Professional baseball started in Galesburg in 1890, with two teams playing in two leagues. Galesburg first played in the 1890 Central Interstate League League. On May 27, 1890, Galesburg was 6–22, when the team moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Then, on July 31, 1890, the Sterling Blue Coats of the Illinois-Iowa League moved to Galesburg. After an 8–17 record in Galesburg, the team moved to a third home, in Burlington, Iowa, where the team became the Burlington Hawkeyes. Burlington folded after a handful of games and a 30–72 overall record. Professional baseball returned when the Galesburg Trotters played in the 1895 Eastern Iowa League. 1895 was the only year of existence for the Independent league. The 1895 Eastern Iowa League was composed of the Burlington Spiders, Cedar Rapids Rabbits, Clinton Bridegrooms, Dubuque Colts, Galesburg Trotters, Ottumwa Brownies, Rock Island Tri-Cities and Waterloo Indians. The Galesburg Trotters franchise disbanded on June 25, 1895 and did not return to league play. In 1908, the Galesburg Hornets were founded and joined the Class D Illinois-Missouri League. Other charter members of the 1908 league were the Canton Chinks, Hannibal Cannibals, Havana Perfectors, Macomb Potters and Monmouth Browns. The Galesburg Hornets had four different managers and finished last at 50–67. Galesburg remained in the Illinois-Missouri League in 1909, playing as the Galesburg Boosters. The team again finished last in the six-team league with a 47–83 record. Then known as "Pete" Alexander, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched and played some outfield for the 1909 Boosters. At age 22, Alexander was 15–8 with a 1.36 ERA and hit.243 in 107 at bats. Alexander was badly injured when he was struck by a throw while baserunning, ending his 1909 season. In 1910, the Galesburg Pavers replaced the Waterloo Lulus in the eight–team Class D Central Association. The Pavers finished 69–67 in 1910; 66–63 in 1911 and 61–67 in 1912. The Pavers folded after the 1912 season along with the Hannibal Cannibals. Galesburg drew 18,000 fans for the 1912 season, an average of 281 per game. In 1912, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Sam Rice began the season with the Galesburg Pavers, playing in exhibition games. However, Rice left the team when his wife, two children, both of his parents and two sisters were killed in a tornado on April 21, 1912. The Central League administrators met at the conclusion of the 1912 season. When it was decided that both Galesburg and Hannibal would be folded, Galesburg was awarded $500 for its players. Galesburg then made a failed attempt to join the Three-I League. The Galesburg Pavers made a brief return to the Central Association in 1914. The Central Association member Ottumwa Packers moved to Rock Island, Illinois on July 17, 1914 and began play as the Rock Island Islanders. However, on July 24, 1914, after a few games in Rock Island, the franchise was forced to move to Galesburg to play the remainder of the season after losing a territorial dispute with the Three-I League. After finishing the 1914 season in 8th place at 49–79, the franchise did not return in 1915. Galesburg has not hosted another professional baseball team.
The ballparks
The pre-20th century Galesburg teams played at Willard Field. Willard Field was on the Knox College campus in Galesburg, Illinois. On April 1, 1907, the Chicago White Sox played against Knox College at Willard Field. The 1908–1914 era Galesburg teams played at Illinois Field. The ballpark was on Monmouth Boulevard, located near the former Admiral Plant, Galesburg, Illinois. Galesburg possibly played some games at the baseball facilities on the campus of Lombard College. The site today is home to Lombard Junior High School, 1220 East Knox St, Galesburg, Illinois, 61401.
