Anderson Joes

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The Anderson Joes were based in Anderson, SC. The team was named for Shoeless Joe Jackson, who received his nickname while playing semi-pro baseball in Anderson in 1909.

The city of Anderson – known as “The Electric City” – is the hometown of two Hall of Famers. Former negro leaguer Ben Taylor was inducted in 2006 and former Red Sox slugger Jim Rice was inducted in 2009.

The Anderson Joes were initially managed by former Major Leaguer Desi Wilson. Wilson played briefly for the San Francisco Giants during the 1996 season and had played 17 seasons in professional baseball in the US and Japan. After the Joes got off to a lackluster 15-38 start, Wilson activated himself to the Anderson roster.

When he resumed playing, Wilson was replaced by Kash Beauchamp as the team’s manager. Wilson was later traded to the South Georgia Peanuts and was a member of the team for the final month of the season.

The Joes played their games at Anderson Memorial Stadium. The stadium was built in 1970 and it was the home of the Anderson Mets, Rangers and Tigers from 1970-1975. The stadium served as the home of the Anderson Braves from 1980-1984.