Arlington
Railsplitters - 2014-2021
Don Hirsch, GM
Franchise #23
History
Brief: Expansion Franchise #23 joined the league in 1999 under the guidance
of Don Mahley, who had previously owned Franchise #2, based in Annandale,
before selling out to speculator John Carter following the 1996 season. The
TCBA world was saddened in early 2014 upon the death of Ambassador Mahley,
leading to the passing of the franchise to long-time baseball promoter, Don
Hirsch. The team was moved to nearby Arlington, in recognition of Mahley’s
contributions to TCBA, and renamed the Railsplitters, a reference to the
WWII unit with which Don Hirsch’s father served. From one Don to another,
then, the torch was passed. Moved to the Atlantic Division, the team’s
prior successes under Don Mahley were not to be repeated, however. Over the
next eight seasons, the Railsplitters never finished higher than 4th
place. With dwindling attendance, Hirsch saw no way up, resigning from TCBA
at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
|
