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After taking second in the Australasia League the prior year from a tiebreaker game, Adelaide found its way back to the top in 1964. The Aardvarks won their second title in three years, posting a franchise-best 99-63 record. Brisbane was second at 94-68, followed by Perth at 89-73. Defending Oceania Champion Christchurch finished fourth at 85-77.

Adelaide shortstop Fineasi Hausia won his second straight league MVP. The 29-year old Tongan led the Australasia League in hits (185) and WAR (9.4), posting a .312 average and .790 OPS. He also won his third consecutive Gold Glove and would go onto win it five times between OBA and MLB. Christchurch’s Arthur Bennett won the Pitcher of the Year. The 25-year old Ausralian didn’t lead the league in any stats, but posted a 1.87 ERA over 221.2 innings with 210 strikeouts and 6.7 WAR.



1961 OBA champ Guadalcanal claimed the Pacific League title in 1964. The Green Jackets were first at 99-63, four games better than two-time defending league champ Honolulu and eight ahead of Tahiti. Despite finishing third, the Tropics had the MVP and Pitcher of the Year. The former was 35-year old left fielder Jake Silverberg, an American who joined OBA after a respectable 13-year MLB career. He led the league with 34 home runs, .514 slugging, and .838 OPS, adding 6.0 WAR. Martin Samala was the Pitcher of the Year in his sophomore campaign, finishing a win short of the Triple Crown. The 1963 Rookie of the Year had a 21-12 record, 2.12 ERA, and 369 strikeouts. The Manila, Philippines native also led the Pacific League in innings (331.1), WAR (10.6), quality starts (33), complete games (19), and FIP- (63).

The 1964 Oceania Championship for the first to be a sweep as Adelaide cruised to the title over Guadalcanal. The Aardvarks become the first time to win the OBA title twice.





Other notes: 2B Kenny Rehling became OBA’s first five-time Gold Glove winner.