox in their second and final season, former catcher/first baseman Roger LaFrancois had appeared in eight games in 1982 with the Red Sox. New Brunswick-Maine League The New Brunswick–Maine League was a Class D level minor-league baseball league which had teams in New Brunswick , Canada and Maine , United States during

300-528: The franchise relocated to Brockton, Massachusetts . The Bangor/Brockton franchise disbanded on July 6, 1901, finishing with a 24–16 overall record. Bangor was without a minor league team until the 1907 Maine State League reformed as an eight–team Class D league. Bangor began play in the 1907 season alongside fellow members from Augusta, Maine ( Augusta Senators ), Biddeford, Maine ( Biddeford Orphans ), Lewiston, Maine (Lewiston), Manchester, New Hampshire (Manchester), Portland, Maine ( Pine Tree Capers ),

320-515: The league folded. The six–team 1897 final league standings featured the Augusta Kennebecs (14–8), Bangor Millionaires (12–19), Belfast Pastimes (10–16), Lewiston (15–14), Portland (21–6) and Rockland (10–19). Returning to minor league in 1901, Bangor began the season as members of the independent level New England League before relocating during the season. On June 30, 1901, Bangor had a record of 22–14 under manager Walter Burnham when

340-745: The long time home of the Bangor State Fair. The Bangor Blue Ox and Bangor Lumberjacks teams played minor league home games at the Mahaney Diamond on the campus of the University of Maine . For their final season of 2004, the Bangor Lumberjacks hosted home games at the Winkin Complex. Bangor (minor league baseball) players Bangor Maroons players Bangor Millionaires players Bangor - Baseball Reference Bangor Blue Ox The Bangor Blue Ox were

360-600: Was 24–24 when that franchise folded on August 3, 1907. With four teams remaining, the Bangor Cubs won the 1907 Maine State League Championship. Bangor had a 47–31 final record, as the league held no playoffs. The Bangor Cubs were followed by the Biddeford Orphans (30–27), Portland Blue Sox (39–41) and Pine Tree Capers (27–32) in the 1907 final standings. The Augusta Senators (27–28), Lewiston (24–23), Manchester (1–7) and Waterville (8–14) all folded before

380-415: Was attempting a comeback. Boyd would finish the season at 10-0 with a 3.22 ERA, but ultimately would not return to the majors. They were more successful on the field than they were at the box office, though, drawing only 35,652 fans, barely 900 per game and next-to-last in the loop. In 1997, the Northeast League would take on the remnants of the failed North Atlantic League and expand to eight teams overall;

400-437: Was managed by Louis Bacon and Jack Sharrott , finishing 13.5 games behind the first place Fall River Indians . Bangor continued play in the 1895 Class B level New England League, placing third in the league standings. The Millionaires ended the season with a 55–49 record under managers Jack Sharrott and William Long, finishing 11.0 games behind the first place Fall River Indians . The 1896 Bangor Millionaires placed second in

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