Nebraska Minor League Baseball
Western League
Omaha Buffaloes 1921

1921 Final Standings
Western League
Name W L % GB Attendance
Wichita Witches 106 61 .635 112,000
Omaha Buffaloes 95 73 .565 11 1/2 120,802
Oklahoma City Indians 93 75 .554 13 1/2 116,000
Sioux City Packers 81 83 .494 23 1/2 58,000
St. Joseph Saints 79 88 .473 27 65,000
Joplin Miners 76 91 .455 30 60,000
Des Moines Boosters 71 92 .436 33 72,000
Tulsa Oilers 65 103 .387 41 1/2 103,000

BA: Jack Lelivelt, Omaha, .416
Runs: Royce Washburn, Wichita, 170
Hits: Jack Lelivelt, Omaha, 274
HRs: Fred Beck, Wichita, 35
2B's Jack Lelivelt, Omaha, 70
Wins: Roy Allen, Oklahoma City, 25
SOs: Jack Tesar, Sioux City, 163
Pct: Nelson Potts, Des Moines, .737, 14-5

This is Barney Burch's first year as owner of the Omaha Western League team. Barney was in the Texas League before taking over the reins in Omaha. In 1919, as player manager for San Antonio he tossed a seven inning 4-0 no hitter against Galveston. In 1920 he played at least one game at every position on the field and on two occasions he started the game as a catcher then came in as a relief pitcher.

Barney invites a number of ball players to spring training which was held in Ft. Smith Alabama.

The team holds a contest to pick a nickname and they wind up being named the Buffaloes. The local papers call the team the Burch Rods as do many of the papers around the circuit. Four different people have recommended the winning moniker and they all receive season passes worth $42.00.

The Buffaloes wind up in second place in the league and they do well at the box office, drawing 123,000 fans for the season.

Jack Lelivelt , originally from Chicago, led the league in batting average, hits and doubles. Jack had played for three American League teams from 1909-1916. He had a lifetime .301 major league average in six years. Jack started the year as player/manager of the club, but was replaced in May. He tore up the league the entire season, leading the league in hits, average and doubles.

Roster::

Fred "Pudge" Haney played many positions in the infield for Omaha in 1921. The New Mexico born ball player made it with Detroit in 1922. He played in the majors throught 1929. He then went on as a manager in St. Louis (Browns), Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

Cy Lingle was the regular catcher for the Buffaloes in 1921, playing in 136 games.

In addition to owning the team, Barney Burch caught 36 games in 1921.

Pitchers:

Davenport appeared in 53 games and was 17-13.

Daniels was in 40 games and had a 10-6 record.

Meade was 6-1 in 16 games.

Other pitchers included Okrie, Baumgartner and Conkwright. Attendance stats from the Sporting News for December 1921. Records from the Minor League Baseball Encyclopedia (Volume 1). Individual information from The Sporting News, The Omaha World Herald and the Spalding Guide for 1922)

Nebraska Minor League Baseball Home