Sioux City Cornhuskers

• Location: Sioux City, IA
• League: Western Association 1888-1891; Western League 1894, 1900; Iowa-South Dakota League 1902
• Ballpark: Evans Park

Team History

When the American League began as the Western League in 1894, one team led practically all season and took home the title - the Sioux City Cornhuskers of Sioux City, IA. The club averaged 10.5 runs per game, second in the league. The top pitcher was Bill Hart (29-16, 3.71), who led the league in ERA and was third in victories. Bert Cunningham (33-18, 4.22) was second in the WL in wins and innings (456), third in strikeouts (151) and tied for the lead in complete games (45). Outfielders George Hogreiver (.350/~.395/.595, 93 SB) and Frank Genins (.374/~.428/.545, 86 SB) were first and second in the league in steals and both were in the top 3 in outfield fielding percentage. Hogreiver had 20 or more doubles (30), triples (a league-leading 27) and homers (20). 2B Ace Stewart (.317/~.386/.559) fell a triple shy of that trifecta. Catcher Frank Kraus (.359/~.485/.502) was second in the WL with 79 walks and led in OBP (using BB+H over AB+BB as a very simplistic OBP measure). The Cornhuskers went 74-51 but drew poorly and were replaced the next season by the St. Paul Apostles.

Sources:

• City Journal
• "The Western League" by W.C. Madden and Patrick Stewart, Ray Nemec research

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1888	21-38	--	William Bryan / James Powell	Team began play July 4 and later disbanded
1889	59-61	4th	James Powell	none
1890	55-64	5th	James Powell	none
1891	66-57	1st	Al Buckenberger	none League Champs
1894	74-52	1st	Bill Watkins	none League Champs
1900	49-48	3rd	Jack Glasscock	none
1902	56-40	3rd	Ed Kirby	none