Utter dominance by the Yankees, who post an OFA-record 121-win season. Amazingly, despite a 110-win campaign that would have been the new mark were it not for the Pinstripers' efforts, the Halos barely rate a mention. Proof that it counts for nought as the Angels are swept in the DCS and the Yankees survive an almighty scare against KC. They come back from 3-1 down against the Tigers to win the ALCS in 7, but then blow a 3-2 lead in the World Series to lose a decider to the Nats, who won 31 fewer regular-season games.
Stan Musial wins the AL Batting Triple Crown, Matt Harvey the NL Pitching one.
Awards
MVP- AL: Stan Musial (Yankees) [4]
- NL: Miguel Cabrera (Nationals) [3]
CYA- AL: Joe Horlen (Yankees) [1] unanimous
- NL: Matt Harvey (Giants) [1] unanimous
RoY- AL: Juan Gonzalez (Rays)
- NL: Jim Rice (Marlins)
Reliever- AL: Willie Pope (Rangers) [1]
- NL: Lindy McDaniel (Giants) [1]
Feats of Note- Cycle: Turner Barber, Victor Sauceda
- No-Hitter: Luis Herrera, Darren McCaughan, Sam Dodge
- 150+ RBI: Stan Musial (150)
- 25+ Wins: Joe Horlen (28-5), Bill Zuber (25-3)
- Triple Crown: Stan Musial (AL hitting), Matt Harvey (NL pitching)
Milestones- 700 HR: Matt Olson, Brandon Lowe
- 500 HR: Edwin Encarnacion, Mike Moustakas
- 3000 H: Bill Terry, Enos Slaughter
- 300 SV: David Hernandez
New Season Records- Provine Bradley: 1.95 ERA
- Joe Horlen: 28 W, 9 SHO
- Randy Johnson: 11.00 K/9
Top 20s by WAR
I mentioned little-known NeL pitcher Provine Bradley back in 1916 when he was being used as a reliever. Despite questionable stamina, he effortlessly makes the jump to starter this season, taking out the AL ERA crown with a new OFA record of 1.95.
Henry Compton is another I think I pointed out a while back but can't be sure. Either way, he deserves a mention now as he posts a career-best 5.8 pWAR and earns his second Championship ring in his age-39 season for the Nats.
Ernest Kinkead played IRL in the near-Dark Ages of the 1900s minor leagues, with scant stats accompanying his BBRef entry. He sure makes the most of his meteoric OFA career, belting 44 HR and driving in 102 runs in just 335 AB after being traded by the Mets to the Giants while still at AAA. Sensing that might just be as good as things get, he promptly calls time.
Of those BNN had earmarked on OD, they get one of two right. While John Young goes 15-4 and collects 7 pWAR, Ernie Clifford doesn't enjoy so successful a season, going a combined 8-17 for the Twins and Friars.
Finally, you might have noticed the absence of Jose Fernandez from the awards listing this time around. That is because he is injured early in the season. Hopefully he can come back better than ever and lock down CYA number 10!