The team began the 1888 season with part-time outfielderDave Rowe as their player-manager. He was released from the team after beginning the season with a win–loss record of 14–36 though 50 games.[4] He was replaced with second basemanSam Barkley, who did not improve the team's play, winning 22 of the next 58 games.[4] He was replaced with non-playing managerBill Watkins, who finished the season.[4] Although the Cowboys completed their initial season in last place out of the league's eight teams, there were notable player achievements; on June 6, Henry Porter threw a no-hitter, and on June 13, Barkley hit for the cycle.[4][5][6]
The franchise's only future Hall of Fame player, "Slidin' Billy" Hamilton, began his career as a part-time outfielder in 1888, and was their starting right fielder in 1889.[7][8] He is the franchise's all-time leader in runs scored, bases on balls, and stolen bases.[9] With Watkins as the team's manager in 1889, the team improved their win–loss record to 55–82, with two ties, finishing seventh among the league's eight teams.[10][11] On November 15, 1889, the Cowboys submitted their resignation from the AA and joined the Western Association as the Kansas City Blues for the 1890 season.[12]
Barkley led the 1888 team with four home runs, however he finished behind Jim Burns for the franchise lead. He hit for the cycle on June 18, 1888, and was the team's player-manager for a period of 58 games following the release of Dave Rowe.
Burns played just 13 games for the 1888 team, but became the team's starting center fielder in 1889. He had a .304 batting average in 134 games played. His five home runs in 1889 led the team, and is good for the franchise lead. He is also the franchise all-time leader in hits and runs batted in.
Sold to Cowboys by the Baltimore Orioles before the 1888 season, he had a .206 batting average in 61 games. It was his last season with a major league team.
Sold to Cowboys by the Baltimore Orioles before the 1888 season, he was the team's third baseman for both seasons until being released from the team in August 1889.
Donahue was the team's starting catcher in 1888, then split time at the position with Charlie Hoover in 1889. When not playing catcher, he spent time in the outfield.
Sold to Cowboys by the Louisville Colonels before the 1888 season, he became the team's starting shortstop, and led the league in fielding percentage at his position.
Hamilton joined the team mid-season in 1888, and appeared in 35 games, and had a .264 batting average. As their starting right fielder in 1889, he led the league with 111 stolen bases. He is the only Cowboys player to be enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He played in three games during the 1888 season, however he appeared in 71 the following season when he split time as the team's starting catcher with Jim Donahue.
Long began his 16-season career with the 1889 Cowboys as their starting shortstop. He had a .275 batting average that season with 137 runs scored in 136 games.
The Cowboys signed Mattimore after he was released by the Philadelphia Athletics. After 19 games played, and a .160 batting average, the Cowboys released him as well.
Normally a center fielder during his major league career, he split time in 1888 between center and right field. In 130 games played, he had a .246 batting average, and he was sold to the Columbus Solons following the season.
In the final season of his seven-year major league career, Rowe was the team's player-manager for the first 50 games of the season, and had a .172 batting average in 32 games played.
Stearns had career high totals in several different batting statistical categories. He played in a total of 139 games, and led the league among first basemen with 135 games at the position.
In his lone season at the major league level, he started 47 games, finished one, and completed 45. His 19 wins led the team, as well as sharing the franchise all-time lead in pitching victories with Jim Conway.