View source for Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name = Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings
| firstseason = 1947 
| lastseason = 2003
| allyears = 1947–1958, 2003
| city = Bisbee, Arizona
| logo = 
| caplogo = 
| past class level = Class C (1947–1958)
| league = [[Arizona–Mexico League]] (1955–1958, 2003)
| conference = 
| division = 
| past league = {{plainlist|
*[[Arizona–Texas League]] (1952–1954)
*[[Southwest International League]] (1951)
*[[Arizona–Texas League]] (1947–1950)
}}
| pastmajorleague = {{plainlist|
*[[Pittsburgh Pirates]] (1956–1958)
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers]] (1950–1951)
*[[New York Yankees]] (1947–1948)
}}
| pastnames = {{plainlist|
*Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings (2003)
*Douglas Copper Kings (1956–1958)
*Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings (1949–1955)
*Bisbee-Douglas Miners (1948)
*Bisbee-Yanks (1947)
}}
| pastparks = {{plainlist|
*Copper King Stadium
*[[Warren Ballpark]]
}}
| classchamps = 
| leaguechamps = '''1''' (1958)
| conferencechamps =  
| divisionchamps = 
}}
The '''Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings''' was a primary moniker of the [[minor league baseball]] teams based in [[Bisbee, Arizona]] and [[Douglas, Arizona]] between 1947 and 2003. They played as members of the [[Arizona–Texas League]] from 1947 to 1948, [[Southwest International League]] in 1951 and [[Arizona–Mexico League]] from 1955 to 1958.

The Bisbee-Douglas teams were an affiliate of the [[New York Yankees]] from 1947 to1948, [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] from 1950 to 1951 and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] from 1956 to 1958.

==History==
The Arizona–Mexico League was active from 1955–58 and was the successor of the [[Arizona–Texas League]]. Following the 1955 season the team moved to Douglas for the 1956, 1957 and 1958 seasons.

The original Arizona–Mexico League team featured future major leaguers [[Clint Courtney]], [[Johnny Keane]], [[Jim Tobin]] and [[Earl Wilson (baseball)|Earl Wilson]].

In 1958 the Copper Kings did something no other professional team has done. All 9 players of the starting line–up hit a home run in the same game. See the external link below.

In 2003, the Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings were briefly reconstituted in an [[independent league baseball|independent professional league]], also known as the Arizona–Mexico League, which suspended operations three weeks into the season. The 2003 Copper Kings resumed minor league play under manager  Butch Hammett. Their general manager was John Guy. Local baseball historian David Skinner was minority owner. The Copper Kings ended with a final record of 9–7, tied for second place.

The 2003 Copper Kings gained national attention with their colorful promotions including [[Ted Williams]] Night in which they gave away free popsicles to their fans in relation to Ted Williams being cryogenically frozen in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 2003 club also made news with the signing of former National League base-stealing champion [[Chuck Carr (baseball)|Chuck Carr]], who played center field for the abbreviated season. Former [[Richmond Braves]] shortstop Jose Mateo also played with the Copper Kings.

==The ballpark==
The team played home games in both Bisbee and Douglas. In Bisbee they played their home games at [[Warren Ballpark]], the oldest ballpark in the United States, constructed in 1909. Games in Douglas were played at '''Copper King Stadium'''.  Warren Ballpark, built with adobe and steel, still stands in a suburb of Bisbee as does Copper King Stadium in Douglas.

==References==
* This article includes material from the [https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Bisbee-Douglas_Copper_Kings article] at Baseball-Reference.com Bullpen. The Bullpen is a wiki, and its content is available under the [[GNU Free Documentation License]].

==External links==
*[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?city=Douglas&state=AZ&country=US&empty=0 Baseball Reference]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100805063332/http://www.bisbeecopperkings.com/ Main website] of the newest iteration of the team (2007–present)
* [https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-399596 1958 Douglas Copper Kings Baseball record]

[[Category:Defunct Arizona-Texas League teams]]
[[Category:Defunct Southwest International League teams]]
[[Category:Defunct Arizona-Mexico League teams]]
[[Category:Brooklyn Dodgers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:New York Yankees minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Arizona]]
[[Category:Defunct independent baseball league teams]]
[[Category:Bisbee, Arizona]]
[[Category:Defunct baseball teams in Arizona]]
[[Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1958]]
[[Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 2003]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1956]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 2003]]