# Gastonia Rockets

The Gastonia Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina, United States. The Rockets played as members of the Class B level Tri-State League in 1952 and 1953, winning the 1952 league pennant before the team folded following the 1953 season. The Rockets were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and hosted home games at Sims Legion Park, which is still in use today.

## History

Gastonia first hosted minor league baseball in 1923, when the Gastonia "Comers" played a partial season as members of the Class B level South Atlantic League. The Gastonia Rockets were immediately preceded in minor league play by the 1950 Gastonia "Browns," who played the season as members of the Class D level Western Carolina League, finishing last in the league standings with a record of 40-70.
In 1952, Gastonia resumed minor league play as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, when the "Rockets" became members of the eight-team Class B level Tri-State League. Gastonia replaced the Greenwood Tigers franchise in joining the league. The Anderson Rebels, Asheville Tourists, Charlotte Hornets, Greenville Spinners, Knoxville Smokies, Rock Hill Chiefs and Spartanburg Peaches joined Gastonia in beginning league play on April 16, 1952.
The "Rockets" moniker corresponds to aviation history in Gastonia. In 1946, the Gastonia Airport was opened.
In their first season of league play, the Gastonia Rockets won the 1952 Tri-State League pennant. The Rockets ended the Tri-State League regular season with a record of 89-50, finishing first in the standings, 1.5 games ahead of the second place Charlotte Hornets. Hal Van Pelt served as the Gastonia manager. In the first round of the four-team playoffs, the Spartanburg Peaches defeated the Rockets three games to two. Alex Cosmidis of Gastonia scored 122 runs to lead the Tri-state league in that category.
The Rockets continued play as the 1953 Tri-State League reduced to six teams, in what proved to be the final season of the team. Gastonia did not qualify for the 1953 playoffs, as the Rockets placed fifth in the Tri-State League regular season standings with a 66–81 record. With Hal Van Pelt returning as manager, the Rockets ended the season 28.5 behind the first place Spartanburg Peaches. Gastonia was replaced by the Knoxville Smokies in the 1954 Tri-State League, after Knoxville had disbanded in 1953.
Gastonia, North Carolina next hosted minor league baseball in 1959, when the Gastonia Pirates played a partial season as members of the Class A level South Atlantic League.

## The ballpark

In their two seasons of play, the Gastonia Rockets hosted minor league home games at Sims Legion Park. The original ballpark was built in 1950, with a major renovation in 1977 and again in 2021. Still in use today, the ballpark is located at 1001 North Marietta Street.

## Timeline

| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Affiliate | Ballpark |
| 1952-1953 | 2 | Gastonia Rockets | Class B | Tri-State League | Chicago White Sox | Sims Legion Park |

## Year–by–year records

| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Attend | Playoffs / Notes |
| 1952 | 89–50 | 1st | Hal Van Pelt | 94,788 | Lost in 1st round |
| 1953 | 66–81 | 5th | Hal Van Pelt | 69,052 | Did not qualify |

## Notable alumni

* Alex Cosmidis (1952)
* Zeb Eaton (1952)
* Mike Garbark (1953)
* Rudy Hernandez (1953)
* Howie Moss (1952)
* Gastonia Rockets players