North Platte Indians

Last updated
North Platte Indians
Minor league affiliations
Class Class D (1928–1932, 1956–1959)
League Nebraska State League (1928–1932, 1956–1959)
Major league affiliations
Team Cleveland Indians (1956–1959)
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1958
Team data
NameNorth Platte Buffalos (1928–1932)
North Platte Indians (1956–1958)
BallparkUnion Pacific Park (1928–1932)
Bill Wood Field (1956–1959)

The North Platte Indians were a minor league baseball team based in North Platte, Nebraska. Preceded by the North Platte Buffalos, the North Platte teams played as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League from 1928 to 1932 as the Buffalos and from 1956 to 1959 as the Indians. The North Platte Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1956 to 1959, winning the 1958 league championship. The Buffalos played home games at the Union Pacific Park and the Indians hosted home games at Bill Wood Field.

Contents

History

Based in North Platte, Nebraska, the North Platte Indians were an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, playing as members of the Nebraska State League. [1] Previously, the North Platte Buffalos played as members of the Nebraska State League from 1928 to 1932. [2] The North Platte Indians finished 41–22 in 1958 and captured the 1958 Nebraska State League Championship, playing under manager Mary Wylie. [2] [3]

On July 29, 1928, North Platte pitcher Joe Smith threw a no–hitter in a 7–inning game against the Beatrice Blues. North Platte won the game 3–0. [4] [5]

The Nebraska State League folded permanently after the 1959 season. The 1959 league member franchises folded as well, the Hastings Giants, Holdrege White Sox, Grand Island Athletics, Kearney Yankees, McCook Braves and North Platte Indians all folded. [6] [3] North Platte has not hosted another minor league team. [2]

The ballparks

The Union Pacific Park was noted to have hosted the North Platte Buffalos from 1928 to 1932 for minor league home games. The ballpark within the park was called Jeffers Field, located 7th and Jeffers, North Platte, Nebraska. The ballpark was destroyed by fire in 1955. [7] [8] [9]

After the fire, Bill Wood Field was constructed in 1956, within Cody Park. Bill Wood Field was referenced to have hosted the North Platte Indians. The ballfield is still in use today, located within Cody Park, near the National Guard building. Today, Bill Wood Field is home to American Legion baseball. It is located at 18th & Jeffers, North Platte, Nebraska. [10] [11] [12]

(2007) Union Pacific Challenger. Cody Park. North Platte, Nebraska. Up3977.JPG
(2007) Union Pacific Challenger. Cody Park. North Platte, Nebraska.

Timeline

Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
1928–19325North Platte Buffalos Class D Nebraska State League
1956–19583North Platte Indians

Year–by–year record

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
195624–397th Spence Harris No playoffs held
195711–458th Rudy York No playoffs held
195841–221stMark WylieLeague Champions
195922–406thMark WylieNo playoffs held

Notable alumni

Rudy York 1945 Rudy York 1945.JPG
Rudy York 1945

See also

North Platte Indians players

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References

  1. ↑ "1956 North Platte Indians Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "North Platte, Nebraska Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. 1 2 The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN   978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ↑ "Minor League No Hitters". Google Docs.
  5. ↑ "Searching for missing Minors no-hitters". MiLB.com.
  6. ↑ "1959 Nebraska State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. ↑ "Union-Pacific RR Park in North Platte, NE minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ↑ Burke, Marresa. "Jeffers Park and Pavilion increased the entertainment scene". knopnews2.com.
  9. ↑ Bottrell, Andrew (April 1, 2013). "Playing ball in Flat Rock". The North Platte Telegraph.
  10. ↑ "North Platte First Nationals baseball - New". www.ballcharts.com.
  11. ↑ "North Platte Indians". nebaseballhistory.com.
  12. ↑ "Cody Park in North Platte, NE minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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