The Aberdeen Pippins were a minor league baseball team based in

Aberdeen, Washington Aberdeen () is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 17,013 at the 2020 census. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis. Aberdeen is occasi ...

. From 1903 to 1906, the Pippins played exclusively as members of the Class D level

Southwest Washington League The Southwest Washington League was a Class-D level Minor League Baseball circuit based in the southwest region of Washington state that played three seasons from 1903 to 1906. The league teams played six times a week, but only the weekend games ...

for the duration or the league, winning the 1903 championship. The Pippins hosted home minor league games at Electric Park.

History

Minor league baseball began in Aberdeen, Washington in 1903. The Aberdeen "Pippins" became charter members of the four–team Class D level

. The Centralia Midgets,

Hoquiam Perfect Gentlemen Hoquiam ( ) is a city in Grays Harbor County Grays Harbor County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,636. Its county seat is Montesano, and its largest city is Aberdeen. Grays Harbor Co ...

and

Olympia Senators The Olympia Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Olympia, Washington. From 1903 to 1906, the Senators teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Southwest Washington League for the duration or the league. The Senator ...

joined Aberdeen as charter members in beginning league play on May 10, 1903. 1903 was the first season of the National Association governing body of minor league baseball. The Southwest Washington League was designated as a Class D league by the National Association. There was a $250 league entry fee for Aberdeen and the other league teams to begin play. The Aberdeen "Pippins" nickname corresponds with local agriculture in the region in the era. By definition, a " pippin" refers to varieties of

apples An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, ' ...

. On May 22, 1903, President

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

was present for an Aberdeen home game against Olympia for a "President Day" afternoon game. The Pippins lost to Olympia in the contest. In their first season of play, the Aberdeen Pippins won a Southwest Washington League championship amidst controversy. In the league structure, Southwest Washington League teams played games six times per week, but only weekend games were counted for the league standings. At season's end, both Aberdeen and Hoquiam tied for 1st place with identical 11–7 records. Aberdeen was then awarded the championship when Hoquiam refused to participate in a playoff game. Billy Campbell managed Aberdeen. In 1904, the Pippins played a series against the Hoquiam Perfect Gentlemen for a $50 purse. Continuing Southwest Washington League play in 1904, the Aberdeen Pippins finished in second place in the four–team league. The league continued the practice of only counting weekend games in the standings, while playing six times per week overall. Ending the season with a record of 10–8, Aberdeen played under managers Bill Campbell and Bob Brown. The Pippins finished 4.0 games behind the 1st place Hoquiam Perfect Gentlemen (14–4) in the final standings. The 1905 Olympia Senators placed third in the Southwest Washington League standings. The Southwest Washington League continued as a four–team league, as the Centralia Midgets were replaced by the

Montesano Farmers The Montesano Farmers were a minor league baseball team based in Montesano, Washington. In 1905 and 1910, the Montesano Farmers played as members of the 1905 Class D level Southwest Washington League and 1910 Washington State League, winning the ...

in 1905 league play. The Southwest Washington League continued with counting only weekend games for the league standings. Aberdeen had a final record of 17–17, playing under manager Bob Brown. Montesano won the league championship, with Olympia 5.0 games behind, followed by Aberdeen 7.0 games behind. The Southwest Washington League played a 1906 season as a Class D level league with Olympia and the Aberdeen Pippins and

Hoquiam Loggers The Hoquiam Loggers was the name of at least three different baseball teams based in Hoquiam, Washington. The first incarnation of the team was formed in as the Hoquiam Perfect Gentlemen and played in the Southwest Washington League until (the t ...

as the three league members referenced. Team and individual records, statistics and rosters for the 1906 season are unknown. Aberdeen next hosted a minor league team when the 1906 Grays Harbor Lumberman became members of the Class B level

Northwestern League The Northwestern League was a sports league that operated in the Central United States during the early years of professional baseball for five seasons: 1879, 1883–1884, and 1886–1887. After the 1887 season, the league was replaced by the ...

The ballpark

The Aberdeen Pippins hosted home minor league home games at Electric Park. The ballpark was located at Myrtle Street & Oak Street in Aberdeen. On May 22, 1903, the ballpark hosted President

, who was in attendance for the Aberdeen home game against Olympia. The ballpark visit was termed as "President Day" for the afternoon game. The host Pippins lost to Olympia in the contest.

Timeline

Year-by-year records

Notable alumni

Ed Bruyette Edward T. Bruyette (August 31, 1874 – August 5, 1940) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901.

(1903)

References

{{reflist

External links

Aberdeen - Baseball Reference
Defunct baseball teams in Washington (state) Baseball teams established in 1903 Baseball teams disestablished in 1906 Aberdeen, Washington Southwest Washington League teams