[FuzzyRussianHat]

Hartford won the Eastern League for the second straight season and earned a fifth playoff berth in six seasons with a 102-60 mark in 1948. Toronto took second at 95-67 for their second wild card in three years. Philadelphia’s dynasty was officially broken up after seven straight National Association titles, but they still had a solid third place season at 91-71. In the Midwest League, five teams finished within four games of first. Columbus took first for the second straight season by going 95-67. Milwaukee and Indianapolis tied for second at 94-68 with both Chicago and St. Louis just behind at 91-71. In a one-game playoff for the wild card spot, the Mustangs defeated the Racers, giving Milwaukee a second wild card in three seasons.

Hartford RF Noah O’Dell earned a second MVP award. The 26-year old led the National Association in batting average (.363), slugging (.601), OPS (1.006), and WAR (8.5). Indianapolis lefty Rayan Orozco was the Pitcher of the Year in his sophomore season. The Puerto Rican led the NA in ERA (2.31), WHIP (1.03), quality starts (28), FIP- (60), and WAR (9.6).

In the First Round, Columbus swept Toronto and Hartford survived in five games against Milwaukee. In the National Association Championship Series, the Huskies defeated the Chargers in five games. For Hartford, it is their third NA title and first since 1920. For Columbus, they are now 0-6 in the NACS in their history.



Defending American Association champ Nashville earned a fourth playoff berth in five seasons, winning the Southern League for the first time in that stretch at 98-64. In joins 1924 as their only SL titles. Jacksonville at 91-71 grabbed their second playoff spot in three years.

The Western League was loaded meanwhile with four teams winning 100+ games. Calgary took the title at 110-52, scoring 1007 runs (only 17 runs behind Houston’s 1913 record of 1024). It was a franchise record for the Cheetahs in wins and first title since 1942. Last year’s WL champ Albuquerque narrowly took second at 102-60, one game better than Los Angeles and two better than Las Vegas.

San Antonio DH Sebastian Lunde won his third straight MVP award. The 26-year old led the American Association in hits (228), home runs (52), RBI (159), and slugging (.629). San Diego’s Spencer Emond won his first Pitcher of the Year in what would be an all-time great career. In his third season at age 23, Emond led the AA in ERA (2.37), innings pitched (296.2), quality starts (29), and WAR (10.1).

In the first round of the playoffs, Jacksonville stunned Calgary with a road sweep and Albuquerque knocked off Nashville with a road sweep. The American Association Championship Series went to the Isotopes over the Gators in six games. It is the third AA title for Albuquerque and first since 1934. In the 1948 World Series, Hartford dropped the Isotopes in six games. This is the second MLB championship for the Huskies, who also won it all in 1916.





Other notes: Pitcher Ned Giles became the first MLB pitcher to 350 career wins and the second to 4500 strikeouts, joining Newton Persaud. Giles would retire next season as the all-time wins leader at 357 and second to Persaud in strikeouts with Giles at 4561 and Persaud at 4655. Giles also finished with 1517 WAR, the all-time MLB mark for any pitcher as of 2036 and would be the leader of all players until passed in 2022 by CF Morgan Short.

Houston’s Aubin Shrauger became the 10^th MLB player to 600 career home runs and also crossed 2500 hits. Rayan Laubenheimer crossed 1500 runs scored and 1500 RBI. Stan Provost also crossed the 1500 run threshold. Omaha’s Rodrigo Reta became the 21^st MLB player to 3000 career hits.