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1918 in MLB
Defending World Series champ Philadelphia took a very top heavy Eastern League in 1918 at 102-60. Phillies outfielder Cam Lloyd picked up the MVP with the National Association lead in runs (129), hits (203), home runs (53), and RBI (147). He was six points away from a hitting Triple Crown. Hartford took the second place spot at 99-63, fending off 97-65 marks from both Montreal and New York.
Columbus, who won 68 games the prior year, picked up the Midwest League title at 90-72. Louisville earned their first playoff berth since 1906 with the wild card at 87-76, one game better than Indianapolis. Washington’s Jeremiah Jaiboon picked up the Pitcher of the Year.
The Chargers swept the Huskies in the first round of the playoffs while Philadelphia survived in five games against Louisville. Philadelphia would find a rhythm though to defeat Columbus in the NACS in six, sending the Phillies to the World Series for the second straight year.
In the American Association, Jacksonville won the Southern League for their first playoff appearance since 1903, finishing with the AA’s best record at 100-62. Dallas made back-to-back playoff berths by taking second at 97-65. Houston (91-71) and Memphis (88-74) were next.
In the Western League, San Francisco secured their first-ever playoff berth with the league title at 99-63. The Gold Rush had the league MVP in centerfielder Payton Wayman, with the 24-year old claiming the batting title at .362. Portland advanced to the postseason for the fourth time in five years as the wild card at 95-67. Third place Denver (90-72) had Pitcher of the Year in Ray Biedermann, whom they acquired in free agency from Louisville in the offseason.
The second place finishers both advanced in the postseason as the Pacifics upset the Gators in a sweep and the Dalmatians outlasted the Gold Rush in five. Dallas downed Portland in five games in the AACS for the Dalmatians’ first-ever Association title.
The World Series went to Philadelphia in six games, making the Phillies the second MLB team to repeat as overall champ. Outfielder Pablo De La Fuente was the World Series MVP, picking up 13 RBI, 23 hits, and 4 triples over 17 postseason games.
Other notes; Montreal third baseman Dusty Knight won his record 14th and final Gold Glove.
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