The Nashville Vols were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1901 to 1963. They were established as charter members of the Southern Association in 1901. Known as the Nashville Baseball Club during their first seven seasons, they became the Nashville Volunteers (regularly shortened to Vols) in 1908. Nashville remained in the Southern Association until the circuit disbanded after the 1961 season. The team sat out the 1962 campaign but returned for a final season in the South Atlantic League in 1963 before ceasing operations altogether. Over 62 seasons, numerous players, managers, and coaches won awards, were selected for All-Star teams, or led their league in various statistical areas.
Eight Vols won the Southern Association Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, more than any other team in the league. These were: Greek George, Ed Sauer, Chuck Workman, Carl Sawatski, Bob Schultz, Jack Harshman, Bob Lennon, and Stan Palys. The only Vol to win the Rookie of the Year Award was Jim O'Toole. Eighty-seven players and four managers and coaches were selected for midseason All-Star teams. Of these, 14 were selected twice with Nashville: Buddy Gilbert, Larry Gilbert, Oris Hockett, Bob Kelly, Pete Mallory, Rube Novotney, Hugh Poland, Hal Quick, Carl Sawatski, Phil Shartzer, Jim Shilling, Dick Sisler, Leo Twardy, and Ben Wade. Two players were chosen as the MVP for their contributions in All-Star games: Tommy Brown and Chuck Coles. Additionally, the Vols served as the competition for the Southern Association All-Stars on six occasions in games held at Nashville's Sulphur Dell.
Five players hold Southern Association records for single-season performances in major statistical categories. Les Fleming holds the batting average record (.414 in 1941), Charlie Gilbert the runs record (178 in 1948), Jim Poole the runs batted in (RBI) record (167 in 1930), Joe Dwyer the doubles record (65 in 1936), and Bob Lennon the home run record (64 in 1954). Lennon led the league in five major categories in 1954: batting average (.345), hits (210), runs (139), RBI (161), and home runs (64). Charlie English led the circuit in four areas in 1942: batting average (.341), hits (217), RBI (139), and doubles (50). Ed Sauer led the league in four categories in 1943: batting average (.368), runs (113), doubles (51), and stolen bases (30).
Key
† | Southern Association record |
(#) | Number of wins by individuals who won an award multiple times |
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* | Tie between two or more individuals; number indicates total number of individuals with same performance |
Awards
League awards
These players won Southern Association year-end awards during the club's membership from 1901 to 1961.
Award | Recipient | Season | Position | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Most Valuable Player | Greek George | 1940 | Catcher | |
Most Valuable Player | Ed Sauer | 1943 | Outfielder | |
Most Valuable Player | Chuck Workman | 1948 | Outfielder | |
Most Valuable Player | Carl Sawatski | 1949 | Catcher | |
Most Valuable Player | Bob Schultz | 1950 | Pitcher | |
Most Valuable Player | Jack Harshman | 1953 | Pitcher | |
Most Valuable Player | Bob Lennon | 1954 | Outfielder | |
Most Valuable Player | Stan Palys | 1957 | Outfielder | |
Rookie of the Year | Jim O'Toole | 1958 | Pitcher |
All-time Vols teams
Nashville Banner sportswriters Fred Russell and George Leonard created two rosters of the all-time greatest players, covering the periods of 1901 to 1919 and 1920 to 1963.
1901–1919
1920–1963
Position | Fred Russell | George Leonard |
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Player | Player | |
First baseman | Les Fleming | Les Fleming |
Second baseman | John Mihalic | John Mihalic |
Shortstop | Lonny Frey | Woody Williams |
Third baseman | Charlie English | Rance Pless |
Outfielder | Kiki Cuyler | Babe Barna |
Outfielder | Phil Weintraub | Kiki Cuyler |
Catcher | Greek George | Smoky Burgess |
Catcher | Carl Sawatski | Carl Sawatski |
Right-handed pitcher | Tiny Chaplin | Red Lucas |
Right-handed pitcher | Red Lucas | Pete Mallory |
Right-handed pitcher | Jim Maloney | Jim Maloney |
Right-handed pitcher | Boots Poffenberger | Boots Poffenberger |
Left-handed pitcher | Jim O'Toole | Jack Harshman |
Left-handed pitcher | Bob Schultz | Jim O'Toole |
Left-handed pitcher | Boyd Tepler | Bob Schultz |
Manager | Larry Gilbert | Larry Gilbert |
All-Stars
Midseason All-Stars
These players, coaches, and managers were selected to participate in the Southern Association All-Star Game (1938–1961) or the South Atlantic League All-Star Game (1963). Additionally, the Vols served as the competition for the Southern Association All-Stars on six occasions (1940, 1943, 1948, 1949, 1953, 1957) in games held at Nashville's Sulphur Dell.
All-Star Game MVPs
These players won Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards for their contributions in the Southern Association All-Star Game (1938–1961).
Season | Player | Position | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1957 | Tommy Brown | Third baseman | |
1958 | Chuck Coles | First baseman |
League leaders
Batting leaders
These players led all other players in their league in distinct statistical batting categories in a single season.
Pitching leaders
These pitchers led all other pitchers in their league in distinct statistical pitching categories in a single season.
Notes
- Greek George and Emil Mailho of the Atlanta Crackers were named co-MVPs in 1940.
- Dick Sisler was also manager of the 1957 Vols.
- The Vols served as the competition for the 1957 Southern Association All-Stars. Though not selected as an All-Star, Nashville's Tommy Brown was chosen as the game's MVP.
References
- ^ "Nashville, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "47. 1940 Nashville Vols". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- "'Volunteers' is the New Name for Nashville's Baseball Club". The Nashville American. Nashville. February 29, 1908. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Palys Eighth Vol to Get Southern's MVP Accolade". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. January 23, 1958. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Russell, Fred (August 13, 1940). "League's Most Valuable". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- Russell, Fred (August 24, 1943). "Sideline Sidelights". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Most Valuable to Workman". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. Associated Press. January 19, 1949. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern League Picks Sawatski Most Valuable". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. International News Service. February 19, 1950. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Schultz Voted Southern's Most Valuable for 1950". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. November 23, 1950. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Harshman Voted SA's Most Valuable Player". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. January 12, 1954. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- Leonard, George K. (January 11, 1955). "No Surprise, This: Lennon Is Elected Most Valuable". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- Williams, F. M. (January 23, 1958). "Stan Palys Selected Most Valuable in SL". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
- Williams, F. M. (November 13, 1958). "Nashville Reaps Jim O'Toole's Harvest". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
- Seely, Chad; Perry, Collin; Scopel, Doug (2022). 2022 Nashville Sounds Media Guide (PDF). p. 217–218. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 5, 2022 – via Minor League Baseball.
- "Southern Association All-Star History". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. July 16, 1958. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Here are Dixie's All-Stars". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. Associated Press. July 3, 1938. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- "How All-Stars and Crax Line Up". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. July 7, 1938. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "This All-Star Game Faces Chicks in Second Edition of Classic". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. Associated Press. July 2, 1939. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "All-Star Team Selected: Glitter Group Lists Vol Trio". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. Associated Press. June 30, 1940. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Crax Place Six, Dellers 4 on Team". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. Associated Press. June 29, 1941. p. 45 – via Newspapers.com.
- "S. L. All-Stars Seek 2nd Straight Win Tonight". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. Associated Press. July 7, 1941. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nashvols Place Four on Southern's All-Star Team". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. Associated Press. June 28, 1942. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gardner, Sauer, Hamrick on League All-Star Team". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. July 2, 1943. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Four Players Picked Unanimously for Southern Loop All-Star Team". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. Associated Press. July 6, 1944. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Massey, James R. (July 19, 1946). "Crackers Win Almost Half All-Star Positions". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. Associated Press. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Russell, Fred (July 22, 1947). "Ben Wade to Start for All-Stars". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George K. (July 19, 1948). "Vols May (It's Hoped) Regard All-Star Game Here as Chance to Step Up Morale in Flag Fight". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sawatski is Unanimous Choice on All-Star Squad". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. July 6, 1949. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Melvin, Russ (July 18, 1950). "Wyatt Probable Cracker Choice to Face All-Stars". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George K. (July 6, 1951). "Ludwig, Atchley, Brady on Southern All-Stars". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George K. (July 9, 1952). "Piersall Steals All-Star Show, Invades Officials' Session in Absentia". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Burns, Bud (July 3, 1953). "Harshman Unanimous Southern All-Star Choice". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Burns, Bud (July 9, 1954). "Lennon, Rodin Represent Vols on Southern All-Star Squad". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 44 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Williams, F. M. (July 14, 1955). "Writers Impressed by Crippled Dellers". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Barons Replaced on All-Star Roster". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. Associated Press. July 14, 1956. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vols Land 3 Players on SA Twinkle Team". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. July 12, 1956. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Williams, F. M. (July 12, 1957). "Sisler Would Change All-Star Mound Staff". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 44 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George (July 14, 1958). "Three, Maybe 4, Vols to Start". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George (July 10, 1959). "Five Vols Picked as SA All-Stars". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Williams, F. M. (July 24, 1960). "Domination of Travelers Vols' Bright Spot of Year". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George (July 4, 1961). "Buddy Gilbert Is Only Vol Selected Southern All-Star". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Williams, F. M. (July 16, 1963). "Staehle, Gatewood Make All-Stars". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, George (July 18, 1957). "Brown Gets Award as Nashville Loses All-Star Tilt, 7-6". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
- Leonard, George (July 17, 1958). "One Jinx Cracked, Will Crax Avoid Another?". The Nashville Banner. Nashville. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Batting Average". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "1963 South Atlantic League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Hits". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Runs". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season RBI". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Doubles". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Triples". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Home Runs". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Stolen Bases". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Wins". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Losses". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Innings Pitched". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Strikeouts". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "League Records: Single Season Bases on Balls". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
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Southern Association pennants in bold |