Western League
Standings 1922 President: Albert Tearney |
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Standings | Wins----- | Losses--- | GB |
Tulsa Oilers | 103 | 64 | -- |
St. Joseph Saints | 98 | 70 | 5 ½ |
Wichita Witches | 84 | 73 | 9 |
Omaha Buffaloes | 91 | 77 | 12 ½ |
Sioux City Packers | 86 | 79 | 16 |
Oklahoma City Indians | 73 | 94 | 30 |
Denver Bears | 63 | 105 | 40 ½ |
Des Moines Boosters | 61 | 107 | 42 ½ |
Pct:Dan Tipple, Omaha, .793, 23-6 |
Barney Burch was the talk of the hot stove season as he scoured the country for new talent for his team. After finishing second in 1921 he was convinced that he was just a few players away from a championship.
Spring training for the Buffaloes was held in Victoria Texas. Reporting in March were a few veterans and a host of new talent acquired by Burch during the winter.
With team leader Jack Lelivelt traded to Tulsa, Barney was looking for a big stick to replace the veteran star. In addition, 1921 regular Fred Haney had been bought by Detroit and it looked like he was going to stick in the show.
Heinie Manush came from the Western Canada league to vie for a regular spot. Jack "Junk" Walters was also from the Western Canada league and Red Wilder reported after spending the 1921 season with Springfield of the Eastern League. Pete Snedecor came from the Texas League and twelve pitchers reported to vie for the few available pitching slots. According to the Sporting News pitchers, Baumgartner, Wilson, Jolsms, Wiggington, Brugmand, Treon. Smith, Roddy, Coffin, Doffer, Newkirk, Okrie, Stokes, Dailey and Tipple were all being given a chance to make the club.
Brick Meyer, veteran Cy Lingle and Willer were the three catchers in camp.
The team started the season with great expectations but the lack of timely hitting and less than stellar pitching left them out of the title hunt. The team managed a 91-77 record, good enough for 4th in the final standings.
The Sioux City franchise moved some games to Lincoln's Landis field. They retained the rights to the franchise but were testing the waters in Lincoln. Playing some games at 10:30 in the morning attendance did not meet their hopes and the franchise stayed in Sioux City until the 1924 season when it did move to Lincoln.
Roster:
First base for the Burch Rods was George Grantham . Born
in Galena Kansas
the 22 year old was averaged .359 with 22 home runs, 33 stolen bases and
157 total runs. He ws
picked up in September by the Chicago Cubs. He played
in seven games with the Cubs in 1922 and was a regular in the majors
through the 1934 season.
Babe Herman played first base and averaged .416 in 92 games.
Cy Lingle returned for the 1922 season. He was a long time regular catcher in Omaha. This year he split his duties with Wilder .
J. Griffin played 135 games in the outfield in 1922.
Pitchers:
Dan "Rusty" Tipple pitched a no hitter against Des Moines. He
was a strong right hander from Rockford Illinois. He was 23-6 for the
year and led the Western League in winning percentage and third in
strikeouts. His major league
career was one year with the New York Yankees.
Clarence Darraugh pitched both ends of a double header in May against DesMoines, winning both 14-2 and 6-1. On June 14th he pitched both ends of a double header against Wichita winning both games 5-2 and 7-6. He was 13-9 for the season.
Bill Bailey was 13-9 for the season.
Okrie was 17-16.
Hyman was 6-2 and Stokes was 5-3.
Coffindaffer was 3-8.