Fleet Conference
New York Black Yankees (97-65) v Memphis Red Sox (85-77)
Best of seven, Black Yankees with home-field advantage.
A rematch from last year (as it is in the WC, with both home-field advantages reversed) and just as was the case a year ago I can't see much difference between these two groups' respective talent.
Memphis gets past Pedro Martinez in Game 1 with a 7-4 victory and then come all the way back from 0-6 to eke out a 7-6 win the next day to leave the BYs shellshocked heading into enemy territory.
The Black Yankees throw everything at their hosts in Game 3 but it still isn't enough as the MeSox take a 3-0 lead with an 8-5 final and then come back late again the next day to finish off a hugely disappointing New York in straight sets.
Bob Harvey is named MVP.
Weldy Conference
Hilldale Athletics (98-64) v Detroit Motown Stars (96-66)
Best of seven, Athletics with home-field advantage.
Who'd dare go against the Athletics given how they have been playing from the midpoint on? Not me although I expect the series to go the distance.
A 2-hitter by Cannonball Redding draws first blood for Hilldale but the MoStars square it up as Steel Arm Tyler outpitches Satchel Paige with a 5-hit shutout in a 5-0 win.
In Detroit for Game 3, Cristobal Torriente and Oscar Charleston swap solo HR with the latter's Athletics prevailing 3-2, but Detroit bounces back again as these two mighty clubs play out one of the truly epic playoff games in EL history (see box score below).
Game 5 is an arm-wrestle that Detroit takes out 10-5 and they get home the hard way, beating Satchel in Darby to keep their title defence going to the final stage with a juicy rematch of that classic '84 decider. Ooh la la!
Steel Arm Tyler's two decisive victories earn him the MVP award.
Here's that box score I mentioned...
