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KCRoyals15 · 02-03-2025, 07:56 PM

2002

One notable trend that emerged early on in the 2002 season was the presence of a lot of quality teams. True to form, just one playoff team had less than 90 wins and five teams with over 90 wins failed to make the playoffs. This also led to a few good races.

In the Northern Conference, Manhattan won the New England League for the first time in five years. Winning 98 games and drawing a record 3,804,104 fans. New York finished five games back to take the other playoff spot. In the Midwest Association were the two strongest Eastern Baseball Federation teams. Buffalo tied a franchise record by winning 106 games, but had to fend off a challenge from the Chicago Whales, who won 104 contests, taking the other playoff spot.

In the postseason, both second-place teams pulled first-round upsets in convincing fashion. New York took down Manhattan in five games, while Chicago bludgeoned Buffalo in a four-game sweep. The Whales continued their hot streak, grinding up the Gothams in another sweep to win their first Conference Championship since 1964.

The Southern Conference saw the Pittsburgh Ironmen win the Eastern League, their first pennant and playoff berth in seven years. Washington punched their third playoff ticket in a row, finishing six games back. The Western League had four teams win at least 93 wins, with Louisville finishing first at 98-64 and Kansas City one game back. Salt Lake City won 94 wins and New Orleans 93, but both missed the playoffs.

Just like in the North, Southern second-place teams shined in the postseason. Washington pummeled Pittsburgh in five games, while Kansas City leapt over Louisville in six games. The Blues then sunk the Senators in six games, earning KC their second conference title in three years and third in seven years.

In the Pacific Coast League, the North had a tight race for the top, which ended with San Francisco finishing first, two games ahead of Sacramento, who comfortably earned the second playoff spot, their fifth playoff trip in a row. After last year's breakthrough, San Jose posted their best big-league season, going 131-69 to post the best record in the major leagues. Phoenix finished second to earn their sixth playoff berth in a row.

Amazingly, the Pacific Coast League also was dominated by runner-ups in the postseason. Sacramento started things off by dispatching San Francisco in five games. Phoenix then waged a tough battle with San Jose, but vanquished the Gulls in seven games. Phoenix was looking for their fourth-straight PCL title, but the Solons shot down the Firebirds in five games, earning Sacramento their first PCL title since 1973.

The Texas League North was the weakest division/league in the USBF, with Fort Worth (90 wins) and Tulsa (84 wins) being the two playoff teams with the lowest win totals in the entire country. Tulsa earned their third playoff berth in a row by nudging out Dallas by one game. The South was much stronger with Houston winning 102 games and their second-straight division title. Austin won 93 games and finished second, one game ahead of San Antonio for the final playoff spot.

In the postseason, Fort Worth took care of business, becoming the only first-place team to win a playoff series this season, and doing so emphatically with a sweep of Tulsa. Austin, meanwhile, upset division champion Houston in seven games. The well-rested Panthers took advantage of the time off, wrapping it up against the Wranglers in six games, earning Fort Worth their first Texas League title since 1989.

The national tournament featured three teams that were not regulars on the biggest stage, but Chicago was more than up to the task, as the Chicago Whales (NOR) defeat the Kansas City Blues (SOU). Meanwhile, two teams snapping long tournament droughts squared off, as the Fort Worth Panthers (TL) defeat the Sacramento Solons (PCL). The Whales only had one title, back in 1957, while the Panthers had never won one. In the end, the Chicago Whales (NOR) defeat the Fort Worth Panthers (TL), 4-2, giving Chicago their first National Championship in 45 years and their second all-time.

After setting the single-season USBF home run record in 2000, Buffalo's Matt Thoms missed a large chunk of 2001. He was back to health this year and slashed .310/.415/.629 with 174 hits, 121 runs, 33 doubles, a conference-high 48 homers, and 135 RBI, giving Thoms his second Northern Conference MVP award.

Chicago lefty Adrian Wright enjoyed a huge debut season. The 21-year-old rookie went 19-5 with a 2.98 ERA, worked 259.1 innings, spun a conference-high six complete games, and set a Northern Conference record with 278 strikeouts, earning Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.

Salt Lake City's Joel Boyd was incredibly screwed out of an MVP the previous season despite his record-breaking 72-homer season. This year he blasted "only" 66 homers and drove in 159 runs (both EBF bests) and slashed .326/.403/.736 with 183 hits a South-best 143 runs, earning MVP honors this time.

After winning three Northern Conference Pitcher of the Year awards from 1991-93 for Manhattan, Freddy Perez was still effective, but battled injuries over the ensuing years. After a mid-2001 trade to Kansas City, he stayed healthy and in his first full season with the Blues, went 19-10 with a 3.05 ERA, leading the South in starts (36) and strikeouts (213) and working 239.0 innings, winning his fourth Pitcher of the Year, but his first one in the South and first in nine seasons.

In the PCL, Phoenix's Jason Horstkamp was king of the West for the second time in three seasons. The 26-year-old slashed .338/.409/.564, winning the PCL batting title and also leading the league with 243 hits and 155 runs. He added 52 doubles, 9 triples, 31 homers, 129 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and a Great Glove, taking the hardware home.

On the hill, San Francisco's John Yunker took a few years to settle in, but broke out into a legit ace in 1999, despite the highest walk numbers in the country. This year, he led the PCL in walks for the fourth year in a row, but went 23-12 and also led the PCL in ERA (2.70) and strikeouts (226) while still logging 270.0 innings, taking Pitcher of the Year.

For the second time in three years, the same two San Antonio Missions swept the major Texas League awards. On the offensive side, Matt Pickens slashed .311/.461/.527 with 167 hits, a TL-leading 124 runs, 38 doubles, 9 triples, 20 homers, 86 RBI, and league-leading totals in walks (151) and steals (47), earning his second MVP.

On the mound, teammate Josh Faulhaber won his third-straight Pitcher of the Year award, going 22-6 with a 2.37 ERA, leading the TL in both marks and innings (250.2). It was his fourth year in a row leading in wins and fifth-straight season with the most innings. He struck out 220 batters, but his streak of five seasons leading in that came to an end, costing him a second Triple Crown.

The Eastern Baseball Federation elected a pair of fleet-footed former stars; one of them a ten-time All-Star and the other a former MVP:

3B Ken Heavner (1981-96), 87.6%
OF Austin Wohlgemuth (1979-92), 77.0%

The Pacific Coast League elected a member of the All-Century Team, plus a three-time Pitcher of the Year:

1B Marco Adams (1985-00), 97.7%
SP Mike Guy (1983-98), 83.6%

Finally, the Texas League elected a 12-time All-Star behind the plate:

C Sam Bonetti (1970-87), 77.5%

---

In the American Baseball League, Syracuse dominated to a franchise-record 103 wins, far outpacing Richmond, Charlotte, and Indianapolis, who took the other three playoff spots in the East. The West had two-time defending champion Las Vegas on top, three games clear of Anaheim, with Memphis and Nashville rounding out the playoff field.

In the first round, Syracuse took care of Indianapolis, while Charlotte swept Richmond. Las Vegas took care of Nashville, but Memphis upset Anaheim, both in six games. Syracuse survived a seven-game push from Charlotte in the semis, while Las Vegas breezed past Memphis in five. Looking for the first three-peat in ABL history, the Gamblers took down the Chiefs in six games for their third-straight American Baseball Cup.

In the East, Syracuse's Frank Rivas slashed .340/.402/.605, winning the batting title and also leading the East with 200 hits and 129 RBI, while adding 112 runs, 49 doubles, and 33 homers, winning MVP honors. Charlotte's Mark Hartl went 20-11 with a 3.52 ERA, leading the ABL in wins, innings (288.2), strikeouts (240) and shutouts (4) and logging 17 complete games, earning Pitcher of the Year.

Out West, Las Vegas' Tim Yock took Rookie of the Year, slashing .306/.440/.585 with 174 hits, 137 runs, and a league-high 39 homers and 133 RBI, also taking home MVP for his work. Vancouver's Orlando Barba was surprise Pitcher of the Year with his 13-14 record, but with a strong 3.55 ERA and a West-best 235 strikeouts in 243.1 innings.

---

With the popularity of professional baseball steadily growing in the late 90's/early 00's, it was only a matter of time before another new league popped up. This one popped up in an area virtually untouched by pro sports: very northern New England and Atlantic Canada. Appropriately, the North Atlantic League it would be called:

North Atlantic League

The league featured seven new teams, with the Portland Lobsters, a natural geographic fit, moving over from the more far-flung Can-Am League. The Trois-Rivieres Industriels would replace Portland in the Can-Am.

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Savannah Cardinals, 113-41, defeats Lexington (2nd straight)
Colonial League: Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons, 84-56, defeats Reading (2nd straight)
River Valley League: Toledo Mud Hens, 94-46, defeats Rochester
Rocky Mountain League: Cheyenne Bulls, 67-53, defeats Missoula
Coastal League: Macon Peaches, 95-59, defeats Johnson City (4th straight)
Northern League: Green Bay Giants, 112-28, defeats Appleton (2nd straight)
Southwest League: Modesto Growers, 78-62, defeats Ventura (2nd straight)
Southern Association: Columbus Catfish, 77-63, defeats Springfield (2nd straight)
Northwest League: Pocatello Gatekeepers, 111-43, defeats Reno
Can-Am League: London Werewolves, 72-55, defeats Hamilton
Mid-Atlantic League: Roanoke Red Hawks, 84-56, defeats Greensboro
Lone Star League: Rio Grande White Wings, 123-17, defeats San Angelo
Great Plains League: Des Moines Demons, 91-49, defeats South Bend
Florida Coast League: St. Petersburg Saints, 80-60, defeats Fort Lauderdale
Heartland League: Quad Cities Trappers, 77-63, defeats Cedar Rapids
Atlantic Coast League: Wilmington (NC) Waves, 66-54, defeats Annapolis
North American League: Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 81-59, defeats Saskatoon
North Atlantic League: Halifax Anglers, 61-51, defeats Nashua

The big stories on the field in the minors involved two close races and two historically dominant teams. In the Southwest League, the entire five-team division finished at or above .500 and within eight games of first. Four teams were within four games, with Ventura (78-62) edging out San Bernardino (77-63), Long Beach (76-64), and Lancaster (74-66) for the division crown. The Heartland League had five teams within five games of first, though it was a little more clear-cut. Cedar Rapids (79-61) and Quad Cities (77-63) got the playoff spots, while Evansville Sioux City, and Youngstown all finished 74-66.

Meanwhile, one year after winning a Northern League-record 107 games, Green Bay won 112 games. That paled in comparison to Rio Grande Valley in the Lone Star League, though. The affiliate of the Las Vegas Gamblers, the White Wings went a truly unfathomable 123-17, setting the all-time minor league record for wins (non-PCL) and all-time professional baseball record with an .879 winning percentage. They won both of their playoff series in five games (out of a best-of-seven).

They won the LSL South by 45 games (80 games above last-place Midland-Odessa) and outscored opponents 906-388, a run differential of +518 (an all-time record), slashing .308/.410/.444 as a team with 6.5 runs per game, while posting a 2.39 team ERA. They had all the major award winners and many league leaders, including the top four pitchers in ERA and wins. To call the season anything less than stunning would be underselling their accomplishments greatly.

02-03-2025, 07:56 PM	#116
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	A Whale of a Year 2002 One notable trend that emerged early on in the 2002 season was the presence of a lot of quality teams. True to form, just one playoff team had less than 90 wins and five teams with over 90 wins failed to make the playoffs. This also led to a few good races. In the Northern Conference, Manhattan won the New England League for the first time in five years. Winning 98 games and drawing a record 3,804,104 fans. New York finished five games back to take the other playoff spot. In the Midwest Association were the two strongest Eastern Baseball Federation teams. Buffalo tied a franchise record by winning 106 games, but had to fend off a challenge from the Chicago Whales, who won 104 contests, taking the other playoff spot. In the postseason, both second-place teams pulled first-round upsets in convincing fashion. New York took down Manhattan in five games, while Chicago bludgeoned Buffalo in a four-game sweep. The Whales continued their hot streak, grinding up the Gothams in another sweep to win their first Conference Championship since 1964. The Southern Conference saw the Pittsburgh Ironmen win the Eastern League, their first pennant and playoff berth in seven years. Washington punched their third playoff ticket in a row, finishing six games back. The Western League had four teams win at least 93 wins, with Louisville finishing first at 98-64 and Kansas City one game back. Salt Lake City won 94 wins and New Orleans 93, but both missed the playoffs. Just like in the North, Southern second-place teams shined in the postseason. Washington pummeled Pittsburgh in five games, while Kansas City leapt over Louisville in six games. The Blues then sunk the Senators in six games, earning KC their second conference title in three years and third in seven years. In the Pacific Coast League, the North had a tight race for the top, which ended with San Francisco finishing first, two games ahead of Sacramento, who comfortably earned the second playoff spot, their fifth playoff trip in a row. After last year's breakthrough, San Jose posted their best big-league season, going 131-69 to post the best record in the major leagues. Phoenix finished second to earn their sixth playoff berth in a row. Amazingly, the Pacific Coast League also was dominated by runner-ups in the postseason. Sacramento started things off by dispatching San Francisco in five games. Phoenix then waged a tough battle with San Jose, but vanquished the Gulls in seven games. Phoenix was looking for their fourth-straight PCL title, but the Solons shot down the Firebirds in five games, earning Sacramento their first PCL title since 1973. The Texas League North was the weakest division/league in the USBF, with Fort Worth (90 wins) and Tulsa (84 wins) being the two playoff teams with the lowest win totals in the entire country. Tulsa earned their third playoff berth in a row by nudging out Dallas by one game. The South was much stronger with Houston winning 102 games and their second-straight division title. Austin won 93 games and finished second, one game ahead of San Antonio for the final playoff spot. In the postseason, Fort Worth took care of business, becoming the only first-place team to win a playoff series this season, and doing so emphatically with a sweep of Tulsa. Austin, meanwhile, upset division champion Houston in seven games. The well-rested Panthers took advantage of the time off, wrapping it up against the Wranglers in six games, earning Fort Worth their first Texas League title since 1989. The national tournament featured three teams that were not regulars on the biggest stage, but Chicago was more than up to the task, as the Chicago Whales (NOR) defeat the Kansas City Blues (SOU). Meanwhile, two teams snapping long tournament droughts squared off, as the Fort Worth Panthers (TL) defeat the Sacramento Solons (PCL). The Whales only had one title, back in 1957, while the Panthers had never won one. In the end, the *Chicago Whales (NOR) defeat the Fort Worth Panthers (TL), 4-2, giving Chicago their first National Championship in 45 years and their second all-time. After setting the single-season USBF home run record in 2000, Buffalo's Matt Thoms* missed a large chunk of 2001. He was back to health this year and slashed .310/.415/.629 with 174 hits, 121 runs, 33 doubles, a conference-high 48 homers, and 135 RBI, giving Thoms his second Northern Conference MVP award. Chicago lefty Adrian Wright enjoyed a huge debut season. The 21-year-old rookie went 19-5 with a 2.98 ERA, worked 259.1 innings, spun a conference-high six complete games, and set a Northern Conference record with 278 strikeouts, earning Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. Salt Lake City's Joel Boyd was incredibly screwed out of an MVP the previous season despite his record-breaking 72-homer season. This year he blasted "only" 66 homers and drove in 159 runs (both EBF bests) and slashed .326/.403/.736 with 183 hits a South-best 143 runs, earning MVP honors this time. After winning three Northern Conference Pitcher of the Year awards from 1991-93 for Manhattan, Freddy Perez was still effective, but battled injuries over the ensuing years. After a mid-2001 trade to Kansas City, he stayed healthy and in his first full season with the Blues, went 19-10 with a 3.05 ERA, leading the South in starts (36) and strikeouts (213) and working 239.0 innings, winning his fourth Pitcher of the Year, but his first one in the South and first in nine seasons. In the PCL, Phoenix's Jason Horstkamp was king of the West for the second time in three seasons. The 26-year-old slashed .338/.409/.564, winning the PCL batting title and also leading the league with 243 hits and 155 runs. He added 52 doubles, 9 triples, 31 homers, 129 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and a Great Glove, taking the hardware home. On the hill, San Francisco's John Yunker took a few years to settle in, but broke out into a legit ace in 1999, despite the highest walk numbers in the country. This year, he led the PCL in walks for the fourth year in a row, but went 23-12 and also led the PCL in ERA (2.70) and strikeouts (226) while still logging 270.0 innings, taking Pitcher of the Year. For the second time in three years, the same two San Antonio Missions swept the major Texas League awards. On the offensive side, Matt Pickens slashed .311/.461/.527 with 167 hits, a TL-leading 124 runs, 38 doubles, 9 triples, 20 homers, 86 RBI, and league-leading totals in walks (151) and steals (47), earning his second MVP. On the mound, teammate Josh Faulhaber won his third-straight Pitcher of the Year award, going 22-6 with a 2.37 ERA, leading the TL in both marks and innings (250.2). It was his fourth year in a row leading in wins and fifth-straight season with the most innings. He struck out 220 batters, but his streak of five seasons leading in that came to an end, costing him a second Triple Crown. The Eastern Baseball Federation elected a pair of fleet-footed former stars; one of them a ten-time All-Star and the other a former MVP: 3B Ken Heavner (1981-96), 87.6% OF Austin Wohlgemuth (1979-92), 77.0% The Pacific Coast League elected a member of the All-Century Team, plus a three-time Pitcher of the Year: 1B Marco Adams (1985-00), 97.7% SP Mike Guy (1983-98), 83.6% Finally, the Texas League elected a 12-time All-Star behind the plate: C Sam Bonetti (1970-87), 77.5% --- In the American Baseball League, Syracuse dominated to a franchise-record 103 wins, far outpacing Richmond, Charlotte, and Indianapolis, who took the other three playoff spots in the East. The West had two-time defending champion Las Vegas on top, three games clear of Anaheim, with Memphis and Nashville rounding out the playoff field. In the first round, Syracuse took care of Indianapolis, while Charlotte swept Richmond. Las Vegas took care of Nashville, but Memphis upset Anaheim, both in six games. Syracuse survived a seven-game push from Charlotte in the semis, while Las Vegas breezed past Memphis in five. Looking for the first three-peat in ABL history, the Gamblers took down the Chiefs in six games for their third-straight American Baseball Cup. In the East, Syracuse's Frank Rivas slashed .340/.402/.605, winning the batting title and also leading the East with 200 hits and 129 RBI, while adding 112 runs, 49 doubles, and 33 homers, winning MVP honors. Charlotte's Mark Hartl went 20-11 with a 3.52 ERA, leading the ABL in wins, innings (288.2), strikeouts (240) and shutouts (4) and logging 17 complete games, earning Pitcher of the Year. Out West, Las Vegas' Tim Yock took Rookie of the Year, slashing .306/.440/.585 with 174 hits, 137 runs, and a league-high 39 homers and 133 RBI, also taking home MVP for his work. Vancouver's Orlando Barba was surprise Pitcher of the Year with his 13-14 record, but with a strong 3.55 ERA and a West-best 235 strikeouts in 243.1 innings. --- With the popularity of professional baseball steadily growing in the late 90's/early 00's, it was only a matter of time before another new league popped up. This one popped up in an area virtually untouched by pro sports: very northern New England and Atlantic Canada. Appropriately, the *North Atlantic League* it would be called: North Atlantic League The league featured seven new teams, with the Portland Lobsters, a natural geographic fit, moving over from the more far-flung Can-Am League. The Trois-Rivieres Industriels would replace Portland in the Can-Am. Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Savannah Cardinals, 113-41, defeats Lexington (2nd straight) Colonial League: Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons, 84-56, defeats Reading (2nd straight) River Valley League: Toledo Mud Hens, 94-46, defeats Rochester Rocky Mountain League: Cheyenne Bulls, 67-53, defeats Missoula Coastal League: Macon Peaches, 95-59, defeats Johnson City (4th straight) Northern League: Green Bay Giants, 112-28, defeats Appleton (2nd straight) Southwest League: Modesto Growers, 78-62, defeats Ventura (2nd straight) Southern Association: Columbus Catfish, 77-63, defeats Springfield (2nd straight) Northwest League: Pocatello Gatekeepers, 111-43, defeats Reno Can-Am League: London Werewolves, 72-55, defeats Hamilton Mid-Atlantic League: Roanoke Red Hawks, 84-56, defeats Greensboro Lone Star League: Rio Grande White Wings, 123-17, defeats San Angelo Great Plains League: Des Moines Demons, 91-49, defeats South Bend Florida Coast League: St. Petersburg Saints, 80-60, defeats Fort Lauderdale Heartland League: Quad Cities Trappers, 77-63, defeats Cedar Rapids Atlantic Coast League: Wilmington (NC) Waves, 66-54, defeats Annapolis North American League: Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 81-59, defeats Saskatoon North Atlantic League: Halifax Anglers, 61-51, defeats Nashua The big stories on the field in the minors involved two close races and two historically dominant teams. In the Southwest League, the entire five-team division finished at or above .500 and within eight games of first. Four teams were within four games, with Ventura (78-62) edging out San Bernardino (77-63), Long Beach (76-64), and Lancaster (74-66) for the division crown. The Heartland League had five teams within five games of first, though it was a little more clear-cut. Cedar Rapids (79-61) and Quad Cities (77-63) got the playoff spots, while Evansville Sioux City, and Youngstown all finished 74-66. Meanwhile, one year after winning a Northern League-record 107 games, Green Bay won 112 games. That paled in comparison to Rio Grande Valley in the Lone Star League, though. The affiliate of the Las Vegas Gamblers, the White Wings went a truly unfathomable 123-17, setting the all-time minor league record for wins (non-PCL) and all-time professional baseball record with an .879 winning percentage. They won both of their playoff series in five games (out of a best-of-seven). They won the LSL South by 45 games (80 games above last-place Midland-Odessa) and outscored opponents 906-388, a run differential of +518 (an all-time record), slashing .308/.410/.444 as a team with 6.5 runs per game, while posting a 2.39 team ERA. They had all the major award winners and many league leaders, including the top four pitchers in ERA and wins. To call the season anything less than stunning would be underselling their accomplishments greatly.