Palatka Azaleas
Introduction The '''Palatka Azaleas''' were a minor league baseball team, based in Palatka, Florida, that existed from 1936 to 1939 and from 1946 to 1953.The Azaleas were members of the Florida State League. In 1936, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, in 1937 they were affiliated with the New York Yankees, and in 1949 they were affiliated with the Tampa Smokers. In 1956, a Palatka team began play again and evolved into the Palatka Redlegs.
The Ballpark Palatka teams played at the '''Azalea Bowl''' in Forrester Field, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The address is 1600 Twigg Street. The park, with the original grandstand demolished, is still in use today as home to the Palatka High School Panthers. Babe Ruth conducted clinics at the field in the late 1930s."
Notable alumni *Myril Hoag (1946) MLB All-Star*Bernie Neis (1936)* Bob Swift (1936-1937)* Sam Zoldak (1938)
Year-by-year record  Year  Record  Finish  Manager  Playoffs  Notes 1936  60-60  3rd  Jeff Emerson / Teen Gallegos  Lost in 1st round 1937  71-69  5th  Sam Agnew / Shaw Buck  1938  63-76  6th  George Andrews / Herb Thomas  1939  36-99  8th  Bill Leitz / Sam "Cowboy" Jones  1946  62-75  6th  Myril Hoag  1947  64-75  6th  John Toncoff  1948  48-89  8th  Ray Ryan / John Toncoff / Charlie Bowles / Ben Geraghty (17-44) 1949  76-62  4th  Julian Morgan / Bitsy Mott  Lost League Finals 1950  41-98  8th  Bitsy Mott / Robert Rucker  1951  80-59  3rd  Bill Steinecke  Lost League Finals 1952  78-59  3rd  Bill Steinecke  '''League Champs''' 1953  13-22  --  Charles Baird    Palatka moved to Lakeland (34-67) May 15
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