The Red Sox-Monarchs battle for the FC National ends up being one of the best we've seen. They go into their penultimate series of the regular season - three games head-to-head in KC - still tied and then play out three scintillating contests:
Still, that only leaves the Red Sox 1 up with 3 to play but it ends up being enough as they hold on to win it by 3.
The fact that it doesn't finish even remotely close doesn't mean the WC American race isn't just as fascinating in its own way. Homestead leads Hilldale by 5 at the ASB and don't totally tank in the second half, although their 37-40 record is disappointing. It's more a result of the Athletics catching fire that decides things, with their 52-24 run eventually leaving them 10 games clear.
Matty Alou repeats as FC batting champ, with Baltimore's Gerardo Parra winning the WC title. Leon Wagner leads all hitters with 33 HR. Ken Griffey jr and Kal Daniels tie for the most RBI with 117. Jose Reyes' 54 swipes are the most this year.
Pedro Martinez wins two legs of the TC with his 21 Wins and 286 strikeouts both league highs. Rosey Davis posts the low ERA of 2.57, while Leonardo Medina's 46 Saves just come up short of a new record, currently held by Ramon Ramirez with 48 in 1973.
Joe Morgan sets a new season record with 147 walks.
Adam Jones re-ups with the Grays for 8 years at an AAV of a little over $3m.
Kenley Jansen is released by the AGs and subsequently picked up by the Buckeyes.
Bill Lindsay gets his 250th career Win.
Whatever Hilldale does from here it will be without Juanelo Mirabal, who has his season ended early by a bout of forearm inflammation. The ledger is squared somewhat, however, with Detroit’s Robert Evans also done for the year.