Introduction
The Western Association was a minor league baseball league that operated in the midwestern United States during the late 19th century. The Western League is considered the one of the first “independent leagues” where it supported the development of Baseball in smaller markets that did not compete directly with the Major Leagues. The league played season 4 in 1888, 138 years ago.
The Western Association would play a modest role in the development of the reformed Western League (1894) which would go on to form the American League that became the other top major league in all of Baseball.
The season was a messy affair with teams joining and disbanding during season play.
- St. Louis disbanded June 20.
- Minneapolis disbanded August 18, selling its franchise to Davenport which joined August 25.
- Sioux City joined July 4, then disbanded October 1.
Classification
Season Length
April 28, 1888 to October 9, 1888
Season Champion
Des Moines Prohibitionists
# of Teams
10
Season Standings
Season Playoffs
There were no championship playoffs as the top team with the most wins at end of season was declared league champion for the season.
Future Features
