Worthington Cardinals

• Location: Worthington, MN
• League: Western League 1939-1940
• Affiliation: St. Louis Cardinals 1939-1940
• Ballpark:

The only professional baseball franchise ever located in Worthington, MN was the Worthington Cardinals, who played two years in the Western League. The Nebraska State League expanded out in 1939, adding teams from other states such as the Cardinals, and took on the name Western League, which had been abandoned when the prior WL collapsed two years earlier. Worthington, a St. Louis Cardinals farm club, finished last in the new Western League at 36-81. With George Payne at the helm, the team improved to 50-59 the next year, finishing third in the league, which now had four teams. Outfielder John A. Lucas led the WL in average (.356), tied for third with 27 steals, was fourth with 70 RBI and 149 hits, tied for the lead with 13 triples and was third with 207 total bases. Joining him as All-Stars were utility man Al Dudas (.321, tied for the league lead with 25 doubles), shortstop Dale Hackett (.318) and pitcher Ralph Scheef (14-6, 2.81, 5th in ERA, tied for fourth in wins and third with 174 strikeouts, second with 215 innings). The Cardinals did not return in 1941.

Source: The Western League by W.C. Madden and Patrick Stewart

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1939	36-81	6th	Joe McDermott
1940	50-59	3rd	Ray Martin / George Payne