Hutchinson Elks


The Hutchinson Elks were a minor league baseball team based in Hutchinson, Kansas. Between 1934 and 1954 the team played in the Western Association. The team first began in 1934 as the Hutchinson Larks. The following year the club came a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals before spending the next 7 seasons affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1939 the team's name changed to the Hutchinson Pirates. After World War II, the club became and affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and became the Hutchinson Cubs, winning their first league title in 1946. On July 21, 1948, club then moved to Springfield, Missouri and became the Springfield Cubs.
The following year the Pirates reestablished a franchise in Hutchinson which existed until 1954. Under the Pirates, Hutchinson won two more league championships, in 1950 and 1953, both under manager Wes Griffin.

Season-by-season

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
193466-684thBoyce Morrow
193568-613rdBoyce Morrow
193679-653rdDick Goldberg
193778-642ndDick Goldberg / Dick Klinger / Hugh McMullenLost in 1st round
193870-674thHugh McMullenLost League Finals
193949-868thJimmy Jordan
194050-868thJimmy Jordan / Adolph Arlitt
194153-816thJohnny Gooch
194250-766thWalter Holke
194673-562ndDickie KerrLeague Champs
194763-766thMorrie Arnovich / Dickie Kerr
194825-52-Frank PietMoved to Springfield, MO on July 21
194941-937thRuss Sehon / Howard McCormick / Burl Storie
195077-602ndWes GriffinLeague Champs
195157-666thWes Griffin
195270-663rdWes Griffin
195380-602ndWes GriffinLeague Champs
195472-675thGeorge Genovese / Larry Dorton