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Old 06-07-2023, 12:12 PM   #313
FuzzyRussianHat
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1958 in MLB



Hartford had the best record in the National Association and won the Eastern League for back-to-back seasons. The Huskies expanded their postseason streak to five years with a 102-60 record. Second was Brooklyn at 99-63, allowing an MLB-fewest 474 runs. The wild card gives the Dodgers their second-ever playoff berth (1934). The second wild card went to Pittsburgh at 98-64, giving the Pirates back-to-back wild card spots.

In the Midwest League, Louisville at 99-63 took first for only the second time in franchise history (1936). It is the first playoff berth for the Lynx since 1941. Defending NA champ Indianapolis was second at 96-66 and picked up the third wild card. The fourth and final wild card was back in the EL with Ottawa, Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia all in the mix. The Elks and Red Sox tied for the final spot at 92-70 with Ottawa advancing in a one-game playoff. This puts the 1956 National Association champ back in the postseason after just missing the prior year.

NA MVP went to Pittsburgh 3B Victor Pettit. In his first full season as a starter, the 22-year old led the National Association in runs with 106. He also posted 211 hits, 37 home runs, 111 RBI, a .339 average, and 8.0 WAR. Brooklyn’s John Delaney won back-to-back Pitcher of the Year awards. He led in innings (284) and quality starts (32). He posted a 24-9 record, 1.90 ERA, 223 strikeouts, and 7.9 WAR.

In the first round of the National Association playoffs, Pittsburgh beat Indianapolis 2-0 and Brooklyn downed Ottawa 2-0. In round two, the Pirates upset Hartford in four games and the Dodgers surprised Louisville in four. This setup an NACS final between Brooklyn, who had never gotten this far, and Pittsburgh, who only make it once back in 1913. The Dodgers swept the Pirates in the first NACS sweep since 1944, sending Brooklyn to the World Series for the first time.



The top mark in the American Association in 1958 went to San Diego, who won the Western League at 100-62. This gives the Seals a fourth straight playoff berth and sixth in seven years. They were seven games ahead of second place Las Vegas, who at 93-69 were the third wild card team. The Vipers earned their eighth playoff berth in the last nine seasons.

San Antonio at 99-63 won the Southern League for their first playoff spot since 1954. Defending SL champ Tampa was second at 96-66 and Nashville was third at 95-67, both getting in as wild cards. The Knights are back in for their fourth berth in five seasons. The battle for the final wild card was out west with defending World Series champ Vancouver and Los Angeles tying at 90-72, while four other teams were within four games. The Volcanoes won the one-game playoff to advance to the playoffs.

The American Association MVP and Pitcher of the Year both went to Tampa Thunderbirds. Martin Medina won back-to-back MVPs and his fourth of his career. The 31-year old 1B led in RB I (129), OBP (.425), and OPS (1.053). He had 45 home runs, 206 hits, 111 runs, and 8.5 WAR. Medina also picked up his eighth Silver Slugger. Meanwhile, veteran pitcher Trevor Brown got his second Pitcher of the Year. In his second year with the Thunderbirds, he led in innings with 301.1, posting a 21-11 record, 2.45 ERA, 179 strikeouts, and 8.1 WAR.

Nashville downed Las Vegas in two and Tampa eliminated Vancouver in three for the first round playoff matchups. San Diego defeated the Knights 3-1 and San Antonio beat the Thunderbirds 3-1, sending both league champs to the American Association Championship Series. The Seals downed the Oilers in five, winning their third AA title in four years and their fourth total. In the 1958 World Series, San Diego capped off a dynasty by defeating Brooklyn in five games. With that, the Seals become only the third franchise in MLB to win three World Series titles in a four year stretch. This would be the final ring of the run, but San Diego established themselves as a great dynasty.





Other notes: Hartford’s Jess Lewis became the sixth MLB player to 3500 career hits. He’d play one more year and would finish with 3714 hits, second all-time on the leaderboard behind only Stan Provost. He ended with 1918 runs, fourth all-time. Chance Warren became the 28th to 3000 hits. Spenser Emond got to 250 career wins, the 21st to do so. Madaleno Anziani won his 10th Gold Glove at RF.


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