After playing as the unaffiliated Lenoir "Indians" from 1937 to 1939, the 1940 Lenoir "Reds" were a minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The franchise resumed play in 1946 with the Lenoir "Red Sox" who then became an affiliate of the New York Giants from 1949 to 1951.
History
1937–1940 Carolina League / Tar Heel League
In 1937, the Lenoir Indians began minor league play. Lenoir played as members of the six–team Independent level Carolina League, formally called the "Carolina Baseball League."[1] The league was referred to as an "outlaw" league because of the Independent status. Most of the other league members had previously hosted numerous semi–pro teams in the Carolina Textile League, made up of locals and mill workers.[2] The 1937 Indians finished with a record of 42–54 to place fifth, playing under player/manager Baxter Moose. Lenoir finished 12.5 games behind the first place Kannapolis Towelers.[3] The Carolina League Lenoir franchise is listed in some references as the "Finishers."[4]
The 1938 Lenoir Indians won the Carolina League Championship.[5] The Indians finished the season in first place in the six–team final league standings with a 60–39 record, playing under manager Bobby Hipps. Lenoir finished 4.0 games ahead of the second place Hickory Rebels in the final standings. No playoffs were held. The Carolina League folded following the 1938 season, resuming play in 1945, affected by World War II.[6][7][8]
In 1939, the Lenoir Indians continued play, becoming members of the six–team Class D level Tar Heel League.[9] The Indians placed 2nd in the standings and finished the season with 61–46 record, playing under managers Lefty Guise and Clarence Roper. Lenoir finished 10.5 games behind the first place Gastonia Cardinals in the final regular season standings. In the playoffs, the Statesville Owls defeated Lenoir 3 games to 0.[10][11]
Continuing play in the 1940 Tar Heel League, Lenoir became a minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, and began play as the Lenoir Reds.[12] The Lenoir Reds finished with a record of 53–55 to place fourth in the regular season standings, finishing 19.0 games behind the first place Statesville Owls. Playing under manager Ray Rice, the Reds advanced to the playoffs, where they lost in 1st round, where Statesville defeated Lenoir 4 games to 2 in their playoff series.[10][13][12]
1946–1951 Blue Ridge League / Western Carolina League
In their first season of play in the new league, the 1946 Lenoir "Red Sox" won 1946 Blue Ridge League championship after the relocation of Salem. On June 25, 1946, the Salem Friends franchise relocated to Lenoir with a 20–8 record. After compiling a 51–27 record while based in Lenoir, the Salem/Lenoir team placed first in the final league standings, playing the season under managers Vernon Mackey and Noel Casbier. The Red Sox ended the season with an overall record of 71–35 and finished the season 11.0 games ahead of the second place Mount Airy Graniteers team as no playoffs were held.[10][17][18]
Defending their league championship in the 1947 Blue Ridge League, the Lenoir Red Sox reached the four–team league finals.[19] After a regular season record of 43–73, the team placed fourth and last in the standings as the league implemented a new playoff system that involved all four teams. Playing under manager Noel Casbier, Lenoir finished 28.5 games behind the first place Galax Leafs. In the playoffs, Lenoir defeated the Mount Airy Graniteers 3 games to 1 to advance. In the Finals, the Galax Leafs won the championship after defeating Lenoir 4 games to 3.[10][20][21][22]
Beginning Western Carolina League play on April 30, 1948, the Lenoir Red Sox placed seventh in the regular season final standings.[24] With a record of 49–61, playing under managers Jack McLain and Claude Jonnard, Lenoir finished 20.0 games behind the first place Lincolnton Cardinals in the Western Carolina League regular season standings. Lenoir did not qualify for the four–team playoffs.[25][10][26]
The 1949 Lenoir Red Sox kept their nickname as the team became a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants, an affiliation that would last through the 1951 season.[27] Lenoir placed fifth in the 1949 Western Carolina League regular season standings, missing the playoffs. The Red Sox ended the season with a record of 57–50 under returning manager Claude Jonnard, finishing 14.5 games behind the first place Newton-Conover Twins.[28][10][29] Pitcher Walter Lentz of Lenoir led the league with a 3.03 ERA.[10]
In 1950, the Lenoir Red Sox won the Western Carolina League championship.[30] In the regular season, Lenoir placed second with a 67–40 record, managed again by Claude Jonnard. Lenoir finished 0.5 game behind the first place Newton-Conover Twins (69–41) in the final regular standings, with .001 separating the teams. In the first round of the playoffs, the Lenoir Red Sox defeated the Marion Marauders 4 games to 3 to advance. In the Finals, Lenoir won another seven-game series, defeating Newton-Conover 4 games to 3 to win the championship. Robert Featherstone of Lenoir led the Western Carolina League with 27 home runs.[31][10][32]
In their final season of play, the 1951 Lenoir Red Sox placed seventh in the Western Carolina League regular season standings.[33] Lenoir finished with a record of 40–70, managed by Claude Jonnard, Okey Flowers and John Olsen. Lenoir did not qualify for the playoffs in the eight–team Western Carolina League. Rutherford County finished with a regular season record of 62–48 to place fifth in the regular season standings, playing under returning manager Rube Wilson. The Red Sox finished their final season 31.0 games behind the first place Morganton Aggies in the final regular season standings.[34][35][10]
The 1952 Western Carolina League played the season reduced to six teams, after Lenoir folded.[10] Lenoir, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league franchise.[36]
The Lenoir teams hosted minor league home games at Lenoir High School Field. In the era, the ballpark was reportedly located behind the high school at 521 West College Avenue, Lenoir, North Carolina. Today, Lenoir High School is closed as a public school, but is still in use as a residential facility and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The building is located at 100 Willow Street SW, Lenoir, North Carolina.[37][38]
