1907 Wichita Jobbers

In 2001, minor league baseball celebrated its 100th anniversary. MiLB.com named the top 100 minor league teams of those 100 years. The 1907 Wichita Jobbers were 41st on the list.

Led by player-manager Jack Holland, the Jobbers amassed an incredible 98-35 record (.737), which is third-best all-time. They won the Western Association championship by 15½ games over Oklahoma City.

Nine members of the Jobbers either went on to the major leagues or had previous major league experience. Centerfielder Clyde “Deerfoot” Milan’s contract was purchased by Washington in August. He remained with the Senators as player or coach for the next 33 years. Beals Becker, of El Dorado, also went directly to the majors and spent the next seven years with four different teams.

The pitching staff had a pair of twenty game winners: Harley Young went 29-4 and Dick Speer was 21-10. Frank Dick also won 18 games.

In 1909, Holland moved the team to St. Joseph, Missouri. After spending a season in Hutchinson in 1917, Holland moved the franchise to Oklahoma City where it became a member of the Texas League in 1932.