Sioux City Cornhuskers
From BR Bullpen
- Location: Sioux City, IA
- League: Western Association 1888-1891; Western League 1894, 1900; Iowa-South Dakota League 1902
- Ballpark:
When the American League began as the Western League in 1894, one team led practically all season and took home the title - the Sioux City Cornhuskers of Sioux City, IA. The club averaged 10.5 runs per game, second in the league. The top pitcher was Bill Hart (29-16, 3.71), who led the league in ERA and was third in victories. Bert Cunningham (33-18, 4.22) was second in the WL in wins and innings (456), third in strikeouts (151) and tied for the lead in complete games (45). Outfielders George Hogriever (.350/~.395/.595, 93 SB) and Frank Genins (.374/~.428/.545, 86 SB) were first and second in the league in steals and both were in the top 3 in outfield fielding percentage. Hogriever had 20 or more doubles (30), triples (a league-leading 27) and homers (20). 2B Ace Stewart (.317/~.386/.559) fell a triple shy of that trifecta. Catcher Frank Kraus (.359/~.485/.502) was second in the WL with 79 walks and led in OBP (using BB+H over AB+BB as a very simplistic OBP measure). The Cornhuskers went 74-51 but drew poorly and were replaced the next season by the St. Paul Apostles.
Sources: "The Western League" by W.C. Madden and Patrick Stewart, Ray Nemec research
[edit] Year-by-Year Record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | 21-38 | -- | William Bryan / James Powell | Team began play July 4 and later disbanded |
| 1889 | 59-61 | 4th | James Powell | none |
| 1890 | 55-64 | 5th | James Powell | none |
| 1891 | 66-57 | 1st | Al Buckenberger | none League Champs |
| 1894 | 74-52 | 1st | William Watkins | none League Champs |
| 1900 | 49-48 | 3rd | Jack Glasscock | none |
| 1902 | 56-40 | 3rd | Ed Kirby | none |
