Grand Island Athletics
The Grand Island Athletics was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Grand Island, Nebraska between 1892 and 1959. Grand Island teams played in the Nebraska State League, beginning in 1892. The Grand Island Athletics played in the short-season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959.
| Grand Island Athletics 1892–1959 (1892 1910–1915, 1922–1924, 1928–1932, 1937–1938, 1956–1959) Grand Island, Nebraska | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
|---|---|
| Previous classes | Class B (1892) Class D (1910–1915, 1922–1924, 1928–1932, 1937–1938, 1956–1959) |
| League | Nebraska State League (1892 1910–1915, 1922–1923) Tri-State League (1924) Nebraska State League (1928–1932, 1937–1938, 1956–1959) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams |
|
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 3 1914, 1931, 1957 |
| Team data | |
Previous names |
|
Previous parks | Municipal Field (1956–1959) |
Grand Island was an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics (1956–1959) and St. Louis Cardinals (1937–1938).
History
From 1956–1959, the Nebraska State League was composed of players in their first professional season. Based in Grand Island, Nebraska, the team was an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. The Grand Island Athletics or "A's" played their home games at Municipal Field. The A's captured the League Championship in 1957.[1]
Grand Island also played as a member of the Nebraska State League from 1937–1938, 1928–1932, 1922–1923, 1910–1915 and in 1892. Grand Island played as the Grand Island Cardinals (1938), Grand Island Red Birds (1937), the Grand Island Islanders (1929–1932, 1914), Grand Island Champs (1928), Grand Island Champions (1922-1923, 1915), Grand Island Collegians (1910-1913) and Grand Island Sugar Citys (1892). The Grand Island Islanders played in the Tri-State League for the 1924 season. Overall, Grand Island captured Nebraska State League championships in 1914, 1931 and 1957.[2]
Many of the Grand Island players lived in Grand Island's Yancey Hotel.[1]
The Nebraska State League permanently folded after the 1959 season, along with 1959 league members Grand Island Athletics, Hastings Giants, Holdrege White Sox, Kearney Yankees, McCook Braves and North Platte Indians. Grand Island has not hosted another minor league team.[3]
The ballpark
The Grand Island Athletics played at Municipal Field. The ballpark still exists today, within Grand Island's Ryder Park. Municipal Field is located at 202 North Custer Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska.[4][1]
Year-by-year record
(from Grand Island Athletics - BR Bullpen)
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 35-28 | 2nd | Art Mazmanian | none |
| 1957 | 33-22 | 1st | Art Mazmanian | League Champions |
| 1958 | 33-30 | 3rd | Art Mazmanian | none |
| 1959 | 32-30 | 3rd | Art Mazmanian | none |
Notable alumni
- Jack Aker (1959)
- Jim Cockman (1912)
- Murry Dickson (1937) MLB All-Star
- Eddie Lake (1937)
- Lou Klimchock (1957)
- Art Mazmanian (MGR 1956-1958) 1984 USA Olympic Team coach
- Lenny Metz (1922-1923)
- Len Rice (1937)
- Jose Santiago (1959) MLB All-Star
- Fresco Thompson (1923)
- Chuck Ward (1913-1914)
- Ed Willett (MGR, 1922)
References
- "Grand Island Athletics 1956". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
- "Grand Island, Nebraska Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "Nebraska State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- https://www.grand-island.com/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/80/2311