Kinston Expos

The franchise won a league title as the Kinston Eagles in 1962 as an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kinston is served today by the Down East Wood Ducks, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers.

Profits were reinvested into improving the stadium, promoting the team, and supplying playing equipment for the youth of Kinston.

The Eagles failed to win any championships during this second era of Carolina League play, but they managed to make the playoffs in six of thirteen seasons.

[5] From 1968 through 1973 the Eagles were affiliation with the New York Yankees; the fans saw a lot of future all-stars pass through the city including a young Ron Guidry who would soon establish himself as one of the best pitchers in the American League.

[6] During the 1970s the popularity of minor league baseball reached its lowest point and the attendance in Kinston fell to only 30,000 for the 1973 season.

The young Montreal franchise boasted a strong farm system with a lot of talent.

The original structure was built by architect John J. Rowland in 1949 at a cost of $170,000 inclusive of everything except the land.