The Hutchinson Elks were a minor league baseball team based in Hutchinson, Kansas. Between 1934 and 1954 the team played in the Western Association. The team first began in 1934 as the Hutchinson Larks. The following year the club came a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals before spending the next 7 seasons affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1939 the team's name changed to the Hutchinson Pirates. After World War II, the club became and affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and became the Hutchinson Cubs, winning their first league title in 1946. On July 21, 1948, club then moved to Springfield, Missouri and became the Springfield Cubs.
The following year the Pirates reestablished a franchise in Hutchinson which existed until 1954.BR Minors Under the Pirates, Hutchinson won two more league championships, in 1950 and 1953, both under manager Wes Griffin.
Season-by-season
Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs1934 66–68 4th Boyce Morrow 1935 68–61 3rd Boyce Morrow 1936 79–65 3rd Dick Goldberg 1937 78–64 2nd Dick Goldberg / Dick Klinger / Hugh McMullen Lost in 1st round 1938 70–67 4th Hugh McMullen Lost League Finals 1939 49–86 8th Jimmy Jordan 1940 50–86 8th Jimmy Jordan / Adolph Arlitt 1941 53–81 6th Johnny Gooch 1942 50–76 6th Walter Holke 1946 73–56 2nd Dickie Kerr League Champs 1947 63–76 6th Morrie Arnovich / Dickie Kerr 1948 25–52 – Frank Piet Moved to Springfield, MO on July 21 1949 41–93 7th Russ Sehon / Howard McCormick / Burl Storie 1950 77–60 2nd Wes Griffin League Champs 1951 57–66 6th Wes Griffin 1952 70–66 3rd Wes Griffin 1953 80–60 2nd Wes Griffin League Champs 1954 72–67 5th George Genovese / Larry Dorton
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