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FuzzyRussianHat · 03-14-2024, 03:42 AM

For back-to-back seasons, Hiroshima had the Japan League’s best record and won the West Division at 99-63. They had to outlast a fierce challenge from Kitakyushu, who finished one back at 98-64 and missed the playoffs again. The division champs only format of the JL has crushed the Kodiaks with 101 and 98 win seasons not being enough for them. Osaka at 97-65 won the Central Division for the first time in six years. Sapporo claimed the North Division for the third consecutive season with their 93-69 finish. Tokyo, who shocked the league by winning the title despite advancing as an atrocious 74-88 Capital Division winner, improved to 88-74. The Tides finished one ahead of Kawasaki to claim a sixth straight division title; the longest active playoff streak in EAB.

Japan League MVP went to Kitakyushu two-way star Umi Kihara. The 28-year old on the mound had a 20-8 record, 2.22 ERA, and 244 strikeouts over 255 innings with 5.9 WAR. Kihara had the shocking combo of pitcher/catcher, making 69 starts behind the plate. In 114 total games offensively, he had 127 hits, 23 home runs, a .329/.375/.583 slash, and 6.7 WAR. Veteran Osaka ace Rikiya Fujiwara won his third Pitcher of the Year award and his first since 1990. The 35-year old left led in ERA (1.44) and WHIP (0.75), but only saw 199.2 innings to a late-season fractured elbow. Fujiwara had a 15-4 record, 202 strikeouts, and 6.5 WAR. Sadly, another fractured elbow four starts into 1997 would end Fujiwara’s career.

Hiroshima ousted defending JL champ Tokyo 3-1 in the first round, while Sapporo edged Osaka 3-2. This was the Hammerheads’ first Japan League Championship Series since 1987, while it was a repeat for the Swordfish. Both were looking to end title droughts with Hiroshima’s last pennant in 1972 and Sapporo’s in 1983. The Hammerheads won the JLCS 4-2 over the Swordfish, becoming seven-time Japan League champs (1939, 59, 68, 69, 70, 72, 96).

The Korea League’s South Division was very top heavy as Busan and Ulsan battled for the title and the top record in the KL. The Blue Jays prevailed at 108-54, while the Swallows were the first wild card at 105-57. Both teams extended playoff streaks to three seasons. Defending East Asian Champion Yongin also extended its streak to three, taking third in the division but grabbing the second wild card at 93-69. In the North Division, Suwon (95-67) placed first for a fourth berth in five years. Their closest competitors were Seongnam at 90-72 and Goyang at 88-74.

Busan 3B Hyeon-Seong Lim won the Korea League MVP. The 29-year old switch hitter led in hits (225), RBI (139), and total bases (392). Lim added 38 home runs, 111 runs, a .366 average, 1.014 OPS, and 8.8 WAR. Ulsan’s Kwang-Wood Ryu was Pitcher of the Year, leading in WAR (8.6), innings I296), and complete games (17). The 32-year old veteran was in his third season with the Swallows after pitching for a decade with Fukuoka. Ryu added a 20-12 record, 2.71 ERA, and 265 strikeouts.

Busan eliminated the defending EAB champ Yongin 3-1, while Ulsan survived in five over Suwon in the first round. The Blue Jays made a repeat Korea League Championship Series appearance while the Swallows had their second in three years. Like in the JL, both were trying to end decent pennant droughts with Ulsan’s last title in 1989 and Busan’s in 1980. In a seven game classic, the Swallows bested the Blue Jays in the battle of the birds. This made Ulsan four-time Korea League champs (1936, 37, 87, 96).

The 76^th East Asian Championship ended in a sweep, only the second finals sweep in 30 years. Ulsan clobbered Hiroshima for only their second overall title, joining the 1937 campaign. Two-time league MVP Byung-Tak Wie was named the finals MVP, posting 20 hits, 9 runs, 4 home runs, and 15 RBI over 16 playoff starts.

Other notes: Woo-Hong Ryu became the third pitcher to 300 wins and the fifth to 4500 strikeouts, He would pitch two more seasons and end with 339 wins, second to Sang-Hun Joon’s 346. Ryu’s 4886 Ks would also be behind Joon’s 5694 strikeouts. Seong-Jun Myong also crossed 4000 Ks, the 14^th to do so. Sukejuro Sakamoto became the 17^th member of the 3000 hit club. CF Yeon-Ho Kim won his seventh Gold Glove. CF Yuma Akasaka won his 11^th Silver Slugger, a record for the position. Tsukasa Kato won his eighth at first base.

03-14-2024, 03:42 AM	#1059
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,813	1996 in EAB For back-to-back seasons, Hiroshima had the Japan League’s best record and won the West Division at 99-63. They had to outlast a fierce challenge from Kitakyushu, who finished one back at 98-64 and missed the playoffs again. The division champs only format of the JL has crushed the Kodiaks with 101 and 98 win seasons not being enough for them. Osaka at 97-65 won the Central Division for the first time in six years. Sapporo claimed the North Division for the third consecutive season with their 93-69 finish. Tokyo, who shocked the league by winning the title despite advancing as an atrocious 74-88 Capital Division winner, improved to 88-74. The Tides finished one ahead of Kawasaki to claim a sixth straight division title; the longest active playoff streak in EAB. Japan League MVP went to Kitakyushu two-way star Umi Kihara. The 28-year old on the mound had a 20-8 record, 2.22 ERA, and 244 strikeouts over 255 innings with 5.9 WAR. Kihara had the shocking combo of pitcher/catcher, making 69 starts behind the plate. In 114 total games offensively, he had 127 hits, 23 home runs, a .329/.375/.583 slash, and 6.7 WAR. Veteran Osaka ace Rikiya Fujiwara won his third Pitcher of the Year award and his first since 1990. The 35-year old left led in ERA (1.44) and WHIP (0.75), but only saw 199.2 innings to a late-season fractured elbow. Fujiwara had a 15-4 record, 202 strikeouts, and 6.5 WAR. Sadly, another fractured elbow four starts into 1997 would end Fujiwara’s career. Hiroshima ousted defending JL champ Tokyo 3-1 in the first round, while Sapporo edged Osaka 3-2. This was the Hammerheads’ first Japan League Championship Series since 1987, while it was a repeat for the Swordfish. Both were looking to end title droughts with Hiroshima’s last pennant in 1972 and Sapporo’s in 1983. The Hammerheads won the JLCS 4-2 over the Swordfish, becoming seven-time Japan League champs (1939, 59, 68, 69, 70, 72, 96). The Korea League’s South Division was very top heavy as Busan and Ulsan battled for the title and the top record in the KL. The Blue Jays prevailed at 108-54, while the Swallows were the first wild card at 105-57. Both teams extended playoff streaks to three seasons. Defending East Asian Champion Yongin also extended its streak to three, taking third in the division but grabbing the second wild card at 93-69. In the North Division, Suwon (95-67) placed first for a fourth berth in five years. Their closest competitors were Seongnam at 90-72 and Goyang at 88-74. Busan 3B Hyeon-Seong Lim won the Korea League MVP. The 29-year old switch hitter led in hits (225), RBI (139), and total bases (392). Lim added 38 home runs, 111 runs, a .366 average, 1.014 OPS, and 8.8 WAR. Ulsan’s Kwang-Wood Ryu was Pitcher of the Year, leading in WAR (8.6), innings I296), and complete games (17). The 32-year old veteran was in his third season with the Swallows after pitching for a decade with Fukuoka. Ryu added a 20-12 record, 2.71 ERA, and 265 strikeouts. Busan eliminated the defending EAB champ Yongin 3-1, while Ulsan survived in five over Suwon in the first round. The Blue Jays made a repeat Korea League Championship Series appearance while the Swallows had their second in three years. Like in the JL, both were trying to end decent pennant droughts with Ulsan’s last title in 1989 and Busan’s in 1980. In a seven game classic, the Swallows bested the Blue Jays in the battle of the birds. This made Ulsan four-time Korea League champs (1936, 37, 87, 96). The 76^th East Asian Championship ended in a sweep, only the second finals sweep in 30 years. Ulsan clobbered Hiroshima for only their second overall title, joining the 1937 campaign. Two-time league MVP Byung-Tak Wie was named the finals MVP, posting 20 hits, 9 runs, 4 home runs, and 15 RBI over 16 playoff starts. Other notes: Woo-Hong Ryu became the third pitcher to 300 wins and the fifth to 4500 strikeouts, He would pitch two more seasons and end with 339 wins, second to Sang-Hun Joon’s 346. Ryu’s 4886 Ks would also be behind Joon’s 5694 strikeouts. Seong-Jun Myong also crossed 4000 Ks, the 14^th to do so. Sukejuro Sakamoto became the 17^th member of the 3000 hit club. CF Yeon-Ho Kim won his seventh Gold Glove. CF Yuma Akasaka won his 11^th Silver Slugger, a record for the position. Tsukasa Kato won his eighth at first base. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)