Best Record: 100-62 (1962)
Worst Record: 29-96 (1933)
Playoff Appearances: 1
Championships: 0
When the NBL first expanded in 1929, they force moved two of their existing teams into markets that had just been vacated by relocating teams, and replaced both with expansion teams. They also put two expansion teams in two new markets, one of which was the Birmingham Bobcats. St. Louis tried hard to get an expansion team, but the league wanted another team in the south due to the Colonels and Seals having just moved down that way. The Bobcats have had a rough go of it, as they have spent most of their time toward the bottom of the division. They have only made the playoffs one time, in 1962 when they were promptly swept by the Blackbirds. They have yet to return to the playoffs as of today, meaning that they still have never won a playoff game. They had a couple more good seasons before sinking back toward the bottom, where they continued to struggle for years. Their attendance was down compared to most teams and never improved, so the team finally looked for a new home. Prior to the 1980 season, they relocated south to New Orleans, Louisiana. Then in 1984, they switched conferences with the Minnesota Lakers, moving over to the NBC to help balance out their divisions geographically. So far, the move has made no difference, as the team has continued to struggle.
Outlook for 1990:
This is not a good team, and chances are they will be a non-factor in the playoff race for the foreseeable future.
Current Manager:
Vince McGrain has been the Bobcats' manager for the past two seasons. He previously had been the Sea Monsters' bench coach. As a player, McGrain pitched for the Boston Rebels from 1964 through 1975. He played for the Knights in 1976 and the Captains in 1977 before retiring.
Hall of Famers:
Sandy Silba, P, 1957-1975
Sandy Silba came up with the Washinton Generals in 1957 and immediately established himself as a starter in right field. Prior to the 1960 season, about a month after the Generals' move to Minnesota was announced, he was traded to the Birmingham Bobcats for three players, only one of whom ever made the Majors, and he did not contribute much beyond a good presence off the bench who could start some of the time. Silba, meanwhile, became one of the best players in Bobcats history. Despite his stellar play, he only got one opportunity to play in the postseason, but he missed the series due to injury after he broke his finger in mid-September. Silba played until 1975, retiring at the age of 42 after putting up stats well below his career averages for two straight seasons. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981.