1901
After the success of the 1900 season, the United States Baseball Federation rolled into 1901. In all four leagues, new champions emerged, with The Skipper turning heads by taking Kansas City from fifth to first, coasting to win the Western League by 11 games.
The other three leagues were considerably closer, with the Philadelphia Athletics outlasting Pittsburgh and Providence in a three-team race to take the Eastern League. The Midwest Association was even closer, as the St. Louis Browns edged the Chicago Colts by a single game. In the NEL, the Buffalo Bisons took care of business by six games with a league-best 87-53 mark.
Of note, two 1900 champions (Rochester and Louisville) fell to seventh place in their respective leagues.
In contrast to 1900, playoff drama was very much a part of the 1901 postseason. Buffalo needed seven games to slip past St. Louis, while KC took down Philadelphia in six. The Blues then claimed their first National Championship in a thrilling seven-game set over the Bisons, setting a dynasty in motion...
37-year-old stalwart
Matt Oliver may have been born too late to enjoy a long USBF career, but he hung on long enough to take home MVP efforts for a .376/.439/.502 slash, leading the league in OBP and OPS, while finishing in the top-5 of a host of other categories.
26-year-old St. Louis hurler
Matt Burkey would be out of baseball just few years later and led the league in...nothing, but somehow took home Pitcher of the Year honors for his 24-win season—nearly half his career total.
Also of note, Louisville hurler
Emilio Cardenas set USBF history by tossing the Federation's first 9-inning no-hitter on September 15, 1901 against the Minneapolis Millers. He walked one and struck out three in the masterpiece.
Minor League Champions
Pacific Coast League: San Francisco Seals, 102-52
Southeastern League: New Orleans Pelicans, 101-39 (2nd straight)