Current Fairbury city park diamond |
The Nebraska State League started up once again in 1928 with Fairbury as
one of the charter members. The team played on the diamond at city park
just west of the main business district. The city park is still a main
feature in the Fairbury landscape today. From 1928-1930 McCook was the
team to beat in
the league as they won three straight titles. Fairbury finished last in
1928, but rose to second in both 1929 and 1930. The depression took its
toll and the franchise folded after the 1930 season. By 1933 the league
was down to four teams.
In 1936 the league tried to expand back to six teams. Fairbury and Mitchell were added to the league and major league affiliations was acquired by some of the teams. In 1935, the league signed with St. Louis and the Cardinals had first choice to sign any league players. In 1936, Brooklyn and the Reds joined in signing agreements with specific teams. Fairbury and Lincoln collapsed during the season. Lincoln tried to relocate their team to a number of other towns but was unsuccessful. In 1937, Fairbury secured a working agreement with the St. Louis Browns and made it through the season in 5th place. It was the towns last year in professional baseball as the franchise moved to Lincoln for the 1938 season.
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Walking entrance to Fairbury City Park |
Fairbury Jeffersons 1928 | Fairbury Jeffersons 1929 | Fairbury Jeffersons 1930 |
Fairbury Jeffersons 1936 | Fairbury Jeffersons 1937 |
Nebraska Minor League Baseball Home