Oswego Starchboxes

• Location: Oswego, NY
• League: International Association 1886-1887; Eastern International League 1888
• Affiliation:
• Ballpark:

In 1886 the Oswego Sweegs of the New York State League became the Oswego Starchboxes of the International League as both the league and team were renamed. The team from Oswego, NY repeated their last-place finish of a year earlier with a horrendous 23-72 record for a .242 winning percentage. The club hit .213, 20 points lower than any other team, and scored 407 runs, 107 fewer than anyone else. Their 118 steals, 110 doubles, 17 triples and 4 homers all were worst in the IL and their 1.86 ERA was below average. Their pitchers issued 301 walks, 29 more than any other staff. Mike Mattimore (12-26, 1.62) led the league in losses but the team was 11-46 without him on the hill. The top hitter was player-manager Buck West, who hit .292 with 3 of their 4 homers, 25 doubles, 66 runs and 21 steals while playing at least five different positions. Henry Ormsbee also managed the team briefly.

In 1887 the Starchboxes began 3-23 under Wes Curry and Mike Gill though SS Eddie Fusselback hit .354 (in 1887 the IL counted walks as hits) and scored 15 runs in 14 games and 2B James Humphries batted .451. Jake Virtue was 1-4 with a 2.53 ERA as their "ace". The team folded in late May and was replaced by the Scranton Indians.

Source: "The International League: Year-by-Year Statistics" by Marshall Wright

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1886	23-72	8th	Buck West / Henry Ormsbee
1887	3-23	NA	Wes Curry / Mike Gill
1888	16-8	NA	James Harmon		Team disbanded July 4