Featuring stars such as Yankee's future OF Otis Johnson (.323), and future Boston
Braves pitcher Bill Upham (14-4), the Binghamton Bingoes shot their way up to
1st place in 1913 going 84-53 (.613) finishing ahead of Wilkes Barre, and immediately
taking the NYSL Championship home to their new house... Johnson Field in
1913. The following season featured, like 1913... many former and future Major
Leaguers such as future Cincinnati Reds' Mike Konnick (.320) and former Washington
Senators' Bill Kay (22 2B, 14 3B, 4 HR, .322). The Elmira Pioneers however
were the team to beat as they won 90 games to Binghamton's 78-56 (.584) record,
sending the Bingoes spiraling to 4th place despite a decent winning percentage.
By 1915 however, the team was back in 1st behind the talents of former Brooklyn
Superbas (Dodgers) power hitter Tim Jordan (.340), a returning Senators' Bill
Kay (league leading .378 avg, league leading 98 runs, NYSL record 25 Triples),
Warren Harned (17-9), former Boston Doves (Braves) Sam Frock (16-8) and former
Cleveland Indians' Charles Sitton (16-8). Together these three would take the
team to a fantastic 79-44, .642 winning percentage (in a shortened season), taking
their second New York State League Championship home to Johnson Field in
their first 3 seasons here. Bill Kay returned in 1915 to lead the league again
in average (.360), Runs (85) and Hits (166) along with 25 doubles. He was joined
by the future Brooklyn Dodgers' Mack Wheat (.310) and Johnny Miljus (11-6) along
with a returning Boston Braves' Sam Frock (21-6) who would have the most wins
ever so far at Johnson Field. Despite the talents... the team fell to 69-61
(.530) in 3rd place. The Bingoes would make a serious run at it again in 1917 as
they would go 71-44 (.617) but in the end, the Wilkes Barre Barons proved unbeatable
as they finished the season at 81-37 (.686), behind the Bingoes former
manager Jack Calhoun (who until this season, had been the team since they came
to Johnson Field). The Bingoes would finish in 2nd. It would be the last time they
would compete in this league as the 19 year old New York State League came
to an end. |
Photograph Courtesy of Broome County Historical Society |