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KCRoyals15 · 12-21-2024, 02:02 AM

1964

After one year, a Texas League title, and the highest-attended season in TL history, Skipper Jr. has seen enough of the Dallas Lone Stars. For the second winter in a row, he is on the move, as he crosses the Red River to go livin' on Tulsa Time (nevermind the song of that name was still 15 years away) as the new manager of the Tulsa Oilers.

After being demoted to the American Baseball League upon its founding in 1954, the Miami Gators spent the rest of the 50's where they spent most of their big-league lifespan: the basement. But the last five seasons had seen them build a truly major-league caliber organization from the roster to the financial side.

The Southern Conference was interested in welcoming back the Gators to the big leagues, and support to re-admit them to the Eastern League was strong. The previous season, the Salt Lake City manager proclaimed he had "beat a big-league club" in the ABL finals, and he was indeed proven right.

It was believed that the Bees would be the logical second team to join the major-league ranks, also getting a second chance after being demoted in 1954. However, an organization perceived to be weaker both on and off the field got the call instead: Miami's in-state rival, the Tampa Tarpons would be the second team joining the Miami Gators in the Eastern League.

On the other hand, more Eastern Baseball Federation clubs were struggling, and so not just two clubs moved to the ABL to make room for the Florida expansion, four teams got the boot. The Denver Bears and Minneapolis Millers had both struggled for decades in the South, so their demotions were not surprising. The Pittsburgh Ironmen had not made the playoffs since 1900, so they were an easy target to depart the North. Lastly, the Newark Eagles, somewhat surprisingly, went downwards from the South, despite a longer and more recent track record of success.

With three Southern clubs moving down and just one out of the Northern Conference, the decision was made to move the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Eastern League in the South to the New England League in the North, a move that the organization unilaterally approved to place them with their two inner-city rivals.

The end result was notable in that it left the Northern Conference with 16 teams and the Southern Conference with 14 squads, the first time the EBF has had conferences of different sizes. While the two South leagues were both seven teams each, schedules already interlocked between the two leagues, making those issues easy to work around.

As such, the new EBF looked like this:

Northern Conference

Southern Conference

Likewise, the new ABL, now at it's largest size ever with 14 teams, shaped up as such:

American Baseball League

After a slight re-tooling, the new-look New England was taken by storm by the Brooklyn Dodgers, who crashed the party by winning the pennant in their first year back in the NEL. In addition to their new league and division title, the season was also notable as the Dodgers finally said goodbye to dilapidated Ebbets Field, moving into the ultra-modern Dodger Dome, the first full-sized indoor stadium in the world.

Manhattan outlasted Buffalo and New York to win to earn the second playoff spot, spoiling the first season for New York in brand-new Shea Stadium, where they decamped for after finally departing the decrepit Polo Grounds. Meanwhile, the Midwest Association was taken by Milwaukee, while the Chicago Whales edged out Toronto by a game for the second playoff spot.

In the playoffs, Brooklyn faced an in-city rival for the first time in postseason play and made the most of it, knocking off Manhattan in six games. Chicago, meanwhile, took down Milwaukee in seven games, then downed the Dodgers in six games to win the Northern Conference for the second time.

In the slimmed-down South, Miami's triumphant return to the majors saw them win the Eastern League, taking the flag by four games over Atlanta, who earned the second playoff bid. The Western League was once more dominated by St. Louis, who won an EBF-best 105 games. Kansas City improved by 30 games and cruised into second with 98 wins to earn their first playoff bid in four years.

Kansas City's return to October started off with a bang, as they sank St. Louis in seven games, while Miami took down Atlanta in five. The Gators then continued their return tour with a resounding five-game series win over the Blues to take their first Conference Championship.

Out in the PCL, an exciting three-team race took place, seeing San Diego and Seattle finish in a dead heat at 113-87, with Hollywood just one game back. Meanwhile, Oakland held off San Francisco by just one game for the final playoff spot. San Diego won a one-game tiebreaker for the regular-season crown.

With the one-game playoff effectively deciding the first round opponent and little more, San Diego was trounced in six games by Oakland, while the Rainiers made short work of Hollywood in a five-game set. Seattle then cruised past Oakland in five gamed to earn their first PCL title in 14 seasons.

In the Texas League, Dallas took the North Division for the second year in a row, while Skipper Jr. guided Tulsa to just 83 wins, but secured the second North playoff spot in his first season. The South saw Houston win their third straight division crown, with Galveston filing in behind them comfortably.

In the postseason, Galveston knocked off Houston in a surprising five-game set, but that paled in comparison to Tulsa's stunner, as the Oilers swept Dallas, then followed it up by defeating the Hurricanes in six games to earn their first-ever Texas League crown since joining the league in 1946.

In the National Championship tournament, the Oilers' surprising run came to a halt in the semifinals as the Seattle Rainiers (PCL) defeat Tulsa Oilers (TL). Meanwhile the magical run in Miami marched on, as the Miami Gators (SOU) defeat the Chicago Whales (NOR). The Gators, who were not good enough to win the American Baseball League the prior season, finished off their stunning season in style, as the Miami Gators (SOU) defeat the Seattle Rainiers (PCL), 4-1 to give Miami their first National Championship in their first season back in the majors.

Manhattan outfielder Cory Gilmore had won the Northern Conference MVP in '60 and '62. '64 was no exception, as he slashed .318/.361/.554 with 197 hits, 108 runs, 31 doubles, 33 homers, and 100 RBI to take his third MVP trophy.

His teammate Glenn Clark made a sparkling first impression, as the 26-year-old rookie went 20-10 with a 2.56 ERA, leading the North in wins and starts (36), while striking out 232 batters in 263.2 innings.

A pair of notable accomplishments occurred in the North, as Milwaukee's Aaron Vergara became the first Eastern Baseball Federation hitter to reach 400 homers, doing so early on with a blast on April 7. Almost exactly four months later, Albany right-hander Todd Nielson, near the end of a 15-year career, had his day in the sun, Despite striking out just one batter, the journeyman set down all 27 Manhattan Yankees on August 6, throwing 94 pitches in his masterpiece, the first EBF perfecto in five seasons.

Jacksonville second baseman Steve Bishop was no stranger to the Southern Conference MVP trophy, but for the first time, he took home back-to-back awards, and his fourth MVP overall. Still just 29, Bishop slashed .309/.389/.586 with 179 hits, a conference-best 107 runs, 28 doubles, 11 triples, 37 homers, 116 RBI, and 24 steals.

On the mound, Miami lefty Jacob Garrett debuted in the majors with a mediocre 1953 season as a 22-year-old. After a decade of dominance in the ABL, he was a big leaguer once more and the 33-year-old proved he could dominate the very best, going 23-4 with a South-leading 1.96 ERA, while striking out 219 over 271.1 innings. It was Garrett's sixth and final Pitcher of the Year trophy—but his first and only as a major leaguer.

In the PCL, a new force was emerging at the plate in the form of free-swinging Seattle shortstop Joseph Miller. After a pair of 40-homer seasons his first two years, the 27-year-old Georgia native blasted a PCL-best 54 homers and 148 RBI, scoring 115 times and rapping 179 hits. Despite batting just .247 and striking out 230 times (the most in the Live Ball era by a PCL batter), voters were undeterred in selecting Miller for MVP.

A familiar face was again selected by Pitcher of the Year voters, as Dusty Richardson made it four POTY trophies in four big-league seasons, going 25-13 with a 2.07 ERA, leading the league in wins, ERA, starts (43), and shutouts (5), while striking out 262 over 343.2 innings.

Down in Texas, the first big-league MVP in Texas League history made a return to the top of the ballot nearly a decade later. Nine years after his first trophy, Houston first baseman John Schellhammer won his second, winning the TL batting crown at .334 with 192 hits, 23 doubles, 20 homers, and 94 RBI. Not only that, but he moved full-time to first base and won the first (and only) Great Glove of his career as well, adding another award for the man who would ultimately suit up for 19 years in Houston.

Meanwhile, there was no surprise on the Pitcher of the Year ballot. For the second year in a row, it was Oklahoma City right-hander Roy Hendricks, who went 20-10 with a 2.42 ERA, leading the TL in wins for the third year in a row, as well as ERA, starts (35), innings (278.2), and shutouts (5), while striking out 205 batters.

---

The American Baseball League had lost two of it's stronger teams, but it's two winningest ones remained, and indeed New Haven and Spokane took the division titles. Minneapolis took the second East playoff spot, their first playoff spot since 1952, while San Jose stepped into the void in the West, earning their second-ever playoff spot, and first since 1955.

Spokane took care of Minneapolis in the first round, while San Jose pulled off an upset over New Haven. The Gulls were not done, as they took down the other major power, sweeping the Spokane Indians in the finals for their first American Baseball Cup.

After three straight MVPs won by pitchers, Spokane outfielder Chris Juliano ended that run by slashing .299/.389/.584 with 27 doubles, and leading the league with 37 homers and driving in 102 runs, despite missing roughly the final month of the season. Pittsburgh righty Cody Dickson was a middling big-league arm, but the step down in competition helped him tremendously. After going 28-55 his previous five seasons, the 27-year-old went 22-9 with a 2.35 ERA, leading the ABL in starts (38), innings (317.2) and strikeouts (330) to earn Pitcher of the Year.

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Chattanooga Lookouts, 101-53, defeats Jackson (3rd straight)
Colonial League: Worcester Tornadoes, 93-47, defeats Pittsfield (2nd straight)
River Valley League: Evansville Bees, 87-53, defeats Peoria
Rocky Mountain League: Great Falls Explorers, 71-56, defeats Ogden
Coastal League: Augusta Rebels, 98-56, defeats Macon (5th straight)
Northern League: Fargo-Moorhead Indians, 94-46, defeats Sioux Falls (4th straight)
Great Lakes League: Akron Rubbermen, 95-45, defeats Allentown
Southwest League: Fresno Suns, 90-64, defeats Bakersfield
Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 81-59, defeats Joplin
Northwest League: Victoria Trappers, 73-67, defeats Tacoma
Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 74-52, defeats Quebec
Mid-Atlantic League: Charleston (WV) Coal Sox, 75-65, defeats Trenton (2nd straight)
Lone Star League: Midland-Odessa Panthers, 79-61, defeats Laredo
Great Plains League: St. Paul Saints, 94-46, defeats Salina (2nd straight)
Florida Coast League: Columbus Catfish, 80-60, defeats St. Petersburg

12-21-2024, 02:02 AM	#74
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	Gator Bait 1964 After one year, a Texas League title, and the highest-attended season in TL history, Skipper Jr. has seen enough of the Dallas Lone Stars. For the second winter in a row, he is on the move, as he crosses the Red River to go livin' on Tulsa Time (nevermind the song of that name was still 15 years away) as the new manager of the Tulsa Oilers. After being demoted to the American Baseball League upon its founding in 1954, the Miami Gators spent the rest of the 50's where they spent most of their big-league lifespan: the basement. But the last five seasons had seen them build a truly major-league caliber organization from the roster to the financial side. The Southern Conference was interested in welcoming back the Gators to the big leagues, and support to re-admit them to the Eastern League was strong. The previous season, the Salt Lake City manager proclaimed he had "beat a big-league club" in the ABL finals, and he was indeed proven right. It was believed that the Bees would be the logical second team to join the major-league ranks, also getting a second chance after being demoted in 1954. However, an organization perceived to be weaker both on and off the field got the call instead: Miami's in-state rival, the *Tampa Tarpons* would be the second team joining the *Miami Gators* in the Eastern League. On the other hand, more Eastern Baseball Federation clubs were struggling, and so not just two clubs moved to the ABL to make room for the Florida expansion, four teams got the boot. The Denver Bears and Minneapolis Millers had both struggled for decades in the South, so their demotions were not surprising. The Pittsburgh Ironmen had not made the playoffs since 1900, so they were an easy target to depart the North. Lastly, the Newark Eagles, somewhat surprisingly, went downwards from the South, despite a longer and more recent track record of success. With three Southern clubs moving down and just one out of the Northern Conference, the decision was made to move the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Eastern League in the South to the New England League in the North, a move that the organization unilaterally approved to place them with their two inner-city rivals. The end result was notable in that it left the Northern Conference with 16 teams and the Southern Conference with 14 squads, the first time the EBF has had conferences of different sizes. While the two South leagues were both seven teams each, schedules already interlocked between the two leagues, making those issues easy to work around. As such, the new EBF looked like this: Northern Conference Southern Conference Likewise, the new ABL, now at it's largest size ever with 14 teams, shaped up as such: American Baseball League After a slight re-tooling, the new-look New England was taken by storm by the Brooklyn Dodgers, who crashed the party by winning the pennant in their first year back in the NEL. In addition to their new league and division title, the season was also notable as the Dodgers finally said goodbye to dilapidated Ebbets Field, moving into the ultra-modern Dodger Dome, the first full-sized indoor stadium in the world. Manhattan outlasted Buffalo and New York to win to earn the second playoff spot, spoiling the first season for New York in brand-new Shea Stadium, where they decamped for after finally departing the decrepit Polo Grounds. Meanwhile, the Midwest Association was taken by Milwaukee, while the Chicago Whales edged out Toronto by a game for the second playoff spot. In the playoffs, Brooklyn faced an in-city rival for the first time in postseason play and made the most of it, knocking off Manhattan in six games. Chicago, meanwhile, took down Milwaukee in seven games, then downed the Dodgers in six games to win the Northern Conference for the second time. In the slimmed-down South, Miami's triumphant return to the majors saw them win the Eastern League, taking the flag by four games over Atlanta, who earned the second playoff bid. The Western League was once more dominated by St. Louis, who won an EBF-best 105 games. Kansas City improved by 30 games and cruised into second with 98 wins to earn their first playoff bid in four years. Kansas City's return to October started off with a bang, as they sank St. Louis in seven games, while Miami took down Atlanta in five. The Gators then continued their return tour with a resounding five-game series win over the Blues to take their first Conference Championship. Out in the PCL, an exciting three-team race took place, seeing San Diego and Seattle finish in a dead heat at 113-87, with Hollywood just one game back. Meanwhile, Oakland held off San Francisco by just one game for the final playoff spot. San Diego won a one-game tiebreaker for the regular-season crown. With the one-game playoff effectively deciding the first round opponent and little more, San Diego was trounced in six games by Oakland, while the Rainiers made short work of Hollywood in a five-game set. Seattle then cruised past Oakland in five gamed to earn their first PCL title in 14 seasons. In the Texas League, Dallas took the North Division for the second year in a row, while Skipper Jr. guided Tulsa to just 83 wins, but secured the second North playoff spot in his first season. The South saw Houston win their third straight division crown, with Galveston filing in behind them comfortably. In the postseason, Galveston knocked off Houston in a surprising five-game set, but that paled in comparison to Tulsa's stunner, as the Oilers swept Dallas, then followed it up by defeating the Hurricanes in six games to earn their first-ever Texas League crown since joining the league in 1946. In the National Championship tournament, the Oilers' surprising run came to a halt in the semifinals as the Seattle Rainiers (PCL) defeat Tulsa Oilers (TL). Meanwhile the magical run in Miami marched on, as the Miami Gators (SOU) defeat the Chicago Whales (NOR). The Gators, who were not good enough to win the American Baseball League the prior season, finished off their stunning season in style, as the *Miami Gators (SOU) defeat the Seattle Rainiers (PCL), 4-1* to give Miami their first National Championship in their first season back in the majors. Manhattan outfielder Cory Gilmore had won the Northern Conference MVP in '60 and '62. '64 was no exception, as he slashed .318/.361/.554 with 197 hits, 108 runs, 31 doubles, 33 homers, and 100 RBI to take his third MVP trophy. His teammate Glenn Clark made a sparkling first impression, as the 26-year-old rookie went 20-10 with a 2.56 ERA, leading the North in wins and starts (36), while striking out 232 batters in 263.2 innings. A pair of notable accomplishments occurred in the North, as Milwaukee's Aaron Vergara became the first Eastern Baseball Federation hitter to reach 400 homers, doing so early on with a blast on April 7. Almost exactly four months later, Albany right-hander Todd Nielson, near the end of a 15-year career, had his day in the sun, Despite striking out just one batter, the journeyman set down all 27 Manhattan Yankees on August 6, throwing 94 pitches in his masterpiece, the first EBF perfecto in five seasons. Jacksonville second baseman Steve Bishop was no stranger to the Southern Conference MVP trophy, but for the first time, he took home back-to-back awards, and his fourth MVP overall. Still just 29, Bishop slashed .309/.389/.586 with 179 hits, a conference-best 107 runs, 28 doubles, 11 triples, 37 homers, 116 RBI, and 24 steals. On the mound, Miami lefty Jacob Garrett debuted in the majors with a mediocre 1953 season as a 22-year-old. After a decade of dominance in the ABL, he was a big leaguer once more and the 33-year-old proved he could dominate the very best, going 23-4 with a South-leading 1.96 ERA, while striking out 219 over 271.1 innings. It was Garrett's sixth and final Pitcher of the Year trophy—but his first and only as a major leaguer. In the PCL, a new force was emerging at the plate in the form of free-swinging Seattle shortstop Joseph Miller. After a pair of 40-homer seasons his first two years, the 27-year-old Georgia native blasted a PCL-best 54 homers and 148 RBI, scoring 115 times and rapping 179 hits. Despite batting just .247 and striking out 230 times (the most in the Live Ball era by a PCL batter), voters were undeterred in selecting Miller for MVP. A familiar face was again selected by Pitcher of the Year voters, as Dusty Richardson made it four POTY trophies in four big-league seasons, going 25-13 with a 2.07 ERA, leading the league in wins, ERA, starts (43), and shutouts (5), while striking out 262 over 343.2 innings. Down in Texas, the first big-league MVP in Texas League history made a return to the top of the ballot nearly a decade later. Nine years after his first trophy, Houston first baseman John Schellhammer won his second, winning the TL batting crown at .334 with 192 hits, 23 doubles, 20 homers, and 94 RBI. Not only that, but he moved full-time to first base and won the first (and only) Great Glove of his career as well, adding another award for the man who would ultimately suit up for 19 years in Houston. Meanwhile, there was no surprise on the Pitcher of the Year ballot. For the second year in a row, it was Oklahoma City right-hander Roy Hendricks, who went 20-10 with a 2.42 ERA, leading the TL in wins for the third year in a row, as well as ERA, starts (35), innings (278.2), and shutouts (5), while striking out 205 batters. --- The American Baseball League had lost two of it's stronger teams, but it's two winningest ones remained, and indeed New Haven and Spokane took the division titles. Minneapolis took the second East playoff spot, their first playoff spot since 1952, while San Jose stepped into the void in the West, earning their second-ever playoff spot, and first since 1955. Spokane took care of Minneapolis in the first round, while San Jose pulled off an upset over New Haven. The Gulls were not done, as they took down the other major power, sweeping the Spokane Indians in the finals for their first American Baseball Cup. After three straight MVPs won by pitchers, Spokane outfielder Chris Juliano ended that run by slashing .299/.389/.584 with 27 doubles, and leading the league with 37 homers and driving in 102 runs, despite missing roughly the final month of the season. Pittsburgh righty Cody Dickson was a middling big-league arm, but the step down in competition helped him tremendously. After going 28-55 his previous five seasons, the 27-year-old went 22-9 with a 2.35 ERA, leading the ABL in starts (38), innings (317.2) and strikeouts (330) to earn Pitcher of the Year. --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Chattanooga Lookouts, 101-53, defeats Jackson (3rd straight) Colonial League: Worcester Tornadoes, 93-47, defeats Pittsfield (2nd straight) River Valley League: Evansville Bees, 87-53, defeats Peoria Rocky Mountain League: Great Falls Explorers, 71-56, defeats Ogden Coastal League: Augusta Rebels, 98-56, defeats Macon (5th straight) Northern League: Fargo-Moorhead Indians, 94-46, defeats Sioux Falls (4th straight) Great Lakes League: Akron Rubbermen, 95-45, defeats Allentown Southwest League: Fresno Suns, 90-64, defeats Bakersfield Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 81-59, defeats Joplin Northwest League: Victoria Trappers, 73-67, defeats Tacoma Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 74-52, defeats Quebec Mid-Atlantic League: Charleston (WV) Coal Sox, 75-65, defeats Trenton (2nd straight) Lone Star League: Midland-Odessa Panthers, 79-61, defeats Laredo Great Plains League: St. Paul Saints, 94-46, defeats Salina (2nd straight) Florida Coast League: Columbus Catfish, 80-60, defeats St. Petersburg Last edited by KCRoyals15; 12-21-2024 at 12:39 PM.