Western League (1900–1958)

Last updated
Western League
Classification Class A
Class B
Class D
Sport Minor League Baseball
First season1885
Ceased1958
President
  • Roy Carter (1937–1941)
  • Edwin C. Johnson (1947–1955)
  • O'Neal M. Hobbs (1956–1958)
CountryUnited States

The Western League was the name of several American sports leagues in Minor League Baseball. This article concentrates on the Western Leagues that operated from 1900 to 1937 and from 1947 to 1958.

Contents

Its earliest progenitor, the Western League of 1885–1899, was the predecessor of the American League. Later, during the 20th century, there were four incarnations of the Western League, including the Western League of 1939–1941 (succeeding the Nebraska State League) that played at the Class D level, and an independent baseball league that operated as the Western Baseball League from 1995 to 2002.

History

The league's longest-serving franchise was located in Des Moines, Iowa, which joined the WL in 1900 and played continuously through 1937, when the league shut down during the Great Depression. Des Moines then rejoined the reborn Western circuit when Senator Edwin C. Johnson from Colorado founded it in 1947; this team, a Chicago Cubs affiliate called the Des Moines Bruins, then played for the final 12 years of the league's existence.

Minor league baseball went unclassified through 1901. From 1902 until 1911, Class A was the highest level in the minor leagues. In 1912, a new top tier, Class AA, was created; in 1936, a second tier, Class A1, came into being. One year later, the existing Western League disbanded after it ended the 1937 season with only five teams, the Rock Island Islanders, disbanded on July 7. Then, in 1946, the Class AA leagues were renamed AAA, and the A1 loops were renamed AA. Thus the Western League – whose clubs were located in the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain States, the Upper Midwest and the Upper Southwest – was a top-level minor league until 1911, then two levels below Major League Baseball through 1935, and three steps removed in 1936–37 and when it was revived in 1947 during the post-war minor league baseball boom. For several years in the 1910s, the Western League champion played a postseason series against the champion of the Class AA American Association for supremacy of the central states.

1947-1958

The Western League reformed in 1947 with six teams: Denver Bears, Des Moines Bruins, Lincoln A's, Omaha Cardinals, Pueblo Dodgers and Sioux City Soos. [1] All six clubs were affiliated with major league farm systems. The WL expanded to eight teams in 1950, adding the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and Wichita Indians, [2] but the encroachment of televised baseball and major league franchise shifts into former AAA cities hit the league hard. In 1955, the Western League's two strongest franchises, the Denver Bears and the Omaha Cardinals, were admitted to the AAA American Association.

The WL continued for four more seasons before folding in the autumn of 1958. Its last champion, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, attracted only 61,000 fans for the season. In addition to the founding clubs and the Sky Sox, the postwar WL had teams in Albuquerque, Amarillo, Topeka, and Wichita.

List of teams

1900-1958

1900 to 1936 standings & statistics

1900

The new Western League formed as a Class B league in 1900. Charter teams were the Denver Grizzlies, Des Moines Hawkeyes, Omaha Omahogs, Pueblo Indians, Sioux City Cornhuskers and St. Joseph Saints. [3]

Team NameRecord
Denver Grizzlies 61–44
Des Moines Hawkeyes 54–45
Sioux City Cornhuskers 49–48
Omaha Omahogs 51–53
St. Joseph Saints 51–58
Pueblo Indians 41–64

1901

The teams in Pueblo and Sioux City folded. New teams in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and St. Paul, Minnesota, formed and joined the League. Teams from Kansas City, Missouri, and Minneapolis, Minnesota moved from the American League.

Team NameRecord
Kansas City Blues 79–44
St. Paul Saints 69–54
St. Joseph Saints 69–58
Denver Grizzlies 60–59
Omaha Omahogs 61–62
Minneapolis Millers 56–62
Des Moines Hawkeyes 48–75
Colorado Springs Millionaires 45–73

1902

The Minneapolis and St. Paul teams joined the American Association. New teams in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Peoria, Illinois, formed and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Kansas City Blue Stockings 82–54
Omaha Indians 84–56
Milwaukee Creams 80–54
Denver Grizzlies 81–57
St. Joseph Saints 71–68
Colorado Springs Millionaires 63–75
Des Moines Midgets 54–83
Peoria Distillers 35–103

1903

Team NameRecord
Milwaukee Creams 83–43
Colorado Springs Millionaires 76–52
Kansas City Blue Stockings 65–61
St. Joseph Saints 62–59
Denver Grizzlies 61–70
Peoria Distillers 57–69
Des Moines Undertakers 55–76
Omaha Indians 49–78

1904

The teams in Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Peoria folded. the Sioux City, Iowa team from the Iowa–South Dakota League joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Omaha Packers 90–60
Colorado Springs Millionaires 85–58
Denver Grizzlies 87–61
Des Moines Prohibitionists 76–69
St. Joseph Saints 53–93
Sioux City Soos 45–98

1905

The Colorado Springs team, with a record of 22–48, moved to Pueblo, Colorado on July 15, where they had a record of 30–44.

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Underwriters 95–54
Denver Grizzlies 92–58
Omaha Rourkes 87–62
Sioux City Packers 80–68
Colorado Springs Millionaires/Pueblo Indians 52–92
St. Joseph Saints 37–109

1906

The St. Joseph team moved to the Western Association. A new team in Lincoln, Nebraska, formed and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Champions 97–50
Lincoln Ducklings 75–74
Omaha Rourkes 73–74
Sioux City Packers 69–81
Denver Grizzlies 68–81
Pueblo Indians 63–85

1907

Team NameRecord
Omaha Rourkes 84–63
Lincoln Treeplanters 79–63
Des Moines Champs 76–63
Denver Grizzlies 67–75
Pueblo Indians 65–73
Sioux City Packers 56–90

1908

Team NameRecord
Sioux City Soos 88–57
Omaha Rourkes 86–59
Lincoln Greenbackers 74–73
Denver Grizzlies 71–75
Pueblo Indians 63–78
Des Moines Boosters 54–94

1909

Teams from Topeka, Kansas, and Wichita, Kansas, joined from the Western Association.

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Boosters 93–59
Sioux City Soos 94–60
Omaha Rourkes 84–68
Topeka Jayhawks 76–73
Wichita Jobbers 71-82
Denver Grizzlies 69–82
Lincoln Greenbackers 61–89
Pueblo Indians 58–93

1910

The Pueblo team folded. A new team in St. Joseph, Missouri, formed and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Sioux City Packers 108–60
Denver Grizzlies 102–65
Lincoln Railsplitters 95–71
Wichita Jobbers 89–78
Omaha Rourkes 84–82
St. Joseph Drummers 76–91
Des Moines Boosters 72–96
Topeka Jayhawks 42–125

1911

The Wichita team, with a record of 15–9, moved to Pueblo, Colorado on May 22, Their record there was 77–66.

Team NameRecord
Denver Grizzlies 111–54
St. Joseph Drummers 93–72
Wichita Jobbers/Pueblo Indians 92–75
Omaha Rourkes 85–80
Sioux City Packers 85–80
Lincoln Railsplitters 84–81
Topeka Kaws 60–104
Des Moines Boosters 49–113

1912

The Pueblo team moved back to Wichita, Kansas.

Team NameRecord
Denver Grizzlies 99–63
St. Joseph Drummers 94–72
Omaha Rourkes 92–71
Des Moines Boosters 82–80
Lincoln Railsplitters 83–81
Sioux City Packers 74–85
Wichita Jobbers 75–89
Topeka Jayhawks 51–109

Denver defeated the Minneapolis team of the American Association 4 games to 1.

1913

Team NameRecord
Denver Bears 104–62
Des Moines Boosters 93–72
St. Joseph Drummers 89–78
Lincoln Greenbackers 87–80
Omaha Rourkes 79–86
Sioux City Packers 73–92
Topeka Jayhawks 73–92
Wichita Jobbers 65–101

Milwaukee of the American Association defeated Denver 4 games to 2.

1914

Wichita Jobbers renamed Wichita Wolves.

Team NameRecord
Sioux City Indians 105–60
Denver Bears 96–72
St. Joseph Drummers 89–75
Des Moines Boosters 82–81
Lincoln Tigers 81–87
Omaha Rourkes 77–87
Topeka Jayhawks 68–97
Wichita Wolves 63–102

Indianapolis of the American Association defeated Denver 4 games to 2.

1915

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Boosters 87–53
Denver Bears 82–55
Topeka Jayhawks 75–63
Omaha Rourkes 71–69
Lincoln Tigers 70–69
Sioux City Packers 66–68
Wichita Wolves 57–80
St. Joseph Drummers 43–94

1916

The Wichita team, with a record of 58–84, moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado on September 10. Their record there was 2–10.

Team NameRecord
Omaha Rourkes 92–57
Lincoln Tigers 87–63
Sioux City Indians 79–71
Denver Bears 78–75
Des Moines Boosters 75–75
Topeka Savages67–86
Wichita Wolves/Colorado Springs Millionaires 57–94

Louisville of the American Association defeated Omaha 4 games to 1.

1917

The Topeka team folded. A new team in Joplin, Missouri formed and joined the League. Colorado Springs moved back to Wichita. St. Joseph, with a record of 34–56, moved to Hutchinson, where their record was 32–24, on July 24. Sioux City moved to St. Joseph on August 5.

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Boosters 84–62 (1st half winner)
Lincoln Links 83–64
Sioux City Indians/St. Joseph Drummers 80–66
Joplin Miners 79–68
Omaha Rourkes 73–75
St. Joseph Drummers/Hutchinson Wheatshockers66–80
Denver Bears 62–86
Wichita Wolves 61–87

Hutchinson defeated Joplin 3 games to none for the second half title. Des Moines defeated Hutchinson 4 games to 2 for the championship.

1918

The Denver and Lincoln teams folded. New teams in Sioux City, Iowa, and Topeka, Kansas, formed and joined the League. Hutchinson, with a record of 14–19, moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 2, where they compiled a record of 19–18. Topeka, with a record of 19–13, moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, where they compiled a record of 18–18, on June 2. The League suspended operations on July 7 due to World War I.

Team NameRecord
Wichita Jobbers 41–24
Topeka Kaw-nees /
Hutchinson Salt Packers 		37–31
Des Moines Boosters 36–31
Joplin Miners 34–31
Omaha Rourkes 33–32
Hutchinson Salt Packers /
Oklahoma City Oklahomans
St. Joseph Saints 30–38
Sioux City Indians 22–42

1919

The Hutchinson team folded. A new team was formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
St. Joseph Saints 78–57
Tulsa Oilers 77–63
Wichita Jobbers 75–65
Des Moines Boosters 71–67
Oklahoma City Indians 69–69
Sioux City Indians 68–72
Joplin Miners 57–78
Omaha Rourkes 56–80

Tulsa lead St. Joseph 3 games to 1 in the championship series when the series was cancelled due to bad weather.

Wichita's Joe Wilhoit had a 69-game hitting streak, which remains the professional baseball record.

1920

Team NameRecord
Tulsa Oilers 92–61
Wichita Jobbers 92–62
Oklahoma City Indians 82–68
Omaha Rourkes 76–77
St. Joseph Saints 74–80
Joplin Miners 73–81
Sioux City Packers 63–88
Des Moines Boosters 58–93

1921

Team NameRecord
Wichita Witches 106–61
Omaha Buffaloes 95–73
Oklahoma City Indians 93–75
Sioux City Packers 81–83
St. Joseph Saints 79–88
Joplin Miners 76–91
Des Moines Boosters 71–92
Tulsa Oilers 65–103

1922

Joplin moved to the Western Association. A new team formed in Denver, Colorado, and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Tulsa Oilers 103–64
St. Joseph Saints 98–70
Wichita Wolves 94–73
Omaha Buffaloes 91–77
Sioux City Packers 86–79
Oklahoma City Indians 73–94
Denver Bears 63–105
Des Moines Boosters 61–107

Tulsa beat Mobile of the Southern Association 4 games to 1, with 1 tie

1923

Team NameRecord
Oklahoma City Indians 102–64
Tulsa Oilers 101–67
Wichita Izzies 100–68
Omaha Buffaloes 92–74
Des Moines Boosters 87–79
St. Joseph Saints 65–101
Sioux City Packers 59–105
Denver Bears 59–107

1924

Sioux City moved to the Tri-State League. Lincoln joined from the Nebraska State League.

Team NameRecord
Omaha Buffaloes 103–61
Denver Bears 100–67
Tulsa Oilers 98–69
St. Joseph Saints 86–79
Oklahoma City Indians 82–86
Wichita Izzies 79–88
Des Moines Boosters 59–106
Lincoln Links 57–108

1925

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Demons 98–70
Denver Bears 97–71
Oklahoma City Indians 88–76
Wichita Izzies 80–84
St. Joseph Saints 77–87
Omaha Buffaloes 74–89
Tulsa Oilers 75–91
Lincoln Links 70–91

1926

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Demons 99–64
Oklahoma City Indians 100–66
St. Joseph Saints 89–75
Tulsa Oilers 86–78
Denver Bears 88–80
Omaha Buffaloes 77–89
Lincoln Links 64–101
Wichita Izzies 58–108

Springfield of the Three-I League led Des Moines 3 games to 1 when the series was cancelled due to bad weather.

1927

St. Joseph moved to the Western Association. A new team in Amarillo, Texas formed and joined.

Team NameRecord
Tulsa Oilers 101–53
Wichita Larks 91–63
Des Moines Demons 82–72
Denver Bears 77–75
Oklahoma City Indians 68–86
Amarillo Texans 66–87
Omaha Buffaloes 66–88
Lincoln Links 63–90

Waco of the Texas League beat Tulsa 3 games to 2, with 1 tie.

1928

Lincoln moved to the Nebraska State League. A new team in Pueblo, Colorado, formed and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Oklahoma City Indians 95–67 (1st half winner)
Tulsa Oilers 96–69 (2nd half winner)
Wichita Larks 94–70
Pueblo Steelworkers 85–78
Denver Bears 81–84
Omaha Crickets 71-86
Amarillo Texans 60–93
Des Moines Demons 63–98

Tulsa beat Oklahoma City 4 games to 1, with 1 tie, for the championship.

1929

Amarillo folded. The Topeka, Kansas team from the Western Association joined.

Team NameRecord
Tulsa Oilers 95–66
Oklahoma City Indians 85–68
Omaha Crickets 81–75
Wichita Aviators 77–79
Denver Bears 73–81
Topeka Jayhawks 75–85
Des Moines Demons 72–86
Pueblo Steelworkers 69–90

1930

The Tulsa team folded. A new team formed in St. Joseph, Missouri and joined the League.

Team NameRecord
Wichita Aviators 89–56
Omaha Packers 76–66
Oklahoma City Indians 79–71
Des Moines Demons 77–71
Pueblo Braves 75–75
Denver Bears 74–74
Topeka Senators 66–84
St. Joseph Saints 53–92

1931

Team NameRecord
Des Moines Demons 94–51 (2nd half winner)
Wichita Aviators 92–58 (1st half winner)
St. Joseph Saints 79–64
Pueblo Braves 76–69
Oklahoma City Indians 70–80
Denver Bears 64–77
Topeka Senators 58–86
Omaha Packers 49–97

Des Moines Demons beat Wichita 4 games to 2 for the championship.

1932

Topeka moved to the Western Association. The Tulsa team joined.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Tulsa Oilers Pittsburgh Pirates 98–48 (1st half winner)
Denver Bears St. Louis Cardinals 83–64
Oklahoma City Indians 83–67 (2nd half winner)
Des Moines Demons 71–72
St. Joseph Saints 72–75
Wichita Aviators Chicago Cubs 63–86
Pueblo Braves 62–90
Omaha Packers 58–88

Oklahoma City beat Tulsa 2 games to 1 for the second half title. Tulsa beat Oklahoma City 4 games to none for the championship.

1933

Denver & Pueblo folded. Oklahoma City and Tulsa moved to the Texas League. The teams from Hutchinson, Kansas and Springfield, Missouri joined from the American Association. New teams in Joplin, Missouri, and Topeka, Kansas, formed and joined the League. Wichita, with a record of 6–13, moved to Muskogee on June 6, keeping the Oilers name, where they had a record of 20–82. Hutchinson, with a record of 25–32, moved on July 7 to Bartlesville, where they had a record of 26–38.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Des Moines Demons 81–47
St. Joseph Saints 77–47 (1st half winner)
Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals 73–50
Topeka Senators Cincinnati Reds 68–55 (2nd half winner)
Omaha Packers 63–61
Joplin Miners St. Louis Browns 55–69
Hutchinson Wheatshockers /
Bartlesville Broncs 		Detroit Tigers 51–70
Wichita Oilers/Muskogee Oilers 26–95

St. Joseph beat Topeka 4 games to 1. St. Joseph lost to the Davenport Blue Sox from the Mississippi Valley League 4 games to 2.

1934

Bartlesville, Joplin, Muskogee, and Springfield moved to the Western Association. The teams from Davenport Blue Sox, and Rock Island Islanders joined from the Mississippi Valley League. New teams in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sioux City, Iowa formed and joined the League.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Sioux City Cowboys 74–50 (1st half title tie)
Davenport Blue Sox 70–53 (2nd half winner)
Des Moines Demons 68–56 (1st half title tie)
St. Joseph Saints 65–56 (1st half title tie)
Topeka Senators Cincinnati Reds 59–64
Rock Island Islanders 58–65
Omaha Packers 49–73
Cedar Rapids Raiders 47–73

St. Joseph beat Sioux City 3 games to 1 in the first round of playoffs. Davenport beat Des Moines by the same number. In the championship, St. Joseph beat Davenport 4 games to 3.

1935

Topeka folded. A new team in Keokuk, Iowa formed and joined the League. Omaha, with a record of 22–15, moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 25, where they had a record of 33–31. Rock Island folded July 17. Council Bluffs folded August 27.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Davenport Blue Sox 70–46
St. Joseph Saints 58–48
Des Moines Demons 58–55
Sioux City Cowboys 54–52
Cedar Rapids Raiders 53–57
Keokuk Indians 49–66
Omaha Packers /
Council Bluffs Rails 		55–46
Rock Island Islanders 19–46

Sioux City beat Davenport 3 games to none, and St. Joseph beat Des Moines 3 games to none, in the first round of the playoffs. St. Joseph beat Sioux City 4 games to 3 for the championship.

1936

Keokuk and St. Joseph folded. New teams formed in Omaha, Nebraska, and Waterloo, Iowa, and joined the League. Omaha moved to Rock Island on August 18.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Davenport Blue Sox Brooklyn Dodgers 74–52 (1st & 2nd half winner)
Cedar Rapids Raiders St. Louis Cardinals 70–58
Des Moines Raiders (Iowans)64–64
Omaha Robin Hoods /
Rock Island Islanders 		62–64
Sioux City Cowboys 61–64
Waterloo Hawks 50–79

1937

Rock Island folded July 7.

Team NameAffiliationRecord
Cedar Rapids Raiders St. Louis Cardinals78–38 (1st & 2nd half winner)
Waterloo Reds 61–55
Davenport Blue Sox Brooklyn Dodgers 57–59
Des Moines Iowans St. Louis Browns 57–62
Sioux City Cowboys Detroit Tigers 50–63
Rock Island Islanders 20–46

Cedar Rapids and Waterloo moved to the Three-I League. Sioux City moved to the Nebraska State League. Davenport, Des Moines, and the League itself folded.

1939 to 1941 standings & statistics

1939 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norfolk Elks 7544.630- Doc Bennett
Sioux Falls Canaries 6652.5598.5Ralph Brandon
Sioux City Soos 6352.54810.0Pete Monahan
Lincoln Links 6455.53811.0 Pug Griffin
Mitchell Kernels 4969.41525.5 Red Davis (8/1) / Charles Moglia
Worthington Cardinals 3681.30838.5Joe McDermott

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

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Howard ConnersSioux FallsBA.365 Ox Miller LincolnW21
Wendell FindersNorfolkHits167 Ox Miller LincolnSO208
Bob Dillinger LincolnRuns139Lawrence KempeSioux FallsERA3.02
Ted KakalorisLincolnRBI114Leonard BobeckNorfolkPCT.864 19-3
William MorganNorfolkHR17

1940 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norfolk Yankees 7339.652- Doc Bennett
Sioux Falls Canaries 5958.50416.5Robert Fenner
Worthington Cardinals 5059.45921.5Ray Martin /George Payne
Sioux City Soos /
Mitchell Kernels 		4470.38630.0 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
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Johnny Lucas WorthingtonBA.356Frank WagnerSioux FallsW17
Leo BohananSioux FallsHits158Frank WagnerSioux FallsSO193
Robert DubyNorfolkRuns112 Fred Whalen NorfolkERA1.36
Fred SchenkNorfolkRBI97 Fred Whalen NorfolkPCT.786 11-3
Russell BurnsNorfolkHR17

1941 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norfolk Yankees 6444.593- Ray Powell
Cheyenne Indians 5944.5732.5 John Kerr
Sioux City Cowboys 5456.49111.0Richard Tichacek
Pueblo Rollers 5254.49111.0 Pug Griffin
Sioux Falls Canaries 5156.47712.5Robert Fenner / Tony Koenig
Denver Bears 4268.38223.0 Cobe Jones

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

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bernard SteelePuebloBA.383 George Milstead CheyenneW19
Bernard SteelePuebloHits158 Robert Bergen PuebloSO183
Bernard SteelePuebloRuns88[Frank WagnerSioux FallsERA2.15
Frank BocekNorfolkRBI92 George Milstead CheyennePCT.792 19-5
Mel BergmanCheyenneHR10

The League did not operate from 1942 - 1946. It returned in 1947 and regained its Class A Status. [4]

1947 to 1958 standings & statistics

1947 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Sioux City Soos 8149.623-113,036 Joe Becker
Des Moines Bruins 7252.591.5-152,027 Jim Keesey
Pueblo Dodgers 7058.54710.080,163 Walter Alston
Omaha Cardinals 6762.51913.5138,308 Ollie Vanek
Denver Bears 5475.41926.5124,923 Marty McManus
Lincoln Athletics 3889.29941.543,464 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
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Edmund Lewinski OmahaBA.346 Red Webb Sioux CityW19-7
Michael Conroy OmahaHits190 Charlie Bishop OmahaSO133
Preston Ward PuebloRuns120Herb ChmielDes MoinesERA2.23
Preston Ward PuebloRBI121Herb ChmielDes MoinesPCT.778 14-4
Tony Jaros Sioux CityHR24

1948 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Des Moines Bruins 7664.543-232,038 Stan Hack
Denver Bears 7067.5114.5283,377 Mike Gazella
Lincoln Athletics 6968.5045.5127,462 Jimmie DeShong
Sioux City Soos 6968.5045.5112,381 Joe Becker
Pueblo Dodgers 6970.4966.5116,304 John Fitzpatrick
Omaha Cardinals 6278.44314.0147,130 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
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Red Treadway Des MoinesBA.352 Bobby Shantz LincolnW18-7
George Genovese DenverRuns119 Bobby Shantz LincolnSO212
Nellie Fox LincolnHits179 Tony Jacobs Des MoinesERA2.72
Tookie Gilbert Sioux CityRBI114 Turk Lown PuebloPCT.739 17-6
Carl Sawatski Des MoinesHR29

1949 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Lincoln Athletics 7464.536-149,159 Jimmie DeShong
Denver Bears 7168.5113.5463,039 Mike Gazella /
Bill DeCarlo / Earle Browne
Pueblo Dodgers 7168.5113.5138,726 Ray Hathaway
Des Moines Bruins 7070.5005.5210,204 Stan Hack
Omaha Cardinals 6871.4896.5277,370 Cedric Durst
Sioux City Soos 6376.45311.5125,356 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
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Victor MarascoPuebloBA.330Earl StabelfeldDes MoinesW17
Jim Williams PuebloRuns126 Lynn Lovenguth Des MoinesW17
Fred Richards Des MoinesHits178Walter CoxSioux CityW17
Lou Limmer LincolnHR29 George Uhle DenverERA2.25

1950 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Omaha Cardinals 9658.623-218,393 Al Hollingsworth
Sioux City Soos 8965.5783.5463,039 Hugh Poland
Des Moines Bruins 8470.54512.0147,549 Charlie Root
Wichita Indians 7777.50019.0126,729 Joe Schultz
Denver Bears 7579.48721.0379,180 Earl Browne
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 7282.46824.0107,264 Buddy Hassett
Lincoln Athletics 6985.44827.068,884 Jimmie DeShong
Pueblo Dodgers 54100.35142.091,299 Ray Hathaway

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

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bill Taylor Sioux CityBA.346 Bob Mahoney OmahaW20
Danny Holden DenverRuns131 Bob Mahoney OmahaSO162
Chuck Tanner DenverHits195 Vern Fear Des MoinesERA2.83
Pete Whisenant DenverRBI119 Vern Fear Des MoinesPCT.750 15-5
Pat Seerey Colorado SpringsHR44

1951 Western League'

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Omaha Cardinals 9064.584-162,247 George Kissell
Denver Bears 8866.5712.0424,065 Andy Cohen
Wichita Indians 8468.5535.0122,060[[Joe Schultz Jr.Joe Schultz]]
Sioux City Soos 7771.52010.0104,247 Frank Genovese
Des Moines Bruins 7378.48315.594,137 Al Todd
Pueblo Dodgers 7480.48116.5104,254 Jim Biven
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6487.42424.5107,320 Skeeter Webb / Otto Denning
Lincoln Athletics 5793.38031.537,123 Frank Skaff

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

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
George Freese PuebloBA.338 Elroy Face PuebloW23
Ron Samford SiouxRuns108 Willard Schmidt OmahaSO202
George Freese PuebloHits183 Willard Schmidt OmahaERA2.11
George Freese PuebloRBI106 Ray Peters WichitaPCT.800 12-3
Howie Boles Des Moines / DenverHR32

1952 Western League'

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Denver Bears 8866.571-461,419 Andy Cohen
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8767.5651.0170,041 Don Gutteridge
Omaha Cardinals 8668.5582.0137,378 George Kissell
Sioux City Soos 8371.5395.0103,004 Ray Mueller
Pueblo Dodgers 8173.5267.0122,746 Bill McCahan
Wichita Indians 6787.43521.0116,703 Ralph Winegarner
Lincoln Athletics 6787.43521.061,483 Les Bell
Des Moines Bruins 5797.37031.062,597 Harry Strohm

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

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ed Phillips OmahaBA.320 Alberto Osorio DenverW20
Ken Landenberger Colorado SpringsRuns112 Connie Johnson Colorado SpringsSO233
Ken Landenberger Colorado SpringsHits183 Jim Singleton Sioux CityERA2.73
Ken Landenberger Colorado SpringsRBI133 Lou Ciola OmahaPCT.938 15-1
Bill Pinckard DenverHR35

1953 Western League'

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 9569.617-141,117 Don Gutteridge
Denver Bears 9460.6101.0322,128 Andy Cohen
Pueblo Dodgers 7877.50317.5103,878 George Pfister
Des Moines Bruins 777849718.598,972 Kemp Wicker /Bruce Edwards
Omaha Cardinals 7480.48121.0115,512 George Kissell
Lincoln Chiefs 7183.46124.087,615 Lou Finney /Walt Linden
Sioux City Soos 7084.45525.045,412 Ray Mueller
Wichita Indians 5896.37737.068,683 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
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Kent Pflasterer PuebloBA.350 Norman Brown LincolnW21
Len Johnston Colorado SpringsRuns133 Karl Spooner PuebloSO198
Glen Gorbous PuebloHits204 Walt Montgomery OmahaERA2.43
Jerry Crosby Colorado SpringsRBI115 Jake Thies DenverERA2.43
Jim Gentile PuebloHR34 Nellie King DenverPCT.833 15-3

1954 Western League'

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Denver Bears 9456.627-232,686 Andy Cohen
Des Moines Bruins 8866.5718.0113,691 Les Peden
Omaha Cardinals 8368.55011.5150,131 Ferrell Anderson
Pueblo Dodgers 7974.51616.580,768 Goldie Holt
Sioux City Soos 7875.51017.569,333 Dave Garcia
Wichita Indians 7677.49719.587,854 Herb Brett /Les Layton
Lincoln Chiefs 6288.41332.080,660 Whitey Wietelmann / Glenn McQuillen
Colorado Springs 48104.31647.059,606 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
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Joe Kirrene Colorado SpringsBA.343 Bob Clear OmahaW20-11
Bobby Prescott DenverRuns137 Bob Garber DenverSO173
Reno DeBenedetti DenverHits183 Hy Cohen Des MoinesERA1.88
Bill White Sioux CityHits183 Clarence Churn DenverPCT.786 11-3
Rocco Ippolito DenverRBI131
Bill White Sioux CityHR30
Bill White Sioux CitySB40

1955 Western League'

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8169.540-87,527 Jack Conway
Pueblo Dodgers 7971.5272.073,941 Goldie Holt
Wichita Indians 7873.5173.594,862 Bud Bates
Des Moines Bruins 7774.5104.588,181 Les Peden /Pepper Martin
Sioux City Soos 6981.46012.062,902 John Davenport
Lincoln Chiefs 6783.44714.090,024 Bill Burwell

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

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Sammy Hairston Colorado SpringsBA.350 Joe Stanka Des MoinesW17
Willie Kirkland Sioux CityRuns117 Bob Harrison WichitaSO270
Clarence Moore PuebloHits194 Dick Hall LincolnERA2.24
Ron Cooper Colorado SpringsRBI117 Dick Hall LincolnPCT.706 12-5
Willie Kirkland Sioux CityHR40

1956 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Amarillo Gold Sox 8752.626-77,628 Chuck Stevens
Lincoln Chiefs 8454.6092.592,554 Larry Shepard
Des Moines Bruins 7267.51815.067,973 Lou Klein
Topeka Hawks 7068.50716.5103,938 Bud Bates
Pueblo Dodgers 6870.49318.551,496 Ray Hathaway
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6672.47820.559,282 Jack Conway
Albuquerque Dukes 5981.42128.594,176 Bob Swift
Sioux City Soos 4991.35038.540,734 Hal Olt / Bob Clear

Playoff: Lincoln 4 games, Amarillo 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Art Cuitti AmarilloBA.364 Marshall Bridges TopekaW18
Art Cuitti AmarilloRuns132 Marshall Bridges TopekaSO213
Lynn Van de Hey AlbuquerqueHits197 John O'Donnell (minors04) TopekaERA3.32
Dick Stuart LincolnRBI158 Bennie Daniels LincolnPCT.833 15-3
Dick Stuart LincolnHR66

1957 Western League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Lincoln Chiefs 9856.636-100,190 Larry Shepard
Amarillo Gold Sox 9757.6301.0102,210 Eddie Bockman
Topeka Hawks 8764.5769.588, 014 Red Smith / Bill Dossey
Sioux City Soos 7182.46426.546,851 Ken Landenberger
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6886.44230.545,184 Ira Hutchinson
Albuquerque Dukes 6688.42932.092,236 Nick Cullop / Hal Toso
Pueblo Dodgers 6688.42932.040,887 Ray Hathaway
Des Moines Demons 6092.39537.079,965 Lou Stringer / Hersh Martin

No Playoffs held.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Sammy Miley LincolnBA.374 John Stadnicki TopekaW23
Ray Webster AmarilloRuns136 Dave Stenhouse Des MoinesSO184
Chuck Coles AlbuquerqueHits208 Hugh Blanton AmarilloERA2.86
Al Pinkston AmarilloRBI133 John Stadnicki TopekaPCT.793 23-6
Leonard Williams TopekaHR43

1958 Western League

TeamstandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8760.592-61,091 Skeeter Scalzi
Amarillo Gold Sox 8463.5713.085,931 Eddie Bockman / Gale Pringle
Lincoln Chiefs 7571.51411.567,604 Monty Basgall
Pueblo Dodgers 7374.49714.039,179 Ray Mueller
Albuquerque Dukes 7175.48615.581,702 Jimmy Brown
Sioux City Soos 6977.47317.555,921 Rocky Tedesco / Ted Shandor
Topeka Hawks 6582.44222.043,686 George McQuinn
Des Moines Bruins 6183.42424.535,039 Roy Hartsfield 
No Playoffs held.
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Jim McAnany Colorado SpringsBA.400 Hugh Blanton AmarilloW20
Stan Johnson Colorado SpringsRuns120 Pedro Carrillo AlbuquerqueSO177
Stan Johnson Colorado SpringsHits204 Hal DeMars TopekaSO177
Al Pinkston AmarilloHits204 Al Jackson LincolnERA2.07
Al Pinkston AmarilloRBI126 Gale Pringle AmarilloPCT.824 14-3
Daniel Lynk Sioux CityHR37

[4]

Media

The Western League was the topic of the book The Western League: A Baseball History, 1885 through 1999 (2002, McFarland Publishing) by W. C. Madden & Patrick J. Stewart. The ISBN   0786410035. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "1947 Western League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ↑ "1950 Western League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ↑ "1900 Western League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. 1 2 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.
  5. ↑ Madden, W. C.; Stewart, Patrick J. (11 April 2002). The Western League: A Baseball History, 1885 through 1999. ISBN   0786410035.
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