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

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