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Kansas City Cowboys (AA) all-time roster

Baseball players are posing for a photograph, five men standing, five men sitting on chairs, and two are sitting on the floor.
Team photograph of the 1888 Kansas City Cowboys

The Kansas City Cowboys were a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri that played in the American Association for two seasons from 1888 to 1889.[1] The franchise initially used Association Park as their home field in 1888, then moved to Exposition Park for the 1889 season.[2][3]

The team began the 1888 season with part-time outfielder Dave Rowe as their player-manager. He was released from the team after beginning the season with a win–loss record of 14–36 though 50 games.[4] He was replaced with second baseman Sam Barkley, who did not improve the team's play, winning 22 of the next 58 games.[4] He was replaced with non-playing manager Bill Watkins, who finished the season.[4] Although the Cowboys completed their initial season in last place out of the league's eight teams, there were notable player achievements; on June 6, Henry Porter threw a no-hitter, and on June 13, Barkley hit for the cycle.[4][5][6]

The franchise's only future Hall of Fame player, "Slidin' Billy" Hamilton, began his career as a part-time outfielder in 1888, and was their starting right fielder in 1889.[7][8] He is the franchise's all-time leader in runs scored, bases on balls, and stolen bases.[9] With Watkins as the team's manager in 1889, the team improved their win–loss record to 55–82, with two ties, finishing seventh among the league's eight teams.[10][11] On November 15, 1889, the Cowboys submitted their resignation from the AA and joined the Western Association as the Kansas City Blues for the 1890 season.[12]

  1. ^ "Kansas City Cowboys (1888–1889)". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  2. ^ "Association Park in Kansas City, MO". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  3. ^ "Exposition Park in Kansas City, MO". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d "The 1888 Kansas City Cowboys". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  5. ^ "No Hitters Chronologically". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  6. ^ "Cycles Chronologically". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  7. ^ "The 1888 Kansas City Cowboys Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  8. ^ "The 1889 Kansas City Cowboys Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  9. ^ "Kansas City Cowboys Career Leaders". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  10. ^ "Bill Watkins". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  11. ^ "The 1889 Kansas City Cowboys". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  12. ^ "Only Five Clubs Left" (PDF). The New York Times. November 16, 1889. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
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