Denver Grizzlies
- Location: Denver, CO
- League: Western Association 1889-1890; Western League 1901-1912
- Ballpark:
The first Denver Grizzlies competed in the Western Association in 1889 and 1890. Managed by Dave Rowe, they finsihed 7th in 1889 (42-68), and 4th (57-64) in 1890 in the 8 team league. Abner Dalrymple led the league in hits in 1889 with 173, and Elmer "Nick" Smith led the league in runs in 1890 with 128.
In 1901 the Denver Bears changed names to become the Denver Grizzlies. The name, like the Bear moniker, came from the fame of Teddy Roosevelt. In their first five seasons they never finished first, but twice finished two games back and once four games out. They finally took a pennant in 1911, led by Buck O'Brien, the top pitcher in the Western League. The next year they won another title behind Johnny Beall, the top slugger in the WL. The most famous player to play for the Grizzlies was Babe Adams in 1907, who led the league in strikeouts. In 1913 the team changed its name back to the Bears.
Source: "The Western League" by W.C. Madden and Patrick Stewart
Year-by-Year Record[edit]
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1889 | 42-68 | 7th | Dave Rowe | none |
1890 | 57-64 | 4th | Dave Rowe | none |
1901 | 60-59 | 4th | Buck Weaver / Tom Brown / Bill Everitt | none |
1902 | 81-57 | 4th | Parke Wilson | none |
1903 | 61-70 | 5th | Tom Delahanty (July 28) / Bobby Lowe | none |
1904 | 87-61 | 3rd | Bill Hallman | none |
1905 | 92-58 | 2nd | Bill Everitt | none |
1906 | 68-81 | 5th | Bill Everitt | none |
1907 | 67-75 | 4th | Eddie Wheeler | none |
1908 | 71-75 | 4th | Charlie Irwin / Charley Jones | none |
1909 | 69-82 | 6th | Charley Jones / Henry Thompson | none |
1910 | 102-65 | 2nd | Jack Hendricks | none |
1911 | 111-54 | 1st | Jack Hendricks | none League Champs |
1912 | 99-63 | 1st | Jack Hendricks | none League Champs |
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