For over a century, the Arkansas Travelers Baseball team has been a fixture in Arkansas sports, known by a single nickname and playing in only a handful of home fields. Uniquely, the team is partly owned by its dedicated fans, a testament to community support that dates back to 1960 when shares were sold to local enthusiasts to prevent the team’s relocation from Little Rock. In 1957, aiming to broaden its appeal, the team rebranded from the Little Rock Travelers to the Arkansas Travelers, becoming the first professional team to represent an entire state. The Travelers’ storied history also includes hosting five future National Baseball Hall of Famers: Tris Speaker, Travis Jackson, Bill Dickey, Jim Bunning, and Ferguson Jenkins, adding to its rich legacy in baseball.
The early years were challenging for the minor league team as they navigated the Southern Association. In 1895, the Travelers joined the Southern League, competing with teams from major Southern cities. However, this initial foray was short-lived. The season concluded prematurely in July after just 72 games out of a planned 137, due to poor performance and dwindling fan interest. Little Rock’s record stood at a disappointing 25 wins and 47 losses, with a .347 winning percentage.
After a five-year hiatus, partly due to the collapse of the Southern League, Little Rock rejoined professional baseball in the newly formed Southern Association. In 1901, playing their home games at West End Park, the team showed significant improvement. The Travelers finished second in the league, narrowly missing the top spot by just one game to Nashville. They repeated this second-place finish in 1902, signaling a positive shift for the franchise. Team president William M. Kavanaugh’s leadership was recognized, and he was asked to become league president. Kavanaugh, known for his effective management as city editor of the Arkansas Gazette and as Pulaski County judge, was also a prominent figure in Little Rock, having constructed the city’s first skyscraper, the Southern Trust Building.
As the 1910s approached, the Travelers faced another downturn, leading to their second withdrawal from league play. Consistent poor finishes resulted in decreased game attendance. Despite the team’s struggles, Kavanaugh remained as league president, committed to their return. On February 20, 1915, he announced their reinstatement for the upcoming season. Tragically, he passed away the very next day at the age of forty-eight. In a tribute to his contributions, West End Park was renamed Kavanaugh Field. Marking their third entry into professional baseball, the Travelers began a steady climb in the league standings. From last place in 1915, they rose to second in both 1918 and 1919 under the guidance of manager Norman “Kid” Elberfeld. Their breakthrough came in 1920 when they secured their first championship. The team surged to first place with an impressive fourteen-game winning streak, achieving an 88–59 record and a .599 winning percentage. Outfielder Harry Harper was a standout, leading the league in hitting with a .346 average and in hits with 196. Bing Miller led in home runs with nineteen. Pitcher Moses Yellowhorse contributed significantly from the mound, with a 21–7 record and a .750 winning percentage, while Rube Robinson tied for the league lead with twenty-six wins.
In the early 1930s, Little Rock High School experienced rapid growth, requiring the land occupied by Kavanaugh Field for expansion. Kavanaugh Field and the surrounding area were repurposed for the school’s Quigley Stadium. In 1931, the Travelers’ final season at Kavanaugh Field, they drew a remarkable 113,758 fans, their second-highest attendance since their championship year in 1920.
Seeking a new home, the Travelers’ ownership appealed to the city for assistance. Land near the state hospital was allocated, and Travelers Field was established. In 1966, Travelers Field was renamed Ray Winder Field, honoring Ray Winder, who began as a ticket taker in 1915 and rose to become general manager. Winder played a pivotal role in preserving baseball in Little Rock on numerous occasions. In 1960, he managed to assemble enough players at the last minute, averting a potential team relocation. Over his fifty-year tenure, he witnessed the Travelers experience both lows and highs, including three league championships.
In 1963, the Travelers became affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies and embarked on a period of diverse league affiliations. They initially joined the American Association, a AAA-class league, which dissolved before the 1963 season began. They then played in the International League for 1963, winning their division but losing in the playoffs. In 1965, they moved to the Pacific Coast League (PCL), finishing fifth while undertaking extensive travel across the continent to Salt Lake City, Portland, Hawaii, and Canada. While team owners appreciated the on-field success, financial profitability remained a primary goal.
Arkansas transitioned to the Texas League in 1966, marking a period of renewed success. With shorter travel distances and players provided by their new affiliate, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Travelers quickly excelled. They finished first in 1966 and 1968, and won the Dixie Association title in 1971. After a period of decline, the team began a resurgence in 1977, winning the Texas League East title but losing in the first playoff round. The following year, in 1978, they clinched the Texas League title with a 3–0 series victory over San Antonio. In 1980, the Travelers again secured the Texas League championship, solidifying their dominance in the league.
Former American League umpire Bill Valentine took over as general manager in 1976, bringing an unconventional and promotional approach to the role. He famously coined the slogan “Greatest show on dirt,” later modified due to copyright concerns. Valentine’s tenure was marked by creative promotions, including sending a midget to bat in a game and offering cars to fans on “Klunker Kar Night.” Valentine’s showmanship, combined with competitive teams, sustained fan interest in Ray Winder Field. Despite occasional slumps, the Travelers consistently attracted around 200,000 fans per season.
In 1989, the Travelers experienced a peak season. A talented roster secured the league title and drew nearly 300,000 fans. Manager Gaylen Pitts was recognized as Manager of the Year, as the team achieved a 79–56 record and a .585 winning percentage. Ray Lankford was named league MVP, leading in hits, while Bernard Gilkey topped the league in runs. Dave Osteen led in wins, and Mike Perez was the saves leader. The 1990s were less fruitful in terms of championships, with the team never exceeding second place, though they maintained strong attendance figures, averaging 250,000 fans annually.
The dawn of the new millennium in 2001, along with a new major league affiliation, brought another Texas League title. The Travelers ended their partnership with St. Louis and aligned with the Anaheim Angels (later the Los Angeles Angels). Arkansas won the league championship after being ahead 2–0 against Round Rock on the morning of September 11, 2001. Following the September 11 attacks, professional baseball was suspended, and the Travelers were awarded the league trophy, despite protests from Round Rock. The team featured future major leaguers John Lackey, Robb Quinlan, Brendan Donnelly, and Chone Figgins. 2001 also marked the first year all 140 games were broadcast on the radio, with Phil Elson becoming the first Travelers announcer to broadcast a full season live.
Ray Winder Field, the Travelers’ home since 1932, had aged considerably. Voters in North Little Rock approved a sales tax to fund a new ballpark. On April 5, 2007, the Travelers inaugurated their new stadium, Dickey-Stephens Field, in North Little Rock.
In 2014, the Travelers introduced two new mascots: Ace, a large horse, and Otey, a swamp possum named after former Traveler infielder and groundskeeper R. C. Otey, enhancing the fan experience.
In 2016, the Travelers entered into a two-year player development contract with the Seattle Mariners, becoming an affiliate the following year. In May 2024, the board of directors agreed to sell the Arkansas Travelers franchise to Diamond Baseball Holdings. Under the agreement, the team will remain the Class AA Texas League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, ensuring the continuation of travelers baseball in Arkansas for years to come.
For additional information:
Bailey, Jim. The Arkansas Travelers: 79 Years of Baseball. Little Rock: Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club, 1980.
Bass, Kelly. “Taking Stock of the Travelers.” Arkansas Times, April 12, 1996, pp. 10–11.
Johnson, Lloyd, and Miles Wolff. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Durham, NC: Baseball America, Inc., 1997.
O’Neal, Bill. Texas League 1888–1987: A Century of Baseball. Austin, TX: Eakin Press, 1987.
Traub, Todd. The Last at Bat: The Arkansas Travelers at Ray Winder Field. Little Rock: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2006.
Travelers Crossing. http://www.travs.com/ (accessed May 10, 2024).
Turner, Terry. Baseball in Little Rock. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing, 2004.
Weigl, Bruce. “Life, Ambition, and the Love of Baseball in the Texas Leagues.” Arkansas Times, August 1980, pp. 42–50.
Wright, Marshall D. The Southern Association of Baseball 1885–1961. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2002.
Terry Turner Little Rock, Arkansas
