Twin Falls Cowboys

• Location: Twin Falls, ID
• League: Pioneer League 1939-1942, 1946-1951
• Affiliation: Seattle Rainiers 1939; New York Yankees 1946-1951

• Ballpark:

Team History

One of the original members of the Pioneer League, the Twins Fall Cowboys captured the league's first title. Pitcher Charles Wry went 19-7 to lead the team's pitching staff and even managed the club for part of the season. William Schubel also added 19 wins, and catcher Joe McNamee and second baseman Ernest Bishop were also All-Stars. However, the Cowboys dropped to last place the next two seasons. In 1942, they improved to fifth, and player/manager Tony Robello hit a league-best 20 home runs. From 1943 to 1945, the Cowboys and the entire league ceased operations due to World War II.

The Cowboys' fortunes improved greatly after the war as the club became a New York Yankees affiliate. In 1946, they were to the Salt Lake City Bees, as Harry Heslet paced the circuit with 29 homers and 124 RBIs. The team captured the title the next year, as pitcher Walter Eads, catcher Harold Danielson, and outfielders George Leyrer and Charles Balassi were All-Stars. They repeated as champs in 1948 with second baseman Gil McDougald and pitcher Dale Maycock joining Danielson on the All-Star team.

In 1949, the Cowboys posted the best regular-season record, but lost to the Pocatello Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs. Despite that disappointment, outfielder Bill Renna paced the circuit with 21 home runs and pitcher Otto Schroeder notched a league-high 172 strikeouts to join first baseman Sven Jessen as an All-Star. The next season, they were led by pitcher Ivan Abromowitz, who went 22-6 with 198 strikouts. The offense was powered by the league-best 32 homers of Ray Posipanka, who was joined on the All-Star team by Jessen. However, the club lost the league title to the Billings Mustangs. In 1951, outfielder Vern Campbell hit .335 to win a batting crown, and hurler James Russell fanned a league-leading 296 batters. However, the Cowboys were again bridesmaids as they were defeated by the Great Falls Electrics for the championship. That year was marred by tragedy, as on June 29th, a throw by player/manager Don Trower hit catcher Dick Conway in the chest during infield practice before a game in Ogden, UT, killing him instantly.

After the 1951 season, the Magic Valley Cowboys replaced the club as Twin Falls' team in the Pioneer League.

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Affiliation	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1939	Seattle Rainiers	72-52	1st	Eddie Leishman; Wes Schulmerich; Charles Wry	League Champs
1940	none	53-76	6th	Frank Tobin; Ray Jacobs
1941	none	39-90	6th	Andy Harrington
1942	none	51-67	5th	Tony Robello
1946	New York Yankees	72-56	2nd	Earl Bolyard	Lost League Finals
1947	New York Yankees	77-60	2nd	Earl Bolyard	League Champs
1948	New York Yankees	75-51	2nd	Charlie Metro	League Champs
1949	New York Yankees	78-47	1st	Charlie Metro	Lost first round
1950	New York Yankees	76-50	2nd	Wally Berger	Lost League Finals
1951	New York Yankees	71-68	4th	Don Trower	Lost League Finals