Tupelo Wolves

Minor league baseball began in Tupelo, Mississippi with the 1925 Tupelo "Wolves." Playing as members of the newly formed Class D level Tri-State League, the Wolves won the league pennant in 1925. Tupelo ended the six–team Tri-State League regular season with a 60–39 record to place 1st under manager Howard "Red" Reese, 4.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Jonesboro Buffaloes (63–43). They were followed by the Dyersburg Deers (59–46), Corinth Corinthians (57–49), Jackson Giants (40–63) and Blytheville Tigers (31–77). The Wolves were led by Tupelo native Andy Reese, who led the Tri-State League with 102 runs scored and 144 total hits. As a multi–sport athlete at Vanderbilt University, Reese allegedly began play for the Wolves under the pseudonym Tidbit Bynum in order to protect his collegiate eligibility. However, Vanderbilt became aware of his professional play, ending his college career and he continued in his baseball career. In the 1925 playoffs, the Tupelo Wolves lost in the Finals to the Jonesboro Buffaloes 4 games to 2.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

The Tri-State League folded before the conclusion of the 1926 season with Tupelo in last place. The Tupelo Wolves had a 22–36 record and were in 6th place, 13.0 games behind the Jonesboro Buffalos and Corinth Corinthians, when the league folded on July 6, 1926. Tupelo was managed in 1926 by Omar Pressley and had an average roster age of 21.0, as Jonesboro was at 23.9.[1][2][5][9][10][11]

Tupelo was without minor league baseball until 1997. The Tupelo Tornado played in 1997 season as members of the Independent level Big South League, winning the four–team league with a 40–19 record.[12][13][14][15]

The name of the Tupelo Wolves' home ballpark in 1925 and 1926 is not directly referenced. Ballard Park was noted to have been in use in the era.[16][17][18][19][20]

(2014) North Broadway Street. Tupelo, Mississippi

[1]

• Hod Lisenbee (1925)
• Andy Reese (1925)

Tupelo Wolves players

• Baseball Reference Bullpen