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KCRoyals15 · 02-08-2025, 02:40 PM

2004

Prior to the 2004 season, one number was pointed out: 9,972. What was the significance of it? The Skipper family dynasty, spanning back 104 seasons, had accrued that many managerial wins.

That meant it was only a matter of time before huge milestone number was hit, and it came on May 23, 2004, when a Montreal Royals win over Milwaukee gave Trey Skipper his family's 10,000th win.

At the end of the season, that left the family's record at 10,059-7,573 (.570) lifetime, split up as so:

The Skipper (1900-34): 3,758-2,242 (.626)
Skipper Jr. (1935-69): 3,198-2,722 (.540)
Trey Skipper (1970-Present): 3,103-2,609 (.543)

Once again, quite a few very strong teams dotted the landscape, starting in the Northern Conference. In the New England League, the Philadelphia Quakers won 104 games, their most since 1969, and took their first pennant since 1980, besting New York by eight games, though the Gothams earned their seventh playoff berth in a row. The Midwest Association was once again dominated by Chicago, who went a franchise-record 110-52 to win their third-straight pennant. Milwaukee won 99 games, finishing second for the second year in a row.

The postseason saw one mild surprise, as Philadelphia was upset by New York, in six games, while Chicago defeated Milwaukee in six. The Whales were on the hunt for a Northern Conference threepeat and they would earn it, taking down the Gothams in six games for the conference crown. In the process, Chicago became the first team in Eastern Baseball Federation history to win their conference three consecutive seasons.

In the Southern Conference, the Eastern League saw a good three-team race. Norfolk and Atlanta were at the top all season before Washington mounted a late charge, but ultimately finished two games back in third. For the Admirals, this was their first playoff berth in seven years. The Western League was once again led by two superpowers, with defending National Champion Louisville winning 113 games and Kansas City 106 to take the playoff spots. The frustration continued for New Orleans, who won 97 games but missed the playoffs. The Pelicans had won at least 92 games in seven of the last eight seasons, but had just one playoff berth to show for it.

On the other side, the Chicago Cyclones went 55-107, their third year in a row with at least 107 losses. Omaha lost over 100 games for the fourth year in a row, going a ghastly 47-115, the worst season in franchise history.

In the postseason, Atlanta downed Norfolk in six games, while Kansas City overran Louisville in a five-game upset. The Blues were a clear favorite in the Southern Championship, but the Peaches punched above their weight, knocking out the Blues in six games to win Atlanta's second conference title in six seasons.

In the Pacific Coast League, two-time defending champion Sacramento missed the playoffs, finishing in third place behind San Francisco and Oakland, with the Seals winning their fifth-straight division title. In the South, Phoenix earned their eighth playoff berth in a row, winning the division with San Jose finishing second, their fourth-straight playoff spot.

Both division winners took care of business in the first round. San Francisco got a test from Oakland, but chopped down the Oaks in game seven, while Phoenix breezed past San Jose in five games. The Firebirds had an even easier time in the PCL Finals, sweeping the Seals to win their fifth title in eight seasons.

That left the Texas League, where there was no drama in either division. Tulsa won the North for the first time since 1997, finishing eight games over Dallas, who also breezed into the field. Austin, meanwhile, had their best team ever, going 107-55 and scoring a TL-record 1,031 runs to win the South, while Houston won 98 games to finish second.

The Division Series saw Tulsa edge Dallas in seven games, while Austin beat Houston in six games, which was a series many saw as the true Texas League title tilt. Indeed, the actual Lone Star Series was a snoozer, as the Wranglers downed the Oilers in five games to repeat as Texas League champions.

While the Wranglers had maybe the best team in Texas League history, the once-proud El Paso Texans crashed to a 43-119 record, the worst record in Texas League history and the squad's fourth-straight 100-loss season. Wichita also lost 105 games, one game above their low-water mark.

In the national tournament, Chicago was a huge favorite in the first round, though Atlanta was undaunted in their role as giant killers. However, the killer Whales won in seven games. The best of the West saw a short series, with Austin grinding up Phoenix in five games, setting a matchup of two true heavyweights for the national title. The home teams won each of the first six games, but the Wranglers lost game seven at Dell Diamond, giving the Chicago Whales their third National Championship and their second in three seasons.

In the Northern Conference, second-year Milwaukee first baseman Jeremy Clinesmith took the league by storm The 25-year-old slashed .341/.436/.608 with 203 hits, 130 runs, 49 doubles, 36 homers, and 113 RBI, earning him MVP honors.

For the third time in his three big-league seasons, Chicago's Adrian Wright was best in the North. The 23-year-old lefty won the Triple Crown, going 24-2 with a 2.93 ERA and an EBF-record 291 strikeouts. He also led the lead with 264.0 innings and seven complete games, earning Pitcher of the Year in unanimous fashion.

Rookie of the Year Bert Escajeda of the Philadelphia Quakers had n eye-popping debut season. He led the country with a .361 batting average and slugged .542 with 107 RBI despite just 6 home runs. Why? He ripped a national-record 77 doubles, a big reason why he finished runner-up in MVP voting.

In the Southern Conference, Louisville's Toby Matthews had been near the top of the league for a few seasons, but finally broke through on the ballot. The 29-year-old slashed .338/.393/.585 with a conference-high 201 hits, 114 runs, 43 doubles, 7 triples, 30 homers, 103 RBI, 32 steals, and a Great Glove to earn his first MVP.

His teammate Jay Powel had been a longtime star out of the bullpen, making over 600 appearances and earning seven All-Star bids as a reliever over the first decade of his career. Inexplicitly, though, Louisville moved him to the rotation and the 35-year-old went 23-5 with a 2.19 ERA, both best in the South, and struck out 189 batters in 226.1 innings, earning Pitcher of the Year.

In the Pacific Coast League, San Francisco's Jordan Brewer made an MVP bid as a rookie, but was successful as a sophomore. The 25-year-old slashed .318/.420/.583 with 223 hits, 143 runs, 48 doubles, 9 triples, 40 homers, 143 RBI, and 67 stolen bases.

On the mound, San Jose's Abe Dickson logged his fourth-straight 20-win season, going 24-9 with a 2.95 ERA (both PCL bests), struck out 191 batters, and also led the league with 305.1 innings, 7 complete games, and 4 shutouts, earning the 30-year-old his second Pitcher of the Year trophy.

Los Angeles' Robby Gfeller had been a mostly forgotten star in largely listless Los Angeles lineups, but the 37-year-old earned commendation after stroking his 3,000th career hit on July 22.

While his team missed the postseason, San Antonio's Matt Pickens didn't miss a beat. The 29-year-old slashed .313/.446/.585 with 173 hits, a league-leading 137 runs, 41 doubles, 8 triples, 31 homers, and 103 RBI. He also stole a league-high 71 bases. In his six-season career, Pickens has led the Texas League in walks and on-base percentage each year, wile leading in stolen bases five times. With this year's trophy, he's also won three MVPs.

With Josh Faulhaber leaving the Texas League in free agency, his four-year run as Pitcher of the Year ended, leaving Tulsa's James Kessler to full the void. The 31-year-old had been mostly mediocre over his first nine major league seasons, but he went 19-10 with a 3.64 ERA, striking out 171 over 225.0 innings to earn Pitcher of the Year accolades.

On Hall of Fame weekend, the Eastern Baseball Federation elected a 16-time All-Star behind the plate and the first reliever to ever win a Pitcher of the Year award, who also added four Reliever of the Year trophies to his mantle:

C Rick Larry (1978-94), 83.6%
RP Antonio Nevarez (1979-92), 78.6%

The Pacific Coast League, meanwhile, welcomed in a three-time MVP who is the only 500-500 player in major league history:

OF Justin Arnold (1984-00), 98.2%

Lastly, the Texas League inducted a two-time MVP was also an exceptional postseason hitter:

1B Jon Gonzalez (1987-01), 84.3%

---

The American Baseball League had three 100-win teams clearly above the rest, with Charlotte dominating the East and Ottawa, Raleigh-Durham, and Richmond a clear tier below. Defending ABL champion Syracuse missed the playoff derby by two games. In the West, Las Vegas won 105 games and Anaheim 102, while Memphis and Nashville each won 87 games to earn the last two spots.

In the postseason, Charlotte survived a scare from Richmond in seven, while Raleigh-Durham beat Ottawa in the East and Las Vegas (over Memphis) and Anaheim (over Nashville) both cruised in the West. The first-ever postseason matchup of the two Carolina teams went Charlotte's way in six games, while Anaheim swept Las Vegas. With all the cards on the table, Charlotte downed Anaheim in six games, giving the Knights their first American Baseball Cup.

In the East, Raleigh-Durham's Ben Grinestaff had a huge second season, slashing .294/.426/.542, with 177 hits, an East-high 133 runs, 38 doubles, 33 homers, an East-best 132 RBI, and 31 steals, earning MVP honors. Across the state, Charlotte's Japanese righty Masaaki Higashio took a huge leap in his third season, going 20-13 with a 3.19 ERA, striking out 203 and leading the East in wins, innings (285.1), and complete games (23).

Out West, Ramon Rodriguez was a four-time All-Star in the majors, but dropped to the ABL in 2003. In his second season in the league, he slashed /308/.413/.555 for Anaheim, with 175 hits, 119 runs, 46 doubles, 10 triples, 25 homers, 115 RBI, and an ABL-best 72 steals to win MVP. His teammate, another successful former big-leaguer in Travis Miller, went 19-8 with a West-leading 3.19 ERA and a league-high 223 strikeouts over 282.1 innings to earn Pitcher of the Year.

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Savannah Cardinals, 122-32, defeats Knoxville (4th straight)
Colonial League: Reading Keystones, 91-49, defeats Lowell
River Valley League: Toledo Mud Hens, 83-57, defeats Charleston (WV)
Rocky Mountain League: Cheyenne Bulls, 76-44, defeats Helena
Coastal League: Charleston (SC) Cannons, 93-61, defeats Macon
Northern League: Green Bay Giants, 105-35, defeats St. Paul (4th straight)
Southwest League: Long Beach Earthquakes, 78-62, defeats Salinas
Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 80-60, defeats Joplin (2nd straight)
Northwest League: Reno High Rollers, 92-62, defeats Eugene
Can-Am League: Springfield Spinners, 70-56, defeats Quebec
Mid-Atlantic League: Altoona Engineers, 88-52, defeats Roanoke
Lone Star League: Abilene Prairie Dogs, 83-57, defeats Rio Grande
Great Plains League: Des Moines Demons, 98-42, defeats Salina (3rd straight)
Florida Coast League: St. Petersburg Saints, 81-59, defeats West Palm Beach
Heartland League: Sioux Falls Canaries, 83-57, defeats Youngstown
Atlantic Coast League: Greenville (NC) Goblins, 66-54, defeats Wilmington (NC)
North American League: Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 71-69, defeats Calgary (3rd straight)
North Atlantic League: Burlington Lakers, 66-46, defeats Bangor (2nd straight)

The Savannah Cardinals set a new Southeastern League record for wins with their staggering 122-win campaign, and finished just one win shy of the all-time non-PCL record.

Things were less dominant in the Heartland League, which saw the top four teams in the East Division finish with records between 71-69 and 68-72, plus a one-game margin for the final playoff spot in the West.

The Can-Am League, meanwhile, had 70-56 Springfield in first and 67-59 Quebec in second. Four additional teams were squeezed in within three games of Quebec, making for a legitimate six-team race.

02-08-2025, 02:40 PM	#118
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	WIN-dy City 2004 Prior to the 2004 season, one number was pointed out: 9,972. What was the significance of it? The Skipper family dynasty, spanning back 104 seasons, had accrued that many managerial wins. That meant it was only a matter of time before huge milestone number was hit, and it came on May 23, 2004, when a Montreal Royals win over Milwaukee gave Trey Skipper his family's 10,000th win. At the end of the season, that left the family's record at 10,059-7,573 (.570) lifetime, split up as so: The Skipper (1900-34): 3,758-2,242 (.626) Skipper Jr. (1935-69): 3,198-2,722 (.540) Trey Skipper (1970-Present): 3,103-2,609 (.543) Once again, quite a few very strong teams dotted the landscape, starting in the Northern Conference. In the New England League, the Philadelphia Quakers won 104 games, their most since 1969, and took their first pennant since 1980, besting New York by eight games, though the Gothams earned their seventh playoff berth in a row. The Midwest Association was once again dominated by Chicago, who went a franchise-record 110-52 to win their third-straight pennant. Milwaukee won 99 games, finishing second for the second year in a row. The postseason saw one mild surprise, as Philadelphia was upset by New York, in six games, while Chicago defeated Milwaukee in six. The Whales were on the hunt for a Northern Conference threepeat and they would earn it, taking down the Gothams in six games for the conference crown. In the process, Chicago became the first team in Eastern Baseball Federation history to win their conference three consecutive seasons. In the Southern Conference, the Eastern League saw a good three-team race. Norfolk and Atlanta were at the top all season before Washington mounted a late charge, but ultimately finished two games back in third. For the Admirals, this was their first playoff berth in seven years. The Western League was once again led by two superpowers, with defending National Champion Louisville winning 113 games and Kansas City 106 to take the playoff spots. The frustration continued for New Orleans, who won 97 games but missed the playoffs. The Pelicans had won at least 92 games in seven of the last eight seasons, but had just one playoff berth to show for it. On the other side, the Chicago Cyclones went 55-107, their third year in a row with at least 107 losses. Omaha lost over 100 games for the fourth year in a row, going a ghastly 47-115, the worst season in franchise history. In the postseason, Atlanta downed Norfolk in six games, while Kansas City overran Louisville in a five-game upset. The Blues were a clear favorite in the Southern Championship, but the Peaches punched above their weight, knocking out the Blues in six games to win Atlanta's second conference title in six seasons. In the Pacific Coast League, two-time defending champion Sacramento missed the playoffs, finishing in third place behind San Francisco and Oakland, with the Seals winning their fifth-straight division title. In the South, Phoenix earned their eighth playoff berth in a row, winning the division with San Jose finishing second, their fourth-straight playoff spot. Both division winners took care of business in the first round. San Francisco got a test from Oakland, but chopped down the Oaks in game seven, while Phoenix breezed past San Jose in five games. The Firebirds had an even easier time in the PCL Finals, sweeping the Seals to win their fifth title in eight seasons. That left the Texas League, where there was no drama in either division. Tulsa won the North for the first time since 1997, finishing eight games over Dallas, who also breezed into the field. Austin, meanwhile, had their best team ever, going 107-55 and scoring a TL-record 1,031 runs to win the South, while Houston won 98 games to finish second. The Division Series saw Tulsa edge Dallas in seven games, while Austin beat Houston in six games, which was a series many saw as the true Texas League title tilt. Indeed, the actual Lone Star Series was a snoozer, as the Wranglers downed the Oilers in five games to repeat as Texas League champions. While the Wranglers had maybe the best team in Texas League history, the once-proud El Paso Texans crashed to a 43-119 record, the worst record in Texas League history and the squad's fourth-straight 100-loss season. Wichita also lost 105 games, one game above their low-water mark. In the national tournament, Chicago was a huge favorite in the first round, though Atlanta was undaunted in their role as giant killers. However, the killer Whales won in seven games. The best of the West saw a short series, with Austin grinding up Phoenix in five games, setting a matchup of two true heavyweights for the national title. The home teams won each of the first six games, but the Wranglers lost game seven at Dell Diamond, giving the Chicago Whales their third National Championship and their second in three seasons. In the Northern Conference, second-year Milwaukee first baseman Jeremy Clinesmith took the league by storm The 25-year-old slashed .341/.436/.608 with 203 hits, 130 runs, 49 doubles, 36 homers, and 113 RBI, earning him MVP honors. For the third time in his three big-league seasons, Chicago's Adrian Wright was best in the North. The 23-year-old lefty won the Triple Crown, going 24-2 with a 2.93 ERA and an EBF-record 291 strikeouts. He also led the lead with 264.0 innings and seven complete games, earning Pitcher of the Year in unanimous fashion. Rookie of the Year Bert Escajeda of the Philadelphia Quakers had n eye-popping debut season. He led the country with a .361 batting average and slugged .542 with 107 RBI despite just 6 home runs. Why? He ripped a national-record 77 doubles, a big reason why he finished runner-up in MVP voting. In the Southern Conference, Louisville's Toby Matthews had been near the top of the league for a few seasons, but finally broke through on the ballot. The 29-year-old slashed .338/.393/.585 with a conference-high 201 hits, 114 runs, 43 doubles, 7 triples, 30 homers, 103 RBI, 32 steals, and a Great Glove to earn his first MVP. His teammate Jay Powel had been a longtime star out of the bullpen, making over 600 appearances and earning seven All-Star bids as a reliever over the first decade of his career. Inexplicitly, though, Louisville moved him to the rotation and the 35-year-old went 23-5 with a 2.19 ERA, both best in the South, and struck out 189 batters in 226.1 innings, earning Pitcher of the Year. In the Pacific Coast League, San Francisco's Jordan Brewer made an MVP bid as a rookie, but was successful as a sophomore. The 25-year-old slashed .318/.420/.583 with 223 hits, 143 runs, 48 doubles, 9 triples, 40 homers, 143 RBI, and 67 stolen bases. On the mound, San Jose's Abe Dickson logged his fourth-straight 20-win season, going 24-9 with a 2.95 ERA (both PCL bests), struck out 191 batters, and also led the league with 305.1 innings, 7 complete games, and 4 shutouts, earning the 30-year-old his second Pitcher of the Year trophy. Los Angeles' Robby Gfeller had been a mostly forgotten star in largely listless Los Angeles lineups, but the 37-year-old earned commendation after stroking his 3,000th career hit on July 22. While his team missed the postseason, San Antonio's Matt Pickens didn't miss a beat. The 29-year-old slashed .313/.446/.585 with 173 hits, a league-leading 137 runs, 41 doubles, 8 triples, 31 homers, and 103 RBI. He also stole a league-high 71 bases. In his six-season career, Pickens has led the Texas League in walks and on-base percentage each year, wile leading in stolen bases five times. With this year's trophy, he's also won three MVPs. With Josh Faulhaber leaving the Texas League in free agency, his four-year run as Pitcher of the Year ended, leaving Tulsa's James Kessler to full the void. The 31-year-old had been mostly mediocre over his first nine major league seasons, but he went 19-10 with a 3.64 ERA, striking out 171 over 225.0 innings to earn Pitcher of the Year accolades. On Hall of Fame weekend, the Eastern Baseball Federation elected a 16-time All-Star behind the plate and the first reliever to ever win a Pitcher of the Year award, who also added four Reliever of the Year trophies to his mantle: C Rick Larry (1978-94), 83.6% RP Antonio Nevarez (1979-92), 78.6% The Pacific Coast League, meanwhile, welcomed in a three-time MVP who is the only 500-500 player in major league history: OF Justin Arnold (1984-00), 98.2% Lastly, the Texas League inducted a two-time MVP was also an exceptional postseason hitter: 1B Jon Gonzalez (1987-01), 84.3% --- The American Baseball League had three 100-win teams clearly above the rest, with Charlotte dominating the East and Ottawa, Raleigh-Durham, and Richmond a clear tier below. Defending ABL champion Syracuse missed the playoff derby by two games. In the West, Las Vegas won 105 games and Anaheim 102, while Memphis and Nashville each won 87 games to earn the last two spots. In the postseason, Charlotte survived a scare from Richmond in seven, while Raleigh-Durham beat Ottawa in the East and Las Vegas (over Memphis) and Anaheim (over Nashville) both cruised in the West. The first-ever postseason matchup of the two Carolina teams went Charlotte's way in six games, while Anaheim swept Las Vegas. With all the cards on the table, Charlotte downed Anaheim in six games, giving the Knights their first American Baseball Cup. In the East, Raleigh-Durham's Ben Grinestaff had a huge second season, slashing .294/.426/.542, with 177 hits, an East-high 133 runs, 38 doubles, 33 homers, an East-best 132 RBI, and 31 steals, earning MVP honors. Across the state, Charlotte's Japanese righty Masaaki Higashio took a huge leap in his third season, going 20-13 with a 3.19 ERA, striking out 203 and leading the East in wins, innings (285.1), and complete games (23). Out West, Ramon Rodriguez was a four-time All-Star in the majors, but dropped to the ABL in 2003. In his second season in the league, he slashed /308/.413/.555 for Anaheim, with 175 hits, 119 runs, 46 doubles, 10 triples, 25 homers, 115 RBI, and an ABL-best 72 steals to win MVP. His teammate, another successful former big-leaguer in Travis Miller, went 19-8 with a West-leading 3.19 ERA and a league-high 223 strikeouts over 282.1 innings to earn Pitcher of the Year. --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Savannah Cardinals, 122-32, defeats Knoxville (4th straight) Colonial League: Reading Keystones, 91-49, defeats Lowell River Valley League: Toledo Mud Hens, 83-57, defeats Charleston (WV) Rocky Mountain League: Cheyenne Bulls, 76-44, defeats Helena Coastal League: Charleston (SC) Cannons, 93-61, defeats Macon Northern League: Green Bay Giants, 105-35, defeats St. Paul (4th straight) Southwest League: Long Beach Earthquakes, 78-62, defeats Salinas Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 80-60, defeats Joplin (2nd straight) Northwest League: Reno High Rollers, 92-62, defeats Eugene Can-Am League: Springfield Spinners, 70-56, defeats Quebec Mid-Atlantic League: Altoona Engineers, 88-52, defeats Roanoke Lone Star League: Abilene Prairie Dogs, 83-57, defeats Rio Grande Great Plains League: Des Moines Demons, 98-42, defeats Salina (3rd straight) Florida Coast League: St. Petersburg Saints, 81-59, defeats West Palm Beach Heartland League: Sioux Falls Canaries, 83-57, defeats Youngstown Atlantic Coast League: Greenville (NC) Goblins, 66-54, defeats Wilmington (NC) North American League: Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 71-69, defeats Calgary (3rd straight) North Atlantic League: Burlington Lakers, 66-46, defeats Bangor (2nd straight) The Savannah Cardinals set a new Southeastern League record for wins with their staggering 122-win campaign, and finished just one win shy of the all-time non-PCL record. Things were less dominant in the Heartland League, which saw the top four teams in the East Division finish with records between 71-69 and 68-72, plus a one-game margin for the final playoff spot in the West. The Can-Am League, meanwhile, had 70-56 Springfield in first and 67-59 Quebec in second. Four additional teams were squeezed in within three games of Quebec, making for a legitimate six-team race.