The first incarnation of the team played in the first New York–Pennsylvania League in 1924. On August of that year, the Utica Utes relocated to Oneonta to finish their season as the Oneonta Indians. In Oneonta, the club posted an 18–22 record. However prior to the next season, the club relocated to Shamokin, Pennsylvania, to become the Shamokin Shammies.
The second incarnation of the team can be traced back to 1940 when the Can-Am League'sCornwall Maple Leafs relocated to Oneonta and played their home games at Damaschke Field. The club played until 1942 as the Oneonta Indians, winning league titles in 1941 and 1942. However the league suspended operation until 1946, due to World War II. However the team did reemerge that season as the Red Sox.[citation needed] Throughout its entire history the second incarnation of the club was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox.
Frank Malzone played third base for one season in Oneonta in 1949 before moving up the minor league system.[1] The club then won two more titles, in 1948 and in the league's final season of 1951.