McCook Braves

The McCook Braves were a minor league baseball team that played in the short-season Class D Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959. The McCook Braves were an affiliate of the Milwaukee Braves (1956–1959).

McCook Braves
1956–1959
McCook, Nebraska
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass D (1956–1959)
LeagueNebraska State League (1928–1932, 1956–1959)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
  • Milwaukee Braves (1956–1959)
Minor league titles
League titles 4 1928, 1929, 1930, 1959
Team data
Previous names
Previous parks
Dibola Field (1956–1959)

Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Phil Niekro pitched for the McCook Braves in 1959.

History

Based in McCook, Nebraska, the McCook Braves were members of the Nebraska State League (1956–1959). The Braves played at Dibola Field. Earilier, McCook had hosted the McCook Generals who were also members of the Nebraska State League (1928–1932). McCook captured Nebraska State League championships in 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1959.[1]

The Nebraska State League folded after the 1959 season, along with 1959 league members Hastings Giants, Holdrege White Sox, Grand Island Athletics, Kearney Yankees, McCook Braves and North Platte Indians. McCook has not had another minor league franchise.[2]

The ballpark

While the semi-pro McCook Cats of the early 1950s had played in Eastside Park (called Felling Field today), it was decided with a new Nebraska State League team coming to town, a new field was needed. At the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, a new field was constructed. The field was dubbed Dibola Field after the seven cities of Cibola.[3]

Media

The 1959 McCook Braves season is chronicled in the book A False Spring, written by player Pat Jordan, who eventually retired from baseball to became a writer and an author. ISBN 0-80-327626-5[4]

Phil Niekro, 1974

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Elrod Hendricks, 1968

Year-by-year record

(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
195635-284thBill Steineckenone
195727-296thBill Steineckenone
195840-232ndBill Steineckenone
195943-191stBill SteineckeLeague Champions

References
  1. "McCook Braves - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Nebraska State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "McCook Braves 1956". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  4. "McCook Braves 1959". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
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