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1969 Second Division Summary
1. Minnesota (92-82) -- PROMOTED -- Twins will join the top circuit in 1970. Harmon Killebrew led league's most powerful lineup with 43 HR and 1.035 OPS, Tony Oliva led league in total bases, and Rod Carew had a 25-game hitting streak.
2. Los Angeles (86-68) -- PROMOTED -- Best pitching team, led by Claude Osteen (20-9, 3.15), Don Sutton (15-16, 3.05, 202 K), Don Drysdale (12-6, 2.84) and Dave Giusti (14-7, 2.64)
3. NY Mets (83-71) -- second best in runs and runs against, but there would be no Miracle Mets in this 1969. Breakout year for Al Shamsky (.307-26-98)
4. Houston
5. Seattle
6. Montreal
7. California
8. Chicago White Sox
9. San Diego
10. Washington
11. Kansas City
12. Philadelphia
Other Highlights
-- Montreal's Rusty Staub (.317) edged White Sox rookie Gail Hopkins for the batting title by a single point.
-- Houston Astros, led by RBI leader Jimmy Wynn (.260-33-106) took advantage of Second Division opposition to post their first winning season
-- The Seattle Pilots posted the only winning season of the four expansion teams.
-- Dick Kelley, 12-19 in four previous seasons, managed to win 21 games for the 72-82 expansion Padres.
-- 21-year-old rookie Bill Champion won the league ERA title (2.60) for the last place Phillies.
-- Coco Laboy got the first major league hit outside the US in Montreal's April 8 win against the fellow expansion Royals. Expos won 3-1 and finished the season 77-77.
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