Raymond Cougars

The Raymond Cougars was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Raymond, Washington from 1910 and 1911. Raymond teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Washington State League.

Raymond Cougars
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1910–1911)
LeagueWashington State League (1910–1911)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1910
Team data
NameRaymond Cougars (1910)
Raymond Venetians(1911)
BallparkLions Club Park (1910–1911)

History

Minor league baseball began in Raymond, Washington in 1910. The Raymond "Cougars" were charter members of the six–team Class D level Washington State League. The Aberdeen Black Cats, Chehalis Gophers, Hoquiam Loggers, Montesano Farmers and Tacoma Cubs joined Raymond as charter members in league play.[1][2][3]

The Washington State League was reportedly organized in Hoquiam, Washington at a meeting held on March 6, 1910. The league was formed as a six–team league, playing a 21 week schedule. The franchises voted to split the shares of tickets equally between the home and away teams. Ten percent of the ticket earnings were to br given to the league for travel expenses. At the initial meeting, Walter A. MacFarlane was elected league president and W. E. Campbell was elected vice president. During the 1910 season, the salary cap was set, with a limit of $850.00 per month.[4][5]

It was reported with the team being managed by Fred Dunbar in 1910, newspapers called the team "Dunbar's Cougars." Cougars and mountain lions are indigenous to the mountainous region.[6]

Beginning play on May 10, 1910, the Raymond Cougars won the Washington State League championship in their first season of play. The Cougars ended the season with a record of 37–19, playing under manager Fred Dunbar. The Cougars finished 1.0 game ahead of the 2nd place Chehalis Gophers (35–19) in the final standings. they were followed by the Aberdeen Black Cats (24–29), Montesano Farmers (22–31) Hoquiam Loggers (12–18) and Tacoma Cubs (8–21). Pitcher James Jachs of Raymond led the Washington State League with 15 wins and 164 strikeouts.[7][8][1][3]

In 1911, the Raymond Venetians continued play as the Washington State League reduced franchises and became a four–team league. The Centralia Pets, Chehalis Proteges and South Bend River Rats joined Raymond in 1911 league play.[9]

In their final season, the 1911 Raymond Venetians placed 3rd in the Washington State League. The Proteges placed 3rd in the final standings with a record of 25–29, playing under manager C.D. Wineholt. Raymond finished 12.5 games behind the 1st place Centralia Pets (38–17) in the final standings, followed by the 2nd place Chehalis Proteges (36–20) and ahead of the 4th place South Bend River Rats (11–44). Player/manager C.D. Wineholt led the league with 8 home runs and 49 runs scored. The Raymond franchise permanently folded following the 1911 season.[10][11][3]

Raymond, Washington has not hosted another minor league team.[12][13]

The ballpark

The Raymond teams were noted to have hosted minor league home games at Lions Club Park. Reportedly, the ballpark had another name in the era. Lions Club Park is still in use today as a public park.[14][15]

(1905) Waterfront on the Willapa River. Raymond, Washington

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
19101Raymond CougarsClass DWashington State League
19111Raymond Venetians

Year-by-year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
191037–191stFred DunbarNone held
191125–293rdC.D. WineholtNone held

Notable alumni

No alumni of the Raymond minor league teams advanced to the major leagues.

References
  1. "1910 Washington State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1910 Washington State League (WSL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. "Washington State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "Clubs decided on". Morning Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. March 7, 1910. p. 15. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  5. "State league is admitted". Morning Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. March 16, 1910. p. 8. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  6. Worth, Richard (February 26, 2013). Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011. McFarland. ISBN 9780786468447 – via Google Books.
  7. "1910 Raymond Cougars minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "1910 Raymond Cougars Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1911 Washington State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "1911 Raymond Venetians Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "1911 Raymond Venetians minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "Raymond, WA - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  13. "Raymond, Washington Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "Lions Club Park in Raymond, WA minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "City Parks – City of Raymond".

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