Omaha Omahogs

From BR Bullpen


While the Omaha, NE-based teams in the Western League had many different names in the 20th century, in the 19th century they had been as the Omaha Omahogs. Members of the first Western League in 1885, Omaha went 4-24-1 and was drawing few fans and folded early in the season, being replaced by the Keokuk Hawkeyes on June 6.

Omaha returned to the league in 1887 and fared better, going 36-65 and finishing 44 games behind the Topeka Golden Giants. Omaha left the Western League for the Western Association before 1888. Led by Hall of Fame skipper Frank Selee and pitcher Kid Nichols, they went on to capture a league championship in 1889. The Omahogs returned to the Western League in 1892, and the club finished third at 31-31. However, the league again folded.

Omaha came back once more in 1898 when the St. Joseph Saints (23-38) moved on July 7. The club finished 42-93 overall for the year. When the club again drew poorly, it was not called back for a second season.

The Omahogs had perhaps their best year yet in 1900 when yet another Western League was formed. They started quickly and were in first early, but fell to 51-53 by year's end. They followed that with a 61-62 season.

In 1902 they were renamed the Omaha Indians and the Omahogs name was not used again.

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

Year-by-Year Record[edit]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1885 4-22 -- George Hay / Bill Harrington -- Team moved to Keokuk (3-5) June 6
1887 41-66 5th Frank Bandle / J.J. Philbin none
1888 55-48 4th Frank Selee none
1889 83-38 1st Frank Selee none League Champs
1892 31-31 3rd Stout / Dave Rowe League disbanded July 15
1894 66-59 5th Pa Rourke none
1895 55-68 overall -- Dave Rowe / Joe Cantillon / Tom Morrissey -- Team moved to Denver then Dubuque
1898 19-55 8th Pa Rourke / Tom Tucker / Chauncey Fisher none St. Joseph (23-38) moved to Omaha July 7
1900 51-53 4th Pa Rourke none
1901 61-62 5th Pa Rourke none