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Far West League (1948–1951)

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The Far West League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1948 to 1951. The Far West League was a Class D level league, with franchises based in California, Nevada and Oregon. The Santa Rosa Pirates (1948), Pittsburg Diamonds (1949), Redding Browns (1950) and Klamath Falls Gems (1951) won league championships.

ClassificationClass D (1948–1951)
First season1948
Folded1951
Quick facts Classification, Sport ...
Far West League
Most recent season or competition:
1951 Far West League season
ClassificationClass D (1948–1951)
SportBaseball
First season1948
Folded1951
PresidentJerry Donovan (1948–1951)
No. of teams11
CountryUnited States of America
Most titles1
Santa Rosa Pirates (1948)
Pittsburg Diamonds (1949)
Redding Browns (1950)
Klamath Falls Gems (1951)
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History

The Far West League had eight teams in each of its first three seasons, before reducing to six teams in its final season of 1951. The league began play in 1948 with the Klamath Falls Gems, Marysville Braves, Medford Nuggets, Oroville Red Sox, Pittsburg Diamonds, Redding Browns, Santa Rosa Pirates and Willows Cardinals as the charter members.[1]

In 1948, the Klamath Falls Gems were a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate; the Marysville Braves a Boston Braves affiliate; the Medford Nuggets, a Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate; the Oroville Red Sox, a Boston Red Sox affiliate; the Pittsburg Diamonds, a New York Giants affiliate; the Redding Browns, a St. Louis Browns affiliate; the Santa Rosa Pirates, a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate and the Willows Cardinals were a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate.[1]

The league held four–team playoffs from 1948 to 1950 and a two–team final in 1951. League championships were won by the Santa Rosa Pirates (1948), Pittsburg Diamonds (1949), Redding Browns (1950), and Klamath Falls Gems (1951).[2][3]

The Far West League permanently folded following the conclusion of the 1951 season.[4][3]

Cities represented

Standings & statistics

1948 Far West League
schedule

More information Team standings, W – L ...
Team standingsW – LGBManagers
Oroville Red Sox67–51Nino Bongiovanni
Medford Nuggets66–563Larry Shepard
Klamath Falls Gems67–58Joe Gantenbein
Santa Rosa Pirates63–596Dan Reagan
Willows Cardinals62–638James Tyack / Bill Krueger
Redding Browns61–62Ray Perry
Marysville Braves59–6310Edward Wheeler /
James Keller / Spencer Harris
Pittsburg Diamonds /
Roseville Diamonds
38–7124½Gus Suhr /
Arnold Rose / Bill Shewey
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Pittsburg (31–48) moved to Roseville July 30
Playoffs: Klamath Falls 3 games, Oroville 1; Santa Rosa 3 games, Medford 1
Finals: Santa Rosa 4 games, Klamath Falls 3.[3]

More information Player, Team ...
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ray PerryReddingBA.411Larry ShepardMedfordW22
Don TaylorMedfordRuns139Jules HudsonOrovilleSO237
Ray PerryReddingHits179Ronald LeeMedfordERA2.53
Ray PerryReddingRBI163Larry ShepardMedfordPct.880; 22–3
Ray PerryReddingHR36
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1949 Far West League

More information Team standings, W – L ...
Team standingsW – LGBManagers
Pittsburg Diamonds84–43Vince DiMaggio
Klamath Falls Gems78–46Hub Kittle
Willows Cardinals68–5815½Bert Bonomi / Fred Fass
Redding Browns63–6421Ray Perry
Marysville Braves59–6624Rex Carr
Medford Nuggets39–8443Dan Reagan
Santa Rosa Cats43–49NAJoe Abreu / Alvin Kruk /
Lembert Serpa / Lou Vezilich
Vallejo Chiefs34–58NALou Vezilich
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Vallejo disbanded July 31; Santa Rosa disbanded August 4.
Playoffs: Pittsburg 3 games, Willows 2; Redding 3 games, Klamath Falls 2
Finals: Pittsburg 4 games, Redding 3.[3]

More information Player, Team ...
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Lou VezilichVallejo/Santa RosaBA.406William CarrPittsburgW21
Ray Perry
Ted Hess
Redding
Klamath Falls
Runs135
135
James HowardReddingSO226
Ted HessKlamath FallsHits188William CarrPittsburgERA3.28
Ray PerryReddingRBI155Blair SimpsonPittsburgPct..882; 15–2
Ray PerryReddingHR45
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1950 Far West League
schedule

More information Team standings, W – L ...
Team standingsW – LGBManagers
Klamath Falls Gems87–52Hub Kittle
Redding Browns86–54Ray Perry
Reno Silver Sox75–6311½Joe Borich
Medford Rogues69–7018Tommy Nelson / Wilfred Jonas
Pittsburg Diamonds67–7320½Vince DiMaggio
Eugene Larks62–7725Lou Vezilich
Marysville Peaches56–8230½Bert Kenmuir / Charles Welchel
Willows Cardinals54–8533Ray Malgradi
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Playoffs: Klamath Falls 3 games, Reno 2; Redding 3 games, Medford 0
Finals: Redding 3 games, Klamath Falls 1.[3]

More information Player, Team ...
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Joe BorichRenoBA.387Andy SierraKlamath FallsW22
Ray PerryReddingRuns162Andy SierraKlamath FallsSO258
George TriandosKlamath FallsHits183Eugene ValentinePittsburgERA1.82
Ray PerryReddingRBI170Hub KittleKlamath FallsPct1.000; 10–0
Ray PerryReddingHR44
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1951 Far West League
schedule
revised schedule after Pittsburg disbanded

More information Team Standings, W – L ...
Team StandingsW – LGBManagers
Redding Browns76–55Ray Perry
Klamath Falls Gems74–54½Bill DeCarlo
Reno Silver Sox52–6517Cotton Pippen
Eugene Larks51–7020Duster Mails /
George Matile / Cliff Dapper
Medford Rogues47–6720½Frank Lucchesi
Pittsburg Diamonds29–18NAVince DiMaggio
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Pittsburg disbanded June 14
Playoff Final: Klamath Falls 3 games, Redding 0[3]

References

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