The Carthage Pirates was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Carthage, Missouri from 1938 to 1941 and 1946 to 1951. Carthage won three league titles playing as members of the Arkansas-Missouri League from 1938 to 1940, the 1941 Western Association and the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League from 1946 to 1951. Carthage hosted home minor league games at Carl Lewton Stadium.
History Carthage was initially a Class D level affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates that played in the Arkansas–Missouri League from 1938 to 1940. The Arkansas–Missouri League existed for only two full seasons, with the Pirates winning the league title each of those years. The league formally disbanded on July 1, 1940. When this occurred, the Pirates held a 10 1/2 game lead on first place in the league standings. The team then folded with the league.
The franchise then became the Class C level Carthage Browns in 1941 after the St. Joseph Ponies relocated to Carthage on June 3, 1941. They were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns, playing as members of the Western Association.
From 1946 to 1948, the Carthage "Cardinals" were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals playing as members of the Class D level Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. The franchise remained in the league thougu 1951, becoming the Carthage "Cubs," an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs won the league title in 1951.
The ballpark Carthage teams played home minor league games at Carl Lewton Stadium. The stadium's namesake was a local umpire and educator. In 2023, the stadium was closed down due to safety issues, but was reopened after refurbishments in 2024.
Notable alumni Cloyd Boyer (1946) Dennis Burns (1941) Frank Mancuso (1941) Bob Speake (1949)
Season–by–season Year Record Win–loss % Manager Regular season finish Playoffs/notes1938 69–49 .585 Adolph Arlitt 2nd place Won Championship vs. Neosho Yankees, 4-1 1939 67–54 .554 Adolph Arlitt 2nd place Won Championship vs. Fayetteville Angels, 4-11940 37–18 .673 Adolph Arlitt 1st place League disbanded on July 1, 19401941 40–96 .294 Gus Albright /Dennis Burns 8th St. Joseph Ponies moved to Carthage June 31946 54–66 .450 Adolph Arlitt 5th None1947 66–59 .573 Woody Fair/Alvin Kluttz 5th place None1948 51–67 .432 Alvin Kluttz 6th PlaceNone1949 62–64 .492 Don Anderson 6th PlaceNone1950 75–50 .600 Don Anderson 3rd Place Lost in 1st round 1951 60–65 .480 Don Anderson (29–36)/Al Reitz (31–29) 4th Place League champs
See also Carthage (minor league baseball) players Carthage Browns players Carthage Cardinals players
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