Henderson Hens
Henderson Hens | |
---|---|
| |
League | Kentucky–Indiana League (1896) Pennyrile League (1896) Central League (1897) Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916) |
Major league affiliations | |
Team | None |
Minor league titles | |
League titles (0) | None |
Team data | |
Name | Henderson (1896–1897) Henderson Blue Birds (1903–1904) Henderson Hens (1905, 1911–1914, 1916) |
Ballpark | Fairgrounds Park (1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916) |
The Henderson Hens was a primary moniker of the
Today, Henderson hosts the Henderson Flash, a
History
Minor league play in Henderson, Kentucky began in 1896, with the team playing in two leagues. The Henderson team began the season in the Pennyrile League, which folded and then restarted on June 22, 1896, renamed as the Kentucky–Indiana League. Henderson had a 9–15 record in the Kentucky–Indiana League when the team disbanded on August 3, 1896. The league folded shortly after, with Henderson finishing 6.0 games behind the first place Madisonville. The Henderson managers were Phil Reccius and Coleman.[1][2][3]
In 1897, Henderson resumed minor league play during the season. On June 13, 1897,
In 1903, the Henderson Blue Birds became charter members of the eight–team
The Henderson Blue Birds returned to play in 1904 and again placed fourth in the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League standings. Henderson compiled a record of 54–68 under manager Clyde McNutt. The Blue Birds finished 19.5 games behind the first place
In 1905, the Henderson Hens continued Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League play, but folded during the season. On July 18, 1905, the Hens had a record of 29–47 under managers Jake Zimbro and Hary Kubitz when the franchise folded. The league then halted play on August 17, 1905, due to the
The Henderson Hens rejoined the 1911 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League during the season. On June 20, 1911, the
The 1912 Hens placed second in the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. With a record of 52–48, Henderson finished 17.5 games behind the first place
Continuing Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League play, the 1913 Henderson Hens finished with a record of 70–55. The team placed fourth in the standings under managers Dave Anderson and Ward Snyder. The Hens finished 9.0 games behind the champion
The 1914 Henderson Hens placed third in the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. Under returning manager Ward Snyder, Henderson finished with a 64–58 record. The Hens finished 12.5 games behind the first place Cairo Egyptians in the six–team league.[1][16] James Leach of the Hens threw a perfect game in a 7–inning win on August 29, 1914. Leach was victorious over the Cairo Egyptians 1–0. The Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee did not return to play in the 1915 season.[17]
In their final season of play, the 1916 Henderson Hens were in second place when the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League folded. The league disbanded August 4, 1916, with a record of 44–30, playing the season under manager Connie Walsh. Henderson finished 6.0 games behind the first place Clarksville Volunteers.[1][18]
Henderson, Kentucky has not hosted another minor league team. Beginning in 2017, Henderson was home to the "Henderson Flash", a collegiate summer baseball team, playing as members of the Ohio Valley League.[2][19][20]
The ballpark
The Henderson minor league teams were noted to have played home games at the Henderson Fairgrounds Park. The ballpark was located at the Henderson Fair Grounds, Fairgrounds Street and Fair Street, Henderson, Kentucky.[21][22]
Timeline
Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Ballpark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1896 (1) | 1 | Henderson | Independent | Kentucky–Indiana League | Fairgrounds Park |
1896 (2) | 1 | Pennyrile League | |||
1897 | 1 | Henderson | Class C |
Central League | |
1903–1904 | 2 | Henderson Blue Birds | Class D |
Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League | |
1905, 1911–1914, 1916 | 6 | Henderson Hens |
Year–by–year records
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1896 (1) | 7–17 | NA | Phil Reccius / Coleman | Pennyrite League League folded June 22 |
1896 (2) | 9–15 | 6th | Phil Reccius / Coleman | Team folded August 3 |
1897 | 39–41 | 7th | NA | Nashville (21–18) moved to Henderson June 13 League folded July 20 |
1903 | 48–60 | 4th | Peter Webber | No playoffs held |
1904 | 54–68 | 4th | Clyde McNutt | No playoffs held |
1905 | 29–47 | -- | Jake Zimbro / Hary Kubitz | Team folded July 18 |
1911 | 46–43 | 3rd | Miles Bradshaw / Stelle | McLeansboro (19–15) moved to Henderson June 20 |
1912 | 52–48 | 2nd | Offa Neal / Ward Snyder | No playoffs held |
1913 | 70–55 | 4th | Dave Anderson / Ward Snyder | No playoffs held |
1914 | 64–58 | 3rd | Ward Snyder | No playoffs held |
1916 | 44–30 | 2nd | Connie Walsh | League folded August 4 |
Notable alumni
- George Beck (1912)
- Theodore Conover (1897)
- Jerry D'Arcy(1912)
- Pat Dillard (1897)
- Charlie French (1905)
- Frank Freund (1896)
- Offa Neal (1913, MGR)
- Fred Ostendorf (1912–1913)
- Charlie Petty (1897)
- Ollie Pickering (1913)
- Frank Quinn (1905)
- Phil Reccius (1896, MGR)
- Tom Rogers (1913)
- George Tomer (1913–1914)
- Tink Turner (1913)
- Connie Walsh (1916, MGR)
See also
Henderson Hens players
Henderson (minor league baseball) players
Henderson Centennials players
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ a b "1896 Henderson Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1896 Henderson minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1897 Nashville/Henderson Centennials Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Baseball News". July 20, 1897. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "1897 Nashville/Henderson minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1903 Henderson Blue Birds Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1904 Henderson Blue Birds Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1905 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1911 McLeansboro Miners/Henderson Hens minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "Kentucky New Era - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "1913 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Minor League No Hitters". Google Docs.
- ^ "Searching for missing Minors no-hitters". MiLB.com.
- ^ "1914 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "CONTENTdm". digital.la84.org.
- ^ "1916 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ Flash, Henderson. "2019 Eastern Division Champions". Henderson Flash.
- ^ "Ohio Valley League". Ohio Valley League.
- ^ "Fairgrounds in Henderson, KY minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (July 1, 1897). "The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, July 01, 1897, Image 3" – via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.