The Davenport Hawkeyes were a

minor league baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

team based in

Davenport, Iowa Davenport ( ) is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States, and its county seat. It is situated along the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the state. Davenport had a population of 101,724 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 cen ...

. In 1888 and 1889, the Hawkeyes were charter members of the independent level

Central Interstate League The Central Interstate League was an independent minor league baseball league that operated from 1888 to 1890. William H. Allen (1888), Henderson Ridgely (1889), E.T. McNeally (1890) and Fitzpatrick (1890) served as the league presidents. The 1 ...

, winning the league's first championship in 1888. The Hawkeyes were preceded by the first minor league team in Davenport, the 1879 Davenport "Brown Stockings" of the

Northwestern League The Northwestern League was a sports league that operated in the Central United States during the early years of professional baseball for six seasons: 1879, 1883–1884, 1886–1887, and 1891. After the 1887 season, the league was replaced by t ...

. The Hawkeyes were succeeded by the 1891 Davenport "Pilgrims" of the 1891 Illinois-Iowa League. In 1888, Davenport briefly hosted a second team of the season, the Davenport "Onion Weeders" who finished the season as a member of the Class A level

Western Association 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 Wester ...

after the

Minneapolis Millers The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, through 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League. The team played first in ...

team relocated to Davenport. In 1879, at age 19,

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...

member

Bid McPhee John Alexander "Bid" McPhee (November 1, 1859 – January 3, 1943) was an American 19th-century Major League Baseball second baseman. He played 18 seasons in the majors, from until , all for the Cincinnati Reds franchise. He was elected to the B ...

played for the Davenport Brown Stockings.

History

1879 Northwestern League

In 1879, the Davenport "Brown Stockings" became the first

team based in Davenport, Iowa, when the Brown Stockings became charter members of the four-team independent

. The Dubuque Red Stockings,

Omaha Green Stockings Omaha ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 41st-most-populous city, Omaha had a popul ...

and Rockford White Stockings teams joined Davenport in league play. The league is acknowledged to be the first minor league with franchises west of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

. The Brown Stockings ended short the Northwestern League season in fourth place. The league season began on May 1, 1879, and ended on July 7, 1879. Davenport ended the season with a record of 5–15, finishing 12.0 games behind the first place Dubuque Red Stockings, as J. W. Green served as manager. The Northwestern League did not return to play in 1880 and reformed in 1883 without a Davenport based franchise.

member

played for the 1879 Davenport Brown Stockings at age 19, after having played for the semi-professional Davenport team in 1878. McPhee hit .229 in action limited to 20 games in 1879. In 1880, discouraged by his baseball career, the

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

native McPhee remained in the city and secured a job as a bookkeeper in Davenport instead of playing minor league baseball. He then resumed playing baseball in 1881, playing in

Akron, Ohio Akron () is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Ohio, fifth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 190,469 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Akron metr ...

Two leagues 1888 & 1889

Davenport resumed minor league baseball play in 1888, when the city hosted two teams during the season and won a championship. To begin the 1888 season, the Davenport "Hawkeyes" franchise became charter members of the eight-team independent level

. The Bloomington Reds, Crawfordsville Hoosiers, Danville Browns, Decatur,

Dubuque Dubuque (, ) is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and its county seat. The population was 59,667 at the 2020 United States census. The city lies along the Mississippi River at the junction of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, a region ...

, Peoria Reds and Rockford Rox teams joined Davenport as charter members in league play, which began on May 1, 1888. The Davenport "Hawkeyes" team nickname corresponds with the state of

Iowa Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...

being nicknamed "The Hawkeye State," with the state nickname dating to 1838. The

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (U of I, UIowa, or Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized int ...

also began using the Hawkeye nickname in the era. On July 27, 1888, the Davenport Hawkeyes were in first place with a 40–18 record, when the Central Interstate League folded. Playing under manager William Lucas, Davenport finished 3.5 games ahead of the second place Peoria Reds in the final standings of the shortened season. Owen Williams of Davenport led the league with 65 runs scored, while teammate Willard Mains led the Central Interstate League with a 16–4 record. After the folding of the Central Interstate League on July 27, the vacancy in Davenport gained the city a second team during the 1888 season. On August 18, 1888, the

of the Class A level

played their final game before the franchise was sold and relocated to Davenport. The Millers had compiled a 28-52 record while based in Minneapolis. The newly formed Davenport "Onion Weeders" began play in the league on August 25, 1888. Davenport joined the

Chicago Maroons The Chicago Maroons are the intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Chicago. They are named after the color maroon. Team colors are maroon and gray, and Phil the Phoenix is their mascot. They now compete in the NCAA Division III, mos ...

, Des Moines Prohibitionists, Kansas City Blues,

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Di ...

Omaha Omahogs Omaha ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 41st-most-populous city, Omaha had a popu ...

St. Louis Whites The St. Louis Whites (or White Stockings) were a minor league baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1888, the St. Louis "Whites" played briefly as members of the Class A (baseball), Class A level Western Association. The Whites were creat ...

, St. Paul Apostles and Sioux City Cornhuskers teams in league play. William Lucas remained with the franchise to manage his second Davenport team of the season, as the Davenport Onion Weeders began play in the Western Association. Playing the remainder of the league schedule based in Davenport, the Onion Weeders compiled a 4–21 record while based in Davenport. When the 1888 season ended, the Minneapolis/Davenport team had a combined 32–74 record and placed last in the eight-team Western Association. Despite folding during the season of the previous year, the Central Interstate League reformed in 1889, with the Davenport Hawkeyes returning to the league. Managed by Bob Allen, Charles Holcaher and Charles Hall, the Hawkeyes folded from six-team league during the season. On September 10, 1889, the Hawkeyes had a 57–45 record when the team folded. Philip Routcliffe of Davenport led the league with 122 runs scored and the

Quincy Ravens The Quincy Gems was the primary name of the minor league baseball team in Quincy, Illinois, that played in various seasons from 1883 to 1973. Quincy teams played as members of the Midwest League (1960–1973), Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1946 ...

were the eventual league champions with a 66–50 record. The 1890 Central Interstate League continued play without a Davenport franchise. The 1889 Hawkeyes team folded after the Davenport team quit the league rather than play road series at Quincy and Springfield. Davenport complained that umpiring was unfair in the Illinois cities. The Central Interstate League played its final season in 1890 without a Davenport franchise.

1891 Illinois-Iowa League

In 1891, the Davenport "Pilgrims" became members of the eight-team Illinois-Iowa League in the second season of the league, before disbanding during the season. George Nicol compiled a 15–8 record with a 1.36 ERA in 23 games, with five shutouts. On Sunday July 19, 1891, Nicol pitched his final game for Davenport in front of a home crowd of 2,000. After the game, Nicol joined the

Chicago Colts The following is a franchise history of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball, a charter member of the National League who started play in the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, before joining t ...

, and manager

Cap Anson Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), nicknamed "Cap" (for "Captain"), "Pop", and "Baby" (early in his career) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman. Including his time in the National Association ...

, who offered him a $225 a month contract and bought his contract from Davenport for $300. On July 22, 1891, shortly after Nicol's departure, the Pilgrims folded. Davenport ended their season with a record of 23–38, playing their partial Illinois-Iowa League season under managers Kerken and John Crogan. Davenport did not return as a member of the 1892 Illinois-Iowa League. Davenport next hosted minor league baseball in 1901, when the

Davenport River Rats The Davenport River Rats were a minor league baseball team based in Davenport, Iowa. In 1901, the "River Rats" became charter members of the Class D level Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, beginning a long tenure of Davenport teams in the league. ...

became charter members of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. Today, Davenport continues hosting minor league play as home to the

Quad Cities River Bandits The Quad Cities River Bandits are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Their home games are played at Modern Woodmen Park (formerly John O'Donnell Stadium) in Davenport, Iowa, on ...

of the Class A level

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

The ballpark(s)

The name of the Davenport home minor league ballpark from the 1879 to 1891 seasons is unknown. Early Davenport minor league teams were noted to have played at a ballpark located on the West side of Davenport. Located in West Davenport, Schuetzen Park was in use in the era, having opened in 1870 as a private park with athletic facilities and streetcar access. The pre 1900's Davenport minor league teams were noted to have hosted Sunday games on "Sullivan Island," which is likely Sylvan Island.

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

(1879) Inducted

, 2000 * Bob Allen (1889, MGR) * Charlie Briggs (1888) * Joe Blong (1879) *

Charlie Bohn Charles Bohn (October, 1856 – August 1, 1903) was an American professional baseball player who played outfield and pitcher in the Major Leagues for the 1882 Louisville Eclipse. He was buried at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio O ...

(1879) *

Art Croft Arthur F. Croft (January 23, 1855 – March 16, 1884) was an American Major League Baseball player. He played for three teams during three-year professional and Major League career. Career Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Croft began his profession ...

(1879) *

Pat Deasley Thomas H. "Pat" Deasley (November 17, 1857 – April 1, 1943) was a 19th-century professional baseball player. Deasley primarily played catcher during his eight-year career from 1881 to 1888. Deasley played for the Boston Red Stockings, S ...

(1889) * Jack Fanning (1889) * Tom Forster (1888) * Eddie Fusselback (1889) * Charlie Gessner (1889) * Sam Gillen (1891) * Jerry Harrington (1888-1899) * James Harris (1891) * Belden Hill (1891) * Charlie Hoover (1888) * Harry Jacoby (1888) *

Heinie Kappel Henry "Heinie" Kappel (September 1863 – August 27, 1905) was an American infielder. He played professional baseball for eleven years from 1884 to 1895, including three seasons in Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Red Stockings (1887–1 ...

(1889) *

Joe Kappel Joseph Kappel (April 27, 1857 – July 8, 1929) was a professional baseball player who played outfield The outfield, in cricket, baseball and softball is the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield. In ...

(1889) *

Rudy Kemmler Rudolph Kemmler, born ''Rudolph Kemler'', (January 1860 – June 20, 1909) was an American Major League Baseball catcher for all or part of eight seasons. He played for seven different teams in the National League and American Association be ...

(1879, 1888) * Mike Jordan (1891) * Jerry Kane (1891) * Andy Knox (1891) *

Chuck Lauer John Charles Lauer (April 5, 1865 – May 4, 1915), was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield The outfield, in cricket, baseball and softball is the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield ...

(1889) * Willard Mains (1888) * Charlie Mason (1879) * Ed Mayer (1888) * Harry McCaffery (1879) * Al McCauley (1888) *

Trick McSorley John Bernard "Trick" McSorley (December 6, 1852 – February 9, 1936) was an American professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Red Stockings of the National Association of Pro ...

(1888) * Kid Mohler (1891) *

Gene Moriarty Eugene John Moriarty (January 6, 1863 – May 18, 1904) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These def ...

(1889) *

Mike Moynahan Michael Moynahan (1856 – April 9, 1899) was an American professional baseball player from 1879 to 1886. He appeared in 169 games across four seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a shortstop, for the Buffalo Bisons (1880), Detr ...

(1879) * Connie Murphy (1889) * George Nicol (1891) * Sam Nicholl (1889) * Robert Pender (1889) *

Charlie Reising Charles Reising (August 28, 1861 – July 26, 1915), nicknamed "Pop", was a Major League Baseball outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These de ...

(1888) *

Billy Rhines William Pearl Rhines (March 14, 1869 – January 30, 1922) was a professional baseball player. He was a pitcher over parts of nine seasons (1890–1899) with the Cincinnati Reds, Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He led the National L ...

(1889) * Phil Routcliffe (1889) *

Harry Sage Harry Sage (March 16, 1864 – May 27, 1947), nicknamed "Doc", was a Major League Baseball catcher in 1890 for the Toledo Maumees of the American Association. He was a native of Rock Island, Illinois. In his only major league season, Sage pl ...

(1891) * Crazy Schmit (1891) * Ben Stephens (1888) *

Len Stockwell Leonard Clark Stockwell (August 25, 1859 – January 28, 1905) was an American professional baseball player who played outfield, first base, and catcher from 1879 to 1890. He was born in Cordova, Illinois and died in Niles, California. Referen ...

(1879) * George Treadway (1888) * Pat Whitaker (1889) *

Guerdon Whiteley Guerdon W. Whiteley (October 5, 1859 – November 23, 1925) was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Blues in eight games during the 1884 Cleveland Blues season and for the Boston Beaneaters ...

(1888) * Henry Yaik (1889) *

Davenport Brown Stockings players Davenport may refer to: Places Australia *Davenport, Northern Territory, a locality *Hundred of Davenport, cadastral unit in South Australia **Davenport, South Australia, suburb of Port Augusta **District Council of Davenport, former local govern ...

* Davenport minor league players *

Davenport Hawkeyes players Davenport may refer to: Places Australia *Davenport, Northern Territory, a locality *Hundred of Davenport, cadastral unit in South Australia **Davenport, South Australia, suburb of Port Augusta **District Council of Davenport, former local govern ...

Davenport Onion Weeders players Davenport may refer to: Places Australia *Davenport, Northern Territory, a locality *Hundred of Davenport, cadastral unit in South Australia **Davenport, South Australia, suburb of Port Augusta **District Council of Davenport, former local govern ...

Davenport Pilgrims players Davenport may refer to: Places Australia *Davenport, Northern Territory, a locality *Hundred of Davenport, cadastral unit in South Australia **Davenport, South Australia, suburb of Port Augusta **District Council of Davenport, former local govern ...

References

{{reflist

External links

Davenport - Baseball Reference
Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in Iowa Defunct baseball teams in Iowa Baseball teams established in 1888 Baseball teams disestablished in 1888 Baseball teams disestablished in 1889 Central Interstate League teams Davenport, Iowa Sports clubs and teams in the Quad Cities

History

1879 Northwestern League

Two leagues 1888 & 1889

1891 Illinois-Iowa League

The ballpark(s)

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

See also

References

External links