The Evansville Braves was the primary nickname of a minor league baseball team based in Evansville, Indiana 1938–1942 and 1946–1957, playing in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees Bob Uecker and Warren Spahn played for Evansville during this era.
History The Evansville Bees and Braves played the Class B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (the "Three-I" League) from 1938 to 1957, interrupted when the league ceased play during World War II. They played home games at Bosse Field, which is currently the third oldest baseball stadium in regular use in the United States.
Evansville of the Three-I League had a single affiliation with the Major League Braves franchise, playing as affiliates of the Boston Bees (1938–1940), Boston Braves (1941–1942 and 1946–1952) and the Milwaukee Braves (1953–1957). The Evansville Bees (1938–1940) took their name when the Boston Braves changed their nickname to the Bees for a few seasons.
The team ceased after the 1957 season and Evansville was without baseball until the Evansville White Sox began play in the Class AA Southern League in 1966. Today, Evansville and Bosse Field are home to the Frontier League's Evansville Otters.
The ballpark The franchise played at Bosse Field. Bosse Field was built in 1915 and had a capacity of 7,200 during the Braves era. Bosse Field is still in use today, serving as the home park for the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League. Next to Fenway Park (1912) and Wrigley Field (1914), Memorial Stadium in the third oldest professional park in existence, opening on June 17, 1915. Bosse Field is located at 1701 Main Street & Morgan Street, Evansville, Indiana.
Championships The franchise won four Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League Championships: 1946, 1948, 1956 and 1957.
Major League Affiliations 1938–1942; 1946–1952, Boston Braves/Bees 1953–1957, Milwaukee Braves
Notable alumni Baseball Hall of Fame alumni Warren Spahn (1941) Inducted, 1973 Bob Uecker (1957) Ford C. Frick Award, 2003
Notable alumni Claud Raymond (1957) MLB All-Star Lee Maye (1955–1956) Jim Frey (1951–1952) Del Crandall (1949) MLB All-Star Dick Donovan (1948) MLB All-Star Chuck Tanner (1946) Manager: 1979 World Series Champion - Pittsburgh Pirates
Year-by-year record Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs 1946 68-51 3rd Bob Coleman League Champs 1947 70-55 5th Bob Coleman NA 1948 67-54 3rd Bob Coleman League Champs 1949 74-51 1st Bob Coleman Lost League Finals 1950 56-70 6th Ernie White NA 1951 69-60 2nd Bob Coleman Lost in 1st round 1952 74-47 1st Bob Coleman Lost League Finals 1953 70-59 3rd Bob Coleman Lost League Finals 1954 81-54 1st Bob Coleman Lost in 1st round 1955 60-66 5th Bob Coleman NA 1956 84-36 1st Bob Coleman League Champs 1957 81-49 1st Bob Coleman League Champs
References