1949-50 United Leagues of Braeland Awards
Eastern League
Babe Ruth Award
For the second year in a row, a first-overall pick has won the Eastern League Babe Ruth Award. This time its Cobourg’s CF
Raymond Williams (.353/.421/.618, 31-2B, 29 HR, 112 RBI, 8.4 WAR), who blossomed into a superstar in his third full season. Williams is rated the No. 1 centerfielder in the United Leagues and second only Cambria’s SS César Ruíz as the top-rated position player overall.
Williams led the Eastern League in SLG (.618), OPS (1.039), WAR (8.4), triples (18), total bases (359), extra base hits (78), isolated power (.265), OPS+ (171) and weighted OBA (.452). He finished in the Top 5 in six other offensive categories (runner-up four times).
This year’s runners-up were:
2nd: Downie’s CF
Alfonso León (.328/.386/.506, 30-2B, 17 HR, 106 RBI, 7.0 WAR)
3rd: Brunswick’s 1B
Stuart Bentham (.356/.434/.570, 39-2B, 30 HR, 111 RBI, 6.5 WAR)
León finished in the Top 5 in six categories (runner-up twice).
Bentham led the circuit in AVG (.356), HR (30), hits (218) and Win Prob. Added (7.21). He finished in the Top 5 in twelve other offensive categories (runner-up six times).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Katsunan Chikafuji, Queensland Eagles
1938-39: Paul Hooks, Embro Suns
1939-40: Terence Durney, Embro Suns
1940-41: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1941-42: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1942-43: Mark Elston, Brunswick Legends
1943-44: Dean Bishop, Braeland City Monarchs
1944-45: Stuart Bentham, Brunswick Legends
1945-46: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1946-47: Elijah Sheppard, Queensland Eagles
1947-48: Roberto Ríos, Stratford Barons
1948-49: Aaron Skidmore, Stratford Barons
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Satchel Paige Award
After finishing last season as runner-up (and in third place the season before), LHP
Anastasio Rodríguez (22-8, 2.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 2.80 FIP, 148 ERA+) breaks through to win his third Satchel Paige Award; his first in seven years. In addition to his three wins, he has finished runner-up three times and in third place twice.
Rodríguez led the East in wins (22), WAR (8.6), K/BB (1.7), FIP (2.80), rWAR (8.6) and tied for most quality starts (25). He finished in the Top 5 (runner-up) in six other categories.
Rodríguez’s win marks the 10th straight season and 11th overall that a left-handed pitcher has won the Eastern League Satchel Paige Award. Colm Soper and Lenny Freke are the only RH pitchers on the list.
Two Chiefs were in the running this season:
2nd: Downie's RHP
Kelii Pelanekelina (19-11, 2.82 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.54 FIP, 141 ERA+)
3rd: Downie’s RHP
Joong Ling (18-5, 2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3.64 FIP, 139 ERA+)
Pelanekelina tied for most quality starts (25) and shutouts (4). He finished in the Top 5 in eleven other pitching categories (runner-up five times).
Ling led in WHIP (1.05), BABIP (.211), OPP AVG (.208) and WIN % (.783). He finished in the Top 5 in four other categories.
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Colm Soper, Embro Suns
1938-39: Justin Hayhurst, Stratford Barons
1939-40: Lenny Freke, Braeland City Monarchs
1940-41: David Cooling, Braeland City Monarchs
1941-42: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends
1943-44: Ryan Borden, Stratford Barons
1944-45: Matthew Monroe, Brunswick Legends
1945-46: Joel Fearn, Stratford Barons
1946-47: Arthur Bence, Wellington Athletics
1947-48: Ryan Borden, Stratford Barons
1948-49: Nicholas Grimes, Braeland City Monarchs
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Rookie of the Year Award
Wellington’s 22-year old OF
Matthew Floyd (.289/.343/.463, 41-2B, 14 HR, 69 RBI, 3.5 WAR) took Rookie of the Year honors, the first Athletic to win it in 10 seasons.
Here were the runners-up:
2nd: Brunswick's 25-year old OF
Cameron Osmotherley (.293/.331/.434, 17-2B, 13 HR, 58 RBI, 3.3 WAR)
3rd: Queensland’s 22-year old RHP
Stiofan Micklethwait (11-12, 3.64 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 110 ERA+)
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1938-39: Adam Ashley, Braeland City Monarchs
1939-40: Soren Heinke, Wellington Athletics
1940-41: Dean Bishop, Queensland Eagles
1941-42: Harry Chatwin, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Geoff Lemoine, Stratford Barons
1943-44: Elijah Sheppard, Queensland Eagles
1944-45: Kyle Pryor, Braeland City Monarchs
1945-46: Jilenko Batiles, Cobourg Red Stockings
1946-47: Ron Gavin, Queensland Eagles
1947-48: Christopher Dainty, Braeland City Monarchs
1948-49: Patrick Lidgate, Braeland City Monarchs
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Western League
Babe Ruth Award
After second place finishes in 1946 and 1948, as well as a third-place finish in 1947, Wolseley’s LF
Carlton Hawking (.350/.480/.519, 44-2B, 14 HR, 89 RBI, 6.7 WAR) finally finishes on top to win his first Babe Ruth Award. But it wasn’t a runaway, as rookie sensation César Ruíz actually tied him in points and first place votes (tie goes to the veteran, I guess).
Hawking led the Western League in AVG (.350), OPS (.999), Runs (109), Walks (138), OPS+ (162) and WOBA (.438). He also tied for first in Hits (195). He finished in the Top 5 in six other offensive categories (runner-up once).
This year’s runners-up were no slouches either:
2nd: Cambria’s SS
César Ruíz (.310/.414/.541, 29-2B, 31 HR, 116 RBI, 7.2 WAR)
3rd: Kingston's 1B
Dean Bishop (.268/.405/.572, 34-2B, 39 HR, 144 RBI, 6.8 WAR)
Ruíz led in WAR (7.2) and TB (309). He finished in the Top 5 in twelve other categories (runner-up 6 times).
Bishop led in HR (39), RBI (144), SLG (.572), ISO (.304) Sac flies (9) and EBH (78). He finished in the Top 5 in ten other categories (runner-up 5 times).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans
1938-39: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans
1940-41: Steven Winstanley, Hespeler Stars
1941-42: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans
1942-43: Ron Westmacott, Cambria Cannons
1943-44: Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral Giants
1944-45: Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral Giants
1945-46: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans
1947-48: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans
1948-49: Dylan Moyne, Fort Richmond Generals
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Satchel Paige Award
After suffering a debilitating back injury back in 1947-48 that put him out of commission for nine months, 31-year old RHP
Bill Blair (21-4, 2.87 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3.06 FIP, 143 ERA+) enjoyed a renaissance in his first full season with his new team, the Wolseley Unions. The nine-year veteran picked up his first Satchel Paige Award. It was the first time he finished in the Top 3 for the Award.
Blair led the West in Wins (21 – tie), K/BB (2.1), BB/9 IP (2.0), FIP (3.06 – tie) and Win % (.840). He also finished in the Top 5 in twelve other pitching categories (runner-up seven times).
Finishing behind Blair in voting this year were:
2nd: Fort Richmond's RHP
Ch’ang-chieh Li (21-8, 2.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 3.40 FIP, 137 ERA+)
3rd: Wolseley's RHP
Jeremy Albury (18-12, 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.06 FIP, 150 ERA+)
Li led the Western League in Wins (21 – tie), shutouts (6), WHIP (1.04), BABIP (.225) and OPP AVG (.217). He finished in the Top 5 in nine other categories (runner-up three times).
Albury led in ERA (2.74), WAR (7.7), ERA+ (150), rWAR (8.8) and quality starts (24 – tie). He finished in the Top 5 in ten other categories (runner-up three times).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Neil Guerin, Cambria Cannons
1938-39: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1940-41: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1941-42: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans
1942-43: Joey Cumberledge, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans
1944-45: Roberto Taváres, Sherburn Tigers
1945-46: Patrick Denman, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Jesús Chapa, Sherburn Tigers
1947-48: Jesús Chapa, Sherburn Tigers
1948-49: Nicky Sherlock, Fort Richmond Generals
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Rookie of the Year Award
Cambria’s SS
César Ruíz (.310/.414/.541, 29-2B, 31 HR, 116 RBI, 7.2 WAR) entered the United Leagues as a 29-year old rookie from Columbia this past season and immediately took his place as the top-rated position player. His performance certainly backed that up, as he won this year’s Rookie of the Year Award and nearly won the Babe Ruth Award as well.
The runners-up for the Rookie Award were:
2nd: Wolseley’s RP
Shou-xin Chin (10-2, 7 SV, 1.23 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 2.23 FIP, 334 ERA+)
3rd: Pulberry’s LF
Ellis Dibble (.268/.323/.427, 33-2B, 12 HR, 83 RBI, 2.2 WAR)
Dibble finished second to Dean Bishop in sac flies (8).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1938-39: Aaron Flanagan, Wolseley Unions
1939-40: Francisco Rodríguez, Balmoral Giants
1940-41: Leon Hankey, Cambria Cannons
1941-42: Brian Pittman, Balmoral Giants
1942-43: Freddie Duran, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Rizalino Ringor, Wolseley Unions
1944-45: Hao Wang, Cambria Cannons
1945-46: Ben Currall, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Éric Denis, Wolseley Unions
1947-48: Dominic Pipard, Balmoral Giants
1948-49: Gavin Flatt, Fort Richmond Generals.
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Manager of the Year Award
The Downie Chiefs endured some tough times but through it all, they stood by their manager,
Bill Bouchet (933-1069, .466). That confidence was rewarded this season when the 54-year old native of Toronto, Canada guided the club to a 96-58 record and a first place finish. The Chiefs then went 8-1 in the playoffs to capture their first United Cup Championship in their first playoff appearance. Bouchet is the only manager the team has ever known – and it doesn’t appear they will be making a change in that department anytime soon.
Wolseley Unions manager
Tony Fay (1000-1002, .500) won his second consecutive Manager of the Year Award, leading the Unions to a 101-53 regular season record and their first first-place finish. Although Wolseley was denied a successful defense of their United Cup Championship by the Downie Chiefs, they remain formidable club that won’t be going away anytime soon. While the 51-year old manager has one year left on his contract, it won’t surprise anyone should the Unions extend it sooner rather than later. Like Bouchet in Downie, Fay has been Wolseley’s manager since Day 1 – something that doesn’t figure to change anytime soon as well.
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Bradley Balmforth, Wellington Athletics; Rouke Barclay, Sherburn Tigers
1938-39: Vic Windle, Embro Suns; John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Warren Paulino, Braeland City Monarchs; Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons
1940-41: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons; John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans
1941-42: Babe Ruth, Brunswick Legends; Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons
1942-43: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends; Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelican
1943-44: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons; Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans
1944-45: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends; Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans
1945-46: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons; Bradley Balmforth, Sherburn Tigers
1946-47: Reid Saxby, Queensland Eagles; Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans
1947-48: Toby Reakes, Braeland City Monarchs; Morrigan O’Lonergan, Balmoral Giants
1948-49: Toby Reakes, Braeland City Monarchs; Tony Fay, Wolseley Unions
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New Records Set
Both the home run and walk records fell this season. Kingston’s 1B
Dean Bishop set the new home run record of 39, surpassing the old mark of 36, shared by Embro’s Jim Friend (1940) and Kingston’s Hall of Famer Jayden Tennant (1941).
For the second season in a row, a new mark was set in walks. Stratford’s LF Roberto Ríos drew 163 bases on ball, surpassing the old mark of 160, set by teammate C
Aaron Skidmore just a year ago.
Not surprisingly, walks surrendered were also up. Since LHP
Ah-cy Yao gave up 149 walks in 1945-46, eleven pitchers have since passed him. Last season saw Balmoral’s RHP
Quintiliano Galeo and RHP
Cris Herrera set the new mark of 162. But this past season witnessed four pitchers break the 170 plane: Hespeler’s
Paul Woodruff (180), Brunswick’s
Kent Dundun (173), Hespeler’s
Larry Kovnats (172) and Queensland’s
Logan Belsey (171).
A new mark in saves was also set, as Embro’s 33-year old RHP
Yin-ti Shih recorded 28 saves, surpassing former teammate Colm Soper’s old record of 24, which he achieved both in 1946 and 1947.