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FuzzyRussianHat · 10-10-2024, 06:09 AM

Defending National Association champ St. Louis bested their impressive 107-55 run from 2014 with a franchise-record 112-50 in 2015. The Cardinals finished 15 games better than their nearest foe, leading the NA in runs at 805 and allowing the second fewest at 515. St. Louis repeated as Lower Midwest Division champs and earned a third straight playoff berth. It was the highest win total for any National Association team since Hartford’s 113 wins in 1984.

The next best two records were fighting in a very tough Northeast Division. Toronto (97-65) edged out Montreal (96-66) for the division and the #2 seed. The Timberwolves ended a 14-year playoff drought and a 29-year division title drought. The Maples earned a third straight playoff berth as the first wild card.

The second wild card came from the Northeast narrowly with 93-69 Hartford, earning back-to-back berths. They held off Lower Midwest squads Columbus (92-70) and Kansas City (91-71), as well as their neighbor Boston (91-71). Also notable from the Northeast was 49-113 Ottawa, a franchise worst for the generally solid Elks.

Philadelphia won the East Division at 94-68 and set multiple MLB team pitching records. The Phillies staff had a .968 WHIP and allowed 239 walks with a 1.46 BB/9. The BB/9 would get topped once, but the other two are still records as of 2037. Philly repeated as division champs and earned their fourth straight playoff berth. Since 2001, Philadelphia has an impressive 12 playoff appearances. The only other team in MLB history to earn 12 playoff berths in a 15-year stretch was Ottawa from 1924-38.

It wasn’t a pushover for Philly to win the division with Baltimore (89-73), Virginia Beach (88-74), and Brooklyn (85-77) in the mix. The Orioles fell four games short of the second wild card, but it was an impressive rebound from back-to-back 60 win campaigns. Detroit at 91-71 repeated as Upper Midwest Division champ and grabbed their sixth division win in eight years. Chicago was their only close foe at 85-77.

Montreal RF Ezekiel Thomas won his third straight National Association MVP and the fourth of his career. In his fourth year with the Maples, the 31-year old New Yorker led in OPS (1.027), slugging (.639), and wRC+ (215). Thomas lost about a month to injury, but still managed 43 home runs, 105 RBI, 107 runs, and 7.4 WAR.

In his Hartford debut, veteran pitcher Steffen Neumann earned his first NA Pitcher of the Year. The 36-year old German lefty now had six total, winning with Los Angeles in the American Association in 2013 and winning from 2004-07 in the European Baseball Federation with Vienna. Neumann signed a three-year, $65,400,000 deal with the Huskies following his seven seasons for the Angels. Neumann led in complete games (18) and innings (280). He posted a 2.35 ERA, 20-10 record, 248 strikeouts, 147 ERA+, and 8.4 WAR.

Also worth noting was Stevie Ray Thornton, who won his third Reliever of the Year in his lone season with Brooklyn. Thornton had 31 saves, a 0.81 ERA, 420 ERA+, 89.1 innings, and 162 strikeouts. He had 6.0 WAR, which was the highest ever by a National Association Reliever of the Year winner and the second most by any MLB ROTY.

Detroit swept Montreal and Philadelphia swept Hartford in the first round. Neither held up against the top seeds, although the Tigers took St. Louis to a fifth game. Toronto topped Philadelphia, earning their first National Association Championship Series appearance since 2000. The defending champ Cardinals wouldn’t be denied in the NACS, but it was an all-time classic series.

It went all seven games with the finale needing extra innings, concluding in the 12^th inning for a 4-3 walkoff final. This was the third NACS in 115 years of history to feature an extra-innings game seven. St. Louis became the second-winningest team to earn the NA pennant, one game behind 114-48 Philadelphia from 1946. The Cardinals earned their seventh World Series trip (1908, 1909, 1910, 1963, 1982, 2014, 2015).

The American Association’s Southwest Division was absolutely stacked, led by Los Angeles and Las Vegas battling for the #1 seed. The Angels ended up grabbing it at 109-53, extending their playoff streak to six years. The Vipers ended a four-year playoff drought as the first wild card. LA led the AA in runs (844) with LV second (810). The Vipers allowed the second fewest runs at 585, only 10 worse than Phoenix.

The defending World Series winner and Baseball Grand Champion Firebirds finished 97-65, sneaking by San Francisco by one game for the second wild card. Their pitching staff allowed 1166 hits, the third-fewest in AA history. Phoenix’s playoff streak grew to four seasons, but it was no cakewalk. The Firebirds were only one game better than San Francisco (96-66) and four ahead of both Salt Lake City and Charlotte (93-69). Also notable in the Southwest was Oakland’s collapse, going from just out in 2014 at 95-67 to a measly 69-93 in 2015. Albuquerque also fell off to 77-85 after taking a wild card the prior year.

The #2 seed went to 100-62 Denver, almost quietly winning a sixth straight Northwest Division title. They were seven games ahead of SLC. Tampa’s playoff streak also grew to six with their third straight Southeast Division title. The Thunderbirds at 97-65 took it by four games over Charlotte, who bounced back from a 69-win 2014. Orlando dropped off after a 91-win 2014, falling to 74-88. San Antonio won a third consecutive South Central Division at 91-71. Their only competitor was Austin at 84-78.

American Association MVP went to San Antonio 3B Hossein Kokabi. The 27-year old Iranian was the WARlord at 9.4 and posted 51 home runs, 121 RBI, 120 runs, a .296/.389/.612 slash, 1.001 OPS, and 171 wRC+. Kokabi stayed two more years for the Oilers, but left after that for a big six-year, $153,600,000 deal with Boston.

Pitcher of the Year was second-year Salt Lake City righty Stanley Middlekauff. The Logan, Utah native led in wins (24-6), ERA (2.01), innings (296), quality starts (29), complete games (23), shutouts (6), FIP- (66), and WAR (9.5). Middlekauff struck out 211 and had a 190 ERA+. His 2.01 ERA from this season ranks as the 55^th-best qualifying season in MLB history. Middlekauff went onto have a fine Hall of Good career, but never reached this level again.

As a wild card, 107-win Las Vegas had to go on the road to San Antonio. Although the Vipers were a major favorite, the Oilers pulled off the first round sweep. Phoenix kept their repeat hopes alive with a 2-1 first round win over Tampa. However, the Firebirds were ousted in the second round 3-1 by Los Angeles in a rematch of the prior American Association Championship Series.

On the other side, Denver won a 3-2 battle with San Antonio, giving the Dragons their fourth AACS berth in six years. The Angels recent inability to win the big one continued as Denver prevailed in seven games. Like the NACS, the AACS saw an extra-innings game seven. After 13 innings, the Dragons went ahead in the top half for a 2-1 victory. It was their second pennant in three years and their eighth overall (1925, 1938, 1962, 1989, 1991, 1995, 2013, 2015).

After two dramatic LCS matchups, the 115h World Series seemed underwhelming with Denver beating St. Louis 4-1. The Dragons are an impressive 7-1 in the Fall Classic, tying them for the second-most rings with Phoenix, Houston, and San Diego. Philadelphia still has the most with eight. Denver was also the first time to win two in three years since Phoenix’s 2003-04 repeat. The Cardinals were the first to lose back-to-back since Winnipeg’s 2006-07. Their 113-wins were the second most in MLB history by a World Series loser behind only 114-48 Philadelphia from 1946.

Pitcher Omari Green was the World Series MVP, having joined Denver in 2014 on a five-year, $115,000,000 free agent deal. In five playoff starts, the 28-year old righty went 4-1 over 42 innings with a 2.57 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and 148 ERA+. In the World Series specifically, he threw a two-hit shutout.

Other notes: MLB’s 29^th Perfect Game was the first to be thrown in the postseason. Phoenix’s Jesse Riley did it with four strikeouts on November 2 against Tampa in their first round series. There was a no-hitter later in the playoffs as well by Los Angeles’ Elliot Snider against Denver with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Daniel Hecker became the 22^nd member of the 600 home run club. He played two more years and ended at 649. CF Morgan Short won his 13^th Silver Slugger, becoming the first MLB player at any position to win 13. Short finished the season with 131.5 WAR, becoming the fifth position player to reach 130+. He’s only about five points from passing the leader Elijah Cashman. Six pitchers have also breached 130+ WAR, led by Ned Giles at 151.7.

10-10-2024, 06:09 AM	#1687
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,212	2015 in MLB Defending National Association champ St. Louis bested their impressive 107-55 run from 2014 with a franchise-record 112-50 in 2015. The Cardinals finished 15 games better than their nearest foe, leading the NA in runs at 805 and allowing the second fewest at 515. St. Louis repeated as Lower Midwest Division champs and earned a third straight playoff berth. It was the highest win total for any National Association team since Hartford’s 113 wins in 1984. The next best two records were fighting in a very tough Northeast Division. Toronto (97-65) edged out Montreal (96-66) for the division and the #2 seed. The Timberwolves ended a 14-year playoff drought and a 29-year division title drought. The Maples earned a third straight playoff berth as the first wild card. The second wild card came from the Northeast narrowly with 93-69 Hartford, earning back-to-back berths. They held off Lower Midwest squads Columbus (92-70) and Kansas City (91-71), as well as their neighbor Boston (91-71). Also notable from the Northeast was 49-113 Ottawa, a franchise worst for the generally solid Elks. Philadelphia won the East Division at 94-68 and set multiple MLB team pitching records. The Phillies staff had a .968 WHIP and allowed 239 walks with a 1.46 BB/9. The BB/9 would get topped once, but the other two are still records as of 2037. Philly repeated as division champs and earned their fourth straight playoff berth. Since 2001, Philadelphia has an impressive 12 playoff appearances. The only other team in MLB history to earn 12 playoff berths in a 15-year stretch was Ottawa from 1924-38. It wasn’t a pushover for Philly to win the division with Baltimore (89-73), Virginia Beach (88-74), and Brooklyn (85-77) in the mix. The Orioles fell four games short of the second wild card, but it was an impressive rebound from back-to-back 60 win campaigns. Detroit at 91-71 repeated as Upper Midwest Division champ and grabbed their sixth division win in eight years. Chicago was their only close foe at 85-77. Montreal RF Ezekiel Thomas won his third straight National Association MVP and the fourth of his career. In his fourth year with the Maples, the 31-year old New Yorker led in OPS (1.027), slugging (.639), and wRC+ (215). Thomas lost about a month to injury, but still managed 43 home runs, 105 RBI, 107 runs, and 7.4 WAR. In his Hartford debut, veteran pitcher Steffen Neumann earned his first NA Pitcher of the Year. The 36-year old German lefty now had six total, winning with Los Angeles in the American Association in 2013 and winning from 2004-07 in the European Baseball Federation with Vienna. Neumann signed a three-year, $65,400,000 deal with the Huskies following his seven seasons for the Angels. Neumann led in complete games (18) and innings (280). He posted a 2.35 ERA, 20-10 record, 248 strikeouts, 147 ERA+, and 8.4 WAR. Also worth noting was Stevie Ray Thornton, who won his third Reliever of the Year in his lone season with Brooklyn. Thornton had 31 saves, a 0.81 ERA, 420 ERA+, 89.1 innings, and 162 strikeouts. He had 6.0 WAR, which was the highest ever by a National Association Reliever of the Year winner and the second most by any MLB ROTY. Detroit swept Montreal and Philadelphia swept Hartford in the first round. Neither held up against the top seeds, although the Tigers took St. Louis to a fifth game. Toronto topped Philadelphia, earning their first National Association Championship Series appearance since 2000. The defending champ Cardinals wouldn’t be denied in the NACS, but it was an all-time classic series. It went all seven games with the finale needing extra innings, concluding in the 12^th inning for a 4-3 walkoff final. This was the third NACS in 115 years of history to feature an extra-innings game seven. St. Louis became the second-winningest team to earn the NA pennant, one game behind 114-48 Philadelphia from 1946. The Cardinals earned their seventh World Series trip (1908, 1909, 1910, 1963, 1982, 2014, 2015). The American Association’s Southwest Division was absolutely stacked, led by Los Angeles and Las Vegas battling for the #1 seed. The Angels ended up grabbing it at 109-53, extending their playoff streak to six years. The Vipers ended a four-year playoff drought as the first wild card. LA led the AA in runs (844) with LV second (810). The Vipers allowed the second fewest runs at 585, only 10 worse than Phoenix. The defending World Series winner and Baseball Grand Champion Firebirds finished 97-65, sneaking by San Francisco by one game for the second wild card. Their pitching staff allowed 1166 hits, the third-fewest in AA history. Phoenix’s playoff streak grew to four seasons, but it was no cakewalk. The Firebirds were only one game better than San Francisco (96-66) and four ahead of both Salt Lake City and Charlotte (93-69). Also notable in the Southwest was Oakland’s collapse, going from just out in 2014 at 95-67 to a measly 69-93 in 2015. Albuquerque also fell off to 77-85 after taking a wild card the prior year. The #2 seed went to 100-62 Denver, almost quietly winning a sixth straight Northwest Division title. They were seven games ahead of SLC. Tampa’s playoff streak also grew to six with their third straight Southeast Division title. The Thunderbirds at 97-65 took it by four games over Charlotte, who bounced back from a 69-win 2014. Orlando dropped off after a 91-win 2014, falling to 74-88. San Antonio won a third consecutive South Central Division at 91-71. Their only competitor was Austin at 84-78. American Association MVP went to San Antonio 3B Hossein Kokabi. The 27-year old Iranian was the WARlord at 9.4 and posted 51 home runs, 121 RBI, 120 runs, a .296/.389/.612 slash, 1.001 OPS, and 171 wRC+. Kokabi stayed two more years for the Oilers, but left after that for a big six-year, $153,600,000 deal with Boston. Pitcher of the Year was second-year Salt Lake City righty Stanley Middlekauff. The Logan, Utah native led in wins (24-6), ERA (2.01), innings (296), quality starts (29), complete games (23), shutouts (6), FIP- (66), and WAR (9.5). Middlekauff struck out 211 and had a 190 ERA+. His 2.01 ERA from this season ranks as the 55^th-best qualifying season in MLB history. Middlekauff went onto have a fine Hall of Good career, but never reached this level again. As a wild card, 107-win Las Vegas had to go on the road to San Antonio. Although the Vipers were a major favorite, the Oilers pulled off the first round sweep. Phoenix kept their repeat hopes alive with a 2-1 first round win over Tampa. However, the Firebirds were ousted in the second round 3-1 by Los Angeles in a rematch of the prior American Association Championship Series. On the other side, Denver won a 3-2 battle with San Antonio, giving the Dragons their fourth AACS berth in six years. The Angels recent inability to win the big one continued as Denver prevailed in seven games. Like the NACS, the AACS saw an extra-innings game seven. After 13 innings, the Dragons went ahead in the top half for a 2-1 victory. It was their second pennant in three years and their eighth overall (1925, 1938, 1962, 1989, 1991, 1995, 2013, 2015). After two dramatic LCS matchups, the 115h World Series seemed underwhelming with Denver beating St. Louis 4-1. The Dragons are an impressive 7-1 in the Fall Classic, tying them for the second-most rings with Phoenix, Houston, and San Diego. Philadelphia still has the most with eight. Denver was also the first time to win two in three years since Phoenix’s 2003-04 repeat. The Cardinals were the first to lose back-to-back since Winnipeg’s 2006-07. Their 113-wins were the second most in MLB history by a World Series loser behind only 114-48 Philadelphia from 1946. Pitcher Omari Green was the World Series MVP, having joined Denver in 2014 on a five-year, $115,000,000 free agent deal. In five playoff starts, the 28-year old righty went 4-1 over 42 innings with a 2.57 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and 148 ERA+. In the World Series specifically, he threw a two-hit shutout. Other notes: MLB’s 29^th Perfect Game was the first to be thrown in the postseason. Phoenix’s Jesse Riley did it with four strikeouts on November 2 against Tampa in their first round series. There was a no-hitter later in the playoffs as well by Los Angeles’ Elliot Snider against Denver with eight strikeouts and three walks. Daniel Hecker became the 22^nd member of the 600 home run club. He played two more years and ended at 649. CF Morgan Short won his 13^th Silver Slugger, becoming the first MLB player at any position to win 13. Short finished the season with 131.5 WAR, becoming the fifth position player to reach 130+. He’s only about five points from passing the leader Elijah Cashman. Six pitchers have also breached 130+ WAR, led by Ned Giles at 151.7. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)