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KCRoyals15 · 12-18-2024, 03:05 PM

1960

The 60's dawned in a similar way that the 50's ended: with Manhattan on top of the Eastern League with a 99-63 record. Notably, the New York Gothams finished second, earning their first playoff berth after a 13-year drought. On the other side of the Northern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs cruised to the Midwest Association title, ten games ahead of Cleveland, who outlasted Milwaukee by a pair of games to make it back to the postseason for the second time in three years.

New York pulled an upset over Manhattan in five games, while Toronto defeated Cleveland, also in five games. The Maple Leafs and Gothams then tussled for seven games, but Toronto emerged victorious.

In the Southern Conference, Atlanta took the Eastern League, one game ahead of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who christened the revolutionary Dodger Dome with a 23-game improvement and a playoff berth, their first since joining the big-league ranks two years earlier and the first for a Brooklyn squad since 1919.

Meanwhile, the Western League had an outstanding four-team race that ended with Kansas City and Omaha in a dead-heat at 98-64 for the two playoff spots. One year after winning 114 games, St. Louis was out of the playoffs at 96-66, and New Orleans was only one game behind them

In the West, the Blues hammered the Golden Spikes into the ground, as Kansas City swept Omaha in four games. Atlanta, meanwhile, also swept Brooklyn. The Crackers then dispatched Kansas City in six games to win the South.

The Pacific Coast League saw the same four playoff teams as the prior season, though in a slightly different order as San Diego edged Hollywood by a game for first, while San Francisco and Oakland took the final two playoff spots.

For the second year in a row, Oakland knocked off the regular-season PCL champion in the first round, sinking San Diego in seven games, while San Francisco silenced the Stars in a six-game series win over Hollywood. The two Bay Area teams matched up for a second year in a row in the PCL Finals, but once more, the Seals wound up on top, chopping down the Oaks in five games to take their second straight PCL crown.

Down in the Texas League, once more Galveston dominated, winning 106 games, while Wichita finished second in the South with 94 wins. El Paso again dominated an otherwise weak North, winning 97 games while Oklahoma City earned a playoff bid at 81-81.

OKC gave El Paso all they could handle, but the Texas took care of the Indians in a seven-game series, while Galveston defeated Wichita in six games. The Hurricanes then defeated El Paso in another six-game tilt to earn their second-straight Texas League crown.

In the national tournament, the Toronto Maple Leafs (NOR) defeated Atlanta Crackers (SOU), while at the same time, the Galveston Hurricanes (TL) defeat the San Francisco Seals (PCL), becoming just the second Texas League club to reach the National Championship series. However, the Hurricanes would have to settle for just U.S. champions and not United States Baseball Federation champions, as the Toronto Maple Leafs (NOR) defeat the Galveston Hurricanes (TL), 4-0, earning their first National Championship and becoming the first Canadian champion of the USBF.

In the Northern Conference, 23-year-old Manhattan outfielder Cory Gilmore exploded onto the scene, as the rookie (and Rookie of the Year) won the Conference batting crown (.339) and led the NC in hits (211), runs (126), and RBI (135), adding 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 33 homers as he earned MVP honors as well.

A pair of sluggers reached the 300-homer barrier, as Milwaukee slugger Aaron Vergara reached that benchmark on May 21, while Detroit third baseman Felipe Meneses hit his milestone blast on July 14.

New York righty Didier Le Guen had been solid for several seasons for the Gothams but finally earned more wide-spread recognition, as he went 19-11 with a 2.71 ERA, led the conference in starts (36) and innings (276.0) and struck out a career-high 185 batters.

St. Louis outfielder Eli Harrington made 13 straight All-Star teams from 1957-69, but reached his apex this season, as the 28-year-old slashed .327/.397/.644 with 190 hits, 105 runs, 27 doubles, and a Southern Conference-leading 51 homers and 139 RBI to take home MVP honors.

For a third year in a row, Allen Staub took home Pitcher of the Year as St. Louis swept both major awards despite missing the playoffs. Staub took a step back from his incredible 1959 season, but went 23-10 with a 2.92 ERA, leading the South in wins, innings (311.0), and complete games (23), while striking out a career-high 181 batters.

In the Pacific Coast League, Seattle centerfielder Jarrett Messing took home MVP for the second time in four years. As he did three years earlier, Messing led the PCL in hits (242) and won the batting title (.338), while adding 103 runs, 36 doubles, 14 triples, 27 homers, and 122 RBI.

San Diego right-hander Lyle Graham didn't make the majors until he was 30, but in his debut season, he went 20-9 with a PCL-best 2.77 ERA, logging 301.2 innings as he earned a surprise PCL Pitcher of the Year honor. Graham won 20 games again the following year, but quickly fell off the map and won just 65 big-league games in his career.

Two PCL boppers also reached 300 homers, as Hollywood's David Bruer connected for his on April 12, early in a 41-homer, 147-RBI campaign. Oakland's John DeNoia then capped off a PCL-leading 43-homer season with his 300th on September 28.

Down in Texas, Galveston superstar Joel Zielinski won his second MVP award four years after his first, slashing .342/.391/.558 with a league-leading 212 hits, 93 runs, 28 doubles, 32 homers, and a TL-best 113 RBI. The 32-year-old had one more truly elite season in him (123 RBI the following season) before beginning his decline, but he remained an All-Star-caliber player for another decade.

Another Hurricane earned a second major honor, as 1957 Pitcher of the Year Leo Dufour earned a POTY nod for the second time. The Canadian native had embraced the final days of the so-called Free State of Galveston (not without scrutiny from the USBF) to earn the endearing, if questionable, nickname of "Gigolo". Dufour went 18-4 with a 2.96 ERA, leading the TL in wins and innings (255.1) to take the crown.

The Northern Conference elected a four-time MVP and the USBF's all-time leader in walks (2,223) and on-base percentage (.446) to the Hall of Fame:

OF James Najera (1943-58), 96.7%

---

In year #7, the American Baseball League finally crowned a third different champion. Miami edged New Haven for the East title, while Austin and Salt Lake City took the West playoff spots as Spokane missed the playoffs for the first time. New Haven took down Austin in five games, while Miami defeated Salt Lake City in six games. The Gators then took a bite out of the Weavers in seven games, earning their first ABL crown. The league membership also looked different as Corpus Christi, the most surprising charter city, was gone after just six seasons, moving to Albuquerque to become the Albuquerque Dukes.

Second-year Salt Lake City outfielder Willie Ruiz took MVP honors, as the 28-year-old slashed .318/.396/.568, swatting 188 hits, scoring 95 times, and leading the ABL with 43 doubles, 35 homers, and 108 RBI. For the second year straight (and third time overall), Miami ace Jacob Garrett earned Pitcher of the Year, going 25-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 380 strikeouts, leading the ABL in wins, starts (39), innings (331.2), and complete games (21).

Amazingly, Garrett did not lead the ABL in strikeouts, as New Haven rookie right-hander Kyle Gallagher struck out 384 batters, while also going 17-10 with a 2.23 ERA. For reasons unknown to anyone, despite pitching 15 more seasons (including in all four Major Leagues), Gallagher started exactly ONE more game after 1960.

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Montgomery Generals, 91-63, defeats Baton Rouge
Colonial League: Lowell Blue Sox, 85-55, defeats Pittsfield
River Valley League: Evansville Bees, 93-47, defeats Toledo (4th straight)
Rocky Mountain League: Cheyenne Bulls, 67-59, defeats Pueblo
Coastal League: Augusta Rebels, 90-64, defeats Charleston
Northern League: Cedar Rapids, 79-61, defeats Fargo-Moorhead
Great Lakes League: Akron Rubbermen, 92-48, defeats Youngstown
Southwest League: Santa Barbara Foresters, 102-52, defeats Bakersfield
Southern Association: Little Rock Travelers, 79-62, defeats Shreveport
Northwest League: Stockton Condors, 82-58, defeats Victoria
Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 79-47, defeats Portland (4th straight)
Mid-Atlantic League: Greensboro Patriots, 80-60, defeats Atlantic City
Lone Star League: Waco Twisters, 81-60, defeats San Angelo
Great Plains League: St. Paul Saints, 80-60, defeats Thunder Bay
Florida Coast League: Pensacola Privateers, 82-58, defeats Huntsville

12-18-2024, 03:05 PM	#70
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	Turning Over a New Leaf 1960 The 60's dawned in a similar way that the 50's ended: with Manhattan on top of the Eastern League with a 99-63 record. Notably, the New York Gothams finished second, earning their first playoff berth after a 13-year drought. On the other side of the Northern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs cruised to the Midwest Association title, ten games ahead of Cleveland, who outlasted Milwaukee by a pair of games to make it back to the postseason for the second time in three years. New York pulled an upset over Manhattan in five games, while Toronto defeated Cleveland, also in five games. The Maple Leafs and Gothams then tussled for seven games, but Toronto emerged victorious. In the Southern Conference, Atlanta took the Eastern League, one game ahead of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who christened the revolutionary Dodger Dome with a 23-game improvement and a playoff berth, their first since joining the big-league ranks two years earlier and the first for a Brooklyn squad since 1919. Meanwhile, the Western League had an outstanding four-team race that ended with Kansas City and Omaha in a dead-heat at 98-64 for the two playoff spots. One year after winning 114 games, St. Louis was out of the playoffs at 96-66, and New Orleans was only one game behind them In the West, the Blues hammered the Golden Spikes into the ground, as Kansas City swept Omaha in four games. Atlanta, meanwhile, also swept Brooklyn. The Crackers then dispatched Kansas City in six games to win the South. The Pacific Coast League saw the same four playoff teams as the prior season, though in a slightly different order as San Diego edged Hollywood by a game for first, while San Francisco and Oakland took the final two playoff spots. For the second year in a row, Oakland knocked off the regular-season PCL champion in the first round, sinking San Diego in seven games, while San Francisco silenced the Stars in a six-game series win over Hollywood. The two Bay Area teams matched up for a second year in a row in the PCL Finals, but once more, the Seals wound up on top, chopping down the Oaks in five games to take their second straight PCL crown. Down in the Texas League, once more Galveston dominated, winning 106 games, while Wichita finished second in the South with 94 wins. El Paso again dominated an otherwise weak North, winning 97 games while Oklahoma City earned a playoff bid at 81-81. OKC gave El Paso all they could handle, but the Texas took care of the Indians in a seven-game series, while Galveston defeated Wichita in six games. The Hurricanes then defeated El Paso in another six-game tilt to earn their second-straight Texas League crown. In the national tournament, the Toronto Maple Leafs (NOR) defeated Atlanta Crackers (SOU), while at the same time, the Galveston Hurricanes (TL) defeat the San Francisco Seals (PCL), becoming just the second Texas League club to reach the National Championship series. However, the Hurricanes would have to settle for just U.S. champions and not United States Baseball Federation champions, as the *Toronto Maple Leafs (NOR) defeat the Galveston Hurricanes (TL), 4-0, earning their first National Championship and becoming the first Canadian champion of the USBF. In the Northern Conference, 23-year-old Manhattan outfielder Cory Gilmore* exploded onto the scene, as the rookie (and Rookie of the Year) won the Conference batting crown (.339) and led the NC in hits (211), runs (126), and RBI (135), adding 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 33 homers as he earned MVP honors as well. A pair of sluggers reached the 300-homer barrier, as Milwaukee slugger Aaron Vergara reached that benchmark on May 21, while Detroit third baseman Felipe Meneses hit his milestone blast on July 14. New York righty Didier Le Guen had been solid for several seasons for the Gothams but finally earned more wide-spread recognition, as he went 19-11 with a 2.71 ERA, led the conference in starts (36) and innings (276.0) and struck out a career-high 185 batters. St. Louis outfielder Eli Harrington made 13 straight All-Star teams from 1957-69, but reached his apex this season, as the 28-year-old slashed .327/.397/.644 with 190 hits, 105 runs, 27 doubles, and a Southern Conference-leading 51 homers and 139 RBI to take home MVP honors. For a third year in a row, Allen Staub took home Pitcher of the Year as St. Louis swept both major awards despite missing the playoffs. Staub took a step back from his incredible 1959 season, but went 23-10 with a 2.92 ERA, leading the South in wins, innings (311.0), and complete games (23), while striking out a career-high 181 batters. In the Pacific Coast League, Seattle centerfielder Jarrett Messing took home MVP for the second time in four years. As he did three years earlier, Messing led the PCL in hits (242) and won the batting title (.338), while adding 103 runs, 36 doubles, 14 triples, 27 homers, and 122 RBI. San Diego right-hander Lyle Graham didn't make the majors until he was 30, but in his debut season, he went 20-9 with a PCL-best 2.77 ERA, logging 301.2 innings as he earned a surprise PCL Pitcher of the Year honor. Graham won 20 games again the following year, but quickly fell off the map and won just 65 big-league games in his career. Two PCL boppers also reached 300 homers, as Hollywood's David Bruer connected for his on April 12, early in a 41-homer, 147-RBI campaign. Oakland's John DeNoia then capped off a PCL-leading 43-homer season with his 300th on September 28. Down in Texas, Galveston superstar Joel Zielinski won his second MVP award four years after his first, slashing .342/.391/.558 with a league-leading 212 hits, 93 runs, 28 doubles, 32 homers, and a TL-best 113 RBI. The 32-year-old had one more truly elite season in him (123 RBI the following season) before beginning his decline, but he remained an All-Star-caliber player for another decade. Another Hurricane earned a second major honor, as 1957 Pitcher of the Year Leo Dufour earned a POTY nod for the second time. The Canadian native had embraced the final days of the so-called Free State of Galveston (not without scrutiny from the USBF) to earn the endearing, if questionable, nickname of "Gigolo". Dufour went 18-4 with a 2.96 ERA, leading the TL in wins and innings (255.1) to take the crown. The Northern Conference elected a four-time MVP and the USBF's all-time leader in walks (2,223) and on-base percentage (.446) to the Hall of Fame: OF James Najera (1943-58), 96.7% --- In year #7, the American Baseball League finally crowned a third different champion. Miami edged New Haven for the East title, while Austin and Salt Lake City took the West playoff spots as Spokane missed the playoffs for the first time. New Haven took down Austin in five games, while Miami defeated Salt Lake City in six games. The Gators then took a bite out of the Weavers in seven games, earning their first ABL crown. The league membership also looked different as Corpus Christi, the most surprising charter city, was gone after just six seasons, moving to Albuquerque to become the Albuquerque Dukes. Second-year Salt Lake City outfielder Willie Ruiz took MVP honors, as the 28-year-old slashed .318/.396/.568, swatting 188 hits, scoring 95 times, and leading the ABL with 43 doubles, 35 homers, and 108 RBI. For the second year straight (and third time overall), Miami ace Jacob Garrett earned Pitcher of the Year, going 25-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 380 strikeouts, leading the ABL in wins, starts (39), innings (331.2), and complete games (21). Amazingly, Garrett did not lead the ABL in strikeouts, as New Haven rookie right-hander Kyle Gallagher struck out 384 batters, while also going 17-10 with a 2.23 ERA. For reasons unknown to anyone, despite pitching 15 more seasons (including in all four Major Leagues), Gallagher started exactly ONE more game after 1960. --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Montgomery Generals, 91-63, defeats Baton Rouge Colonial League: Lowell Blue Sox, 85-55, defeats Pittsfield River Valley League: Evansville Bees, 93-47, defeats Toledo (4th straight) Rocky Mountain League: Cheyenne Bulls, 67-59, defeats Pueblo Coastal League: Augusta Rebels, 90-64, defeats Charleston Northern League: Cedar Rapids, 79-61, defeats Fargo-Moorhead Great Lakes League: Akron Rubbermen, 92-48, defeats Youngstown Southwest League: Santa Barbara Foresters, 102-52, defeats Bakersfield Southern Association: Little Rock Travelers, 79-62, defeats Shreveport Northwest League: Stockton Condors, 82-58, defeats Victoria Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 79-47, defeats Portland (4th straight) Mid-Atlantic League: Greensboro Patriots, 80-60, defeats Atlantic City Lone Star League: Waco Twisters, 81-60, defeats San Angelo Great Plains League: St. Paul Saints, 80-60, defeats Thunder Bay Florida Coast League: Pensacola Privateers, 82-58, defeats Huntsville Last edited by KCRoyals15; 12-20-2024 at 11:56 PM.