The year is 1920, tickets to a baseball game averaged probably about a single dollar. The MLB was in its early stages, but another league was thriving just as well. On February 13th, 1920, a man named Rube Foster officially founded the Negro National League. The founding meeting took place at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City. From there, a famous team known as the Kansas City Monarchs was formed. The KC Monarchs name has been filled with history and plenty of winning.
KC Monarchs History Filled With Wins And Talent
The KC Monarchs were owned and operated by J.L. Wilkinson and were nothing short of good. Their worst record in team history was 30-38 in 1944. Their best record was in 1929 when the Monarchs finished 63-17 and first place in the Negro National League. Overall, the Monarchs went 1086-583 in their history as a franchise (1920-1948).
The Monarchs only won two Negro World Series Championships (1924, 1942), but they dominated with 13 Negro National and American League titles. The Monarchs were the Negro Leagues’ first “world champions” after defeating Hilldale in the organization’s inaugural World Series in 1924.
With famous alumni like James “Cool Papa” Bell, Turkey Stearnes, Satchel Paige, Newt Allen, Jesse Williams, Bonnie Serrell, Wilber Rogan, and Buck O’Neil, the history is rich here. The Monarchs took home an unsurpassed ten league pennants (including multiple flags in the Negro National and Negro American Leagues). Pick a year for the Monarchs, and odds are it was a good season.
Kansas City Monarchs Revival
So, where am I going with this? Well, this part of baseball history, rich with amazing stats and famous players, has been revived. The Kansas City Monarchs’ name, that is, has been brought back. In 2021, the formerly known independent American Association team, the Kansas City T-Bones, changed their name to the Kansas City Monarchs. The name change resulted from a partnership with the Negro Leagues baseball museum in downtown Kansas City.
The 2021 season was the inaugural year for the KC Monarchs in the American Association. But before they became the Monarchs, the “T-Bones” were quite successful. While the coaching staff has not changed much, the winning ways have also stayed consistent. This coaching staff has won the American Association league title twice since 2018. The 2018 title was under the “T-Bones” name, and in their inaugural season as the Monarchs, they won the league title again.
To say it was fate that they win under a new name in their first year could be true. However, their 69-31 record in 2021 says it was anything but fate. Lastly, the KC Monarchs swept the Cleburne Railroaders in the league title series four games to none. They put together an elite roster and won the league swiftly and efficiently.
Why Is This Important?
First, this KC Monarchs franchise is worthy of attention across any league news board. They have brought the Monarchs’ name back to life. From winning the league by quite a few games to developing talent for the pros, much like the Negro League version of this franchise, it all is great for the game of baseball. This team needs to have more people watching for the foreseeable future.
Lastly, it is important to recognize all aspects of baseball. With the MLB now recognizing the Negro Leagues’ stats in their history books, this part of the history also deserves recognition. The story is there, and with the Monarchs looking to defend a league title, the anticipation of more good baseball is undoubtedly on the way.
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