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Topeka Golden Giants
From BR Bullpen
The Topeka Golden Giants replaced the Topeka Capitals as the Western League entry from Topeka, KS in 1887. They won the pennant that year by taking 23 of their final 24 games to finish at 83-24, 15 1/2 games ahead of the Lincoln Tree Planters. Their .775 winning percentage is likely one of the best in minor league history. Walt Goldsby managed the club, which scored 1,354 runs, over 12 per game.
Star performers were SS Jimmy Macullar (the batting titlist at .464 in a year when walks were counted as hits. He had 263 "hits", second in the WL and was third with 167 runs), 1B Ecky Stearns (.438, third in the league, third with 20 triples, first with 265 "hits", third with 39 steals and first with 189 runs), OF Bug Holliday (16 homers, tied for the league lead, second with 172 runs, second with 37 doubles and third with 231 "hits"), T. Sullivan (presumably Tom Sullivan (the league leader with 36 wins against 9 losses, second with 142 strikeouts, 4th with a 3.68 ERA) and Jim Conway (32-9, 3.54, second in wins, third in ERA, third with 138 strikeouts). Other notable players included C Joe Gunson, 2B Joe Ardner, OF Buster Hoover and OF Perry Werden.
Surprisingly, they did not return the next year.
Source: The Western League by W.C. Madden and Patrick Stewart
