The club was founded in 1939 and was associated with the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League through the 1955 season. After missing three seasons during World War II, the franchise changed its name to the Hamilton Cardinals. In 1955 the Cardinals won the league championship. The team then reverted to the Hamilton Red Wings name for the 1956, however, on May 18, the Red Wings disbanded. Hamilton did not have another minor league baseball team until 1988, when the Hamilton Redbirds began play.