OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The National Pastime: The United States Baseball Federation rises

KCRoyals15 · 01-28-2025, 05:53 PM

2000

The world survived Y2K and the United States Baseball Federation began its second century of operation, as the festivities from last year's historic commemorations died down. With the focus fully back on the play on the field, fans were entertained as scoring approached record highs, with ERAs in all major leagues hovering just under 5.00.

the Northern Conference was led by New York, who won 102 games, their third-straight season with over 100 wins and a New England League pennant. The Philadelphia A's finished second, a dozen games back, outlasting Brooklyn and Manhattan, who both finished two games behind them, for the final playoff spot.

The Midwest Association was home to an exciting three-team race, as Milwaukee pulled away to win their first pennant since 1981. The Chicago Whales and Cleveland, meanwhile, tied for second, four games back. The Whales won the one-game playoff, though, and with it, their second-straight playoff berth.

In the postseason, New York avenged their upset loss to Philadelphia from the year before, winning game seven at Shea Stadium. Meanwhile, Chicago pulled an upset, knocking off Milwaukee in five games. The Whales went back under in the Northern Championship, though, as the Gothams emerged victorious in six games, winning their first Conference Championship in 38 years.

In the Southern Conference, Atlanta built off their surprise conference title from a year ago with 102 wins and an Eastern League pennant, their best season since 1962. Washington finished five games back, cruising to second place and their first playoff berth in 14 years.

The Western League featured an epic heavyweight battle for the second year in a row, though this time three teams involved. St. Louis won 110 games, their most since 1965, and with it, the WL pennant. Incredibly, after winning 110 games but finishing second the previous year, Kansas City won 108 games...and against finished second. The real loser, though, was Louisville, who won 100 games but ended up in third place, out of the playoff picture.

The postseason saw a mild shocker in the EL, as Washington downed Atlanta in six games in their division final. On the Western side, one of the most anticipated I-70 series of all time lived up to the hype, as Kansas City slipped past St. Louis by winning game seven in hostile territory at Busch Stadium. Fresh off that monumental task, the Blues came through in the clutch again, winning in seven games once again, defeating the Senators to win their second Conference Championship in five years.

The PCL celebrated their 75th season as a major-league circuit, and appropriately, their two most successful teams, San Francisco and San Diego, won the division titles. Sacramento edged Oakland by two games to take the second playoff spot in the North, while Phoenix cruised to a second-place finish in the South. The Firebirds notably set an all-time major league record with 332 home runs, as they boasted three 40-homer bats and a whopping dozen players who hit at least 13 round-trippers.

A once-proud franchise that dominated the 60's, 70's, and 80's, the Seattle Rainiers had fallen on hard times, as their eighth-straight losing season was their worst. Seattle posted a ghastly 63-137 record that was an unfortunate way for the Rainiers to open brand-new Safeco Field.

In the postseason, San Francisco took care of business, dispatching Sacramento in six games. Meanwhile, defending PCL champion Phoenix was keen on defending their title, and they upset San Diego in seven games. The Firebirds kept the heat on, knocking off the Seals to repeat as PCL champions, their third title in four years.

In the Texas League, two-time defending champion Dallas won 95 games and the North Division title, their best season and first division crown in nine years. they also became the first TL club to draw 3 million fans, with 3,217,064 clicking through the turnstiles. Tulsa, meanwhile, outlasted Wichita by four games to finish second, returning to the postseason after a two-year absence. In the South, San Antonio repeated as division champion with a league-best 97 wins, nudging out Houston, who opened brand-new Enron Field with a 95-win season (and over 3 million fans of their own), and their first playoff berth in five years.

The South Division Finals were a classic, as San Antonio battled Houston to the very end, with the Missions emerging on top in seven games. Dallas, meanwhile, was a wrecking crew in the TL playoffs, sweeping Tulsa, then following that up with another sweep of San Antonio, as the Lone Stars emphatically and decisively claimed their third-straight Lone Star Series crown, following up Austin's 1995-97 three-peat with one of their own.

In the national tournament, a big storyline was the first tournament in nearly four decades for New York, while Kansas City was looking to settle some business from the year before. The Blues indeed started off their grudge match in strong form, as the Kansas City Blues (SOU) defeat the New York Gothams (NOR). A Texas terror continued wiping out the postseason competition, as the Dallas Lone Stars (TL) defeat the Phoenix Firebirds (PCL). The finals were an all-time classic that went to the bitter end, but in the end, the Kansas City Blues (SOU) defeat the Dallas Lone Stars (TL), 4-3, as the Blues finally claimed their elusive eighth National Championship, re-tying them for the top spot all-time and winning their first title since 1947.

That last point was a big reason why San Francisco, not Kansas City, was named Franchise of the Century the previous year. That fact was not lost on the victorious Blues. "San Francisco may have been the team of last century, but we're getting started on being the team of this century," said Blues manager Tom Pruitt postgame.

In the Northern Conference, history was made as Buffalo's Matt Thoms broke an all-time record. In just his second season, the 24-year-old blasted 64 home runs, setting a USBF record and becoming the first player outside the Pacific Coast League since the 1930's to hold the USBF home run record. In addition to that mark, Thoms slashed .335/.453/.752 with 177 hits, 133 runs, 26 doubles, and a conference-leading 153 RBI. He even added 18 steals and won a Great Glove at shortstop, making it an easy call for his first MVP award.

Manhattan right-hander Jesse Heir had spent 12 seasons in Wichita and won the Texas League Pitcher of the Year in 1992. Following a couple down seasons, he signed with Manhattan as a free agent in 1999 and quickly returned to form. The 36-year-old went 18-11 with a conference-best 2.96 ERA, striking out 188 over 234.0 innings to earn Pitcher of the Year for a second time.

Two years after his memorable rookie campaign that earned him a Southern Conference MVP trophy, Enrique Rivas of Washington earned his second trophy. The 26-year-old slashed .365/.482/.653 (all conference bests) in winning his second-straight batting title, with a South-leading 209 hits, 146 runs, 42 doubles, 41 home runs, and 123 RBI to earn the hardware.

Right-hander Tyler Cherry churned through three organizations before being flipped to Kansas City at the 1994 trade deadline. After making his big-league debut in 1997, he struggled to stick for three years on a loaded roster. In 2000, though, he finally established himself in a big way, going 21-4 with a 2.92 ERA, leading the South in both marks, and striking out 159 in 243.1 innings, earning a surprising Pitcher of the Year award for the 24-year-old.

Phoenix shortstop Jason Horstkamp enjoyed a strong half-season as a rookie in 1999, then followed it up by slashing .317/.393/.576 with 234 hits, 147 runs, 50 doubles, 9 triples, 41 homers, 126 RBI, and 17 steals, earning Pacific Coast League MVP in his first full season.

On the mound, 34-year-old San Diego ace Jody Hintz was still at the top of his game, narrowly missing his second Triple Crown. Still, he went 23-6 and led the PCL with a 2.96 ERA and 277 strikeouts. He also logged 298.0 innings and eight complete games as the final feathers in his cap for his sixth Pitcher of the Year award.

After earning Texas League Rookie of the Year the previous season, San Antonio outfielder Matt Pickens posted an outstanding campaign, slashing .329/.480/.603 (all TL bests) with 178 hits, a league-leading 143 runs, 31 doubles, 9 triples, 33 homers, and 106 RBI, while also leading the league with 63 steals and 152 walks. That was enough to earn the 25-year-old his first MVP trophy.

Another Mission, righty Josh Faulhaber, had established a reputation as a workhorse and already in his fifth season, the 24-year-old took another step forward, going 22-7 with a 2.52 ERA and 271 strikeouts, leading the TL in all three marks to win the Triple Crown. He also led the league in starts (36), innings (274.2) and complete games (7), easily earning his first Pitcher of the Year crown.

In Hall of Fame voting, the Eastern Baseball Federation had a busy year, electing a three-time MVP, an 11-time All-Star, a former Pitcher of the Year, and a two-time batting champion with a lifetime .335 average:

2B Jaylen Williams (1978-94), 98.0%
OF Adrian Norton (1972-90), 88.5%
SP Miguel Lopez (1973-92), 77.7%
1B Johnny Calixto (1972-85)

Likewise, the Pacific Coast League sent a former Pitcher of the Year and a catcher with nine Great Gloves to the Hall:

SP Noah Long (1982-95), 79.0%
C Brad Harris (1974-91), 75.7%

Finally, the Texas League elected a former Pitcher of the Year who also made ten All-Star appearances:

SP Matt Detrick (1975-94), 86.4%

---

The American Baseball League saw a pair of dominant teams, one leading each division. Richmond won 100 games and the East, with Syracuse, Indianapolis, and Charlotte filing in behind them. In the West, Las Vegas won a franchise-record 102 games, while Anaheim and Tucson tied for second with 94 wins, and Vancouver took the fourth and final playoff spot.

In the postseason, 81-81 Charlotte upset Richmond in seven games, while Syracuse beat Indianapolis, also in seven. In the West, Las Vegas beat Vancouver in six, while Anaheim rolled to a four-game sweep of Tucson. In the semis, Syracuse slipped past Charlotte in seven, while Las Vegas downed Anaheim in six. The Gamblers let it ride and came up aces, defeating the Chiefs in six games for their first American Baseball Cup.

In the East, New Haven catcher Mike Bannister slashed .275/.392/.573 with 100 runs, a league-high 40 homers, and 103 RBI, earning MVP honors. On the mound, Indianapolis righty Costanzo DeGiusti went 14-13 with a 3.64 ERA, striking out 197 and logging 257.1 innings and earning Pitcher of the Year.

In the West, Las Vegas rookie Travis Rathburn had a breakout year, slashing .328/.417/.547, leading the ABL with 193 hits, scoring 133 times, setting a league record with 59 doubles, also leading the league with 17 triples, and 12 homers, 89 RBI, and 68 stolen bases, earning Rookie of the Year and MVP. On the mound, Minneapolis' Dan Chatwin was just 10-10, but the 34-year-old journeyman led the hitter-friendly West with a 3.66 ERA and struck out 158 over 226.0 innings, earning Pitcher of the Year.

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Mobile Marines, 121-33, defeats Montgomery (3rd straight)
Colonial League: Binghamton Big Cats, 87-53, defeats Lowell
River Valley League: Toledo Mud Hens, 87-53, defeats Akron
Rocky Mountain League: Missoula Grizzlies, 69-51, defeats Twin Falls (2nd straight)
Coastal League: Macon Peaches, 93-61, defeats Johnson City (2nd straight)
Northern League: Thunder Bay Timberjacks, 90-50, defeats Green Bay (2nd straight)
Southwest League: Bakersfield Conquistadors, 99-41, defeats Modesto (2nd straight)
Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 83-57, defeats Joplin
Northwest League: Yakima Tomahawks, 100-54, defeats Reno
Can-Am League: Quebec Carnavals, 72-54, defeats Utica (2nd straight)
Mid-Atlantic League: Altoona Engineers, 82-59, defeats Worcester
Lone Star League: Rio Grande White Wings, 93-47, defeats Lubbock
Great Plains League: South Bend Silver Sox, 96-44, defeats Des Moines (3rd straight)
Florida Coast League: Fort Lauderdale Flamingos, 88-52, defeats Tallahassee
Heartland League: Quad Cities Trappers, 78-62, defeats Rockford
Atlantic Coast League: Fayetteville Federals, 66-54, defeats Petersburg
North American League: Saskatoon Rivermen, 78-62, defeats Colorado Springs

The most notable story of the minor league season was the Mobile Marines (minor league affiliate of the Buffalo Bisons) who went a staggering 121-33, setting an all-time non-PCL record for wins by a professional team, surpassing New Haven (American Baseball League), who won 120 games in 1968.

The Marines, who had won 113 and 111 games the previous two seasons, won the Southeastern League by 37 games and posted a +454 run differential (962 runs scored, 508 runs allowed). They scored over a run per game more than any other team and allowed over a run less. Most importantly, they got it done, winning the Southeastern Series in six games over Montgomery, solidifying their status as probably the greatest affiliated minor league team of all time.

01-28-2025, 05:53 PM	#114
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	New Blue Millenium 2000 The world survived Y2K and the United States Baseball Federation began its second century of operation, as the festivities from last year's historic commemorations died down. With the focus fully back on the play on the field, fans were entertained as scoring approached record highs, with ERAs in all major leagues hovering just under 5.00. the Northern Conference was led by New York, who won 102 games, their third-straight season with over 100 wins and a New England League pennant. The Philadelphia A's finished second, a dozen games back, outlasting Brooklyn and Manhattan, who both finished two games behind them, for the final playoff spot. The Midwest Association was home to an exciting three-team race, as Milwaukee pulled away to win their first pennant since 1981. The Chicago Whales and Cleveland, meanwhile, tied for second, four games back. The Whales won the one-game playoff, though, and with it, their second-straight playoff berth. In the postseason, New York avenged their upset loss to Philadelphia from the year before, winning game seven at Shea Stadium. Meanwhile, Chicago pulled an upset, knocking off Milwaukee in five games. The Whales went back under in the Northern Championship, though, as the Gothams emerged victorious in six games, winning their first Conference Championship in 38 years. In the Southern Conference, Atlanta built off their surprise conference title from a year ago with 102 wins and an Eastern League pennant, their best season since 1962. Washington finished five games back, cruising to second place and their first playoff berth in 14 years. The Western League featured an epic heavyweight battle for the second year in a row, though this time three teams involved. St. Louis won 110 games, their most since 1965, and with it, the WL pennant. Incredibly, after winning 110 games but finishing second the previous year, Kansas City won 108 games...and against finished second. The real loser, though, was Louisville, who won 100 games but ended up in third place, out of the playoff picture. The postseason saw a mild shocker in the EL, as Washington downed Atlanta in six games in their division final. On the Western side, one of the most anticipated I-70 series of all time lived up to the hype, as Kansas City slipped past St. Louis by winning game seven in hostile territory at Busch Stadium. Fresh off that monumental task, the Blues came through in the clutch again, winning in seven games once again, defeating the Senators to win their second Conference Championship in five years. The PCL celebrated their 75th season as a major-league circuit, and appropriately, their two most successful teams, San Francisco and San Diego, won the division titles. Sacramento edged Oakland by two games to take the second playoff spot in the North, while Phoenix cruised to a second-place finish in the South. The Firebirds notably set an all-time major league record with 332 home runs, as they boasted three 40-homer bats and a whopping dozen players who hit at least 13 round-trippers. A once-proud franchise that dominated the 60's, 70's, and 80's, the Seattle Rainiers had fallen on hard times, as their eighth-straight losing season was their worst. Seattle posted a ghastly 63-137 record that was an unfortunate way for the Rainiers to open brand-new Safeco Field. In the postseason, San Francisco took care of business, dispatching Sacramento in six games. Meanwhile, defending PCL champion Phoenix was keen on defending their title, and they upset San Diego in seven games. The Firebirds kept the heat on, knocking off the Seals to repeat as PCL champions, their third title in four years. In the Texas League, two-time defending champion Dallas won 95 games and the North Division title, their best season and first division crown in nine years. they also became the first TL club to draw 3 million fans, with 3,217,064 clicking through the turnstiles. Tulsa, meanwhile, outlasted Wichita by four games to finish second, returning to the postseason after a two-year absence. In the South, San Antonio repeated as division champion with a league-best 97 wins, nudging out Houston, who opened brand-new Enron Field with a 95-win season (and over 3 million fans of their own), and their first playoff berth in five years. The South Division Finals were a classic, as San Antonio battled Houston to the very end, with the Missions emerging on top in seven games. Dallas, meanwhile, was a wrecking crew in the TL playoffs, sweeping Tulsa, then following that up with another sweep of San Antonio, as the Lone Stars emphatically and decisively claimed their third-straight Lone Star Series crown, following up Austin's 1995-97 three-peat with one of their own. In the national tournament, a big storyline was the first tournament in nearly four decades for New York, while Kansas City was looking to settle some business from the year before. The Blues indeed started off their grudge match in strong form, as the Kansas City Blues (SOU) defeat the New York Gothams (NOR). A Texas terror continued wiping out the postseason competition, as the Dallas Lone Stars (TL) defeat the Phoenix Firebirds (PCL). The finals were an all-time classic that went to the bitter end, but in the end, the *Kansas City Blues (SOU) defeat the Dallas Lone Stars (TL), 4-3, as the Blues finally claimed their elusive eighth National Championship, re-tying them for the top spot all-time and winning their first title since 1947. That last point was a big reason why San Francisco, not Kansas City, was named Franchise of the Century the previous year. That fact was not lost on the victorious Blues. "San Francisco may have been the team of last century, but we're getting started on being the team of this century," said Blues manager Tom Pruitt postgame. In the Northern Conference, history was made as Buffalo's Matt Thoms* broke an all-time record. In just his second season, the 24-year-old blasted 64 home runs, setting a USBF record and becoming the first player outside the Pacific Coast League since the 1930's to hold the USBF home run record. In addition to that mark, Thoms slashed .335/.453/.752 with 177 hits, 133 runs, 26 doubles, and a conference-leading 153 RBI. He even added 18 steals and won a Great Glove at shortstop, making it an easy call for his first MVP award. Manhattan right-hander Jesse Heir had spent 12 seasons in Wichita and won the Texas League Pitcher of the Year in 1992. Following a couple down seasons, he signed with Manhattan as a free agent in 1999 and quickly returned to form. The 36-year-old went 18-11 with a conference-best 2.96 ERA, striking out 188 over 234.0 innings to earn Pitcher of the Year for a second time. Two years after his memorable rookie campaign that earned him a Southern Conference MVP trophy, Enrique Rivas of Washington earned his second trophy. The 26-year-old slashed .365/.482/.653 (all conference bests) in winning his second-straight batting title, with a South-leading 209 hits, 146 runs, 42 doubles, 41 home runs, and 123 RBI to earn the hardware. Right-hander Tyler Cherry churned through three organizations before being flipped to Kansas City at the 1994 trade deadline. After making his big-league debut in 1997, he struggled to stick for three years on a loaded roster. In 2000, though, he finally established himself in a big way, going 21-4 with a 2.92 ERA, leading the South in both marks, and striking out 159 in 243.1 innings, earning a surprising Pitcher of the Year award for the 24-year-old. Phoenix shortstop Jason Horstkamp enjoyed a strong half-season as a rookie in 1999, then followed it up by slashing .317/.393/.576 with 234 hits, 147 runs, 50 doubles, 9 triples, 41 homers, 126 RBI, and 17 steals, earning Pacific Coast League MVP in his first full season. On the mound, 34-year-old San Diego ace Jody Hintz was still at the top of his game, narrowly missing his second Triple Crown. Still, he went 23-6 and led the PCL with a 2.96 ERA and 277 strikeouts. He also logged 298.0 innings and eight complete games as the final feathers in his cap for his sixth Pitcher of the Year award. After earning Texas League Rookie of the Year the previous season, San Antonio outfielder Matt Pickens posted an outstanding campaign, slashing .329/.480/.603 (all TL bests) with 178 hits, a league-leading 143 runs, 31 doubles, 9 triples, 33 homers, and 106 RBI, while also leading the league with 63 steals and 152 walks. That was enough to earn the 25-year-old his first MVP trophy. Another Mission, righty Josh Faulhaber, had established a reputation as a workhorse and already in his fifth season, the 24-year-old took another step forward, going 22-7 with a 2.52 ERA and 271 strikeouts, leading the TL in all three marks to win the Triple Crown. He also led the league in starts (36), innings (274.2) and complete games (7), easily earning his first Pitcher of the Year crown. In Hall of Fame voting, the Eastern Baseball Federation had a busy year, electing a three-time MVP, an 11-time All-Star, a former Pitcher of the Year, and a two-time batting champion with a lifetime .335 average: 2B Jaylen Williams (1978-94), 98.0% OF Adrian Norton (1972-90), 88.5% SP Miguel Lopez (1973-92), 77.7% 1B Johnny Calixto (1972-85) Likewise, the Pacific Coast League sent a former Pitcher of the Year and a catcher with nine Great Gloves to the Hall: SP Noah Long (1982-95), 79.0% C Brad Harris (1974-91), 75.7% Finally, the Texas League elected a former Pitcher of the Year who also made ten All-Star appearances: SP Matt Detrick (1975-94), 86.4% --- The American Baseball League saw a pair of dominant teams, one leading each division. Richmond won 100 games and the East, with Syracuse, Indianapolis, and Charlotte filing in behind them. In the West, Las Vegas won a franchise-record 102 games, while Anaheim and Tucson tied for second with 94 wins, and Vancouver took the fourth and final playoff spot. In the postseason, 81-81 Charlotte upset Richmond in seven games, while Syracuse beat Indianapolis, also in seven. In the West, Las Vegas beat Vancouver in six, while Anaheim rolled to a four-game sweep of Tucson. In the semis, Syracuse slipped past Charlotte in seven, while Las Vegas downed Anaheim in six. The Gamblers let it ride and came up aces, defeating the Chiefs in six games for their first American Baseball Cup. In the East, New Haven catcher Mike Bannister slashed .275/.392/.573 with 100 runs, a league-high 40 homers, and 103 RBI, earning MVP honors. On the mound, Indianapolis righty Costanzo DeGiusti went 14-13 with a 3.64 ERA, striking out 197 and logging 257.1 innings and earning Pitcher of the Year. In the West, Las Vegas rookie Travis Rathburn had a breakout year, slashing .328/.417/.547, leading the ABL with 193 hits, scoring 133 times, setting a league record with 59 doubles, also leading the league with 17 triples, and 12 homers, 89 RBI, and 68 stolen bases, earning Rookie of the Year and MVP. On the mound, Minneapolis' Dan Chatwin was just 10-10, but the 34-year-old journeyman led the hitter-friendly West with a 3.66 ERA and struck out 158 over 226.0 innings, earning Pitcher of the Year. --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Mobile Marines, 121-33, defeats Montgomery (3rd straight) Colonial League: Binghamton Big Cats, 87-53, defeats Lowell River Valley League: Toledo Mud Hens, 87-53, defeats Akron Rocky Mountain League: Missoula Grizzlies, 69-51, defeats Twin Falls (2nd straight) Coastal League: Macon Peaches, 93-61, defeats Johnson City (2nd straight) Northern League: Thunder Bay Timberjacks, 90-50, defeats Green Bay (2nd straight) Southwest League: Bakersfield Conquistadors, 99-41, defeats Modesto (2nd straight) Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 83-57, defeats Joplin Northwest League: Yakima Tomahawks, 100-54, defeats Reno Can-Am League: Quebec Carnavals, 72-54, defeats Utica (2nd straight) Mid-Atlantic League: Altoona Engineers, 82-59, defeats Worcester Lone Star League: Rio Grande White Wings, 93-47, defeats Lubbock Great Plains League: South Bend Silver Sox, 96-44, defeats Des Moines (3rd straight) Florida Coast League: Fort Lauderdale Flamingos, 88-52, defeats Tallahassee Heartland League: Quad Cities Trappers, 78-62, defeats Rockford Atlantic Coast League: Fayetteville Federals, 66-54, defeats Petersburg North American League: Saskatoon Rivermen, 78-62, defeats Colorado Springs The most notable story of the minor league season was the Mobile Marines (minor league affiliate of the Buffalo Bisons) who went a staggering 121-33, setting an all-time non-PCL record for wins by a professional team, surpassing New Haven (American Baseball League), who won 120 games in 1968. The Marines, who had won 113 and 111 games the previous two seasons, won the Southeastern League by 37 games and posted a +454 run differential (962 runs scored, 508 runs allowed). They scored over a run per game more than any other team and allowed over a run less. Most importantly, they got it done, winning the Southeastern Series in six games over Montgomery, solidifying their status as probably the greatest affiliated minor league team of all time. Last edited by KCRoyals15; 01-30-2025 at 02:44 AM.