Minor league baseball started in Galesburg in 1890, with two teams playing in two leagues. Galesburg first began play as members of the 1890
Central Interstate League. On May 27, 1890, Galesburg had a record of 6–22, when the Central Interstate League franchise moved to
Indianapolis, Indiana. Then, on July 31, 1890,
Galesburg gained another team, becoming members of the
Illinois-Iowa League when the league member
Sterling Blue Coats franchise moved to Galesburg. After an 8–17 record in Galesburg, the Sterling/Galesburg team moved to a third home, in
Burlington, Iowa, where the team became the finished the season as the
Burlington Hawkeyes. Burlington folded after a handful of games and a 30–72 overall record in the three cities. Baseball Hall of Fame member
Bud Fowler played for the Sterling/Galesburg/Burlington team in 1890, hitting .322 for the season and integrating the team and the Illinois-Iowa League. In 1895, minor league baseball returned, as the
Galesburg Trotters played as members of the
Eastern Iowa League. The 1895 season was the only year of play for the
independent level league. The 1895 Eastern Iowa League standings were composed of the
Burlington Spiders (52–39),
Cedar Rapids Rabbits (43–51),
Clinton Bridegrooms (11–26),
Dubuque Colts (66–31), Galesburg Trotters (13–27),
Ottumwa Brownies (49–52),
Rock Island Tri-Cities (14–18) and
Waterloo Indians (21–25). The Galesburg Trotters franchise disbanded on June 25, 1895, and did not return to league play. Galesburg remained in the
Illinois-Missouri League in 1909, playing as the
Galesburg Boosters. The team again finished last in the six–team league with a 47–83 record. Then known as "Pete" Alexander,
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched and played some outfield for the 1909 Boosters. On July 22, 1909, Alexander threw a no–hitter against the
Canton Chinks in a 2–0 Galesburg victory. At age 22, Alexander was 15–8 with a 1.36 ERA and hit .243 in 107 at bats. Alexander was badly injured when he was struck by a throw while baserunning, ending his 1909 season. In 1910, the Galesburg franchise continued minor league play and switched leagues. The
Galesburg Pavers became members of the eight–team Class D level
Central Association, replacing the
Waterloo Lulus in the league. The 1910 Pavers finished with a record of 69–67 to place fourth in the final standings. On June 22, 1910, J.W. Schultz threw a no–hitter for Galesburg against the
Monmouth Browns in a 2–1 victory. In 1911, the Galesburg Pavers continued Central Association play. The Pavers finished the season with a record of 66–63 and placed third in the Central Association final standings. The Central League administrators met at the conclusion of the 1912 season. It was decided that both the Galesburg and Hannibal teams would be folded. Galesburg was awarded $500 for its players. Galesburg then made a failed attempt to join the 1913
Three-I League. The Galesburg Pavers made a brief return to the Central Association in 1914. On July 17, 1914, Central Association member
Ottumwa Packers moved to
Rock Island, Illinois and began play as the
Rock Island Islanders. However, on July 24, 1914, after a few games in Rock Island, the franchise was forced to move to Galesburg to play the remainder of the season after losing a territorial dispute with the
Three-I League, which had teams nearby the
Davenport Blue Sox and
Moline Plowboys as members. After finishing the 1914 season in eighth place at 49–79, the Galesburg franchise did not return to the 1915 Central Association. After the 1914 season, Galesburg, Illinois has not hosted another minor league team. ==The ballparks==