South Bend, Indiana minor league baseball history

Minor league baseball teams were based in South Bend, Indiana in various seasons beginning in 1888 through 1932, setting the foundation for the current franchise, who began play in 1988.

Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Max Carey began his professional career playing for South Bend in 1909 and 1910.

[3][4][5][6] The South Bend Green Stockings were Charter members of the Class B level Central League in 1903.

South Bend finished 1.0 games behind the first place Fort Wayne Railroaders and ahead of the Anderson/Grand Rapids Orphans (48–92), Dayton Veterans (61–76) Evansville River Rats (64–68), Marion Oilworkers (71–65), Terre Haute Hottentots (58–80) and Wheeling Stogies (69–68) in the final standings.

[3] [11][12] The 1905 South Bend Greens continued play as members of the Class B level Central League.

[24][25][26] South Bend pitcher Cy Alberts pitched a no–hitter on May 11, 1908, as the Greens defeated the Wheeling Stogies 7–0.

[22][23] The 1909 South Bend Greens placed sixth in the Central League, managed by Angus Grant.

[3][27][28][29] Baseball Hall of Fame member Max Carey made his professional debut for South Bend, as a 19-year–old.

With a regular season record of 88–50, South Bend finished first in the standings under managers Ed Wheeler and Midge Craven.

South Bend finished 8.5 games ahead of the second place Fort Wayne Billikens in the final league standings.

Baseball Hall of Famer Max Carey remained with South Bend for a second season and hit .293, with 36 stolen bases for the 1910 Bronchos championship team.

South Bend ended the season with a record of 41–88, finishing 36.0 games behind the first Place Fort Wayne Railroaders.

South Bend finished 10.5 games ahead of the second place Battle Creek Crickets in the six–team league.

With a record of 56–77, South Bend finished 31.5 games behind the champion Grand Rapids Black Sox.

[49][50][3][51] The 1917 South Bend Benders moved to Peoria, Illinois during the Central League season and the team made the playoffs.

In the 1917 Playoffs, the Grand Rapids Black Sox defeated the South Bend Benders/Peoria Distillers 4 games to 3.

The South Bend Blue Sox and the famed Rockford Peaches were the only two teams to play for the duration of the AAGBPL.

[66][67] Beginning in 1903, through 1932, South Bend teams were noted to have played home games at Springbrook Park.