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Several different minor league baseball teams were based in Sherman, Texas, intermittently for a total of 14 seasons between 1895 and 1952. These teams won one championship, shared; that of the Texas Association in 1923.

The 14 seasons saw nine different team names used, with only two names used for more than a single season; the Lions (four seasons) and the Twins (three seasons). The 14 seasons were contested in seven different leagues. Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Ross Youngs played for Sherman in 1916.

Teams

Sherman Orphans

The Orphans played only during 1895, as a member of the Class B Texas-Southern League, finishing in fourth place within the eight-team league, with a record of 53–64.

Sherman Students

The Students only played part of the 1896 season, as a member of the Class C Texas-Southern League, compiling a record of 25–27 before disbanding in June. Their spot in the league, and record, were taken over by a team located in Paris, Texas. The league renamed itself as the Texas Association in July, and four of its eight teams (including Paris) folded in early August.

Sherman Cubs

The Cubs played only during 1912, as a member of the Class D Texas–Oklahoma League, finishing in third place within the eight-team league, with a record of 56–37; the team was managed by Jimmie Humphries.

Sherman Hitters

The Hitters played only during 1915, as a member of the Class D Western Association, finishing in third place within the eight-team league, with a record of 70–65; the team was managed by A. L. "Dad" Ritter.

Sherman Lions

The Lions played during four seasons: 1913, 1914, 1916, and 1921. They competed in the Class D Texas–Oklahoma League in 1913, 1914, and 1921. They were members of the Class D Western Association in 1916.

The 1913 team finished fourth of eight teams, with a record of 68–58, managed by Jimmie Humphries. Ed Appleton of Sherman pitched a no hitter on July 6 against the Denison Blue Sox. Pitcher Ben Tincup led the league with 233 strikeouts. The 1914 team disbanded at the end of July, with a record of 30–75; the team had been led by three different managers. The 1916 team finished seventh of eight teams, with a record of 61–76, led by two different managers. The 1921 team finished last in a six-team league, with a record of 48–78, led by two different managers. Pitcher Sam Gray led the league with 237 strikeouts.

In addition to Appleton, Gray, and Tincup, Lions players who appeared in the major leagues include Howard Murphy, Farmer Ray, and Hall of Fame inductee Ross Youngs.

Sherman Browns

The Browns played only during 1917, as a member of the Class D Western Association, finishing in third place within the eight-team league, with a record of 79–73; the team was managed by Leo Hellman. Notable players for the Browns include pitcher Charlie Robertson, who in 1922 would pitch the fifth perfect game in major league history.

Sherman Red Sox

The Red Sox played only during 1922, as a member of the Class D Texas–Oklahoma League, finishing in fifth place within the eight-team league, with a record of 48–60; the team was managed by Grady Higginbotham.

Sherman Snappers

The Snappers played only during 1929, as a member of the Class D Lone Star League, finishing in third place within the four-team league, with a record of 9–9; the team was managed by Red Snapp. The league disbanded in mid-May when the Texarkana Twins folded.

Sherman Twins

The Twins played during 1923, 1946, and 1952 in the Class D Texas Association, Class C East Texas League, and Class D Sooner State League, respectively.

The 1923 team won the first half of a split season, with the Austin Rangers winning the second half; the Twins had an overall record of 72–67 for the entire season, third-best in the six-team league. The Twins and Rangers tied a six-game playoff series, three games each. The Twins had two different managers, one being player-manager Otto McIvor, who had played in the major leagues in 1911. Longtime minor league outfielder Tom Pyle of the Twins led the league in batting average (.359), runs (94), and hits (199). Pitcher Murray Richburg led the league in strikeouts with 197.

The 1946 team finished fifth in an eight-team league, with a 70–70 record under manager Guy Sturdy, a native of Sherman. The squad had several players who appeared in the major leagues: Larry Drake, Buck Frierson, Pat McLaughlin, Monty Stratton, and John Whitehead. Stratton, who had pitched for the Chicago White Sox during 1934–1938, was notable for having an artificial leg, the result of a hunting accident following the 1938 season.

The 1952 team finished fifth in an eight-team league with a record of 72–68. A 6–1 loss to the Shawnee Hawks on the final day of the regular season resulted in Sherman missing the league's four-team postseason by a single game. The Twins were led by player-manager Bennie Warren, who had played six seasons in the major leagues as a catcher.

Note that another team, also known as the Twins, based jointly in Sherman and nearby Denison, competed from 1947 to 1951 and again in 1953.

Results by season

Notes:

• In 1896, the team disbanded on June 10.
• In 1914, the team disbanded on July 30.
• In 1923, the team won the first-half of a split season, and were league co-champions.
• In 1929, the league disbanded on May 16.

References

1. ^ Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles (2007). Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 9781932391176.
2. "Charlie Robertson Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
3. "No Pennant to be Awarded in the Texas Association; Sherman Plans to Appeal". Austin American-Statesman. September 24, 1923. p. 6. Retrieved August 25, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
4. 1923 Sherman Twins roster
5. "Tom Pyle Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
6. "Murry Richburg Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
7. "Guy Sturdy Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
8. 1946 Sherman Twins roster
9. Sarnoff, Gary (2018). "Monty Stratton". SABR. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
10. "Sooner Playoffs To Begin Friday". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, Texas. AP. September 4, 1952. p. 20. Retrieved August 25, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
11. 1952 Sherman Twins roster
12. "Bennie Warren Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.

Further reading

• "Sherman, Texas Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

• Defunct minor league baseball teams
• Professional baseball teams in Texas
• Baseball teams established in 1895
• Baseball teams disestablished in 1952
• 1895 establishments in Texas
• 1952 disestablishments in Texas
• Defunct baseball teams in Texas
• Grayson County, Texas