games. John Garrison of Emporia led the league with 25 home runs. Just before the start of the regular season, Emporia pitchers Bert Roseberry and Ralph Fraser were both killed in an automobile accident. Their deaths occurred during spring training on April 15, 1950, two weeks before opening day. The 1950 Emporia Nationals won the Virginia League championship and pennant in their last season at a Washington Senators affiliate, remaining the only team in the league with an affiliation. With a record of 71–57, Emporia ended the regular season in 1st place, finishing 3.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Petersburg Generals. Playing under manager Morrie Aderholt, the Nationals won both playoff series to claim the championship. In the 1st round of the playoffs, Emporia defeated the Hopewell Blue Sox in five games to advance. In the Finals, the Nationals won the championship in defeating Petersburg 4 games to 2. Emporia's LeRoy Dietzel scored 121 runs to led the league and teammate John Garrison's 170 hits led the league. Following the 1950 championship, Washington saw an imbalance in affiliate teams within the Virginia League. Ossie Bluege and the Washington Senators ended the affiliation with Emporia. In 1951, Washington transferred their Class D level affiliation to the Roanoke Rapids Jays of the Coastal Plain League. In their final season, the renamed Emporia "Rebels" missed the playoffs with a last place finish in the league standings. Playing under managers Joe Mills and Harry Martin, the Rebels ended the Virginia League regular season in 6th place with a record of 39–78, finishing 40.0 games behind the 1st place Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals. The Virginia League permanently folded as a minor league following the 1951 season. Emporia, Virginia has not hosted another minor league team. The ballpark The Emporia Nationals and Emporia Rebels hosted home minor league home games at Slagle Stadium. Timeline Year–by–year records Notable alumni Morrie Aderholt (1948–1950, player/MGR) Roy Dietzel (1950) Vern Freiburger (1949–1951) Bob Oldis (1949–1950) Buck Varner (1948) See also Emporia Nationals players Emporia Rebels players References External links Baseball Reference Emporia, Virginia Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in Virginia Defunct baseball teams in Virginia Baseball teams disestablished in 1950 Baseball teams established in 1948 Virginia League teams Washington Senators minor league affiliates