Muskogee Giants


The Muskogee Giants was a primary moniker and the final name of the minor league baseball franchises based in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Muskogee teams played in various seasons from 1905–1957. The Muskogee Giants played in the Western Association and the Sooner State League as an affiliate of the New York Giants.
Muskogee teams played in the Missouri Valley League, South Central League, Oklahoma-Arkansas-Kansas League, Western Association, Oklahoma State League, Western Association, Southwestern League, Western Association, Western League, Western Association and Sooner State League. Muskogee never captured a league championship, making league finals on multiple occasions.
Three Baseball Hall of Fame inductees played for Muskogee. Bill Dickey played for the 1926 Muskogee Athletics. Bobby Wallace played for the 1921 Muskogee Mets, as a player/manager. Rube Marquard managed and pitched for the 1933 Muskogee Oilers.
Muskogee was an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and New York Giants.

History

Professional baseball began in Muskogee in 1905, with the Muskogee Reds playing as a member of the Missouri Valley League. The Muskogee Redskins played as members of the Oklahoma-Arkansas-Kansas League, Oklahoma-Kansas League and the Western Association. In 1910, the Muskogee Navigators, playing in the Western Association, disbanded on July 22, 1910. The Muskogee Indians folded, along with the entire league, when the Oklahoma State League disbanded on June 29, 1912.
The Muskogee Mets lost in the league finals in 1914, 1915 and 1922. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Wallace was a player/manager for the Muskogee Mets in 1921, hitting.368 in 13 games at age 47.
The Muskogee Athletics lost in the 1925 Western Association league finals. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bill Dickey played for the Muskogee Athletics in 1926, hitting.283 with 7 home runs in 61 games at age 19. 1931 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals Manager Gabby Street managed the Athletics in for the 1924-1925 seasons. Owned by local drugstore operator Joe Magoto, the Athletics disbanded on July 18, 1926. Magoto later owned the Muskogee Reds.
The Muskogee Chiefs moved to Maud, Oklahoma on August 29, 1929 to complete their season as the Maud Chiefs. The Muskogee
chiefs returned to Muskogee in 1930. On June 8, 1932, Muskogee moved to Hutchinson, Kansas to become the Hutchinson Wheat Shockers, playing in the Western League. However, the Fort Smith Twins of the Western Association moved to Muskogee on July 1, 1932 to complete their season as the Muskogee Chiefs. The second 1932 Muskogee Chiefs were an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns. Notably, The second 1932 Muskogee Chiefs traded George Hubbell to their old team, the Hutchinson Wheat Shockers, in exchange for four new baseballs.
The Davenport Blue Sox replaced Muskogee in the Western Association in 1933. However, the Muskogee Oilers rejoined the Western League when the Wichita Oilers moved to Muskogee on June 6, 1933. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Rube Marquard managed and pitched for the 1933 Oilers at age 46.
The Muskogee Tigers were affiliates of the New York Giants in 1936.
The Muskogee Reds lost in the 1947 Western Association League finals. The Reds were affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns.
The Muskogee Giants were members of the Western Association and the Sooner State League. They were affiliates of the New York Giants and lost in the league finals in 1952 and 1955. Muskogee folded whhen the Sooner State League permanently folded after the 1957 season.

The ballparks

Early Muskogee teams played at Traction Park from 1905–1911. The ballpark site was within Hyde Park and is located at NE 51st Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma, near the Verdigris River. Traction Park, which was prone to flooding, had a capacity of 1,500. The ballpark name likely derived from the park being developed by the owners of the Muskogee Electric Traction Co., which was the local street car company. Today, the park surrounding area is known as Hyde Park.
From 1909–1957, Muskogee teams played at the same ballpark under different names. In 1909, Muskogee began play at W.A. Owen Field, which was located near 5th street and Boston Street. Owen Field was first named after ballpark owner Robert Owen, whose home was on the property that adjoined the ball field. Later, the property became known as League Park and Athletic Park. From 1921-1926 Muskogee teams played at the site, renamed League Park. Beginning in 1934, the site was renamed Athletic Park and hosted the Muskogee Tigers, Muskogee Reds and Muskogee Giants. The ballpark had a capacity of 4,500 ; 6,000 ; 2,400 and 3,500. It had dimensions of 298-415-334 and 300-385-334.
In April 1923, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees with Babe Ruth, played an exhibition game at Owen Field. Later, Mickey Mantle played for the Joplin Miners in games at Athletic Park in 1950.
Because of its location near Owen Field/Athletic Park, visiting teams stayed at the Severs Hotel.
Today, the site of Owen Field/Athletic Park hosts the Muskogee Civic Center. The address is 425 Boston St, Muskogee, Oklahoma, 74401.

Notable alumni

[Baseball Hall of Fame] alumni