The Longhorn League was the name of a Minor league baseball circuit that operated from through in the Southwestern United States. In , it was renamed the Southwestern League and operated through before changing its name to the Sophomore League. Joe Bauman hit 72 home runs in 1954 to set the minor league record, while playing for the Roswell Rockets.
History The Longhorn League was a high–offense league that operated from 1947 through 1955. In 1956, it was renamed the Southwestern League. A league with only three teams ever affiliated with major league clubs, all for one year only, the league was home to veteran minor leaguers who were no longer of interest to major league teams. In two of the league's nine seasons, a Longhorn League player posted the top average in the minors – Jim Prince in 1947 and Tom Jordan in 1955. A .400 average or .700 slugging in this league was not uncommon. The league is notable for Joe Bauman setting the all–time minor-league home run record in 1954 with 72 home runs.
Cities represented
Artesia, New Mexico: Artesia Drillers 1951–1953; Artesia Numexers 1954–1955 Ballinger, Texas: Ballinger Cats 1947–1950 Big Spring, Texas: Big Spring Broncs 1947–1950; Big Spring Cosden Cops 1955 Carlsbad, New Mexico: Carlsbad Potashers 1953–1957 Del Rio, Texas: Del Rio Cowboys 1948 Hobbs, New Mexico: Hobbs Sports 1955 Lamesa, Texas: Lamesa Lobos 1953 Midland, Texas: Midland Indians 1947, 1949–1950, 1954–1955 Odessa, Texas: Odessa Oilers 1947–1954; Odessa Eagles1955 Roswell, New Mexico: Roswell Rockets 1949–1955 San Angelo, Texas: San Angelo Colts 1948–1955 Sweetwater, Texas: Sweetwater Sports 1947–1948; Sweetwater Swatters 1949–1951; Sweetwater Braves 1952; Sweetwater Spudders 1954 Vernon, Texas: Vernon Dusters 1947–1952 Wichita Falls, Texas: Wichita Falls Spudders 1954 Winters, Texas and Ballinger, Texas: Winters-Ballinger Eagles 1953
Championship teams 1947 – Ballinger Cats 1948 – Midland Indians 1949 – Big Spring Broncs 1950 – Odessa Oilers 1951 – Odessa Oilers 1952 – Midland Indians 1953 – Carlsbad Potashers 1954 – Artesia NuMexers 1955 – San Angelo Colts
Standings and statistics 1947 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Big Spring Broncs8148.628 –43,153 Pat Stasey Midland Indians 7555.5776.534,013 Harold Webb Ballinger Cats 6862.52313.542,662 Stuart Williams Sweetwater Sports6367.48518.531,631 Rowland Murphy Odessa Oilers6070.46221.538,415Howie McFarland Vernon Dusters4287.32639.030,758 Carl Kott Playoffs: Big Springs 4 games, Sweetwater 3; Ballinger 4 games, Midland 3. Finals: Ballinger 4 games, Big Springs 2.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot James Prince MidlandBA.429 Jose Cendan Big SpringW24 Orlando Moreno Big Spring Runs186 Nippy JonesBallingerSO249 Pat Stasey Bob CowsarBig SpringSweetwaterHits209 Ernie Nelson MidlandERA3.87 Bob Cowsar SweetwaterRBI176 Jose Cendan Big SpringPCT.828 24–5 Bob Cowsar SweetwaterHR37 1948 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Big Spring Broncs8453.613 –59,503 Pat Stasey Odessa Oilers 8158.5834.061,193Bill Davis / Merle Coleman Midland Indians 7960.5686.051,865 Harold Webb Vernon Dusters7664.5439.550,250 Lloyd Rigby Ballinger Cats6871.48917.034,413 Bill Atwood Sweetwater Sports6476.45721.535,425 Clarence Gann San Angelo Colts6377.45022.529,145Robert Martin / Alvin Leedy Del Rio Cowboys4298.30043.513,425 John Zanet / Bill Lacy / Sam Harshany Playoffs: Veron 4 games, Big Spring 2; Midland 4 games, Odessa 0. Finals: Midland 4 games, Vernon 3.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Pat StaseyBig SpringBA.389 Edward JacomeVernonW22 Wilfred Rheingans Odessa Runs134 William Gann SweetwaterSO207 Roberto FernandezBig SpringHits203Jerry FahrVernonERA1.96 Kenneth Peacock SweetwaterRBI162Eusebio Perez Big SpringPCT.833 15–3 Kenneth Peacock SweetwaterHR34 1949 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Big Spring Broncs9445.676 –58,559 Pat Stasey Midland Indians 7466.52920.552,078 Harold Webb Vernon Dusters 7266.52221.550,386 Robert Huntley San Angelo Colts6968.50424.083,245 Sam Harshany Odessa Oilers6674.47128.560,426Alex Monchak Ballinger Cats6476.45730.544,815Charlie English / Stuart Williams / Lindsay BrownSweetwater Swatters6079.43234.033,770Dick Gyselman / Kermit Lewis Roswell Rockets5782.41037.043,584Bob Crues / Potsy AllenPlayoffs: Big Spring 4 games, San Angelo 0; Midland 4 games, Vernon 1; Finals: Big Spring 4 games, Midland 0.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Pat Stasey Big SpringBA.376Julio RamosBig SpringW22 Alex Monchak Odessa Runs147 Julio RamosBig SpringSO262 Carlos Pascual Harry SchertingBig SpringVernonHits188Humberto GarciaBig SpringERA1.77 Frank Mormino OdessaRBI140Julio RamosBig SpringPCT.846 22–4 Alex MonchakOdessaHR35 1950 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Odessa Oilers9755.638 –73,226 Alex Monchak Roswell Rockets 8962.5897.582,671Tom JordanBig Spring Broncs 8468.55313.049,302 Pat Stasey Vernon Dusters8370.54214.546,099Joe BerrySan Angelo Colts8271.53615.597,936 James McClure Sweetwater Swatters6884.44729.039,773John Bottarini / Dom Chiola Midland Indians6687.43131.547,042 Harold Webb / Ralph Blair Ballinger Cats39111.26057.027,902 Dutch Funderburk / Larry Gilchrist Playoffs: Odessa 4 games, Vernon 1; Big Spring 4 games, Roswell 0. Finals: Odessa 4 games, Big Spring 3.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Tom JordanRoswellBA.391Billy RussellVernonW25 Leo EasthamOdessa Runs166 Ray HillRoswellSO195 Tom JordanRoswellHits216 James McClure San AngeloERA2.54 Tom JordanRoswellRBI180 Ray Drake RoswellPCT.846 11–2 Tom JordanRoswellHR44 1951 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers San Angelo Colts9347.664 –115,118 Dutch Funderburk Big Spring Broncs 8257.59010.543,370 Pat Stasey Roswell Rockets 7961.56414.065,361Alex Monchak Odessa Oilers7663.54716.558,825 Jackie Sullivan / Robert MartinMidland Indians6970.49723.552,797 Harold Webb / Zeke Bonura Vernon Dusters6771.48625.036,686Joe Berry / Homer Matney Sweetwater Swatters4693.33146.532,430 Earl Harriman / Warren Sliter / Joe Bratcher / Julian Morgan / Julian Pressley Artesia Drillers4595.32148.034,545 Hayden GreerPlayoffs: Odessa 4 games, San Angelo 1; Roswell 4 games, Big Spring 2. Finals: Odessa 4 games, Roswell 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Pat Stasey Big SpringBA.387 Dean FranksRoswellW30 Leo EasthamOdessa Runs157 Marshall Epperson VernonSO167 John Tayoan San AngeloHits209Mike FornielesBig SpringERA2.85 Wilbur Cearley RoswellRBI141 Ray Sims OdessaPCT.917 11–1 Wayne Wallace San AngeloHR36
1952 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Odessa Oilers8753.621 –72,665 Robert MartinBig Spring Broncs 8654.6141.049,652 Pat Stasey Midland Indians 8555.6072.064,188Zeke Bonura / Jay Haney Artesia Drillers7565.53612.042,972 Earl Perry Roswell Rockets6575.46422.052,583Alex Monchak San Angelo Colts6575.46422.076,892Mark Christman Sweetwater Braves5288.37135.037,060Alex Carrasquel / John MorrisVernon Dusters4595.32142.030,105 Chester Fowler / Albert Richardson / Pat McLaughlin Playoffs: Odessa 4 games, Artesia 1; Midland 4 games, Big Spring 0; Finals: Midland 4 games, Odessa 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Charles Buck SweetwaterBA.382 Gilberto Guerra Big SpringW26 Leo Eastham Odessa Runs157 Gilberto Guerra Big SpringSO225 Charles BuckSweetwaterHits210 Israel Ten MidlandERA2.51 Joe BaumanArtesiaRBI157 Keith Nicholls MidlandPCT.750 24–8 Joe BaumanArtesiaHR50 1953 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Carlsbad Potashers8052.606 –83,462 Pat McLaughlinSan Angelo Colts 7752.5971.568,146 Rudy Briner Midland Indians 7358.5576.552,035 Jay Haney Artesia Drillers7262.5379.040,042 Earl Perry / Joe Bauman Roswell Rockets6070.46219.035,459 Pat Stasey Odessa Oilers5378.40526.541,931Robert MartinBig Spring Broncs3557.380NA24,089Hack Miller / Joe NiedsonLamesa Lobos / Winters-Ballinger Eagles1031.244NA8,314Harold WebbLamesa/Winters–Ballinger disbanded June 7; Big Spring disbanded July 31. Playoffs: Carlsbad 4 games, Artesia 3; Midland 4 games, San Angelo 3; Finals: Carlsbad 4 games, Midland 2.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Ike Jackson CarlsbadBA.388 Audie Malone CarlsbadW25Joe BaumanArtesia Runs135 Marshall Epperson CarlsbadSO214 Ike Jackson CarlsbadHits190 Mario Saldana San AngeloERA3.46 Joe BaumanArtesiaTB376 Audie Malone CarlsbadPCT.806 25–6 Joe BaumanArtesiaHR53
1954 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Artesia Numexers9246.667 –54,450John Gibson / Jimmy Adair Roswell Rockets 8751.6305.053,280 Pat Stasey Carlsbad Potashers 8752.6265.560,963Pat McLaughlinMidland Indians8059.57612.543,109 Rudy Briner Big Spring Broncs7065.51920.542,078Robert Martin Odessa Oilers5482.39737.026,281Jack Knight / Wayne Batson San Angelo Colts5386.38139.572,727Hillis Layne Wichita Falls Spudders / Sweetwater Spudders27109.19964.020,101 Red McCarty Wichita Falls moved to Sweetwater May 6. Playoffs: Artesia 4 games, Midland 2; Carlsbad 4 games, Roswell 2; Finals: Artesia 4 games, Carlsbad 2.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Joe BaumanRoswellBA.400 Robert Weaver CarlsbadW21 Joe BaumanRoswell Runs188 Julio RamosSweet/MidSO222 Ike Jackson CarlsbadHits215 Bartolo DiMaggio ArtesiaERA3.60 Joe BaumanRoswellRBI224 Wayne Goodell ArtesiaPCT.720 18–7 Joe BaumanRoswellHR72 Joe BaumanRoswellTB456 1955 Longhorn League schedule Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers San Angelo Colts8555.607 –62,446 Pat McLaughlinRoswell Rockets 7956.5853.539,911 Hayden Greer Artesia Numexers 8057.5843.528,880Tom Jordan Carlsbad Potashers7267.51812.546,152 Thurman Tucker Midland Indians6772.48217.562,602 Bill Capps Hobbs Sports6277.44622.546,101 Pat Stasey Big Spring Cosden Cops5783.40728.027,918Robert MartinOdessa Eagles 5186.37232.534,574 Tony York Playoffs: San Angelo 4 games, Carlsbad 1; Roswell 4 games, Artesia 3. Finals: San Angelo 4 games, Roswell 0.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Tom JordanArtesiaBA.407Evelio HernandezHobbsW23 Elias OsorioSan Angelo Runs142 Evelio HernandezHobbsSO227 Tom JordanArtesiaHits221 Red Swanson MidlandERA3.04 Tom JordanArtesiaRBI159Ed Locke ArtesiaPCT.741 20–7 Joe BaumanRoswellHR46 Tom JordanArtesia2B69
League records 1947–1955 Batting Player TeamStat TotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr [ William Peeler VernonGA15350 Jim Prince MidlandBA.42947 Felix Gomez Big SpringAB64250Joe BaumanRoswellRuns18854 Tom JordanArtesiaHits22155Joe BaumanRoswellRBI22454 Tom JordanArtesia2B6955 Roman Loyko Odessa3B2452 Joe BaumanRoswellHR7254Joe BaumanRoswellEBH11054 Joe BaumanRoswellTB45654Orlando Moreno Big SpringHS4347 Tony Guerrero Odes/San AngSac2250 Duane White RoswellSB5355 Leo Eastham OdessaBB17050 Joe Calderon ArtesiaSO14253 Player TeamStat TotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr Dean Franks RoswellW3051 Dean Franks RoswellCG3051 Lee Zamora SweetwaterBB19250Julio RamosBig SpringPct.846, 22–449 Lloyd Wallis VernonL2252 Roy Sims OdessaPct.917, 11–151 Humberto GarciaBig SpringERA1.7749Eddie Jacome MidlandIP33851Billy RussellVernonSho750Julio RamosBig SpringSO26249
Sources Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball – Lloyd Johnson, Miles Wolff. Publisher: Baseball America, 1993. Language: English. Format: Paperback, 420pp. References