Manhattan Maroons

The Manhattan Maroons was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Manhattan, Kansas from 1910 to 1913. Manhattan played as members of the Class D level Central Kansas League from 1909 to 1912 and the Kansas State League in 1913.

History[]

Manhattan, Kansas first hosted minor league baseball when the Manhattan "Maroons" began play in 1909. The Maroons began play as members of the eight–team Class D level Central Kansas League. The Maroons ended the 1909 season with a record of 16–54, placing 8th and last in the league. Earle Bryant, Joe Bond and Pat Murphy served as managers as the Maroons finished 29.5 games behind the 1st place Ellsworth Blues in the final standings.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

The Manhattan Maroons placed 6th in the 1910 Central Kansas League. Under managers Frank Gardiner and Al Strong, the Maroons finished with a final record of 35–43, placing in the eight–team Central Kansas League, finishing 16.5 games behind the 1st place Ellsworth Blues.^{[8][9][4][5][10]}

The 1911 Manhattan Maroons continued play as the Central Kansas League reduced to four teams. Manhattan ended the 1911 season with a record of 28–43, placing 4th in the four–team league. With Dee Poindexter as manager, Manhattan finished 19.0 games behind the champion Concordia Travelers.^{[11][12][4][5][13]}

The team became the Manhattan Elks in 1912, continuing Central Kansas League play. The Elks ended the 1912 season with a record of 52–38, placing 2nd in the six–team league. Manhattan was 2.0 games behind the 1st place Great Bend Millers in the final standings. Bob Kahl and Fred Moore served the Manhattan 1912 managers. Some sources have the 1912 team playing as under the "Giants" moniker. The Central Kansas League permanently folded following the 1912 season.^[14][15][5]

In their final season of play, the 1913 Manhattan Elks folded during the season after joining a new league. Manhattan began the season as members of the six–team Class D level Kansas State League. On July 10, 1913, the Manhattan Elks folded from the Kansas State League with a record of 27–24. The Junction City Soldiers franchise had disbanded on July 9, 1910, causing Manhattan to be folded from the league on July 10, to keep an even number of teams. Fred Moore served as manager in Manhattan's final season of minor league play.^{[16][17][18][19][20][21]}

Mahnattan, Kansas has not hosted another minor league team.^[22]

The ballparks[]

From 1909 to 1911 the Manhattan Maroons were noted to have played minor league home games at Athletic Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 2,000.^[23]

In 1912 and 1913, the Manhattan Elks were referenced to have played home games at Southside Park. The ballpark may have also been called Eureka Electric Park.^[24]

(2005) Downtown view. Manhattan, Kansas

Timeline[]

Year–by–year records[]

Notable alumni[]

• George Aiton (1912)
• Walt Alexander (1911)
• Josh Billings (1912)
• Gene Cocreham (1912)

See also[]

Manhattan Maroons players
Manhattan Elks players

References[]

External links[]

Baseball Reference Bullpen
Baseball Reference