Photograph © Steven LJ Russo Falcon Park I Auburn New York Former Home of the Auburn Astros, Sunsets, Red Stars, Americans, Phillies, Twins, Mets, Yankees, Cayugas, Falcons, Bouleys, Colts Former NY-Penn League (Short Season Single-A) Can-Am League Border League |
In 1951 the Cayugas changed their name to the Auburn Falcons. Then, everything fell
apart. Cornwall and Geneva disbanded in late June with a terrible draw at the
gates (4,800 for Cornwall). Auburn who had only drawn 13,800 by July 1st, found
themselves unable to continue any longer and left with Watertown. By July 10th
the Border League had was bankrupt and came to their final end. The Falcons
had gone 26-26 in their shortened season. Auburn’s Bob Dill’s and his.397 batting
average in 1946 would go down in Border League history as their best hitter
ever. Nobody came to Falcon Park’s rescue and the ballpark would go dark for another
7 very long seasons. It wouldn’t be until 1958 when the NY-Penn League finally
decided to give Falcon Park a chance. Why they had waited this long to sign
up Falcon Park to their roster… over 30 years after the ballpark originally
debuted, remains a mystery, but was signed up and took over the Jamestown franchise.
They were now on solid ground and the constant roller coaster rides of the
Can-Am League and the Border League were now over. Auburn was immediately signed
a new affiliation… the New York Yankees. Immediately the team found some swagger
in their step as a young 17 year old kid came to camp from Brooklyn thinking
he was already a superstar before he ever swung the bat. His name was Joe Pepitone
and in his first year of pro ball, he would bat .321 in a very 16 games.
Pepitone would be promoted to Class C ball in 1959 and by 1963 he became an All-Star
outfielder… the first ever produced by Falcon Park. (He would also become
a legend for his notoriously bad decisions in life). Future Senators’ Bud Zipfel
provided the electricity batting .271 with 21 HRs as the Auburn Yankees finished
with a 67-58 record finishing in 4th. They had made the playoffs in their
inaugural season in the NY-Penn League where they promptly lost in the 1st round. |