On May 4, 1875, the Keokuk Westerns became Iowa’s first professional baseball team, representing the “Western Base Ball Club of Iowa” in the National Association, a precursor to today’s MLB. They played home games at Perry Park in Keokuk and were notable for being the furthest west professional team at the time. Despite a challenging inaugural season, finishing with a 1-12 record under manager Joe Simmons, the Westerns highlighted the potential of professional baseball in the Midwest, with standout player Paddy Quinn achieving a .326 batting average.
Keokuk’s baseball legacy extended well beyond the Westerns, as the city hosted minor league teams for nearly a century, including the Keokuk Indians, Pirates, Kernels, Cardinals, and Dodgers. It served as a home for affiliates of major league clubs such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Notable figures like Bud Fowler and Roger Maris contributed to Keokuk’s rich baseball history, solidifying its status as a significant hub for the sport in Iowa.
