Western Carolinas League (1979)
South Atlantic League (1980-1982)
Tombstone
Born: 1977
Affiliation Change: 1983 (Gastonia Expos)
First Game: April 16, 1977 (W 12-4 @ Spartanburg Phillies)
Final Game: August 31, 1982 (L 8-7 vs. Spartanburg Traders)
Western Carolinas League Champions: 1977
South Atlantic League Championships: None
Stadium
Ownership & Affiliation
Owner: Jack Farnsworth
Major League Affiliation: St. Louis Cardinals
Attendance
Tilting your mobile device may offer better viewing.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (3rd ed.), Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 2007
Background
Gastonia, North Carolina was a steady outpost of minor league baseball throughout the 1960’s and into the early 1970’s. Future Major League stars such as Dave Cash, Mike Hargrove and Al Oliver put in time at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park during those years. But poor lighting at the ballpark drove away Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers farm clubs at the beginning of ’70’s. After two summers without baseball in 1975 and 1976, city leaders committed to renovations of Sims Park. The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to establish a Class A farm club in the city for the spring of 1977.
The renovations were incomplete when the Gastonia Cardinals began play that April. As the season opened, the grandstand was still under construction. Ballplayers used Wray Junior High School three miles away for dressing rooms. Still, the Cards had a charmed debut season, winning the championship of the six-team Western Carolinas League in their maiden voyage.
Notable Names
Several future stars played at Gastonia the Cardinals years from 1977 to 1982.
- Two-time National League All-Star first baseman Leon Durham (Gastonia ’77)
- 14-year Major League veteran pitcher Jim Gott (Gastonia ’78-’79)
- Three-time N.L. All-Star outfielder Andy Van Slyke (Gastonia ’80)
During the 1979 season Gastonia hired former Cardinals and New York Mets outfielder Johnny Lewis as field manager. Lewis was the first African-American to manage in the Western Carolinas League. He was also the only black manager in all of organized baseball during the summer of 1979.
Transitions
The Western Carolinas League changed its name to the South Atlantic League prior to the 1980 season.
The Cardinals withdrew from Gastonia following the 1982 season. Gastonia remained in the South Atlantic League for another decade, playing under a succession of names and Major League parent clubs: the Expos (1983-1984), the Jets (1985), the Tigers (1986) and the Rangers (1987-1992).
In Memoriam
Team owner Jack Farnsworth died on March 6, 1998 at age 81. After re-establishing baseball in Gastonia with the Cardinals in 1977, Farnsworth owned the local franchise until the late 1980’s.
Field manager Johnny Lewis (Gastonia ’79) passed away on July 29, 2018 at age 78.
Downloads
1978 Cardinals vs. Charleston Pirates Roster Sheet
1978 Gastonia Cardinals vs. Charleston Pirates Roster Sheet
Links
One Response
My name is Nate Jones, and I was GM the Gastonia Cardinals from November 1976 until the end of the first season in September of 1977. I will always remember Jack and Nina Farnsworth, for their passion for baseball and their kindness and generosity for the team and it’s players. If I ever needed anything, all I ever had to do was ask. May God rest their souls!