The Hutchinson Salt Packers were a minor league baseball team based in Hutchinson, Kansas. Hutchinson played as members of the Class D level Kansas State League three in three different tenures: in 1905, from 1909 to 1911 and in 1914, winning the 1910 league championship. In between Kansas State League membership, the Salt Packers played as a member of the Class C level Western Association from 1906 to 1909. Hutchinson hosted minor league games at Cook Athletic Park, which was destroyed by fire in 1910 and replaced by Gano Park in 1911.
History
1905-1909: Kansas State League / Western Association
Minor league baseball in Hutchinson, Kansas began with the 1888 "Hutchinson" team, who played the season as members of the six–team independent level Western League.
In 1905, minor league play returned when the Hutchinson "Salt Miners" became charter members of the six–team Class D level Kansas State League. The Salt Miners finished the 1905 season with a record of 22–24 to place fourth, playing the season under managers R.F.Cook and Fred Abbott. Hutchinson finished 4.5 games behind first place Ellsworth in the final standings. Hutchinson briefly folded following the 1905 season.
After beginning the 1906 season without a minor league team, the Hutchinson "Salt Packers" joined the eight-team, Class C level Western Association during the season. On June 12, 1906, the St. Joseph Packers franchise relocated to Hutchinson with a record of 16–24 in league play. After compiling a record of 39–60 record while based in Hutchinson, the St. Joseph/Hutchinson team finished in eighth place with a 55-84 overall record in the Western Association. Frank Genins, Spencer Abbott and Fred Hurlburt served as managers between the two locations. In the final standings, the Salt Packers finished 27.5 games behind the first place Topeka White Sox. Thomas Campbell led the league with 9 home runs.
Salt mining has been an industry in the region since the mid-1800s corresponding to the team nicknames of the era. In the era, Hutchinson was home to a Morton Salt plant in the south side of the city. The plant laid claim as the largest salt facility in the world. Since 2007, Hutchinson has been home to the Strataca underground salt museum in tribute to the natural history and industry of salt mining.
Hutchinson continued play in the eight-team Class C level Western Association in 1907. The Joplin Miners, Leavenworth Convicts, Oklahoma City Mets, Springfield Midgets, Topeka White Sox, Webb City Goldbugs and Wichita Jobbers teams joined the Salt Packers in beginning league play on May 2, 1907.
Playing the 1907 season under manager Doc Andrews, the Salt Packers placed third in the final Western Association league standings, playing the season under manager Doc Andrews. With a 77–59 record, Hutchinson ended the season 22.5 games behind first place Wichita Jobbers, who finished with a 98–35 record.
In 1907, pitcher Smoky Joe Wood was sold after playing two seasons with Hutchinson. Originally an infielder with the team, Wood was moved to pitcher by manager Doc Andrews. George Tebeau, owner of the Kansas City Blues purchased Wood's contract for $3,500. Smoky Joe Wood was depicted as a character in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams.
The 1908 Hutchinson Salt Packers placed fifth in the eight-team league in their final season of Western Association play. The Salt Packers ended the season with a record of 69–70. The returning Doc Andrews and Frank Barber served as managers as Hutchinson finished 20.0 games behind first place Topeka White Sox in the final standings.
1909-1911, 1914: Kansas State League
In 1909, minor league baseball continued as the Hutchinson Salt Packers became members of the reformed eight–team Class D level Kansas State League. The Arkansas City-Winfield Twins, Great Bend Millers, Lyons Lions, McPherson Merry Macks, Newton Railroaders, Strong City-Cottonwood Falls Twin Cities and Wellington Dukes teams joined Hutchinson as 1909 league members.
After resuming minor league play, the Salt Packers placed a close second in the Kansas State League standings. Hutchinson ended the 1909 season with a record of 60–37, playing under manager Bill Zink in the Kansas State League play. The Salt Packers finished just 0.5 game behind the first place Lyons Lions in the final standings. Pitcher Pearl Stanley of Hutchinson led with league with a 23–6 record.