Watertown Cubs

The Watertown Cubs were a minor league baseball teams based in Watertown, South Dakota from 1921 to 1923. Watertown teams played as members of the Class D level Dakota League in 1921 and 1922 and South Dakota League in 1923.

Watertown Cubs
(1921–1923)
Watertown, South Dakota
Minor league affiliations
Class
League
Major league affiliations
Team
  • None
Team data
Name
  • Watertown Cubs (1921–1923)
BallparkRiverside Park (1921–1923)

History

Minor league baseball first began in Watertown, South Dakota when the 1921 Watertown Cubs became members of the eight–team Class D level Dakota League. In their first season of play, the Cubs finished the 1921 season with a 44–53 record, placing 6th under manager Mattie McGrath. Watertown finished 20.5 games behind the 1st place Mitchell Kernels. The team played home games at Riverside Park.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

In 1922, the Watertown Cubs played in the final season of the Dakota League, which continued as an eight–team, Class D level league. Watertown finished in 6th place with a 42–54 regular season record. Playing under manager John Mokate, the Cubs finished 17.5 games behind the 1st place Mitchell Kernels.[1][2][8][9][10]

To minimize travel, the Dakota League was divided into two Class D level leagues in 1923. The two new leagues, each with four teams, were the South Dakota League and the North Dakota League in 1923. The Watertown Cubs played in the 1923 South Dakota League and finished last as the league folded during the season. When the South Dakota League folded on July 17, 1923, the Cubs ended the season with a record of 15–41 record under manager Wib Smith, placing 4th, 19.5.0 games behind the 1st place Sioux Falls Soos.[11][12][1][13][14][15][16]

The Watertown Cubs were followed by the Watertown Lake Sox, a Basin League collegiate summer team, who played from 1954 to 1962. The Watertown Expos resumed minor league play in Watertown in 1971 as an affiliate of the Montreal Expos, playing in the Northern League.[17][18]

The ballpark

The Watertown Cubs were noted to have played home games at Riverside Park. Riverside Park is still in use today as a public park. [19][20][21]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeagueAffiliate
1921–19222Watertown CubsClass DDakota LeagueNone
19231South Dakota LeagueNone
1954–19629Watertown Lake SoxSummer collegiate baseball Basin LeagueNone
1971–19722Watertown ExposClass A Short SeasonNorthern LeagueMontreal Expos

Year-by-year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
192144–536thMattie McGrathNone
192242–546thJohn MokateNone
192315–414thWilbur SmithLeague disbanded July 17

Notable alumni

See also

Watertown Cubs players

References
  1. "Watertown Cubs - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Dakota League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "1921 Watertown Cubs Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1921 Dakota League (DL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "1921 Watertown Cubs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1921 Dakota League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. Crossley, Drew (May 9, 2020). "1970-1971 Watertown Expos • Fun While It Lasted".
  8. "1922 Dakota League (DL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "1922 Watertown Cubs Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1922 Watertown Cubs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "North Dakota League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  12. "South Dakota League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  13. "1923 Watertown Cubs Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. "1923 Dakota League (DL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "1923 Watertown Cubs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "1923 South Dakota League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "Basin League". www.attheplate.com.
  18. "Watertown Expos - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  19. "Riverside Park in Watertown, SD history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  20. "Watertown Stadium - Watertown South Dakota - Former Home of the Watertown Expos". www.digitalballparks.com.
  21. "Riverside Park | Watertown, SD - Official Website". www.watertownsd.us.
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