Eastern Carolina League

The Eastern Carolina League was a minor league baseball affiliation which operated in the Eastern part of North Carolina. The league had two distinct periods of operation: 1908-1910 and a revival of the league in 1928-1929. It was classified as a "D" league.

By far, the most famous person to come out of the league was Jim Thorpe. Some consider Thorpe the greatest athlete of the twentieth century. It was his involvement with the Eastern Carolina League that cost him his amateur status and his Olympic medals.

Eastern Carolina League Champions

*1908-None †
*1909-Wilson
*1910-Fayetteville
*1928-Goldsboro
*1929-Rocky Mount

† "In late August 1908, Eastern North Carolina was hit by what is now known as Tropical Storm #5. [http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/1908/5/track.gif] The playoffs were abandoned with Wilmington leading Wilson 2 games to 1."

Complete team list (1908-1910,1928-1929)

* Fayetteville Highlanders (1909-10,1928-29)
* Goldsboro Giants (1908-10)
* Goldsboro Goldbugs (1929)
* Goldsboro Manufacturers (1928)
* Greenville Tobacconists (1928-29)
* Kinston ‡ (1908)
* Kinston Eagles (1928-29)
* New Bern ‡ (1908)
* Raleigh Red Birds (1908-10)
* Rocky Mount Buccaneers (1928-29)
* Rocky Mount Railroaders (1909-10)
* Wilmington Pirates (1928-29)
* Wilmington Sailors (1908-10)
* Wilson Tobacconists (1908-10)

‡ "These teams had no known nicknames."

External links

* [http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=l&bid=985&pid=14196 Page about Thorpe]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Eastern_Carolina_League BR Bullpen page]

References