The Rochester Bronchos were a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York, from 1899 to 1911.[citation needed]
In 1899, the franchise was purchased by a syndicate of local businessmen doing business as the "Flower City Baseball Company": George W. Sweeney, the president of the Rochester Trotting Association, John Nash, F. E.Youngs, Edward F. Higgins, and John H. Callahan,[1] and the team was renamed the Bronchos. The owners hired Al Buckenberger as manager, and, despite having been a last-place team the previous year, the Bronchos won the Eastern League title.[2][3] They also won the Eastern League title in 1901.[4]
In 1903, the nickname was changed to Beau Brummels. However, the team's fortunes did not improve, and the 1904 Beau Brummels were named the worst team in Rochester history, with a record of 28-105.[2]: 14–15 In 1909, the Bronchos again managed to go from last to first, improving from 55-82 to 90-61. They won the pennant the next two years as well, with 92-61 and 98-54 seasons.
Buckenberger returned to the Bronchos in 1905, but the team continued to flounder. In 1908, he was summarily fired during a game and replaced by the shortstop, Eddie Holly. In 1909, John "Big Jawn" Ganzel became the manager, and the team was renamed the Rochester Hustlers. The move was a success, with the team winning three straight Eastern League pennants in 1909–1911.[2] In 1909, the team bore the nickname Camels.[5]
Until 1908, the team played at Culver Field. That year, they moved to the newly constructed "Baseball Park".[6]
- ^ "Rochester's Franchise". Democrat and Chronicle. 10 Feb 1899. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c Mandelaro, Jim; Pitoniak, Scott (1996). Silver Seasons: The Story of the Rochester Red Wings. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 0-8156-2703-3. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "untitled". Democrat and Chronicle. 15 Apr 1899. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ "The Baseball Season Ended - Rochester Won Championship With Good Margin". Montreal Daily Star. September 23, 1901. p. 2.
- ^ "Bisons and Leaders Battle Here Today". Buffalo Evening News. June 8, 1909. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "Holly, Clancy, Loudy, with Other Luminaries of Bronch Firmament, Should Land Flag". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. April 19, 1908. Retrieved June 27, 2020.