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Western League (1900–1958)





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

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

    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

    edit

    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

    edit

    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

    edit

    1900-1958

    edit

    1900 to 1936 standings & statistics

    edit

    1900

    edit

    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 Name Record
    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

    edit

    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 Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

    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 Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

    The Pueblo team moved back to Wichita, Kansas.

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

    Wichita Jobbers renamed Wichita Wolves.

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    Omaha Rourkes 92–57
    Lincoln Tigers 87–63
    Sioux City Indians 79–71
    Denver Bears 78–75
    Des Moines Boosters 75–75
    Topeka Savages 67–86
    Wichita Wolves/Colorado Springs Millionaires 57–94

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

    1917

    edit

    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 Name Record
    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 Wheatshockers 66–80
    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

    edit

    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 Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Record
    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

    edit
    Team Name Record
    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

    edit

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

    Team Name Affiliation Record
    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

    edit

    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 Name Affiliation Record
    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

    edit

    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 Name Affiliation Record
    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

    edit

    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 Name Affiliation Record
    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

    edit

    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 Name Affiliation Record
    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

    edit

    Rock Island folded July 7.

    Team Name Affiliation Record
    Cedar Rapids Raiders St. Louis Cardinals 78–38 (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

    edit

    1939 Western League

    Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
    Norfolk Elks 75 44 .630 - Doc Bennett
    Sioux Falls Canaries 66 52 .559 8.5 Ralph Brandon
    Sioux City Soos 63 52 .548 10.0 Pete Monahan
    Lincoln Links 64 55 .538 11.0 Pug Griffin
    Mitchell Kernels 49 69 .415 25.5 Red Davis (8/1) / Charles Moglia
    Worthington Cardinals 36 81 .308 38.5 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

    Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
    Norfolk Yankees 73 39 .652 - Doc Bennett
    Sioux Falls Canaries 59 58 .504 16.5 Robert Fenner
    Worthington Cardinals 50 59 .459 21.5 Ray Martin /George Payne
    Sioux City Soos /
    Mitchell Kernels    		 44 70 .386 30.0 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
    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

    Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
    Norfolk Yankees 64 44 .593 - Ray Powell
    Cheyenne Indians 59 44 .573 2.5 John Kerr
    Sioux City Cowboys 54 56 .491 11.0 Richard Tichacek
    Pueblo Rollers 52 54 .491 11.0 Pug Griffin
    Sioux Falls Canaries 51 56 .477 12.5 Robert Fenner / Tony Koenig
    Denver Bears 42 68 .382 23.0 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.[4]

    1947 to 1958 standings & statistics

    edit

    1947 Western League

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Sioux City Soos 81 49 .623 - 113,036 Joe Becker
    Des Moines Bruins 72 52 .591 .5- 152,027 Jim Keesey
    Pueblo Dodgers 70 58 .547 10.0 80,163 Walter Alston
    Omaha Cardinals 67 62 .519 13.5 138,308 Ollie Vanek
    Denver Bears 54 75 .419 26.5 124,923 Marty McManus
    Lincoln Athletics 38 89 .299 41.5 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

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Des Moines Bruins 76 64 .543 - 232,038 Stan Hack
    Denver Bears 70 67 .511 4.5 283,377 Mike Gazella
    Lincoln Athletics 69 68 .504 5.5 127,462 Jimmie DeShong
    Sioux City Soos 69 68 .504 5.5 112,381 Joe Becker
    Pueblo Dodgers 69 70 .496 6.5 116,304 John Fitzpatrick
    Omaha Cardinals 62 78 .443 14.0 147,130 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 Lincoln Hits 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

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Lincoln Athletics 74 64 .536 - 149,159 Jimmie DeShong
    Denver Bears 71 68 .511 3.5 463,039 Mike Gazella /
    Bill DeCarlo / Earle Browne
    Pueblo Dodgers 71 68 .511 3.5 138,726 Ray Hathaway
    Des Moines Bruins 70 70 .500 5.5 210,204 Stan Hack
    Omaha Cardinals 68 71 .489 6.5 277,370 Cedric Durst
    Sioux City Soos 63 76 .453 11.5 125,356 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
    Jim Williams Pueblo Runs 126 Lynn Lovenguth Des Moines W 17
    Fred Richards Des Moines Hits 178 Walter Cox Sioux City W 17
    Lou Limmer Lincoln HR 29 George Uhle Denver ERA 2.25

    1950 Western League

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Omaha Cardinals 96 58 .623 - 218,393 Al Hollingsworth
    Sioux City Soos 89 65 .578 3.5 463,039 Hugh Poland
    Des Moines Bruins 84 70 .545 12.0 147,549 Charlie Root
    Wichita Indians 77 77 .500 19.0 126,729 Joe Schultz
    Denver Bears 75 79 .487 21.0 379,180 Earl Browne
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 72 82 .468 24.0 107,264 Buddy Hassett
    Lincoln Athletics 69 85 .448 27.0 68,884 Jimmie DeShong
    Pueblo Dodgers 54 100 .351 42.0 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'

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Omaha Cardinals 90 64 .584 - 162,247 George Kissell
    Denver Bears 88 66 .571 2.0 424,065 Andy Cohen
    Wichita Indians 84 68 .553 5.0 122,060 [[Joe Schultz Jr. Joe Schultz]]
    Sioux City Soos 77 71 .520 10.0 104,247 Frank Genovese
    Des Moines Bruins 73 78 .483 15.5 94,137 Al Todd
    Pueblo Dodgers 74 80 .481 16.5 104,254 Jim Biven
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 64 87 .424 24.5 107,320 Skeeter Webb / Otto Denning
    Lincoln Athletics 57 93 .380 31.5 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'

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Denver Bears 88 66 .571 - 461,419 Andy Cohen
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 87 67 .565 1.0 170,041 Don Gutteridge
    Omaha Cardinals 86 68 .558 2.0 137,378 George Kissell
    Sioux City Soos 83 71 .539 5.0 103,004 Ray Mueller
    Pueblo Dodgers 81 73 .526 7.0 122,746 Bill McCahan
    Wichita Indians 67 87 .435 21.0 116,703 Ralph Winegarner
    Lincoln Athletics 67 87 .435 21.0 61,483 Les Bell
    Des Moines Bruins 57 97 .370 31.0 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'

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 95 69 .617 - 141,117 Don Gutteridge
    Denver Bears 94 60 .610 1.0 322,128 Andy Cohen
    Pueblo Dodgers 78 77 .503 17.5 103,878 George Pfister
    Des Moines Bruins 77 78 497 18.5 98,972 Kemp Wicker /Bruce Edwards
    Omaha Cardinals 74 80 .481 21.0 115,512 George Kissell
    Lincoln Chiefs 71 83 .461 24.0 87,615 Lou Finney /Walt Linden
    Sioux City Soos 70 84 .455 25.0 45,412 Ray Mueller
    Wichita Indians 58 96 .377 37.0 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'

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Denver Bears 94 56 .627 - 232,686 Andy Cohen
    Des Moines Bruins 88 66 .571 8.0 113,691 Les Peden
    Omaha Cardinals 83 68 .550 11.5 150,131 Ferrell Anderson
    Pueblo Dodgers 79 74 .516 16.5 80,768 Goldie Holt
    Sioux City Soos 78 75 .510 17.5 69,333 Dave Garcia
    Wichita Indians 76 77 .497 19.5 87,854 Herb Brett /Les Layton
    Lincoln Chiefs 62 88 .413 32.0 80,660 Whitey Wietelmann / Glenn McQuillen
    Colorado Springs 48 104 .316 47.0 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'

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 81 69 .540 - 87,527 Jack Conway
    Pueblo Dodgers 79 71 .527 2.0 73,941 Goldie Holt
    Wichita Indians 78 73 .517 3.5 94,862 Bud Bates
    Des Moines Bruins 77 74 .510 4.5 88,181 Les Peden /Pepper Martin
    Sioux City Soos 69 81 .460 12.0 62,902 John Davenport
    Lincoln Chiefs 67 83 .447 14.0 90,024 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
    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

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Amarillo Gold Sox 87 52 .626 - 77,628 Chuck Stevens
    Lincoln Chiefs 84 54 .609 2.5 92,554 Larry Shepard
    Des Moines Bruins 72 67 .518 15.0 67,973 Lou Klein
    Topeka Hawks 70 68 .507 16.5 103,938 Bud Bates
    Pueblo Dodgers 68 70 .493 18.5 51,496 Ray Hathaway
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 66 72 .478 20.5 59,282 Jack Conway
    Albuquerque Dukes 59 81 .421 28.5 94,176 Bob Swift
    Sioux City Soos 49 91 .350 38.5 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

    Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Lincoln Chiefs 98 56 .636 - 100,190 Larry Shepard
    Amarillo Gold Sox 97 57 .630 1.0 102,210 Eddie Bockman
    Topeka Hawks 87 64 .576 9.5 88, 014 Red Smith / Bill Dossey
    Sioux City Soos 71 82 .464 26.5 46,851 Ken Landenberger
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 68 86 .442 30.5 45,184 Ira Hutchinson
    Albuquerque Dukes 66 88 .429 32.0 92,236 Nick Cullop / Hal Toso
    Pueblo Dodgers 66 88 .429 32.0 40,887 Ray Hathaway
    Des Moines Demons 60 92 .395 37.0 79,965 Lou Stringer / Hersh Martin

    No Playoffs held.

    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

    Teamstandings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox 87 60 .592 - 61,091 Skeeter Scalzi
    Amarillo Gold Sox 84 63 .571 3.0 85,931 Eddie Bockman / Gale Pringle
    Lincoln Chiefs 75 71 .514 11.5 67,604 Monty Basgall
    Pueblo Dodgers 73 74 .497 14.0 39,179 Ray Mueller
    Albuquerque Dukes 71 75 .486 15.5 81,702 Jimmy Brown
    Sioux City Soos 69 77 .473 17.5 55,921 Rocky Tedesco / Ted Shandor
    Topeka Hawks 65 82 .442 22.0 43,686 George McQuinn
    Des Moines Bruins 61 83 .424 24.5 35,039 Roy Hartsfield 
    No Playoffs held.
    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

    [4]

    Media

    edit

    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]

    References

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

    • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Western_League_(1900–1958)&oldid=1223883917"
      



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