Keokuk Westerns Baseball: Iowa Time Machine May 4, 1875

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On May 4, 1875, the Keokuk Westerns stepped up to the plate to make history as Iowa’s very first professional baseball team. Representing the "Western Base Ball Club of Iowa," the Westerns played in the National Association, the first professional baseball league that many consider a major league precursor to today’s MLB. 

Playing home games at Perry Park in Keokuk, the Westerns derived their name from their status as the farthest west professional baseball team at that time. The Westerns struggled during the first season, finishing with a 1-12 record. Managed by Joe Simmons, the team showcased talents like catcher Paddy Quinn, who boasted a .326 batting average. 

Despite their struggles on the field, the Westerns symbolized the dawn of professional baseball in Iowa and the Midwest, paving the way for future teams and leagues in the region. Keokuk’s baseball legacy didn’t end there. The city continued to be a hub for minor league baseball for nearly a century, hosting teams like the Keokuk Indians, Pirates, Kernels, Cardinals, and Dodgers. 

The home of affiliates of major league clubs, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers,  notable baseball figures like pioneer Bud Fowler and 1961 home run record holder Roger Maris, all played a part in Keokuk’s rich baseball history. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar