Canton Chinks

The Canton Chinks was the primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Canton, Illinois between 1908 and 1913. Canton teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League from 1908 to 1913.

Canton Chinks
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1908–1913)
LeagueIllinois-Missouri League (1908–1913)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameCanton Chinks (1908–1911)
Canton Highlanders (1912)
Canton Chinks (1913)
BallparkAthletic Park

History

In 1908, the Canton Chinks were founded as the first minor league baseball team in Canton. Canton joined the newly formed Class D level Illinois-Missouri League. The Canton Chinks moniker derived from Canton being named after a Chinese city, as is nearby Pekin, Illinois. Relatedly, Pekin High School used the same moniker until 1981, when the slur was deemed offensive and replaced.[1][2][3][4]

Canton finished 1908 with a 56–61 record, placing 4th in the Illinois–Missouri League standings, playing under manager Chuck Murphy. The charter members in the 1908 six–team league standings were the Canton Chinks (56–61), Galesburg Hornets (50–67), Hannibal Cannibals (68–49), Havana Perfectors (58–61) and Macomb Potters (66–53) and Monmouth Browns (55–62).[5][6][7][8][9][1]

In the 1909 Illinois–Missouri League standings, Canton placed 5th in the six–team league, finishing 27.5 games behind the champion Monmouth Browns. Canton finished with a regular season record of 51–79, playing under manager Harry Lloyd. On August 18, 1909, Canton pitcher Charles Fanning threw a losing no–hitter against the Macomb Potters, as Canton lost the game 2–0. Canton 1909 home season attendance at Athletic Park was 30,000, an average of 462 per home contest.[10][11][7][8][12][13]

In 1910, Canton finished 3rd in Illinois–Missouri League play, ending the season 13.0 games behind the 1st place Pekin Celestials. Canton had a 55–62 record playing under managers Elmer Smith and M. McDonald, as the Macomb Potters and Jacksonville Jacks folded during the season, leaving four teams to finish the season in the Illinois–Missouri League.[14][15][7][8][16]

The Illinois–Missouri League again was a six–team league in 1911. Canton had a 60–62 record playing in the 1911 Illinois–Missouri League, which remained a Class D league. Canton placed 4th in the league standings under manager Blackie Wilson, finishing 10.5 games behind the first place Clinton Champs.[17][18][19][7][8]

In 1912, Canton played as the Canton Highlanders. Continuing play in the Illinois-Missouri League, Canton finished with a record of 57–56. The Highlanders placed 3rd in the Illinois-Missouri League, finishing 11.0 games behind the champion Lincoln Abes.[20][21][7][22]

Canton returned to the Canton Chinks moniker in 1913, before folding midway through their final season. After beginning play in the six–team Class D level Illinois–Missouri League, Canton folded on July 10, 1913 with a 20–26 record under manager Ted Raines. The neighboring Pekin Celestials also folded on July 10, 1913, leaving the league with four teams to complete the season.[23][24][7][8]

Canton was without a minor league team until the 1952 Canton Citizens played as members of the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League.[25]

The ballpark

Canton minor league teams were noted to have played at Athletic Park. Today, the Canton Athletic Park is still in use. The park is located at 900 First Avenue Canton, Illinois.[26][27]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
1908–19114Canton ChinksClass DIllinois-Missouri League
19121Canton Highlanders
19131Canton Chinks
19521Canton CitizensMississippi-Ohio Valley League

Year-by-year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
190856–614thRodney Turner / Charles MurphyNone held
190951–795thHarry LloydNone held
191055–723rdElmer Smith / M. McDonaldNone held
191160–624thFred WilsonNone held
191257–563rdUnknownNone held
191320–26NATed RainesTeam folded July 10

Notable alumni

See also

Canton Chinks players

References
  1. "1908 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. SIMON, ROGER. "The Chinks' nickname: It's not PC, it's decency". baltimoresun.com.
  3. "Controversial sports team mascots". www.cbsnews.com.
  4. "1981: The Pekin Chinks high school team becomes the Pekin Dragons". Chinese American Museum of Chicago. April 28, 2018.
  5. "1908 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1908 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "Illinois-Missouri League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  8. "Canton Chinks - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  9. "Illinois-Missouri League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "1909 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "1909 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1909 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "Minor League No-Hitters 1900-1909 - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. "1910 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "1910 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. "1910 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "1911 Canton Chinks Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. "1911 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  19. "1911 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  20. "1912 Canton Highlanders Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. "1912 Canton Highlanders Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  22. "1912 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  23. "1913 Canton Chinks Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  24. "1913 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  25. "Canton Citizens - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  26. "| Athletic ParkCanton Parks".
  27. "Canton Athletic Park | MWLguide.com". www.mwlguide.com.
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