West Frankfort Cardinals
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West Frankfort Cardinals 1947–1950 (1947 - 1950) West Frankfort, Illinois |
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Memorial Stadium |
The West Frankfort Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in West Frankfort, Illinois from 1947–1950, playing at Memorial Stadium. The Cardinals were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals that played in the Illinois State League and Mississippi–Ohio Valley League. The two leagues were the predecessors to today's Midwest League. Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Earl Weaver played for West Frankfort in 1948.
Led by local businessmen Pete Mondino, Charlie Jacobs and Tony Finazzo, the West Frankfort Baseball and Amusement Corporation (WFBAC) was formed. In short order, a stadium was built, an affiliate secured and team was formed for West Frankfort in 1947. Mondino had been a minor league player and the manager of the Paducah Indians before returning to his hometown. The 1947 West Frankfort Cardinals became an expansion team and charter members of the Class D Illinois State League. Mondino served as the team's General Manager. Later, the Cardinals played in the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League (1949–1950). The team finished 71-48 in 1950, but the franchise folded after the 1950 season and was not replaced.
In 1948, West Frankfort finished 85-35 and won the ISL Championship.
On August 30, 2008 the Southern Illinois Miners of the independent Frontier League, based in nearby Marion, Illinois, honored the West Frankfort Cardinals.
The Cardinals played at Memorial Stadium (1947–1950). In 1947, owners of the new franchise purchased an 8.8 acre site, once used to store coal and dynamite from nearby mines, and construction began on the field and stadium, which opened for play on May 24, 1957. It is believed the stadium name came from those killed in the mines.
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