Gastonia Cardinals

The Cardinals teams hosted home minor league games from 1938 to 1940 at the Gastonia High School Stadium and subsequently at Sims Legion Park, which is still in use today.

On July 22, 1938, the Shelby Cardinals franchise of the eight-team, Class D level North Carolina State League relocated to Gastonia.

[6] The Hickory Rebels, Lenoir Indians, Newton-Conover Twins, Shelby Nationals and Statesville Owls joined Gastonia in beginning league play.

[8][3] Hooper Triplett of Gastonia won the league triple crown, hitting .391 with 27 home runs and 115 RCI.

[9] The Cardinals ended the regular season with a 64–44 record, playing under manager Milt Bocek, while finishing 8.0 games behind the first place Statesville Owls.

[3][11] The Cardinals were joined in the 1977 Western Carolinas League by the Asheville Tourists, Charleston Patriots, Greenwood Braves, Shelby Reds and Spartanburg Phillies.

[13] The 1977 Gastonia Cardinals won the Western Carolinas League championship, playing the season under manager Hal Lanier.

[10] With a record of 82–57, the Cardinals captured the league pennant, finishing 1.0 game ahead of the second place Ashville Tourists in the overall standings.

Gastonia ended the season with a 69–71 record, finishing 13.5 games behind the first place Greenwood Braves in the final standings.

[15] Playing the season under manager Johnny Lewis, Gastonia compiled a record of 65–74, finishing 13.5 games behind the first place Greenwood Braves.

The six Western Carolinas franchises remained, with the Anderson Braves and Macon Peaches joining the league, which was divided into two four-team divisions.

[18] The Gastonia Cardinals placed fourth in the five-team North Division in 1981, missing the South Atlantic League playoffs.

[21] Playing the season under manager Lloyd Merritt, Gastonia finished 43.0 games behind the first place and eventual league champion Greensboro Hornets in the North Division.

[26] When the Cardinals began play at the ballpark in 1977, the renovation to Sims Legion Park was still ongoing, with the grandstands and locker rooms incomplete.