OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

FuzzyRussianHat · 03-23-2024, 05:35 AM

Two-time defending CABA champ Monterrey returned to its gaudy records after winning the 1996 title at only 87-75. The Matadors dominated the Mexican League North Division at 113-49, setting a new CABA playoff streak record at ten seasons. Monterrey also has nine division titles in that decade stretch. Divisional foe Tijuana was 100-62 for their fifth wild card in six years. The Toros had to fend off a solid 97-65 effort from Torreon. Ecatepec repeated as South Division champs and earned a fourth division title in five seasons. The Explosion were 93-69, topping Leon by two games and Guadalajara by six.

Tijuana 3B Jacky Castillo won his third Mexican League MVP, having also taken it in 1993 and 1994. The 30-year old lefty led in runs (127), hits (214), home runs (53), total bases (416), average (.368), OBP (.423), OPS (1.139), wRC+ (230), and WAR (12.1). His 119 RBI were ten shy of a Triple Crown season. Leon veteran Hector Lopez was Pitcher of the Year. Nicknamed “Turkey,” the 30-year old lefty had a 19-5 record, 2.21 ERA, 208 innings, 238 strikeouts, and 6.1 WAR.

The wild card round was intense with Ecatepec edging Tijuana 3-2. The Explosion earned a fourth Mexican League Championship Series berth in five years, setting up another rematch with Monterrey. The Matadors were in the MLCS for the eighth straight season. Monterrey topped Ecatepec 4-2 to win a third straight ML pennant and their seventh in eight years. The Matadors are the second-ever CABA franchise to win seven pennants in eight years, joining Mexico City’s 1967-73 seven-peat.

Defending Caribbean League champion Salvador won the Continental Division for the fourth year in a row, although at 90-72, it was their first sub-100 win season of that stretch. The Stallions still were five games better than Honduras and six ahead of Costa Rica. The Horsemen at 85-77 saw their postseason streak snapped at four seasons. The top overall record in the CL was 95-67 Haiti atop the Island Division. This was the Herons’ first playoff berth since 1991 and their first division title since 1973. Santo Domingo was second at 92-70, which earned the wild card. The Dolphins returned to the playoffs after narrowly missing the prior two seasons.

Trinidad veteran Adrian Tovar picked a fascinating time to win his first Caribbean League MVP. The 37-year old Cuban third baseman had won six Silver Sluggers, but never the top honor until 1997. He was the WARlord (9.8) and added 54 home runs, 128 RBI, 118 runs, and a .323/.373/.667 slash. Tovar also crossed the 2500 hit and 500 home run career marks. Salvador’s Rafael Perez repeated as Pitcher of the Year. The 29-year old Dominican led in ERA (2.72), strikeouts (278), FIP- (59), and WAR (9.0). He added an 18-10 record over 248.1 innings.

Salvador stopped Santo Domingo 3-1 in the wild card round, earning their fourth straight appearance in the Caribbean League Championship Series. Haiti hadn’t been there since winning the 1973 pennant. Salvador overcame the Herons’ home field advantage, taking the series 4-1. The Stallions repeated as CL champs and won their third in four years. It was their eighth title overall.

The 87^th Central American Baseball Association Championship was the third chapter in the Monterrey versus Salvador saga. It started in 1965 with the Stallions winning that final 4-2. In 1996, the Matadors won a seven game classic. Monterrey wanted their second three-peat of the 1990s, but Salvador denied that and took the title in six games. This made the Stallions five-time CABA champs (1915, 64, 65, 94, 97). 1B Gonzalo Juarez was finals MVP as the 31-year old had 17 hits, 8 runs, 5 home runs, and 11 RBI in 14 playoff starts.

Other notes: 3B Jacky Castillo, 3B Adrian Tovar, and CF Leonardo Andrade both became seven-time Silver Slugger winners.

03-23-2024, 05:35 AM	#1086
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,981	1997 in CABA Two-time defending CABA champ Monterrey returned to its gaudy records after winning the 1996 title at only 87-75. The Matadors dominated the Mexican League North Division at 113-49, setting a new CABA playoff streak record at ten seasons. Monterrey also has nine division titles in that decade stretch. Divisional foe Tijuana was 100-62 for their fifth wild card in six years. The Toros had to fend off a solid 97-65 effort from Torreon. Ecatepec repeated as South Division champs and earned a fourth division title in five seasons. The Explosion were 93-69, topping Leon by two games and Guadalajara by six. Tijuana 3B Jacky Castillo won his third Mexican League MVP, having also taken it in 1993 and 1994. The 30-year old lefty led in runs (127), hits (214), home runs (53), total bases (416), average (.368), OBP (.423), OPS (1.139), wRC+ (230), and WAR (12.1). His 119 RBI were ten shy of a Triple Crown season. Leon veteran Hector Lopez was Pitcher of the Year. Nicknamed “Turkey,” the 30-year old lefty had a 19-5 record, 2.21 ERA, 208 innings, 238 strikeouts, and 6.1 WAR. The wild card round was intense with Ecatepec edging Tijuana 3-2. The Explosion earned a fourth Mexican League Championship Series berth in five years, setting up another rematch with Monterrey. The Matadors were in the MLCS for the eighth straight season. Monterrey topped Ecatepec 4-2 to win a third straight ML pennant and their seventh in eight years. The Matadors are the second-ever CABA franchise to win seven pennants in eight years, joining Mexico City’s 1967-73 seven-peat. Defending Caribbean League champion Salvador won the Continental Division for the fourth year in a row, although at 90-72, it was their first sub-100 win season of that stretch. The Stallions still were five games better than Honduras and six ahead of Costa Rica. The Horsemen at 85-77 saw their postseason streak snapped at four seasons. The top overall record in the CL was 95-67 Haiti atop the Island Division. This was the Herons’ first playoff berth since 1991 and their first division title since 1973. Santo Domingo was second at 92-70, which earned the wild card. The Dolphins returned to the playoffs after narrowly missing the prior two seasons. Trinidad veteran Adrian Tovar picked a fascinating time to win his first Caribbean League MVP. The 37-year old Cuban third baseman had won six Silver Sluggers, but never the top honor until 1997. He was the WARlord (9.8) and added 54 home runs, 128 RBI, 118 runs, and a .323/.373/.667 slash. Tovar also crossed the 2500 hit and 500 home run career marks. Salvador’s Rafael Perez repeated as Pitcher of the Year. The 29-year old Dominican led in ERA (2.72), strikeouts (278), FIP- (59), and WAR (9.0). He added an 18-10 record over 248.1 innings. Salvador stopped Santo Domingo 3-1 in the wild card round, earning their fourth straight appearance in the Caribbean League Championship Series. Haiti hadn’t been there since winning the 1973 pennant. Salvador overcame the Herons’ home field advantage, taking the series 4-1. The Stallions repeated as CL champs and won their third in four years. It was their eighth title overall. The 87^th Central American Baseball Association Championship was the third chapter in the Monterrey versus Salvador saga. It started in 1965 with the Stallions winning that final 4-2. In 1996, the Matadors won a seven game classic. Monterrey wanted their second three-peat of the 1990s, but Salvador denied that and took the title in six games. This made the Stallions five-time CABA champs (1915, 64, 65, 94, 97). 1B Gonzalo Juarez was finals MVP as the 31-year old had 17 hits, 8 runs, 5 home runs, and 11 RBI in 14 playoff starts. Other notes: 3B Jacky Castillo, 3B Adrian Tovar, and CF Leonardo Andrade both became seven-time Silver Slugger winners. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)