1887

• New Orleans businessman Toby Hart secures a franchise for the city in the Southern League – the New Orleans Pelicans. Their first game is played on April 17th at Sportsman’s Park. Tom Brennan is the manager and Abner Powell is the team’s captain.
• Abner Powell convinces the Pelicans to make Ladies’ Day a regular part of the team’s schedule. The first in a series of regularly scheduled Ladies’ Day games is held on April 29th.
• The Pelicans capture their first pennant, compiling a record of 74 - 40. Standouts during the season include Abner Powell, Charles “Count” Campau, George McVey and Ed Cartwright.
• Abner Powell also institutes the practice of covering the infield with a modified canvas tarpaulin on rainy days.

1888

• The Pelicans, under new manager Abner Powell, finish the 1888 season with a record of 25 - 32. Standouts during the season were John Sneed and Perry “Moose” Werden.

1889

• Abner Powell institutes the use of a special rain check for games that have been cancelled because of rain. He also establishes the Knothole Gang, letting the neighborhood kids into the ballyard free once a week.
• The Pelicans finish the season with a record of 46 – 9 and capture their second Southern League title. Standouts during the season were Mark Polehemus and Fred Abbott.

1890

• The Southern League did not operate and would not return until 1892.

1892

• The Pelicans finish tied for 2nd with a 66 – 57 record. The star of the team is Charles “Count“ Campau.

1893

• The Pelicans finish in 8th place with a mark of 40 - 51.

1894

• Abner Powell is replaced by Henry Powers as manager of the Pelicans, but Powers’ team can do no better than 34 – 35, good enough for 5th place.

1895

• Abner Powell is reinstated as the Pelicans manager and guides his club to a 4th place finish with a record of 46 – 55.

1896

• The Pelicans capture their 3rd Southern League pennant, going 67 – 30 behind standout hurler Lucien Smith.

1897

• The Southern League cannot muster enough financial support and does not operate.

1898

• The Southern League struggles to operate, but eventually collapses on July 4th.
• The Pelicans close out the abbreviated season in 6th place with a record of 10 – 15.

1899

• Abner Powell introduces the idea of a detachable rain check on tickets to thwart fence jumpers and freeloaders.
• The Pelicans are in 3rd place with a 19 – 21 mark when the Southern League collapses again on May 1st. The league would close up shop permanently.

1900

• No baseball

1901

• Athletic Park opens in New Orleans on Tulane Avenue between South Carrollton Avenue and South Pierce Street. It would be the home of the Pelicans until 1908.
  • Abner Powell, Charley Frank and Newt Fischer form the Southern Association from the ashes of the old Southern League. Powell will have an ownership stake in the Pelicans along with New Orleanian Isidore Newman.
• The Pelicans finish their first season in the Southern Association in 4th place with a record of 68 – 55.

1902

• The Pelicans put up a record of 72 – 47, finishing in 3rd place.
• Pelicans Attendance: 98,000

1903

• The Pelicans are managed at various times during the season by Count Campau, Zeke Wrigley, and Joe Rickert not can do no better than 8th place, finishing 46 – 78.

1904

• Abner Powell sells his interest in the New Orleans Pelicans to Charley Frank who becomes their new field manager.
  • On July 9th, pitcher Babe Brown tosses the first no-hitter in Pelican history against Shreveport. On September 11th, Jim Wiggs throws a no-hit game versus the Little Rock Travelers.
• The Pelicans conclude the regular season at 78 – 58 in 3rd place.

1905

• An outbreak of yellow fever results in a quarantine of New Orleans. The Pelicans are forced to play most of their games out of town, but still manage to capture their first Southern Association crown behind Jimmy Dygert and Otto Williams, finishing with a record of 84 – 45.
• Abner Powell is forced to sell his interest in the Atlanta Crackers, but promptly makes a sizable investment in the Nashville Volunteers.

1906

• With a record of 75 – 61, the Pelicans finish in 4th place behind the pitching of Ted Breitenstein.

1907

• The Pelicans are led by pitcher Mark “Moxie” Manuel and infielder Jake Atz, finishing 68 – 66 in 3rd place.

1908

• Pelican Park opens in New Orleans. It was located on South Carrollton Avenue between Banks Street and Palmyra across from present-day Jesuit High School. The ballyard would continue to be the home of the Pelicans until 1915.
• The Pelicans improve to 2nd place with a mark of 68 – 66.

1909

• On August 15th, Ted Breitenstein hurls a no hitter versus Montgomery, walking only four men during the game.
• The Pelicans finish in 4th place with a record of 73 – 64.

1910

• The Pelicans win their second Southern Association pennant behind the hitting of Shoeless Joe Jackson and the pitching of Pat Paige, Otto Hess, and Gordon Hickman. They finish the season with a 87 – 53 record.

1911

• The Pelicans capture their third Southern Association title with a record of 78 – 54.

1912

• The Pelicans compile a record of 71 – 64 and finish in 3rd place.

1913

• The Pelicans go 45 – 85 and finish last in the Southern Association, prompting the firing of manager Charley Frank.

1914

• Johnny Dobbs is named the Pelicans new manager.
• The Pelicans return to the top half, finishing in 3rd place with a record of 80 – 65.

1915

• Heinemann Park opens at the corner of Tulane Avenue and South Carrollton Avenue. It will be renamed Pelican Stadium in 1938 and would remain the Pelicans home field through 1957.
  • On July 7th, Pelican pitcher Buck Weaver throws a no-hitter against the Nashville Vols.
  • The Pelicans win their fourth Southern Association pennant with a record of 91 – 63. Pitcher Popboy Smith is a standout.
• Pelicans Attendance: 134,405

1916

• On August 8th, Cotton Knaupp turns the only unassisted triple play in the history of the Southern Association during a game against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
  • The Pelicans compile a record of 73 – 61 and finish in 2nd place.
• Pelicans Attendance: 111,387

1917

• The Pelicans finish in 2nd place with a 89 – 61 mark.
• Pelicans Attendance: 120,064

1918

• As more and more teams struggle, the Southern Association considers closing the season. On June 12th, manager Johnny Dobbs brings his N.O. club to the Texas League until the league suspends play on July 7th.
  • The Pelicans had been in 1st place with a record of 49 – 21 until the Southern Association suspended play on June 28th.
• Pelicans Attendance: 50,484

1919

• New Orleanian Larry Gilbert is signed by Pelican president A.J. Heinemann.
  • The Pelicans run up a record of 74 – 31 and finish in 3rd place.
• Pelicans Attendance: 108,358

1920

• The Dixie Series is initiated – the pennant winner from the Southern Association will play the pennant winner from the Texas League in a best-of-seven series.
  • The Pelicans finish in 2nd place with a record of 86 – 62. Joe Sewell and Roy Walker turn in notable performances during the season.
• Pelicans Attendance: 108,358

1921

• On July 24th, Pelican pitcher Tom Philips tosses a no hitter against the Mobile Bears. It was nearly a perfect game except for a single walk issued to Mobile centerfielder Emmett Mulvey.
  • The Pelicans finish in 2nd place with a record of 97 – 57. Dazzy Vance and Ike Boone are standouts.
• Pelicans Attendance: 167,076

1922

• Pelican pitcher Joe Martina leads the club to a 89 – 64 season which puts the Pels in 3rd place for the season.
• Pelicans Attendance: 148,825

1923

• Larry Gilbert is named manager of the Pelicans.
  • The Pelicans win their fifth Southern Association pennant with a mark of 89 – 57. They would lose the Dixie Series against Ft. Worth (2-4).
• Pelicans Attendance: 218,295

1924

• The Pelicans wind up in 3rd place after a 93 – 60 season.
• Pelicans Attendance: 178,529

1925

• The Pelicans finish in 2nd place with a 85 – 68 slate.
• Pelicans Attendance: 223,577

1926

• The Pelicans capture the club’s sixth Southern Association crown with a 101 – 53 record, but will lose to Dallas in the Dixie Series (2-4).
• Pelicans Attendance: 236,681

1927

• The 96 – 57 Pelicans win their seventh Southern Association title, but lose to Wichita Falls in the Dixie Series (0-4). A single game record crowd of 63,625 watch first game of series.
• Pelicans Attendance: 266,905

1928

• The Pelicans finish in 3rd place with a 73 – 75 record. They are led by pitcher Dave Danforth.
• Pelicans Attendance: 176,016

1929

• Local favorite Henry “Zeke” Bonura leads the Pelicans to a 3rd place finish with a 89 – 64 record.
  • Pelicans Attendance: 194,803
• The stock market crashes in October.

1930

• In January, Pelican owner A.J. Heinemann commits suicide. Cleveland Indians’ owner Charles Somers purchases the remaining shares from Heinemann’s estate.
  • On August 5th the Pelicans play their first night game in Little Rock, losing to the Travelers by a score of 12 – 7.
  • The Pelicans would finish in 2nd place with a record of 91 – 61.
• Pelicans Attendance: 175,239

1931

• The Pelicans finish in 5th place with a record of 78 – 75, despite standout performances from slugger Zeke Bonura and hurler Fred Johnson.
• Pelicans Attendance: 134,579

1932

• Jake Atz replaces Larry Gilbert as field manager. Gilbert moves into the front office as the club’s general manager.
  • The Pelicans struggle to finish in 6th place, compiling a 66 – 84 record.
• Pelicans Attendance: 112,155

1933

• Larry Gilbert returns as the Pelican’s manager.
  • On August 18th, the Pelican’s Fred Johnson throws a no-hitter against the Birmingham Barons, allowing only two Barons to reach base – one on a walk and the other on an error by catcher Chick Autry.
  • The Pelicans go 88 – 65 and take their eighth Southern Association pennant. They would defeat San Antonio in the Dixie Series (4-2).
• Pelicans Attendance: 116,604

1934

• The Pelicans win their ninth and final Southern Association title with a record of 94 – 60, going on to defeat Galveston in the Dixie Series (4-2). Pitcher Denny Galehouse is a standout during the season.
• Pelicans Attendance: 92,423

1935

• The Pelicans finish in 2nd place behind the pitching of Al Milnar. They would compile a record of 86 – 60.
• In December, the Southern Association is elevated to Class A1.

1936

• Iowa high school ace Bob Feller is “warehoused” with the Pelicans during his senior year. Although he was under contract, he never even went to Heinemann Park. After graduation he would be released by the Pelicans and immediately signed by the Cleveland Indians.
  • On May 15th the Pelicans play their first night game in Heinemann Park, losing to the Atlanta Crackers.
  • The Pelicans finish in 4th place with a record of 81 – 71. Outfielder Tom Henrich has a standout season.
• Pelicans Attendance: 135,890

1937

• On July 30th, Pelican pitcher John Humphries hurls a no-hitter against Chattanooga.
  • The Pelicans cap an 81 – 71 season, finishing in 4th place. Eddie Rose and Larry Bettancourt are standouts during the campaign.
• Pelicans Attendance: 119,809

1938

• Heinemann Park is renamed Pelican Stadium.
  • The Pelicans finish in 3rd place with a 79 – 70 mark.
  • Pelicans Attendance: 142,153
• In a surprise move, Larry Gilbert resigns a the Pelican’s manager to become manager and part-owner in Nashville.

1939

• Roger Peckinpaugh is named Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish in last place with a dismal record of 57 – 93.
• Pelicans Attendance: 92,551

1940

• Hal Anderson is named Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans become a St. Louis Cardinals farm club (1940-1942)
  • A 71 – 80 record leaves the Pelicans in 5th place for the season.
• Pelicans Attendance: 68,326

1941

• Ray Blades is named Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans improve to 78 – 75 and finish in 3rd place.
  • Pelicans Attendance: 69,665
  

1942

• Pat Ankenman is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish in 4th place, compiling a 77 – 73 mark.
• Pelicans Attendance: 110,401

1943

• The Pelicans become a Brooklyn Dodger farm club (1943-1944)
  • Ray Blades returns as the Pelican’s manager.
  • On June 10th, Pelican hurler Bob Williams throws a no-hitter against Chattanooga.
  • The Pelicans climb to 2nd place with a 78 – 58 record.
• Pelicans Attendance: 101,600

1944

• Fresco Thompson is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish tied for 7th place with a record of 57 – 83 despite a standout season from New Orleans native John “Fats” Dantonio.
• Pelicans Attendance: 102,267

1945

• The Pelicans finish in 4th place with a record of 73 – 67.
• Pelicans Attendance: 142,444

1946

• The Pelicans become a Boston Red Sox farm club (1946-1947)
  • John Peacock is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans put up a record of 75 – 77, good enough for 4th place.
  • Pelicans Attendance: 329,071
• The Southern Association is raised to Class AA.

1947

• Fred Walters is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans enjoy the post-war boom with a 93 – 59 season, finishing in 2nd place. Standouts are Al Kozar, Al Flair, and Ed Lavigne.
• Pelicans Attendance: 400,036.

1948

• Local businessmen led by A.B. Freeman sell the Pelicans to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The Pelicans become a Pirates farm club (1948-1956).
  • Jimmy Brown is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish in 5th place with a record of 70 – 83.
• Pelicans Attendance: 234,772

1949

• Hugh Luby is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish 77 – 75 in 4th place.
• Pelicans Attendance: 248,772

1950

• Hugh Luby is replaced in mid-season by Bill Burwell as the Pelicans' manager.
  • Hal Bevan joins the New Orleans Pelicans.
• Pelicans Attendance: 203,445

1951

• Rip Sewell is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish in 7th place with a 64 – 90 record.
• Pelicans Attendance: 127,304

1952

• Danny Murtaugh is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans end the season in 5th place with a 80 – 75 record.
• Pelicans Attendance: 232,043

1953

• The Pelicans finish in 5th place with a record of 76 – 78.
  • Pelicans Attendance: 123,905
• On August 7th, baseball pioneer and innovator Abner Powell dies in New Orleans.

1954

• The Pelicans enjoy their last good season, finishing in 2nd place with a record of 92 – 62. Standouts include the Freese brothers, Gene and George, and pitcher Elroy Face.
• Pelicans Attendance: 206,305

1955

• Andy Cohen is named the Pelicans' manager.
  • The Pelicans finish in 6th place with a 76 – 75 slate, despite a standout season for Danny Kravitz.
• Pelicans Attendance: 128,993

1956

• The Pelicans finish in 6th place behind a 79 – 75 record.
• Pelican Attendance: 96,753

1957

• The Pelicans become a New York Yankee farm club (1957 – 1958).
  • The Pelicans name Harry “Peanuts” Lowrey as their manager.
  • On September 1st the final game in Pelican Stadium is played. The facility is demolished to make way for a motel.
• Pelicans Attendance: 67,287

1958

• The Pelicans arrange a two-year lease at City Park Stadium (now Tad Gormley).
  • Charlie Silvera is named the Pelicans manager. He is replaced in mid-season by New Orleans native Ray Yochim.
  • The Pelicans finish in last place with a 57 – 94 record. A campaign is started to try to revive interest in the failing franchise.
• Pelicans Attendance: 50,369

1959

• Former Red Sox pitcher and native son Mel Parnell is named the Pelicans manager.
  • On June 26th, Pelicans' pitcher Don Kildoo throws what will be the final no-hitter in the club’s history against the Birmingham Barons.
  • The Pelicans finish in 6th place with a record of 68 – 81.
• Pelicans Attendance: 71,577

1960

• The Pelican franchise sold to Little Rock. New Orleans becomes the largest city in America without professional baseball.