McCook Braves

	McCook Braves; 1956–1959; McCook, Nebraska
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes	Class D (1956–1959)
League	Nebraska State League (1928–1932, 1956–1959)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams	Milwaukee Braves (1956–1959);
Minor league titles
League titles	4 1928, 1929, 1930, 1959
Team data
Previous names	McCook Braves (1956–1958; McCook Generals (1928–1932);
Previous parks	Dibola Field (1956–1959)

The McCook Braves were a minor league baseball team that played in the short-season Class D Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959. The McCook Braves were an affiliate of the Milwaukee Braves (1956–1959).

Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Phil Niekro pitched for the McCook Braves in 1959.

History

Based in McCook, Nebraska, the McCook Braves were members of the Nebraska State League (1956–1959). The Braves played at Dibola Field. Earilier, McCook had hosted the McCook Generals who were also members of the Nebraska State League (1928–1932). McCook captured Nebraska State League championships in 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1959.[1]

The Nebraska State League folded after the 1959 season, along with 1959 league members Hastings Giants, Holdrege White Sox, Grand Island Athletics, Kearney Yankees, McCook Braves and North Platte Indians. McCook has not had another minor league franchise.[2]

The ballpark

While the semi-pro McCook Cats of the early 1950s had played in Eastside Park (called Felling Field today), it was decided with a new Nebraska State League team coming to town, a new field was needed. At the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, a new field was constructed. The field was dubbed Dibola Field after the seven cities of Cibola.[3]

Media

The 1959 McCook Braves season is chronicled in the book A False Spring, written by player Pat Jordan, who eventually retired from baseball to became a writer and an author. ISBN 0-80-327626-5[4]

Phil Niekro, 1974

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Phil Niekro (1959) Inducted 1997

Notable alumni

Luis Alcaraz (1959)
Bruce Brubaker (1959)
Elrod Hendricks (1959) Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame
Ron Hunt (1959) 2x MLB All-Star
Pat Jordan (1959) Author, A False Spring.
Hector Martinez (1957)
Hugh Mendez (1959)
Merritt Ranew (1957)

Elrod Hendricks, 1968

Year-by-year record

(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1956	35-28	4th	Bill Steinecke	none
1957	27-29	6th	Bill Steinecke	none
1958	40-23	2nd	Bill Steinecke	none
1959	43-19	1st	Bill Steinecke	League Champions

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References

"McCook Braves - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
"Nebraska State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
"McCook Braves 1956". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
"McCook Braves 1959". www.nebaseballhistory.com.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] "McCook Braves - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.

[2] "Nebraska State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.

[3] "McCook Braves 1956". www.nebaseballhistory.com.

[4] "McCook Braves 1959". www.nebaseballhistory.com.