The Suffolk Goobers were a minor league baseball team based in Suffolk, Virginia . From 1948 to 1951, the "Goobers" played as members of the Class D level Virginia League , winning the 1948 league pennant. The Goobers were preceded in Virginia League play by Suffolk teams who played in the 1915 and from 1919 to 1921 seasons.
35-654: Spanning 36 years, the Suffolk Virginia League teams all hosted minor league home games at Peanut Park in Suffolk. After Suffolk folk first hosted minor league baseball with the 1911 Suffolk championship team of the Tidewater League , the "Nuts" were preceded in minor league play by the 1915 Suffolk Tigers of the Class C level Virginia League . The Tigers finished the 1915 season in fifth place in
70-539: A 27–22 record when the league disbanded in June, 1918. The Petersburg Goobers captured the 1919 Virginia League Championship. The Goobers finished first in the regular season with a 62–47 record. The Virginia League had planned to hold playoffs, but disagreements led to the playoffs being cancelled. After finishing third in 1920, with a 68–50 record, Petersburg relocated in mid–season of 1921. The Petersburg Goobers moved to Tarboro, North Carolina on August 2, 1921, after
105-529: A 46–89 record, placing last in the Virginia League. Petersburg folded after the season. The Petersburg Broncos rejoined the Virginia League in 1926. The Broncos finished sixth with a 66–87 record in 1926 and second, with a 72–61 record in 1927. On June 3, 1928, the Broncos were in third place with a 15–27 record, when the Virginia League disbanded. The 1941 Petersburg Rebels returned to play in
140-574: A record of 59–78, finishing 20.5 games behind the first place Portsmouth Truckers in the eight-team league. Managed by the returning Gabby Street and Bill Cunningham , Suffolk did not qualify for the playoff, won by Portsmouth over the Norfolk. The Virginia League reduced from eight teams to six for the 1922 season, and the Suffolk franchise was folded, along with the Tarboro Tarbabies . Suffolk, Virginia next hosted minor league baseball when
175-536: A record of 60–74. In 1915 they were sixth at 40–84 in the Virginia League. Baseball Hall of Fame member Sam Rice played for the Petersburg Goobers in 1914–1915. His performance in 1914, while on furlough from the U.S. Navy , led Petersburg owner Dr. D.H Leigh to reach out to Virginia Senators Thomas S. Martin and Claude A. Swanson and inquire about getting Rice discharged from the Navy. In 1912, Rice
210-492: A record of 8–26 when the team disbanded on June 11, 1900. The Petersburg Goobers began to play in the Virginia League in 1910, when the Portsmouth Truckers moved to Petersburg on July 5, 1910. The team placed sixth with a 43–68 record. The Petersburg Goobers won the 1911 Virginia League Championship. Petersburg, also going by the "Hustlers" moniker in 1911, finished first, with a record of 68–51 to capture
245-867: The Colonial Heights-Petersburg Colts resumed minor league, when the team became members of the Piedmont League , playing as a minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds . The Colts finished with a record of 62–78, tied for last in the Piedmont League. The Colonial Heights-Petersburg franchise folded after the 1954 season. Fifty-nine years later, in 2013, the Colonial Heights-Petersburg Colts were succeeded in Petersburg by
280-733: The Petersburg Generals joined the reformed Virginia League V in 1948. The Generals advanced to the 1948 league finals. The Generals finished with a record of 73–62, placing fourth in the regular season. In the playoffs, Petersburg defeated the Suffolk Goobers 4 games to 2 and advanced. In the Finals, the Blackstone Barristers defeated the Petersburg Generals 4 games to 3. The 1948 attendance
315-533: The Virginia League beginning in 1885 and ending in 1951 and the 1954 Piedmont League . Petersburg teams won five league championships. Petersburg teams were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1923 and Cincinnati Reds in 1954. Baseball Hall of Fame member Sam Rice played for the 1914 and 1915 Petersburg Goobers. Minor league baseball began in Petersburg in 1885, when Petersburg joined
350-530: The Virginia League . Petersburg played in the Virginia League in 1885 and 1886. The Petersburg "Farmers" rejoined the six–team 1894 Virginia League, winning the 1894 Championship. On June 15, 1894, Brownie Foreman threw a no–hitter as Petersburg defeated the Staunton Mountaineers 9–1. The Petersburg Farmers finished 72–44 in the regular season to capture the title, as there were no league playoffs. After finishing 55–69, to place fifth in
385-667: The summer collegiate baseball team, the Petersburg Generals . Reviving the previous moniker, the current "Generals" became members of the Coastal Plain League . Until 1900, Petersburg teams were referenced to have played minor league home games at the Petersburg Ballfield . The ballpark was located at the corner of West Washington (US 460 & US 1) & West Street, Petersburg, Virginia. Petersburg minor league teams from 1910 to 1913 were noted to have played home games at Parkinson Park . The ballpark
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#1732801201221420-525: The "Goobers" moniker corresponds with peanut agriculture in the region in the era. Suffolk was self–nicknamed as the "Peanut Capitol of the World." The term was known to be used as a nickname for peanuts. In their first season of play, the Suffolk Goobers won the 1948 Virginia League pennant. The Goobers ended the regular season with a record of 83–52, finishing 1st in the standings, 7.5 games ahead of
455-566: The "Nuts" moniker corresponded with local peanut agriculture and production in the city. Suffolk was self–nicknamed as the "Peanut Capitol of the World." The team played home games at Peanut Park, located next to the Suffolk Peanut Company. In their first season of play, the Suffolk Nuts placed fifth in the Virginia League final standings. The Nuts ended the regular season with a record of 49–58, finishing 12.0 games behind
490-556: The 1895 Virginia League, the Petersburg Farmers started 1896 with a 32–60 record. On August 13, 1896, the Petersburg Farmers moved to Hampton, Virginia to become the Hampton-Newport News Clamdiggers for the remainder of the season. The Virginia League folded after the 1896 season. The Virginia League reformed in 1900, before folding after the season. The Petersburg Farmers had compiled
525-424: The 1920 season with a record of 47–69 in the Virginia League season standings. The Nuts finished the season 30.0 games behind the first place Richmond Colts in the final standings. In 1921, Suffolk became known as the "Wildcats," as the Virginia League was upgraded to become a Class B level league and held a playoff for the first time. The Suffolk Wildcats ended the Virginia League regular season in sixth place with
560-612: The 1941 Virginia League IV and won the league pennant. The 1941 Rebels finished 66–53, first in the Virginia League regular season standings. In the Playoffs, the Lynchburg Senators swept the Petersburg Rebels 3 games to 0. The Petersburg Rebels placed third with a 74–52 record in the 1942 Virginia League. The Virginia League suspended play after the 1942 season due to World War II . After World War II,
595-686: The 1948 Suffolk Goobers returned to play when the Virginia League reformed. In 1948, minor league play in the Virginia resumed, as the Suffolk "Goobers" were formed and followed the previous Suffolk team, the 1921 Suffolk Wildcats. The 1948 Suffolk Goobers became members of the reformed Virginia League , which formed as a six–team, Class D level league. The Blackstone Barristers , Emporia Nationals , Franklin Cubs , Lawrenceville Cardinals and Petersburg Generals teams joined with Suffolk in beginning league play on April 23, 1948. The Suffolk use of
630-512: The 1949 season with a record of 57–65, placing 4th in the Virginia League regular season standings. The Goobers finished the regular season 20.0 games behind the 1st place Franklin Kildees. In the playoffs, Franklin defeated the Goobers 4 games to 1. In 1950, the Suffolk Goobers placed 6th in the Virginia League regular season standings, missing the playoffs. With a record of 50–79, Suffolk ended
665-592: The 1951 Virginia League finals. The Generals finished 80–39, placing first in the regular season standings. In the playoffs, the Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals defeated the Suffolk Goobers 4 games to 1. In the Finals, the Elizabeth City Albemarles defeated Colonial Heights-Petersburg 4 games to 1. The 1951 season attendance was 35,146. The Virginia League permanently folded after the 1951 season. In 1954,
700-439: The 2nd place Blackstone Barristers. Bill Steinecke served as manager in leading the team to the league pennant. In the 1st round of the four–team playoffs, the Petersburg Generals defeated Suffolk 4 games to 2, ending their season. Pitcher Cecil Hutson of Suffolk led the league with 23 wins. Playing under returning manager Bill Steineke and Paul Badgett, the Goobers qualified for the 1949 Virginia League playoffs. Suffolk finished
735-867: The Petersburg Generals returned to the Virginia League finals for the third consecutive season. The Generals finished 69–61, placing second in the Virginia League regular season. In the playoffs, the Generals defeated the Elizabeth City Albemarles 4 games to 2. In the Finals, the Emporia Nationals defeated the Petersburg Generals 4 games to 2. The Petersburg season attendance was 43,508. In 1951, Petersburg merged with neighboring Colonial Heights, Virginia . The team moved to play home games at Shepherd Park in Colonial Heights. The Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals advanced to
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#1732801201221770-464: The Petersburg Goobers for the 1915 season. On July 28, 1915, Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith purchased Rice from Leigh and Petersburg. Rice was in the major leagues the next day at age 24. The 1916 Petersburg Goobers finished 54–68, placing fourth in the Virginia League. In 1917, the Goobers were 6–8 when the Virginia League disbanded on May 15, 1917. The Virginia League disbanded again in mid-season in 1918. The Petersburg Goobers had
805-556: The Virginia League championship. The Goobers placed second in the 1912 Virginia League with a 79–54 record. The 1913 Petersburg Goobers captured the Virginia League Championship with their first-place finish and 89–46 record. Petersburg's Harry Hedgpeth pitched a no–hitter against the Roanoke Tigers on August 1, 1913. Petersburg won the game 4–0. The 1914 Petersburg Goobers placed fifth with
840-586: The Virginia cities of Hampton , Newport News , Old Point Comfort , Portsmouth and Suffolk . In the only season of league play, the Tidewater League regular season ended on August 1, 1911. Suffolk finished with a regular season record of 16–5 to claim the Tidewater League Championship. They were followed by Elizabeth City (8–5), Hampton (11–9), Newport News (10–11), Old Point Comfort (7–13) and Portsmouth (4–12) in
875-558: The first place Petersburg Goobers. The league did not hold playoffs. Rube Oldring served as the Suffolk manager. Playing the 1920 season under manager Gabby Street , who had played for Suffolk in 1915, the Nuts placed seventh as the Virginia League expanded to eight teams. Street would later manage the 1931 St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series championship and become a longtime Cardinals radio announcer. Under Street, Suffolk ended
910-507: The franchise was forfeited, playing as the Tarboro Tarbabies . The 1921 Petersburg/Tarboro squad finished last with a 46–88 record. Petersburg returned to the Virginia League in 1923 as the Petersburg Trunkmakers , an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals . The Trunkmakers finished last, placing sixth in the six–team league with a 43–81 record. The Petersburg Goobers moniker reappeared in 1924. The Goobers finished with
945-547: The league standings. Portsmouth folded on July 22, 1911. Elizabeth City folded on July 30, 1911. The Tidewater League permanently folded in their only season of play in 1911, ending play on August 1, 1911. Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals Minor league baseball teams were based in Petersburg, Virginia and neighboring Colonial Heights, Virginia in various seasons between 1885 and 1954. Playing under numerous monikers, Petersburg teams played as members of
980-430: The playoffs, Colonial Heights-Petersburg defeated Suffolk Goobers 4 games to 1, in the last games for the franchises. Buster Kinard of Suffolk won the league batting title, hitting .378. The Virginia League permanently folded as a minor league following the 1951 season. Suffolk, Virginia has not hosted another minor league team. The Suffolk Virgina teams all hosted home minor league home games at Peanut Park. The ballpark
1015-442: The regular season in last place, with the Goobers playing under manager Buster Kinard. Suffolk finished 21.5 games behind the 1st place Emporia Nationals. In their final season, the 1951 Goobers returned to the playoffs with a 4th place finish in the league standings. The Suffolk Goobers ended the Virginia League regular season with a record of 56–62, finishing 23.5 games behind the 1st place Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals . In
1050-551: The six-team league with a record of 59-62. The Suffolk Tigers folded from the Virginia League following the 1915 season, replaced in 1916 league play by the Hopewell Powder Puffs . In 1919, the Suffolk "Nuts" rejoined the Virginia League , which was a six–team, Class C level league. The Newport News Shipbuilders, Norfolk Tars , Petersburg Goobers , Portsmouth Truckers and Richmond Colts joined Suffolk in beginning league play on May 8, 1919. The Suffolk use of
1085-621: Was 116,062. The 1949 Petersburg Generals won the Virginia League Championship. Petersburg finished 72–54, placing second in the Virginal League regular season standings. In the Playoffs, the Petersburg Generals defeated the Emporia Nationals 4 games to 3. In the Finals, the Petersburg Generals defeated the Franklin Kildees 4 games to 2 to win the championship. The 1949 season attendance was 76,000. In 1950,
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1120-554: Was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1911 season. The Class D level Tidewater League consisted of six teams based in North Carolina and Virginia . The Suffolk team won the 1911 league championship in a shortened season. The Tidewater League began play on May 11, 1911 as a Class D level league. The league president was William H. Hannan, Jr. The six–team league was composed of charter teams, all without monikers, representing Elizabeth City, North Carolina and
1155-480: Was in the preseason, playing for the Galesburg Pavers when his wife, two children, his parents and two sisters were killed in a tornado. Rice eventually quit baseball and enrolled in the Navy. In 1914, with the senators help, Rice was honorably discharged from the Navy. He pitched and played the outfield for Petersburg for the remainder of the 1914 season, when he had a 9–2 record and hit .310. Rice rejoined
1190-424: Was located next to the Suffolk Peanut Company, giving it its name. In its history, the site was also known as Smith Street Park, Athletic Park and League Park, with the capacity being expanded from 2,500 in 1948 to 5,000 in 1950. Peanut Park is still in use today as a public park with a ballfield. The park is located at 308 South Saratoga Street in Suffolk, Vriginia. Tidewater League The Tidewater League
1225-513: Was located on Canal Street, Petersburg, Virginia, near the Appomattox River . From 1914 to 1950, Petersburg minor league teams were noted to have played at McKenzie Street Park . McKenzie Street Park was located on McKenzie Street between North West Street & North Dunlop Street, Petersburg, Virginia. In 1951 and 1954, Colonial Heights-Petersburg minor league home games were referenced to have been played at Shepherd Park . Today,
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