On this day 120 years ago, a brief era in Milwaukee baseball history game to an end. With an 8-4 victory over the Columbus Solons, the 1891 Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their first and only season as a member of the American Association.
The win improved the Brewers' record to 21-15, good for third place in the nine team league. Here are the final standings:
Team | Wins | Losses |
Boston Reds | 93 | 42 |
St. Louis Browns | 85 | 51 |
Baltimore Orioles | 71 | 64 |
Philadelphia Athletics | 73 | 66 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 21 | 15 |
Cincinnati Kelly's Killers | 43 | 57 |
Columbus Solons | 61 | 76 |
Louisville Colonels | 54 | 83 |
Washington Statesmen | 44 | 91 |
The Brewers appear to have replaced the Kelly's Killers on August 18 of that season, which is why they played just 36 games. Both teams, however, are listed separately in the standings. The Brewers were led by first baseman John Carney, who hit .300/.389/.464 in his final major league season, and pitchers George Davies, Frank Killen and Frank Dwyer, who combined to work all but 25 of the team's 309.1 innings.
This was the American Association's final season as a major league.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2006-08 Brewer Tony Gwynn Jr., who turns 29.
- 1992 Brewer Bruce Ruffin, who turns 48.
- 1977-80 Brewer Lary Sorensen, who turns 56.