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Western League

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[edit] History

The Western League has been used many times in the history of baseball. The first such league was formed in 1885 as one of the first minor leagues - teams were based originally in Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Omaha and Toledo. Cleveland and Toledo didn't complete the season (no team played more than 35 games), but the league achieved history in beginning the career of Hall of Famer Sam Thompson and featuring two black players, Fleet Walker and Bud Fowler.

In 1886 founder Ted Sullivan gave up hopes of continuing the prior year's circuit; instead he revived the Northwestern League with teams in Denver, St. Joseph, Leadville, Topeka, Leavenworth and Lincoln playing an 80-game schedule. That league died off early in 1888 but not before Kid Nichols and Jake Beckley made appearances.

In 1892 another Western League formed, but lasted only till July 11. Once again, future big-league cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul, Milwaukee and Kansas City had entries.

Ban Johnson

1894 saw yet another revival - the best ever. Ban Johnson formed the league into one of the strongest minor-league circuits. In 1900 the league changed its name to the American League and a year later became a major league, achieving parity with the National League within a few seasons. Minor league legend Perry Werden had some of his best years in the Western League of the 1894-1899 era.

From 1900 to 1937 the Western League had its longest-living entry, with teams again stationed in the midwest in places like Sioux City, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids; Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha also had runs in the circuit. A couple of teams survived to join the Three-I League after economic woes ruined the class A league in 1937.

In 1939, the Nebraska State League changed its name to the now available Western moniker as the 6th Western League. A class D league, it was one of the weakest Westerns ever and only lasted 3 years, ending when World War II began, as was the case with many low-level minor leagues.

In 1947, with the explosion of the minors after the war, a new Western League was formed (for the third time, a Johnson played a key role in the league - this time Edwin C., a Colorado senator). The league again received a class A designation and saw lots of future big-leaguers pass through before it again collapsed in 1958 as the 1950s saw the death of many minor leagues. The most memorable season in this span was Dick Stuart's 66 homers in 1956 for Lincoln. When the league died, 4 of the 8 clubs joined the Three-I League and one joined the Texas League. The 1947-1958 league had a more westernly feel, with teams once again in Denver, but also in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Albuquerque. Des Moines, IA was represented in every year of both major runs of the Western League (1900-1937) & (1947-1958).

In 1995, the Western League was re-established in the US as an independent league and lasted longer than many other independents. The league kept moving west, with entries in Washington, California and Oregon. This incarnation of the Western League was usually referred to as the Western Baseball League. It ceased operations in 2002.

The Western League is also one of two minor leagues in Japan.


[edit] Cities Represented 1885-1888

[edit] Teams and Statistics 1885-1888

1885 Team Statistics
League President: Ted Sullivan

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers 27 4 .871 0 Bill Watkins
Milwaukee Cream Citys 22 13 .629 7 Tom Loftus
Kansas City 17 13 .567 9- Ted Sullivan
Omaha / Keokuk 7 27 .206 21- George Hay / Bill Harrington
Cleveland Forest Citys 13 16 .448 NA T.L. Lawrence /Joe Battin / Doc Kennedy
Toledo Toledos 8 21 .276 NA Dan O'Leary

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Darby O'Brien Kansas City Hits 51 Bill Stemmeyer Toledo SO 104
Jim Keenan Indianapolis HR 3 Lady Baldwin Milwaukee W 11
Darby O'Brien Kansas City BA .362 Larry McKeon Indianapolis Pct .846
Emmett Seery Kansas City Runs 43 Peek-A-Boo Veach Kansas City GP 18
# League disbanded June 15


1886 Team Statistics
League Presidents: Edward Murphy / William M. McClintock

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Mountain Lions 54 26 .675 0 W. W. Wallace
St. Joseph Reds 50 30 .625 4 Nin Alexander
Leadville Blues 39 41 .488 15 D. W. Morgan
Topeka Capitals 35 45 .438 19 W. J. Sheard / Henry Strong / Hiram Dillon
Leavenworth Soldiers 31 49 .388 23 Michael Hurley /Charlie Hall
Lincoln Tree Planters 31 49 .388 23 Harry Durfee /? Partington

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jake Beckley Leavenworth Hits 113 Darby O'Brien Denver BA .352
Charlie Hall Leavenworth Runs 96 Bug Holliday St. Joseph 2B 28
Perry Werden Lincoln HR 11 Bud Fowler Topeka 3B 12



1887 Team Statistics
League President: J. H. Threw

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Topeka Golden Giants 90 25 .783 0 Walt Goldsby
Lincoln Tree Planters 71 36 .664 15 Dave Rowe
Kansas City Cowboys 58 54 .518 30- Joe Ellick / Bradley Patterson
Denver Mountaineers 55 55 .500 32- Robert McClintock
Omaha Omahogs 41 66 .383 45 Frank Bandle / J. J. Philbin
Hastings 36 65 .356 47 Fred Corey / Ed Hengle / Fergy Malone
Leavenworth # 27 27 .500 N/A
Emporia ### 6 12 .333 N/A
St. Joseph # 21 48 .304 N/A
Wichita ## 7 24 .226 N/A


  1. Leavenworth and St. Joseph disbanded on July 28.
    1. Wichita disbanded on September 5.
      1. Emporia disbanded on September 9.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ecky Stearns Topeka Hits 265 Tom Sullivan Topeka W 36-9
Jimmy Macullar Topeka BA .464 John McCarty Emporia/Kansas City ERA 2.51
Ecky Stearns Topeka Runs 189 Park Swartzel Lincoln/Leavenworth SO 205
Bug Holliday Topeka HR 16 Bill Hart Lincoln Pct. .824



1888 Team Statistics
League President: William Bryan

Teams W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Mountaineers 18 6 .750 0 William McClintock
Leavenworth Soldiers 7 7 .500 6 L. M. Cretors
Hutchison 9 10 .474 6- William Bryan / Ed Dugan
Newton # 3 5 .375 NA Dick Juvenal
Lincoln Tree Planters # 2 11 .154 NA James Keith
#Lincoln disbanded 6-6 / Newton entered 6-11 / League folded 6-21

The Western League would not play again until 1892

[edit] Cities Represented 1892

Columbus, OH: Columbus Reds
Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Cowboys
Omaha, NE: Omaha Omahogs
Toledo, OH: Toledo Black Pirates
Minneapolis, MN: Minneapolis (MN) Minnies
Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis Hoosiers
Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Brewers
St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Saints
Fort Wayne, IN: Fort Wayne

[edit] Teams and Statistics 1892

1892 Team Statistics#
League President: James A. Williams

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Columbus Reds 46 20 .697 0 Gus Schmelz
Kansas City Cowboys 33 33 .500 13 Jim Manning
Toledo Black Pirates 25 24 .510 11- Ed MacGregor
Omaha Omahogs 31 31 .500 13 ? Stout / Dave Rowe
Minneapolis Minnies 22 24 .478 14 Charlie Morton
Indianapolis Hoosiers 15 39 .278 25 Bill Harrington / Bill Sharsig
Milwaukee Brewers 32 21 .604 NA Charlie Cushman
St. Paul Saints / Fort Wayne 20 31 .392 NA A.M. Thompson / Billy Alvord

# The league disbanded July 15

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Charlie Newman Indianapolis BA .347 Ben Stephens Columbus W 18
Jim Manning Kansas City Runs 76 Jim Hughes Kansas City SO 111
Jim Manning Kansas City Hits 83 Fritz Clausen Columbus Pct .773
Ed Breckinridge Columbus HR 18 Chuck Ward Milwaukee SB 39

The Western League would not play again in 1893.


1894 Team Statistics
League President: Ban Johnson 1894-1899

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Cornhuskers 74 51 .592 0 Bill Watkins
Toledo White Stockings 67 55 .549 5 1/2 Denny Long
Kansas City Blues 68 58 .535 6 1/2 Jim Manning
Minneapolis Millers 63 62 .504 10 John Barnes
Grand Rapids Rippers 64 62 .508 12 1/2 Rasty Wright
Indianapolis Hoosiers 60 64 .484 13 1/2 Bill Sharsig
Detroit Wolverines 56 69 .448 18 Bob Glenalvin
Milwaukee Brewers 50 74 .403 24 1/2 Charlie Cushman

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hunkey Hines Minneapolis BA .427 Pete Daniels Kansas City W 36
Rasty Wright Grand Rapids Runs 217 Frank Foreman Toledo SO 190
Hunkey Hines Minneapolis Hits 250 Pete Daniels Kansas City Pct .735
Perry Werden Minneapolis HR 43 George Hogriever Souix City SB 93


1895 Team Statistics
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers 78 43 .645 0 Bill Watkins
St. Paul Apostles 74 50 .597 5- Charlie Comiskey
Kansas City Blues 73 52 .584 7 Jim Manning
Minneapolis Millers 64 59 .520 15 John Barnes
Detroit Tigers 59 66 .472 21 Con Strothers / George Vanderbeck
Milwaukee Brewers 57 67 .460 22- Larry Twitchell
Terre Haute Hottentots# 52 72 .419 27- Denny Long / W. Schneider
Grand Rapids Gold Bugs 38 86 .306 41- Rube Ellis
#Terre Haute replaced Toledo after 51 games (23-28).

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Walt Wilmot Minneapolis BA .428 Tony Mullane St. Paul ERA 2.30
Dan Lally Minneapolis Runs 205 Chauncey Fisher Indianapolis W 36-8
Perry Werden Minneapolis Hits 241 Bill Bowman St. Paul Hits 241
Perry Werden Minneapolis HR 45 Chauncey Fisher Indianapolis Pct .818


1896 Team Statistics
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Minneapolis Millers 89 47 .654 0 Walt Wilmot
Indianapolis Hoosiers 78 54 .591 9 Bill Watkins
Detroit Tigers 80 58 .580 10 Con Strothers / George Stallings
St. Paul Apostles 73 63 .537 16 Charles Comiskey
Kansas City Blues 69 66 .511 19- Jim Manning
Milwaukee Brewers 62 78 .443 29 Larry Twitchell / Bob Glenalvin
Columbus Buckeyes 52 88 .371 39 W. Schneider / Tom Loftus
Grand Rapids Gold Bugs 45 94 .324 45- George Ellis / John Carney

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jack Glasscock St. Paul BA .431 Bill Hutchison Minneapolis W 38
Jack Glasscock St. Paul Runs 172 Bill Hutchison Minneapolis Pct .731
Jack Glasscock St. Paul Hits 263 Roger Denzer St. Paul SO 200
Perry Werden Minneapolis HR 18 William Schriver Minneapolis HR 18


1897 Team Statistics
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers 98 37 .726 0 Bill Watkins
Columbus Senators 89 47 .654 9- George Tebeau
St. Paul Saints 86 51 .628 13 Charles Comiskey
Milwaukee Brewers 85 51 .625 13 Connie Mack
Detroit Tigers 70 66 .515 28- Bob Allen / Frank Graves
Minneapolis Millers 43 95 .312 56- Walt Wilmot / Doggie Miller
Kansas City Blues 40 99 .288 60 Jim Manning
Grand Rapids Gold Bugs 34 100 .254 63- Bob Leadley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Algie McBride St. Paul BA .387 Frank Foreman Indianapolis W 30
Algie McBride St. Paul Runs 166 Frank Foreman Indianapolis Pct .769
Bill Bowman St. Paul Hits 207 Tom Thomas Detroit SO 147
Bill Gray Indianapolis HR 19 Jot Goar Indianapolis ERA 1.30



1898 Team Statistics
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Kansas City Blues 85 51 .633 0 Jim Manning
Indianapolis Hoosiers 84 50 .627 1- Bill Watkins / Bob Allen
Milwaukee Brewers 82 57 .590 6 Connie Mack
St. Paul Apostles 81 58 .583 7 Charles Comiskey
Columbus Senators 73 60 .549 12 Tom Loftus / George Tebeau
Detroit Tigers 50 87 .365 37 Graves / Beard / Mullane / Stallings
Minneapolis Millers 48 92 .343 40- Gus Schmelz / Charlie Reilly/ Walt Wilmot
St. Joseph #/ Omaha 42 93 .311 44 Pa Rourke / Tommy Tucker / Chauncey Fisher
#St. Joseph moved to Omaha July 7.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jimmy Slagle Kansas City BA .378 Roger Denzer St. Paul W 33
Jimmy Slagle Kansas City Runs 137 Bill Phillips Indianapolis Pct .784
Jimmy Slagle Kansas City Hits 206 Bill Phillips Indianapolis CG 39
Frank Shugart St. Paul HR 12 Count Campau Kansas City SB 60


1899 Team Statistics
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers 75 47 .615 0 Bob Allen
Minneapolis Millers 76 50 .613 1 Perry Werden
Detroit Tigers 64 60 .516 12 George Stallings
Columbus# / Grand Rapids 63 62 .504 13- Tom Loftus / George Tebeau
St. Paul Saints 57 69 .452 20 Charles Comiskey
Milwaukee Brewers 55 68 .447 20- Connie Mack
Kansas City Blues 53 70 .431 22- Jim Manning
Buffalo Bisons 53 70 .431 22- Nash / Garry / Franklin / Shannon
#Columbus moved to Grand Rapids July 17

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sam Dungan Detroit BA .347 Rube Waddell Columbus/Grand Rapids SO 200
Daisy Davis Minneapolis Runs 126 Jock Menefee Minneapolis (25-7) Pct .781
Daisy Davis Minneapolis Hits 176 Jack Cronin Detroit W 26
Bob Stafford Milwaukee HR 8 Rube Waddell Columbus/ Grand Rapids W 26

[edit] 1900-1937

Presidents

Thomas J. Hickey 1900-1901
Michael H. Sexton 1902-1904
Norris O'Neill 1905-1916
F.C. Zehrung 1917
Emerson W. Dickerson 1917-1918
Albert R. Tearney 1919-1925
Dale D. Gear 1926-1935
Dr. A.J. McLaughlin 1936-1937


1900 Team Statistics
League President: Thomas Hickey

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Grizzlies 61 44 .581 0 George Tebeau
Des Moines Hawkeyes 59 45 .567 1- Belden Hill
Sioux City Cornhuskers 49 48 .505 8 Jack Glasscock
Omaha Omahogs 51 53 .490 9- Pa Rourke
St. Joseph Saints 51 58 .468 12 Byron McKibben
Pueblo Indians 41 64 .390 20- Billy Hulen

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Matty McVicker Omaha BA .389 Harry Maupin St. Joseph W 23
Sammy Strang St. Joseph Runs 103 Elwood Eyler Denver W 23
Joe Schrall St. Joseph Hits 149 Tom Hughes Omaha SO 219


1901 Team Statistics
League President: Thomas Hickey

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Kansas City Blues 79 44 .642 0 George Tebeau
St. Paul Saints 69 54 .561 10 Jimmy Ryan
St. Joseph Saints 69 58 .543 12 Byron McKibben
Denver Grizzlies 60 59 .504 17 Buck Weaver / Tom Brown / Bill Everitt
Omaha Omahogs 61 62 .496 18 Pa Rourke
Minneapolis Millers 56 62 .475 20- Jack Glasscock / John Beall
Des Moines Hawkeyes 48 75 .390 31 Mike Kelley
Colorado Springs Millionaires 45 73 .381 31- Billy Hulen

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Frank Hemphill Colorado Springs BA .332 Harry Maupin St. Joseph W 31
Bill Hart Kansas City Runs 101 Bob Ewing Kansas City W 21-5
Dusty Miller Kansas City Hits 153 Fred Glade Des Moines SO 196
Dave Brain St. Paul HR 13 Bob Ewing Kansas City Pct .808

[edit] The Early Years: 1902-1913

1902 Team Statistics
League President: Michael Sexton

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Kansas City Blue Stockings 82 54 .603 0 Kid Nichols
Omaha Indians 84 56 .600 0 Pa Rourke
Milwaukee Creams 80 54 .597 1 Hugh Duffy
Denver Grizzlies 81 57 .587 2 Parke Wilson
St. Joseph Saints 71 68 .511 12- Byron McKibben
Colorado Springs Millionaires 63 75 .465 20 Bill Everitt
Des Moines Midgets 54 83 .394 28- Joe Quinn
Peoria Distillers 35 103 .254 48 Bill Hart

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Emil Frisk Denver BA .373 Kid Nichols Kansas City W 27-7
Jack O'Brien Milwaukee Runs 125 Mordecai Brown Omaha W 27
George Stone Peoria / Omaha Hits 198 Jake Weimer Kansas City SO 209
Emil Frisk Denver HR 14 George Stone Peoria / Omaha BA .346


1903 Team Statistics
League President: Michael Sexton

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Milwaukee Creams 83 43 .659 0 Hugh Duffy
Colorado Springs Millionaires 76 52 .594 8 Bill Everitt
Kansas City Blue Stockings 65 61 .516 18 Kid Nichols
St. Joseph Saints 62 59 .512 20- George Rohe
Denver Grizzlies 61 70 .466 24- Tom Delahanty / Bobby Lowe
Peoria Distillers 57 69 .452 26 Bill Wilson
Des Moines Undertakers 55 76 .420 30- Joe Quinn
Omaha Indians 49 78 .386 34- Pa Rourke

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bunk Congalton Colorado Springs BA .363 Ed Kenna Milwaukee W 28-9
Bunk Congalton Colorado Springs Hits 184 Ed Kenna Milwaukee Pct .757
Tom O'Neill Milwaukee Runs 107 Harvey Cushman Des Moines SO 195
Tom Fleming Colorado Springs Runs 107 Mike Jacobs Kansas City HR 8



1904 Team Statistics
League President: Michael Sexton

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Rangers 90 60 .600 0 Pa Rourke
Colorado Springs Millionaires 85 58 .594 8 Jimmy Ryan
Denver Grizzlies 87 61 .588 2 Bill Hallman
Des Moines Prohibitionists 79 69 .534 10 Bill Hoffer
St. Joseph Saints 53 93 .363 35 Eddie Webster
Sioux City Soos 45 98 .315 41- Mike Andrews / Jay Parker / Tom Fleming

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bunk Congalton Colorado Springs BA .327 Mordecai Brown Omaha W 27-15
Del Howard Omaha Hits 184 Jack Pfiester Omaha SO 178
Rabbit Nill Colorado Springs Runs 117 Del Howard Omaha HR 9


1905 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill 1905-1916

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Underwriters 95 64 .638 0 Herman Long
Denver Grizzlies 92 58 .613 3- Tom O'Brien / Ike Durrett
Omaha Rourkes 87 62 .584 8 Pa Rourke
Sioux City Packers 80 68 .541 14- John Carney
Colorado Springs# / Pueblo 52 92 .361 40- McKean / Tanner /Schriver
St. Joseph Saints 37 109 .253 56- Douglass / Dexter / Gibson / Zinram
#Colorado Springs moved to Pueblo July 15

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Claude Rossman Des Moines BA .357 Lefty Leifield Des Moines W 26-9
Claude Rossman Des Moines Hits 229 Peter Manske Des Moines IP 357
George Hogriever Des Moines Runs 122 Bill Shipke Omaha HR 10


1906 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Champions 97 50 .660 0 Jack Doyle
Lincoln Ducklings 75 74 .503 23 James "Ducky" Holmes
Omaha Rourkes 73 74 .497 24 Pa Rourke
Sioux City Packers 69 81 .460 29- John Carney
Denver Grizzlies 68 81 .456 30 Bill Everitt
Pueblo Indians 63 85 .426 34- Frank Selee

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill McGilvray Pueblo BA .373 Roscoe Miller Des Moines W 28-15
Henry Melchior Pueblo Hits 220 Marc Hall Sioux City Pct 9-1
Jim Cook Pueblo Runs 149 George Noblitt Sioux City HR 11


1907 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Rourkes 84 63 .571 0 Pa Rourke
Lincoln Treeplanters 79 63 .556 3- James "Ducky" Holmes
Des Moines Champs 76 63 .547 4 Mike Kelley
Denver Grizzlies 67 75 .472 14- Ed Wheeler
Pueblo Indians 65 73 .471 14- Frank Selee / Lew Drill
Sioux City Packers 56 90 .384 27- James Hart (minors02)

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Billy Hart Sioux City BA .323 Babe Adams Denver W 23-12
Bill McGilvray Pueblo Hits 174 Jim Austin Omaha SB 63
Bill McGilvray Pueblo Runs 94 John Thomas Lincoln HR 9


1908 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Soos 88 57 .607 0 James "Ducky" Holmes
Omaha Rourkes 86 59 .593 2 Pa Rourke
Lincoln Greenbackers 74 73 .503 15 Guy Green / Bill Fox
Denver Grizzlies 71 75 .486 17- Charlie Irwin /Charlie Jones
Pueblo Indians 63 78 .447 23 Frank Selee / Ham Patterson
Des Moines Boosters 54 94 .365 35- Charlie Dexter

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harry Welchonce Omaha BA .362 Al Furchner Sioux City W 30-11
Harry Welchonce Omaha Hits 180 Pat Ragan Omaha W 29-7
Tom Campbell Sioux City Runs 113 Jim Austin Omaha SB 97


1909 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Boosters 93 59 .613 0 Bill Dwyer
Sioux City Soos 94 60 .610 0 James "Ducky" Holmes
Omaha Rourkes 84 68 .553 9 Pa Rourke / Bill Fox
Topeka Jayhawks 76 73 .510 15- Duff Cooley
Wichita Jobbers 71 82 .464 22- Jack Holland
Denver Grizzlies 69 82 .457 23- Charlie Jones /Hank Thompson
Lincoln Greenbackers 61 89 .407 31 Jim Sullivan
Pueblo Indians 58 93 .384 34- Walter Carlisle

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harry Welchonce Omaha BA .373 Frank Lange Des Moines W 29-12
Harry Welchonce Omaha Hits 196 Frank Lange Des Moines SO 328
Tony Smith Sioux City Runs 135 Chauncey Fisher Omaha SB 88


1910 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Packers 108 60 .643 0 Babe Towne
Denver Grizzlies 102 65 .611 6- Jack Hendricks
Lincoln Railsplitters 95 71 .572 12 Jim Sullivan
Wichita Jobbers 89 78 .533 18- Frank Isbell
Omaha Rourkes 84 82 .506 23 Pa Rourke
St. Joseph Drummers 76 91 .455 31- Jack Holland
Des Moines Boosters 72 96 .429 36 Bill Dwyer
Topeka Jayhawks 42 125 .251 65- Duff Cooley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Art Fenlon Sioux City BA .365 Charles Durham Wichita W 24
Cy Neighbors Sioux City Hits 206 Marty O'Toole Sioux City W 19-5
Red Andreas Sioux City Runs 137 Buck Freeman Sioux City So 246
John Thomas Lincoln HR 22 Cozy Dolan Denver SB 80


1911 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Grizzlies 111 54 .673 0 Jack Hendricks
St. Joseph Drummers 93 72 .564 18 Jack Holland /Charles Shaffer
Wichita Jobbers # / Pueblo Indians 92 75 .551 20 Frank Isbell
Omaha Rourkes 85 80 .515 26 Pa Rourke
Sioux City Packers 85 80 .515 26 Babe Towne
Lincoln Railsplitters 84 81 .509 27 Jim Sullivan /Bob Unglaub
Topeka Kaws 60 104 .365 50- Duff Cooley / Frank Richert
Des Moines Boosters 49 113 .302 60- George Dwyer
#Wichita moved to Pueblo May 22

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Art Thomason Omaha / Topeka BA .342 Henry Chellette St. Joseph W 27-12
Art Thomason Omaha / Topeka Hits 218 Buck O'Brien Denver W 26-7
Joe Berger Wichita / Pueblo Runs 128 Buck O'Brien Denver So 261
John Thomas Lincoln HR 12 Dutch Zwilling St. Joseph RBI 92


1912 Team Standings
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Grizzlies 99 63 .611 0 Jack Hendricks
St. Joseph Drummers 94 72 .566 7 Mike Andrews
Omaha Rourkes 92 71 .564 7- Pa Rourke
Des Moines Boosters 82 80 .506 17 Frank Isbell
Lincoln Railsplitters 83 81 .506 17 Bill Dwyer
Sioux City Packers 74 85 .465 23- George "Red" Andreas / James "Ducky" Holmes
Wichita Jobbers 75 89 .457 25 George Hughes
Topeka Jayhawks 51 109 .319 47 Dale Gear

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Babe Borton St. Joseph BA .364 Marc Hall Omaha W 25
Hy Myers Sioux City Hits 224 Elmer Brown Sioux City W 25
Ray Powell St. Joseph Runs 139 Rip Hagerman Lincoln SO 315
Johnny Beall Denver HR 18 Harry Hicks Omaha W 18-5


1913 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Bears 104 62 .627 0 Jack Hendricks
Des Moines Boosters 93 72 .564 10- Frank Isbell
St. Joseph Drummers 89 78 .564 15- Jack Holland
Lincoln Greenbackers 87 80 .521 17- Charlie Mullen
Omaha Rourkes 79 86 .478 24- Charles Arbogast / Pa Rourke
Sioux City Packers 73 92 .442 30- James "Ducky" Holmes /Josh Clarke
Topeka Jayhawks 73 92 .442 30- Dale Gear
Wichita Jobbers 65 101 .389 39 George Hughes / Charlie Babb / Nick Maddox

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Roxy Middleton Wichita BA .370 George Boehler St. Joseph W 27-13
Bunk Congalton Omaha Hits 227 Harry Hicks Omaha ERA 2.27
Les Channell Denver Runs 137 Red Faber Des Moines So 265
Les Channell Denver HR 26 Red Faber Des Moines IP 373

[edit] The First Decline 1914 - 1919

1914 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Indians 105 60 .636 0 Josh Clarke
Denver Bears 96 72 .571 10- Jack Coffey
St. Joseph Drummers 89 75 .543 15- Jack Holland
Des Moines Boosters 82 81 .503 22 Frank Isbell
Lincoln Tigers 81 87 .482 25- Charlie Mullen / Dick Lloyd
Omaha Rourkes 77 87 .470 27- Pa Rourke
Topeka Jayhawks 68 97 .412 37 Dale Gear / Duff Cooley
Wichita Wolves 63 102 .382 42 Peaches Graham / Nick Maddox

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Larry LeJeune Sioux City BA .361 Buck Sterzer Denver W 28
Jim Kane Sioux City Hits 221 Buck Sterzer Denver SO 206
Larry LeJeune Sioux City Runs 124 Jim Scoggins Lincoln ERA 2.58
Chauncey Fisher Denver HR 21 Larry LeJeune Sioux City 2B 40


1915 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Boosters 87 53 .621 0 Frank Isbell
Denver Bears 82 55 .599 3- Jack Coffey / Larry Spahr
Topeka Jayhawks 75 63 .543 11 Jim Jackson
Omaha Rourkes 71 69 .507 16 Marty Krug
Lincoln Tigers 70 69 .504 16- Matty McIntyre
Sioux City Packers 66 68 .493 18 Josh Clarke /Harry Gaspar
Wichita Wolves 57 80 .416 28- Buzzy Wares / Jack Holland / Ham Patterson
St. Joseph Drummers 43 94 .314 42- Jack Holland

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Larry LeJeune Sioux City BA .355 Tom Blodgett Omaha W 24
Vern Spencer Denver Hits 185 George Mogridge Des Moines W 24
Tex Jones Des Moines Runs 103 Dazzy Vance St. Joseph SO 199
Moose McCormick Denver HR 16 George Mogridge Des Moines ERA 1.94

[edit] 1916 League Champs

1916 Omaha WL Champs.jpg

1916 Team Statistics
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Rourkes 92 57 .617 0 Marty Krug
Lincoln Tigers 87 63 .580 5- James "Ducky" Holmes
Sioux City Indians 79 71 .527 13- Harry Gaspar
Denver Bears 78 75 .510 16 Rebel Oakes
Des Moines Boosters 75 75 .500 17- Frank Isbell
Topeka Savages 70 84 .455 24- Bill Lattimore /Clyde Engle
St. Joseph Drummers 67 86 .440 27 Denny Sullivan
Wichita / Colorado Springs 57 94 .377 36 Jim Jackson

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hank Butcher Denver BA .377 Carl East Lincoln W 24
Rebel Oakes Denver Hits 205 Paul Musser Omaha ERA 2.75
Walter Carlisle Lincoln Runs 121 Paul Musser Omaha SO 249
Ben Dyer Denver HR 16 Hank Butcher Denver Hits 205


1917 Team Statistics
League President:F. C. Zehrung / Emerson Dickerson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Boosters 84 62 .575 0 Jack Coffey
Lincoln Links 83 64 .565 1- James "Ducky" Holmes
Sioux City# / St. Joseph 80 66 .548 4 Ed Holly
Joplin Miners 79 68 .537 5- Jack Dalton / Harry Davis / Jack Savage
Omaha Rourkes 73 75 .493 12 Marty Krug / Pa Rourke
St. Joseph## / Hutchinson 66 80 .452 18 Jack Holland /Wid Conroy /Babe Adams
Denver Bears 62 86 .419 23 Rebel Oakes / Roy Hartzell
Wichita Witches 61 87 .412 24 Frank Isbell / Bobby Wallace / Joe Berger
##St. Joseph moved to Hutchinson 7-24 #Sioux City moved to St. Joseph 8-5

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hank Butcher Denver BA .321 Rudy Kallio Des Moines W 25-9
Hank Butcher Denver Hits 183 Paul Musser Des Moines W 23-9
Frank Gilmore St. Joseph Runs 116 Paul Musser Omaha SO 337
Hank Butcher Denver HR 13 Paul Musser Des Moines IP 346


1918 Team Statistics
League President: Emerson Dickerson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Wichita Jobbers 41 24 .631 0 Joe Berger
Topeka# / Hutchinson 37 31 .544 5- Johnny Nee
Des Moines Boosters 36 31 .537 6 Jack Coffey
Joplin Miners 34 31 .523 7 Rudy Hulswitt
Omaha Rourkes 33 32 .508 8 Bill Jackson
Hutchinson## / Oklahoma City 33 37 .471 10- Jack Holland /Otto Jacobs
St. Joseph Saints 30 38 .419 23 Bert Daniels
Sioux City Indians 22 42 .344 18- James "Ducky" Holmes
#Topeka moved to Hutchinson 6-2 ##Hutchinson moved to Oklahoma City 6-2. The league suspended play 7-7 due to WWI.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Clarence Pitts Hutchin/Oklahoma BA .380 Ed Hovlik Wichita W 13
Zeke Wrigley St. Joseph Hits 74 Jesse Haines Topeka/Hutchin W 13
Al Bashang Omaha Runs 49 Ed Hovlik Wichita SO 128
Bob Murphy Des Moines HR 8 Jesse Haines Topeka/ Hutchin ERA 1.59



1919 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
St. Joseph Saints 78 57 .578 0 Cozy Dolan
Tulsa Oilers 77 63 .550 3- Spencer Abbott
Wichita Jobbers 75 65 .536 5- Joe Berger
Des Moines Boosters 71 67 .514 8- Jack Coffey
Oklahoma City Indians 69 69 .500 10- Jack Holland
Sioux City Indians 68 72 .486 12- Butch Schmidt
Joplin Miners 57 78 .422 21 Rudy Hulswitt
Omaha Rourkes 56 80 .412 22- Bill Jackson

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Wilhoit Wichita BA .422 Lou North St. Joseph W 23-9
Joe Wilhoit Wichita Hits 222 Bill Banks Tulsa W 18-8
Joe Wilhoit Wichita Runs 126 Paul Musser Des Moines/Wichita SO 212
Yam Yaryan Wichita HR 12 Guy Hoffman St. Joseph Pct 14-5 .737

[edit] The Roaring Twenties: 1920 - 1929

1920 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 92 61 .601 0 Spencer Abbott
Wichita Jobbers 92 62 .597 .5- Joe Berger
Oklahoma City Indians 82 68 .547 8- John Humphries / Danny Moeller / Dick Breen
Omaha Rourkes 76 77 .497 16 Jack Lelivelt
St. Joseph Saints 74 80 .481 18- John Kelleher
Joplin Miners 73 81 .474 19- James Hamilton
Sioux City Packers 63 88 .417 28 George Anderson / Frank Metz
Des Moines Boosters 58 93 .384 33 Jack Coffey

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Yam Yaryan Wichita BA .357 Emilio Palmero Omaha W 28-10
Yam Yaryan Wichita Hits 206 C.A. Ramsey Oklahoma City W 23-5
Yam Yaryan Wichita Runs 124 George Boehler Joplin SO 258
Yam Yaryan Wichita HR 41 Emilio Palmero Omaha IP 334


1921 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Wichita Witches 106 61 .615 0 Joe Berger
Omaha Buffaloes 95 73 .566 11- Jack Lelivelt / Bert Griffith
Oklahoma City Indians 93 75 .554 13- Dick Breen
Sioux City Packers 81 83 .494 23- Frank Metz / George Anderson
St. Joseph Saints 79 88 .473 27 Frank Owens
Joplin Miners 76 91 .455 30 James Hamilton
Des Moines Boosters 71 92 .436 33 Jack Coffey
Tulsa Oilers 65 103 .387 41- Jimmy Burke / Bill Clymer

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jack Lelivelt Omaha BA .416 Roy Hartzell Oklahoma City W 25
Jack Lelivelt Omaha Hits 274 Al Tesch Sioux City W 21
Royce Washburn Wichita Runs 170 Al Tesch Sioux City SO 163
Fred Beck Wichita HR 35 Roy Hartzell Oklahoma City IP 346


1922 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 103 64 .617 0 Jack Lelivelt
St. Joseph Saints 98 70 .584 5- Wally Smith
Wichita Witches 94 73 .568 9 Joe Berger / Howie Gregory
Omaha Buffaloes 91 77 .549 12- Bert Griffith
Sioux City Packers 86 79 .518 Wally Mattick
Oklahoma City Indians 73 94 .435 30 Gus Fisher / Jim Egan
Denver Bears 63 105 .374 40- Joe Dunn / C.H. Adkins / Bill Rodgers
Des Moines Boosters 61 107 .363 42- Dick Breen / Jack Graney

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Carl East Whichita BA .391 George Boehler Tulsa W 38
Carl East Whichita Hits 270 Dan Tipple Omaha W 23-6
Herschel Bennett Tulsa Runs 177 George Boehler Tulsa SO 333
Yank Davis Tulsa HR 35 George Boehler Tulsa IP 441


1923 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Oklahoma City Indians 102 64 .614 0 Fred Luderus
Tulsa Oilers 101 67 .601 2 Jack Lelivelt
Wichita Izzies 100 68 .595 3 Howie Gregory
Omaha Buffaloes 92 74 .554 10 Ed Konetchy
Des Moines Boosters 87 79 .527 15 Red Corriden
St. Joseph Saints 65 94101 .392 37 Wally Smith
Sioux City Packers 59 105 .358 42 Frank Metz / Eddie Palmer / Wray Query
Denver Bears 59 107 .355 43 Billy Gilbert

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Shags Horan Des Moines BA .411 Bud Black Tulsa W 29-13
Shags Horan Des Moines Hits 256 Emil Yde Oklahoma City W 28-12
Sheriff Blake Wichita Runs 151 Ed Hovlik whichita SO 161
Jack McDowell Whichita HR 37 Ernie Maun Whichita W 26-11



1924 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Buffaloes 103 61 .628 0 Art Griggs
Denver Bears 100 67 .599 4- Joe Berger
Tulsa Oilers 98 69 .587 6- Jack Lelivelt
St. Joseph Saints 86 79 .521 17- Joe Mathes
Oklahoma City Indians 82 86 .488 23 Fred Luderus
Wichita Izzies 79 88 .473 25- Howie Gregory
Des Moines Boosters 59 106 .358 44- Red Corriden
Lincoln Links 57 108 .345 46- Howard Wakefield/ Art Rasmussen/ Josh Clarke

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Charlie Miller St.Joseph BA .385 Herb Hall Denver W 26
Lyman Lamb Tulsa Hits 261 George Blaeholder Tulsa W 18-6
Royce Washburn Tulsa Runs 184 Bill Bailey Omaha SO 191
Royce Washburn Tulsa HR 48 Bill Bailey W 23


1925 Team Statistics
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 98 70 .583 0 Joe Mathes
Denver Bears 97 71 .577 1 Joe Berger
Oklahoma City Indians 88 76 .537 8 Ned Pettigrew / Fred Luderus
Wichita Izzies 80 84 .488 16 Howie Gregory
St. Joseph Saints 77 87 .470 19 Jack Lelivelt
Omaha Buffaloes 74 89 .454 21- Art Griggs
Tulsa Oilers 75 91 .452 22 Lyman Lamb / Marty Berghammer
Lincoln Links 70 91 .435 24- Josh Clarke / Ray Haley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Fred Osborn Omaha BA .372 Byron Houck Denver W 26-9
Fred Osborn Omaha Hits 245 Joe Brown Oklahoma City W 14-3
Sam Langford Des Moines Runs 160 Stew Bolen Tulsa SO 184
Leo Payne Wichita HR 33 Byron Houck Denver IP 330


1926 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 99 64 .607 0 Shano Collins
Oklahoma City Indians 100 66 .602 - Fred Luderus
St. Joseph Saints 89 75 .543 10- Joe Kelly / Dick Breen
Tulsa Oilers 86 78 .524 13- Marty Berghammer
Denver Bears 88 80 .524 13- Joe Berger
Omaha Buffaloes 77 89 .464 23- Bert Griffith
Lincoln Links 64 101 .388 36 Dutch Zwilling
Wichita Izzies 58 108 .349 42- Howie Gregory / Ray Haley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sheriff Blake Omaha BA .384 Herb Hall Denver W 29
Snake Henry Omaha Hits 247 Pat Malone Denver W 28-13
Guy Sturdy Tulsa Runs 163 Pat Malone Denver SO 190
Guy Sturdy Tulsa HR 49 Leo Moon Des Moines W 24-8



1927 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 101 53 .615 0 Marty Berghammer
Wichita Larks 91 63 .591 - Doc Crandall
Des Moines Demons 82 72 .532 19 Shano Collins
Denver Bears 77 75 .507 23 Joe Berger
Oklahoma City Indians 68 86 .442 33 Fred Luderus
Amarillo Texans 66 87 .431 34- Joe Kelly
Omaha Buffaloes 66 88 .429 35 Kal Segrist / Barney Burch / Petey Brausen
Lincoln Links 63 90 .412 37- Johnny Lavin

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sam Langford Des Moines BA .409 George Blaeholder Tulsa W 26-9
Joe Rabbitt Omaha Hits 251 Dixie Walker Denver W 19-9
Joe Rabbitt Omaha Runs 172 Dixie Walker Denver SO 193
Joe Munson Tulsa HR 32 George Blaeholder Tulsa IP 313


1928 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Oklahoma City Indians 95 67 .586 0 Howie Gregory
Tulsa Oilers 96 69 .582 - Marty Berghammer
Wichita Larks 94 70 .573 2 Doc Crandall / Art Griggs
Pueblo Steel Workers 85 78 .521 10- Spencer Abbott
Denver Bears 81 84 .491 15- Jack Knight
Omaha Crickets 71 86 .452 21- Fred Luderus / Bert Griffith
Amarillo Texans 60 93 .392 30- Sled Allen / Tom Connelly / L.A. Ripperton
Des Moines Demons 63 98 .391 31- Lute Boone / Archie Yelle / Lee Fohl

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Munson Tulsa BA .385 Barney Bornholdt Oklahoma City W 24-11
Jim Stroner Wichita Hits 255 Chad Kimsey Tulsa W 23-7
Joe Munson Tulsa Runs 171 Barney Bornholdt Oklahoma City SO 154
Jim Stroner Wichita HR 42 Lou Fette Pueblo W 20-10


1929 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 95 66 .590 0 Marty Berghammer /Nick Allen
Oklahoma City Indians 88 68 .564 4- Lefty Leifield
Omaha Crickets 81 75 .519 11- Bert Griffith / Pug Griffin
Wichita Aviators 77 79 .494 15- Art Griggs
Denver Bears 73 81 .474 18- Eddie Palmer
Topeka Jayhawks 75 85 .469 19- Jimmy Payton
Des Moines Demons 72 86 .456 21- Lee Fohl / Claude Davenport
Pueblo Steelworkers 69 90 .434 25 Cotton Tierney / Spencer Abbott

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Buster Chatham Pueblo BA .386 Glenn Spencer wichita W 24-9
Lin Storti Tulsa Hits 230 John McGrew Omaha W 24-10
Joe Munson Tulsa Runs 167 Pat Caraway Topeka SO 159
Jack Burns Tulsa HR 36 Joe O'Dowd Tulsa W 15-5

[edit] The Depression and Beyond 1930 - 1937

1930 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Wichita Aviators 89 56 .614 0 Art Griggs
Omaha Packers 76 66 .535 11- Spencer Abbott
Oklahoma City Indians 79 71 .527 12- Joe Kelly / Louis Brower / Ned Pettigrew
Des Moines Demons 77 71 .520 13- Claude Davenport /Shano Collins
Pueblo Braves 75 75 .500 16- Jimmy Payton
Denver Bears 74 74 .500 16- Eddie Palmer
Topeka Senators 66 84 .440 25- Bruno Betzel
St. Joseph Saints 53 92 .366 36 Gene Bailey / Joe Sugden / Everett Booe

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Woody Jensen Wichita BA .354 Spades Wood Wichita W 22-3
Woody Jensen Wichita Hits 207 Walter Brown Oklahoma City ERA 2.57
Carl Frey Pueblo Runs 133 Spades Wood Wichita SO 197
Stan Keyes Des Moines HR 35 Dizzy Dean St. Joseph W 17-8


1931 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 94 51 .648 0 Bill Rodgers
Wichita Aviators 92 58 .613 4- Art Griggs /Howie Gregory
St. Joseph Saints 79 64 .552 14 Frank Haley
Pueblo Braves 76 69 .524 18 Jimmy Payton /Walt Smallwood
Oklahoma City Indians 70 80 .467 26- Cletus Dixon /Frank Tobin
Denver Bears 64 77 .454 28 John Butler
Topeka Senators 58 86 .397 35- Howie Gregory / Howard Lindimore
Omaha Packers 49 97 .336 45- Harry Smith / Pug Griffin

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Stan Keyes Des Moines BA .369 Bud Tinning Des Moines W 24-2
Stan Keyes Des Moines Hits 203 Bud Tinning Des Moines ERA 3.14
Arky Vaughan Wichita Runs 145 Rufus Meadows Topeka SO 177
Stan Keyes Des Moines HR 38 Art Jacobs Wichita W 25-7


1932 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 98 48 .671 0 Art Griggs
Denver Bears 83 64 .565 15- Earl Smith
Oklahoma City Indians 83 67 .553 17 Fred Luderus
Des Moines Demons 71 72 .497 25- Bill Rodgers
St. Joseph Saints 72 75 .490 26- Frank Haley
Wichita Aviators 63 86 .423 36- Jimmy Payton
Pueblo Braves 62 90 .408 39 Walt Smallwood / Pug Griffin
Omaha Packers 58 88 .397 40 Pug Griffin / Eddie Brown

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim Oglesby Des Moines BA .385 Andy Bednar Tulsa W 22-4
Melvin Nydahl Denver Hits 231 Andy Bednar Tulsa ERA 2.76
Bill Allington Pueblo Runs 167 Ralph Birkofer Tulsa SO 186
Dick Goldberg Wichita HR 30 Ed Greer Denver W 21


1933 Team Statistics
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 81 47 .633 0 John Butler
St. Joseph Saints 77 47 .621 2 Dutch Zwilling
Springfield Cardinals 73 50 .593 5- Joe Schultz, Sr.
Topeka Senators 68 55 .553 10- Art Ewoldt
Omaha Packers 63 61 .508 16 Pug Griffin
Joplin Miners 55 69 .444 24 Runt Marr
Hutchinson## / Bartlesville 51 70 .421 26- Marty Purtell
Wichita Oilers# / Muskogee Oilers 26 95 .215 51- Marquard/Strain / Hawk / Wilson
##Hutchinson moved to Bartlettsville July 7. #Wichita moved to Muskogee June 6.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Mike Ryba Springfield BA .380 Buckshot May St. Joseph W 24-6
Kit Carson St. Joseph Hits 186 Cy Blanton St. Joseph W 21-7
Johnny Keane Springfield Runs 118 Cy Blanton St. Joseph SO 284
Vic Shiell Topeka HR 22 Cy Blanton St. Joseph IP 256



1934 Team Statistics
League President: Dale D. Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Cowboys 74 50 .597 0 Dutch Zwilling
Davenport Blue Sox 70 53 .569 3- Cletus Dixon
Des Moines Demons 68 56 .548 6 Hal Irelan / Alex Gaston
St. Joseph Saints 65 56 .537 7- Wes Griffin / Earle Brucker
Topeka Senators 59 64 .480 14- Art Ewoldt / Jimmy Payton
Rock Island Islanders 58 65 .471 15- Riley Parker /Cliff Knox
Omaha Packers 49 73 .402 24 Dutch Wetzel / Malcolm Pickett
Cedar Rapids Raiders 47 73 .392 25 Bubbles Hargrave / Bill Mizeur

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Floyd Patterson Rock Island BA .366 Frank Lamanske Davenport W 24-7
Charlie Bates St. Joseph Hits 164 Biggs Wehde Sioux City W 10-2
Howie McFarland ST. Joseph Hits 164 Frank Lamanske Davenport SO 216
Vern Johnson Sioux City HR 34 Frank Lamanske Davenport IP 262


1935 Team Statistics
League President: Dale D. Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Davenport Blue Sox 70 46 .603 0 Cletus Dixon
St. Joseph Saints 58 48 .547 7 Earle Brucker
Des Moines Demons 58 55 .513 10- Doc Crandall / Alex Gaston
Sioux City Cowboys 54 52 .509 11 Hack Wilson
Cedar Rapids Raiders 53 57 .482 14 Clarence Cross
Keokuk Indians 49 66 .426 20- Jimmy Payton
Omaha Packers / Council Bluff Rails # 55 46 .545 NA Joe McDermott
Rock Island Islanders ## 19 46 .292 NA Tommy Taylor / Karl Swanson
#Omaha moved to Council Bluffs June 25. ##Rock Island disbanded July17.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hal Epps Cedar Rapids BA .346 Claude Passeau Des Moines W 20
Skeeter Webb Cedar Rapids Hits 151 Biggs Wehde Sioux City GA 40
Earle Brucker St.Joseph Fld .984 Claude Passeau Des Moines SO 239
Hugh Willingham Sioux City HR 20 Bill Anderson St. Joseph W 11-5


1936 Team Statistics
League President: Dr. A.J. McLaughlin

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Davenport Blue Sox 74 52 .587 0 Cletus Dixon
Cedar Rapids Raiders 70 58 .547 5 Clarence Cross
Des Moines Demons 64 64 .500 11 Spencer Abbott
Omaha / Rock Island # 62 64 .492 12 Hank Severeid / Clarence Mitchell /Keith Clark
Sioux City Cowboys 61 64 .488 12- Marty Berghammer /Dave Bancroft
Waterloo Hawks 50 79 .388 25- Ralph Michaels /Johnny Berger
#Omaha moved to Rock Island August 18.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Prerost Davenport BA .341 Hal Turpin Des Moines W 20-10
Hugh Luby Sioux City Hits 155 Jim Hayes Cedar Rapids SO 172
Dutch Prather Omaha / Rock Island Runs 102 Hal Turpin Des Moines ERA 2.74
Dutch Prather Omaha / Rock Island HR 22 Hal Turpin Des Moines CG 28


1937 Team Statistics
League President: Dr. A.J. McLaughlin

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Cedar Rapids Raiders 78 38 .672 0 Clarence Cross
Waterloo Reds 61 55 .526 17 Lennie Backer
Davenport Blue Sox 57 59 .491 21 Jack Fitzpatrick
Des Moines Demons 57 62 .479 22- Del Bissonette
Sioux City Cowboys 50 63 .442 26- Dutch Lorbeer /Pete Monahan
Rock Island Islanders# 20 46 .303 NA Bill Burwell
# Rock Island disbanded July 7.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Mack Waterloo BA .337 Dwight VanFleet Cedar Rapids W 22-7
Joe Mack Waterloo Hits 142 Dykes Potter Cedar Rapids SO 138
Mike Chartak Cedar Rapids Runs 113 Dykes Potter Cedar Rapids ERA 2.28
Calvin Lahman Cedar Rapids HR 22 Dykes Potter Cedar Rapids W 18-6

There was no Western League in 1938.
1939, 40 & 41 the league was played as a class D.

[edit] 1939-1941 (class D)

  • President
J. Roy Carter 1939-1941


Bob Dillinger, Lincoln Links, 1939

1939 Team Statistics
League President: J. Roy Carter

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Elks 75 44 .630 0 Doc Bennett
Sioux Falls Canaries 66 52 .559 8- Ralph Brandon
Sioux City Cowboys 63 52 .548 10 Pete Monahan
Lincoln Links 64 55 .538 11 Pug Griffin
Mitchell Kernels 49 69 .415 25- Red Davis
Worthington Cardinals 36 81 .308 38 Joe McDermott
Playoffs: Sioux City 4 games, Lincoln 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Howard Conners Sioux Falls BA .365 Ox Miller Lincoln W 21-12
Wendell Finders Norfolk Hits 167 John Miller Lincoln SO 208
Bob Dillinger Lincoln Runs 139 Lawrence Kempe Sioux Falls ERA 3.02
William Morgan Norfolk HR 17 Leonard Bobeck Norfolk W 19-3


1940 Team Statistics
League President: J. Roy Carter

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Yankees 73 39 .652 0 Elmer Doc Bennett
Sioux Falls Canaries 59 58 .504 16- Robert Fenner
Worthington Cardinals 50 59 .459 21- Ray Martin /George Payne
Sioux City Soos# / Mitchell Kernels 44 70 .386 30 Jimmy Zinn / Ed Grayston
#Sioux City moved to Mitchell July 24. Playoff: Sioux Falls 4 games, Norfolk 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Johnny Lucas Worthington BA .356 Frank Wagner Sioux Falls W 17-10
Leo Bohanan Sioux Falls Hits 158 Frank Wagner Sioux Falls SO 193
Robert Duby Norfolk Runs 112 Joe Riss Sioux Falls W 15-5
Russell Burns Norfolk HR 17 Mark Koenig Sioux Falls SB 52



1941 Team Statistics
League President: J. Roy Carter

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Yankees 64 44 .593 0 Ray Powell
Cheyenne Indians 59 44 .573 2- John Kerr
Sioux City Soos 54 56 .491 11 Richard Tichacek
Pueblo Rollers 52 54 .491 11 Pug Griffin
Sioux Falls Canaries 51 56 .477 12- Robert Fenner /Mark Koenig
Denver Bears 42 68 .382 23 Cobe Jones
Playoffs: Pueblo 3 games, Norfolk 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bernard Steele Pueblo BA .383 George Milstead Cheyenne W 19-5
Bernard Steele Pueblo Hits 158 Robert Bergen Pueblo SO 183
Bernard Steele Pueblo Runs 88 Frank Wagner Sioux Falls ERA 2.15
Mel Bergman Cheyenne HR 10 George Milstead Cheyenne ERA 2.28

The League did not operate from 1942 - 1946. It returned in 1947 and regained its Class A Status.

[edit] 1947-1958

  • Presidents
Edwin C. Johnson 1947-1955
O'Neal M. Hobbs 1956-1958


Lincoln, Nebraska's Western League Baseball Park, 1947

1947 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Sioux City Soos 81 49 .623 0 113,036 Joe Becker
Des Moines Bruins 72 52 .591 4- 152,027 Jim Keesey
Pueblo Dodgers 70 58 .547 10 80,163 Walter Alston
Omaha Cardinals 67 62 .519 13- 138,308 Ollie Vanek
Denver Bears 54 75 .419 26- 124,923 Marty McManus
Lincoln Athletics 38 89 .299 41- 43,464 Ham Schulte / Tom Oliver
Playoff: Pueblo 4 games, Sioux City 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Edmund Lewinski Omaha BA .346 Red Webb Sioux City W 19-7
Michael Conroy Omaha Hits 190 Charlie Bishop Omaha SO 133
Preston Ward Pueblo Runs 120 Jack Crimian Omaha ERA 2.86
Cliff Aberson Des Moines HR 24 Jack Crimian Omaha CG 14-9


1948 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Des Moines Bruins 76 64 .543 0 232,038 Stan Hack
Denver Bears 70 67 .511 4- 283,377 Mike Gazella
Lincoln Athletics 69 68 .504 5- 127,462 Jimmie DeShong
Sioux City Soos 69 68 .504 5- 112,381 Joe Becker
Pueblo Dodgers 69 70 .496 6- 116,304 Marty McManus
Omaha Cardinals 62 78 .443 14 147,130 Ollie Vanek
Playoff: Sioux City 4 games, Lincoln 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Red Treadway Des Moines BA .352 Bobby Shantz Lincoln W 18-7
George Genovese Denver Runs 119 Bobby Shantz Lincoln SO 212
Nellie Fox Hits Runs 179 Tony Jacobs Des Moines ERA 2.72
Carl Sawatski Des Moines HR 29 Turk Lown Pueblo W 17


1949 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Lincoln Athletics 74 64 .536 0 149,159 Jimmie DeShong
Denver Bears 71 68 .511 3- 463,039 Mike Gazella / Bill DeCarlo / Earl Browne
Pueblo Dodgers 71 68 .511 3- 138,726 Ray Hathaway
Des Moines Bruins 70 70 .500 5 210,204 Stan Hack
Omaha Cardinals 68 71 .489 6- 277,370 Cedric Durst
Sioux City Soos 63 76 .453 11- 125,356 Don Ramsay
Playoff: Pueblo 4 games, Des Moines 3.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Victor Marasco Pueblo BA .330 Ernie Johnson Denver W 15-5
Jim Williams Pueblo Runs 126 Ken Lehman Pueblo SO 203
Fred Richards Des Moines Hits 178 George Uhle Denver ERA 2.25
Lou Limmer Lincoln HR 29 Marion Fricano Pueblo W 10-2


1950 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Omaha Cardinals 96 58 .623 0 218,393 Al Hollingsworth
Sioux City Soos 89 65 .578 3- 463,039 Mike Gazella / Earl Browne
Des Moines Bruins 84 70 .545 12 147,549 Charlie Root
Wichita Indians 77 77 .500 19 126,729 Joe Schultz
Denver Bears 75 79 .487 21 379,180 Earl Browne
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 72 82 .468 24 107,264 Buddy Hassett
Lincoln Athletics 69 85 .448 27 68,884 Jimmie DeShong
Pueblo Dodgers 54 100 .351 42 91,299 Ray Hathaway
Playoff: Sioux City 3 games, Wichita 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill Taylor Sioux City BA .346 Bob Mahoney Omaha W 20
Pete Whisenant Denver Runs 131 Bob Mahoney Omaha SO 162
Chuck Tanner Denver Hits 195 Vern Fear Des Moines ERA 2.83
Pat Seerey Colorado Springs HR 44 Bob Turley Wichita SO 153


1951 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Omaha Cardinals 90 64 .584 0 162,247 George Kissell
Denver Bears 88 66 .571 2 424,065 Andy Cohen
Wichita Indians 84 68 .553 5 122,060 Joe Schultz
Sioux City Soos 77 71 .520 10 104,247 Frank Genovese
Des Moines Bruins 73 78 .483 15- 94,137 Al Todd
Pueblo Dodgers 74 80 .481 16 104,254 Jim Biven
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 64 87 .424 24- 107,320 Skeeter Webb / Otto Denning
Lincoln Athletics 57 93 .380 31 37,123 Frank Skaff
Playoff: Sioux City 3 games, Denver 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
George Freese Pueblo BA .338 Roy Face Pueblo W 23-9
Ron Samford Sioux Runs 108 Willard Schmidt Omaha SO 202
George Freese Pueblo Hits 183 Willard Schmidt Omaha ERA 2.11
Howie Boles Des Moines / Denver HR 32 George Freese Pueblo RBI 106


1952 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Denver Bears 88 66 .571 0 461,419 Andy Cohen
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 87 67 .565 1 170,041 Don Gutteridge
Omaha Cardinals 86 68 .558 2 137,378 George Kissell
Sioux City Soos 83 71 .539 5 103,004 Ray Mueller
Pueblo Dodgers 81 73 .526 7 122,746 Bill McCahan
Wichita Indians 67 87 .435 21 116,703 Ralph Winegarner
Lincoln Athletics 67 87 .435 21 61,483 Les Bell
Des Moines Bruins 57 97 .370 31 62,597 Harry Strohm
Playoff: Denver 3 games, Omaha 0.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ed Phillips Omaha BA .320 Alberto Osorio Denver W 20
Ken Landenberger Colorado Spr Runs 112 Connie Johnson Colorado Spr SO 233
Ken Landenberger Colorado Spr Hits 183 Connie Johnson Colorado Spr CG 24
Ken Landenberger Colorado Spr RBI 133 Connie Johnson Colorado Spr W 18


1953 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 95 69 .617 0 141,117 Don Gutteridge
Denver Bears 94 60 .610 1 322,128 Andy Cohen
Pueblo Dodgers 78 77 .503 17- 103,878 George Pfister
Des Moines Bruins 77 78 497 18- 98,972 Kemp Wicker /Bruce Edwards
Omaha Cardinals 74 80 .481 21 115,512 George Kissell
Lincoln Chiefs 71 83 .461 24 87,615 Lou Finney /Walt Linden
Sioux City Soos 70 84 .455 25 45,412 Ray Mueller
Wichita Indians 58 96 .377 37 68,683 George Hausmann / Mark Christman
Playoff: Des Moines 3 games, Denver 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Kent Pflasterer Pueblo BA .350 Jake Thies Denver W 16-6 .727
Glen Gorbous Pueblo TB 286 Karl Spooner Pueblo SO 198
Glen Gorbous Pueblo Hits 204 Larry Jackson Omaha ERA 2.44
Jim Gentile Pueblo HR 34 Jake Thies Denver ERA 2.43


1954 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Denver Bears 94 56 .627 0 232,686 Andy Cohen
Des Moines Bruins 88 66 .571 8 113,691 Les Peden
Omaha Cardinals 83 68 .550 11- 150,131 Ferrell Anderson
Pueblo Dodgers 79 74 .516 16- 80,768 Goldie Holt
Sioux City Soos 78 75 .510 17- 69,333 Dave Garcia
Wichita Indians 76 77 .497 19- 87,854 Herb Brett /Wes Layton
Lincoln Chiefs 62 88 .413 32 80,660 Whitey Wietelmann / Glenn McQuillen
Colorado Springs 48 104 .316 47 59,606 Mickey Livingston / Bud Stewart / Al Jacinto
Playoff: Des Moines 3 games, Denver 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Kirrene Colorado Springs BA .343 Bob Clear Omaha W 20-11
Bobby Prescott Denver Runs 137 Bob Garber Denver SO 173
Bill White Sioux City SB 40 Hy Cohen Des Moines ERA 1.88
Bill White Sioux City HR 30 Bill White Sioux City TB 321


1955 Team Statistics
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 81 69 .540 0 87,527 John Conway
Pueblo Dodgers 79 71 .527 2 73,941 Goldie Holt
Wichita Indians 78 73 .517 3- 94,862 Bud Bates
Des Moines Bruins 77 74 .510 4- 88,181 Les Peden /Pepper Martin
Sioux City Soos 69 81 .460 12 62,902 John Davenport
Lincoln Chiefs 67 83 .447 14 90,024 Bill Burwell
Playoff: Wichita 3 games, Des Moines 0.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sammy Hairston Colorado Springs BA .350 Joe Stanka Des Moines W 17
Willie Kirkland Sioux City Runs 117 Bob Harrison Wichita SO 270
Willie Kirkland Sioux City TB 315 Dick Hall Lincoln ERA 2.24
Willie Kirkland Sioux City HR 40 Gene Fodge Des Moines ERA 2.28


1956 Team Statistics
League President: O'Neal M. Hobbs

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Amarillo Gold Sox 87 52 .626 0 77,628 Chuck Stevens
Lincoln Chiefs 84 54 .609 2- 92,554 Larry Shepard
Des Moines Bruins 72 67 .518 15 67,973 Lou Klein
Topeka Hawks 70 68 .507 16- 103,938 Bud Bates
Pueblo Dodgers 68 70 .493 18- 51,496 Ray Hathaway
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 66 72 .478 20- 59,282 Jack Conway
Albuquerque Dukes 59 81 .421 28- 94,176 Bob Swift
Sioux City Soos 49 91 .350 38- 40,734 Hal Olt / Bob Clear
Playoff:Lincoln 4 games, Amarillo 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Art Cuitti Amarillo BA .364 Marshall Bridges Topeka W 18
Art Cuitti Amarillo Runs 132 Marshall Bridges Topeka SO 213
Dick Stuart Lincoln RBI 158 John O'Donnell (minors04) Topeka ERA 3.32
Dick Stuart Lincoln HR 66 Bennie Daniels Lincoln W 15


1957 Team Statistics
League President: O'Neal M. Hobbs

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Lincoln Chiefs 98 56 .636 0 100,190 Larry Shepard
Amarillo Gold Sox 97 57 .630 1 102,210 Eddie Bockman
Topeka Hawks 87 64 .576 9- 88, 014 Red Smith / Bill Dossey
Sioux City Soos 71 82 .464 26- 46,851 Ken Landenberger
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 68 86 .442 30 45,184 Ira Hutchinson
Albuquerque Dukes 66 88 .429 32 92,236 Nick Cullop / Hal Toso
Pueblo Dodgers 66 88 .429 32 40,887 Ray Hathaway
Des Moines Demons 60 92 .395 37 79,965 Lou Stringer / Hersh Martin
Playoff: No Playoffs.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sammy Miley Lincoln BA .374 John Stadnicki Topeka W 23-6
Ray Webster Amarillo Runs 136 Dave Stenhouse Des Moines SO 184
Al Pinkston Amarillo RBI 133 Joe Gibbon Lincoln W 13
Leon Williams Topeka HR 43 Don Williams Lincoln W 15


1958 Team Statistics
League President: O'Neal M. Hobbs

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 87 60 .592 0 61,091 Skeeter Scalzi
Amarillo Gold Sox 84 63 .571 3 85,931 Eddie Bockman / Gale Pringle
Lincoln Chiefs 75 71 .514 11- 67,604 Monty Basgall
Pueblo Dodgers 73 74 .497 14 39,179 Ray Mueller
Albuquerque Dukes 71 75 .486 15- 81,702 Jimmy Brown
Sioux City Soos 69 77 .473 17- 55,921 Rocky Tedesco / Ted Shandor
Topeka Hawks 65 82 .442 22 43,686 George McQuinn
Des Moines Bruins 61 83 .424 24- 35,039 Roy Hartsfield
Playoff: No Playoffs.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim McAnany Colorado Springs BA .400 Al Jackson Lincoln W 18-9
Stan Johnson Colorado Springs Runs 120 Dave Stenhouse Pueblo W 16-8
Al Pinkston Amarillo RBI 126 Al Jackson Lincoln ERA 2.07
Al Pinkston Amarillo TB 330 Stan Johnson Colorado Springs Hits 204

[edit] Hall of Fame Alumni

[edit] Sources

SOURCES: "The Western League" by Madden and Stewart and The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, Second Edition.
Nebraska images can be found at: http://www.nebaseballhistory.com/

[edit] Further Reading

  • John R. Husman: Baseball in Toledo © 2003 Arcadia Publishing
  • W.C. Madden and Patrick J. Stewart: The Western League: A Baseball History, 1885 through 1999, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2002.
  • Brian A. Podoll: The Minor League: Milwaukee Brewers 1859-1952 © 2003 McFarland & Co., Inc.
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