The Blue Grass League was a minor league baseball circuit at the Class D level that existed in the early 1900s. There were two incarnations of the league, one that ran from 1908 to 1912 and one that existed from 1922 to 1924. It consisted entirely of teams based in Kentucky.
The Lexington Colts were a baseball team competing in the Blue Grass League, 1908–1912, the Ohio State League, 1913–1916, and the Mountain States League, 1954. The 1908 Lexington team was also called the "Thoroughbreds," Neither the team nor the league lasted through the 1954 season, but the manager was former major leaguer Zeke Bonura and a star was future major leaguer Lou Johnson.
The West Frankfort Cardinals were an American minor league baseball team based in West Frankfort, Illinois. The West Frankfort Cardinals played as members of the Illinois State League in 1947 to 1948 and the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League in 1949 and 1950, qualifying for the league playoffs twice. The two leagues were the direct predecessors to the Midwest League. West Frankfort was a minor affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals for their duration, while hosting home games at Memorial Stadium. Baseball Hall of Fame member Earl Weaver played for the 1948 West Frankfort Cardinals.
The Biddeford Orphans were a minor league baseball team based in Biddeford, Maine in 1907 and 1908. Preceded by the 1885 Biddeford Clamdiggers, Biddeford teams played as members of the 1885 Eastern New England League and the Maine State League in 1907 and 1908, hosting home games at St. Louis Park.
The Cynthiana Cobblers were a minor league baseball team based in Cynthiana, Kentucky. From 1922 and 1924, Cynthiana teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, winning the 1923 league championship. Cynthiana played as the "Merchants" in 1922 and the franchise hosted minor league home games at River Road Park.
The Mt. Sterling Essex was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. In 1912 and from 1922 to 1923, Mt. Sterling teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, hosting home games at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
The Shelbyville Grays were a minor league baseball team based in Shelbyville, Kentucky. From 1908 to 1910, the Grays played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, hosting home games at the Shelbyville Base Ball Park.
The Paris Bourbonites was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Paris, Kentucky. Paris teams played as members of the Blue Grass League from 1909 to 1912, Ohio State League in 1914 and Blue Grass League from 1922 to 1924. Paris teams won league championships in 1910, 1911 and 1924 and hosted home games at Bourbon County Park.
The Shelbyville Queen Citys were a minor league baseball team based in Shelbyville, Illinois. In 1907 and 1908, the Shelbyville Queen Citys played exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League and hosted home games at Forest Park.
The Henderson Hens was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Henderson, Kentucky in various seasons between 1896 and 1916. Henderson teams played as members of the Kentucky–Indiana League and Pennyrile League in 1896, Central League in 1897 and Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. Henderson hosted minor league games at Fairgrounds Park.
The Taylorville Tailors were a minor league baseball teams based in Taylorville, Illinois between 1907 and 1911. The Taylorville Tailors played as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League from 1907 to 1908. Following the folding of the Eastern Illinois League, the 1911 Taylorville Christians played the season as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Bangor, Maine between 1894 and 1913, before resuming minor league play in 1994. Playing under numerous nicknames, Bangor teams played as members of the New England League from 1894 to 1896, Maine State League in 1897, New England League in 1901, Maine State League from 1907–1908 and New Brunswick-Maine League in 1913, winning two league championships while hosting minor league home games at Maplewood Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Jacksonville, Illinois, playing in eight leagues under four nicknames in their seasons of play between 1892 and 1910. Jacksonville teams played as members of the 1892 Illinois–Iowa League, Western Association (1894–1895), 1900 Central League, 1906 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, 1907 Iowa State League, Central Association (1908–1909), 1910 Northern Association and 1910 Illinois–Missouri League. Jacksonville teams hosted minor league home games exclusively at League Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in South Bend, Indiana in various seasons beginning in 1888 through 1932, setting the foundation for the current franchise, who began play in 1988. South Bend teams played as members of the Indiana State League (1888), Central League (1903–1912), Southern Michigan League (1914–1915) and the Central League under numerous monikers. These South Bend teams directly preceded South Bend becoming a Midwest League franchise in 1988. They remain in minor league play today as the South Bend Cubs.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Aurora, Illinois, in various seasons from 1888 to 1915. Playing under numerous monikers, Aurora teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1888, Illinois-Iowa League from 1890 to 1892, Western Interstate League in 1895, Wisconsin-Illinois League from 1910 to 1912 and Bi-State League in 1915, winning the 1907 league championship. Aurora hosted home minor league games at the Driving Park, Hurds Island Park and Fox River Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Maysville, Kentucky in various seasons between 1894 and 1923. Maysville teams played as members of the Tri-State League in 1894, Blue Grass League from 1910 to 1912, Ohio State League from 1913 to 1916 and Blue Grass League from 1922 to 1923, winning one league championship. Maysville hosted home minor league games at the Maysville Base Ball Park/League Park. Baseball Hall of Fame member Casey Stengel played for the 1910 Maysville Rivermen in his first professional season.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Frankfort, Kentucky in various seasons between 1885 and 1916. Frankfort teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1885, the Blue Grass League from 1908 to 1912 and Ohio State League in 1915 and 1916. Frankfort won Blue Grass League championships in 1908 and 1912.
The Lexington Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Lexington, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, Lexington teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League. After two seasons of playing as the "Reds," the 1924 Lexington became known as the "Studebakers" after the team owner reached an agreement with a local car dealership. Lexington hosted minor league home games at Stivers Park. The minor league Lexington Reds evolved from the semi-professional "Lexington Reds," which had future Commissioner of Baseball leader Happy Chandler and Baseball Hall of Fame member Earle Combs as teammates.
The Winchester Hustlers were a minor league baseball team based in Winchester, Kentucky. From 1908 to 1912, the Hustlers played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, winning the 1909 league championship. Winchester hosted home games at Garner's Park. In 1909, Winchester's Fred Toney pitched a 17-inning complete game no hitter, the longest no hitter thrown in organized baseball.
The Winchester Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Winchester, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, the Dodgers played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League, having been preceded in the league by the 1908 to 1912 Winchester Hustlers. Winchester hosted home games at Garner's Park.
