Expanding the Circuit (1947-48)

Sctvman · 03-31-2026, 10:08 PM

Thomas Reed is a man who has a unique perspective on things with where he grew up and his upbringing. Reed was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on February 3, 1921. Windsor is just across the river from Detroit, Michigan and is the southernmost city in Canada. Like most other places in Canada, Windsor was known for hockey.

Reed grew up in a rather upper-class upbringing, as his dad Hubert was a pharmacist at Lanspeary's, a local Windsor drug store. He was one of two children, as Edna was born 2 years earlier to Leslie.

Detroit, even though it was right across the water, felt like hundreds of miles away as there was no highway connection between the two cities until November 1929, right after the Great Depression started. Reed grew up playing hockey during the winter on the icy sheets near the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair.

He did listen to Tigers games on Detroit radio and became an ardent Tigers fan. The family lived in Windsor until the summer of 1936 when they decided to move to Tampa, FL as Dad got a position at another pharmacy.

Sctvman · 04-08-2026, 10:43 AM

Thomas Reed spent his last 3 years of HS going to Plant High School in Tampa. At Plant he pitched on the baseball team and played as a backup on the football team. He eventually learned how to kick, and played on the varsity team his senior year as a wide receiver, plus kicking extra points and field goals.

Reed was looked at by a couple colleges locally, including the University of Tampa for his baseball prowess. He decided to go to the University of Tampa, but dropped out after one season where he only played sparingly on the freshman team there.

He decided to go into business, and worked at one of Tampa's leading department stores, Maas Brothers, before World War II started in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy, and spent time on ships overseas as an ensign and travelled the world. He eventually took part in the Battle of Guam in 1944 and after the successful taking over of the territory, later suffered a broken foot running over shrapnel and got a honorable discharge.

Reed returned to Tampa in 1945, finding a sweetheart, marrying in January 1946 to Rachel. He continued working at the Maas Brothers, before getting a job with the Smokers part-time in late 1946. Tampa just got organized baseball back that season, as the Smokers won the Florida International League title in the league's first season.

Sctvman · 04-14-2026, 05:52 PM

The Tampa Smokers start their 1947 season with this roster.

Sctvman · 04-15-2026, 10:43 AM

The Tampa Smokers started their 1947 season with a scheduled 5 game homestand on the field against Miami and St. Petersburg at Plant Field. They were successful in a huge way in these games.

4/1: TPA 6, MIA 5; W: Reed (1-0), L: Nee (0-1), HR: TPA- Fernandez (1); A- 1,148

The Smokers win the season opener holding on from a stiff Miami charge, as Webb for Miami had 5 hits but it wasn't enough.

4/2: TPA 6, MIA 2; W: Cuellar (1-0), L: Wilson (0-1); A- 498

Tampa scores in just 2 innings, but 3 runs in each, and vault to a four run victory.

4/3: TPA 11, SPT 2; W: Rubert (1-0), L: Munsinger (0-1); HR: TPA- Murphy (1); SPT: Campos (1); A- 688

A dominant performance against St. Petersburg their local rival, scoring in the first 6 innings to start the game, including 3 hits from the pitcher Rubert! Lamar Murphy had 5 RBIs.

4/4: TPA 13, SPT 2; W: Gonzalez (1-0), L: Elkins (0-1), HR: TPA- Murphy (2), Gonzalez (1), Fernandez (1); A- 801

Another great game for the Smokers, as the pitcher Gonzalez hits a 3 run HR and they pepper 15 hits on Saints pitching.

4/5 was postponed due to rain, will be played May 17.

Sctvman · 04-23-2026, 03:47 PM

The Tampa Smokers 1947 real life team photo includes most of the players who were on the actual team, from the Tampa Tribune.

https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...kers/72792078/

Sctvman · 04-23-2026, 04:51 PM

After starting 6-1, the Smokers have lost four straight games, two of them in extra innings. They are half a game out of first place in the FIL but in 4th.

Sctvman · 04-24-2026, 12:23 PM

The Smokers are now in second to last place in the league at 7-8, but have been extremely close to being much better, losing 3 extra inning games and another couple in the 9th inning. The Major League season has started with the surprising Phillies at 3-0 in the National League.

03-31-2026, 10:08 PM	#1
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Expanding the Circuit (1947-48) Thomas Reed is a man who has a unique perspective on things with where he grew up and his upbringing. Reed was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on February 3, 1921. Windsor is just across the river from Detroit, Michigan and is the southernmost city in Canada. Like most other places in Canada, Windsor was known for hockey. Reed grew up in a rather upper-class upbringing, as his dad Hubert was a pharmacist at Lanspeary's, a local Windsor drug store. He was one of two children, as Edna was born 2 years earlier to Leslie. Detroit, even though it was right across the water, felt like hundreds of miles away as there was no highway connection between the two cities until November 1929, right after the Great Depression started. Reed grew up playing hockey during the winter on the icy sheets near the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. He did listen to Tigers games on Detroit radio and became an ardent Tigers fan. The family lived in Windsor until the summer of 1936 when they decided to move to Tampa, FL as Dad got a position at another pharmacy.

04-14-2026, 05:52 PM	#3
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Opening Day The Tampa Smokers start their 1947 season with this roster. Attached Images

04-15-2026, 10:43 AM	#4
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Undefeated The Tampa Smokers started their 1947 season with a scheduled 5 game homestand on the field against Miami and St. Petersburg at Plant Field. They were successful in a huge way in these games. 4/1: TPA 6, MIA 5; W: Reed (1-0), L: Nee (0-1), HR: TPA- Fernandez (1); A- 1,148 The Smokers win the season opener holding on from a stiff Miami charge, as Webb for Miami had 5 hits but it wasn't enough. 4/2: TPA 6, MIA 2; W: Cuellar (1-0), L: Wilson (0-1); A- 498 Tampa scores in just 2 innings, but 3 runs in each, and vault to a four run victory. 4/3: TPA 11, SPT 2; W: Rubert (1-0), L: Munsinger (0-1); HR: TPA- Murphy (1); SPT: Campos (1); A- 688 A dominant performance against St. Petersburg their local rival, scoring in the first 6 innings to start the game, including 3 hits from the pitcher Rubert! Lamar Murphy had 5 RBIs. 4/4: TPA 13, SPT 2; W: Gonzalez (1-0), L: Elkins (0-1), HR: TPA- Murphy (2), Gonzalez (1), Fernandez (1); A- 801 Another great game for the Smokers, as the pitcher Gonzalez hits a 3 run HR and they pepper 15 hits on Saints pitching. 4/5 was postponed due to rain, will be played May 17. Attached Images

04-23-2026, 03:47 PM	#5
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Your 1947 Smokers! The Tampa Smokers 1947 real life team photo includes most of the players who were on the actual team, from the Tampa Tribune. https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...kers/72792078/

04-23-2026, 04:51 PM	#6
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Hitting the skids After starting 6-1, the Smokers have lost four straight games, two of them in extra innings. They are half a game out of first place in the FIL but in 4th. Attached Images

04-08-2026, 10:43 AM	#2
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Thomas Reed spent his last 3 years of HS going to Plant High School in Tampa. At Plant he pitched on the baseball team and played as a backup on the football team. He eventually learned how to kick, and played on the varsity team his senior year as a wide receiver, plus kicking extra points and field goals. Reed was looked at by a couple colleges locally, including the University of Tampa for his baseball prowess. He decided to go to the University of Tampa, but dropped out after one season where he only played sparingly on the freshman team there. He decided to go into business, and worked at one of Tampa's leading department stores, Maas Brothers, before World War II started in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy, and spent time on ships overseas as an ensign and travelled the world. He eventually took part in the Battle of Guam in 1944 and after the successful taking over of the territory, later suffered a broken foot running over shrapnel and got a honorable discharge. Reed returned to Tampa in 1945, finding a sweetheart, marrying in January 1946 to Rachel. He continued working at the Maas Brothers, before getting a job with the Smokers part-time in late 1946. Tampa just got organized baseball back that season, as the Smokers won the Florida International League title in the league's first season.

04-24-2026, 12:23 PM	#7
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 422	Starting the season The Smokers are now in second to last place in the league at 7-8, but have been extremely close to being much better, losing 3 extra inning games and another couple in the 9th inning. The Major League season has started with the surprising Phillies at 3-0 in the National League. Attached Images