[FuzzyRussianHat]

After missing the playoffs last year, Sapporo took the Japan League North Division for the fourth time in five years. The Swordfish finished 95-67, three games better than Tokyo and seven ahead of last year’s division champ Saitama. In the South Division, Kobe prevailed at 98-64 for their fifth playoff appearance and first since 1942. They broke up Osaka’s streak at four as the defending league champ Orange Sox finished second at 93-69.

Fukuoka’s Takashi Isihara won his second MVP in three years. The 27-year old right fielder led Japan in runs (98), home runs (48), RBI (113), slugging (.618), and WAR (11.9) Tokyo’s Yeon-U Choo won his second Pitcher of the Year in three years. The 25-year old was three ERA points off a Triple Crown with a 21-6 record, 1.56 ERA, and 364 strikeouts. He also led in quality starts (29), FIP- (35), and WAR (11.5)



The 1947 Korea League was very competitive. Defending champ Hamhung won a third straight North Division with a 91-71 record. Goyang (90-72), Pyongyang (89-73), Seoul (87-55), and Incheon (85-77) all gave them a run. In the South Division, Daejeon at 93-69 was first by one game over Changwon. Last year’s division champ Yongin fell to 77 wins. For the Ducks, it is their first-ever playoff appearance in 27 years of existence.

Ulsan 2B Yeo Park earned his lone MVP at age 27. He led Korea in hits (192), average (.336) and WAR (9.6), also posting great defense. Daejeon’s Ji-Yoon Park won Pitcher of the Year in his fifth season. Park led in ERA (1.53), WHIP (0.82) and FIP- (62) while adding 262 strikeouts and a 17-3 record.

In the Japan League Championship Series, Sapporo claimed their third title in four years by defeating Kobe in six games. It is the fifth title for the Swordfish, giving them the most of any Japanese franchise. The Korea League Championship Series saw Hamhung best Daejeon in six, giving the Heat back-to-back titles and their fourth in franchise history. In the East Asian Championship, Sapporo topped Hamhung in six games, finally prevailing after taking runner-up in 1944 and 1945. It is the second overall title for the Swordfish, who won it all in 1932.





Other notes: Goyang’s Byung-Oh Tan became the first EAB player to hit both 1500 runs scored and 1500 RBI, crossing both in late August. Takiji Ito became the 10^th pitcher to 200 wins. Drew St. Louis was the eighth pitcher to 3500 career strikeouts. Shortstop Si-U Gim became the second EAB player with 10 Silver Sluggers.