Independence Yankees

The Independence Yankees was the most notable nickname of the minor league baseball teams that played in Independence, Kansas for numerous seasons between 1896 and 1952. In 1930, Independence was the site of the first night game in organized baseball. Independence played as an affiliate of the New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns. Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Mickey Mantle played for Independence in 1949.

History

Baseball in Independence started with a team in the Kansas State League in 1896. From 1906 to 1911 Independence teams played in four leagues with four different nicknames. Then from 1921-1932, the Independence Producers played in the Southwestern League (1921-1924) and the Western Association (1925-1932)^[1] The 1921 Producers finished with a record of 100-38.

On August 9, 1908 Gene Packard pitched a perfect game for Independence against the Bartlesville Boosters, with 10 strikeouts.^[2]

On July 2, 1930, Independence Producer pitcher Colonel Bob House had nineteen Strike Outs against Springfield, Missouri, which was a league record for Strike Outs in a single game.^[3] Four days later the Producers had eight Home Runs in a game against Muskogee, Oklahoma. Those eight Home Runs in a single game also set a league record.^[4]

The Independence Yankees were formed in 1947 as an expansion team in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. The team remained in the league, as an affiliate of the New York Yankees (1947-1950) and St. Louis Browns (1952) The team did not play in 1951, and took the name Browns in 1952 when the league and its teams folded after the season.^[5][6]

Championship Teams

Despite only 20 seasons of minor league teams, Independence had successes on the field. The 1906 Independence Coyotes won the Kansas State League Championship with a 69-48 record. They changed leagues when the KSL folded, but changed their name to Champs for 1907.^[7]

The 1921 Independence Producers finished with a record of 100-38 in taking the Southwestern League Championship. The team is ranked #77 on the All Time Top-100 Teams by MiLB.com and Baseball Historians Bill Weiss and Marshall Wright.^[8]

The 1930 Producers were the Western Association Champions, defeating Joplin, Missouri in the championship series. It was the first time the series had been played at night.^[9]

The 1948 and 1949 Independence Yankees won the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League Championship in back to back seasons. They finished 74-46 in 1948 under Burleigh Grimes and 71-53 under Harry Craft in 1949.^[10] The 1949 squad had 17-year old Mickey Mantle at shortstop.

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle began his professional career for Independence as a 17-year-old shortstop in 1949. Mantle hit .313 with 7 Home Runs for the Independence Yankees, helping the team to a 71-53 record and the league championship.^[11][12]

Ballpark

Beginning in 1921, Independence teams played at Riverside Stadium on East Oak Street.^[13] The stadium was later named Producers Park and Shulthis Stadium.^[14] It was built in 1918 by A.W. Shulthis. Reportedly the stadium hosted the first night game in organized baseball, on April 28, 1930. Now part of the athletic field for Unified School District 446, the original grandstand remained as part of a new multipurpost complex until 2015 when it was demolished.^[15][16]

Notable alumni

• Don Taussig (1950)
• Bill Virdon (1950) GG; MLB MGR; 1955 NL Rookie of the Year
• Lou Skizas (1949)
• Harry Craft (1949 MGR) MLB MGR
• Mickey Mantle (1949) 20 × All-Star; Gold Glove Award (1962); AL Batting Champion (1956); 4 × AL Home Run Leader (1955, 1956, 1958, 1960); AL RBI leader (1956); 3 × AL MVP (1956, 1957, 1962); Triple Crown (1956); Major League Baseball All-Century Team; Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame (1974)
• Bob Wiesler (1949)
• Burleigh Grimes (1948, MGR) 2 × NL Wins leader (1921, 1928); 1921 NL Strikeout Leader; Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame (1964)
• Jim Finigan (1948)
• Harry Bright (1947)
• Cy Blanton (1931) 2 × MLB All-Star (1937, 1941); 1935 NL ERA Leader
• Joe Vance (1931) Played in MLB and National Football League
• Bill Lewis (1930)
• Bill Walker (1922) 1935 MLB All-Star; 2 × NL ERA Leader (1929, 1931)
• Glenn Wright (1921)
• Gene Packard (1908)

References