Rock Island Islanders
- Location: Rock Island, IL
- League: Western Association 1899; Three-I League 1901-1911; Central Association 1914; Three-I League 1916-1917, 1920-1921; Mississippi Valley League 1922-1933; Western League 1934-1935, 1937
- Affiliation: St. Louis Browns 1932; Cincinnati Reds 1933
- Ballpark: Twelfth Street Park 1904, Island City Park 1905, Douglas Park
The Islanders first began play in 1883 as an Independent League team for one season. Later, in 1894, Rock Island reformed and eventually becoming a member of the Western Association.[1]
In 1901, the Islanders became charter members of the Three-I League. They moved to the Central Association in 1914 before rejoining the Three-I League (1916 to 1917, 1920 to 1921). They moved to the Mississippi Valley League (1922-1933) and finally, the Western League ( 1934-1935, 1937). The Islanders were affiliates of the St. Louis Browns (1932) and Cincinnati Reds (1933). The Islanders permanently disbanded on July 7, 1937.[2]
The Islanders captured league championships in 1907, 1909 and 1932.
The Islanders played their home games at Douglas Park, The historic park still exists today and hosted the very first National Football League game in 1920, hosted by the Rock Island Independents. [3][4]
Year-by-Year Record[edit]
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1899 | 28-8 | 1st | Harry Sage | League disbanded June 16 |
1901 | 45-66 | 7th | Henry Tate / Harry Sage / Dom Mullaney | none |
1902 | 58-61 | 4th | Frank Donnelly | none |
1903 | 64-54 | 4th | Frank Donnelly | none |
1904 | 57-65 | 6th | Ross Thornton / Kahley Miller / Hugh Nicol | none |
1905 | 68-55 | 2nd | J.B. McConnell | none |
1906 | 58-66 | 5th | Jack McConnell | none |
1907 | 86-46 | 1st | Jack Tighe | none League Champs |
1908 | 59-76 | 7th | Louis Cook / Jack Tighe | none |
1909 | 90-48 | 1st | Jack Tighe | none League Champs |
1910 | 81-56 | 2nd | Jack Tighe | none |
1911 | 58-79 | 8th | Bill Carney / John Gondling | none |
1914 | 6-1 | -- | Ned Egan | Ottumwa moved to Rock Island July 17 The NA ruled Rock Island as Three-I League territory Rock Island moved to Galesburg July 24 |
1916 | 57-76 | 6th | Pete Lister / Harry Bay | none |
1917 | 36-26 | 4th | Jack Tighe | Season shortened to July 8 |
1920 | 57-81 | 8th | Jack Tighe / Norm Glockson | none |
1921 | 57-78 | 8th | George McQuillan | none |
1922 | 66-63 | 3rd | Jimmy Conzelman / Art Thomason | none |
1923 | 53-73 | 5th | Art Thomason | none |
1924 | 64-57 | 3rd | Preston Gray | none |
1925 | 65-60 | 3rd | Preston Gray | none |
1926 | 65-55 | 5th | Preston Gray | none |
1927 | 40-75 | 7th | Joe Kernan | none |
1928 | 67-59 | 3rd | Lester "Pat" Patterson | none |
1929 | 44-82 | 8th | Walt Genin (24-41) / Buck Wheat (20-41) | none |
1930 | 70-56 | 2nd | Clarence Roper | none |
1931 | 61-65 | 5th | Clarence Roper | none |
1932 | 70-56 | 2nd | George Young (minors02) (52-39) / Riley Parker (18-17) | League Champs |
1933 | 64-53 | 2nd | Riley Parker | Lost League Finals |
1934 | 58-65 | 6th | Riley Parker (46-49) / Cliff Knox (12-16) | |
1935 | 19-46 | -- | Tommy Taylor (minors) (10-16) / Howard Maple (0-4) / Karl Swanson (9-26) | Team disbanded July 17 |
1937 | 20-46 | -- | Bill Burwell | Team disbanded July 7 |
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