Columbus Solons

Win-Loss Record: 246-229-9 (.518)

Ballpark: Recreation Park II (Apr. 28, 1889-Sept. 22, 1891)

Team History

The city of Columbus got a second chance with professional baseball, when the Columbus Solons joined the American Association on December 5, 1888. Under the guidance of manager Al Buckenberger, the team finished in sixth place with a 60-78-2 record in 1889. The next season, 1890 found the Solons winning their first 3 games and 4 out of their first 6 before a seven-game losing streak sent the team down to 8th by May 3rd. The rest of the month found the team rising as high as 5th or as low as 8th. Near the end of June the Solons had reached the .500 mark and it would be a month before the team fell again to below .500. Following a 6-2 loss to the last place Brooklyn Gladiators, Buckenberger was relieved of his managerial duties, and former Columbus Buckeyes manager Gus Schmelz was brought in to manage the team. After that the team never fell below .500 the rest of the season. When the season ended, the Solons had a 79-55-6 record and a second-place finish.

It was hoped that in 1891 the team would finally win a league pennant. Unfortunately it would not work out that way. The team managed to reach the .500 mark only twice, the last time coming on August 1st. The season ended with the team in 6th place with a 61-76-1 record. When the American Association and National League met in Indianapolis, IN in December, Columbus was one of the four teams that were not included in the merger of the two leagues. Even though they were not to be a part of the expanded National League, the Solons joined their former American Association league member, the Milwaukee Brewers as members of the Western League. Now called the Columbus Reds, the team posted a 46-20 record and were in 1st place when the league folded on July 15th. When the Western League re-formed prior to the start of the 1894 season, Columbus decided not to rejoin the league.

Sources

• Peter Filichia: Green Cathedrals: The Ultimate Celebrations of All 273 Major League and Negro League Ballparks Past and Present, Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1993.

• Tootle, James R. Baseball in Columbus, Arcadia Publishing, 2003.