Western League

From BR Bullpen

Western League Logo.jpg


History[edit]

The Western League has been used many times in the history of baseball. The first such league was formed in 1885 as one of the first minor leagues - teams were based originally in Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Omaha and Toledo. Cleveland and Toledo didn't complete the season (no team played more than 35 games), but the league achieved history in beginning the career of Hall of Famer Sam Thompson and featuring two black players, Fleet Walker and Bud Fowler.

In 1886 founder Ted Sullivan gave up hopes of continuing the prior year's circuit; instead he revived the Northwestern League with teams in Denver, St. Joseph, Leadville, Topeka, Leavenworth and Lincoln playing an 80-game schedule. That league died off early in 1888 but not before Kid Nichols and Jake Beckley made appearances.

In 1892 another Western League formed, but lasted only till July 11. Once again, future big-league cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul, Milwaukee and Kansas City had entries.

1894 saw yet another revival - the best ever. Ban Johnson formed the league into one of the strongest minor-league circuits. In 1900 the league changed its name to the American League and a year later became a major league, achieving parity with the National League within a few seasons. Minor league legend Perry Werden had some of his best years in the Western League of the 1894-1899 era.

From 1900 to 1937 the Western League had its longest-living entry, with teams again stationed in the midwest in places like Sioux City, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids; Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha also had runs in the circuit. A couple of teams survived to join the Three-I League after economic woes ruined the class A league in 1937.

In 1939, the Nebraska State League changed its name to the now available Western moniker as the 6th Western League. A class D league, it was one of the weakest Westerns ever and only lasted 3 years, ending when World War II began, as was the case with many low-level minor leagues.

In 1947, with the explosion of the minors after the war, a new Western League was formed (for the third time, a Johnson played a key role in the league - this time Edwin C., a Colorado senator). The league again received a class A designation and saw lots of future big-leaguers pass through before it again collapsed in 1958 as the 1950s saw the death of many minor leagues. The most memorable season in this span was Dick Stuart's 66 homers in 1956 for Lincoln. When the league died, 4 of the 8 clubs joined the Three-I League and one joined the Texas League. The 1947-1958 league had a more westernly feel, with teams once again in Denver, but also in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Albuquerque. Des Moines, IA was represented in every year of both major runs of the Western League (1900-1937) & (1947-1958).

In 1995, the Western League was re-established in the US as an independent league and lasted longer than many other independents. The league kept moving west, with entries in Washington, California and Oregon. This incarnation of the Western League was usually referred to as the Western Baseball League. It ceased operations in 2002.

The Western League is also one of two minor leagues in Japan.


Cities Represented 1885-1888[edit]

Teams and Statistics 1885-1888[edit]

1885 Western League
League President: Ted Sullivan

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers % 27 4 .871 - Bill Watkins
Milwaukee Milwaukees 22 13 .629 7 Tom Loftus
Kansas City 17 13 .567 9- Ted Sullivan
Omaha / Keokuk # 7 27 .206 21- George Hay / Bill Harrington
Cleveland Forest Citys $ 13 16 .448 NA Thomas Lawrence /Joe Battin / Doc Kennedy
Toledo Avengers @ 8 21 .276 NA Dan O'Leary

$ Cleveland disbanded June 6
# Omaha (4-22) was replaced by a team from Keokuk June 6
@ Toledo disbanded June 7
% Indianapolis disbanded June 15, selling its players to Detroit of the National League, causing the league to disband the same day.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Darby O'Brien Kansas City BA .362 Lady Baldwin Milwaukee W 11
Emmett Seery Kansas City Runs 43 Larry McKeon Indianapolis W 11
Darby O'Brien Kansas City Hits 51 Len Stockwell Milwaukee SO 104
Jim Keenan Indianapolis HR 3 Cyclone Miller Indianapolis PCT 1.000 6-0


1886 Western League - schedule
League Presidents: Edward Murphy / William M. McClintock

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Mountain Lions 54 26 .675 - W. Welday Wallace
St. Joseph Reds 50 30 .625 4 Nin Alexander
Leadville Blues 39 41 .488 15 D. W. Morgan
Topeka Capitals 35 45 .438 19 W. J. Sheard / Henry Strong / Hiram Dillon / W. Welday Wallace / John Fogarty
Leavenworth Soldiers 31 49 .388 23 Michael Hurley /Charlie Hall
Lincoln Tree Planters 31 49 .388 23 Harry Durfee /? Partington

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot
Darby O'Brien Denver BA .352
Jake Beckley Leavenworth Hits 113
Charlie Hall Leavenworth Runs 96
Perry Werden Lincoln HR 11



1887 Western League - schedule
League President: J. H. Threw

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Topeka Golden Giants 90 25 .783 - Walt Goldsby
Lincoln Tree Planters 71 36 .664 15 Dave Rowe
Kansas City Cowboys 58 54 .518 30- Joe Ellick(5/18) Bradley Patterson
Denver Mountaineers 55 55 .500 32- Robert McClintock
Omaha Omahogs 41 66 .383 45 Frank Bandle(5/20) J. J. Philbin
Hastings 36 65 .356 47 Fred Corey(5/12) Ulysses Rohrer(6/22) Ed Hengel(7/2) Fergy Malone / Charlie Reynolds??
Leavenworth Soldiers # 27 27 .500 NA John Brandon
Emporia ### 6 12 .333 NA Benjamin F. Sullivan
St. Joseph Reds # 21 48 .304 NA Nin Alexander
Wichita Braves ## 7 24 .226 NA George Mold / John Griffin co-managers



# Leavenworth disbanded July 8th and St. Joseph disbanded on July 28.
## Wichita disbanded on September 5.
### Emporia disbanded on September 9.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jimmy Macullar Topeka BA .464 Tom Sullivan Topeka W 36
Ecky Stearns Topeka Runs 189 Park Swartzel Lincoln/Leavenworth SO 205
Ecky Stearns Topeka Hits 265 John McCarty Emporia/Kansas City ERA 2.51
Bug Holliday Topeka HR 16 Bill Hart Lincoln PCT .824 28-6
Jake Beckley Leavenworth/Lincoln HR 16



1888 Western League - schedule
League President:William Bryan

Teams W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Mountaineers 18 6 .750 - William McClintock
Leavenworth Soldiers 7 7 .500 6 L. M. Cretors
Hutchison 9 10 .474 6- William Bryan / Ed Dugan
Newton # 3 5 .375 NA Dick Juvenal
Lincoln Tree Planters # 2 11 .154 NA James Keith

# Lincoln disbanded June 6 and Newton entered June 11
The league disbanded June 23

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Thomas McAndrews Denver BA .371 William Avery Denver W 9
Charles Faatz Hutchinson Runs 33 William Avery Denver PCT 1.000 9-0
Charles Faatz Hutchinson Hits 35

The Western League would not play again until 1892

Cities Represented 1892[edit]

Columbus, OH: Columbus Reds
Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Cowboys
Omaha, NE: Omaha Omahogs
Toledo, OH: Toledo Black Pirates
Minneapolis, MN: Minneapolis (MN) Minnies
Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis Hoosiers
Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Brewers
St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Saints
Fort Wayne, IN: Fort Wayne

Teams and Statistics 1892[edit]

1892 Western League - schedule
League President: James A. Williams

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Columbus Reds @ 46 20 .697 - Gus Schmelz
Kansas City Cowboys 33 33 .500 13 Jim Manning
Toledo Black Pirates 25 24 .510 11- Ed MacGregor
Omaha Omahogs 31 31 .500 13 ? Stout / Dave Rowe
Minneapolis Minnies @ 22 24 .478 14 Charlie Morton
Indianapolis Hoosiers 15 39 .278 25 Bill Harrington / Bill Sharsig
Milwaukee Brewers $ 32 21 .604 NA Charlie Cushman
St. Paul Saints / Fort Wayne # 20 31 .392 NA Arthur Thompson / Billy Alvord


# St. Paul transferred to Ft. Wayne May 25
$ Ft. Wayne and Milwaukee disbanded July 7
@ Columbus and Minneapolis disbanded July 15
The league disbanded July 17
First season 4/16-6/30; second 7/2-7/7; exhibitions 7/8-7/10; new season 7/11-7/17


Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Charlie Newman Indianapolis BA .347 Ben Stephens Columbus W 18
Jim Manning Kansas City Runs 76 Jim Hughey Kansas City SO 111
Jim Manning Kansas City Hits 83 Fritz Clausen Columbus PCT .773 17-5
Ed Breckinridge Columbus HR 18
Piggy Ward Milwaukee SB 39


1894 Western League - schedule
League President: Ban Johnson 1894-1899

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Cornhuskers 74 51 .592 - Bill Watkins
Toledo White Stockings 67 55 .549 5.5 Denny Long
Kansas City Blues 68 58 .535 6.5 Jim Manning
Minneapolis Millers 63 62 .504 10 John Barnes
Grand Rapids Rippers 62 64 .492 12.5 Rasty Wright
Indianapolis Hoosiers 60 64 .484 13.5 Bill Sharsig
Detroit Creams 56 69 .448 18 Bob Glenalvin
Milwaukee Brewers 50 74 .403 24.5 Charlie Cushman

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hunkey Hines Minneapolis BA .427 Pete Daniels Kansas City W 36
Rasty Wright Grand Rapids Runs 217 Frank Foreman Toledo SO 190
Hunkey Hines Minneapolis Hits 250 Pete Daniels Kansas City PCT .735 36-13
Perry Werden Minneapolis HR 43
George Hogreiver Sioux City SB 93


1895 Western League - schedule
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers 78 43 .645 - Bill Watkins
St. Paul Apostles 74 50 .597 5.5 Charlie Comiskey
Kansas City Blues 73 52 .584 7 Jim Manning
Minneapolis Millers 64 59 .520 15 John Barnes (minors01) / Ed Murphy
Detroit Tigers 59 66 .472 21 Con Strothers / George Vanderbeck
Milwaukee Brewers 57 67 .460 22.5 Larry Twitchell
Toledo Swamp Angels/Terre Haute Hottentots # 52 72 .419 27.5 Denny Long / W. Schneider
Grand Rapids Gold Bugs 38 86 .306 41.5 George Ellis

# Toledo (23-28) transferred to Toledo June 30.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Perry Werden Minneapolis BA .428 Chauncey Fisher Indianapolis W 36
Dan Lally Minneapolis Runs 205 Tony Mullane St. Paul ERA 2.30
Perry Werden Minneapolis Hits 241 Chauncey Fisher Indianapolis PCT .818 36-8
Bill George Grand Rapids/St. Paul Hits 241
Perry Werden Minneapolis HR 45
Marty Hogan Indianapolis SB 73


1896 Western League - schedule
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Minneapolis Millers 89 47 .654 - Walt Wilmot
Indianapolis Indians 78 54 .591 9 Bill Watkins
Detroit Tigers 80 58 .580 10 George Stallings
St. Paul Apostles/St. Paul Saints 73 63 .537 16 Jack Glasscock / Charles Comiskey
Kansas City Blues 69 66 .511 19.5 Jim Manning
Milwaukee Brewers 62 78 .443 29 Larry Twitchell / Bob Glenalvin
Columbus Buckeyes 52 88 .371 39 W. Schneider / Tom Loftus
Grand Rapids Gold Bugs 45 94 .324 45.5 George Ellis / John Carney

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jack Glasscock St. Paul BA .431 Bill Hutchison Minneapolis W 38
Jack Glasscock St. Paul Runs 172 Roger Denzer St. Paul SO 200
Jack Glasscock St. Paul Hits 263 Bill Dammann Indianapolis ERA 2.25
Perry Werden Minneapolis HR 18 Bill Hutchison Minneapolis PCT .731 38-14
William Schriver Minneapolis HR 18


1897 Western League - schedule
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Indianapolis Indians 98 37 .726 - 140,000 Bill Watkins
Columbus Senators 89 47 .654 9.5 110,000 Tom Loftus / George Tebeau
St. Paul Saints 86 51 .628 13 120,000 Charles Comiskey
Milwaukee Brewers 85 51 .625 13 160,000 Connie Mack
Detroit Tigers 70 66 .515 28.5 110,000 Bob Allen / Frank Graves
Minneapolis Millers 43 95 .312 56.5 90,000 Walt Wilmot / Doggie Miller
Kansas City Blues 40 99 .288 60 100,000 John Carney replaced by Jim Manning on July 7.
Grand Rapids Gold Bugs 34 100 .254 63.5 75,000 Bob Glenalvin / Art Twineham

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Algie McBride St. Paul BA .387 Frank Foreman Indianapolis W 30
Algie McBride St. Paul Runs 166 Tom Thomas Detroit SO 147
Bill George St. Paul Hits 207 Jot Goar Indianapolis ERA 1.30
Bill Gray Indianapolis HR 19 Frank Foreman Indianapolis PCT .769 30-9



1898 Western League - schedule
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Kansas City Blues 85 51 .633 - 180,000 Jim Manning
Indianapolis Hoosiers 84 50 .627 1.5 120,000 Bill Watkins / Bob Allen
Milwaukee Brewers 82 57 .590 6 160,000 Connie Mack
St. Paul Apostles/St. Paul Saints 81 58 .583 7 90,000 Charles Comiskey
Columbus Senators 73 60 .549 12 60,000 Tom Loftus / George Tebeau
Detroit Tigers 50 87 .365 37 85,000 Graves / Beard / Mullane / Stallings
Minneapolis Millers 48 92 .343 40.5 40,000 Gus Schmelz / Charlie Reilly/ Walt Wilmot
Omaha/St. Joseph # 42 93 .311 44 50,000 Pa Rourke / Tommy Tucker / Chauncey Fisher

# Omaha (22-39) transferred to St. Joseph after July 7.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jimmy Slagle Kansas City BA .378 Roger Denzer St. Paul W 33
Jimmy Slagle Kansas City Runs 137 Roger Denzer St. Paul SO 152
Jimmy Slagle Kansas City Hits 206 Bill Phillips Indianapolis PCT .784 29-8
Frank Shugart St. Paul HR 12
Count Campau Minneapolis/St. Paul/Kansas City SB 60


1899 Western League - schedule
League President: Ban Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Indianapolis Hoosiers 75 47 .615 - Bob Allen
Minneapolis Millers 76 50 .613 1 Walt Wilmot
Detroit Tigers 64 60 .516 12 George Stallings
Columbus# / Grand Rapids 63 62 .504 13.5 Tom Loftus / George Tebeau
St. Paul Saints 57 69 .452 20 Charles Comiskey
Milwaukee Brewers 55 68 .447 20.5 Connie Mack
Kansas City Blues 53 70 .431 22.5 Jim Manning
Buffalo Bisons 53 70 .431 22.5 Nash / Franklin / Shannon

# Columbus (36-35) exchanged franchises with Grand Rapids of the Inter-State League July 17; first game July 18

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sam Dungan Detroit BA .347 Rube Waddell Columbus/ Grand Rapids W 26
Lefty Davis Minneapolis Runs 126 Jack Cronin Detroit W 26
Lefty Davis Minneapolis Hits 176 Rube Waddell Columbus/Grand Rapids SO 200
Bob Stafford Milwaukee HR 8 Jock Menefee Minneapolis PCT .781 25-7

1900-1937[edit]

Presidents

Thomas J. Hickey 1900-1901
Michael H. Sexton 1902-1904
Norris O'Neill 1905-1916
F.C. Zehrung 1917
Emerson W. Dickerson 1917-1918
Albert R. Tearney 1919-1925
Dale D. Gear 1926-1935
Dr. A.J. McLaughlin 1936-1937


1900 Western League - schedule
League President: Thomas Hickey

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Grizzlies 61 44 .581 - George Tebeau
Des Moines Hawkeyes 59 45 .567 1.5 Belden Hill
Sioux City Cornhuskers 49 48 .505 8 A.B. Deal / Hi Ebright / Jack Glasscock
Omaha Omahogs 51 53 .490 9.5 Pa Rourke
St. Joseph Saints 51 58 .468 12 Byron McKibben
Pueblo Indians 41 64 .390 20.5 Billy Hulen

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hunkey Hines Omaha/Des Moines BA .337 Harry Maupin St. Joseph W 23
Sammy Strang St. Joseph Runs 103 Elwood Eyler Denver W 23
Joe Schrall St. Joseph Hits 149 Tom Hughes Omaha SO 219
Tom Parrott Denver/Pueblo HR
Sammy Strang St. Joseph SB 52


1901 Western League - schedule
League President: Thomas Hickey

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Kansas City Blues 79 44 .642 - George Tebeau
St. Paul Saints 69 54 .561 10 Jimmy Ryan
St. Joseph Saints 69 58 .543 12 Byron McKibben
Denver Grizzlies 60 59 .504 17 Farmer Weaver / Tom Brown / Bill Everitt
Omaha Omahogs 61 62 .496 18 Pa Rourke
Minneapolis Millers 56 62 .475 20.5 Jack Glasscock / John Beall
Des Moines Hawkeyes 48 75 .390 31 Mike Kelley
Colorado Springs Millionaires 45 73 .381 31.5 Billy Hulen

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Frank Hemphill Colorado Springs BA .332 Harry Maupin St. Joseph W 31
Bill Hartmann Kansas City Runs 101 Fred Glade Des Moines SO 196
Dusty Miller Kansas City Hits 153 Bob Ewing Kansas City PCT .808 21-5
Dave Brain St. Paul HR 13

1902 Western League - schedule
League President: Michael Sexton

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Kansas City Blue Stockings 82 54 .603 - Kid Nichols
Omaha Indians 84 56 .600 0 Pa Rourke
Milwaukee Creams 80 54 .597 1 Hugh Duffy
Denver Grizzlies 81 57 .587 2 Parke Wilson
St. Joseph Saints 71 68 .511 12.5 Byron McKibben
Colorado Springs Millionaires 63 75 .465 20 Bill Everitt
Des Moines Midgets 54 83 .394 28.5 Joe Quinn
Peoria Distillers 35 103 .254 48 Bill Hart

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Emil Frisk Denver BA .373 Kid Nichols Kansas City W 27
Jack O'Brien Milwaukee Runs 125 Jake Weimer Kansas City SO 209
George Stone Peoria / Omaha Hits 198 Kid Nichols Kansas City PCT .794 27-7
Emil Frisk Denver HR 14


1903 Western League - schedule
League President: Michael Sexton

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Milwaukee Creams 83 43 .659 - Hugh Duffy
Colorado Springs Millionaires 76 52 .594 8 Bill Everitt
Kansas City Blue Stockings 65 61 .516 18 Kid Nichols
St. Joseph Saints 62 59 .512 20.5 George Rohe
Denver Grizzlies 61 70 .466 24.5 Elwood Eyler
Peoria Distillers 57 69 .452 26 Bill Wilson
Des Moines Undertakers 55 76 .420 30.5 Joe Quinn
Omaha Indians 49 78 .386 34.5 Pa Rourke

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bunk Congalton Colorado Springs BA .363 Ed Kenna Milwaukee W 28
Bunk Congalton Colorado Springs Hits 184 Harvey Cushman Des Moines SO 195
Tom O'Neill Milwaukee Runs 107 Ed Kenna Milwaukee PCT .757 28-9
Tom Fleming Colorado Springs Runs 107
Mike Jacobs Kansas City HR 8



1904 Western League - schedule
League President: Michael Sexton

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Rangers 90 60 .600 - Pa Rourke
Denver Grizzlies 87 61 .588 2 Bill Hallman
Colorado Springs Millionaires 85 58 .594 3.5 Jimmy Ryan
Des Moines Prohibitionists 79 69 .534 10 Bill Hoffer / Joe Quinn
St. Joseph Saints 53 93 .363 35 Joseph Chamberlain
Sioux City Indians 45 98 .315 41.5 Jay Andrews / Jay Parker / Tom Fleming

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bunk Congalton Colorado Springs BA .327 Buster Brown Omaha W 27
Del Howard Omaha Hits 184 Jack Pfiester Omaha SO 178
Rabbit Nill Colorado Springs Runs 117 Buster Brown Omaha PCT .643 27-15
Del Howard Omaha HR 9


1905 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill 1905-1916

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Underwriters 95 64 .638 - Herman Long
Denver Grizzlies 92 58 .613 3.5 Tuffy Fisk
Omaha Rourkes 87 62 .584 8 Pa Rourke
Sioux City Soos 80 68 .541 14.5 John Carney
Colorado Springs / Pueblo # 52 92 .361 40.5 McKean / Tanner /Schriver
St. Joseph Saints 37 109 .253 56.5 Douglass / Dexter / Gibson / Zinram / Ducky Holmes

# Colorado Springs (22-48) moved to Pueblo July 15

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Claude Rossman Des Moines BA .357 Lefty Leifield Des Moines W 26
Claude Rossman Des Moines Hits 229 Lefty Leifield Des Moines PCT .743 26-9
George Hogreiver Des Moines Runs 122 Ralph Cadwallader Sioux City CG 37
Bill Shipke Omaha HR 10


1906 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Champions 97 50 .660 - Jack Doyle
Lincoln Ducklings 75 74 .503 23 Ducky Holmes
Omaha Rourkes 73 74 .497 24 Pa Rourke / Herman Long
Sioux City Packers 69 81 .460 29.5 John Carney
Denver Grizzlies 68 81 .456 30 Bill Everitt
Pueblo Indians 63 85 .426 34.5 Frank Selee

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill McGilvray Pueblo BA .373 Roscoe Miller Des Moines W 28
Henry Melchior Pueblo Hits 220 Louis Manske Des Moines PCT .697 23-10
Jim Cook Pueblo Runs 149
George Noblitt Sioux City HR 11
Newt Randall Denver 3B 25
Red Andreas Des Moines SB 84


1907 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Rourkes 84 63 .571 - Pa Rourke
Lincoln Ducklings 79 63 .556 3.5 James "Ducky" Holmes
Des Moines Champs 76 63 .547 4 Mike Kelley
Denver Grizzlies 67 75 .472 14.5 Ed Wheeler
Pueblo Indians 65 73 .471 14.5 Frank Selee / Lew Drill
Sioux City Soos 56 90 .384 27.5 A.C. Granville / Bill Hart

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill Hart Sioux City BA .323 Babe Adams Denver W 23
Bill McGilvray Pueblo Hits 174 Babe Adams Denver PCT .657 23-12
Bill McGilvray Pueblo Runs 94
John Thomas Lincoln HR 9
Jim Austin Omaha SB 63


1908 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Soos 88 57 .607 - Ducky Holmes
Omaha Rourkes 86 59 .593 2 Pa Rourke
Lincoln Greenbackers 74 73 .503 15 Guy Green / Bill Fox
Denver Grizzlies 71 75 .486 17.5 Charlie Irwin /Charlie Jones
Pueblo Indians 63 78 .447 23 Frank Selee / Ham Patterson
Des Moines Boosters 54 94 .365 35.5 Charlie Dexter

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harry Welch Omaha BA .362 Al Furchner Sioux City W 30
Harry Welch Omaha Hits 180 Al Furchner Sioux City SO 267
Tom Campbell Sioux City Runs 113 Pat Ragan Omaha PCT .806 29-7
John Thomas Lincoln HR 7
Ira Belden Denver HR 7
Ham Patterson Pueblo HR 7
Jim Austin Omaha SB 97


1909 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Boosters 93 59 .613 - Bill Dwyer
Sioux City Soos 94 60 .610 - Ducky Holmes
Omaha Rourkes 84 68 .553 9 Pa Rourke / Bill Fox
Topeka Jayhawks 76 73 .510 15.5 Duff Cooley
Wichita Jobbers 71 82 .464 22.5 Jack Holland
Denver Grizzlies 69 82 .457 23.5 Charlie Jones /Hank Thompson
Lincoln Greenbackers 61 89 .407 31 Jim Sullivan
Pueblo Indians 58 93 .384 34.5 Walter Carlisle

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harry Welch Omaha BA .373 Frank Lange Des Moines W 29
Harry Welch Omaha Hits 196 Frank Lange Des Moines SO 328
Tony Smith Sioux City Runs 135 Fred Olmstead Denver PCT .750 24-8
Bill Hunter Sioux City HR 13
Red Fisher Omaha SB 88


1910 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Packers 108 60 .643 - Babe Towne
Denver Grizzlies 102 65 .611 6.5 Jack Hendricks
Lincoln Railsplitters 95 71 .572 12 Jim Sullivan
Wichita Jobbers 89 78 .533 18.5 Frank Isbell
Omaha Rourkes 84 82 .506 23 Bill Fox / Pa Rourke
St. Joseph Drummers 76 91 .455 31.5 Jack Holland
Des Moines Boosters 72 96 .429 36 George Dwyer
Topeka Jayhawks 42 125 .251 65.5 Duff Cooley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Art Fenlon Sioux City BA .365 Jim Durham Wichita W 24
Cy Neighbors Sioux City Hits 206 James Freeman Sioux City SO 246
Red Andreas Sioux City Runs 137 Marty O'Toole Sioux City PCT .796 19-5
John Thomas Lincoln HR 22
Cozy Dolan Denver SB 80


1911 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Grizzlies 111 54 .673 - Jack Hendricks
St. Joseph Drummers 93 72 .564 18 Jack Holland /Charles Shaffer
Wichita Jobbers / Pueblo Indians # 92 75 .551 20.5 Frank Isbell
Omaha Rourkes 85 80 .515 26 Pa Rourke / Bill Schipke / Carl Arbogast
Sioux City Indians 85 80 .515 26 Babe Towne
Lincoln Railsplitters 84 81 .509 27 Jim Sullivan /Bob Unglaub
Topeka Kaws 60 104 .365 50.5 Duff Cooley / Frank Richert
Des Moines Boosters 49 113 .302 60.5 George Dwyer / George Davis

# Wichita (15-9) moved to Pueblo May 22

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Art Thomason Omaha / Topeka BA .342 Henry Chellette St. Joseph W 27
Art Thomason Omaha / Topeka Hits 218 Buck O'Brien Denver SO 261
James Kane Omaha Hits 218 Buck O'Brien Denver PCT .788 26-7
Joe Berger Wichita / Pueblo Runs 128
John Thomas Lincoln HR 12
Dutch Zwilling St. Joseph RBI 92


1912 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Grizzlies 99 63 .611 - Jack Hendricks
St. Joseph Drummers 94 72 .566 7 Jack Holland
Omaha Rourkes 92 71 .564 7.5 Pa Rourke
Des Moines Boosters 82 80 .506 17 Frank Isbell
Lincoln Railsplitters 83 81 .506 17 Bill Dwyer
Sioux City Indians 74 85 .465 23.5 George "Red" Andreas / Ducky Holmes
Wichita Jobbers 75 89 .457 25 George Hughes
Topeka Jayhawks 51 109 .319 47 Dale Gear

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Babe Borton St. Joseph BA .364 Marc Hall Omaha W 25
Hy Myers Sioux City Hits 224 Elmer Brown Sioux City W 25
Ray Powell St. Joseph Runs 139 Rip Hagerman Lincoln SO 315
Johnny Beall Denver HR 18 Harry Hicks Omaha PCT .783 18-5


1913 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Denver Bears 104 62 .627 - Jack Hendricks
Des Moines Boosters 93 72 .564 10.5 Frank Isbell
St. Joseph Drummers 89 78 .564 15.5 Jack Holland
Lincoln Greenbackers 87 80 .521 17.5 Charlie Mullen
Omaha Rourkes 79 86 .478 24.5 Carl Arbogast / Charlie Babb / Eddie Justice
Sioux City Indians 73 92 .442 30.5 Ducky Holmes /Josh Clarke
Topeka Jayhawks 73 92 .442 30.5 Dale Gear
Wichita Jobbers 65 101 .389 39 George Hughes / Charlie Babb / Nick Maddox

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Roxy Middleton Wichita BA .370 George Boehler St. Joseph W 27
Bunk Congalton Omaha Hits 227 Red Faber Des Moines SO 265
Les Channell Denver Runs 137 Harry Hicks Omaha ERA 2.27
Les Channell Denver HR 26


1914 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Indians 105 60 .636 - Josh Clarke
Denver Bears 96 72 .571 10.5 Jack Coffey
St. Joseph Drummers 89 75 .543 15.5 Jack Holland
Des Moines Boosters 82 81 .503 22 Frank Isbell
Lincoln Tigers 81 87 .482 25.5 Charlie Mullen / David Lloyd
Omaha Rourkes 77 87 .470 27.5 Pa Rourke / John Gondling
Topeka Jayhawks 68 97 .412 37 Dale Gear / Duff Cooley
Wichita Wolves 63 102 .382 42 Peaches Graham / Nick Maddox

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Larry LeJeune Sioux City BA .361 Buck Sterzer Denver W 28
Jim Kane Sioux City Hits 221 Buck Sterzer Denver SO 206
Larry LeJeune Sioux City Runs 124 Jim Scoggins Lincoln ERA 2.58
Chauncey Fisher Denver HR 21 Harry Gaspar Sioux City PCT .781 25-7


1915 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Boosters 87 53 .621 - Frank Isbell
Denver Bears 82 55 .599 3.5 Jack Coffey / Larry Spahr
Topeka Jayhawks 75 63 .543 11 Jim Jackson
Omaha Rourkes 71 69 .507 16 Marty Krug
Lincoln Tigers 70 69 .504 16.5 Matty McIntyre
Sioux City Indians 66 68 .493 18 Josh Clarke /Harry Gaspar
Wichita Wolves 57 80 .416 28.5 Buzzy Wares / Ham Patterson
St. Joseph Drummers 43 94 .314 42.5 Jack Holland

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Larry LeJeune Sioux City BA .355 Tom Blodgett Omaha W 24
Vern Spencer Denver Hits 185 George Mogridge Des Moines W 24
Tex Jones Des Moines Runs 103 Dazzy Vance St. Joseph SO 199
Moose McCormick Denver HR 16 George Mogridge Des Moines ERA 1.94
Paul Musser Des Moines PCT .900 20-2

1916 League Champs[edit]

1916 Omaha WL Champs.jpg

1916 Western League - schedule
League President: Norris O'Neill

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Rourkes 92 57 .617 - Marty Krug
Lincoln Tigers 87 63 .580 5.5 Ducky Holmes
Sioux City Indians 79 71 .527 13.5 Harry Gaspar
Denver Bears 78 75 .510 16 Rebel Oakes
Des Moines Boosters 75 75 .500 17.5 Frank Isbell
Topeka Savages 70 84 .455 24.5 Bill Lattimore /Clyde Engle
St. Joseph Drummers 67 86 .440 27 Jack Holland
Wichita / Colorado Springs # 57 94 .377 36 Jim Jackson

# Wichita (55-84) moved to Colorado Springs September 10

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hank Butcher Denver BA .377 Carl East Lincoln W 24
Rebel Oakes Denver Hits 205 Paul Musser Omaha SO 249
Hank Butcher Denver Hits 205 Otto Merz Omaha ERA 2.45
Walter Carlisle Lincoln Runs 121 Marty O'Toole Omaha PCT .682 15-7
Ben Dyer Denver HR 16


1917 Western League - schedule
League President:F. C. Zehrung / Emerson Dickerson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Boosters 84 62 .575 - Jack Coffey
Lincoln Ducklings 83 64 .565 1.5 Ducky Holmes
Sioux City / St. Joseph # 80 66 .548 4 Ed Holly
Joplin Miners 79 68 .537 5.5 Jack Dalton / Harry Davis / Savage born in 1964
Omaha Rourkes 73 75 .493 12 Marty Krug / Pa Rourke
St. Joseph / Hutchinson ## 66 80 .452 18 Jack Holland /Wid Conroy /Babe Adams
Denver Bears 62 86 .419 23 Rebel Oakes / Roy Hartzell
Wichita Witches 61 87 .412 24 Frank Isbell / Bobby Wallace / Joe Berger

## St. Joseph (34-56) moved to Hutchinson July 24
# Sioux City (57-46) moved to St. Joseph August 5
Playoffs: Hutchinson 3 games, Joplin 0 for second half title
Finals: Des Moines 4 games, Hutchinson 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Hank Butcher Denver BA .321 Otto Merz Des Moines W 26
Hank Butcher Denver Hits 183 Paul Musser Omaha SO 337
Frank Gilmore St. Joseph Runs 116 Howard Gregory Lincoln PCT .742 23-8
Hank Butcher Denver HR 13


1918 Western League - schedule
League President: Emerson Dickerson

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Wichita Jobbers 41 24 .631 - Joe Berger
Topeka / Hutchinson # 37 31 .544 5.5 Johnny Nee
Des Moines Boosters 36 31 .537 6 Jack Coffey
Joplin Miners 34 31 .523 7 Rudy Hulswitt
Omaha Rourkes 33 32 .508 8 Bill Jackson
Hutchinson / Oklahoma City ## 33 37 .471 10.5 Jack Holland /Otto Jacobs
St. Joseph Saints 30 38 .419 23 Bert Daniels
Sioux City Indians 22 42 .344 18.5 Ducky Holmes

# Topeka (19-13) moved to Hutchinson June 2
## Hutchinson (14-19) moved to Oklahoma City June 2.
The league suspended play July 7 due to WWI.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Clarence Pitts Hutchinson/Oklahoma City BA .380 Jesse Haines Topeka/Hutchinson W 13
Harry McClellan Hutchinson/Oklahoma City Hits 66 Ed Hovlik Wichita SO 128
Al Bashang Omaha Runs 40 Jesse Haines Topeka/ Hutchin ERA 1.59
Buzz Murphy Des Moines HR 8 Elmer Koestner Wichita PCT .833 10-2



1919 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
St. Joseph Saints 78 57 .578 - Cozy Dolan
Tulsa Oilers 77 63 .550 3.5 Spencer Abbott
Wichita Wolves 75 65 .536 5.5 Joe Berger
Des Moines Boosters 71 67 .514 8.5 Jack Coffey
Oklahoma City Indians 69 69 .500 10.5 Jack Holland
Sioux City Indians 68 72 .486 12.5 Butch Schmidt
Joplin Miners 57 78 .422 21 Rudy Hulswitt
Omaha Rourkes 56 80 .412 22.5 Bill Jackson

Playoff: Tulsa 3 games, St. Joseph 1; series cancelled due to inclement weather

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Wilhoit Wichita BA .422 Lou North St. Joseph W 23
Joe Wilhoit Wichita Hits 222 Paul Musser Des Moines/Wichita SO 212
Joe Wilhoit Wichita Runs 126 Guy Hoffman St. Joseph PCT .737 14-5
Yam Yaryan Wichita HR 12


1920 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 92 61 .601 - Spencer Abbott
Wichita Jobbers 92 62 .597 .5 Joe Berger
Oklahoma City Indians 82 68 .547 8.5 James Humphries / Danny Moeller / Dick Breen
Omaha Rourkes 76 77 .497 16 Jack Lelivelt
St. Joseph Saints 74 80 .481 18.5 John Kelleher
Joplin Miners 73 81 .474 19.5 James Hamilton
Sioux City Packers 63 88 .417 28 George Andreas / Frank Metz
Des Moines Boosters 58 93 .384 33 Jack Coffey

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Yam Yaryan Wichita BA .357 Emilio Palmero Omaha W 28
Yam Yaryan Wichita Hits 206 George Boehler Joplin SO 258
Yam Yaryan Wichita Runs 124 C.A. Ramsey Oklahoma City PCT .821 23-5
Yam Yaryan Wichita HR 41


1921 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Wichita Witches 106 61 .615 - 112,085 Joe Berger
Omaha Buffaloes 95 73 .566 11.5 116,538 Jack Lelivelt /Barney Burch
Oklahoma City Indians 93 75 .554 13.5 Dick Breen
Sioux City Packers 81 83 .494 23.5 58,321 Frank Metz / George Andreas
St. Joseph Saints 79 88 .473 27 58,451 Frank Owens
Joplin Miners 76 91 .455 30 60,334 James Hamilton
Des Moines Boosters 71 92 .436 33 72,818 Jack Coffey
Tulsa Oilers 65 103 .387 41.5 104,975 Jimmy Burke / Bill Clymer

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jack Lelivelt Omaha BA .416 Roy Allen Oklahoma City W 25
Jack Lelivelt Omaha Hits 274 Al Tesch Sioux City SO 163
Royce Washburn Wichita Runs 170 Nelson Pott Des Moines PCT .737 14-5
Fred Beck Wichita HR 35
Jack Leliveit Omaha 2B 70


1922 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 103 64 .617 - Jack Lelivelt
St. Joseph Saints 98 70 .584 5.5 Wally Smith
Wichita Witches 94 73 .568 9 Joe Berger / Howie Gregory
Omaha Buffaloes 91 77 .549 12.5 Barney Burch
Sioux City Packers 86 79 .518 16 Wally Mattick
Oklahoma City Indians 73 94 .435 30 Gus Fisher / Jack Egan
Denver Bears 63 105 .374 40.5 Joe Dunn / C.H. Adkins / Bill Rodgers
Des Moines Boosters 61 107 .363 42.5 Dick Breen / Jack Graney

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Carl East Whichita BA .391 George Boehler Tulsa W 38
Carl East Whichita Hits 270 George Boehler Tulsa SO 333
Herschel Bennett Tulsa Runs 177 Dan Tipple Omaha PCT .793 23-6
Yank Davis Tulsa HR 35 George Boehler Tulsa IP 441
Lyman Lamb Tulsa 2B 68


1923 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Oklahoma City Indians 102 64 .614 - Fred Luderus
Tulsa Oilers 101 67 .601 2 Jack Lelivelt
Wichita Izzies 100 68 .595 3 Howie Gregory
Omaha Buffaloes 92 74 .554 10 Ed Konetchy
Des Moines Boosters 87 79 .527 15 Red Corriden
St. Joseph Saints 65 94101 .392 37 Wally Smith
Sioux City Packers 59 105 .358 42 Frank Metz / Eddie Palmer / Wray Query
Denver Bears 59 107 .355 43 Billy Gilbert

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Shags Horan Des Moines BA .411 Karl Black Tulsa W 29
Shags Horan Des Moines Hits 256 Ed Hovlik Wichita SO 161
Jim Blakesley Wichita Runs 151 Ernie Maun Wichita PCT .703 26-11
Jim McDowell Whichita HR 37



1924 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Omaha Buffaloes 103 61 .628 - Art Griggs
Denver Bears 100 67 .599 4.5 Joe Berger
Tulsa Oilers 98 69 .587 6.5 Jack Lelivelt
St. Joseph Saints 86 79 .521 17.5 Joe Mathes
Oklahoma City Indians 82 86 .488 23 Fred Luderus
Wichita Izzies 79 88 .473 25.5 Howie Gregory
Des Moines Boosters 59 106 .358 44.5 Red Corriden
Lincoln Links 57 108 .345 46.5 Howard Wakefield/ Art Rasmussen/ Josh Clarke

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Charlie Miller St.Joseph BA .385 Herb Hall Denver W 26
Lyman Lamb Tulsa Hits 261 Bill Bailey Omaha SO 191
Royce Washburn Tulsa Runs 184 George Blaeholder Tulsa PCT .750 18-6
Royce Washburn Tulsa HR 48
Lyman Lamb Tulsa 2B 100
Royce Washburn Tulsa TB 458


1925 Western League - schedule
League President: Albert Tearney

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 98 70 .583 - Joe Mathes
Denver Bears 97 71 .577 1 Joe Berger
Oklahoma City Indians 88 76 .537 8 Ned Pettigrew / Fred Luderus
Wichita Izzies 80 84 .488 16 Howie Gregory
St. Joseph Saints 77 87 .470 19 Jack Lelivelt
Omaha Buffaloes 74 89 .454 21.5 Art Griggs
Tulsa Oilers 75 91 .452 22 Lyman Lamb / Marty Berghammer
Lincoln Links 70 91 .435 24.5 Josh Clarke / Frank Haley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Fred Osborn Omaha BA .372 Byrd Hodges Denver W 26
Fred Osborn Omaha Hits 245 Stew Bolen Tulsa SO 184
Sam Langford Des Moines Runs 160 Joe Brown Oklahoma City .823 14-3
Leo Payne Wichita HR 33
Wally Shaner Lincoln 3B 30


1926 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 99 64 .607 - Shano Collins
Oklahoma City Indians 100 66 .602 .5 Fred Luderus
St. Joseph Saints 89 75 .543 10.5 Joe Kelly / Dick Breen
Tulsa Oilers 86 78 .524 13.5 Marty Berghammer
Denver Bears 88 80 .524 13.5 Joe Berger
Omaha Buffaloes 77 89 .464 23.5 Barney Burch
Lincoln Links 64 101 .388 36 Dutch Zwilling
Wichita Izzies 58 108 .349 42.5 Howie Gregory / Ray Haley

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim Blakesley Omaha BA .384 Herb Hall Denver W 29
Snake Henry Omaha Hits 247 Pat Malone Denver SO 190
Guy Sturdy Tulsa Runs 163 Leo Moon Des Moines PCT .750 24-8
Guy Sturdy Tulsa HR 49
Guy Sturdy Tulsa TB 452



1927 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 101 53 .615 - Marty Berghammer
Wichita Larks 91 63 .591 .5 Doc Crandall
Des Moines Demons 82 72 .532 19 Shano Collins
Denver Bears 77 75 .507 23 Joe Berger
Oklahoma City Indians 68 86 .442 33 Fred Luderus
Amarillo Texans 66 87 .431 34.5 Joe Kelly
Omaha Buffaloes 66 88 .429 35 Kal Segrist / Barney Burch / Petey Brausen
Lincoln Links 63 90 .412 37.5 Johnny Lavin

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sam Langford Des Moines BA .409 George Blaeholder Tulsa W 26
Joe Rabbitt Omaha Hits 251 Dixie Walker Denver W 19-9
Joe Rabbitt Omaha Runs 172 Karl Black Tulsa Tulsa .857 12-2
Joe Munson Tulsa HR 32


1928 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Oklahoma City Indians 95 67 .586 - Howie Gregory
Tulsa Oilers 96 69 .582 .5 Marty Berghammer
Wichita Larks 94 70 .573 2 Doc Crandall / Art Griggs
Pueblo Steel Workers 85 78 .521 10.5 Spencer Abbott
Denver Bears 81 84 .491 15.5 Jack Knight
Omaha Crickets 71 86 .452 21.5 Fred Luderus / Barney Burch
Amarillo Texans 60 93 .392 30.5 Sled Allen / Tom Connelly / Rip Ripperton
Des Moines Demons 63 98 .391 31.5 Lute Boone / Archie Yelle / Lee Fohl

Playoffs: Tulsa 4 games, Oklahoma City 1, one game was ruled no contest

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Munson Tulsa BA .385 Barney Bornholdt Oklahoma City W 24
Jim Stroner Wichita Hits 255 Barney Bornholdt Oklahoma City SO 154
Joe Munson Tulsa Runs 171 Chad Kimsey Tulsa PCT .767 23-7
Jim Stroner Wichita Runs 171
Jim Stroner Wichita HR 42


1929 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 95 66 .590 - Marty Berghammer /Nick Allen
Oklahoma City Indians 88 68 .564 4.5 Lefty Leifield
Omaha Crickets 81 75 .519 11.5 Fred Luderus / Barney Burch / Pug Griffin
Wichita Aviators 77 79 .494 15.5 Art Griggs
Denver Bears 73 81 .474 18.5 Eddie Palmer
Topeka Jayhawks 75 85 .469 19.5 Jimmy Payton
Des Moines Demons 72 86 .456 21.5 Lee Fohl / Claude Davenport
Pueblo Steelworkers 69 90 .434 25 Cotton Tierney / Spencer Abbott

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Buster Chatham Pueblo BA .386 Glenn Spencer wichita W 24
Lin Storti Tulsa Hits 230 John McGrew Omaha W 24-
Joe Munson Tulsa Runs 167 Pat Caraway Topeka SO 159
Jack Burns Tulsa HR 36 Joe O'Dowd Tulsa PCT .750 15-5


1930 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Wichita Aviators 89 56 .614 - Art Griggs
Omaha Packers 76 66 .535 11- Spencer Abbott
Oklahoma City Indians 79 71 .527 12- Joe Kelly / Louis Brower / Ned Pettigrew
Des Moines Demons 77 71 .520 13- Claude Davenport /Shano Collins
Pueblo Braves 75 75 .500 16- Jimmy Payton
Denver Bears 74 74 .500 16- Eddie Palmer
Topeka Senators 66 84 .440 25- Bruno Betzel
St. Joseph Saints 53 92 .366 36 Gene Bailey / Joe Sugden / Everett Booe

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Woody Jensen Wichita BA .354 Spades Wood Wichita W 22
Woody Jensen Wichita Hits 207 Spades Wood Wichita SO 197
Carl Frey Pueblo Runs 133 Walter Brown Oklahoma City ERA 2.57
Stan Keyes Des Moines HR 35 Spades Wood Wichita PCT .880 22-3
Stan Keyes Des Moines RBI 140


1931 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 94 51 .648 - Bill Rodgers
Wichita Aviators 92 58 .613 4- Art Griggs
St. Joseph Saints 79 64 .552 14 Jack Haley
Pueblo Braves 76 69 .524 18 Jimmy Payton /Walt Smallwood
Oklahoma City Indians 70 80 .467 26- Cletus Dixon /Frank Tobin
Denver Bears 64 77 .454 28 John Butler
Topeka Senators 58 86 .397 35- Howie Gregory / Howard Lindimore
Omaha Packers 49 97 .336 45- Harry Smith / Barney Burch / Pug Griffin

Playoffs: Des Moines 4 games, Wichita 2

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Stan Keyes Des Moines BA .369 Bud Tinning Des Moines W 24
Stan Keyes Des Moines Hits 203 Rufus Meadows Topeka SO 177
Arky Vaughan Wichita Runs 145 Bud Tinning Des Moines ERA 3.14
Stan Keyes Des Moines HR 38 Bud Tinning Des Moines PCT .723 24-2
Stan Keyes Des Moines RBI 160
Angus McIsaac Pueblo 3B 27


1932 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Tulsa Oilers 98 48 .671 - Art Griggs
Denver Bears 83 64 .565 15- Earl Smith
Oklahoma City Indians 83 67 .553 17 Fred Luderus
Des Moines Demons 71 72 .497 25- Bill Rodgers
St. Joseph Saints 72 75 .490 26- Jack Haley
Wichita Aviators 63 86 .423 36- Jimmy Payton
Pueblo Braves 62 90 .408 39 Walt Smallwood / Pug Griffin
Omaha Packers 58 88 .397 40 Pug Griffin / Eddie Brown

Playoffs: Oklahoma City 2 games, Tulsa 1 for second-half title

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim Oglesby Des Moines BA .385 Andy Bednar Tulsa W 22-4
Melvin Nydahl Denver Hits 231 Ralph Birkofer Tulsa SO 186
Bill Allington Pueblo Runs 167 Andy Bednar Tulsa PCT .846 22-4
Stan Schino Tulsa RBI 143
Dick Goldberg Wichita HR 30


1933 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Des Moines Demons 81 47 .633 - John Butler
St. Joseph Saints 77 47 .621 2 Dutch Zwilling
Springfield Cardinals 73 50 .593 5- Joe Schultz, Sr.
Topeka Senators 68 55 .553 10- Art Ewoldt
Omaha Packers 63 61 .508 16 Pug Griffin
Joplin Miners 55 69 .444 24 Runt Marr
Hutchinson / Bartlesville ## 51 70 .421 26- Marty Purtell
Wichita Oilers / Muskogee Oilers # 26 95 .215 51- Marquard/Strain / Hawk / Wilson

# Wichita moved to Muskogee June 6.
## Hutchinson moved to Bartlettsville July 7.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Mike Ryba Springfield BA .380 Buckshot May St. Joseph W 24
Kit Carson St. Joseph Hits 186 Cy Blanton St. Joseph SO 284
Johnny Keane Springfield Runs 118 Buckshot May St. Joseph PCT .800 24-6
Vic Shiell Topeka HR 22



1934 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale D. Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Cowboys 74 50 .597 - Dutch Zwilling
Davenport Blue Sox 70 53 .569 3- Cletus Dixon
Des Moines Demons 68 56 .548 6 Hal Irelan / Alex Gaston
St. Joseph Saints 65 56 .537 7- Wes Griffin / Earle Brucker
Topeka Senators 59 64 .480 14- Art Ewoldt / Jimmy Payton
Rock Island Islanders 58 65 .471 15- Riley Parker /Cliff Knox
Omaha Packers 49 73 .402 24 Dutch Wetzel / Malcolm Pickett
Cedar Rapids Raiders 47 73 .392 25 Bubbles Hargrave / Bill Mizeur

Playoffs: Playoffs involved the three teams tied for first place in the first-half and the second-half winner. St. Joseph 3 games, Sioux City 1; Davenport 3 games, Des Moines 1

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Pat Patterson Rock Island BA .366 Frank Lamanske Davenport W 24-7
Charlie Bates St. Joseph Hits 164 Frank Lamanske Davenport SO 216
Howie McFarland St. Joseph Hits 164 Frank Lamanske Davenport PCT .774 24-7
Johnny Dickshot Rock Island/Cedar Rapids Runs 112
Roy Hudson Des Moines RBI 94
Vern Johnson Sioux City HR 24


1935 Western League - schedule
League President: Dale D. Gear

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Davenport Blue Sox 70 46 .603 - Cletus Dixon
St. Joseph Saints 58 48 .547 7 Earle Brucker
Des Moines Demons 58 55 .513 10- Doc Crandall
Sioux City Cowboys 54 52 .509 11 William Wilson / Dave Bancroft
Cedar Rapids Raiders 53 57 .482 14 Clarence Crossley
Keokuk Indians 49 66 .426 20- Jimmy Payton
Omaha Packers / Council Bluff Rails # 55 46 .545 NA Joe McDermott
Rock Island Islanders ## 19 46 .292 NA Tommy Taylor / Karl Swanson

# Omaha (22-15) moved to Council Bluffs June 25, first home game July 3. Council Bluffs disbanded August 27
## Rock Island disbanded July 17.

Playoffs: St. Joseph 3 games, Des Moines 0 games; Sioux City 3 games, Davenport 0.
Finals: St. Joseph 4 games, Sioux City 3.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Earle Brucker Cedar Rapids BA .342 Claude Passeau Des Moines W 20
Skeeter Webb Cedar Rapids Hits 151 Claude Passeau Des Moines SO 239
Milt Bocek Cedar Rapids Runs 93 Al Piechota Davenport PCT .739 17-6
Lou Vezilich St. Joseph/Council Bluffs RBI 78
Hugh Willingham Sioux City HR 20


1936 Western League - schedule
League President: Dr. A.J. McLaughlin

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Davenport Blue Sox 74 52 .587 - Cletus Dixon
Cedar Rapids Raiders 70 58 .547 5 Clarence Crossley
Des Moines Demons 64 64 .500 11 Spencer Abbott
Omaha / Rock Island # 62 64 .492 12 Hank Severeid / Clarence Mitchell /Keith Clark
Sioux City Cowboys 61 64 .488 12- Marty Berghammer /Dave Bancroft
Waterloo Hawks 50 79 .388 25- Ralph Michaels /Johnny Berger

# Omaha (29-35) moved to Rock Island August 18 when park was destroyed by fire.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Prerost Davenport BA .341 Hal Turpin Des Moines W 20
Hugh Luby Sioux City Hits 155 Jim Hayes Cedar Rapids SO 172
Dutch Prather Omaha / Rock Island Runs 102 Hal Turpin Des Moines PCT .667 20-10
Phil Seghi Sioux City RBI 104
Dutch Prather Omaha / Rock Island HR 22


1937 Western League - schedule
League President: Dr. A.J. McLaughlin

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Cedar Rapids Raiders 78 38 .672 - Cap Crossley
Waterloo Reds 61 55 .526 17 Lennie Backer
Davenport Blue Sox 57 59 .491 21 Jack Fitzpatrick
Des Moines Demons 57 62 .479 22- Del Bissonette
Sioux City Cowboys 50 63 .442 26- Dutch Lorbeer /Pete Monahan
Rock Island Islanders # 20 46 .303 NA Bill Burwell

# Rock Island disbanded July 7, at the end of the first half.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Mack Waterloo BA .337 Dwight VanFleet Cedar Rapids W 22
James Howard Cedar Rapids Hits 142 Dykes Potter Cedar Rapids SO 138
Mike Chartak Cedar Rapids Runs 113 Dykes Potter Cedar Rapids ERA 2.28
Carl Lahman Cedar Rapids RBI 101 Dwight VanFleet Cedar Rapids PCT .759 22-7
Carl Lahman Cedar Rapids HR 22

There was no Western League in 1938.
1939, 40 & 41 the league was played as a class D.

1939-1941 (class D)[edit]

  • President
J. Roy Carter 1939-1941


Bob Dillinger, Lincoln Links, 1939

1939 Western League
League President: J. Roy Carter

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Elks 75 44 .630 - Doc Bennett
Sioux Falls Canaries 66 52 .559 8- Ralph Brandon
Sioux City Soos 63 52 .548 10 Pete Monahan
Lincoln Links 64 55 .538 11 Pug Griffin
Mitchell Kernels 49 69 .415 25- Red Davis (8/1) / Charles Moglia
Worthington Cardinals 36 81 .308 38 Joe McDermott

Playoffs: Sioux City 3 games, Norfolk 2; Lincoln 3 games, Sioux Falls 2
Finals: Sioux City 4 games, Lincoln 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Howard Conners Sioux Falls BA .365 Ox Miller Lincoln W 21
Wendell Finders Norfolk Hits 167 Ox Miller Lincoln SO 208
Bob Dillinger Lincoln Runs 139 Lawrence Kempe Sioux Falls ERA 3.02
Ted Kakaloris Lincoln RBI 114 Leonard Bobeck Norfolk PCT .864 19-3
William Morgan Norfolk HR 17


1940 Western League - schedule
League President: J. Roy Carter

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Yankees 73 39 .652 - Doc Bennett
Sioux Falls Canaries 59 58 .504 16- Robert Fenner
Worthington Cardinals 50 59 .459 21- Ray Martin /George Payne
Sioux City Soos / Mitchell Kernels # 44 70 .386 30 Jimmy Zinn / Ed Grayston

# Sioux City moved to Mitchell July 24.
The league played four quarters. Norfolk won the first, second and fourth quarters, while Sioux Falls won the third quarter.
Playoff: Sioux Falls 4 games, Norfolk 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Johnny Lucas Worthington BA .356 Frank Wagner Sioux Falls W 17
Leo Bohanan Sioux Falls Hits 158 Frank Wagner Sioux Falls SO 193
Robert Duby Norfolk Runs 112 Fred Whalen Norfolk ERA 1.36
Fred Schenk Norfolk RBI 97 Fred Whalen Norfolk PCT .786 11-3
Russell Burns Norfolk HR 17



1941 Western League - schedule
League President: J. Roy Carter

Team Name W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Yankees 64 44 .593 - Ray Powell
Cheyenne Indians 59 44 .573 2- John Kerr
Sioux City Cowboys 54 56 .491 11 Richard Tichacek
Pueblo Rollers 52 54 .491 11 Pug Griffin
Sioux Falls Canaries 51 56 .477 12- Robert Fenner /Tony Koenig
Denver Bears 42 68 .382 23 Cobe Jones

Playoffs: Norfolk 3 games, Sioux City 2; Pueblo 3 games, Cheyenne 1
Finals: Pueblo 3 games, Norfolk 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bernard Steele Pueblo BA .383 George Milstead Cheyenne W 19
Bernard Steele Pueblo Hits 158 Robert Bergen Pueblo SO 183
Bernard Steele Pueblo Runs 88 Frank Wagner Sioux Falls ERA 2.15
Frank Bocek Norfolk RBI 92 George Milstead Cheyenne PCT .792 19-5
Mel Bergman Cheyenne HR 10

The League did not operate from 1942 - 1946. It returned in 1947 and regained its Class A Status.

1947-1958[edit]

  • Presidents
Edwin C. Johnson 1947-1955
O'Neal M. Hobbs 1956-1958


Lincoln, Nebraska's Western League Baseball Park, 1947

1947 Western League
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Sioux City Soos 81 49 .623 - 113,036 Joe Becker
Des Moines Bruins 72 52 .591 4- 152,027 Jim Keesey
Pueblo Dodgers 70 58 .547 10 80,163 Walter Alston
Omaha Cardinals 67 62 .519 13- 138,308 Ollie Vanek
Denver Bears 54 75 .419 26- 124,923 Marty McManus
Lincoln Athletics 38 89 .299 41- 43,464 Ham Schulte / Tom Oliver

Playoffs: Sioux City 3 games, Omaha 1; Pueblo 3 games, Des Moines 1
Finals: Pueblo 4 games, Sioux City 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Edmund Lewinski Omaha BA .346 Red Webb Sioux City W 19-7
Michael Conroy Omaha Hits 190 Charlie Bishop Omaha SO 133
Preston Ward Pueblo Runs 120 Herb Chmiel Des Moines ERA 2.23
Preston Ward Pueblo RBI 121 Herb Chmiel Des Moines PCT .778 14-4
Tony Jaros Sioux City HR 24


1948 Western League
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Des Moines Bruins 76 64 .543 - 232,038 Stan Hack
Denver Bears 70 67 .511 4- 283,377 Mike Gazella
Lincoln Athletics 69 68 .504 5- 127,462 Jimmie DeShong
Sioux City Soos 69 68 .504 5- 112,381 Joe Becker
Pueblo Dodgers 69 70 .496 6- 116,304 John Fitzpatrick
Omaha Cardinals 62 78 .443 14 147,130 Ollie Vanek

Playoffs: Lincoln 3 games, Des Moines 2; Sioux City 3 games, Denver 2. Lincoln defeated Sioux City 6-0 for third place.
Finals: Sioux City 4 games, Lincoln 2.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Red Treadway Des Moines BA .352 Bobby Shantz Lincoln W 18-7
George Genovese Denver Runs 119 Bobby Shantz Lincoln SO 212
Nellie Fox Hits Runs 179 Tony Jacobs Des Moines ERA 2.72
Tookie Gilbert Sioux City RBI 114 Turk Lown Pueblo PCT .739 17-6
Carl Sawatski Des Moines HR 29


1949 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Lincoln Athletics 74 64 .536 - 149,159 Jimmie DeShong
Denver Bears 71 68 .511 3- 463,039 Mike Gazella / Bill DeCarlo / Earle Browne
Pueblo Dodgers 71 68 .511 3- 138,726 Ray Hathaway
Des Moines Bruins 70 70 .500 5 210,204 Stan Hack
Omaha Cardinals 68 71 .489 6- 277,370 Cedric Durst
Sioux City Soos 63 76 .453 11- 125,356 Don Ramsay

Playoffs: Denver defeated Pueblo 5-3 for second place. Des Moines 3 games, Lincoln 1; Pueblo 3 games, Denver 1
Finals: Pueblo 4 games, Des Moines 3.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Victor Marasco Pueblo BA .330 Earl Stabelfeld Des Moines W 17
Jimmy Williams Pueblo Runs 126 Lynn Lovenguth Des Moines W 17
Fred Richards Des Moines Hits 178 Walter Cox Sioux City W 17
Victor Marasco Pueblo RBI 121 Ken Lehman Pueblo SO 203
Lou Limmer Lincoln HR 29 George Uhle Denver ERA 2.25
Marian Fricano Pueblo PCT .833 10-2


1950 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Omaha Cardinals 96 58 .623 - 218,393 Al Hollingsworth
Sioux City Soos 89 65 .578 3- 463,039 Hugh Poland
Des Moines Bruins 84 70 .545 12 147,549 Charlie Root
Wichita Indians 77 77 .500 19 126,729 Joe Schultz
Denver Bears 75 79 .487 21 379,180 Earl Browne
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 72 82 .468 24 107,264 Buddy Hassett
Lincoln Athletics 69 85 .448 27 68,884 Jimmie DeShong
Pueblo Dodgers 54 100 .351 42 91,299 Ray Hathaway

Playoffs: Wichita 3 games, Omaha 0; Sioux City 3 games, Des Moines 2
Finals: Sioux City 3 games, Wichita 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill Taylor Sioux City BA .346 Bob Mahoney Omaha W 20
Danny Holden Denver Runs 131 Bob Mahoney Omaha SO 162
Chuck Tanner Denver Hits 195 Vern Fear Des Moines ERA 2.83
Pete Whisenant Denver RBI 119 Vern Fear Des Moines PCT .750 15-5
Pat Seerey Colorado Springs HR 44


1951 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Omaha Cardinals 90 64 .584 - 162,247 George Kissell
Denver Bears 88 66 .571 2 424,065 Andy Cohen
Wichita Indians 84 68 .553 5 122,060 Joe Schultz
Sioux City Soos 77 71 .520 10 104,247 Frank Genovese
Des Moines Bruins 73 78 .483 15- 94,137 Al Todd
Pueblo Dodgers 74 80 .481 16 104,254 Jim Biven
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 64 87 .424 24- 107,320 Skeeter Webb / Otto Denning
Lincoln Athletics 57 93 .380 31 37,123 Frank Skaff

Playoffs: Sioux City 3 games, Omaha 1; Denver 3 games, Wichita 1
Finals: Sioux City 3 games, Denver 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
George Freese Pueblo BA .338 ElRoy Face Pueblo W 23
Ron Samford Sioux Runs 108 Willard Schmidt Omaha SO 202
George Freese Pueblo Hits 183 Willard Schmidt Omaha ERA 2.11
George Freese Pueblo RBI 106 Ray Peters Wichita PCT .800 12-3
Howie Boles Des Moines / Denver HR 32


1952 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Denver Bears 88 66 .571 - 461,419 Andy Cohen
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 87 67 .565 1 170,041 Don Gutteridge
Omaha Cardinals 86 68 .558 2 137,378 George Kissell
Sioux City Soos 83 71 .539 5 103,004 Ray Mueller
Pueblo Dodgers 81 73 .526 7 122,746 Bill McCahan
Wichita Indians 67 87 .435 21 116,703 Ralph Winegarner
Lincoln Athletics 67 87 .435 21 61,483 Les Bell
Des Moines Bruins 57 97 .370 31 62,597 Harry Strohm

Playoffs: Denver 3 games, Sioux City 1; Omaha 3 games, Colorado Springs 1
Finals': Denver 3 games, Omaha 0.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ed Phillips Omaha BA .320 Alberto Osorio Denver W 20
Ken Landenberger Colorado Springs Runs 112 Connie Johnson Colorado Springs SO 233
Ken Landenberger Colorado Springs Hits 183 Jim Singleton Sioux City ERA 2.73
Ken Landenberger Colorado Springs RBI 133 Lou Ciola Omaha PCT .938 15-1
Bill Pinckard Denver HR 35


1953 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 95 69 .617 - 141,117 Don Gutteridge
Denver Bears 94 60 .610 1 322,128 Andy Cohen
Pueblo Dodgers 78 77 .503 17- 103,878 George Pfister
Des Moines Bruins 77 78 497 18- 98,972 Kemp Wicker /Bruce Edwards
Omaha Cardinals 74 80 .481 21 115,512 George Kissell
Lincoln Chiefs 71 83 .461 24 87,615 Lou Finney /Walt Linden
Sioux City Soos 70 84 .455 25 45,412 Ray Mueller
Wichita Indians 58 96 .377 37 68,683 George Hausmann / Mark Christman

Playoffs: Des Moines 3 games, Colorado Springs 1; Denver 3 games, Pueblo 0
Finals: Des Moines 3 games, Denver 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Kent Pflasterer Pueblo BA .350 Norman Brown Lincoln W 21
Len Johnston Colorado Springs Runs 133 Karl Spooner Pueblo SO 198
Glen Gorbous Pueblo Hits 204 Walt Montgomery Omaha ERA 2.43
Jerry Crosby Colorado Springs RBI 115 Jake Thies Denver ERA 2.43
Jim Gentile Pueblo HR 34 Nellie King Denver PCT .833 15-3


1954 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Denver Bears 94 56 .627 - 232,686 Andy Cohen
Des Moines Bruins 88 66 .571 8 113,691 Les Peden
Omaha Cardinals 83 68 .550 11- 150,131 Ferrell Anderson
Pueblo Dodgers 79 74 .516 16- 80,768 Goldie Holt
Sioux City Soos 78 75 .510 17- 69,333 Dave Garcia
Wichita Indians 76 77 .497 19- 87,854 Herb Brett /Les Layton
Lincoln Chiefs 62 88 .413 32 80,660 Whitey Wietelmann / Glenn McQuillen
Colorado Springs 48 104 .316 47 59,606 Mickey Livingston / Bud Stewart / Al Jacinto

Playoffs: Denver 3 games, Pueblo 1; Des Moines 3 games, Omaha 1
Finals: Des Moines 3 games, Denver 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Kirrene Colorado Springs BA .343 Bob Clear Omaha W 20-11
Bobby Prescott Denver Runs 137 Bob Garber Denver SO 173
Reno DeBenedetti Denver Hits 183 Hy Cohen Des Moines ERA 1.88
Bill White Sioux City Hits 183 Clarence Churn Denver PCT .786 11-3
Rocco Ippolito Denver RBI 131
Bill White Sioux City HR 30
Bill White Sioux City SB 40


1955 Western League - schedule
League President: Senator Edwin C. Johnson

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 81 69 .540 - 87,527 Jack Conway
Pueblo Dodgers 79 71 .527 2 73,941 Goldie Holt
Wichita Indians 78 73 .517 3- 94,862 Bud Bates
Des Moines Bruins 77 74 .510 4- 88,181 Les Peden /Pepper Martin
Sioux City Soos 69 81 .460 12 62,902 John Davenport
Lincoln Chiefs 67 83 .447 14 90,024 Bill Burwell

Playoffs: Des Moines 3 games, Colorado Springs 1; Wichita 3 games, Peublo 2. Wichita defeated Des Moines in a one-game playoff for third place.
Finals: Wichita 3 games, Des Moines 0.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sammy Hairston Colorado Springs BA .350 Joe Stanka Des Moines W 17
Willie Kirkland Sioux City Runs 117 Bob Harrison Wichita SO 270
Clarence Moore Pueblo Hits 194 Dick Hall Lincoln ERA 2.24
Ron Cooper Colorado Springs RBI 117 Dick Hall Lincoln PCT .706 12-5
Willie Kirkland Sioux City HR 40


1956 Western League - schedule
League President: O'Neal M. Hobbs

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Amarillo Gold Sox 87 52 .626 - 77,628 Chuck Stevens
Lincoln Chiefs 84 54 .609 2- 92,554 Larry Shepard
Des Moines Bruins 72 67 .518 15 67,973 Lou Klein
Topeka Hawks 70 68 .507 16- 103,938 Bud Bates
Pueblo Dodgers 68 70 .493 18- 51,496 Ray Hathaway
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 66 72 .478 20- 59,282 Jack Conway
Albuquerque Dukes 59 81 .421 28- 94,176 Bob Swift
Sioux City Soos 49 91 .350 38- 40,734 Hal Olt / Bob Clear

Playoff: Lincoln 4 games, Amarillo 1.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Art Cuitti Amarillo BA .364 Marshall Bridges Topeka W 18
Art Cuitti Amarillo Runs 132 Marshall Bridges Topeka SO 213
Lynn Van de Hey Albuquerque Hits 197 John O'Donnell (minors04) Topeka ERA 3.32
Dick Stuart Lincoln RBI 158 Bennie Daniels Lincoln PCT .833 15-3
Dick Stuart Lincoln HR 66


1957 Western League - schedule
League President: O'Neal M. Hobbs

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Lincoln Chiefs 98 56 .636 - 100,190 Larry Shepard
Amarillo Gold Sox 97 57 .630 1 102,210 Eddie Bockman
Topeka Hawks 87 64 .576 9- 88, 014 Red Smith / Bill Dossey
Sioux City Soos 71 82 .464 26- 46,851 Ken Landenberger
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 68 86 .442 30 45,184 Ira Hutchinson
Albuquerque Dukes 66 88 .429 32 92,236 Nick Cullop / Hal Toso
Pueblo Dodgers 66 88 .429 32 40,887 Ray Hathaway
Des Moines Demons 60 92 .395 37 79,965 Lou Stringer / Hersh Martin

Playoff: No Playoffs.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sammy Miley Lincoln BA .374 John Stadnicki Topeka W 23
Ray Webster Amarillo Runs 136 Dave Stenhouse Des Moines SO 184
Chuck Coles Albuquerque Hits 208 Hugh Blanton Amarillo ERA 2.86
Al Pinkston Amarillo RBI 133 John Stadnicki Topeka PCT .793 23-6
Leonard Williams Topeka HR 43


1958 Western League - schedule
League President: O'Neal M. Hobbs

Team Name W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 87 60 .592 - 61,091 Skeeter Scalzi
Amarillo Gold Sox 84 63 .571 3 85,931 Eddie Bockman / Gale Pringle
Lincoln Chiefs 75 71 .514 11- 67,604 Monty Basgall
Pueblo Dodgers 73 74 .497 14 39,179 Ray Mueller
Albuquerque Dukes 71 75 .486 15- 81,702 Jimmy Brown
Sioux City Soos 69 77 .473 17- 55,921 Rocky Tedesco / Ted Shandor
Topeka Hawks 65 82 .442 22 43,686 George McQuinn
Des Moines Bruins 61 83 .424 24- 35,039 Roy Hartsfield

Playoff: No Playoffs.

Player Statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jim McAnany Colorado Springs BA .400 Hugh Blanton Amarillo W 20
Stan Johnson Colorado Springs Runs 120 Pedro Carrillo Albuquerque SO 177
Stan Johnson Colorado Springs Hits 204 Hal DeMars Topeka SO 177
Al Pinkston Amarillo Hits 204 Al Jackson Lincoln ERA 2.07
Al Pinkston Amarillo RBI 126 Gale Pringle Amarillo PCT .824 14-3
Daniel Lynk Sioux City HR 37

Hall of Fame Alumni[edit]

Notable Alumni[edit]

Sources[edit]

SOURCES: "The Western League" by Madden and Stewart and The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, Second and Third Editions.
Nebraska images can be found at: http://www.nebaseballhistory.com/

Further Reading[edit]

  • John R. Husman: Baseball in Toledo, Arcadia Publishing, 2003.
  • W.C. Madden and Patrick J. Stewart: The Western League: A Baseball History, 1885 through 1999, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2002.
  • Brian A. Podoll: The Minor League: Milwaukee Brewers 1859-1952,McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2003.
  • John T. Pregler: "The Evolution of the American League", Baseball Research Journal, SABR, Volume 51, Number 2 (Fall 2022), pp. 89-97.