While Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock & Repair Company was launching Liberty ships from the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company during World War II, they were also organizing a baseball team.
During WWII, Florida’s Victory League included military and local teams such as the Mayport Blue Jackets, Jacksonville Coast Guard, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville Terminal and Merrill Stevens, whose team was called the St. Johns River Shipbuilders, as well as the Orlando Army AirBase, St. Augustine Coast Guard Stars, and Brunswick Shipyard.
With the South Atlantic League—informally called the Sally League—a casualty of wartime, the eight teams of the Victory League had players with experience and brought back the entertainment for the local followers of baseball.
In March 1943, all shipbuilders aspiring to play baseball reported to the Municipal Stadium for their first workout as part of the City League. Roy “Red” Willie, a former professional baseball player, was employed by the shipyards and served as the team’s field manager. More than a dozen baseball professionals were also available from the shipyards to complete the team. Practices were held after the first shift, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Frank McCaffrey, who pitched the last seven seasons for the Jacksonville Tars in the Sally League, hit the mound for the St. Johns River Shipbuilders. Earl Kimbrell was his receiver. Veteran Hurler Dave McKinney, who also pitched for the Tars, would be on hand. Alf Anderson, the second sacker, was a former University of Georgia football and baseball star and played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates for two years. He was with Atlanta in 1940 and led the Southern League in batting.
Tommy Nelson, a Californian, was on the other side of the bag. He played shortstop for the Macon Peaches in the Sally League and voted outstanding league short fielder. Jake Daniels, first baseman, had a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers and performed in the International League. Mercer Harris, third baseman. Johnny Hill, played in Class AA and A ball, outfielder and patrol left field for the Shipbuilders. Johnny Stowe, former Evangeline and East Texas League outfielder, guarded centerfield.
For other positions on the team, players included Beauford E. Raines, C. W. Chittenden, H. F. Fey, Johnny Wilds, Bill Rebston, J. T. Murphy, Pep Young and Harold Jeffcoat, who was the younger brother of two known performers in organized baseball.
At the Jacksonville Ball Park on Myrtle Avenue on April 11, 1943, the opening season game was played by teams from the Naval Air Station (Naval Inshore Patrol) and the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Corporation.
The St. Johns River Shipyard orchestra, conducted by Frank Morris, played the Star-Spangled Banner. The colors were raised on the flag pole in the left field. In a semi-circle around the outer rim of the diamond, both teams were standing at attention. As the teams took to the field, Capt. Stanley J. Michael, USN commandant of the Naval Air Station, took his position on the mound and threw the first ball. That first ball was received by Jimmy Merrill, then president of the Jacksonville City Council and the St. Johns River Shipyard. Jimmy Merrill was the son of James C. Merrill, Sr., who was the son of James Eugene Merrill, the founder of Merrill-Stevens and who built the Merrill family home, today known as the James E. Merrill House Museum.
The St. Johns River Shipyard team defeated the Naval Air Station 8-6 in the opening game of the Victory Baseball League. Over 1,000 fans were there to support the Shipbuilders. It was a chilly day and strong winds slowed a number of drives. Earl Kimbrell, St. Johns starting catcher, suffered a split finger from a foul tip in the last inning and had to turn the mask and mitt over to Howard Rogers. Baseball was back in full swing.
Earlier in local history, from our files of the Florida Times-Union in 1919, a story mentioned that the employees of the Merrill-Stevens Company would celebrate at Barr’s Field. The public was invited to spend a day in pleasure at a baseball game played by the Merrill-Stevens Giants and the Jacksonville Red Caps.
This year June 27-28 will be celebrated as Red Caps Weekend, recognizing the impact of the Jacksonville Red Caps on First Coast baseball history. As you head to the baseball game, take note of the white Victorian house with green shutters, the James E. Merrill House Museum, and schedule an appointment to take a tour; email [email protected].
Nancy Gandy | Merrill House Museum Coordinator