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Season 22 (2008)
The Modern League dominated the standings for the 2nd consecutive year. 6 of the 7 teams finished with a better record than the best team in the Golden League, including 5 teams with 90+ wins. A year after being upset in the first round by a sub .500 team, the 1990s made short work of the 1930s with a first round sweep. Led by dominant starting pitching, the 1990s won their 5th league championship, tying the 1890s for the most championships.
The five no-hitters thrown in 2008 tied the high for a season, last accomplished in 2000. Steve Carlton (1960s) set a new high for the number of complete games in a season with 20.
Jim Pastorius (1900s) set a dubious record with the most losses in a season with a 1-30 record.
The 1960s set a record for the best team ERA at 3.50.
Jim McTamany decided to “walk” away from the game with career best marks in stolen bases (711) and walks (1930). Shane Mack became the first player to win his 3rd MVP award. Ross Youngs (1920s) won his 8th consecutive Gold Glove Award and Dick Johnston (Pre1890s) won his 10th consecutive Gold Glove Award.
A record 5 new members were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Notable Milestones from 2008
700 HR
Chili Davis (1990s)
2,000 Hits
John Anderson (1890s)
Travis Jackson (1930)
Paul Konerko (2000s)
2,500 Hits
Jim McTamany (1890s)
300 Saves
Cy Swaim (1890s)
No Hitters
Adonis Terry (Pre1890s) - 5/13/08 vs. 1950s (2nd career no-hitter)
Steve Carlton (1960s) - 5/24/08 vs. 1970s
Luis Severino (2010s) - 7/6/08 vs. 1910s
Nolan Ryan (1960s) - 7/10/08 vs. Pre1890s (2nd career no-hitter)
Elam Vangilder (1910s) - 8/9/08 vs. 1930s
Final Standings
Golden League W-L
1940s 84-78
1930s 74-88
1890s 72-90
1910s 71-91
Pre1890s 67-95
1920s 66-96
1900s 51-111
Modern League W-L
1990s 101-61
1980s 97-65
1960s 96-66
2000s 95-67
1970s 94-68
2010s 86-76
1950s 80-82
Round 1 Playoffs
1990s over 1930s (4-0): Kal Daniels (1990s) hit 3 HR and drove in 9 runs to lead the 1990s to a first round sweep over the 1930s. John Smoltz, Doug Drabek, and Bob Welch each threw complete games and combined for 33 strikeouts. Bob Meusel (1930s) also hit 3 HRs in the series.
Round 1 Playoffs
1940s over 1980s (4-1): Frankie Crosetti (1940s) hit a 2 run HR in the top of the 13th and three 1940s pitchers combined for a shutout in a 2-0 game 5 victory, sending the 1940s to their 1st ever World Series. Willis Hudlin (1940s) and Bruce Kison (1980s) threw 9 ⅓ and 10 ⅓ shutout innings respectively in a postseason classic pitching duel. In the series, Al Zarilla and Smokey Burgess each drove in 7 runs to lead the 1940s offense.
2008 World Series
1990s over 1940s (4-1)
Game 1: Roberto Kelly (1990s) drove in a run in the top of the 9th, breaking a 5-5 tie, in a 6-5 victory.
Game 2: Fred Hutchinson (1940s) knotted up the series at 1-1 with a complete game, 15 strikeout performance.
Game 3, Doug Drabek (1990s) threw a 4 hit shutout, striking out 15 in the effort. Kelly added a 3 run HR to jump start the offense.
Game 4: Chris Nabholz (1990s) followed up Drabek’s solid outing with a complete game of his own, striking out 13.
Game 5: Not to be outdone, John Smoltz (1990s) finishes off the 1940s with 19 strikeouts leading the 1990s to their 5th World Series championship.
Awards
MVP - Shane Mack (1990s) - .327 BA; 48 HR; 138 RBI; 132 R; 24 SB (3X MVP winner)
Cy Young - Steve Carlton (1960s) - 19-11; 2.47 ERA; 397 K
Rookie of the Year - Lu Blue (1930s) - .312 BA; 31 HR; 85 RBI; 115 R
League Leaders
BA - Henry Larkin (1890s) - .350 BA
OPS - Henry Larkin (1890s) - 1.072 OPS
HR - Tony Armas (1980s) & Ryan Ludwick (2000s) - 53 HR
RBI - Erve Beck (1890s) - 144 RBI
SB - Mike Griffin (1890s) - 75 SB (New Record)
W - Doug Drabek (1990s) - 21 W
ERA - Hooks Dauss (1910s) - 2.34 ERA
K - Nolan Ryan (1960s) - 399 K
Saves - Ken Ash (1930s) & Al Worthington (1960s) - 34 SV
Shutouts - Bill Sowders (Pre1890s) - 5 SO
2008 Draft
1st round picks and key additions
Pre1890s - Mike Mansell, LF
1890s - Harry Maupin, P
1900s - Mike Mitchell, RF
1910s - Eric Erickson, P
1920s - Harry Heilmann, CF
1930s - Schoolboy Rowe, P
1940s - Hank Edwards, RF
1950s - Ted Kluszewski, 1B
1960s - Seth Morehead, P
1970s - Chris Short, P
1980s - Joe Magrane, P
1990s - Brian Fisher, P
2000s - Ricky Bottalico, P
2010s - Josh Bell, 1B
Notable Retirements
-Sy Sutcliffe (Pre1890s) - 8 All-Star appearances
-Lee Viau (Pre1890s) - 174 W; 5 All-Star appearances; Rookie of the Year (1994)
-Jim McTamany (1890s) - 2555 H; 456 HR; 1469 RBI; 1996 R; 711 SB (career record); 10 All-Star appearances; Rookie of the Year (1990)
-Whit Wyatt (1930s) - 174 W; 3650 K; 5 All-Star appearances
-Roy Smalley III (1970s) - 2658 H; 559 HR; 1650 RBI; 1599 R; 8 All-Star appearances; 8 Gold Glove awards
-Charlie Blackmon (2010s) - 7 All-Star appearances; 1 MVP Award
HOF Inductees
Sherry Magee (98.9%) - LF
Paul Hines (98.2%) - CF
Bill Sweeney (94.7) - 3B
Amos Rusie (80.7) - P
Harmon Killebrew (77.9%) - 2B
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