Western Association
Most recent season or competition:
1954
SportMinor league baseball
Founded1888
Inaugural season1888
Ceased1954
PresidentSamuel Morton (1888)
J.S. McCormick (1889-1890)
L.C. Krauthoff (1890, 1893)
Robert Scott (1893)
Dave Rowe (1894)
W.W. Kent (1894-1895)
Thomas Hickey (1896-1899)
William Myer (1901)
No. of teams75
CountryUnited States
ContinentNorth America
Most titlesSpringfield / Fort Smith (6)

The Western Association was the name of five different leagues formed in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887.[1] It began operations in the 1888 season and lasted through the 1891 season.[1]

A separate Western Association was formed in January 1894 with clubs in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri – with a team in faraway Denver, Colorado, added in 1895. This league ceased operations in 1898, but was revived again for the following season.[1] It was renamed the Central League in 1900. In 1901, two leagues were called the Western Association. One had eight teams in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Indiana; it folded after only one year. The other loop, confusingly located in the same geographic area, was the former Interstate League; it reverted to its original identity in 1902.[1]

The most long-lived Western Association played between 1905 and 1954.[1] Originally the Missouri Valley League, it existed for 42 years during that half century, suspending operations during both world wars and for one season (1933) during the Great Depression. It was largely a Class C circuit, meaning it was a lower minor league, above only the Class D level.

Cities represented

Year–by–year 1888 to 1891

1888 Western Association - schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Kansas City Blues7642.644-Jim Manning
Des Moines Prohibitionists7340.6460.5Charlie Morton
St. Paul Apostles6138.6165.5Andrew Thompson
Omaha Omahogs5548.53413.5Frank Selee
Milwaukee Brewers5354.49517.5Jim Hart
Chicago Maroons4171.36632.0Moxie Hengle
St. Louis Whites1018.357NATom Loftus
Sioux City Cornhuskers2138.356NAWilliam Bryan / Jim Powell
Minneapolis Millers2852.350NAAl Gooding / Dave Rowe
Davenport Onion Weeders421.160NAWilliam Lucas

St. Louis disbanded June 20; Sioux City began play July 4 and later disbanded; Minneapolis moved to Davenport August 25

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Spud JohnsonKansas CityBA.342Tom LovettOmahaW30
Jim ManningKansas CityRuns123Tom LovettOmahaSO273
Bug HollidayDes MoinesHits147Kid NicholsKansas CityERA1.14
Orator ShafferDes MoinesHits147Kid NicholsKansas CityPCT.889 16-2
Scrappy CarrollSt. PaulHR16
Jim ManningKansas CitySB101

1889 Western Association - schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Omaha Omahogs8338.686-Frank Selee
St. Paul Apostles7546.6208.0Andrew Thompson / John Barnes
Minneapolis Millers6655.54517.0Samuel Morton / Moxie Hengle
Sioux City Cornhuskers6460.51620.5Jim Powell
Milwaukee Creams5863.47925/0Ezra Sutton
Denver Grizzlies5170.42132.0Dave Rowe
St. Joseph Clay Eaters4170.36937.0Charles Lord / A.H. Truckenmiller
Chippy McGarr
Des Moines Prohibitionists4177.34740.5Jimmy Macullar
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Monk ClineSioux CityBA.364Kid NicholsOmahaW39
Monk ClineSioux CityRuns172Kid NicholsOmahaSO368
Abner DalrympleDenverHits173Martin DukeMinneapolisERA1.66
Charlie ReillySt. PaulHR27Kid NicholsOmahaPCT.830 39-8

1890 Western Association - schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Kansas City Blues7839.667-Charles Hackett / Jim Manning
Milwaukee Brewers7647.6550.5Charlie Cushman
Minneapolis Millers8043.6501.0Samuel Morton / Tim Hurst
Denver Grizzlies5764.47123.0Dave Rowe
Sioux City Cornhuskers5564.46224.0Jim Powell
Omaha Omahogs5169.42528.5Frank Selee
Des Moines / Lincoln4873.39732Jimmy Macullar
St. Paul Apostles3784.30643.0Andrew Thompson / Bill Watkins

Des Moines (31-52) moved to Lincoln August 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Buster HooverKansas CityBA.336John ThorntonMilwaukeeW29
Elmer SmithDenverRuns128Martin DukeMinneapolisSO308
Dan MinnehanMinneapolisHits178Martin DukeMinneapolisERA0.81
Scrappy CarrollSt. PaulHR21Nat HudsonMinneapolisPCT765 13-4
Jim ManningKansas CitySB96Willard MainsSt. PaulHB40

Year–by–year 1893 to 1899

1893 Western Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Kansas City Cowboys128.600-William Lucas
St. Joseph Saints118.5790.5Harry Gatewood
Topeka Populists812.4004.0Duff Cooley
Lawrence Farmers712.3684.5John Rodemaker / John Hayden

The League disbanded June 20.
Playoff: Kansas City 4 games, St. Joseph 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ducky HolmesSt. JosephBA.481Bert CunninghamKansas CityW7
Cornelius HolohanSt. JosephRuns28Bert CunninghamKansas CitySO35
Harry HoweSt. JosephHits37Gus MackeyLawrenceSO35
Andy CostelloLawrenceHR4Harry HoweSt. JosephPCT1.000 3-0
Cornelius HolohanSt. JosephSB18

1894 Western Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Rock Island-Moline Islanders7250.590-Harry Sage
Peoria Distillers6855.5534.5George Brackett
Lincoln Treeplanters6756.5455.5Hi Ebright
Jacksonville Jacks6757.5406.0Con Strothers
Omaha Omahogs6659.5287.5Pa Rourke
St. Joseph Saints5766.46315.5Bill Kneisley / Hugh Nicol
Des Moines Prohibitionists5573.43020.0Hugh Nicol / Bill Traffley
Quincy Ravens4278.35029.0Burt Merrifield
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTot
Joe KatzRock Island/MolineBA.404
George McVeyOmahaHits215
Emmett SeeryOmahaRuns196
Joe StraussJacksonvilleHR33
Walt PrestonSt. JosephSB55

1895 Western Association - schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lincoln Treeplanters8048.624-Hi Ebright
Peoria Distillers7455.5746.5Dan Dugdale
Des Moines Prohibitionists7155.5638.0Bill Traffley
Rockford Forest City6660.52413.0Hugh Nicol
Quincy Ravens6363.50016.0George Brackett
St. Joseph Saints4579.36333.0Harry Gatewood / Gus Alberts
Omaha Omahogs /
Denver
5247.525NADave Rowe / Tom Morrissey
Burlington Spiders1313.500NAPaul Hines
Jacksonville Jacks / Springfield3459.366NAWilliam Punch / Deveney
Jacob Aydelotte / Bob Caruthers
Dubuque321.125NATom Morrissey

Jacksonville moved to Springfield; Omaha moved to Denver July 22; Burlington and Dubuque entered August 30

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bill KriegRockfordBA.452Fred BarnesLincolnW34
George FlynnPeoriaRuns145Fred BarnesLincolnPCT.810 34-8
Bill KriegRockfordHits237
Sam MertesQuincyHR13

1896 Western Association - schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Des Moines Prohibitionists5622.718-Bill Traffley
Dubuque4734.58010.5Sam LaRoque
Peoria Distillers4335.55113.0Dan Dugdale
Rockford Forest City4437.54313.5Hugh Nicol
Cedar Rapids Bunnies2949.37227.0Hi Ebright / Belden Hill
Burlington Hawkeyes2851.35428.5Paul Hines / Bob Caruthers
Quincy Bluebirds3137.456NAGeorge Brackett / Andy Sommers
St. Joseph Saints3144.413NAFrank Haller / Henry Dye

Quincy disbanded July 16; St. Joseph disbanded July 18; Dubuque, Peoria and Rockford disbanded July 25.
League disbanded August 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bill KriegRockfordBA.350Frank FiggenmeierDes MoinesW17
Tom LetcherDes MoinesRuns88John DolanDubuqueERA1.31
Bill KriegRockfordHits123Frank FiggenmeierDes MoinesPCT.850 17-3
Bill KriegRockfordHR15
Bill BaerDubuqueSB48

1897 Western Association - schedule
President: Thomas Hickey

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Cedar Rapids Bunnies8441.672-Belden Hill
St. Joseph Saints8045.6404.0Palmer
Rockford Forest City7055.56014.0Varney Anderson
Des Moines Prohibitionists6757.54016.5Pete Lohman
Peoria Blackbirds5668.45227.5Dan Dugdale / Hi Ebright
Pat Wright
Quincy Little Giants5669.44828.0Bill Traffley / Eugene McGreevy
Dubuque4779.37337.5Joe Cantillon / Martin McQuaid
Burlington Colts3985.31544.5Dal Williams / Bob Berryhill
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Irv WaldronSt. JosephBA.353Lou MahaffeyCedar RapidsW30
Ron VioxSt. JosephRuns130George CarishSt. JosephERA1.19
Billy KlusmanSt. JosephHits175Lou MahaffeyCedar RapidsPCT.750 30-10
Jimmy WilliamsSt. JosephHR31George CooperDes MoinesHB42
Louis LippertBurlingtonSB76

1898 Western Association
President: Thomas Hickey

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Peoria Blackbirds2814.667-Pat Wright
Quincy2316.5903.5Pete Lohman
Dubuque2622.5424.0Ted Sullivan / George Brown
Rock Island-Moline Islanders1923.4528.0Varney Anderson / Henry Sage
Ottumwa Giants1825.4199.5William A. Smith
St. Joseph Saints1228.30014.0Hi Ebright
Cedar Rapids Bunnies219.700NABelden Hill
Burlington Hawkeyes717.292NABill Krieg

Burlington disbanded June 5; Cedar Rapids disbanded June 9; Rock Island-Moline disbanded June 26, causing the league to disband.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Jay AndrewsCedar Rapids /
Rock Island-Moline
/St. Joseph
BA.345Dick SmithCedar Rapids /
Rock Island-Moline
W12
Bill ConnorsPeoriaRuns38Joe McGinnityPeoriaSO74
Jack ThorntonDubuqueHits59Dick SmithCedar Rapids /
Rock Island-Moline
PCT.857 12-2
Jay AndrewsCedar Rapids /
Rock Island-Moline
/St. Joseph
HR3
Louis LippertBurlingtonSB26

1899 Western Association - schedule
President: Thomas Hickey

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Rock Island-Moline Islanders288.778-Harry Sage
Rockford Roughriders2016.5568.0Hunkey Hines
Cedar Rapids Bunnies2214.6116.0Belden Hill
Bloomington Blues1423.37814.5Bill Krieg / Fred Blanford
Ottumwa Giants1324.35115.5Pat Flaherty
Quincy / Dubuque1123.32416.0Ed Deady

Quincy (3-10) moved to Dubuque May 19. Dubuque disbanded June 13.
The league disbanded June 16.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Charlie BuelowRockfordBA.331Elmer StricklettRock Island-MolineW14
Byron McKibbenCedar RapidsRuns47Elmer StricklettRock Island-MolinePCT.933 14-1
Charlie BuelowRockfordHits48
Harry BayRock Island-MolineHits48
Luke LutenbergRockfordHR2
Elmer StricklettRock Island-MolineHR2
Harry BayRock Island-MolineHR2
Franklin DonnellyCedar RapidsSB19
Ollie ThielBloomingtonSB19

Year–by–year 1901

1901 Western Association - schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Dayton Veterans8555.607-Bill Armour
Louisville Colonels /
Grand Rapids Woodworkers
8355.6011.0Walt Wilmot
Toledo Mud Hens7860.5656.0Charlie Stroebel
Fort Wayne Railroaders7367.52112.0Doggie Miller
Grand Rapids Woodworkers /
Wheeling Stogies
6964.51912.5George Ellis / Bill White
Indianapolis Hoosiers6078.43524.0Bill Watkins
Columbus Senators5486.38631.0Frank Metz / Jim Gardner
Ed Zinram
Marion5188.36733.5Pat Wright

Grand Rapids (22-13) moved to Wheeling June 3; Louisville (38-23) moved to Grand Rapids July 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Tuck TurnerToledoBA.348Harvey BaileyLouisviile/Grand RapidsW35
Pat MeaneyMansfieldHits181Alfred PardeeToledoSO237
Natty NattressFort WayneRuns124Archie StimmellIndianapolisPCT.778 14-4
Tuck TurnerToledoHR14
Dusty MillerToledoSB52
George SmithDaytonSB52

Year–by–year 1905 to 1911

1905 Western Association
Teams in Joplin, Missouri, Leavenworth, Kansas, Sedalia, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri, and Topeka, Kansas joined from the Missouri Valley League. Teams from Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma joined from the Southwestern League. A new team in Wichita, Kansas formed and joined the league.

Team nameRecord
Wichita Jobbers79–56
Oklahoma City Mets77–58
Leavenworth Orioles75–59
Sedalia Goldbugs70–64
Guthrie Senators66–70
Joplin Miners65–73
Topeka White Sox54–80
Springfield Highlanders54–80

1906 Western Association
The teams in Guthrie and Sedalia folded. The St. Joseph, Missouri team moved from the Western League. A new team in Webb City, Missouri formed and joined the league. The St. Joseph team, with a record of 16–24, moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, on July 12, where their record was 39–60.

Team nameRecord
Topeka White Sox82–56
Joplin Miners75–62
Wichita Jobbers75–65
Springfield Midgets72–67
Oklahoma City Mets70–69
Leavenworth Old Soldiers68–72
Webb City Gold Bugs57–79
St. Joseph Packers/Hutchinson Salt Packers55–84

1907 Western Association

Team nameRecord
Wichita Jobbers98–35
Oklahoma City Mets86–54
Hutchinson Salt Packers77–59
Topeka White Sox75–65
Joplin Miners71–64
Webb City Goldbugs65–70
Springfield Midgets46–92
Leavenworth Convicts29–108

1908 Western Association
The Leavenworth team folded, and a new team in Enid, Oklahoma, formed and joined the league.

Team nameRecord
Topeka Jayhawkers89–50
Wichita Jobbers87–53
Oklahoma City Mets81–58
Joplin Miners71–65
Hutchinson Salt Packers69–70
Webb City Webfeet66–69
Springfield Midgets48–85
Enid Railroaders38–99

1909 Western Association
Topeka and Wichita moved to the Western League. Oklahoma City moved to the Texas League. Hutchinson moved to the Kansas State League. Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Muskogee, Oklahoma, joined from the Oklahoma–Kansas League. New teams in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Pittsburg, Kansas formed and joined the league. The Joplin team, with a record of 20–43, moved to El Reno, Oklahoma on July 4, where their record was 16–46. The Webb City team, with a record of 35–39, moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma on July 18, where their record was 29–20.

Team nameRecord
Enid Railroaders82–44
Muskogee Navigators74–51
Guthrie Senators70–55
Bartlesville Boosters66–59
Webb City Webfeet/Sapulpa Oilers64–59
Springfield Midgets56–70
Pittsburg Pirates52–73
Joplin Miners / El Reno Packers36–89

1910 Western Association
The Pittsburg and Springfield teams folded. New teams in Joplin, Missouri, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed and joined the league. The Muskogee and Tulsa teams both folded on July 22, and the Bartlesville and El Reno teams both folded on July 31.

Team nameRecord
Joplin Miners90–34
Enid Railroaders64–53
Sapulpa Oilers65–61
Guthrie Senators47–73
El Reno Packers65–43
Bartlesville Boosters51–51
Muskogee Navigators36–63
Tulsa Oilers28–68

1911 Western Association
The teams in Enid and Guthrie folded. New teams in Coffeyville, Kansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Independence, Kansas, Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Tulsa, Oklahoma formed and joined the league. The Joplin and Springfield teams folded May 10, the Coffeyville and Independence teams June 14, and all other teams and the league itself on June 19.

Team nameRecord
Fort Smith Scouts29–14 (1st half winner)
Muskogee Redskins23–21 (2nd half winner)
Sapulpa Oilers23–21
Tulsa Railroaders20–25
Independence Packers15–22
Coffeyville White Sox15–24
Joplin Miners3–2
Springfield Jobbers2–3

Year–by–year 1914 to 1917

1914 Western Association
New teams in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Joplin, Missouri/Webb City, Missouri, McAlester, Oklahoma, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Tulsa, Oklahoma formed and created the new league.

1914
Joplin-Webb City, with a record of 22–46, moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma on July 10, where they had a record of 2–10, and then to Henryetta, Oklahoma on July 22, where they had a record of 11–36.

Team nameRecord
Tulsa Oilers74–49
Oklahoma City Boosters75–52 (1st half winner)
Fort Smith Twins73–52
Muskogee Mets74–54 (2nd half winner)
McAlester Miners47–79
Joplin-Webb City Miners/Guthrie Senators/Henryetta Boosters35–92

Oklahoma City beat Muskogee 4 games to 2 for the championship.

1915 Western Association
Henryetta folded. Teams from Denison, Texas, and Paris, Texas, joined from the Texas–Oklahoma League. A new team formed in Sherman, Texas, and joined the league.

Team nameRecord
Denison Railroaders76–53
Oklahoma City Senators76–62
Sherman Hitters70–65
Muskogee Mets68–66
Paris Red Snappers66–66
Tulsa Producers63–71
Fort Smith Twins61–75
McAlester Miners57–79

Oklahoma City beat Muskogee 4 games to 3 for the championship.

1916 Western Association

Team nameRecord
Denison Railroaders86–49 (1st half winner)
Tulsa Producers80–58 (2nd half winner)
McAlester Miners79–58
Oklahoma City Senators64–73
Muskogee Mets63–77
Fort Smith Twins61–76
Sherman Lions61–76
Paris Survivors56–83

Denison beat Tulsa 4 games to 2 for the championship.

1917 Western Association
Paris, with a record of 16–12, moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma, on May 10, where they had a record of 41–86.

Team nameRecord
McAlester Miners95–57
Muskogee Reds89–69
Sherman Browns80–72
Denison Railroaders79–75
Fort Smith Twins77–82
Oklahoma City Boosters72–80
Tulsa Producers68–84
Paris Athletics/Ardmore Foundlings57–98

All teams, and the league itself, folded.

Year–by–year 1920 to 1932

1920 Western Association
New teams in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Drumright, Oklahoma, Enid, Oklahoma, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Henryetta, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and Springfield, Missouri were formed. The new American Association was formed. The team with the best record in the first half of the season played against the team with the best record in the second half of the season for the championship.

1920

Team nameRecord
Okmulgree Drillers83–46 (1st half winner)
Fort Smith Twins80–58
Enid Harvesters71–53 (2nd half winner)
Henryetta Hens75–56
Drumright Drummers66–62
Springfield Merchants58–76
Chickasha Chicks52–72
Pawhuska Huskers33–95

Enid and Okmulgee tied 3 games to 3 in the championship round.

1921 Western Association

Team nameRecord
Springfield Midgets85–60
Fort Smith Twins83–61 (2nd half winner)
Henryetta Hens77–66
Pawhuska Huskers76–71
Enid Harvesters77–74
Chickasha Chicks74–74 (1st half winner)
Okmulgee Drillers71–76
Drumright Oilers44–105

Chickasha beat Fort Smith 4 games to 3 for the championship. Springifled beat Independence (of the Southwestern League) 2 games to 1 Ardmore (of the Texas–Oklahoma League) beat Chickasha 2 games to none

1922 Western Association
Chickasha moved to the Oklahoma State League. Drumright folded. The team from Joplin, Missouri joined from the Western League, and a new team in McAlester, Oklahoma formed and joined. The Pawhuska team folded on August 16, forfeiting the remainder of their games.

Team nameRecord
Enid Harvesters104–27 (2nd half winner)
Joplin Miners93–42 (1st half winner)
Henryetta Hens74–56
Springfield Midgets68–69
Okmulgee Drillers56–79
Fort Smith Twins54–79
McAlester Miners49–82
Pawhuska Osages29–93

1923 Western Association
The team from Ardmore, Oklahoma joined from the Texas–Oklahoma League. The team in McAlester folded July 19, and the Henryetta team folded July 21.

Team nameRecord
Joplin Miners83–60
Ardmore Snappers82–60 (2nd half winner)
Okmulgee Drillers81–63 (1st half winner)
Enid Harvesters80–65
Springfield Midgets70–74
Fort Smith Twins53–92
Henryetta Hens43–38
McAlester Diggers27–57

Ardmore beat Okmulgee 4 games to 2 for the championship.

1924 Western Association
Ardmore moved to the Oklahoma State League, and Enid moved to the Southwestern League. Teams from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Hutchinson, Kansas, Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Topeka, Kansas, joined from the Southwestern League. The Bartlesville team, with a record of 19–23, moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma on June 8, where their record was 56–59. The Joplin team, with a record of 25–24, moved to Bartlesville on June 16, where their record was 44–63.

Team nameRecord
Okmulgee Drillers110–48 (1st half & 2nd half winner)
Fort Smith Twins97–63
Muskogee Athletics97–65
Hutchinson Wheat Shockers81–80
Bartlesville Bearcats/Ardmore Bearcats75–82
Joplin Boosters/Bartlesville Boosters69–87
Topeka Senators59–98
Springfield Midgets47–112

1925 Western Association
The teams in Bartlesville and Hutchinson folded. Topeka moved to the Southwestern League. A new team in Independence, Kansas, formed and joined the league.

Team nameRecord
Fort Smith Twins94–56
Ardmore Boomers86–64 (1st half winner)
Okmulgee Drillers80–71
Muskogee Athletics79–72 (2nd half winner)
Springfield Midgets67–82
Independence Producers44–105

Ardmore beat Muskogee 4 games to 1 for the title.

1926 Western Association
The team in Independence folded. A new team in McAlester, Oklahoma, formed and joined the league. Ardmore moved to Joplin, Missouri on July 14. The teams in McAlester and Muskogee folded on July 20.

Team nameRecord
Springfield Midgets92–66 (1st half winner)
Fort Smith Twins92–68
Ardmore Boomers/Joplin Ozarks77–81
Okmulgee Drillers73–85
Muskogee Athletics51–45
McAlester Miners28–68

1927 Western Association
The team in Joplin folded. A team from St. Joseph, Missouri, joined from the Western League, and one from Topeka, Kansas joined from the Southwestern League. A new team in Muskogee, Oklahoma, formed and joined the league. The team in St. Joseph, with a record of 38–32, moved to Joplin on July 7, where their record was 35–28.

Team nameRecord
Fort Smith Twins81–51
Topeka Jayhawks74–58
St. Joseph Saints/Joplin Miners73–60
Springfield Midgets63–69
Okmulgee Drillers57–75
Muskogee Chiefs48–83

1928 Western Association
The team in Okmulgee folded, and a new team in Independence, Kansas, formed and joined the league.

Team nameRecord
Fort Smith Twins74–63
Topeka Jayhawks70–61
Joplin Miners70–65 (1st half winner)
Independence Producers66–67 (2nd half winner)
Springfield Midgets61–66
Muskogee Chiefs58–77

Joplin beat Independence 4 games to 2 for the title.

1929 Western Association
Topeka moved to the Western League. A new team in Shawnee, Oklahoma, formed and joined the league. The Muskogee team moved to Maud, Oklahoma, on August 22.

Team nameRecord
Fort Smith Twins88–59 (2nd half winner)
Shawnee Robins87–61 (1st half winner)
Springfield Midgets71–77
Independence Producers71–78
Joplin Miners60–82
Muskogee Chiefs/Maud Chiefs61–89

1930 Western Association
The Maud team moved back to Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The Independence Producers played the first Night game in the history of Organized Baseball.

Team nameRecord
Independence Producers76–56 (2nd half winner)
Joplin Miners76–59 (1st half winner)
Shawnee Robins65–71
Fort Smith Twins64–72
Springfield Midgets64–73
Muskogee Chiefs60–74

Independence beat Joplin 5 games to 4 for the title.

1931 Western Association
The Shawnee team folded. A new team in Bartlesville, Oklahoma formed.

Team nameRecord
Springfield Red Wings87–57 (1st & 2nd half winner)
Joplin Miners80–62
Independence Producers77–69
Fort Smith Twins74–76
Muskogee Chiefs64–86
Bartlesville Broncos59–91

1932 Western Association
The Joplin team, with a record of 2–1, moved to Topeka, Kansas, on May 6, where their record was 36–37. The Independence team, with a record of 12–10, moved to Joplin, Missouri, on May 23, where their record was 7–10, to Independence, Kansas, again on June 10, where their record was 4–12, and finally to Hutchinson, Kansas, on July 20, where their record was 35–36. The Muskogee team, with a record of 18–16, moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, where their record was 19–32, on June 8, and folded on July 18. The Fort Smith team, with a record of 23–29, moved to Muskogee on July 1, where their record was 25–51. The Topeka team folded July 18.

Team nameAffiliationRecord
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals79–51 (1st half winner)
Bartlesville Broncos77–52 (2nd half winner)
Independence Producers/Joplin Miners/Independence/Hutchinson58–68
Fort Smith Twins/Muskogee ChiefsSt. Louis Browns48–80
Joplin Miners/Topeka Jayhawks38–38
Muskogee Chiefs/Hutchinson Wheat Shockers37–48

Springfield beat Bartlesville 5 games to 4 for the title. The Atchinson and Springfield teams moved to the Western League. The Belleville and Muskogee teams, and the Western Association itself, folded.

Year–by–year 1934 to 1954 (with World War II break)

1934 Western Association
The new League and all six member teams were created. The season was broken into halves, with the first half and second–half winners competing in the championship. The founding teams were in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Hutchinson, Kansas; Joplin, Missouri; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Ponca City, Oklahoma; Springfield, Missouri.[2]

Team nameAffiliation (if any)Final record
Springfield Red WingsSt. Louis Cardinals76–58 (1st half tie) (2nd half winner)
Ponca City AngelsChicago Cubs73–61 (1st half tie)
Joplin MinersBoston Red Sox66–68
Hutchinson Larks66–68
Bartlesville RedsCincinnati Reds63–69
Muskogee Tigers56–76

Ponca City defeated Springfield in a one-game playoff for the first-half title. Springfield defeated Ponca City 4 games to 3 for the league title.

1935 Western Association
Springfield changed their name to the "Cardinals".

Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals87–48 (1st half title)
Ponca City AngelsChicago Cubs76–55 (2nd half title)
Hutchinson LarksSt. Louis Cardinals68–61
Muskogee Tigers60–71
Bartlesville RedsCincinnati Reds56–79
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees48–81

Ponca City beat Springfield 5 games to 4 for the championship.

1936 Western Association

Ponca City AngelsChicago Cubs87–57 (2nd half title)
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees83–58 (1st half title)
Hutchinson LarksPittsburgh Pirates79–65
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals64–78
Muskogee TigersBrooklyn Dodgers61–80
Bartlesville Bucs53–81

Ponca City won the title over Joplin 5 games to 2.

1937 Western Association

Muskogee RedsCincinnati Reds79–61
Hutchinson LarksPittsburgh Pirates78–64
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees76–66
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals76–67
Ponca City AngelsChicago Cubs71–69
Bartlesville BluesNew York Yankees45–98

Joplin beat Muskogee 4 games to 3 and Springfield beat Hutchinson 3 games to 1 in the first round of playoffs. Springfield beat Joplin 4 games to 3 for the title.

1938 Western Association
New teams in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Salina, Kansas were formed.

Ponca City AngelsChicago Cubs84–54
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals79–56
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants74–65
Hutchinson LarksPittsburgh Pirates70–67
Muskogee RedsCincinnati Reds71–68
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees63–74
Bartlesville Chiefs61–78
Salina Millers47–87

Ponca City beat Fort Smith 3 games to 1, and Hutchinson beat Springfield 3 games to 2, in the first round of the playoffs. Ponca City beat Hutchinson 4 games to 1 for the championship.

1939 Western Association
Ponca City moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. Bartlesville folded. A new team formed in Topeka, Kansas.

Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants83–50
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees81–56
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals78–60
Topeka OwlsSt. Louis Browns72–65
St. Joseph AngelsChicago Cubs66–72
Muskogee RedsCincinnati Reds60–76
Salina Millers55–79
Hutchinson PiratesPittsburgh Pirates49–86

1940 Western Association

Muskogee Reds90–49
Topeka OwlsSt. Louis Browns73–60
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants70–63
St. Joseph SaintsChicago Cubs69–63
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees68–64
Salina Millers60–75
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals56–76
Hutchinson PiratesPittsburgh Pirates50–86

Fort Smith beat Muskogee 3 games to none, and St. Joseph beat Topeka 3 games to 1, in the first round of the playoffs. St. Joseph beat Fort Smith 3 games to none for the championship.

1941 Western Association
On June 3, the St. Joseph Ponies (10–22) moved to Carthage, Missouri and became the Carthage Browns and an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns. They had a record of 30–74 in Carthage, and ended in last place.

Joplin MinersNew York Yankees93–41
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals92–43
Topeka Owls75–58
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants73–60
Muskogee RedsCincinnati Reds64–69
Hutchinson PiratesPittsburgh Pirates53–81
Salina MillersCleveland Indians46–88
St. Joseph Pony Express Riders/Carthage BrownsChicago Cubs/St. Louis Browns40–96

1942 Western Association
The two teams with the worst records of the previous year, Carthage and Salina, folded. The league returned to a 1st-half vs. 2nd-half winners championship format.

Topeka Owls80–53 (2nd half winners)
Muskogee Reds76–58
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants68–63 (1st half winners)
Springfield CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals62–70
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees59–75
Hutchinson PiratesPittsburgh Pirates50–76

Fort Smith beat Topeka 4 games to 3 for the title.

1943–1945 The League suspended play because of World War II.

1946 Western Association
Springfield moved to St. Joseph. New teams formed in Leavenworth, Kansas and Salina, Kansas. Because of the playoff format, the team with the best overall record, the newly formed Leavenworth Braves, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Leavenworth BravesBoston Braves76–57
Hutchinson CubsChicago Cubs73–56 (2nd half winner)
St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals75–62
Muskogee RedsDetroit Tigers75–64
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants67–63 (1st half winner)
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees61–73
Topeka Owls53–79
Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies51–77

Hutchinson beat Fort Smith 4 games to 2 for the title.

1947 Western Association
The playoffs format was changed again this year.

Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies85–53
Topeka Owls83–55
Muskogee RedsSt. Louis Browns75–64
St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals72–67
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees67–73
Hutchinson CubsChicago Cubs63–76
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants59–78
Leavenworth BravesBoston Braves50–88

Muskogee beat Salina 3 games to 2, and St. Joseph beat Topeka 3 games to 2, in the first round of the playoffs. St. Joseph beat Muskogee 4 games to 3 for the championship.

1948 Western Association
The Hutchinson Cubs moved to Springfield, Illinois on July 21. Their record after the move, of 18–45, was worse than their record in Hutchinson, 25–42. No playoff system is known of for this year, so presumably the best overall record is the league champion.

St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals90–48
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants82–58
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees75–57
Topeka Owls70–66
Muskogee RedsSt. Louis Browns61–70
Leavenworth BravesBoston Braves62–75
Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies58–80
Hutchinson Cubs/Springfield CubsChicago Cubs43–87

1949 Western Association
Springfield moved back to Hutchinson again, changing their name and losing their affiliation. This season, St. Joseph had the best winning percentage in the history of this incarnation of the league. Perhaps coincidentally, Leavenworth had the worst winning percentage in the history of this version of the league in the same year.

St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals96–42
Fort Smith GiantsNew York Giants86–54
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees86–58
Topeka Owls77–61
Muskogee RedsSt. Louis Browns77–62
Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies69–69
Hutchinson Elks41–93
Leavenworth BravesBoston Braves25–112

1950 Western Association'
Leavenworth, who ended the previous year with the all–time worst winning percentage in this incarnation of the league, folded. Fort Smith moved to Enid, Oklahoma and a new club from Springfield, Missouri joined.

Joplin MinersNew York Yankees90–46
Hutchinson ElksPittsburgh Pirates77–60
Springfield CubsChicago Cubs74–61
Enid GiantsNew York Giants71–63
St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals67–69
Topeka Owls58–81
Muskogee Reds52–79
Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies53–83

1951 Western Association
Springfield folded, and a new team started up in Fort Smith.

Topeka OwlsChicago Cubs74–44
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees77–48
St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals69–51
Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies63–58
Muskogee GiantsNew York Giants61–63
Hutchinson ElksPittsburgh Pirates57–66
Enid BuffalosHouston Buffaloes45–79
Fort Smith IndiansCleveland Indians43–80

1952 Western Association
This year, the league returned to the 1st-half winner vs. 2nd-half winner playoff format.

Joplin MinersNew York Yankees87–52 (2nd half winner)
Muskogee GiantsNew York Giants73–66 (1st half winner)
Hutchinson ElksPittsburgh Pirates70–66
Topeka OwlsChicago Cubs63–76
Salina Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies61–77
Fort Smith IndiansCleveland Indians60–77

1953 Western Association
Salina folded, having made the playoffs only once in its seven years of existence. The Fort Smith Indians changed their name to the Fort Smith–Van Buren Twins, and a new team started in St. Joseph, Missouri with a bang.

St. Joseph CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals83–57
Hutchinson ElksPittsburgh Pirates80–60
Topeka OwlsChicago White Sox78–62
Joplin MinersNew York Yankees71–68
Muskogee GiantsNew York Giants57–81
Fort Smith–Van Buren Twins49–90

St. Joseph beat Joplin and Hutchinson beat Topeka in the first rounds of the playoffs by 3 games to zero each. Hutchinson beat St. Joseph for the championship 4 games to 1.

1954 Western Association
After having changed its name and finishing with the worst record in the league the previous season, Fort Smith folded. New teams started up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, Iola, Kansas, and Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Topeka OwlsChicago White Sox87–51
Muskogee GiantsNew York Giants85–54
St. Joseph SaintsNew York Yankees82–57
Blackwell BroncosChicago Cubs79–61
Hutchinson ElksPittsburgh Pirates72–67
Ponca City Jets62–76
Joplin CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals50–89
Iola Indians39–101

Blackwell beat Topeka 3 games to zero, and St. Joseph beat Muskogee 3 games to 2 in the first round of the playoffs. Blackwell beat St. Joseph 4 games to 1 for the title. After the season, Blackwell joined the Sooner State League, and the other seven teams, and the league itself, folded.

The Western Association prospered during the minor league baseball boom that followed World War II, with its clubs in Topeka, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri, drawing over 100,000 fans and most of its eight clubs tied to major league farm systems. But the bust that followed in the early 1950s, caused by the Korean War, the advent of television, and a retrenchment in MLB farm systems, also buffeted the WA. It finally disbanded after the 1954 season, its champion Topeka club, a Chicago White Sox affiliate, drawing half the number of fans the team had drawn during the late 1940s.[2]

References

  • Johnson, Lloyd and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997.
  • Sumner, Benjamin Barrett. Minor League Baseball Standings:All North American Leagues, Through 1999. Jefferson, N.C.:McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0781-6
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Western League versus Western Association" (PDF), SABR Minor League Newsletter, June 2002, retrieved 2009-10-12
  2. 1 2 Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
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