Kinston Eagles (Eastern Carolina League)

The Kinston Eagles were a minor league baseball team based in Kinston, North Carolina. In 1928 and 1929, the Eagles played as members of the six–team, Class D level Eastern Carolina League, hosting home games at Grainger Park. The 1927 Kinston Eagles of the Class B level Virginia League immediately preceded the 1928 team. The 1934 Kinston Eagles resumed play as members of the Class D level Coastal Plain League.

Kington Eagles
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1928–1929)
LeagueEastern Carolina League (1928–19298)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Wild card berths (0)None
Team data
NameKinston Eagles (1928–1929)
BallparkGrainger Park (1928–1929)

History

After first hosting minor league baseball in 1908, the Kinston Eagles of the Eastern Carolina League were preceded by the 1927 Kinston Eagles of the Class B level Virginia League.[1] The franchise then joined the Eastern Carolina League in 1928. Kinston was briefly a member of the 1908 Eastern Carolina League before folding on July 15, during the 1908 season.[2] The Eastern Carolina League continued play until folding after the 1910 season.[3]

Continuing minor league baseball play, the 1928 Kinston Eagles again became members of the reformed, six–team Class D level Eastern Carolina League. The Fayetteville Highlanders, Goldsboro Manufacturers, Greenville Tobacconists, Rocky Mount Buccaneers and Wilmington Pirates teams joined Kinston in beginning league play on April 25, 1928.[4][5]

In their first season of play in the new league, the Kingston Eagles the regular season in fourth place.[6] The Eagles ended the season with a record of 55–59, playing in the six–team Eastern Carolina League. The Kinston managers in 1937 were Paul Bennett and Marty Walters, as the Eagles finished 13.0 games behind the first place Wilmington Pirates in the final standings. The Eagles did not qualify for the playoff, won by the Goldsboro Manufacturers over Wilmington.[5][7][3]

In their final season of play, the 1929 Kinston Eagles finished in last place in the six–team Eastern Carolina League standings.[8] Playing the season under manager Clarence Roper, the Eagles ended the season with a record of 46–71 to placing sixth and finish 23.5 games behind the first place Rocky Mount Buccaneers. Kinston did not qualify for the playoff won by Rocky Mount over Wilmington.[9][3] Player/manager Clarence Roper won the league batting title, leading the Eastern Carolina League with a .368 batting average.[3]

The Eastern Carolina League permanently folded following the 1929 season.[3] Kinston next hosted minor league baseball when the 1937 Kinston Eagles resumed play as members of the Class D level Coastal Plain League.[10]

Through 2023, Kinston hosted the Down East Wood Ducks of the Class A level Carolina League, who were a minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers.[11] Kinston began Carolina League play in 1956.[12][3]

The ballpark

In 1928, the Kinston Eagles began hosting home minor league games at Grainger Park. The ballpark was adjacent to Grainger High School and was torn down following the 1949 season. Grainger Park was located on Summit Avenue.[13] Grainger Stadium opened in 1949 as the replacement for Grainger Park. The ballpark is still in use today.[14]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueBallpark
1928–19292Kinston EaglesClass DEastern Carolina LeagueGrainger Park

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
192855–594thPaul Bennett / Marty WaltersDid not qualify
192946–716thClarence RoperDid not qualify

Notable alumni

No players on the 1928 or 1929 Kinston Eagles advanced to the major leagues.[8][6]

See also

Kinston Eagles players

References
  1. "1927 Kinston Eagles Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1908 Kinston Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  4. "1928 Eastern Carolina League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "1928 Eastern Carolina League (ECL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1928 Kinston Eagles Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. "1928 Kinston Eagles minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "1929 Kinston Eagles Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1929 Kinston Eagles minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1937 Kinston Eagles Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "2023 Down East Wood Ducks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. "1956 Kinston Eagles Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "Grainger Park in Kinston, NC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. Reichard, Kevin (June 2, 2023). "With loss of Wood Ducks, Kinston's baseball future cloudy - Ballpark Digest".
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