Downtown in Des Moines in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Des Moines Champions

1906

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 7, 2024

1. Des Moines Champions Marker

Inscription. In 1906, the Des Moines team renamed themselves the Champions, in honor of their 1905 crown. The club lived up to the difficulties inherent with such a choice by winning the pennant with ease. The team sported a 97-50, .660 record, a full 23 games ahead of second place Lincoln.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 41° 34.785′ N, 93° 36.934′ W. Marker is in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Line Drive. The marker is in the open-air concourse of Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs baseball team, on the first-base side. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Line Drive, Des Moines IA 50309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Des Moines Demons (within shouting distance of this marker); Iowa Cubs (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Iowa Oaks (about 300 feet away); Des Moines Bruins (about 400 feet away); Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker #13 (about 600 feet away); Site of Old Fort Des Moines (about 700 feet away); Birthplace of Des Moines (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ronald W. Reagan (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Moines.

Regarding Des Moines Champions.

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The Champions were members of the 1900-1937 incarnation of the Western League. The 1906 nickname was one of a half-dozen the franchise used from 1900 until settling on "Boosters" from 1908 until 1924. They included Hawkeyes, Midgets, Undertakers, Prohibitionists, Underwriters and Champs (in 1907, a year after going as the Champions). In 1925 they became the Demons, the name they held until the league folded after the 1937 season.

Also see . . . Baseball-Reference: Des Moines Champs. An article about the 1906 Des Moines Champions, whose roster included future White Sox standout pitcher Eddie Cicotte.

Excerpt: "In 1906 the Western League's defending champions, the former Des Moines Underwriters, changed their name to the Des Moines Champs (or Champions). They went 97-50 to prove their name to be valid; the second-place Lincoln Ducklings finished 23 games back; the Champs had set a record for distance ahead of the #2 club. No other Western League team ever did as well or better. Roscoe Miller led the staff and league with 28 victories (he also lost 15), while Eddie Cicotte went 18-9 and Lou Manske was 23-10. 2B George Magoon fielded .968, the best mark at his position that year, and Mike Welday was second in the WL in average at .359. The team commissioned fancy horse blankets inscribed with the saying
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 7, 2024

2. Des Moines Champions Marker
'Des Moines, Champions of the Western League'."

(Submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Principal Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 7, 2024

3. Principal Park

Principal Park in Des Moines is home of the Iowa Cubs, AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on September 9, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.