OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The National Pastime: The United States Baseball Federation rises

KCRoyals15 · 11-21-2024, 07:24 PM

1903

Entering 1903, The Skipper had a clear vision of turning the Kansas City Blues into a dynasty. The two-time defending National Champions won a record (to that point) 96 games...but it took every single victory as the Columbus Senators pushed them to the brink with a 95-win season. Unfortunately for the Senators, despite tying for the second-most wins in the Federation, it would mean an October at home.

The other three races lacked the drama from the previous season as the NEL, EL, and MWA were decided by 6-8 games apiece. Notably, the Chicago Colts repeated in the Midwest, while incredibly, the New England League saw seven of their eight teams finish above .500 for a second straight season. Three teams in that league finished 83-73, two more went 79-77, and Buffalo was in between at 81-75. Only Newark (70-86) had a losing record.

In the reverse of the previous season, a generally drama-free regular season led to a drama-filled postseason. Kansas City survived a seven-game push from New York to face the Jersey City Giants, who took down Chicago in six. Seeking a three-peat, the Blues would be denied as the Giants won their first National Championship with a seven-game series win.

Despite coming up short, KC was loaded, sweeping the MVP, Pitcher of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Pat Atkinson posted an absurd year to take MVP honors: .364 average, 222 hits, 121 runs, 28 triples, and a league-best 128 stolen bases.

On the mound, Cory Craft logged a 1.91 and won 23 games over 358.1 innings in a league-high 41 starts to take the POTY nod. The workhorse was better than ever at 33 years old. Sadly, he only had five more starts in him after blowing out his elbow to end his career early the following season.

Though he did not win anything (aside from a Platinum Stick at 3B), Kansas City's Will Dehne did drive in 120 runs, a mark that would not be passed for nearly two decades.

--

Two more minor leagues popped up, filling up more areas further west (in early-20th century terms). The River Valley League popped up in the Midwest, while deep in the heart of Texas, a low-level loop, aptly named the Texas League, began humbly.

River Valley League
Des Moines Demons
Evansville Bees
Fort Wayne Westerns
Lincoln Grains
Peoria Distillers
Springfield Lincolns
St. Joseph Snakes
Wichita Jobbers

Texas League
Austin Spurs
Dallas Steers
El Paso Texans
Fort Worth Cats
Galveston Hurricanes
Houston Buffaloes
San Antonio Missions
Waco Cowboys

Minor League Champions
Pacific Coast League: Sacramento Solons, 123-77
Southeastern League: Atlanta Crackers, 111-29
Colonial League: Lowell Blue Sox, 80-46, defeats Binghamton
Texas League: El Paso Texans, 73-53, defeats Galveston
River Valley League: Des Moines Demons, 88-52, defeats St. Joseph

Both the Texas League and River Valley League elected to use a playoff between the top two finishers to decide their champion. In the SEL, the New Orleans dynasty was finally toppled...only for a new juggernaut to emerge.

11-21-2024, 07:24 PM	#4
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	A Minor Surge 1903 Entering 1903, The Skipper had a clear vision of turning the Kansas City Blues into a dynasty. The two-time defending National Champions won a record (to that point) 96 games...but it took every single victory as the Columbus Senators pushed them to the brink with a 95-win season. Unfortunately for the Senators, despite tying for the second-most wins in the Federation, it would mean an October at home. The other three races lacked the drama from the previous season as the NEL, EL, and MWA were decided by 6-8 games apiece. Notably, the Chicago Colts repeated in the Midwest, while incredibly, the New England League saw seven of their eight teams finish above .500 for a second straight season. Three teams in that league finished 83-73, two more went 79-77, and Buffalo was in between at 81-75. Only Newark (70-86) had a losing record. In the reverse of the previous season, a generally drama-free regular season led to a drama-filled postseason. Kansas City survived a seven-game push from New York to face the Jersey City Giants, who took down Chicago in six. Seeking a three-peat, the Blues would be denied as the Giants won their first National Championship with a seven-game series win. Despite coming up short, KC was loaded, sweeping the MVP, Pitcher of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Pat Atkinson posted an absurd year to take MVP honors: .364 average, 222 hits, 121 runs, 28 triples, and a league-best 128 stolen bases. On the mound, Cory Craft logged a 1.91 and won 23 games over 358.1 innings in a league-high 41 starts to take the POTY nod. The workhorse was better than ever at 33 years old. Sadly, he only had five more starts in him after blowing out his elbow to end his career early the following season. Though he did not win anything (aside from a Platinum Stick at 3B), Kansas City's Will Dehne did drive in 120 runs, a mark that would not be passed for nearly two decades. -- Two more minor leagues popped up, filling up more areas further west (in early-20th century terms). The *River Valley League* popped up in the Midwest, while deep in the heart of Texas, a low-level loop, aptly named the *Texas League, began humbly. River Valley League* Des Moines Demons Evansville Bees Fort Wayne Westerns Lincoln Grains Peoria Distillers Springfield Lincolns St. Joseph Snakes Wichita Jobbers Texas League Austin Spurs Dallas Steers El Paso Texans Fort Worth Cats Galveston Hurricanes Houston Buffaloes San Antonio Missions Waco Cowboys Minor League Champions Pacific Coast League: Sacramento Solons, 123-77 Southeastern League: Atlanta Crackers, 111-29 Colonial League: Lowell Blue Sox, 80-46, defeats Binghamton Texas League: El Paso Texans, 73-53, defeats Galveston River Valley League: Des Moines Demons, 88-52, defeats St. Joseph Both the Texas League and River Valley League elected to use a playoff between the top two finishers to decide their champion. In the SEL, the New Orleans dynasty was finally toppled...only for a new juggernaut to emerge. Last edited by KCRoyals15; 12-11-2024 at 12:18 AM.