Douglas Copper Kings
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Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings 1947–2003 (1947–1958, 2003) Bisbee, Arizona |
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| Previous | Class C (1947–1958) |
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| League | Arizona–Mexico League (1955–1958, 2003) |
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| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1 (1958) |
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The Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings were a minor league baseball team in Bisbee, Arizona and Douglas, Arizona. They played in the Arizona–Texas League from 1948 to 1958 and in the Arizona–Mexico League in 1955. The Arizona–Mexico League was active from 1955–58 and was the successor of the Arizona–Texas League. Following the 1955 season the team moved to Douglas for the 1956, 1957 and 1958 seasons.
In 2003, the Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings were briefly reconstituted in an independent professional league, also known as the Arizona–Mexico League, which suspended operations three weeks into the season.
The team played home games in both Bisbee and Douglas. In Bisbee they played their home games at Warren Ballpark, the oldest ballpark in the United States, constructed in 1909. Games in Douglas were played at Copper King Stadium. Warren Ballpark, built with adobe and steel, still stands in a suburb of Bisbee as does Copper King Stadium in Douglas.
The original Arizona–Mexico League team featured future major leaguers Clint Courtney, Johnny Keane, Jim Tobin and Earl Wilson. In 1950, the team was affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and then in 1958 it was affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1958 the Copper Kings did something no other professional team has done. All 9 players of the starting line-up hit a home run in the same game. See the external link below.
The 2003 Copper Kings field manager was Butch Hammett. Their general manager was John Guy. Local baseball historian David Skinner was minority owner. The Copper Kings ended with a final record of 9-7, tied for second place.
The 2003 Copper Kings gained national attention with their colorful promotions including Ted Williams Night in which they gave away free popsicles to their fans in relation to Ted Williams being cryogenically frozen in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 2003 club also made news with the signing of former National League base-stealing champion Chuck Carr, who played center field for the abbreviated season. Former Richmond Braves shortstop Jose Mateo also played with the Copper Kings.
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Wikipedia