Holdrege White Sox
The Holdrege White Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Holdrege, Nebraska that played in the short–season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959 as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Holdrege first fielded a team in the 1903 Central Nebraska League. History. Holdrege first fielded a minor league team in 1903. The Holdrege team became members of the 1903 Central Nebraska League, an Independent level five–team league that folded after one season. The last known standings were published on July 24, 1903, shortly before the Minden and Giltner  teams disbanded. The Red Cloud Indians and McCook would disband shortly thereafter, leaving only Holdrege remaining. Holdrege then played the remainder of the 1903 season as a traveling team. The last known standings had the Holdrege Silver Aces in 1st place with a 19–7 record, tied with McCook, who had an identical record. Decades later, the Holdrege White Sox resumed minor league play in Holdrege. The White Sox played four seasons as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League, from 1956 to 1959, as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Holdrege finished the 1956 season with a  33–30 record to finish 6th and last in the Nebraska State League standings. The White Sox finished in 3rd place in 1957 with a record of 33–23. In 1958, Holdrege finished in last place with a record of 29–34 to place 6th. In their final season of play, Holdrege finished 2nd with a 39–23 record. There were no league playoffs in the seasons that Holdrege played. On opening day in 1956, fans came to the Hotel Dale in Holdrege to see Carl Hubbell, who was a participant in opening day festivities at Fairgrounds Park. Holdrege had a tradition of Saturday  night being "shopping night" in the business district. As a result, Holdrege played Saturday games during the afternoon, as the city's electrical system could not support lights in both the business district and the ballpark being on at the same time. The Nebraska State League permanently folded after the 1959 season. Holdrege, along with the 1959 league members Hastings Giants, Grand Island Athletics, Kearney Yankees, McCook Braves and North Platte Indians also permanently folded their franchises. The ballpark. The Holdrege White Sox played were noted to have played minor league home games at Holdrege Fairgrounds Park. The ballpark was  also known as "White Sox Park" during miorl league play there. On July 24, 1956 the wooden grandstands burned down. The bleachers were quickly rebuilt and some damaged light poles were also replaced at the ballpark. The park was a favorite of hitters, averaging about three home runs per game. The field is still in use today at the Phelps County Fairgrounds. External link. Baseball Reference Bullpen