Brockton Shoemakers

The "Shoemakers" had a long tenure as members of the New England League beginning in 1892 and continuing through the 1933 season, after the first "Brockton" team began play in 1885.

Brockton teams played home minor league games at both Highland Park and the Centre Street Grounds.

McGunnigle said in the aftermath that he wasn't able to reassemble his complete team in time for the game and Lawrence countered the Brockton should be expelled from the league.

On July 23, 1886, Brockton player/manager Bill McGunnigle suffered a fractured skull when hit in the head by a pitch in a game against Lawrence.

His father forbid Rocky from working at the shoe factories and encouraged him to follow other pursuits, which led him to baseball and then boxing.

[19][20] With Bill McGunnigle returning as manager from his time with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Brockton resumed minor league play in 1892.

[22][33][34] With Walt Burnham beginning a tenure as manager, the 1896 Brockton Shoemakers improved to finish in third place in the New England League season.

[40] Brockton pitcher Jim Korwan led the league with 168 strikeouts and advanced to pitch for the Chicago Cubs in 1897.

[43][44] The Fall River Indians, New Bedford Whalers, Newport Colts, Pawtucket Phenoms and Taunton Herrings teams joined Brockton in 1897 New England League play.

[46] Jimmy Sheckard played for the Brockton Shoemakers in 1897 before making his major league debut with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms at the end of the season, embarking on a 17-year career.

[47] At age 18, Sheckard led the New England League in batting average, runs scored, stolen bases and total hits.

Sheckard is one of four players in the modern era (1900–present) to hold the single season walks record; the others are Ruth, Jack Crooks, and Barry Bonds.

Brockton finished in a first-place tie, as the Newport Colts ended the New England League season the identical record.

[52] Brockton and Newport were followed in the New England League standings by the Pawtucket Phenoms (54–51), Fall River Indians (47–59), Taunton Herrings (40–68) and New Bedford Whalers (38–67).

[44][22] On June 22, 1898, Fall River Indians pitcher Tom Flanagan threw a no–hitter and defeated the Brockton Shoemakers 5–0.

The Shoemakers ended the season with a record of 32–16 and were in first place under returning manager Walter Burnham when the New England League folded in July.

[63] The Augusta Live Oaks, Bangor Millionaires, Haverhill Hustlers, Lewiston, Lowell Tigers, Manchester, Nashua and Portland teams began league play on May 15, 1901, without Brockton joining them as a member to begin the season.

Brockton/New Hartford ended the season finished 24.0 games behind the first place Lowell Tigers in the final standings of the eight-team Class B level league, as no playoffs were held.

[22][85] The Tigers had competition in the league with Hall of Fame member Jesse Burkett serving as player/manager for the Worcester Busters team, who would have multiple championship seasons.

O'Brien gave up six runs in four innings, before he was removed by manager Stephen Flanagan, but the Tigers rallied to win the game by the score of 9–7.

After establishing himself in the major leagues, on April 20, 1912, O'Brien was the starting pitcher for Boston Red Sox in the first game ever played at the newly constructed Fenway Park.

[22] The 1908 Brockton Tigers were again managed by Stephen Flanagan as the team finished in fourth place in the eight-team New England League final standings.

In a close race, Brockton finished 1.5 games behind the first place Worcester Busters and manager Jesse Burkett in the final New England League standings.

Brockton ended the 1910 season 29.0 games behind the first place New Bedford Whalers in the final standings of the Class B level league.

The Fall River Spindles, New Bedford Whalers, Pawtucket Tigers, Taunton Herrings and Woonsocket Speeders teams joined Brockton in the newly formed league.

Playing the season under managers Willie Reardon and Bert Weeden, Brockton finished 25.0 games behind the first place Fall River Spindles in the final standings.

[140] Continuing play in the eight-team 1915 Colonial League, Brockton joined the Fall River Spindles, Hartford Senators, New Bedford Whalers, New Haven White Wings, Pawtucket Rovers, Springfield Tips and Taunton Herrings teams in Colonial League play.

The Attleboro Burros, Haverhill Hillies, Lewiston-Auburn Twins, Lynn Papooses, Manchester Blue Sox, Portland Mariners and Salem Witches teams joined Brockton in beginning New England League play on May 16, 1928.

With a record of 51–48, the Shoemakers were managed by Lew Courtney and finished 4.5 games behind the first place Lynn Papooses in the overall league standings.

MacPhee played for Major League Baseball's New York Giants in 1922, and the NFL's Providence Steam Rollers in 1926.