Spartanburg Spinners South Atlantic League

Spartanburg Spinners

South Atlantic League (1983)

Tombstone

Born: 1982 – Re-branded from Spartanburg Traders
Re-Branded: 1984 (Spartanburg Suns)

First Game:
Last Game:

South Atlantic League Championships: None

Stadium

Duncan Park (3,000)11983 Anderson Braves Program

Ownership & Affiliation

Owners: Robert Anderson & Clyde Wilmeth

Major League Affiliation: Philadelphia Phillies

Attendance

Tilting your mobile device may offer better viewing.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (3rd ed.), Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 2007

 

Background

Spartanburg, South Carolina was a long-time minor league outpost of the Philadelphia Phillies organization, hosting a Class A affiliate of the Major League club from 1963 to 1994. For most of that era Spartanburg’s local nine were also known as the Phillies.  But during a six-year period from 1980 to 1985 the team experimented with several different local identities, including the Traders (1980-1982), the Spinners (1983) and the Suns (1984-1985).

In 1986 the team went back to being known as the Phillies.

On The Field

The Spartanburg Spinners lasted just one summer under that name. The club finished 72-71 under the direction of manager Roly DeArmas and produced nine future Major League ballplayers.

20-year old Chris James split time between 3rd base and the outfield and was the Spinners most dangerous player. The brother of New England Patriots running back and future ESPN college football analyst Craig James hit .297 with 26 homers and 121 RBIs for the Spinners. He would go onto to a 10-year Major League career that lasted from 1986 to 1995.

Pitcher Mike Maddux spent 15 seasons in the big leagues and was the last active Spinners player when he threw his last pitch in 2000.

Legacy

New owners took over the Spinners in 1984 and changed the name (again!) to the Spartanburg Suns.

The former Spartanburg Spinners franchise is still active in the South Atlantic League today. After several subsequent name changes and a move to Kannapolis, North Carolina in 1995, the franchise is known today as the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.

 

Spartanburg Spinners Shop

 

 

Downloads

July 1983 Spinners vs. Charleston Royals Game Notes & Rosters Sheet

July 1983 Spartanburg Spinners vs. Charleston Royals Game Notes

 

In Memoriam

Outfielder Greg Jelks became a star in the Australian Baseball League during the 1990’s. He eventually acquired dual citizenship and played for Australia’s national team in the late 90’s. Jelks passed away in his sleep during an intercontinental flight between the U.S. and Australia on January 6, 2017 at age 55. MLB.com obituary.

 

Links

South Atlantic League Media Guides

South Atlantic League Programs

##

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share