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FuzzyRussianHat

03-13-2022 03:44 PM

Baseball: The World's Game

Greetings all and welcome to “Baseball: The World’s Game.” I decided to share my fictional alternate earth where baseball rises throughout the 20th century to become the prominent sport worldwide much in the way soccer is in reality.

This sim eventually expands to 14 “Major Leagues” spanning all regions of the world along with an annual tournament of nations. I do not control any teams and rarely make adjustments beyond the original creation stage, allowing each league to grow and develop its own flavor and style.

Shout out to Dogzilla’s World Names Database which I used for the most accurate world possible and to Cephasjames’s logo pack for use for these fictional teams.

Instead of having 30 or so smaller leagues based in a similar nation, my leagues are larger and multi-national. In many cases, the subleagues are canonically their own separate league within the greater “association,” but I didn’t actually use the game’s association feature.

Apart from one North American AAA league and college feeder, there aren’t any minor leagues as well. This is mostly to save space and processing power since I don’t have the most advanced machine (nor the creativity to also make another couple hundred minor league teams.) Drafted players are set to be more-often college aged and developed with the international complex also serving as a sort of “minor league.” Development speed is 1.200 the normal game to help make up for lack of minors and aging is .800 because it’s more fun to see some guys make it into their late 30s/early 40s in my opinion.

The initial leagues I used base statistics in line with mid 1960s baseball and then I switched toward 1990s stats in some of the later leagues. Based on personal preference, there are more starting pitchers going deep into games, smaller bullpens, and more base stealing generally across all of the leagues.

Each league does have some different settings regarding things like finances, arbitration, free agency length, roster size etc. Dynamically evolving league is on with the exception of expansion/relocation so each league does take different paths from what I set as well. I’ll try to remember to point out some of these while writing these but feel free to ask any questions as I log this all. I’m already 100+ years into it so I’ll probably forget some stuff especially from the earlier years.

Real world history and geopolitics does factor in when I introduce some leagues/teams and who gets paired where, but there are creative liberties. For example, the game starts in 1901 with teams in many modern US/Canadian metros that barely existed back then. Plus we’ll also pretend that this fictional baseball world is generally nicer and less bigoted than real humanity in terms of leagues being diverse and player movement between regions.

FuzzyRussianHat

03-13-2022 03:49 PM

With all of that stage setting, the leagues are below. As I progress through the history, I’ll touch on each league in more specific detail.

Major League Baseball – Starting in 1901, a highly fictionalized MLB that begins with two “associations” and four 12-team “leagues.” The National Association has the Eastern and Midwest Leagues, the American Association has the Western and Southern Leagues.

Minor League Baseball – Also starting in 1901, the “Triple A” level for each of the teams in MLB.

College Baseball – Also starting in 1901, the college feeder league. For simplicity sake I just took seven modern NCAA conferences (Big 10, Big 12, ACC, SEC, PAC-12, AAC, and MAC).

Central American Baseball Association – CABA kicks off in 1911 split between Liga Mexico and Liga Caribe. Both start with 12 teams, the Caribbean league is half island teams and half Central American teams.

East Asia Baseball – Opening in 1921, EAB is split between the Japan League and Korea League.

Beisbol Sudamerica- Formed in 1931, BSA has the Bolivar League (Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia) as well as the Southern Cone League (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay)

European Baseball Federation – Formed in 1950, EBF arises from World War II made up initially of western and central European nations.

Eurasian Professional Baseball – Started in 1955, essentially the “Soviet bloc” league with teams throughout the old USSR and eastern Europe.

Oceania Baseball Association – Beginning in 1960, OBA is split between an Australia/New Zealand league and a group of Pacific island teams.

Austronesia Professional Baseball – Debuting in 1965, APB boasts teams from Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Chinese League Baseball – China’s league starts up in 1970 from throughout the mainland along with Hong Kong and Macao.

West Africa Baseball- From 1975 onward, WAB represents Nigeria, Ghana, and other neighboring nations.

South Asia Baseball- Formed in 1980 and split between the Indian league and the Southeast Asian League (Vietnam, Thailand, etc)

Asian Baseball Federation – Debuting 1985, initially made up of teams from Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran.

Arab League Baseball – Beginning 1990, teams throughout the “Arab world” of the Middle East and North Africa.

African Association of Baseball –The last of the major leagues coming in 1995, AAB picks up southern, central, and eastern Africa.

Additionally starting in 1947 is the World Baseball Championship, an annual tournament of nations held each January. Further down the line is the Baseball Grand Championship, a Champions League of sorts as well as European second and third tiers for promotion/relegation and an African second tier.

FuzzyRussianHat

03-13-2022 03:53 PM

Prelude

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While scholars still debate many of the finer details, the mid 19th century is generally thought to have been when what would become baseball started to develop. Following the American Civil War, professional clubs and leagues started appearing sporadically regionally across North America. However, most of these leagues lacked cohesion and organization. But it was starting to become clear to government and business leaders across the United States and Canada that professional baseball had the potential to be a massive financial and cultural success.

Towards the end of the 1800s, four true regional “Major Leagues” began to take hold and stabilize as entities: the Eastern League, the Midwest League, the Southern League, and the Western League. But still, the formats and structures for each would fluctuate each season. Despite this, the general population began flocking to ballparks and it became clear that the people wanted baseball.

Leaders representing each league began meeting regularly to try to unify the leagues and create a structure and framework they could all work and thrive under. Naturally, the deliberations were fraught with disagreements and bickering, But progress was gradually made on how to work together and how to grow the great game of baseball.

By the end of the century, two separate Associations were formed. The National Association; made up of the Eastern and Midwest Leagues; and the American Association; with the Southern and Western Leagues. The Associations eventually created Major League Baseball as the unifying sanctioning body. Each league would have 12 teams and 12 “affiliates” in a separate minor league. There would be an amateur draft annually, drawing from the growing collegiate baseball world which had announced the first “College World Series” for 1901. And there would be free agency and player trading as well. One key difference between the Associations would be the AA’s use of the designated hitter rule.

The regular season schedule would be 162 games with each Association being self-contained. The initial postseason format would be the first and second place finishers from each league advancing. The league champion would host the second place finisher from the other league in their Association in a best-of-five with the champ having home-field for the entire series. The winners advance to a best-of-seven Association Championship and those champions move to a best-of-seven MLB championship; later dubbed the “World Series.” The inaugural season under this framework would be in 1901.

FuzzyRussianHat

03-19-2022 09:48 AM

1901 in MLB

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1901 marked the first official season of unified Major League Baseball. In the National Association, the Detroit Tigers would lead the NA in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed (718-524). The Tigers finished 101-61 atop the Midwest League, but had to fend off a challenge from the Louisville Lynx all season. The Lynx ended two back at 99-63, securing second place and a playoff spot. There was a 12 game gap to third place Kansas City.

The Eastern League saw the Toronto Timberwolves pull away at the end for first place at 96-66. The second place race was a dogfight with five teams finishing within three games. Montreal (88-74) beat out Boston (87-75), Buffalo (86-76), Hartford (86-76), and Pittsburgh (85-77) for the second spot.

Detroit landed both the MVP and Pitcher of the Year. 32-year old right fielder Davis Zaitsoff led the NA in home runs (46) and RBI (139) while taking second in OBS at.977. On the mound, 31-year old Sonny Carnell had a second-best 1.77 ERA along with 7.4 WAR and a 1.00 WHIP over 269.1 innings.

Despite the accolades and home field advantage, the Tigers would be upset 3-2 by Montreal in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto bested Louisville 3-1, setting up the top-two in the Eastern League in the National Association championship. Although the Timberwolves were league champ, the Maples dominated and swept Toronto, sending Montreal to the first World Series.

The American Association meanwhile was incredibly top-heavy with five teams at 99+ wins by season’s end. The Western League was a three-horse race fighting for two spots. Led by Pitcher of the Year winner Jeremy Diedrich and center field stud Andrew McCluskie, the Calgary Cheetahs narrowly took the top spot at 103-59. Albuquerque would win a one-game playoff against top-scoring Vancouver to give the Isotopes the second playoff spot at 102-61, leaving the Volcanoes out at 101-62.

In the Southern League, Tampa had the best record in baseball at 106-56 with MVP second baseman Alex Rodriguez. He posted the first-ever 10+ WAR season at 10.8 WAR with a .379/.450/.550 line and an MLB best 140 runs scored. Charlotte had a solid second place season at 99-63 to advance with a big drop to third place Nashville.

The Thunderbirds swept the Isotopes in the first round, while the Cheetahs were taken to the brink but defeated Charlotte 3-2. Tampa would win the American Association Championship 4-1 over Calgary to set up the first-ever World Series.

Montreal’s underdog run would come to an end though against the Thunderbirds. Tampa claimed the series 4-1 to become the first MLB champions. Third baseman George Cull earned MVP honors in both the World Series and Association Championship, hitting .429/.517/.612 with 21 hits over 13 postseason games.

Click here for full National Association stats and here for the American Association.

FuzzyRussianHat

03-20-2022 08:25 AM

1902 in MLB

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There would not be a repeat World Series champion in 1902 as Tampa fell to an 84-78 record, despite George Cull grabbing MVP honors. They and Charlotte both hovered around .500 as the Southern League reshuffled. Jacksonville, who won 82 in 1901, took the league title at 97-65. Miami came away with the #2 spot in a congested field with an 88-74 mark.

The Western League didn’t see much change at the top despite Calgary losing Pitcher of the Year Jeremy Diedrich in the offseason to Toronto. The Cheetahs saw 23-year old Ruben Toscano of Nicaraguan fill that void as top pitcher, pushing Calgary to a league title at 101-61 with an MLB-best 10.1 WAR. Vancouver, who lost the tiebreaker for second in 1901, grabbed it outright in 1902 at 96-66, edging out Denver (94-68). Albuquerque limped to a 78-84 mark, dropping from second to seventh. Statistically, John Alcala of Phoenix became the first player to hit 50 home runs in a season.

In the AA postseason, Calgary bested Miami 3-1 and Jacksonville survived for a 3-2 series win versus Vancouver. The two league champs met for the American Association Championship, won 4-1 ultimately by the Cheetahs.

In the Eastern League, Toronto boasted the MVP in left fielder Chris Mason and the Pitcher of the Year in the newly acquired Diedrich. Despite that, the Timberwolves still took only second in the EL at 96-66. Philadelphia claimed the top spot at 98-64, jumping big from a .500 mark in 1901. Depending NA champ Montreal came up third at 90-72.

Detroit again snagged the Midwest League’s title, going 100-62. After getting 76 wins the year prior, Milwaukee grabbed second at 97-65 with the fewest runs allowed in baseball. Cincinnati had a solid year but fell short with a third-place mark of 94-68. Last year’s second-place Louisville dropped to fifth at 85-77.

The League Champs both advanced at Detroit won 3-1 against Toronto and Philadelphia bested Milwaukee 3-2. The Tigers controlled the National Association championship though, winning the series over the Phillies in five.

It was the best record from each Association in the second World Series. 1901 NA MVP Davis Zaitsoff would be the World Series MVP as Detroit defeated Calgary 4-2.

Full statistics and leaders from 1902 here.

FuzzyRussianHat

03-20-2022 11:57 AM

1903 in MLB

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The defending MLB champion Detroit Tigers narrowly made it back to the postseason in 1903. The Milwaukee Mustangs took the Midwest League title at 94-68, meanwhile the Tigers were locked in a battle with Chicago and Kansas City for second. Detroit would finish 89-73, just beating out the Cubs (88-74) and Cougars (87-75). Cincinnati saw the steepest drop, going from third at 94 wins to seventh at 76.

Toronto also made it to their third straight postseason, posting the best-ever record in MLB’s young history at 107-55. For the second straight year, the Timberwolves had both the MVP and PotY. The 32-year old left fielder Chris Mason led the NA in WAR at 8.2, hitting 40 homers and 107 RBI. After missing all of 1902 with an elbow injury, Edgar Garcia was pitcher of the year at 22-5 with a 2.52 ERA and 228 strikeouts over 249.2 innings.

The New York Yankees set an MLB record with only 466 runs allowed with three pitchers in the top five in best ERA. Despite that, the Yankees still only could take fourth in the Eastern League at 92-70. The Montreal Maples placed second in the EL at 96-66 for a playoff berth while the Buffalo Blue Sox were third at 95-67, a big turnaround from their 71-win 1902. The National Association also had its first 50 home run season from Washington’s Jeremy Canup.

In the American Association, Tampa bounced back from their disappointing 1902 with a Southern League title. The Thunderbirds finished 99-63 and set the MLB record for runs scored at 922 off George Cull’s second MVP season. The defending SL champ Jacksonville took second at 93-69, besting out Charlotte at 88-74. The biggest shift in the Southern League was New Orleans, going from 86 wins in 1902 to a dismal 58 wins in 1903. Despite going 80-82, Houston had the pitcher of the year in Franklin Carro, who came close to being the first 300 strikeout pitcher at 291.

Calgary’s Casey Esnault was even closer at 299. That, plus a league-leading 10.6 WAR season on the mound by Ruben Toscano pushed the Cheetahs to back-to-back Western League titles. Despite the 105-57 mark, they had to battle to the end for the crown with the Denver Dragons, who ended one back at 104-58.

Despite the best records in the AA, both Calgary and Denver were ousted in the first round of the postseason in sweeps with the Gators getting road upsets over the Cheetahs and the Thunderbirds taking care of the Dragons. Jacksonville stunned Tampa with a sweep in the American Association Championship.

In the NA, both first round series went 3-2 as both Eastern League teams prevailed. Toronto held off the challenge from visiting Detroit and Montreal earned their wins in Milwaukee. The Timberwolves would handle the Maples 4-1 in the NACS and easily overpowered the Gators for a World Series sweep. Veteran outfielder Chris Jochum earned MVP honors and had a 187 OPS+ over the postseason.

Full 1903 MLB stats here.

FuzzyRussianHat

07-29-2022 10:11 AM

1904 in MLB

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For the third time in four seasons, Toronto took the Eastern League title, this time finishing 99-63. After taking third last year, the New York Yankees earned their first playoff berth with a 94-68 second place, five games ahead of 89-win Baltimore and Ottawa. Last year’s NA runner-up Montreal limped to 80-82.

Milwaukee earned back-to-back Midwest League titles with an association-best 103-59 mark. The Mustangs had both the MVP in Will Miller and pitcher of the year Franklin Carro, who boasted the first 300+ strikeout season in NA history at 308. St. Louis jumped from 76 wins in 1903 to 94 in 1904 to take the second playoff spot, besting Detroit’s 90-72.

Both first round playoff series went five games and went to the Midwest League, setting up a Mustangs/Cardinals Association Championship. Milwaukee handled St. Louis 4-1 to advance to the World Series.

In the American Association, Denver and Calgary battled for the best record in baseball. The Cheetahs were the first team to score 1000+ runs in a season en route to 107-55 and an MVP for first basemen Mario Salazar. However, the Dragons’ superior pitching depth lifted them to first place in the West at 109-53. Tampa secured back-to-back Southern League titles at 99-63 with another solid season from George Cull. Houston finished second at 93-70, edging defending Association Champion Jacksonville by one game.

The Hornets stunned Denver in the first round in five games and Calgary topped Tampa in four. The Cheetahs won the American Association title in five games, although Houston’s run would be a precursor to future success in the next decade.

The 1904 World Series was the first to go seven games with Milwaukee narrowly defeating Calgary. In his one season with the Mustangs, outfielder Mitch Karnes picked up the World Series MVP.

Full 1904 season stats here.

jg2977

07-29-2022 10:54 AM

I like how you're reporting your dynasty. Just one post per season. Simple and easy to follow, fun to read. Honestly I may start doing this with mine.

FuzzyRussianHat

07-29-2022 12:08 PM

1905 in MLB

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The biggest move ahead of the 1905 season was pitcher Franklin Carro. Nicknamed “Stumpy,” the 5’6’’, 160 pounder from McPherson, Kansas left Milwaukee after his award winning 1904 and signed with the New York Yankees for a rich (for the time) seven year, $25,160 contract. The Yanks were rewarded with a second Pitcher of the Year and an Eastern League title at 100-62.

The second playoff spot battle was intense in the East with seven teams finishing within four games of each other. Philadelphia’s 90-72 mark took the spot, narrowly beating Baltimore, Montreal, Washington (89 wins each), Toronto (88), Hartford (87), and Ottawa (86).

Detroit would claim the Midwest League title at 92-70 for their fourth playoff appearance in five years and third league title. Will Miller won his second consecutive MVP for Milwaukee, but the Mustangs’ 88-74 was a game short of the second playoff spot behind St. Louis at 89-73.

The league winners took care of business in the first round with New York sweeping St. Louis and Detroit topping Philly in five. For the first time, the NACS went seven games as the Yankees edged the Tigers for a trip to the World Series.

24-year old Jeremy Frechette of Fayetteville, Arkansas would captain Houston to a 106-56 for the Southern League crown and best record in the American Association. He won pitcher of the year with a 2.45 ERA and 29-5 record; the 29 wins being a record still intact into the new millennium. Defending SL champ Tampa took second at 97-66, just holding off Nashville (96-67) and Miami (93-69) for a playoff spot.

Out West was the breakout season of centerfielder Jason Salvage. Picked second overall in the 1902 draft by Phoenix, Salvage set a MLB record with 52 home runs in 1905 to earn MVP and power the Firebirds to their first Western League title at 102-60. Calgary held off Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego to place second at 97-65. The Cheetahs were the only franchise to make the playoffs in each of the first five years of the MLB, but little did they know that they’d be waiting until 1923 for their next berth.

Houston held off a feisty Calgary squad to win their first round playoff series 3-2 and Phoenix swept Tampa. In the AACS, the Hornets bested the Firebirds in five.

For the second straight season, the World Series went seven games. For the fourth straight, the National Association finished ahead as the Yankees topped the Hornets for the crown. Second baseman Don Holland, the team leader in offensive WAR, took home World Series MVP.

1905 full stats here.

FuzzyRussianHat

07-29-2022 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg2977 (Post 4923824)

I like how you're reporting your dynasty. Just one post per season. Simple and easy to follow, fun to read. Honestly I may start doing this with mine.

Glad you like it! The game is into the 2030s now so I have infinite things to write about, I just have to stay motivated to regularly post. It will get more interesting I think as the leagues and their history develop.

Plus I'm getting a chance to remember stuff from the beginning I haven't thought of in ages and have the hindsight of how some of these franchises turned out. (For example, one the first World Series champs doesn't win it it all again until the early 2000s)

jg2977

07-29-2022 01:39 PM

Cool, the Yankees won the 1905 World Series.

FuzzyRussianHat

07-29-2022 07:40 PM

1906 in MLB

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1906 was notable as both Associations had their single-season win records broken. The defending World Series champion New York Yankees set the National Association mark at 114-48 with an MLB record 454 runs allowed. Along with another great season from Franklin Carro, the Yankees had the pitcher of year award winner Eric Barter. Philadelphia again claimed second in the Eastern League, this time finishing 98-64.

In the Midwest League, St. Louis took first at 97-65 on a MVP season by 27-year old centerfielder Jonathon Gillette, whom they signed from Kansas City to an eight-year deal in the offseason. The Louisville Lynx earned the second playoff spot at 94-68. Two years removed from a world title, Milwaukee limped to a 10<sup>th</sup> place 71-91 mark.

However, the Yankees wouldn’t be the winningest team in baseball in 1906. The Phoenix Firebirds set a MLB record at 120-42, a mark untouched in North America in the 20<sup>th</sup> century, and had an MLB record +371 run differential. Jason Salvage won MVP again and matched his record 52 home run season of a year ago, while teammate Charles Spencer socked 50 dingers.

Phoenix pitcher Matt Perry had his career defining season as POTY, although historians note a forgotten gem of a season by 22-year old Mike Longoria of Miami. Longoria almost quietly earned 10.9 WAR for the Mallards, which remains one of the very few 10+ seasons by an MLB pitcher. Many thought he was on the way to an all-time great career, but a torn flexor in 1908 with Miami and a torn UCL in spring training of 1911 with Cincinnati sadly ended that dream.

The Denver Dragons had a stellar season in the Western League dwarfed by Phoenix, taking second at 107-55. In the Southern League, defending American Association champion Houston placed first at 94-68. The Memphis Mountain Cats took the second playoff spot at 87-75, one game ahead of Dallas and Miami.

The Firebirds rolled Memphis in the first round 3-0 and the Hornets used home-field advantage to sweep Denver, setting up an AACS rematch. This time it went seven, but Houston stunned Phoenix, ending the record-setting year in disappointment and pushing the Hornets to back-to-back Association crowns.

New York’s record setting year also saw a disappointing end as instead of back-to-back titles, they were upset 3-2 in the first round by Louisville. Philadelphia topped St. Louis in five, sending both second-place finishers to the NACS. Surprisingly, the Lynx swept the Cardinals to advance to the World Series.

For the third straight season, the World Series went seven games. Louisville would defeat Houston, making the Hornets runner-up for the second straight year. After dropping the first WS, the National Association had won five straight over the American Association, a surprising historical lead considering the AA’s to come World Series dominance.

1906 full stats here.

FuzzyRussianHat

07-30-2022 12:21 PM

1907 in MLB

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Phoenix would again have the best record in baseball in 1907, following their 120-win campaign with a 114-48 mark and Western League title. Jason Salvage secured a third MVP award and the Firebirds’ Tom Guillaume was given pitcher of the year with a 27-5, 2.77 ERA season. Denver again took second in the WL, although this time they had to fend off Portland and San Francisco down the stretch.

Tampa took the Southern League at 93-69 with San Antonio second at 91-71. Oklahoma City, Memphis, Houston, and Dallas all hung around but fell off late. Hornet ace Jeremy Frechette posted a 10.3 WAR season, one of a select few to do so ever, but Guillaume’s win and league-best WHIP gave him the edge in the voter’s minds.

St. Louis won the Midwest League and had the best National Association record at 111-51 despite a lack of big award winners. Second place was a fierce five-team battle which Minneapolis took at 88-74. The Moose finished one game ahead of defending World Series Champion Louisville, two over Indianapolis and Milwaukee, and five ahead of Detroit.

New York won the Eastern League for the third consecutive season, finishing 104-58. Philadelphia took second for the third straight year as well with their 91-71 besting closest contenders Baltimore and Montreal. Phillies centerfielder Alex Webber earned MVP honors at age 34. Although 10<sup>th</sup> in the ML, Cleveland boasted the pitcher of the year in Josh Davis. It was the first and not the last for the 23-year old lefty from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

The Yankees were again stunned in the first round of the playoffs as Minneapolis beat them in five games. The Cardinals swept the Phillies, setting up an all-Midwest National Association final. Despite the weakest record in the field and +2 run differential, the Moose advanced in six games.

The favorites prevailed in the American Association as Phoenix and Tampa swept San Antonio and Denver, respectively. The Firebirds topped the Thunderbirds 4-2 to send Phoenix to the World Series. The Moose Magic would run out as the Firebirds weren’t going to let another stellar season end in disappointment. Phoenix won the World Series in five games.

Other notes: on August 20, Dale “Lobster” Hernandez of the San Antonio Oilers made history with the MLB’s first perfect game. The Penn State graduate struck out 11 against the Oakland Owls in the perfecto. Elsewhere, San Diego’s Adam Mallett won his seventh consecutive (and final) AA Silver Slugger at catcher.

FuzzyRussianHat

07-31-2022 05:20 PM

1908 in MLB

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The National Association yet again had New York and St. Louis as league champions, the fourth straight for the Yankees and third for the Cardinals. New York’s 107-55 was the top record in the EL with St. Louis 106-56 in the Midwest. Pittsburgh secured second in the EL at 98-64 with Cincinnati at the same record for second in the Midwest. It was the first playoff appearance for both the Pirates and the Reds.

Individually, the top two award winners weren’t from playoff teams. 60-win Minneapolis had the MVP in outfielder Miguel Ramirez, who led the NA in hits and average. Cleveland’s Josh Davis secured back-to-back pitcher of the year, this time leading the way in WAR, ERA, and strikeouts.

The Yankees again saw an early exit, getting upset 3-1 by the Reds. The Cardinals defeated Pittsburgh in four to setup a second straight Midwest League NACS. After coming up short in 1904 and 1907, St. Louis broke through in 1908 in six games over Cincinnati for their first Association Championship and the eighth different winner in the NA’s first eight seasons.

Defending World Series champ Phoenix didn’t post the gaudy numbers of the last two seasons, but again were good for Western League champ with a 101-61 record. Vancouver won a competitive battle for second at 95-67, one up on Oakland and three ahead of Denver and San Diego.

After a middling mark in 1907, the Houston Hornets bounced back for the Southern League crown at 97-65. Jeremy Frechette grabbed his second POTY with 10.2 WAR and an AA best 254 strikeouts. Houston also got the MVP Adam Boehm, having signed the 38-year old outfielder previously of Ottawa and Dallas. Boehm had a then-MLB record 137 runs scored and his .468 on base percentage would be the best single-season mark until 1995. Atlanta earned a first-ever playoff appearance as the 89-73 aces held off Memphis (85-77) for second.

It was an all-Southern League AACS after Houston beat Vancouver in four games and Atlanta upset Phoenix in five. The Hornets trumped the Aces in six games for their third Association Championship in four years. This time, Houston would add the World Series title as well, defeating St. Louis in six games. Boehm was World Series MVP with 25 hits, nine runs, and a .493 OBP over the postseason.

Other notes: Yankees ace Franklin Carro became the first pitcher in league history to record 2000 career strikeouts. Detroit pitcher Tom Jardine threw the second-ever perfect game. The Sherbrooke, Quebec native struck out six against Ottawa on July 18.

jg2977

08-03-2022 08:36 AM

I hope you post more soon, I'm really enjoying this dynasty report.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-03-2022 11:35 AM

1909 in MLB

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St. Louis earned a sixth straight playoff appearance in 1909 with their fourth straight Midwest League title. The defending National Association champ finished 91-71, holding off Detroit (90-72), Chicago (87-75), and Columbus (86-76). The Cardinals had the best team ERA in the NA at 2.95.

In the East, Philadelphia finished 98-64 for the best record in the NA. They led the NA in runs, led by a 50 home run season and career year by 38-year old third baseman Chris Bychyk. Ottawa took second in a tight battle for the second playoff spot, getting 90 wins and edging Boston (89), New York (89), and Montreal (86). Buffalo had the pitcher of the year in Karl Maurer, their fifth overall pick in 1905.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Cardinals defeated the Elks in four games and the Tigers upset the Phillies in four, setting up a third straight Midwest League Association final. St. Louis swept Detroit for back-to-back National Association crowns.

In the American Association, Houston rolled to their fourth Southern League title in five years, finishing at 106-56. Third baseman Will Miller picked up his third career MVP, setting career highs with 211 hits, .361 average, and a 9.9 WAR in his age 29 season. Jeremy Frechette at age 28<sup> </sup>became a three-time pitcher of the year, leading the AA in strikeouts for the third straight year. Tampa placed second in the SL at 94-68, ahead of Oklahoma City (91-71) and their four Gold Glove stout defense.

The best record in baseball came from the Los Angeles Angels at 110-52 in the Western League. The Angels weren’t a team of big stars, but a strong balanced pitching staff and defense gave them the best ERA in the AA. Phoenix earned a fifth straight playoff appearance, taking second in the West at 97-65.

Despite going on the road, Phoenix would sweep Houston in the first round. Los Angeles topped Tampa in four and prevailed over their WL rival Phoenix in six games for their first American Association title in their first playoff berth. The past playoff experience for St. Louis would give the Cardinals the edge over the Angels in a seven-game World Series.

Other notes: Louisville pitcher Casey Esnault became the second major leaguer to record 2000 career strikeouts.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-03-2022 05:06 PM

1910 in MLB

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Looking for a National Association title three-peat in 1910, the St. Louis Cardinals took the top record in the NA and Midwest League at 100-62. It was an odd year in the ML with only three teams above .500, yet the last place team posted 74 wins. Cincinnati took the second playoff spot at 88-74, one game ahead of Columbus.

No one dominated in the Eastern League, but Philadelphia would take the top spot at 94-68 for their seventh playoff berth in MLB’s first 10 years. Montreal, the highest scoring team in the NA by a healthy 58 run margin, took second at 92-70. Baltimore (89-73), Ottawa (88-74), and New York (87-75) all gave chase to the end.

The MVP race went to Kansas City’s Angel Guerra. A stocky 5’7’’, 200 pound Cuban lefty nicknamed “Bandit,” Guerra was MLB’s first notable two-way player. With just shy of 6 WAR hitting in the outfield and a slightly above average year as a starting pitcher, he received the honor. Cleveland’s Josh Davis posted a career best 9.5 WAR and 1.98 ERA for his third pitcher of the year.

The best two records in the American Association were in the Western League in a fierce battle for first. Phoenix’s AA best 607 runs allowed gave them the duke at 104-58, one game over defending champ Los Angeles at 103-59. It was a top heavy West as Oakland’s 99 wins, Vancouver’s 96, and Denver’s 92 wasn’t enough to push them to the postseason.

Houston won the Southern League at 102-60 and had the MLB’s WARlord in shortstop Dave Douglas, who posted 9.8 WAR in his second year since leaving Cincinnati for the Hornets. The one team to score more than them, the Dallas Dalmatians, took second at 94-68 for their first-ever playoff berth.

San Antonio first baseman Frank Hamman was named AA MVP as the 25-year old left handed slugger led the way with league bests in home runs (51) and RBI (142). Oakland’s Mike Gallegos picked up his only pitcher of the year award with a 21 win, 8.6 WAR season for the Owls.

Phoenix swept Dallas in the first round of the playoffs and Houston knocked out Los Angeles in four, making it Firebirds v. Hornets for the third time in the American Association’s championship in its short history. Houston won the AACS in five games, becoming the first four-time Association champ and giving them four titles in six years.

St. Louis looked to continue their own fledgling dynasty and opened the postseason with a 3-1 win against Montreal. Cincinnati ousted Philadelphia in four to set up another all-Midwest final and a rematch from 1908. The Cardinals topped the Reds in six for a third straight National Association title and a World Series rematch from 1908 with Houston.

The 1910 Series was peculiar in that it went seven games and the road team won every single game. It also guaranteed the first two-time WS champ. Three-time AA MVP Will Miller added World Series MVP to his trophy case as he pushed the Hornets by the Cardinals in seven. It ultimately marked the end of St. Louis’s NA dynasty and served as a flash point on the Houston AA run.

Other notes: official stats started to now accumulate more after 10 years of MLB sanctioned play as seven batters recorded their 1000<sup>th</sup> RBI. Two, Houston’s Dave Douglas and Adam Boehm, became the first 1000 run scorers.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-04-2022 09:53 AM

CABA formation

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The first decade of Major League Baseball was a critical and financial success across the United States and Canada. The financial piece especially caught the attention of powerful people in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. The game had been introduced to these areas by American influence in the region and really started to grow in popularity in the early 20<sup>th</sup> century. Scattered professional teams popped up but without much direction or organization.

That would slowly change the formation of what was known in the English speaking world as the Central American Baseball Association (CABA). Beginning official play in 1911, CABA was made up of two distinct leagues. The Mexican League was made up initially of 12 Mexican teams split into a North and South division. The Caribbean League had 12 teams split into the Island division (with teams in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica), and the Continental division (teams from Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Costa Rica).

In the initial setup, the postseason would have the division champions meet in a best-of-seven league championship, followed by a best-of-seven CABA championship with Mexico’s best against the Caribbean’s best. The Caribbean League would use the designated hitter while the Mexican League would not.

The player draft would keep players local to their region, although CABA teams and free agents were free to mingle. Initially as well, CABA and MLB teams could trade and purchase players amongst each other, but that would be kyboshed after a short time.

jg2977

08-04-2022 10:44 AM

Really cool stuff here. You have some really nice logos for your teams. That's a great logo for CABA as well. Looks like the Yankees got their one title, but they may not win again for a long time, if ever. We'll see. I wonder how long Houston and Phoenix will be able to keep up with their success.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-04-2022 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg2977 (Post 4925695)

Thanks! The CABA logo I don't remember what website it was that had some templates for custom logos, I think there were two or three different places for the various league logos I used. The team logos I know I got on this forum on a post that had a big file of like 5000 or so, most of them are either from there or were default logos in the game.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-04-2022 06:29 PM

1911 in CABA

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In the Mexican League’s debut season, the Merida Mean Green took the top overall record at 103-59. Winning the South Division, Merida allowed the fewest runs (461) and was second in runs scored at (631). The North was more competitive with Mexicali winning at 87-75, beating out Tijuana (83-79) and Juarez (80-82). In the LCS, Merida defeated Mexicali in six games.

The first Mexican League MVP went to Puebla’s Alex Hinojosa, who posted 13.1 WAR with a tied-for-first 47 home runs and stellar defense at second base and shortstop. Hermosillo’s Alfredo Salomon took pitcher of the year with league bests in ERA (1.89) and strikeouts (314).

The Caribbean League’s Island Division would be loaded with three 100+ win teams. The Havana Hurricanes loaded offense, 99 runs better than second place, took it at 112-50. Both Haiti and Jamaica finished 102-60. The Jazz allowed only 377 runs, a record that held through the century.

Only one team in the Continental Division finished above .500; the Panama Parrots at 89-73. Havana would make quick work of them in the LCS with a sweep. The Hurricanes had the league MVP in third baseman Yavier De Hombre, a Cuban national who led the league with 48 homers, 112 runs, 126 RBI, and a 12.4 WAR. Baptiste Timothee, a Haitian right handed arm, won POTY for Havana with an 11.9 WAR and 23-6 mark with a 1.59 ERA.

The first CABA championship series saw Havana roar to a 3-0 start. However, Merida completed the rally to win the inaugural championship in seven games, Little did the Mean Green know that this would be their only championship appearance for more than a century.

jg2977

08-05-2022 08:50 AM

I think sometimes in OOTP it's a curse to win a title in the inaugural season. I've done several dynasties where the inaugural champion never won again, or it took decades to win another title. There are a couple were the inaugural winner remained successful throughout and accumulated multiple titles.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-07-2022 02:58 PM

1911 in MLB

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Houston picked up a sixth Southern League title in seven years with the American Association’s best record in 1911 at 102-60. The Hornets had the MVP in shortstop Dave Douglas and a fourth pitcher of the year for Jeremy Frechette. The top scoring team in the AA was Dallas, whose 917 runs scored pushed them to second in the SL at 97-65, beating out 91-win Miami and Oklahoma City.

The big stunner in the Western League was the complete collapse of the Phoenix Firebirds. Despite having basically the same pitching staff and not many injuries, Phoenix went from an association best 607 runs allowed in 1910 to an abysmal 885 allowed in 1911 and a last place 62-100 finish. Los Angeles filled the void for a third-straight playoff berth, winning the WL at 93-69. Denver narrowly finished second at 92-70, fending off Portland (89-73), Oakland (86-76), and San Diego (85-77).

The Southern League established easy playoff dominance as Houston swept Denver and Dallas swept Los Angeles. The Texas rivals went the distance in the AACS but the Hornets would win in seven for back-to-back AA titles and their fifth in seven years.

In the National Association, the Washington Admirals came out of nowhere seemingly for the best record in the Eastern League at 101-61, allowing the fewest runs in baseball (560) with a balanced staff and fielding. It was Washington’s first playoff berth and only second time above .500, having won only 73 games the prior year. Second in runs allowed was Hartford at 92-70, also getting their first playoff appearance by holding off 90-win Montreal.

The Midwest League was a two-team race down the stretch. Detroit finished 94-68, edging Columbus at 93-69. It was also the first playoff berth for the Chargers, led by 22-year old outfielder Jonathan Gibbs. The 50<sup>th</sup> overall pick by St. Louis in 1908, Columbus acquired him a week later in a trade and were rewarded with a 1.002 OPS, 8.6 WAR sophomore season.

Cleveland lefty Josh Davis earned his fourth pitcher of the year in his seven year career. His 19-10 record, 2.43 ERA, and 256 strikeouts made him the first Triple Crown winning pitcher in MLB history, one of only six who would do it in the 20<sup>th</sup> century. The Cobras were improved with 85 wins in 1911, but it would not be enough to keep him from testing free agency in the coming offseason.

The National Association Championship Series would be all Midwest for the fifth consecutive season after the Tigers topped the Huskies in four games and the Chargers upset the Admirals in five. Much like how one game separated them in the regular season, Detroit and Columbus battled in the NACS with the Tigers winning in seven games. It was Detroit’s second World Series berth, having won it all in 1902.

However, the Tigers would be quickly stung by the Hornets. Houston won the World Series in five games, giving them back-to-back titles and three in four years.

Other notes: Second-year pitcher Newton Persaud of New Orleans had a curious statistical line, leading the AA in strikeouts (279) but also losses (24). The Trinidadian recorded only eight wins for the struggling Mudcats, which would be his only season below 12 wins for the next nearly two decades.

Calgary third baseman Max Pohorence won rookie of the year in the American Association by winning the hitting title at .373 and setting a MLB record with 240 hits.

Many career milestones would be hit in MLB’s 11<sup>th</sup> season with numerous batters crossing the 1000 run and RBI thresholds. Four crossed the 2000 hit barrier, first reached by Tampa’s Alberto Anguiano on April 19. New York’s Franklin Carro became the first pitcher at 2500 strikeouts on September 10 with Brooklyn’s Casey Esnault hitting the mark 11 days later. Ernie Stanford of the Yankees would become the first slugger with 400+ home runs.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-09-2022 08:41 AM

1912 in CABA

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Defending CABA champ Merida narrowly took the Mexican League South Division again at 91-71, finishing two games ahead of both Leon and Mexico City. Mexicali would not repeat as North Division champs, as Juarez beat them out by two games at 94-68. In his one season south of the border, American Rich Pendley earned pitcher of the year for the Jesters. Ecatepec first baseman earned MVP, leading the ML in hits, RBI, AVG, OBP, and WAR.

In the Caribbean League, Havana led CABA in runs scored and fewest allowed for the Island Division title at 111-51. It was a stacked division again with Haiti (106-56) and Puerto Rico (99-63) missing the postseason despite great years. No team in the Continental Division posted a winning record as Panama took first at 77-86, one up on Costa Rica and three on Salvador.

The Hurricanes had the pitcher of the year in Julio Ruiz. The 33-year old lefty posted a 14.1 WAR season, which would be the only 14+ WAR pitching year in CABA history until 2025. Caligula Davalos of the Honduras Horsemen was MVP with the outfielder sitting the CABA home run mark at 57, a record that would hold until 1939.

Havana topped Panama in six games to claim the Caribbean title and Juarez edged Merida in seven games for the Mexican title. The Hurricanes wouldn’t fall victim to the rally this time in the CABA Championship as they swept the Jesters for the crown.

Other notes: Havana’s Baptiste Timothee threw a perfect game with 15 strikeouts against Santo Domingo. It was the second CABA perfecto, as Manniche Velez of Haiti did it against Santiago the prior year.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-11-2022 06:49 PM

1912 in MLB

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The top record in the American Association in 1912 went to Los Angeles, as the Angels finished 106-56 and scored a MLB-best 976 runs. 24-year old Aaron Wageman earned MVP from the Angels, while also earning left field’s Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. First baseman Bill Willis defied the trope of 1Bs being big and slow, leading the AA in runs scored, triples, and stolen bases Vancouver picked up second in the Western League at 97-65, fending off 93-win Portland and 91-win Calgary.

Defending World Series champ Houston won a fifth straight Southern League title at 103-59. The Hornets had the big free agent signing of the offseason, securing four-time pitcher of the year Josh Davis formerly of Cleveland to a seven-year, $33,900 contract. He wouldn’t get his fifth POTY in 1912 because new Houston teammate Jeremy Frechette would be getting HIS fifth. Charlotte finished second in the SL at 96-66 for their second playoff berth ever, joining the inaugural 1901 campaign.

Kansas City claimed the Midwest League at 95-67 with Chicago getting the second playoff spot at 91-71 for the first playoff berth for both squads.. Cougars second baseman Archie Meredith posted a 10.4 WAR season at age 24 to earn the National Association MVP. He beat out Toronto’s Jimmy Miller, who set the MLB record with a .390 batting average.

Washington narrowly won back-to-back Eastern League titles with a 96-66 record. Hartford finished second again, one back at 95-67. Boston (92-70) and Brooklyn (90-72) just fell short. Columbus’s Owen Swanson picked up his first pitcher of the year at age 25.

For the first time in the MLB playoff history, all of the first round series’ went five games. The league champs prevailed in each matchup with KC over Hartford, Washington over Chicago, LA over Charlotte, and Houston over Vancouver.

In the NACS, the Admirals dropped the Cougars in six games for Washington’s first Association crown. In the AACS, the Hornets defeated the Angels in six games for their sixth American Association title in eight years.

It was the AA’s turn to have home-field advantage in the World Series rotation and that paid off as the home team won each game. Houston defeated Washington in seven games with MVP going to second baseman Matt Whittington. Thus, the Hornets earned the first-ever World Series three-peat and their fourth title in five years.

Other notes: Houston’s Jeremy Frechette became the first MLB pitcher to each 200 career wins, doing so on 6/24/12. Detroit’s George Lacey became the second on 7/13. Oklahoma City’s Bas Pietersma became the first player to win 10 Gold Gloves. Although a career .208 hitter, the Aruban goes down as an all-time great defender at shortstop, generating 20.0 career WAR despite a career OPS+ of 55.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-13-2022 10:08 AM

1913 in CABA

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Puebla had the top record in Mexico in 1913, winning the South division at 95-67 and dethroning Merida (92-70). The North had its third winner in three years as Tijuana took first at 91-71, beating out Mexicali (88-74).

Defending league champ Juarez limped to 75-87 despite having pitcher of the year Nick Bermea, a 23-year old American whom the Jesters purchased from San Francisco. Ecatepec first baseman Manny Arroyo again won MVP, although his .337/.391./.562 line; all league leading; wasn’t enough to get the Explosion a winning record.

In the Caribbean League, Havana again had the best record in CABA with a 115-47 mark. Jamaica finished above 100 wins for the second time, but the Jazz’ 107-55 couldn’t keep up with the Hurricanes. After no winning records in 1912, the Continental division had one solid team with Panama placing 91-71.

Havana’s Baptiste Timothee won his second pitcher of the year, finishing first in ERA (1.44), wins (22), WHIP (0.77) and second in strikeouts (339). Puerto Rico’s Jhoyce Hidrovo was MVP with a league best 1.000 OPS and 12.2 WAR added by great defense at shortstop.

The Parrots gave the Hurricanes a decent run, but Havana claimed the Caribbean title in seven games. The Toros topped the Pumas in six games for the Mexican title and Tijuana would unseat the Hurricanes as the CABA champ, winning in six games. Outfielder Jeison Miranda won series MVP, hitting nine home runs with 19 RBI over 12 playoff games.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-13-2022 11:28 AM

1913 in MLB

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The Houston Hornets powerhouse seemed to grow even stronger on paper in 1913 with the unexpected emergence of Aitor Cerda. The Mexican slugger came from a time before well-organized leagues where he was, making his official recognized debut along with CABA at age 39 for Salvador. After spending 1912 with Merida and leading the Mexican League with 39 homers, he signed with the Hornets.

Cerda would play only one season with Houston, but his 1913 would be remarkable, setting MLB records with 58 home runs and 175 RBI. The RBI record would remain untouched for more than a century. Cerda earned 1913 MVP and helped the Hornets to a MLB best 105-57 and new MLB record 1024 runs, the second team to cross 1000. Josh Davis, in his second year in Houston, earned his fifth career pitcher of the year and first in the American Association.

Memphis placed second in the Southern League at 98-64 with only 82-win Charlotte also finishing above .500 in the SL. In the Western League, Denver grabbed first at 104-58. Defending WL champ Los Angeles grabbed the second spot at 102-60 for a fifth straight playoff berth; which would ultimately be their last playoff spot for a decade.

The Hornets defeated the Angels in four games in the first round of the playoffs and the Mountain Cats outlasted the Dragons on the road for a five-game upset. The AACS would see a shocking result though as Memphis knocked out Houston in five games. Despite a $33,450 payroll compared to Houston’s massive $81,476 payroll, the Mountain Cats advanced and started would what become the franchise’s signature run.

In the National Association, Omaha emerged for their first playoff berth, leading the Midwest League at 104-58 led by the one-two pitching punch of Chris Krych and Casey Esnault. Defending ML champ Kansas City placed second at 98-64, just defeating Cleveland (97-65) for the spot. Duel pitcher/outfielder Angel Guerra won his second MVP in his final year with the Cougars. The Cuban would oddly bounce around to 10 teams in 12 years in the remainder of his career with mixed results.

No one dominated in the Eastern League as Boston picked up its first-ever playoff spot with the EL title at 93-69. Matt “Banjo” Newman, a small but very hard throwing righty and second-overall pick 1905, earned pitcher of the year from the Red Sox. Pittsburgh picked up the franchise’s second playoff appearance, finishing second at 91-71, four games over Hartford.

The Pirates were the top scoring NA team and used that to upset Omaha in four games in the first round. Kansas City stunned Boston in five, pitting the second-place finishers against each other in the NACS. Pittsburgh defeated the Cougars in six games for their only National Association crown of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. The World Series crown though would go to the Memphis Mountain Cats, who easily took the title in five games.

Other notes: Los Angeles pitcher Dennis Belch threw MLB’s third perfect game in a speedy three strikeout game against Denver on 8/30.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-13-2022 01:15 PM

1914 in CABA

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The Mexican League North division came down to a tiebreaker game after defending CABA champion Tijuana and Mexicali both finished 98-64. The Toros took the tiebreaker game, aided by a 12.4 MVP series by Dominican catcher Mar Pavia. Although below .500 as a team, Juarez had the Pitcher of the Year in a back-to-back effort for Nick Bermea. The 24-year old from Columbus, Georgia became the first CABA pitcher to win the Triple Crown at 20-7, 1.55 ERA and 356 strikeouts.

In the South division, it was a three-team battle between Puebla, Leon, and Ecatepec. The defending champ Pumas ultimately prevailed at 98-64, ahead of the Lions (95-67) and the Explosion (94-68). The Mexican League Championship Series rematch went seven games with Los Toros again coming out on top.

Havana’s hold on the Island division was ended in 1914. Despite a 92-70 record, the Hurricanes wouldn’t keep up with Puerto Rico’s 102-60 season and a second MVP season by Pelicans shortstop Jhoyce Hidrovo and a 13.2 WAR, 119 run, 135 RBI season.

Panama again was the only team above .500 in the Continental division with a 95-67 finish. The Parrots had Pitcher of the Year Juan Mendoza and the best team ERA in the Caribbean League at 3.00 even. The Pelicans claimed the CLCS in six games against the Parrots. However, it would be Tijuana securing back-to-back CABA titles with the swept of Puerto Rico in the championship.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-13-2022 02:18 PM

1914 in MLB

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After his stunning record-setting MVP season at age 41 with Houston, Aitor Cerda signed with the Denver Dragons for a one-year, $5,500 contract. Cerda’s numbers wouldn’t be as eye popping, but he’d earn another American Association MVP before finishing his career with weak seasons with Charlotte and San Francisco in 1915 and 1916.

Cerda wasn’t the only big addition for Denver. Former Phoenix MVP outfielder Jason Salvage, who was traded at the deadline to Houston in 1913, signed a five-year, $26,500 deal with the Dragons. These signings pushed Denver not only to back-to-back Western League titles, but the MLB’s best record at 110-52. Portland picked up the second place spot in the WL at 96-66, the first playoff berth for the Pacifics. Calgary had the most runs scored, but placed third at 91-71.

Defending World Series champion Memphis won their first-ever Southern League title at 94-68, reversing position with Houston. The Hornets placed second at 92-70, getting the second-ever 300+ strikeout season and a record sixth Pitcher of the Year from Josh Davis. It would be his final great season due to an ulnar nerve entrapment in his throwing elbow the following May.

Houston’s playoff experience paid off as they shocked top-record Denver with a road sweep in the first round. Memphis topped Portland in four games for an AACS rematch between the Southern League rivals. The series went the distance and despite their lack of big stars and stats, the Mountain Cats prevailed for the second straight year, winning in seven games.

With aging stars, this would prove to be the end of Houston dynasty. Although the Hornets would have some solid seasons in the next decade, their run of eight American Association finals appearances and six titles in 10 years would go down as arguably the best decade in AA history. Manager Erick Stockmann would be the only MLB manager to win four World Series titles until Dian Gesang and the San Diego dynasty of the 2020s.

Columbus would boast the National Association MVP and PotY in taking theie first Midwest League title at 100-62. 25-year old Outfielder Jonathan Gibbs grabbed his second MVP and 27-year old righty Owen Swanson his second Pitcher of the Year. After coming close last year, Cleveland finally earned a playoff spot with a second-place 98-64 record, beating out solid seasons from Chicago (93 wins), Omaha (93), and Kansas City (92).

In a competitive Eastern League, 1912 NA champ Washington bounced back after a down 1913, finishing first in the EL at 95-67. Hartford picked up a third wild card in four years at 93-69, outlasting last year’s Association champ Pittsburgh (89-73), as well as Montreal (88-74) and Boston (86-76).

It would be an all Eastern League NACS as in the first round, the Huskies upset the Chargers in five games and the Admirals bested the Cobras in four. Despite being close in the regular season, Washington handled Hartford in five games to give the Admirals their second NA title in three years.

Memphis would not be able to pull off back-to-back World Series titles, as Washington won the Fall Classic in five games. It was Washington’s first-ever World Series title and the second National Association winner in the last eight years.

Other notes: Calgary’s Max Pohorence broke his own 1911 single-season hits record, one-better with 241. Pohorence also scored a new record 141 runs, one ahead of Alex Rodriguez’s 1901 mark.

Vancouver third baseman Dusty Knight become the second player to win 10 Gold Gloves. Knight would be one of two MLB players ever to eventually rack up 15 Gold Gloves over his career with six teams (WAS, CIN, LAA, VAN, MON, CAL). Despite 2788 career hits, his relatively unremarkable hitting kept him from a Hall of Fame spot.

Omaha pitcher Casey Esnault became the first pitcher to reach 3000 career strikeouts. Esnault eventually finished with 3776 and would stay in the top 20 even into the new Millennium, although his 71.8 WAR and 254-227 record still wouldn’t be enough to get him into the HOF with unremarkable 3.89 career ERA and 1.34 WHIP.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-13-2022 06:23 PM

1915 in CABA

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1915 would again see Tijuana and Puebla atop their Mexican League divisions. The Pumas had the best record in CABA at 114-48 despite a solid Ecatepec team at 99-63 giving chase early in the South. Puebla second baseman Alex Hinojosa picked up his second career MVP, leading Liga Mexico in home runs, RBI, and WAR. The Toros at 102-60 had no competition in the North, seeing CABA records with 370 runs allowed and a 1.99 team ERA, marks that wouldn’t be touched for the rest of the century.

Tijuana had a historic Pitcher of the Year season from 27-year old left Brian Kendall. The American from Massachusetts started as a solid pitcher with Oakland before having his contract purchased (in the short time that was allowed between MLB and CABA) by Santiago. After two years there, he signed with the Toros and posted a Triple Crown season at 23-8 with a 1.44 ERA and 441 strikeouts, plus 13.7 WAR. The strikeout record remains the all-time CABA mark even into the 2020s, as does his .151 opponent batting average and 4.67 hits allowed per nine innings pitched.

In the third iteration of Tijuana vs. Puebla in the Mexican League Championship Series, the Pumas prevailed for the first time, winning in six games.

In the Caribbean, the Island Division came down to a tiebreaker game after Jamaica and Havana each finished 99-63. The Jazz took the tiebreaker and the best record in the league, while defending CL champ Puerto Rico finished 86-76. Chris “Ratface” Barnett, a relatively unknown American third basemen whom came to Jamaica by way of Philadelphia, won MVP with the league best batting average and RBI tally.

Hurricanes pitcher Baptiste Timothee won his third PotY and was seven strikeouts from a Triple Crown. The man who bested him, 23-year old Ulices Montero of Santiago, had the breakout season in what would arguably be the greatest career any pitcher ever.

In the Continental Division, Salvador took the top spot at 91-71. The Stallions didn’t have much in the way of star power or big numbers, but they got hot at the right time. Salvador would defeat Jamaica in five games to become the first continental winner of the Caribbean League. Then in the CABA Championship, the Stallions dusted Puebla in five games. Second baseman Adony Nunez won series MVP and had seven runs and nine hits in the postseason.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-14-2022 10:47 AM

1915 in MLB

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The American Association was incredibly titled towards the Western League in the 1915 regular season. Seven WL teams finished with 90+ wins whereas only two in the Southern League were above .500. In the SL, defending AA champ Memphis took first at 92-70 with Dallas taking the other playoff spot at 89-73. For the first time in 12 years, Houston had a losing record, finishing 71-91.

In the stacked WL, Denver led the way with the most runs scored (913) and fewest allowed (625) for a 112-50 record. Seattle earned their first playoff berth finishing 103-59, but they had to fend off Vancouver (102-6), San Diego (99-63), Las Vegas (93-69), Phoenix (93-69), Calgary (92-7), and Portland (89-73). Veteran first baseman Chad Tepp won his first and only MVP with Seattle, 24-year old Panamanian pitcher Duke Mercedes led the AA in strikeouts en route to his first and only Pitcher of the Year.

Denver easily swept Dallas in the first round of the playoffs while Memphis knocked out Seattle in four games. The AACS went seven games and despite the Dragons’ gaudy stats, the sturdy Mountain Cats prevails for a third straight American Association championship.

The top record in the National Association went to Montreal, the Eastern League champ at 97-65. New York took their first playoff spot since 1908 at 93-69, outracing Hartford (90-72) and last year’s World Series champion Washington (88-74). 22-year old right fielder Jonathan Goldstein, the ninth overall pick for the Yankees in 1913, had a breakout sophomore season with a MLB best 56 home runs and NA leading 124 runs.

The Midwest League had a five-team battle that Indianapolis took by one game at 95-67, the first league title for the Racers. St. Louis and Columbus tied for the second spot at 94-68, one game over Kansas City and four over Omaha. The Cardinals won a tiebreaker game against the Chargers to advance to the postseason. 35-year old veteran Willie Hodo, who signed with St. Louis in the offseason, had a career year for PotY.

The EL prevailed in the first round as Montreal survived St. Louis in five games and New York earned a road sweep over Indianapolis. The Maples handled the Yankees in five games to win the National Association Championship Series for their second NA title (the first coming in the inaugural season).

Montreal’s first World Series title would have to come another time as Memphis prevailed in six games for their second crown in three years. Outfielder Sam Best had emerged as a clutch performer, winning both World Series and AACS MVP. In 17 playoff games, Best had 22 hits, six home runs, 11 runs, and 11 RBI.

Other notes: Toronto outfielder Jeff Larouche set the MLB record with 74 stolen bases. Houston’s Adam Boehm and Dallas’ Israel Villalobos became the second and third players to achieve 2500 career hits.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-14-2022 03:04 PM

1916 in CABA

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Tijuana claimed their fourth straight North Division title, dominating the Mexican League regular season in 1916 at 110-52. The Toros had both the league MVP and Pitcher of the Year with veteran left fielder Celio Quintero leading the way in the triple slash and Wolf Middelkamp with the best ERA and WHIP. Tijuana led Mexico in both runs scored (614) and fewest allowed (382).

The South Division was much more competitive as Ecatepec, Puebla, and Merida all won 90+. The Explosion and Pumas tied for the top spot at 94-68 with the Mean Green third at 90-72. Ecatepec unseated the defending champ in an one-game playoff and gave Tijuana a run in the LCS. However, the Toros survived in seven games for their third Mexican League title in four years.

Defending Caribbean champ Salvador dropped off a bit, but still advanced by winning a weak Continental division at 84-78. The Island division again was the powerhouse, having Santo Domingo third at 95-67; and a tie for first at 103-59 between Santiago and Jamaica.

The Sailfish edged the Jazz in the playoff game for their first division title. Ulices Montero picked up his first of many Pitcher of the Year awards, striking out 379 for Santiago. The Sailfish had an incredible top three rotation of Montero, Esaie Cherenfant, and multiple-time MLB Pitcher of the Year Josh Davis, Puerto Rico’s Jhoyce Hidrovo won his third MVP with the shortstop posting a CABA record 13.73 WAR season.

Santiago and Salvador went seven games in the League Championship Series with the Sailfish taking the Caribbean League title for the first time. The CABA Championship went seven games as well. Veteran first baseman was named series MVP as Santiago brought home the first CABA title to the Dominican Republic.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-14-2022 05:33 PM

1916 in MLB

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Denver had the best record in baseball for the third straight season as the Dragons finished 115-47; their best mark yet. Denver had the highest attendance in baseball (2,640,779 over the season) and the highest payroll. Portland placed second in the Western League at 97-65, beting out Los Angeles (93-69) and Phoenix (90-72). 22-year old designated hitter Walter Seda won MVP in his sophomore season for the Pacifics.

Defending World Series champ Memphis dominated the Southern League at 101-61. Charlotte took the second place wild card spot at 86-76, edging New Orleeans (84-78) and Jacksonville (82-80). 23-year old Amo Smart from Albuquerque was Pitcher of the Year with the AA lead in wins (24) and ERA (2.40).

Denver dispatched Charlotte in four games in the first round of the playoffs. The stunner came on the other side as Portland shocked Memphis in five games. The Pacifics then shocked the Dragons by winning the AACS in six games, ending another season in disappointment for Denver and giving Portland its first Association title.

The Midwest League was top heavy in 1916 with four teams getting 92 wins or more. Indianapolis was back-to-back champ at 100-62, beating out Milwaukee (99-63) in the Mustangs’ first playoff berth since winning the World Series in 1904. Louisville was third (94-68), then Omaha (92-70).

The Eastern League had Hartford on top at 95-68 for their first league title and fourth playoff berth in six years. Washington also earned their fourth appearance in six years by finishing second at 89-73, one up over last year’s NA champ Montreal. New York’s Jonathan Goldstein won back-to-back MVPs with another 50+ home run season and Owen Swanson got his third Pitcher of the Year with Columbus on a career-high 270 strikeouts and 10.6 WAR.

The Racers swept the Admirals in the first round and the Huskies battled for a 3-2 series win against the Mustangs. In the National Association Championship Series, Hartford edged Indianapolis in seven games for their first Association title. In the first World Series appearance for both teams, the Huskies defeated the Pacifics in six games. Centerfielder Kody Moreland earned WS MVP, having 13 hits, five doubles, and three home runs in eight playoff starts.

Other notes: St. Louis pitcher Quadir Pitman threw MLB’s fourth perfect game, recording four strikeouts against Columbus on 8/18. Denver’s Jason Salvage became the first player to 500 career home runs with Vancouver’s Josh Noble doing it as well two months later. Casey Esnault of Omaha became the first pitcher to reach 3500 career strikeouts. Vancouver right fielder Joe Daniels won his 10<sup>th</sup> Gold Glove.

jg2977

08-16-2022 10:20 PM

Hartford won a championship? That’s my hometown team!

FuzzyRussianHat

08-17-2022 08:05 PM

1917 in CABA

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Tijuana won the Liga Mexico Division Norte for the fifth straight season and posted their best record yet, a league-record 115-47. Their team ERA was 2.24 with the next closest Puebla at 2.66. The Pumas won Division Sur for the fourth time in five years after just missing out last year. Puebla went 102-60, nine better than Ecatepec (93-69). In the fourth Mexican League Championship Series meeting of the Toros and Pumas, Tijuana prevailed in six games for their fourth league title.

Puebla’s Alex Hinojosa won his third MVP with a league best 1.022 OPS and 10.7 WAR. Juarez pitcher Nick Bermea won his third Pitcher of the Year and became the third pitching Triple Crown winner in CABA with a 24-9 record, 1.84 ERA, and 365 strikeouts.

In Liga Caribe, Santo Domingo won their first-ever division title. The Dolphins finished with 747 runs, 103 ahead of next best, to finish 99-63. Jamaica had another great season but was just short at 97-65, while last year’s CABA Champ Santiago was third at 89-73. Diomar “Top Dog” Glas won his first MVP, with the 26-year old Curacaoan outfielder leading the league in runs (114), homers (50), RBI (121), and OPS (1.001).

In the Continental Division, Salvador won the title at 93-69 for their third straight playoff berth. Veteran American pitcher Matt Newman won PotY for the Stallions with a 0.80 WHIP, 1.92 ERA, and 26-7 mark. Newman became the first player to win his position’s top award in both CABA and MLB, as he won Pitcher of the Year in the National Association with Boston in 1913.

Santo Domingo would easily take the league title, defeating the Stallions in five games. In the CABA Championship, the Dolphins handled Tijuana in five games for their first title, the second straight by a Dominican team, and third straight for the Caribbean. Glas earned series MVP and had 19 hits, 10 runs, 6 doubles, and 4 homers over 10 playoff games.

Other notes: Santo Domingo also had pitcher Dave Walsh throw CABA’s third-ever perfect game, striking out 11 against Honduras on June 20. Jamaica pitcher Alejandro Cordova became the first CABA player to record 2000 career strikeouts.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-17-2022 09:03 PM

1917 in MLB

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After winning the American Association as a wild card in 1916, Portland won the Western League title for the first time with an AA best 102-60 mark in 1917. 23-year old First baseman Walter Seda won back-to-back MVPs for the Pacifics with 143 RBI and 1.001 OPS. Portland saw one of the best relief efforts in AA history from 24-year old Armen Eberhardt, who had an ERA+ of 600 over 77.1 innings with 114 strikeouts and 5.2 WAR out of the bullpen.

Second in the Western League was a five-team race. Last year’s 115-winner Denver was in the mix at 86-76 with Las Vegas also at 86-76, plus San Francisco and Seattle at 84-78. However, Phoenix took the spot at 87-75, tying the mark for fewest wins from a playoff team.

The Southern League saw a tie at the top with Dallas and Memphis both finishing 99-63. As both qualified, league rule didn’t require a tiebreaker game and the Dalmatians got the head-to-head narrowly to be crowned league champ. Jacksonsville was third at 93-69 in their best season in more than a decade, followed by Houston (88-74) and Charlotte (87-75). New Orleans ace Newton Persaud was Pitcher of the Year at age 27 in his first of five eventual crowns with a 10.2 WAR season.

Despite the best record, Portland was upset in the first round of the playoffs, losing in four to Memphis. Dallas swept Phoenix, making the AACS a true “tiebreaker” between the Southern League powers. Pitching depth for the Mountain Cats, who had the AA fewest runs allowed at 619, gave them the edge over the Dalmatians in seven games. It was Memphis’ fourth AA title in five years.

In the National Association, defending World Series champ Hartford finished 99-63, which believe it or not, put them in third place in the Eastern League. Montreal’s 97-65 was fourth best in a loaded field. The New York Yankees would take first at 103-59, one better than Philadelphia’s 102-60. The Phillies had Eric Roman in his one Pitcher of the Year, as the 24-year old tossed 9.9 WAR.

The Midwest League’s winner was Omaha at 101-61. Milwaukee was second again at 98-64 and was the only team from last year in the National Association to make it back to the playoffs. Indianapolis was a close third at 94-68 with a league MVP sophomore season from outfielder Buck Alexander.

The second place finishers pulled off the road upsets in the first round of the playoffs as Philadelphia beat Omaha in five games and Milwaukee topped New York in four. In the NACS, the Phillies defeated the Mustangs in six games for their first Association title.

The World Series between Philadelphia and the Mountain Cats would be a seven-game classic. The home team won each game and this year, that gave the Phillies the edge for their first MLB title. It also marked the end of the Memphis signature run, as the Mountain Cats wouldn’t be back until the Johnson Administration.

Other notes: St. Louis pitcher Willie Hodo became the second player to reach 3000 career strikeouts. Former Houston star Will Miller, now with the Yankees, and Atlanta’s Israel Villalobos became the second and third players to have scored 1500 career runs. Seattle’s Chad Tepp was the first to hit 1500 RBI, joined later in the year by Anthony Young of Vancouver, Will Miller, and Denver’s Jason Salvage.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-20-2022 09:38 AM

1918 in CABA

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Tijuana continued their Mexican League success in 1918 with a 114-48 record for a sixth straight North Division title. Toros ace Brian Kendall picked up his second Pitcher of the Year, leading Liga Mexico with 7.9 WAR despite only 24 starts due to injury. Tijuana had the top three pitchers in ERA as well as Reliever of the Year B.J. Medina.

In the South Division, Ecatepec won their second division title in three years, finishing 97-65. Guadalajara was next at 90-72, followed by Puebla at 88-74. Pumas infielder Alex Hinojosa earned his fourth MVP and led the league in seven categories. The Explosion gave a nice effort in the League Championship Series, but Tijuana prevailed in six games for their fifth league title in six years.

In the Dominican, defending CABA champ Santo Domingo battled with Santiago for the Island division title. The Dolphins had the league MVP in Zósimo Hernández, a two-way pitcher and left fielder; and the Sailfish had a Triple Crown season from Ulices Montero for his second Pitcher of the Year. Both finished the regular season at 103-59, but the offensive prowess of Santo Domingo gave them the edge in the tiebreaker game.

Nicaragua easily claimed the Continental division at 97-65 for their first playoff appearance. The Navigators couldn’t stand up to the Dolphins though, as Santo Domingo won the LCS in six games for back-to-back Caribbean League titles. The Dolphins couldn’t claim back-to-back CABA titles though as Tijuana got revenge in five games. The Toros became the first three-time CABA champ.

Other notes: Juarez pitcher Nick Bermea set a single game record with 22 strikeouts, doing it in 14.2 innings against Merida. Tijuana’s Avelino Tamez threw CABA’s fourth perfect game on 8/27 against Monterrey.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-20-2022 10:12 AM

1918 in MLB

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Defending World Series champ Philadelphia took a very top heavy Eastern League in 1918 at 102-60. Phillies outfielder Cam Lloyd picked up the MVP with the National Association lead in runs (129), hits (203), home runs (53), and RBI (147). He was six points away from a hitting Triple Crown. Hartford took the second place spot at 99-63, fending off 97-65 marks from both Montreal and New York.

Columbus, who won 68 games the prior year, picked up the Midwest League title at 90-72. Louisville earned their first playoff berth since 1906 with the wild card at 87-76, one game better than Indianapolis. Washington’s Jeremiah Jaiboon picked up the Pitcher of the Year.

The Chargers swept the Huskies in the first round of the playoffs while Philadelphia survived in five games against Louisville. Philadelphia would find a rhythm though to defeat Columbus in the NACS in six, sending the Phillies to the World Series for the second straight year.

In the American Association, Jacksonville won the Southern League for their first playoff appearance since 1903, finishing with the AA’s best record at 100-62. Dallas made back-to-back playoff berths by taking second at 97-65. Houston (91-71) and Memphis (88-74) were next.

In the Western League, San Francisco secured their first-ever playoff berth with the league title at 99-63. The Gold Rush had the league MVP in centerfielder Payton Wayman, with the 24-year old claiming the batting title at .362. Portland advanced to the postseason for the fourth time in five years as the wild card at 95-67. Third place Denver (90-72) had Pitcher of the Year in Ray Biedermann, whom they acquired in free agency from Louisville in the offseason.

The second place finishers both advanced in the postseason as the Pacifics upset the Gators in a sweep and the Dalmatians outlasted the Gold Rush in five. Dallas downed Portland in five games in the AACS for the Dalmatians’ first-ever Association title.

The World Series went to Philadelphia in six games, making the Phillies the second MLB team to repeat as overall champ. Outfielder Pablo De La Fuente was the World Series MVP, picking up 13 RBI, 23 hits, and 4 triples over 17 postseason games.

Other notes; Montreal third baseman Dusty Knight won his record 14<sup>th</sup> and final Gold Glove.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-20-2022 12:23 PM

1919: The First MLB Hall of Famer

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The idea of a Major League Baseball Hall of Fame came to fruition fairly quickly, but it wouldn’t be until 1919 that a player would be enshrined. The rules were induction were receiving 66% of the vote with a maximum of 10 years on the ballot if you received 5% or greater. You were eligible five years after retiring from the league.

The early voting was an interesting discussion as many of the earliest players started their officially recorded MLB careers in their late 20s or 30s. The disorganized and chaotic nature of professional baseball prior to MLB’s 1901 inaugural season meant some early players got punished by their lack of accumulated stats; accomplishments from the 19<sup>th</sup> century were largely ignored or dismissed. But in 1919, the first player to receive the honor was starting pitcher Franklin Carro.

Franklin Carro: Starting Pitcher, New York Yankees (76.3%, first ballot)

Franklin “Stumpy” Carro was born on October 19, 1874 in McPherson, Kansas, which was only founded two years prior. At 5’6’’, 160 pounds, the lefty earned the name “Stumpy” for his short and stocky frame. While not physically intimidating, Carro was a hard worker who learned how to get ground balls and strikeouts with great efficiency. His pitches topped out in the lower 90 mph range, but his sinker, forkball, slider, and changeup was elite stuff and served him well as he took up the fledgling game in his 20s, despite having at times shaky control.

At the time Major League Baseball was founded, Carro was already 26-years old, but had become known among the baseball world as a great pitcher. So much so that in the inaugural draft, he was the 19<sup>th</sup> overall pick of the Houston Hornets.

Carro pitched his first three MLB seasons with the Hornets, leading the American Association in strikeouts in 1902. The following year, his 21-6 record, 2.91 ERA, and 291 strikeouts earned him the Pitcher of the Year award. In a game that year against Phoenix, he hit a then-MLB record with 19 strikeouts in a game.

Late in 1903, Carro signed a one-year contract extension for $1,860 with the Hornets, but the team was worried they wouldn’t be able to keep him long-term. In January 1904, Houston traded Carro to Milwaukee for three ultimately unsuccessful prospects.

With the Mustangs, Carro had perhaps his best career season. He led the National Association and had a career-best 1.92 ERA and 308 strikeouts at age 29. Milwaukee led the NA at 103-59 won their only World Series title of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. Carro won his second PotY and joined a small list of winners in both the NA and AA.

It proved a valuable one-year rental for the Mustangs, but Carro wouldn’t stick around. On December 2, 1904, he signed one of the richest contracts to date with the New York Yankees of seven years, $25,160. He played all seven years of the deal and became known as an all-time great Yankee.

The contract paid off right away as in 1905, Carro led the NA in strikeouts (296) and WAR (9.8) en route to a third Pitcher of the Year. He pitched 40 innings with a 2.68 ERA in the 1905 postseason as the Yankees won their first World Series, defeating his first team Houston in seven games.

He remained a strong starter for the Yankees after that, but started to see age and injuries catch up. In Austin 1907, Carro suffered a torn flexor tendon in his throwing elbow and then a torn rotator cuff in May 1909, leading to partial seasons. He pitched full seasons in 1910 and 1911 and even led the NA in WAR (7.4) in 1911 at age 36. But after that season, the Yankees elected to part ways with Carro.

He signed a two-year, $8,160 deal with San Diego and while still a quality pitcher, was no longer an ace by 1912. After a year with the Seals, he was traded for prospects to the Cleveland Cobras. He only made eight starts with the Cobras but one was special, his lone no-hitter against Minneapolis on April 16.

At age 38, he had more elbow issues and again suffered a torn flexor tendon, effectively ending his run with Cleveland. In late 1914, the Yankees signed him to a minor league deal, but he never took the field. One month later, he officially announced his retirement from professional baseball.

Carro notably was the first MLB player to reach the 2000 and 2500 strikeout threshold, finishing with 2740. His final record as 177-118 with a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 79.2 career WAR over 2866 innings. For Stumpy, an excellent career and a fine player to end up as the first MLB Hall of Famer.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-21-2022 09:43 AM

1919 in CABA

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Guadalajara emerged as the dominant force in the 1919 Mexican League regular season at 113-49, leading in both runs and fewest allowed (660-421). They easily pulled away from Puebla in the South Division, despite the Pumas having league MVP Alex Hinojosa and Pitcher of the Year Matt Determan. It would be Hinojosa’s fifth and final MVP. Hellhounds outfielder Victor Valenzuela was the batting champion and would soon replace Hinojosa as the perennial top MVP contender.

Tijuana had a down year by their lofty standards, but still comfortably won the North Division at 95-67. The Toros’ playoff experience paid off against the fledgling Guadalajara squad as Tijuana won the LCS in six games. It would be their sixth Mexican League title in seven years.

Santo Domingo picked up a third straight Caribbean Island Division title with an 100-62 mark, fending off 93-win efforts from Haiti and Santiago. The Dolphins had three players in the top five for runs scored, home runs, and RBI; led by league MVP Alba Jiménez and former MVP Diomar Glas. Sailfish ace Ulices Montero won his third PotY in four years with 439 strikeouts, the second highest tally in CABA history and second highest season for WAR at 13.8.

In the Continental Division, Honduras posted their first-ever winning season en route to the title at 95-67. The Horsemen would upset the flashier and more acclaimed Dolphins, cruising to a 4-1 LCS win. Honduras would be no match for Tijuana in the CABA Championship, which the Toros took in five.

Through the first decade of CABA, Tijuana had emerged as the powerhouse with six finals appearances and four CABA titles. But 1919 would be the end of the dynasty run and apart from a one-off in the early 1920s, the end of Tijuana’s time as a top-tier team. 1919 was the last year for manager Santiago Francisco, who would be the only CABA manager with four titles until Spiro Santim picked up eight over the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-21-2022 11:27 AM

1919 in MLB

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After back-to-back 97 win seasons with no playoff appearance, Montreal exploded for the best record in the 1919 MLB season at 107-55. The Maples had the rare feat of boasting the MVP and Pitcher of the Year in the same season. 36-year old left fielder Karmendra Jainarine signed as a free agent after four years with Memphis and posted a career best 9.8 WAR for Montreal. 31-year old pitcher Lautaro Romero had a career year as well, leading the National Association with a 2.28 ERA and 21-4 mark

The Eastern League had a ton of competition for the Maples as Hartford’s 100-62 mark netted them second for back-to-back seasons. Philadelphia’s bid for a World Series three-peat was thwarted as they finished third at 98-64, two up on fourth place Brooklyn at 96-66.

Cincinnati had the sixth most wins in the National Association, but the most in the Midwest League at 88-74 for their first league title. Louisville earned back-to-back berths at 85-77, one up on Columbus, two on Detroit, and three on Milwaukee.

Despite the numbers greatly favoring the Eastern League, the Midwest League prevailed in the first round of the playoffs. The Reds outlasted the Huskies in five games and the Lynx stunned the Maples with a road sweep. In an Ohio River showdown, Cincinnati defeated Louisville in six games for the Reds first Association title.

Portland picked up the top spot in the American Association at 106-56, leading MLB with 947 and a .298 team batting average. It was the fourth straight playoff berth by the Pacifics and the second straight for San Francisco, who took the second place spot at 101-61. Defending AA champ Dallas secured a third straight berth with the Southern League title at 99-63. Atlanta picked up their second ever playoff spot, taking second at 97-65 and outlasting Jacksonville by two games and Houston by six. Aces leadoff man Patrick Null picked up the league MVP as the 25-year old outfielder had the batting title at .373 and 233 hits.

Pitcher of the Year went to Newton Persaud for the second time. It was his first with Houston, as he signed with the Hornets for seven years and $49,140 in the offseason after nine years with the struggling New Orleans franchise. Persaud’s 11.51 WAR was the second best season in MLB history for a pitcher to that point, only behind Jeremy Frechette’s 11.53 in 1905. Persaud was also one win away from nabbing the Triple Crown.

Top seeds prevailed in the AA first round with Dallas surviving San Francisco in five games and Portland besting Atlanta in six. In an AACS rematch, the Dalmatians again prevailed, securing back-to-back American Association crowns with a sweep. Dallas would again be denied the World Series title though, as the surprising Cincinnati Reds capped off their playoff run with the franchise’s first title in six games. Outfielder Randy Adamo was World Series MVP, picking up 24 hits, six home runs, 13 runs, and 19 RBI over 17 playoff games.

Other notes: Tyler Peterson became the first reliever to win Reliever of the Year three times. Peterson started the year with the Reds, but was traded to Columbus early in the year for prospects.

First baseman Elijah Cashman won Rookie of the Year for St. Louis with a 6.9 WAR season. The 45<sup>th</sup> overall draft pick by Dallas in 1917, the Cardinals got him in a trade the next year and he picked up AAA MVP in 1918. Over the next two decades, Cashman would make a case as the greatest hitter in MLB history.

Houston’s Willie Hodo and Omaha’s Casey Esnault would both in April become the first MLB pitchers to reach 250 career wins. Baltimore’s Jim Klattenburger became the first pitcher to hit 400 career saves. Jonathon Gillette of Houston was the fifth to reach 1500 runs scored and Dallas’ Christophe Martin the sixth to hit 1500 RBI.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-21-2022 04:33 PM

1920 Hall of Fame voting

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Nobody reached the 66% threshold in the 1920 MLB Hall of Fame voting class, leaving Franklin Carro as the lone member for a year. 1907 American Association Pitcher of the Year Tom Guillaume was the highest vote getter at 53.1%, followed by 1902 and 1903 MVP George Cull at 49.7% and 1904 MVP Mario Salazar at 48.2%.

Worth noting was Jeremy Diedrich, down at the bottom at 7.5% after his ninth year. Next year, he’d be the first player to make it to 10 years on the ballot and also not get in. But he’s an interesting “what if,” who won Pitcher of the Year in 1901 for Calgary and then again in 1902 for Toronto. Starting in MLB at age 26, his first five years recorded 30.4 WAR, about as strong of a start as you can get. But a partially torn UCL in early 1906 ended his career at age 31

FuzzyRussianHat

08-22-2022 07:23 AM

1920 in CABA

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Guadalajara for the second straight year had the best record in CABA at 107-55. The Hellhounds led the Mexican League in runs scored and fewest allowed, getting the league MVP from 24-year old outfielder Victor Valenzuela with 11.8 WAR, 200 hits, and 99 runs. He earned the rare feat of winning MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger.

Meanwhile in the North Division, Tijuana fell off with a fourth place 83-79 mark. Chihuahua for the first time at 92-70, one better than Hermosillo at 91-71. Last place Juarez saw Nick Bermea get his fourth Pitcher of the Year. In the LCS, Guadalajara swept the Warriors for their first Mexican League title.

Defending Caribbean champ Honduras won the Continental Division for the second straight year, finishing 90-72. The big numbers again came from the Island Division as Santiago outlasted Jamaica. The Sailfish took first at 106-56, two better than the 104-58 Jazz. Haiti was 94-68 and last year’s division winner Santo Domingo dropped to 82-80.

Santiago ace Ulices Montero won his fourth Pitcher of the Year and also became the first pitcher to get the MVP. In his age 28 season, Montero had a Triple Crown year at 24-5, a career best 1.37 ERA, and 424 strikeouts. He also set CABA records for WHIP (0.66) and opponent OBP (.184).

Despite leading the Caribbean League in runs and runs allowed, the Sailfish would fall in five games to the Horsemen, sending Honduras to back-to-back Caribbean titles. But the Horsemen were no match for Guadalajara as the Hellhounds won their first CABA championship in a sweep. First baseman Aneurys Perez was series MVP, hitting a 335 OPS+ in the postseason.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-23-2022 09:38 PM

1920 in MLB

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The Eastern League was incredibly top heavy in 1920 with only three teams below .500 and five with 95 or more wins. The same top two prevailed but swapped spots with Hartford first at 106-56 and Montreal next at 104-58. Buffalo had their best-ever franchise season at 102-60, but it still wasn’t enough for a berth. Philadelphia, the World Series champ in 1917 and 1918, missed out for the second straight year despite finishing with 97 wins.

Columbus picked up the Midwest League title at 104-58 with a the MVP in Kayden Lindsay, a third-year outfielder who won the batting title and led the National Association in WAR. Defending World Series champ Cincinnati took the second place spot and playoff berth at 96-66. Pitcher of the Year went to Buffalo’s Derek Edwards as the 22-year old lefty and second overall pick in 1918 had the best ERA in MLB at 2.15.

The Huskies beat the Reds in a five game classic to prevent a repeat and the Chargers downed the Maples in four games. The NACS would go the distance with Hartford winning in seven for their second Association title.

In the American Association, the Western League was the top heavy one with four teams at 98 wins or more. San Francisco led the way at 108-54 and were one of a select few teams to score 1000+ runs. Portland took the second place spot at 101-61, one better than Phoenix and three over Denver. Pacifics slugger Walter Seda won his third career MVP with a career best 222 hits and 126 runs scored.

In the Southern League, Houston took first at 100-62 for their playoff berth since 1914. Dallas, winner of the AA title in the last two seasons, extended their playoff streak to four years with a second place mark at 99-63. Jacksonville (94-68), Charlotte (93-69), and Atlanta (92-70) were in the fight.

Pitcher of the Year went to Gators veteran Easton Dematties, who at age 30 had a career year and league best ERA at 2.45. Canaries 1B/DH Christopher Ross socked 58 home runs, tying the all-time record set by Aitor Cerda seven years earlier.

The first round of the AA playoffs saw the Hornets sweep the Pacifics and the Gold Rush sweep the Dalmatians. The American Association Championship Series went seven games and Houston outlasted the San Fran offense, giving the Hornets a seventh association title in the AA’s first 20 years.

In the World Series, Houston secured a fifth MLB title, defeating Hartford in six games. It wouldn’t be until the mid 1940s that another franchise could claim five titles to their name. Outfielder Richie Ferenchak was an unlikely World Series MVP, picking up 23 hits and 12 runs over 16 postseason games.

Other notes; Willie Hodo of Toronto became the second pitcher to reach 3500 career strikeouts.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-24-2022 08:54 PM

EAB formation

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By the 1920s, Major League Baseball was a major success and the Central American Baseball Association was on its way. Baseball had become the game of choice in much of the Western Hemisphere. But early in the 20<sup>th</sup> century, the game had spread into the Eastern Hemisphere.

Baseball was introduced across the Pacific to Japan by Americans before the turn of the century and began to slowly grow there. Soon after, the game came to the Korean peninsula. The cultural and financial success of MLB and CABA was something prominent figures in East Asia felt they could replicate.

Teams popped up in Japan and the then-occupied Korean peninsula. In 1921, they were organized by the sanctioning body known as East Asia Baseball. There was a separate Japanese League and Korean League which largely kept affairs separate and their nationals in their league. The Designated Hitter was used in Korea, but not Japan. Both leagues had two seven-team divisions with the champs playing in a best-of-seven League Championship Series. From there, the Japanese champ and Korean champ battle for the East Asian Championship in a best-of-seven.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-28-2022 09:27 AM

1921 MLB Hall of Fame

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The 1921 MLB Hall of Fame class enshrined four players with three of them receiving more than 92% of the votes. Pitchers Jeremy Frechette and Josh Davis, along with outfielders Adam Boehm and Adam Tucker, hold up as a very strong class even looking more than 100 years later. Three of the four played a big role in the early Houston Hornets dynasties.

Jeremy Frechette – Starting Pitcher – Houston Hornets – 96.1% (First Ballot)

The ace pitcher of the Houston Hornets dynasty, Jeremy Frechette was born on July 7, 1880 in Fayetteville Arkansas. At 5’7’’, 170 pounds, the right-handed pitcher wasn’t physically imposing. But his fastball would top out in the upper 90 mph range, along with a filthy sinker, strong slider, and eventually excellent control.

Frechette played collegiately at Stanford, where he was used as a closer. Despite being known as a Houston legend, he was actually drafted in 1901 by New Orleans in the 5<sup>th</sup> round as the 200<sup>th</sup> overall pick. As a rookie in 1902, he had a few lackluster relief appearances before being traded in July with a few prospects to Houston for a rental of second baseman Taylor Robbins.

In 1903, he started to show promise as a starter, splitting his time between the bullpen and starting. The next year, he emerged as one of the most reliable inning eaters in the game, leading the American Association with 295 innings and a very solid 8.2 WAR.

In 1905, he set a record still untouched more than a century later with 29 wins. Along with a league-best 2.45 ERA and 11.5 WAR, Frechette earned his first of five Pitcher of the Year Awards. He also posted a 1.60 ERA in 39.1 playoff innings, leading the Hornets to their first American Association title and World Series appearance.

As great as he was in the regular season, he’d become one of the best postseason pitchers of all-time. During his tenure, Houston made the World Series six times and won it four; and made it to the AACS nine times. His postseason line: 16-7, 2.92 ERA, 34 starts, 256 innings, 223 strikeouts. It wasn’t until the postseason expanded years later that anyone even approached his totals, still holding the WAR mark (7.74) more than a century later and sitting second in strikeouts, innings, and third in wins.

Frechette posted nine consecutive 20+ win seasons from 1904 to 1912, led the AA in strikeouts from 1907-1909, and led in WAR five times with three seasons above 10 WAR. The Hornets won the World Series in 1908, 10, 11, and 12. In 1912, Frechette was the first pitcher to reach 200 career wins and in 1914, the third to hit 2500 career strikeouts. He won Pitcher of the Year in 1905, 08, 09, 11, and 12.

At age 33 in 1914, Frechette surprisingly fell off quickly and was released in July 1915, retiring that winter. The end of his run also marked the end of that Houston dynasty, posting their first losing season in 1915 since 1902. He finishes with a 233-104 record, 3.32 career ERA of 3080.1 innings, 2522 strikeouts, a 1.21 WHIP, 128 ERA+, and 92.5 WAR. Five PotYs and a playoff legend make Jeremy Frechette an inner-circle Hall of Famer of the early era.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-28-2022 10:35 AM

1921 MLB Hall of Fame

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Josh Davis – Starting Pitcher – Cleveland Cobras – 95.4% (First Ballot)

Josh Davis was born in Ewa Beach, Hawaii in 1884, long before Hawaii was a state or had been officially taken over by the United States. Davis came stateside to pursue baseball, playing collegiately at Indiana University. The 5’11’’, 200 pound left made a big impression with the Hoosiers and caught the eye of many teams, getting drafted fourth overall in the 1904 draft by the Cleveland Cobras.

Davis had three pitches and was a master at coaxing groundballs with a sinker that topped out in the upper 90s. Along with a filthy changeup and solid curveball, Davis immediately was successful, posting a 2.86 ERA as a rookie in 1905. He would lead the National Association in WAR and strikeouts the next three seasons, winning Pitcher of the Year in 1907 and 1908. He’d win it again in 1910 and 1911 with the Cobras, posting a career-best 1.98 ERA in 1910. In 1911, he was the first Triple Crown winning pitcher with the NA’s best mark in wins (19), ERA (2.43), and strikeouts (256)

Despite his personal success, Cleveland did not make the playoffs during his entire tenure. Although they posted a couple winning seasons, they never cracked the 90-win mark. When his contract expired at the end of 1911, Davis decided to leave the Cobras in search of playoff glory and of course, big money.

Houston had established themselves as the first dynasty by then and their success gave them money to spend, which they used in December 1911 on Davis in the tune of seven years, $33,900. He seamlessly transitioned to the American Association, winning AA Pitcher of the Year in 1913 and 1914 (and barely missed in in 1912 due to teammate Jeremy Frechette). Davis had two 10+ WAR seasons in 1913 and 1914 and posted a career high 305 strikeouts in 1914. In 1912, he got his lone World Series ring.

1915 started well enough, throwing his only no-hitter in April against Las Vegas. But in May, disaster struck the then 31-year old lefty with an ulnar nerve entrapment in his elbow. The injury and a setback put him out for the year and led to Houston cutting ties. No Major League team wanted to take a chance on Davis, fearing the injury meant the end of his career. But he was determined to continue on and found a buyer, the Santiago Sailfish of CABA. He signed a five-year, $21,600 deal and moved to the Dominican.

The Sailfish were rewarded for their signing as Davis posted a 6.5 WAR season and Santiago claimed the CABA championship in 1916. However, more injuries would plague Davis after that, including radial nerve compression in the elbow in July 1918. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t one he could bounce back from and Davis retired at age 35.

His final MLB numbers are impressive: six Pitcher of the Year Awards, 196-109, 2.53 ERA over 2862 innings, 2763 strikeouts, and 90.1 WAR. Combining his CABA numbers, Davis had 225 wins, 3201 strikeouts, and a 98.6 WAR. Even with injury ending his MLB run at age 31, Davis certainly earned his place among the all-time great arms.

Adam “Ripper” Boehm – Outfielder - Houston Hornets – 92.3% (First Ballot)

Adam Boehm was one of baseball’s first star players and would later be known for his incredible longevity. Born May 16, 1870 in Newark, OH; Boehm ended up a 5’8’’, 205 pound left handed outfielder. He’d become known as an all-time great contact hitter with solid power, an elite eye, and nice quickness. In his 20s, he bounced around barnstorming in the Midwest and his “sparkplug” personality earned him respect and the nickname “Ripper.”

Oddly enough, his entire 20s came in the pre-MLB era, leading to his early day stats not counting towards leaderboards. But his efforts led to being picked fifth in the inaugural MLB Draft by the Ottawa Elks.

Boehm played centerfield primarily in his six seasons in Ottawa, earning two Silver Sluggers and five All-Star game invites. Approaching age 37 towards 1907 though, the Elks decided it was time to move on, trading Boehm to Dallas for three prospects. With the Dalmatians and now in left field, Boehm had a career-best and American Association leading 128 runs scored. But he hadn’t gotten a taste of postseason play yet and didn’t think he’d find it in Dallas.

He did stay in Texas, signing a three-year, $12,720 deal with Houston, who had been the AA champ and World Series runner-up in 1905 and 1906. There, at age 38, he began what became his signature run in eight seasons with the Hornet dynasty. In 1908, he won his lone career MVP with 137 runs scored, a 1.105 OPS, and a 9.8 WAR. He was batter of the month in three straight months and was first round and World Series MVP as Houston claimed their first MLB ring.

Boehm wouldn’t post league-leading numbers quite the same again, but he was a reliable starter in left and part of four MLB champion teams. He signed a three-year extension in 1912 and started up until age 45; one of a very small group ever to make it that long. Eventually age caught up to him in 1915 and he retired following that season.

Had his 20s come only a few years later, there’s no doubt that Boehm would be at the top of many all-time leaderboards. Even so, he was the first player ever to reach 1000 and 1500 runs scored and the second to reach 2500 career hits. His final line was 2542 hits, 1579 runs, 399 home runs, 1435 RBI, 1302 walks drawn, a .301/.397/.503 slash and 89.3 WAR. Pretty remarkable for a guy whose official MLB career began at age 31.

Adam Tucker –Left Fielder – Baltimore Orioles – 79.2% (First Ballot)

Adam Tucker was born January 20, 1876 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. A 6’0’’, 200 pound lefty, Tucker was known as a team leader and excellent contact hitter. While many outfielders bounce around over their career, Tucker was very firmly a left fielder, playing 2125 of 2133 career games in left.

He began playing on various teams in the pre-MLB days throughout Florida, earning the attention of the Jacksonville Gators once MLB started up. At age 25, he was picked in the inaugural MLB Draft in the 3<sup>rd</sup> round, 117<sup>th</sup> overall, by Jacksonsville. In four years with the Gators, Tucker twice earned Silver Slugger and led the American Association in RBI in 1903 with 129. That year, Jacksonville won the AA championship with Tucker knocking in 14 and hitting five homers in 11 postseason games.

Tucker decided to test free agency after the 1904 season and signed a very rich deal with Baltimore; the team he’d become best known for playing with. He signed an eight-year, $32,280 deal with the Orioles and would play seven of those years. In 1906, he led the National Association in hitting overall with the triple slash .380/.433/.614, finishing second in MVP voting. He was a four-time All-Star and twice a Silver Slugger winner with Baltimore, but couldn’t lift the Orioles to a postseason appearance.

In 1910, Tucker finished with a league best 8.2 WAR, matching his career high from 1906. But he’d drop off a bit the next year and before the 1912 at age 36, he was traded to Detroit for three prospects. After a respectable year with the Tigers, he signed a two-year deal with Calgary. He played one with the Cheetahs, then was traded to Miami for the 1914 campaign. With the Mallards, he became the first player to 2500 career hits.

At age 39 in 1915, Tucker signed with Seattle but only played 14 games due to numerous injuries. That would mark the end of his MLB career, but he’d play two more professional seasons after in CABA with Honduras and Santiago.

Tucker finished his MLB career with 2549 hits, 1270 runs, 407 home runs, 1319 RBI, a .323 batting average, .380 OBP, 156 OPS+, and 84.0 career WAR. He wasn’t the flashiest or more dominant player, but a reliable leader and starter for 14 years makes Tucker a solid Hall of Fame selection.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-30-2022 07:13 PM

1921 in EAB

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In the first season under the East Asia Baseball sanctioning, Tokyo and Nagoya were the Japan League’s first division champions. In the North, the Tides had the fewest runs allowed at 454, finishing first at 96-66. It was a competitive group with Saitama four back, Sapporo six back, and Kawasaki both above .500. The Nightowls took the South at 92-70 with Osaka (86-76) the only team above .500 in the division.

The Orange Sox had pitcher Zeshin Saito, who was the inaugural Pitcher of the Year and MVP. The 25-year old lefty had a Japan-best 11.7 WAR and 342 strikeouts with a 1.63 ERA.

In the Korea League, the North division was oddly distributed with three teams above 100 wins, one at 35, and one at only 19. Pyongyang won it at 118-44, beating out Hamhung (109-53) and Seongna (104-58). The South had more balance with Daegu first at 104-58, beating Changwon (97-65) and Gwangju (96-66).

League MVP went to Yongin’s Jae-Hee-Sin, whacking 59 home runs and 175 RBI. The RBI mark would stay the league record for more than a decade with three of EAB’s 150+ RBI seasons of the 20<sup>th</sup> century in 1921. Ko Agano of Daegu was Pitcher of the Year and Seiki Okuyama of Seongnam set a long-standing record of 28 wins.

The JLCS went to Tokyo in five games over Nagoya and Pyongyang bested Daegu in six in the KLCS. The first EAB Championship went seven games and was claimed by the Pythons. Left fielder Toma Dobashi won series MVP with the 29-year old getting 16 hits, four homers, and 12 RBI in the postseason.

Other notes: Two perfect games were thrown in EAB in 1921. Japan PotY Zeshin Saito tossed one with 15 strikeouts versus Fukuoka and Hamhung’s Jae-Won Park had 14 Ks against Ulsan. Hamhung’s Sang-Hyun Kang posted a 42-game hit streak. He’d be the only guy to have a streak of 40+ until 1992.

FuzzyRussianHat

08-30-2022 07:51 PM

1921 in CABA

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Guadalajara won their third straight Mexican League South Division title, as the defending CABA champ led Mexico in runs scored and allowed for a 103-59 record. Aneurys Perez was league MVP for the Hellhounds, leading the way in runs, homers, RBI, walks, OBP, slugging, OPS, and WAR. Chihuahua won back-to-back North Division titles, also finishing 103-59. Mexico City’s Lian Llanes won Pitcher of the year with his league-best 1.39 ERA.

The Caribbean League final would be a rematch as well with Santiago taking first in a strong Island Division at 108-54, beating 96-win Haiti and Jamaica. Honduras took the Continental Division at 97-65. Sailfish ace Ulices Montero won his fourth straight PotY and fifth overall with 424 strikeouts, a 0.76 WHIP, 1.86 ERA, and 12.5 WAR. Despite a losing record, Havana’s Mackendy Civil was MVP with the league lead in the triple slash for a 10.8 WAR.

Santiago wouldn’t led Honduras upset them this time, sweeping the LCS for the franchise’s second league title. Guadalajara defeated Chihuahua in six games for back-to-back Mexican titles and claimed back-to-back CABA crowns in a seven-game classic over the Sailfish. Pitcher Honorato Gutierrez was series MVP with four playoff starts for a 1.06 ERA, 34 innings, and 28 strikeouts.

Other notes: Kenyon Jorgensen of Juarez threw CABA’s fifth perfect game, striking out 11 against Puebla on 8/2. Three pitchers reached the 3000 career strikeout mark; Alejandro Cordova, Nick Bermea, and Ulices Montero.

FuzzyRussianHat

09-03-2022 01:31 PM

1921 in MLB

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For the second straight season, San Francisco had the best record in MLB. The Gold Rush had an MLB best 105-57 with 917 runs scored. In his third season with San Fran, 32-year old outfielder Jonathan Gibbs won his third career MVP with a 48 home run, 150 RBI season. It was his first MVP since the 1914 season with Columbus and he set career highs. Portland took second in the Western League at 92-70 for their seventh playoff berth in eight years. The Pacifics wouldn’t return to the postseason again until the late 50s.

Atlanta won the Southern League title for the first team in team history with an 101-61 mark. Defending World Series champ Houston was second at 97-65 to return the playoffs. At age 31, Hornets pitcher Newton Persaud won his third Pitcher of the Year, leading the American Association in strikeouts for the fourth straight year and WAR for the fifth.

In a rematch of last year’s AACS, San Francisco edged Houston in five games to advance. The Aces easily swept Portland in the first round, but would fall in five games to the Gold Rush for SF’s first-ever Association title.

The Eastern League had two teams at the top earning their first-ever playoff appearance. Baltimore won the title at 101-61 and Buffalo, who missed out last year despite winning 102 games, took the second spot at 100-62. Defending National Association champ Hartford placed third at 93-69, thwarting a repeat bid. The Orioles had the league MVP in second baseman Norris Thuston, who at only age 22 had a 10.48 WAR season, at the time the third best season from a position player.

In the Midwest League, Kansas City had their first playoff berth in about a decade by taking first at 100-62. Last year’s ML champ Columbus easily took second at 95-67. Washington 30-year old pitcher Jeremiah Jaiboon won his second PotY with a MLB best 2.12 ERA.

The Cougars survived a five-game series with the Blue Sox to advance, while the Orioles swept the Chargers. In the NACS, Baltimore defeated Kansas City in six games to send the Orioles to the World Series along with fellow first-timer San Francisco. The Gold Rush prevailed in five in the Fall Classic. 22-year old outfielder Jo De Groot won World Series MVP, picking up 12 runs, 24 hits, and 14 RBI in 15 playoff games.

Other notes: Portland’s Kyle Bartz became the first player in MLB history to reach 3000 career hits. Bartz would retire after the 1923 season with a total of 3383 hits. He’d become the eighth to reach 1500 career runs scored later in 1921. Houston’s Jonathon Gillette became the third to whack 500 career home runs.

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