[abell1198]

With the last 23 games of the season in September, division titles began to be clinched and races either won or lost. The first of the division title winners happened on September 13th, when the 1969 Baltimore Orioles, the 1910 Chicago Cubs and the 1944 St. Louis Cardinals won their respective divisions. Two days later, on September 15th, more division titles were claimed by the 1995 Cleveland Indians, the 1906 Chicago Cubs and the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals. The 1927 New York Yankees waited a couple of extra days and clinched their division on September 17th. The following day, the 2011 Texas Rangers did the same.

As the month progressed, more and more playoff positions were filled. On September 19th, the 1986 New York Mets clinched their division and the next day saw the 1909 Detroit Tigers sealing up their division title. On September 21st, five teams punched their ticket to the playoffs with division titles: the 1941 New York Yankees, the 1970 Baltimore Orioles, the 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers, the 1976 Cincinnati Reds and the 1999 Atlanta Braves. With the '76 Reds taking the division, the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates secured the first Wild Card in the NL. The following day, three more teams joined the playoffs: the 1912 Boston Red Sox won their division, with the 1913 Philadelphia Athletics securing the first Wild Card slot in the American League. The 1935 Chicago Cubs also won their division.

On September 24th, after 159 games, four more teams qualified for the postseason. The 1939 New York Yankees won their division, while the 1932 New York Yankees and 1936 New York Yankees laid claim to the second and third Wild Card positions. The 1929 Chicago Cubs secured their division as well. On the next to the last day of the season, four more teams found themselves extending their season. The 1989 Oakland A's and the 2003 Florida Marlins clinched their divisions, while the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates and 1969 New York Mets were able to lock in the second and third Wild Card berths.

So, on the final day of the season, some teams find themselves fighting for what playoff spots remain. In the American League, the 1953 New York Yankees were holding a one game lead over both the 1952 New York Yankees and 1958 New York Yankees. The 2007 Boston Red Sox also had a one game lead over the 2009 New York Yankees. If that wasn't enough pressure for the Yankees, they were tied with the 1921 New York Yankees for the final Wild Card spot, with five more teams only one game back for that same spot. In the National League, the 1951 New York Giants hold a one game lead over the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, while the 1975 Cincinnati Reds and 1913 New York Giants are fighting for the final Wild Card position. Three other teams are one game back for that Wild Card spot as well.

So, on the final day of the season, the 1953 New York Yankees won and clinched their division, as did the 2007 Boston Red Sox. But, after 162 games, there were still some matters which needed to be resolved. The '51 Giants lost and the '53 Dodgers won, which left the teams tied for the division lead at 88-74. The 2009 Yankees and '21 Yankees both won, meaning they were both still tied for the final AL Wild Card slot at 95-67. In the National League, the '75 Reds and 1913 Giants both lost, while the 1997 Florida Marlins and 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers both won, meaning there were four teams at 94-68 who were tied for the final NL Wild Card slot.

Extra games were played on September 27th. The 1951 New York Giants defeated the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, 5-4. The '75 Reds traveled to the '97 Marlins and won 6-3. Meanwhile, the '49 Dodgers won at home against the 1913 Giants by a score of 5-3. But the best game of the day was the 2009 Yankees against the 1921 Yankees. Tied at 4-4, the teams went into extra innings. The tie was broken in the top of the 12th.

Facing Harry Harper (9-2, 3.53, 4 Saves), Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada single to start off the inning. Nick Swisher flies out to center, but Hideki Matsui walks to load the bases. Johnny Damon then steps to the plate and delivers an RBI single to give the 2009 Yankees a 5-4 lead. Harper is pulled and Tom Rogers (9-2, 6.02, 1 Save) comes to the mound. It doesn't matter to Melky Cabrera, as he delivers an RBI single to make it 6-4. Derek Jeter makes contact with the ball on the following at bat, but he takes the 1-2 fielder's choice as the runner is out at home. Mark Teixeira ends the inning by striking out.

To the bottom of the 12th we go. The 2009 Yankees have Phil Hughes (5-7, 6.78, 3 Saves) on the mound. Hughes gets Elmer Miller to fly out to center, but then plunks Wally Schang. Aaron Ward doubles and Babe Ruth walks to load the bases. Up steps Bob Meusel (.287, 28 HR, 116 RBI), who delivers a 2 RBI double to tie the game, 6-6!!! Hughes intentionally walks Home Run Baker and is then pulled in favor of Chien-Ming Wang (2-1, 6.50, 3 Saves). Wang pitches to Roger Peckinpaugh, who hits the ball to deep CF. Ruth tags from third base and scores easily to win the game, 7-6!!!! Your winner, the 1921 New York Yankees!!

The next day, the '75 Reds face off against the '49 Dodgers for the NL's final Wild Card spot. Pat Darcy (11-8, 4.48) starts for the Reds, while Preacher Roe (15-9, 4.24) gets the nod for the Dodgers. Roe gives up a solo shot to Tony Perez in the top of the 2nd to give the Reds the early lead. Roe pitches well, but gives up another deep ball, this one to Joe Morgan, in the top of the 6th to make it 2-0 Reds. It's the same score in the bottom of the 9th. The Dodgers face off against Rawly Eastwick (11-6, 2.32, 34 Saves). Carl Furillo singles and Gene Hermanski walk to put men on, but Gil Hodges grounds into the 6-4-3 double play for two quick outs. Johnny Hopp then comes to the plate and fouls off three pitches before hitting a double down the first base line to score Furillo from third, making the score 2-1. Pee Wee Reese then steps into the batter's box. After looking at a first pitch strike, Reese takes two balls, while fouling off five more. But he can't make contact with the ninth pitch and goes down swinging. The 1975 Cincinnati Reds win the game, 2-1!!!

With the end of the regular season, the batting champions were announced by both leagues. In the American League, the batting champ was Ty Cobb of the 1909 Detroit Tigers. Cobb hit .377 with 37 home runs and 138 runs batted in. In the National League, the batting champ was Stan Musial of the 1946 St. Louis Cardinals. Musial hit .404 with 15 home runs and 104 runs batted in.