Davenport Cubs 1946 & 1947 Minor league baseball began in Davenport, Iowa in 1879, when the
Davenport Brown Stockings played the season as charter members of the four-team independent
Northwestern League. The Davenport team began
Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League play in 1901, when the
Davenport River Rats were charter member of the league. The 1937
Davenport Blue Sox, who played the season as members of the
Western League were the team immediately preceding the Davenport Cubs in minor league play. In September 1945, businessman Paul Lagomarcino represented Davenport at a league meeting to reorganize the
Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, as it was one of many minor leagues that were reforming after the conclusion the end of
World War II. When
Madison, Wisconsin failed to renew their
Madison Blues franchise, Davenport was approved to join the league. In their first season, the Davenport Cubs won the league pennant. The Cubs ended the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League regular season tied for first with the Danville Dodges. After the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League regular season ended in a tie between Danville and Davenport, a one game playoff was held at Davenport to decide the pennant winner. With the score tied at 2–2 in the bottom on the 9th inning, Davenport first basemen Paul Swoboda hit a 2-run home run to win the pennant for Davenport. In the 1947 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, Davenport placed sixth in the final regular season standings, and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Cubs ended the season with a record of 55–70 and were managed by
Morrie Arnovich and
Dickey Kerr. Davenport finished 23.5 games behind the first place Danville Dodgers. Waterloo was the league champion. Continuing Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League play under a new nickname, the 1948 Davenport "Pirates" ended the season in last place in the eight-team league. Davenport ended the regular season in fourth place with a record of 67–59, qualifying for the playoffs in finishing 7.5 games behind the first place Evansville Braves.
Bill Burwell served as manager. In the first round of playoffs, Davenport defeated the Waterloo White Hawks 3 games to 2 and advanced. In the final, Davenport won the league championship in sweeping Evansville in 3 games. In 1949, the franchise hired William "Perk" Purnhage, a veteran minor league executive and promoter to become general manager of the Pirates and target increased attendance. The result was on field success and record attendance for the season. In the 1950 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League final standings, the Quads ended the season with a record of 49–75 and placed eighth, missing the playoffs.
Gene Hasson was the player/manager for Davenport. As the league reduced to six teams, the Davenport "Tigers" ended the season in last place and did not qualify for the four-team playoffs. Managed during the season by
Marv Olson, the Tigers ended the season with a record of 56–74. Davenport finished 19.0 games behind the first place Terre Haute Phillies in the final regular season standings. In the playoffs, the Quincy Gems won the league championship. In the 1952 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, the Class B league again expanded to resume play as an eight-team league, adding the
Keokuk Kernels and
Burlington Flints teams. Davenport continued play and ended the season in sixth place, finishing the season with a 54–69 record.
Marv Owen served as manager, as Davenport ended the season 21.0 gamed behind the first place Evansville Braves.
Harvey Kuenn hit .340 for Davenport in 1952 and was called up to the Detroit Tigers after the Davenport season ended. Kuenn had been signed by the Detroit Tigers and received a $55,000 bonus before reporting to Davenport to begin his professional career, which included an 18-game hitting streak in 1952. Kuenn won the 1953
Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award. After the 1952 season, the Davenport franchise did not return to the 1953 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, replaced in league play by the
Peoria Chiefs franchise. The DavSox ended the season in third place in their return to the league. With a final record of 65–65, Davenport was managed by
Skeeter Scalzi, finishing 16.0 games behind the first place Evansville Braves who won the championship as no playoffs were held. The DavSox ended the season with a 71–58 record, as
Ira Hutchinson served as manager. Davenport finished 5.5 games behind the first place
Cedar Rapids Braves in the regular season and Standings. Davenport and Cedar Rapids then met in a playoff for the championship. Davenport lost in the playoff, losing 3 games to 2 to the Braves in their final games. Davenport remained without a minor league team until the 1960
Davenport Braves began play as members of the
Midwest League. Today, Davenport continues to host minor league play as home to the
Quad Cities River Bandits of the
Class A level
Midwest League. ==The ballpark==