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FuzzyRussianHat · 04-12-2023, 05:08 AM

After missing the playoffs last year, 1949 World Series champ Montreal took the Eastern League title in 1951 at 104-58 for the best record in the National Association. Second place went to the New York Yankees at 96-66, giving them their first playoff appearance since 1917. The 1950 EL champ Philadelphia fell short of the wild card by three games. In the Midwest League, Indianapolis took first for their first playoff appearance since 1936 and first ML title since 1932. The Racers at 92-70 finished one game ahead of Chicago, three ahead of St. Louis, and five on Columbus. The Cubs got the wild card for their third straight playoff appearance.

The Maples had the NA MVP and Pitcher of the Year in 1951. 27-year old 3B Beckham Hudson led the NA with 9.4 WAR, adding 199 hits, 36 home runs, 107 RBI, and a .333 average. 27-year old Oliver Guerra was PotY with the lead in WAR (9.5), while adding 270 strikeouts and a 2.74 ERA.

In the first round of the playoffs, Montreal beat Chicago and Indianapolis downed New York; both in four games. The Maples won their second National Association title in three years by defeating the Racers in six games. Montreal earns their fifth NA crown, joining Ottawa (5) and Philadelphia (9) as the only five-time winners.

Houston ended their longest playoff drought in franchise history at 11 years as the Hornets won the Southern League title at 103-59. It is Houston’s record 16^th first place finish. San Antonio at 96-66 took second to get the wild card for the second straight year, while Memphis was third. Jacksonville’s playoff streak ended at three as the Gators finished fifth, beginning their own decade-plus playoff drought. Las Vegas won the Western League at 102-60, only their second league title in their seven playoff appearances all-time. Phoenix took second at 95-67 to advance, beating out defending World Series champ San Francisco by two games and San Diego by three.

Gold Rush 3B Zach Bargas picked up the American Association MVP. The 24-year old had what would be his career peak with a batting title at a .371 average along with an AA best 231 hits. He added 25 homers, 120 RBI, and 6.9 WAR. The Firebirds had the Pitcher of the Year in Alan Birkemeier in what was also a career peak in an otherwise unremarkable career The 27-year old had 8.9 WAR with a 2.80 ERA, 23-9 record, and 259 strikeouts in 283.1 innings.

Birkemeier helped lead Phoenix in a first round upset at Houston in five games, while San Antonio shocked Las Vegas in five. In a wild card battle in the American Association Championship Series, the Firebirds took it in five games for their first association title since 1933 and fourth total. The 51^st World Series went seven games with Montreal edging Phoenix to give the Maples their second title. They become among a select few to win two titles in three seasons as well, creating a mini-dynasty along the way. Notably, this would also be the last time for a decade that a National Association team won the World Series. The NA had the advantage over the AA 27-24 through 51 meetings, but the American Association would soon flip the switch and be forevermore considered the stronger organization.

Other notes: Millard Barkley became the 17^th pitcher to reach 250 career wins. Wei-Ju Wang crossed 1500 runs scored. Alejandro Fernandez won his ninth Silver Slugger, a record for catchers. The general anti-catcher bias of the Hall of Fame voters would ultimately hold Fernandez out despite this fact, considered by many as one of the biggest HOF snubs of all time.

04-12-2023, 05:08 AM	#238
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,638	1951 in MLB After missing the playoffs last year, 1949 World Series champ Montreal took the Eastern League title in 1951 at 104-58 for the best record in the National Association. Second place went to the New York Yankees at 96-66, giving them their first playoff appearance since 1917. The 1950 EL champ Philadelphia fell short of the wild card by three games. In the Midwest League, Indianapolis took first for their first playoff appearance since 1936 and first ML title since 1932. The Racers at 92-70 finished one game ahead of Chicago, three ahead of St. Louis, and five on Columbus. The Cubs got the wild card for their third straight playoff appearance. The Maples had the NA MVP and Pitcher of the Year in 1951. 27-year old 3B Beckham Hudson led the NA with 9.4 WAR, adding 199 hits, 36 home runs, 107 RBI, and a .333 average. 27-year old Oliver Guerra was PotY with the lead in WAR (9.5), while adding 270 strikeouts and a 2.74 ERA. In the first round of the playoffs, Montreal beat Chicago and Indianapolis downed New York; both in four games. The Maples won their second National Association title in three years by defeating the Racers in six games. Montreal earns their fifth NA crown, joining Ottawa (5) and Philadelphia (9) as the only five-time winners. Houston ended their longest playoff drought in franchise history at 11 years as the Hornets won the Southern League title at 103-59. It is Houston’s record 16^th first place finish. San Antonio at 96-66 took second to get the wild card for the second straight year, while Memphis was third. Jacksonville’s playoff streak ended at three as the Gators finished fifth, beginning their own decade-plus playoff drought. Las Vegas won the Western League at 102-60, only their second league title in their seven playoff appearances all-time. Phoenix took second at 95-67 to advance, beating out defending World Series champ San Francisco by two games and San Diego by three. Gold Rush 3B Zach Bargas picked up the American Association MVP. The 24-year old had what would be his career peak with a batting title at a .371 average along with an AA best 231 hits. He added 25 homers, 120 RBI, and 6.9 WAR. The Firebirds had the Pitcher of the Year in Alan Birkemeier in what was also a career peak in an otherwise unremarkable career The 27-year old had 8.9 WAR with a 2.80 ERA, 23-9 record, and 259 strikeouts in 283.1 innings. Birkemeier helped lead Phoenix in a first round upset at Houston in five games, while San Antonio shocked Las Vegas in five. In a wild card battle in the American Association Championship Series, the Firebirds took it in five games for their first association title since 1933 and fourth total. The 51^st World Series went seven games with Montreal edging Phoenix to give the Maples their second title. They become among a select few to win two titles in three seasons as well, creating a mini-dynasty along the way. Notably, this would also be the last time for a decade that a National Association team won the World Series. The NA had the advantage over the AA 27-24 through 51 meetings, but the American Association would soon flip the switch and be forevermore considered the stronger organization. Other notes: Millard Barkley became the 17^th pitcher to reach 250 career wins. Wei-Ju Wang crossed 1500 runs scored. Alejandro Fernandez won his ninth Silver Slugger, a record for catchers. The general anti-catcher bias of the Hall of Fame voters would ultimately hold Fernandez out despite this fact, considered by many as one of the biggest HOF snubs of all time. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)