Moline Plowboys

• Location: Moline, IL
• League: Three-I League 1914-1917, 1919-1923; Mississippi Valley League 1924-1932; Three-I League 1937-1941
• Affiliation: Detroit Tigers 1932; Chicago Cubs 1937-1940
• Ballpark: Browning Field

The Moline Plowboys were based in Moline, IL, formed when the franchise relocated to Moline from Danville, IL on July 14, 1914, The Plowboys played in the Class B Three-I League (1914 to 1923), the Class D Mississippi Valley League (1924 to 1932) and again in the Three-I League (1937 to 1941). Finally, they played in the Central Association, (1947-48) before disbanding in 1948. The plowboys were affiliates of the Philadelphia A's (1947-48), Chicago Cubs (1937–40) and Detroit Tigers (1932). The Plowboys' home was Browning Field.

Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Warren Giles, future President of the National League, served as President of the Plowboys from 1919–1922.

The Plowboys' ballpark (1920 to 1948) was Browning Field, located at 16th Street and 23rd Avenue. The 5,600 capacity park had dimensions (LF-CF-RF) of 550-440-377. The first night game at the park was July 11, 1930.

In an exhibition on April 12, 1920 the Plowboys defeated the Chicago White Sox 7-1 in the first "major-league" game played at Browning. The Chicago Cubs played an exhibition at Browning Field against their affiliate Plowboys on April 14, 1938.

Babe Ruth appeared at Browning Field on June 26, 1940. 2,600 attended the Plowboys exhibition game featuring Ruth. They also saw watch Ruth put on a batting practice exhibition

Hall of Fame Alumni

• Warren Giles Team President 1919–1921; President of National League (1951–1969); Baseball Hall of Fame (1979)

Notable Alumni

• Art Ditmar (1948)
• Joe Glenn (1947)
• Hank Wyse (1940)
• Lennie Merullo (1939)
• Eddie Waitkus (1939)
• Lou Novikoff (1938)
• Kirby Higbe (1937)
• Peanuts Lowrey (1937)
• Elden Auker (1932)
• Claude Passeau (1932)
• Mike Tresh (1932)
• Jake Wade (1932)
• Len Koenecke (1932)
• Bob Weiland (1928)
• Fritz Mollwitz (1927)
• Evar Swanson (1924)
• Earle Mack (1922)
• Dutch Ulrich (1922)
• Bill Barrett (1921)
• Fred Heimach (1921)
• Fred Smith (1921)
• Rube Ehrhardt (1917),
• Hod Eller (1915)

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1914	20-33	8th	Connie Walsh / William Neal	none	Danville (26-53) moved to Moline July 14
1915	75-51	1st	George Hughes	League Champs
1916	59-76	5th	George Hughes	none
1917	27-38	6th	Ned Pettigrew / Bob Tarleton	Season shortened to July 8
1919	40-81	6th	George Hughes	none
1920	69-70	4th	Earle Mack	none
1921	78-55	1st	Earle Mack	none League Champs
1922	49-89	8th	Earle Mack	none
1923	45-91	8th	Bobby Coltrin / Jim Shollenberger	none
1924	59-65	5th	Jim Shollenberger	none
1925	73-52	2nd	Jim Shollenberger	none
1926	71-50	2nd	Jim Shollenberger	none
1927	63-55	5th	Fritz Mollwitz	none
1928	69-54	2nd	Richard Manchester	none
1929	63-63	4th	Richard Manchester	none
1930	63-62	4th	Riley Parker	none
1931	68-58	3rd	Riley Parker	none
1932	55-66	6th	Ernie Lorbeer
1937	74-41	2nd	Mike Gazella	League Champs
1938	67-59	3rd	Mike Gazella	Lost League Finals
1939	49-73	6th (t)	Mike Gazella
1940	46-78	7th	Mike Gazella
1941	43-82	8th	Joe Mowry