Season 1
September
Final Standings
National League Championship Series
1928 Philadelphia Athletics (98-64) vs 2005 Milwaukee Brewers (95-67)
Both winning clubs in the National League took their respective division races to the final weekend of the season. The 1928 Athletics came into the last three games tied with the 1972 Dodgers and won the first two games at Dodger Stadium to clinch the postseason, including coming from behind and scoring 4 runs in the ninth for the clincher. Connie Mack had to be happy with his team's effort and contribution as the battle with the Dodgers was intense and confrontational all season long.
Now the strong roster goes to the NLDS lead by some of the best names in the game. Al Simmons won the batting title and and drove in 125 runs as the offense lead the league with 886 runs. Lefty Grove struck out 322 batters but it was Jack Quinn who went 26-9 to pace the A's staff. Mickey Cochrane hit .391 in the last 10 games of the season and goes into the postseason red hot. Forty one year old Ty Cobb is sure to leave his mark in the playoffs as well, he finished the year hitting .319.
The 2005 Brewers won 16 games in September and held a two game lead on the 2022 Jays as the final weekend started. The Brewers wasted no time clinching the division on Friday night and culminating a fine season with 95 wins. Craig Counsell could be confident in his team that played well down the stretch lead by a dominant bullpen. Rick Helling had 31 saves with a 3.13 ERA.
Prince Fielder is healthy again and his presence is huge in the order. Geoff Jenkins drove in 100 runs while the Brewers defense made the fewest errors in the league. Ben Sheets threw 320 innings and finished with 18 wins as he anchors the staff. The Brewers were 13-2 in extra inning games and seem to play their best when the stakes are highest.
The two clubs faced off 24 times during the season with Milwaukee winning 14 of them.
American League Championship Series
1920 Cleveland Indians (105-57) vs 1991 Toronto Blue Jays (96-66)
The most dominant club by a long shot this season were the 1920 Indians who won 105 games and took their division by 23 games. Lead by the dynamic player manager Tris Speaker, the Indians look like a sure bet and the all out favorites to claim the title of season 1.
The Tribe had three 20 game winners lead by Stan Coveleski who won the pitching triple crown with a 27-9 record and a 2.24 ERA. The club scored 890 runs as Speaker hit .348 with 118 runs while Elmer Smith drove in 131. It was great to see Ray Chapman finish the season and play outstanding defense at third base for a team that went 28-12 against left handed pitching.
The 1991 Blue Jays will be no strangers to being underdogs as they won the East by outpacing the favored 1912 Cubs and winning it by 5 games. Cito Gaston had his team believing and the Jays played particularly well at Sky Dome. The club is anchored around its great defensive play with Devon White and Roberto Alomar controlling the middle of the field.
John Olerud drove in 113 runs and the team stole more bases then hit home runs. The ace of the staff was Jimmy Key who went 21-11 with a 2.77 ERA and will be the perfect confident ace to face the Indians. Duane Ward had to be the closer of the year with 44 saves and a 2.71 ERA. The Jays were 37-17 in one run games this year.
In their matchups this season the Indians held the edge with a 13-11 record but all the games between them were competetive.
Season 1 Batting Title
Al Simmons - 1928 Athletics
.355 average with 215 hits and 45 doubles.