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FuzzyRussianHat · 07-28-2024, 06:28 AM

Boston posted Major League Baseball’s top record in 2009 atop the National Association at 107-55. The Red Sox won the Northeast Division for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in six years. They were one of four NA teams with 100+ wins, making it a tough fight to earn the bye.

The #2 seed went to Washington at 105-57 in the East Division. The Admirals only won their division by three games over 102-60 Philadelphia. Both squads earned a third straight playoff berth with the Phillies posting a third straight 100+ win season. Philadelphia also earned its seventh playoff berth of the decade, the most of any NA team in the 2000s.

Defending World Series champ Cincinnati narrowly missed out on the bye. The Reds ended up the #3 seed, winning the Lower Midwest Division at 103-59. Cincy picked up a third consecutive division title. They had to hold off Columbus, who took second at 95-67. The Chargers picked up the second wild card, ending a seven-year playoff drought. They fended off Toronto (93-69), Detroit (91-72), Cleveland (90-72), Louisville (88-74), and Hartford (88-74) for the final spot.

The weakest playoff team by record was the Upper Midwest Division champ. Milwaukee and Detroit tied for first at 91-71 with Cleveland one back. The Mustangs won the tiebreaker game to end a four-year drought, bouncing back from a horrendous 57-win 2008. The Tigers’ hope for a third straight division title was thwarted. Impressively, Milwaukee made the playoffs despite having the lowest payroll in all of MLB at $110.5 million. Winnipeg’s collapse was also notable in the division, considering the Wolves had won pennants in 2004, 2006, and 2007. In 2009, Winnipeg was a lousy 66-96.

Omaha was an awful 64-98 despite having the National Association MVP Killian Fruechte. In his fourth season for the Hawks, the left fielder from California led in runs (125), hits (213), home runs (53), total bases (400), triple slash (.356/.430/.668), OPS (1.098), wRC+ (227), and WAR (10.7). His 111 RBI fell six short of earning a Triple Crown. Omaha would give Fruechte an eight-year, $121,400,000 extension after the 2010 season.

Pitcher of the Year was Columbus righty Trevor Ford in his fifth season. The 25-year old from Orland Park, Illinois led in WAR (9.0), FIP- (61), quality starts (27), and shutouts (7). Ford had a 19-6 record over 262.1 innings, 2.33 ERA, 266 strikeouts, and 151 ERA+. He signed a six-year, $56,200,000 extension with the Chargers before the 2009 season and went on to have a tenured career with largely average stats beyond this 2009 peak.

Milwaukee edged Philadelphia and Cincinnati topped Columbus in the first round, both by 2-1 margins. Both upset the top seeds 3-2 in round two with the Reds over Washington and the Mustangs over Boston. It was Milwaukee’s first National Association Championship Series appearance since their 2002 World Series win. The defending champion Reds proved too much for the Mustangs with Cincinnati winning the NACS 4-2. It was only the third pennant for Cincy, who also won it all in 1919.

The American Association’s top seed was Nashville at 98-64 atop the Southeast Division. The Knights earned a fourth straight playoff berth and their seventh of the 2000s. Las Vegas was one back and took the #2 seed at 97-65 in the Southwest Division. That ended an eight-year postseason drought for the Vipers. Both LV and Nashville had tough competition who jockeyed for the two wild cards.

In the Southeast, Jacksonville was 92-70 with Tampa at 91-71 and Atlanta at 86-76. In the Southwest, it was Albuquerque at 91-71 and two-time defending AA champ San Diego at 87-75. The Gators got the first wild card, ending a three year drought. Meanwhile, the Isotopes won a tiebreaker game over the Thunderbirds to take the second spot. Albuquerque earned its eighth playoff berth of the 2000s, the most of any MLB team. The result also guaranteed a new AA champ with the Seals’ playoff streak ending at three.

Oklahoma City won a very competitive South Central Division at 90-72, outlasting Dallas (89-73), Houston (85-77), and New Orleans (84-78). The Outlaws hadn’t been a playoff team since 1983. Last year’s division winner Austin placed fifth at 81-81. It was only the second miss in eight years for the Hornets.

The Northwest Division was also tight with Salt Lake City claiming the crown at 87-75. The Loons survived 86-76 Seattle, 82-80 Calgary, 81-81 Portland, and 80-82 Denver and Vancouver. This ended a two-year drought for SLC, who earned six playoff appearances in the decade.

Las Vegas’s big acquisition in the offseason was former Omaha 3B/1B Graham Gregor, giving him a massive eight-year, $144,800,000 deal. He lived up to the rich deal, winning American Association MVP. The 30-year old North Dakotan led in hits (219), total bases (429), triple slash (.361/.416/.707), OPS (1.123), wRC+ (204), and WAR (10.2). Gregor also had 50 home runs, 128 RBI, and 119 runs.

Oklahoma City’s Mike Harris won Pitcher of the Year in his fifth season. The 25-year old righty from Waco, Texas led in complete games (25) and shutouts (7). Harris had a 2.50 ERA over 284 innings, 242 strikeouts, a 19-12 record, 150 ERA+, and 6.8 WAR. Prior to the season, the Outlaws gave him a six-year, $55,500,000 extension to remain their ace.

Jacksonville topped Salt Lake City and Albuquerque ousted Oklahoma City in the first round, both 2-1. The Gators kept rolling, upsetting Las Vegas 3-1 in round two. Jacksonville hadn’t been to the American Association Championship Series since way back in 1967. Top seed Nashville fended off the Isotopes 3-2 on the other side. The Knights earned their third pennant of the decade (2001, 2006, 2009) with a swept of the divisional rival Gators. Nashville won its sixth AA pennant.

In the 109^th World Series, Nashville denied Cincinnati’s repeat bid, winning the title 4-2. SS Mohammed Mohamed dominated the playoffs, winning MVP of the second round, AACS, and World Series. The 35-year old Saudi in 15 playoff starts had 26 hits, 15 runs, 4 doubles, 5 home runs, and 20 RBI.

Mohamed continued to be an all-timer in the playoffs, having also won World Series MVP in 2006 and the Arab League Championship MVP in 1998 and 1999. He also was conference finals MVP in ALB in 1995 and 1996, making Mohamed arguably the most decorated playoff performer ever.

This was Nashville’s fourth MLB title, joining the 1954, 2001, 2006, and 2009 rings. The last MLB team to win three World Series rings over a nine-year stretch was Calgary from 1986-93. No team had won three in the same decade since New Orleans’ 1970-72 three-peat. While not quite a true dynasty with how spaced out their wins were, it was an impressive run in the modern MLB.

Other notes: Portland’s Roosevelt Caulfield had a 42-game hitting streak in the late spring. This was the third-longest in MLB history behind Jayden Gagnon’s 49 in 1930 and Jon George’s 45 in 1961. Cincinnati’s Danny Bates learned how cruel the baseball gods could be. The pitcher had won World Series MVP in 2008, but set a 2009 playoff worst with 5 losses. In 30.1 innings, Bates was 1-5 with a 7.71 ERA.

Wichita’s pitching staff allowed 1109 hits, setting a new all-time MLB low. It still ranks third lowest as of 2037. Despite that, the Wasps’ offense was total booty for a 512-553 run differential and 63-99 record. They didn’t have the worst offense in MLB though, as that distinction belonged to San Antonio.

The Oilers made history, setting all-time American Association worsts in runs scored (509), slugging (.331), and OBP (.278). The runs and slugging are still the AA’s worst in 2037, although two teams would post worse OBPs in future seasons. San Antonio had the fewest runs in all of MLB in 2009 despite having the DH unlike the National Association’s losers.

Clement Garcia became the 21^st member of the 600 home run club. He finished with 656, which ranks 31^st as of 2037. SP Theron Summers and CF Damien Yang both became eight-time Gold Glove winners. CF Morgan Short won his eighth straight Silver Slugger.

In the 2000s, the National Association had a .243 batting average and 3.40 ERA, both of which grade out as below average on the historical scale. The American Association had a .254 average and 3.90 ERA, which are above average all-time. MLB was largely in the middle ground statistically compared to the other world leagues in the 2000s.

Both were down in scoring slightly from the previous years and did mark all-time lows for MLB. MLB’s lows were still well above the all-time lows of the other long tenured leagues. The 2010s would dip slightly before rule changes pumped the numbers up in the 2020s.

07-28-2024, 06:28 AM	#1467
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,617	2009 in MLB Boston posted Major League Baseball’s top record in 2009 atop the National Association at 107-55. The Red Sox won the Northeast Division for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in six years. They were one of four NA teams with 100+ wins, making it a tough fight to earn the bye. The #2 seed went to Washington at 105-57 in the East Division. The Admirals only won their division by three games over 102-60 Philadelphia. Both squads earned a third straight playoff berth with the Phillies posting a third straight 100+ win season. Philadelphia also earned its seventh playoff berth of the decade, the most of any NA team in the 2000s. Defending World Series champ Cincinnati narrowly missed out on the bye. The Reds ended up the #3 seed, winning the Lower Midwest Division at 103-59. Cincy picked up a third consecutive division title. They had to hold off Columbus, who took second at 95-67. The Chargers picked up the second wild card, ending a seven-year playoff drought. They fended off Toronto (93-69), Detroit (91-72), Cleveland (90-72), Louisville (88-74), and Hartford (88-74) for the final spot. The weakest playoff team by record was the Upper Midwest Division champ. Milwaukee and Detroit tied for first at 91-71 with Cleveland one back. The Mustangs won the tiebreaker game to end a four-year drought, bouncing back from a horrendous 57-win 2008. The Tigers’ hope for a third straight division title was thwarted. Impressively, Milwaukee made the playoffs despite having the lowest payroll in all of MLB at $110.5 million. Winnipeg’s collapse was also notable in the division, considering the Wolves had won pennants in 2004, 2006, and 2007. In 2009, Winnipeg was a lousy 66-96. Omaha was an awful 64-98 despite having the National Association MVP Killian Fruechte. In his fourth season for the Hawks, the left fielder from California led in runs (125), hits (213), home runs (53), total bases (400), triple slash (.356/.430/.668), OPS (1.098), wRC+ (227), and WAR (10.7). His 111 RBI fell six short of earning a Triple Crown. Omaha would give Fruechte an eight-year, $121,400,000 extension after the 2010 season. Pitcher of the Year was Columbus righty Trevor Ford in his fifth season. The 25-year old from Orland Park, Illinois led in WAR (9.0), FIP- (61), quality starts (27), and shutouts (7). Ford had a 19-6 record over 262.1 innings, 2.33 ERA, 266 strikeouts, and 151 ERA+. He signed a six-year, $56,200,000 extension with the Chargers before the 2009 season and went on to have a tenured career with largely average stats beyond this 2009 peak. Milwaukee edged Philadelphia and Cincinnati topped Columbus in the first round, both by 2-1 margins. Both upset the top seeds 3-2 in round two with the Reds over Washington and the Mustangs over Boston. It was Milwaukee’s first National Association Championship Series appearance since their 2002 World Series win. The defending champion Reds proved too much for the Mustangs with Cincinnati winning the NACS 4-2. It was only the third pennant for Cincy, who also won it all in 1919. The American Association’s top seed was Nashville at 98-64 atop the Southeast Division. The Knights earned a fourth straight playoff berth and their seventh of the 2000s. Las Vegas was one back and took the #2 seed at 97-65 in the Southwest Division. That ended an eight-year postseason drought for the Vipers. Both LV and Nashville had tough competition who jockeyed for the two wild cards. In the Southeast, Jacksonville was 92-70 with Tampa at 91-71 and Atlanta at 86-76. In the Southwest, it was Albuquerque at 91-71 and two-time defending AA champ San Diego at 87-75. The Gators got the first wild card, ending a three year drought. Meanwhile, the Isotopes won a tiebreaker game over the Thunderbirds to take the second spot. Albuquerque earned its eighth playoff berth of the 2000s, the most of any MLB team. The result also guaranteed a new AA champ with the Seals’ playoff streak ending at three. Oklahoma City won a very competitive South Central Division at 90-72, outlasting Dallas (89-73), Houston (85-77), and New Orleans (84-78). The Outlaws hadn’t been a playoff team since 1983. Last year’s division winner Austin placed fifth at 81-81. It was only the second miss in eight years for the Hornets. The Northwest Division was also tight with Salt Lake City claiming the crown at 87-75. The Loons survived 86-76 Seattle, 82-80 Calgary, 81-81 Portland, and 80-82 Denver and Vancouver. This ended a two-year drought for SLC, who earned six playoff appearances in the decade. Las Vegas’s big acquisition in the offseason was former Omaha 3B/1B Graham Gregor, giving him a massive eight-year, $144,800,000 deal. He lived up to the rich deal, winning American Association MVP. The 30-year old North Dakotan led in hits (219), total bases (429), triple slash (.361/.416/.707), OPS (1.123), wRC+ (204), and WAR (10.2). Gregor also had 50 home runs, 128 RBI, and 119 runs. Oklahoma City’s Mike Harris won Pitcher of the Year in his fifth season. The 25-year old righty from Waco, Texas led in complete games (25) and shutouts (7). Harris had a 2.50 ERA over 284 innings, 242 strikeouts, a 19-12 record, 150 ERA+, and 6.8 WAR. Prior to the season, the Outlaws gave him a six-year, $55,500,000 extension to remain their ace. Jacksonville topped Salt Lake City and Albuquerque ousted Oklahoma City in the first round, both 2-1. The Gators kept rolling, upsetting Las Vegas 3-1 in round two. Jacksonville hadn’t been to the American Association Championship Series since way back in 1967. Top seed Nashville fended off the Isotopes 3-2 on the other side. The Knights earned their third pennant of the decade (2001, 2006, 2009) with a swept of the divisional rival Gators. Nashville won its sixth AA pennant. In the 109^th World Series, Nashville denied Cincinnati’s repeat bid, winning the title 4-2. SS Mohammed Mohamed dominated the playoffs, winning MVP of the second round, AACS, and World Series. The 35-year old Saudi in 15 playoff starts had 26 hits, 15 runs, 4 doubles, 5 home runs, and 20 RBI. Mohamed continued to be an all-timer in the playoffs, having also won World Series MVP in 2006 and the Arab League Championship MVP in 1998 and 1999. He also was conference finals MVP in ALB in 1995 and 1996, making Mohamed arguably the most decorated playoff performer ever. This was Nashville’s fourth MLB title, joining the 1954, 2001, 2006, and 2009 rings. The last MLB team to win three World Series rings over a nine-year stretch was Calgary from 1986-93. No team had won three in the same decade since New Orleans’ 1970-72 three-peat. While not quite a true dynasty with how spaced out their wins were, it was an impressive run in the modern MLB. Other notes: Portland’s Roosevelt Caulfield had a 42-game hitting streak in the late spring. This was the third-longest in MLB history behind Jayden Gagnon’s 49 in 1930 and Jon George’s 45 in 1961. Cincinnati’s Danny Bates learned how cruel the baseball gods could be. The pitcher had won World Series MVP in 2008, but set a 2009 playoff worst with 5 losses. In 30.1 innings, Bates was 1-5 with a 7.71 ERA. Wichita’s pitching staff allowed 1109 hits, setting a new all-time MLB low. It still ranks third lowest as of 2037. Despite that, the Wasps’ offense was total booty for a 512-553 run differential and 63-99 record. They didn’t have the worst offense in MLB though, as that distinction belonged to San Antonio. The Oilers made history, setting all-time American Association worsts in runs scored (509), slugging (.331), and OBP (.278). The runs and slugging are still the AA’s worst in 2037, although two teams would post worse OBPs in future seasons. San Antonio had the fewest runs in all of MLB in 2009 despite having the DH unlike the National Association’s losers. Clement Garcia became the 21^st member of the 600 home run club. He finished with 656, which ranks 31^st as of 2037. SP Theron Summers and CF Damien Yang both became eight-time Gold Glove winners. CF Morgan Short won his eighth straight Silver Slugger. In the 2000s, the National Association had a .243 batting average and 3.40 ERA, both of which grade out as below average on the historical scale. The American Association had a .254 average and 3.90 ERA, which are above average all-time. MLB was largely in the middle ground statistically compared to the other world leagues in the 2000s. Both were down in scoring slightly from the previous years and did mark all-time lows for MLB. MLB’s lows were still well above the all-time lows of the other long tenured leagues. The 2010s would dip slightly before rule changes pumped the numbers up in the 2020s. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)