Ducky Holmes was born in Des Moines Iowa. As a player he was a regular in the major leagues from 1895 through 1905, playing for Louisville, New York, St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, Washington and the Chicago White Sox.

In 1906, he was named manager of the Lincoln franchise in the Western League. This was Lincoln's first year in the league since the turn of the century. Lincoln finished second in 1906 and 1907.

In 1908 he took the managers job in Sioux City and took them to the league championship. He also managed Sioux City in 1909.

The book "The Western League" by W.C. Madden indices that Holmes was manager of Sioux City from 1906-1909. I am pretty sure that this in not correct. Holmes is on the Lincoln team picture in the Spalding guide for the 1906 season, and the Lincoln papers confirm that he was the manager for the 1907 season. They also mourn his moving to Sioux City for 1908.

In 1912 he was manager of the Nebraska City team in the Mink league.

In 1913 he was back in Sioux City. The Western League book referenced above indicates that Holmes was in Sioux City for 1912 and 1913.

In 1914 he managed Butte Montana.

He was back in Lincoln for the 1916 and 1917 seasons. He was second to Omaha in 1916 and to Des Moines in 1917. He moved to Sioux City for 1918.

In 1922 he started the year in Arkansas. In July he took over the Beatrice team in the NSL. That lasted until August 22nd. On that day he got into a bruhaha with an umpire. At the end of the altercation he was escorted from the field by policeman Kelso. He was fired and Dyke Bowman was named manager for the remainder of the year.

He died in Truro Iowa.

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