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Old 07-19-2023, 12:33 PM   #427
FuzzyRussianHat
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Join Date: Dec 2020
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1967 in OBA



The Australasia League had a first-time champion in 1967 with Melbourne on top. After finishing 80-82 last season, the Mets soared to the top at 100-62. Perth was second at 91-71, while defending league champ Adelaide dropped to seventh with a 74-88 season. Melbourne’s pitching staff posted a WHIP of 0.904 and 1063 total hits, which would be second-best in league history as of 2037.

Mets RF Danny Carrott won back-to-back MVPs. The 25-year old lefty again led the league in runs (92), home runs (45), RBI (93), slugging (.591), OPS (.917), wRC+ (212), and WAR (9.6). Although the Aardvarks struggled, Flynn Rodden won his second Pitcher of the Year. The 27-year old lefty led the league in ERA for the third straight season with his 1.29 mark still standing as of 2037 for the single-season record. He posted 10.3 WAR and a 0.69 WHIP with 319 strikeouts and a FIP- of 44 in 244.2 innings. Unfortunately for Rodden, this was his last great year as a string of injuries derailed his career soon after.



Guam had a strong turnaround from 76 wins to 97 to take the top spot in the Pacific League. It was the second league title for the Golden Eagles, who were the first champs back in 1960. At 97-65, they held off Port Moresby by three games. Defending Oceania Champion Guadalcanal fell to fourth place at 85-77.

Guam RF Sione Hala won his second MVP and earned his and OBA’s second batting Triple Crown. The 24-year old Tongan had a .345 average, 55 home runs, and 130 RBI, while also leading the league in hits (204), runs (94), triple slash (.345/.378/.679), OPS (1.057), wRC+ (216) and WAR (9.8). Guadalcanal’s Sakeo Rasalato won back-to-back Pitcher of the Year honors. The fourth-year Fijian righty had the most wins at 22-11 and led in WAR (11.6), innings (327.2), K/BB (8.7) and FIP- (59). He posted a 2.17 ERA with 338 strikeouts and a 0.81 WHIP.



The eighth Oceania Championship was the second to require all seven games. Melbourne outlasted Guam for the franchise’s first ring. Although the Golden Eagles lost, they had the series MVP in Lucas Ivanir, who had 12 hits, 4 runs, 3 triples, and 4 RBI.



Other notes: Adelaide;s Te Paoro Rangi threw the third OBA perfect and his second, having also done it in 1963. On June 7, he did it again against Gold Coast, striking out 10. It was his second no-hitter of the year, as he K’d nine and walked one in April against Brisbane. He joins East Asia Baseball Hall of Famer Moon Kim as the only professional players to this point with two perfect games. Rangi also became the first OBA pitcher to reach 2000 career strikeouts. Perth’s Nate Makris became the first hitter to 300 homers. SS Fineasi Hausia won his seventh Gold Glove.

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