Frankfort Statesmen

The Frankfort Statesmen was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Frankfort, Kentucky between 1885 and 1916. Frankfort teams played as members of the Interstate League (1885), Blue Grass League (1908–1912) and Ohio State League (1915–1916). Frankfort won Blue Grass League championships in 1908 and 1912.

History[]

Frankfort began hosting minor league baseball play in 1885, when the Frankfort team played as members of the six–team Interstate League. Shenkel was the Frankfort manager. The 1885 standings are unknown.^[1][2][3]

In 1908, the "Frankfort Statesmen" became charter members of the Class D level Blue Grass League and won the league championship. Frankfort finished the regular season in 1st place with a record of 47–23, playing under manager Neal Kennedy. The league had no playoffs and Frankfort finished 9.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Lexington Colts in the six–team league. The charter teams were Frankfort (47–23), Lawrenceburg Distllers (33–35), Lexington Colts (37–31), Richmond Pioneers (36–34), Shelbyville Millers (32–37) and Versailles Aristocrats/Winchester Reds (22–47). The Frankfort team moniker also listed as the "Lawmakers" in some references. Both monikers reflect Frankford as the State Capitol of the state of Kentucky.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]}

Continuing play in the 1909 Blue Grass League, the Frankfort Statesmen finished the season in 4th place. Frankfort had a final record of 56–60, finishing 17.5 games behind the 1st place Winchester Hustlers under managers Neal Kennedy and Ben Marshall.^{[4][5][11][12][13][14]}

The 1910 season saw the team finish in 5th place in the Class D level Blue Grass League. The Frankfort Statesmen finished with a 60–61 record and were 17.0 games behind the 1st place Paris Bourbonites. Wallace Warren and Danny Harrell managed the 1910 Frankfort Statesmen.^{[4][5][15][16][17][18]}

In the 1911 Blue Grass League season the Frankfort Statesmen finished with a record of 48–65 The team placed 5th and finished 22.0 games behind the 1st place Paris Bourbonites under manager Ed Coleman. Frankfort's Ovid Nicholson stole 111 bases and scored 128 runs. The next stolen base league leader had 54. Nicholson was called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the conclusion of the Frankfort season.^{[4][5][19][20][21][22][23]}

The 1912 Frankfort Lawmakers won the Blue Grass League championship in the final season of the league. With a 85–42 record under manager Ollie Gfroerer in the final standings, Frankfort finished in 1st place. Following Frankfort were the Lexington Colts (60–65), Maysville Rivermen (82–47), Paris Bourbonites (60–69), Richmond Pioneers (66–64) and Mt. Sterling Orphans (31–97). The Blue Grass League folded following the 1912 season and Frankfort was unable to defend their championship.^{[24][25][26][4][27][28][5][29][30][31]}

Frankfort resumed minor league play in 1915, as Frankfort became members of the Class D level Ohio State League. The Frankfort Old Taylors began play in the six–team league and finished the 1915 season in 4th place with a 45–65 record. The Old Taylors finished 24.5 behind the 1st place Portsmouth Cobblers, playing under managers Pat Bohannon and Jack Hayden. The "Old Taylors" moniker was in reference to local industry, as Frankfort was home to the Old Taylor Distillery Company. The 1916 Ohio State League members were the Charleston Senators (58–63), Chillicothe Babes/Huntington/Maysville Angels (58–55), Frankfort Old Taylors (45–65), Ironton Nailers (47–69), Lexington Colts (63–48 )and Portsmouth Cobblers (71–42).^{[32][29][33][34][35][36][37][38]}

In their final season of play, the 1916 Frankfort Old Taylors folded during the season. On July 6, 1916, Frankfort folded with a 24–35 record under manager James "Ducky" Holmes. The Ohio State permanently folded on July 16, 1916.^{[32][39][40][41][42][43]}

Frankfort, Kentucky has not hosted another minor league team.^[1]

The ballpark[]

The name and location of the Frankfort teams' home ballpark are not referenced. The campus of Kentucky State University at Alumni Field and State Stadium were venues in use in the era.^{[44][45][46][47]}

(2002) Kentucky State Capitol. Frankfort, Kentucky

Timeline[]

Year-by-year record[]

(from BR Bullpen)

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Frankfort (minor league baseball) players
Frankfort Lawmakers players
Frankfort Old Taylors players
Frankfort Statesmen players

References[]

External links[]

Baseball Reference Bullpen
Baseball Reference