Grand Rapids Gold Bugs

The Grand Rapids Gold Bugs played in the Western League in 1895-1897. Originally known as the Grand Rapids Rippers, the team became the Gold Bugs for 1895 season. The team never was a success on the field nor at the gate. The team's best season came in 1896. Managed by George Ellis and first baseman John Carney the first year, they were 45-94, finishing last, 45 and a half games out of first. Carney was fired prior to the 1897 season, and was replaced by Bob Glenalvin. The next year started with a 10-0 shutout loss to the Indianapolis Hoosiers and stayed that bad as they were last again, 35-100, 63 1/2 games behind the Hoosiers.

During the off-season, the team was sold to new owners who moved the team to Omaha, NE. Unfortunately, the team lasted until July 12th when they were moved to St. Joseph, MO. This would not be the last time that Grand Rapids would have a ball club. The Columbus Senators moved to Grand Rapids by July 17 in the 1899 season. But they would remain for the rest of the season, before moving to Cleveland for the 1900 season.

Source: The Western League by W.C. Madden and Patrick Stewart

Further Reading

• Eugene C. Murdock: Ban Johnson: Czar of Baseball, Contributions to the Study of Popular Culture, Greenwood Press, 1982.