Portsmouth Cubs
| Portsmouth Cubs | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class B (1935–1955) |
| League | Piedmont League (1935–1955) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | Chicago Cubs (1935–1938) Philadelphia Phillies (1939–1940) Chicago Cubs (1941–1947) |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) |
|
| Conference titles (3) |
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| Wild card berths (14) |
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| Team data | |
| Name | Portsmouth Truckers (1935) Portsmouth Cubs (1936–1952) Portsmouth Merrimacs (1953–1955) |
| Ballpark | Sewanee Stadium (1935–1940) Frank Lawerence Stadium (1941–1955) |
The Portsmouth Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Portsmouth, Virginia. From 1935 to 1955, Portsmouth teams played exclusively as members of the Class B level Piedmont League, which was one of few minor leagues that continued play during World War II. Portsmouth qualified for the Piedmont League playoffs 17 times in 21 seasons, capturing the 1945 league championship, winning league pennants in 1942, 1943 and 1950 while advancing to the league Finals on ten separate occasions. For three seasons, the team became known as the Portsmouth "Merrimacs," beginning in 1953.
The Portsmouth Cubs played as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs from 1935 to 1938 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939 and 1940, before a second stint with the Chicago Cubs from 1941 to 1947.
Portsmouth hosted minor league games at two different ballparks in the era. The team played at Sewanee Stadium from 1935 to 1940, before moving full time to City Park / Frank Lawrence Stadium in 1941.
Baseball Hall of Fame member Buck Leonard played for Portsmouth in 1953 in his final professional season at age 45, hitting .333 for Portsmouth. Baseball Hall of Fame members Tony Lazzeri (1942) and Jimmie Foxx (1944) managed the Portsmouth Cubs, both leading their teams to the league Finals.