Washington Browns Explained

Washington Browns
Firstseason:1897
City:Washington, Indiana
Past Class Level:Class C
Past League:Central League
Pastmajorleague:Unaffiliated
Nickname:Washington Browns
Colors:Brown & red

The Washington Browns were a minor league baseball team from Washington, Indiana, that played in the Class C Central League in 1897.

Team history

On February 7, 1897, the Washington Browns were formed as a charter member of the Class C Central League.[1] Joining the Browns in the six-team league were the Cairo Egyptians, Evansville Brewers, Nashville Centennials, Paducah Little Colonels, and Terre Haute Hottentots.[2] Washington's uniforms were brown and red.[3]

Severe financial problems forced the Washington team to disband on July 20, 1897. With low home attendance, the local Athletic Association had contributed $12,000 to support the franchise before it folded. The entire league was facing the same financial hardships and followed suit in folding. As of July 19, 1897, the final day of play, the Browns were in third place with a 33–32 (.508) record.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Central League Organized . Newspapers.com . The Indianapolis Journal . Indianapolis . February 8, 1897 . March 9, 2020 . 5.
  2. Web site: 1897 Central League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. March 9, 2019.
  3. Web site: Billy Work Is in Town . Newspapers.com . The Nashville American . Nashville . February 10, 1897 . March 9, 2020 . 6.
  4. Web site: Baseball News . Newspapers.com . The Paducah Sun . Paducah, Kentucky . July 20, 1897 . March 11, 2020 . 1.
  5. Web site: Looking Back: The 1897 Nashville Centennials. MiLB.com.