Kansas City T-Bones
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City T-Bones are a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Kansas
, in the United States
. The T-Bones are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. The T-Bones have played their home games at CommunityAmerica Ballpark
since 2003, when the team started as a member of the Northern League. In 2011, the team joined the modern American Association.
and Superior, WI)
, which had won the Northern League championship 1997, though league records do not reflect such continuity.
The T-Bones broke ground on CommunityAmerica Ballpark
September 4th, 2002, and just over nine months later played their first home game on June 6th, 2003.
The team's mascot is named "Sizzle".
. For the year, T-Bones player Eddie Pearson received the Most Valuable Player award, Rick Muntean received co-executive of the year, and the entire team received Organization of the Year. Several League Records were set by T-Bones players: Jonathan Krysa set records for innings pitched (165.1), total batters faced, and games started (24); Rick Prieto set new records for walks (78), and runs (97), while tying the league record for triples (10); and Eddie Pearson set the intentional walks record with 17.
, who had been the team's first and only manager. Andy McCauley replaced him. Gallagher has been in professional baseball since 1965 when he was the fourteenth player overall selected, taken in the first round by the San Francisco Giants
, and took another managing job with the St. Joseph Blacksnakes.
in the semi-final round of the playoffs, sweeping them in three games, and then defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats
three games to one to win the Northern League championship.
three games to two in the first round of the playoffs, but were swept in three games by Fargo-Moorhead in the finals. The T-Bones were named Northern League Organization of the Year for the second time in four seasons, and CommunityAmerica Ballpark
was named "Northern League Playing Surface of the Year" for the second straight season.
, Gary SouthShore RailCats
, and the Winnipeg Goldeyes
to join the American Association for the 2011 season.
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The T-Bones are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The T-Bones have played their home games at CommunityAmerica Ballpark
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
CommunityAmerica Ballpark is a multi-purpose stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, home of the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association, and the temporary home of Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer. It is located in the Village West area at 1800 Village West Parkway...
since 2003, when the team started as a member of the Northern League. In 2011, the team joined the modern American Association.
History
The team was previously known as the Duluth-Superior Dukes (representing Duluth, MNDuluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
and Superior, WI)
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
, which had won the Northern League championship 1997, though league records do not reflect such continuity.
The T-Bones broke ground on CommunityAmerica Ballpark
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
CommunityAmerica Ballpark is a multi-purpose stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, home of the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association, and the temporary home of Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer. It is located in the Village West area at 1800 Village West Parkway...
September 4th, 2002, and just over nine months later played their first home game on June 6th, 2003.
The team's mascot is named "Sizzle".
2003
Eddie Pearson led the league in batting average (.362), RBIs (78), and hits (124). and was named 2003 Northern League Player of the Year.2004
The T-Bones finished the regular season with a 48-48 record. They went to the first round of the playoffs and exited the first round after losing 3 of 5 games to the Schaumburg FlyersSchaumburg Flyers
The Schaumburg Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Schaumburg, Illinois, in the United States. The Flyers were to be a charter member of the North American League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, however, the team folded in March of 2011, before they began play in...
. For the year, T-Bones player Eddie Pearson received the Most Valuable Player award, Rick Muntean received co-executive of the year, and the entire team received Organization of the Year. Several League Records were set by T-Bones players: Jonathan Krysa set records for innings pitched (165.1), total batters faced, and games started (24); Rick Prieto set new records for walks (78), and runs (97), while tying the league record for triples (10); and Eddie Pearson set the intentional walks record with 17.
2005
The T-Bones finished 45-49 overall. They finished second in the first half with a record of 27-19, just missing the playoff berth, but never contended in the second half due to the loss of several key players.2006
Jonathan Krysa was named Northern League Pitcher of the Year with a record of 13-5 and a 3.74 ERA. However, the T-Bones finished third in both halves of the season. They led the second-half race until the final week, when a disastrous season-ending road trip ended their hopes. Their overall record of 45-51 for the season was their franchise-worst record and gave them a 181-194 (.482) record in their four years in Kansas City. On Oct. 16, 2006, the T-Bones announced the firing of manager, "Dirty" Al GallagherAl Gallagher
Alan Mitchell Edward George Patrick Henry Gallagher is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the San Francisco Giants and California Angels of Major League Baseball....
, who had been the team's first and only manager. Andy McCauley replaced him. Gallagher has been in professional baseball since 1965 when he was the fourteenth player overall selected, taken in the first round by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, and took another managing job with the St. Joseph Blacksnakes.
2007
The team hired former Schaumburg manager Andy McCauley to replace Gallagher. The team began 2007 with only two players carried over from the previous season, and released them by mid-season for a 100% turnover of its 22-man roster. The T-Bones finished deep in last place in the Southern Division in the first half, but moved into the lead during the second-half and held that lead until a late-season collapse left them in a disappointing second-place finish. The team's overall 44-52 record was one game worse than the previous season's franchise record. Despite their disappointing finish, the organization was named Northern League Organization of the Year.2008
The Northern League contracted to six teams, and a single-division full season schedule was used. The T-Bones finished only marginally better (46-50) than the two previous seasons, but nonetheless qualified as the fourth team in the playoffs. They shocked the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawksFargo-Moorhead RedHawks
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are a professional baseball team based in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States. The RedHawks are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in the semi-final round of the playoffs, sweeping them in three games, and then defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats
Gary SouthShore RailCats
The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana, in the United States. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The RailCats have played their home games at...
three games to one to win the Northern League championship.
2009
The T-Bones matched their previous season's record (46-50) and finish (fourth in a six-team league), but could not advance past the first round, losing that series 3-2 to Gary. Shortly after the end of the season, the team announced that hitting coach Tim Doherty had been promoted to manager for the following season, replacing Andy McCauley.2010
The Northern League expanded to eight teams again, but maintained the same playoff format, allowing the top four finishers into the post-season. The T-Bones enjoyed their most successful season under new manager Tim Doherty, winning 58 games and setting a new league record with 162 home runs, exceeding the previous high by more than 30 per cent. They led through much of the year, but faded in the stretch to finish in second place, three games behind Fargo-Moorhead. T-Bones second baseman Jason Blackwood led the Northern League in home runs (31), RBI (86), runs scored (82), hits (141), total bases (271), and slugging percentage (.636) while finishing third in batting average (.331), and was named 2010 Northern League Player of the Year. The team beat JolietJoliet JackHammers
The Joliet JackHammers were a professional baseball team based in Joliet, Illinois, in the United States. The JackHammers were a member of the Northern League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 2002 to 2010, the JackHammers played their home games at Silver Cross...
three games to two in the first round of the playoffs, but were swept in three games by Fargo-Moorhead in the finals. The T-Bones were named Northern League Organization of the Year for the second time in four seasons, and CommunityAmerica Ballpark
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
CommunityAmerica Ballpark is a multi-purpose stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, home of the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association, and the temporary home of Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer. It is located in the Village West area at 1800 Village West Parkway...
was named "Northern League Playing Surface of the Year" for the second straight season.
2011
On October 13, 2010, the T-Bones left the Northern League, along with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawksFargo-Moorhead RedHawks
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are a professional baseball team based in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States. The RedHawks are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, Gary SouthShore RailCats
Gary SouthShore RailCats
The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana, in the United States. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The RailCats have played their home games at...
, and the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
to join the American Association for the 2011 season.
Year-by-year record
| First Half | Second Half | Overall | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Division | W-L | Finish | W-L | Finish | W-L | Win% | Playoffs | ||||||
| 2003 | West | 20-25 | 4th | 23-21 | 2nd | 43-46 | .483 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2004 | South | 20-28 | 4th | 28-20 | 1st | 48-48 | .500 | Lost semi-final 2-3 | ||||||
| 2005 | South | 27-19 | 2nd | 18-30 | 5th | 45-49 | .479 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2006 | South | 22-26 | 3rd | 23-25 | 3rd | 45-51 | .469 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2007 | South | 18-30 | 4th | 26-22 | 2nd | 44-52 | .458 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2008 | N/A | 46-50 | 4th | N/A | N/A | 46-50 | .479 | Won semi-final 3-0; won championship 3-1 | ||||||
| 2009 | N/A | 46-50 | 4th | N/A | N/A | 46-50 | .479 | Lost semi-final 2-3 | ||||||
| 2010 | N/A | 58-42 | 2nd | N/A | N/A | 58-42 | .580 | Won semi-final 3-2; lost championship 0-3 | ||||||