The Norfolk Braves were a minor league baseball team based in Norfolk, Virginia in 1896. The Norfolk Braves played as members of the Virginia League . The Braves were immediately preceded in Virginia League play by the 1894 Norfolk "Clam Diggers" and the 1895 Norfolk "Clams" in the era when team nicknames were informal and changed frequently.
18-724: The Braves were succeeded in Norfolk by the 1987 Norfolk Jewels , who played as members of the Atlantic League . The Norfolk Tides continue minor league play today in Norfolk. The 1896 Norfolk Braves played as a member of the Virginia League , succeeding the Clam Diggers and Clams in Virginia League play. In 1894, the Virginia League began play as an Independent league. The Norfolk Clam Diggers joined
36-588: A minor league baseball team based in Norfolk, Virginia . In 1897 and 1898, the Norfolk Jewels played as members of the Atlantic League in both seasons. The Jewels were immediately preceded by the 1896 Norfolk Braves of the Virginia League . The 1896 Norfolk Braves played as a member of the Virginia League , preceding the Jewels in minor league play. The 1987 Norfolk Jewels began play as members of
54-573: A minor league baseball team based in Norfolk, Virginia . In 1900, the Norfolk Phenoms played as members of the Virginia League , winning the league championship as the league folded during the season. Hosting home games at Bain Field , the Phenoms were immediately preceded by the 1898 Norfolk Jewels of the Atlantic League . Baseball Hall of Fame member Christy Mathewson played for
72-551: The Hampton Crabs , Newport News Shipbuilders , Petersburg Farmers , Portsmouth Boers and Richmond Bluebirds teams in beginning league play on April 30, 1900. The "Phenoms" nickname corresponded to Norfolk player/manager Phenomenal Smith . The previous season, Smith had managed the 1899 Portland Phenoms , also using the Smith nickname for the team. On July 11, 1900, the Virginia League folded. The Norfolk Phenoms won
90-484: The Lynchburg Hill Climbers , Petersburg Farmers , Richmond Bluebirds , Roanoke Magicians , Staunton Hayseeds /Newport News-Hampton Deckhands teams in 1894 league play. The 1894 Norfolk "Clam Diggers" placed 2nd in the Virginia League final standings. With a record of 66–45, the Clam Diggers played the season under managers James Gill and Camden Sommers. The 1894 Norfolk team was also referred to as
108-527: The Virginia–North Carolina League . The 1900 Norfolk Phenoms hosted home game at Bain Field , then known as "League Park." Just before the 1900 season, manager Phenomenal Smith, along with Norfolk businessman E. H. Cunningham, owner of the team, visited League Park and discovered much of the wooden slats of the outfield walls were taken for use as firewood. The ballpark was originally called "League Park " and newspaper coverage for baseball at
126-409: The "Oystermen." Norfolk finished 3.5 games behind the first place Petersburg Farmers in the final standings. Norfolk continued 1895 Virginia League play, as the "Clams" placed third in the six–team league, with a record of 55–61. The managers were Camden Sommers, A.A. O'Neal, William F. Hoggins, and Pop Tate . The 1895 team was also referred to as the "Crows." Norfolk ended the season 19.0 games behind
144-460: The 1900 Norfolk Phenoms , who resumed minor league play as members of the Virginia League . The name of the home ballpark of the 1897 and 1898 Norfolk Jewels is not directly referenced. Bain Field in Norfolk, was originally called "League Park." The date League Park was constructed is unknown, but newspaper coverage for baseball games there started as early as 1894. Norfolk Jewels players Norfolk Phenoms The Norfolk Phenoms were
162-495: The Atlantic League championship in the shortened season. When the league folded, the Phenoms ended the season with a record of 43–14, playing the season under player/manager Phenomenal Smith. Norfolk finished 14.0 games ahead of the second place Hampton Crabs in the final standings. Baseball Hall of Fame member Christy Mathewson played for the Phenoms in his second season of professional play, at age 19. Mathewson led
180-409: The Norfolk Phenoms, leading the league in wins and strikeouts. Mathewson made his major league debut in 1900, shortly after the Virginia League had folded. In their final season of Atlantic League play, the 1898 Norfolk Jewels finished in last place and did not return to play in 1899. The 1900 Norfolk Phenoms began play as members of the six–team, Class D level Virginia League . Norfolk joined
198-475: The eight–team, Class A level, Atlantic League . Norfolk joined the Hartford Bluebirds , Lancaster Maroons , Newark Colts , Paterson Silk Weavers , Philadelphia Athletics , Reading Coal Heavers and Richmond Bluebirds in beginning league play on April 26, 1897. The Norfolk Jewels placed 5th in the 1897 Atlantic League standings. The Jewels ended the season with a record of 66–72, playing
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#1732794315935216-473: The first place Richmond Bluebirds in the overall standings, as the Virginia League upgraded to a Class B level league. The Norfolk Braves placed second in the 1896 Class B level Atlantic League. The Braves ended the season with a record of 70–60, playing the season under managers Claude McFarland and W. B Bradley. In the final standings, the Braves finished 3.0 games behind the first place Richmond Blue Birds in
234-467: The home minor league ballpark of the Norfolk teams from 1894 to 1896 is not directly referenced. Norfolk's Bain Field was originally called "League Park" and was in use in the era. When League Park was originally constructed is unknown, however newspaper coverage for baseball games at League Park started as early as 1894. Norfolk Braves players Norfolk Clam Eaters players Norfolk Clams players Norfolk Jewels The Norfolk Jewels were
252-546: The league with 18 wins and 121 strikeouts. Mathewson was called up to the major leagues by the New York Giants after the Phenoms folded. Phenomenal Smith recruited Mathewson despite his 2–13 season for the Taunton Herrings of the 1899 New England League , after Mathewson finished playing football at Bucknell University . Smith first met and played against Matthewson in the 1899 season, while Matthewson
270-468: The season under managers Charlie Schafer and Billy Smith. Norfolk finished 25.5 games behind the 1st place Lancaster Maroons in the final standings. No playoffs were held. In their final season of Atlantic League play, the Jewels finished last. Norfolk ended the 1898 with a record of 47–79 to finish in 8th place. Led by manager Charley Jewell, the Jewels finished 35.5 games behind the 1st place Richmond Bluebirds. The Jewels were succeeded in Norfolk by
288-413: The six–team league. The 1896 Atlantic League played three partial seasons, with separate standings and the Braves won one of the partial season standings. The Virginia League did not return to play in 1897 and Norfolk switched leagues. The next season, the Braves were succeeded in Norfolk by the 1897 Norfolk Jewels , who played as members of the eight–team, Class A level, Atlantic League . The name of
306-521: Was encouraged and supported by Smith, who gave up no more runs in a Norfolk 7–5 victory. Mathewson went on to have an 18–2 season in his time with the Phenoms. Mathewson made his New York Giants debut on July 18, 1900, going on to win 373 games for the Giants. The Giants signed Mathewson to a major league contract with a salary of $ 150.00 per month. The Phenoms were succeeded in Norfolk by the 1901 Norfolk Skippers, who resumed minor league play as members of
324-491: Was still a student at Bucknell and pitching for the Taunton Herrings against Smith's Portland Phenoms team. Smith saw potential and signed Matthewson to a contract in 1900 to play for Norfolk for $ 90.00 per month. Under Smith's tutelage, Mathewson was a greatly improved pitcher in 1900. On May 1, 1900, after walking the first three batters and giving up five 1st inning runs in his first start for Norfolk, Mathewson
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