OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - British Baseball Reborn: 1950

Haystacks · 01-22-2025, 02:14 PM

National League

Player of the Year

He's only 26 years old, but James O'Toole of the Manchester Elephants has clearly established himself as a star of British Baseball Association, with the potential to dominate for many years.

His status grew today as the two-way ace was named the winner of the National League Player of the Year Award for a second consecutive year.

"I just want to play well and win games," he said. "The awards are nice though."

O'Toole's award-winning season saw him put up a 29-3 record through 34 starts, throwing 310 innings. He had 241 strikeouts with 68 walks and a 1.13 ERA. Opponents hit only .179 against him during the season. In the batters box Bad Jimmy, as he's known to teammates, faired well, not as dominant as in 1952, but a consistent contributor to his team. In 427 at bats, 135 hits were registered, 9 doubles and 9 home runs with an average of .316. He scored 65 runs, and batted in 36.

He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Jack Barclay of the Edinburgh Cannons finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Trevor Summers of the Edinburgh Cannons finished third.

Pitcher of the Year

Another case of two in a row for O'Toole!

Pitching stats above, James O'Toole received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Danny Sirmond of the Liverpool Giants finished second in voting, while Richard Miller of the Manchester Elephants finished third.

Rookie of the Year

Daniel Williamson, shortstop for the Manchester Elephants, has won the National League Rookie of the Year Award for 1952 after putting up a good freshman year. The 24-year old, Dudley native, was discovered by Elephants scouts as they scoured the amateur midlands competitions in the summer of 1951.

In 130 games, Williamson hit at a .292 clip with 148 hits in 507 at-bats and 12 home runs, drove in 65 runs and scored 73 times.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Oliver Grant of the Leeds White Sox finished second in voting, while Eddie Ireland of the Manchester Elephants finished third.

Manager of the Year

When Dennis Dickerson was hired to lead the Manchester Elephants, fans were expecting improvement over the last manager. Today, flanked by team officials, Dickerson accepted the National League Manager of the Year Award, noting the level of passion for the Manchester Elephants.

"The biggest challenge was the fans. I don't know how many times I was asked, if I thought the club was good enough. It was as if they expected failure. It was much easier to win over the ballplayers. Slowly but surely the fans began to believe in us."

Dickerson led Manchester to a first place finish in the National League. The Elephants ended up with a 86-46 record.

Great Glove Award

Good defence can be the difference between taking the championship and coming in second. The National League announced its top defenders at each position today. Here are the Great Glove Award winners for 1952:

Pitcher
James O'Toole (Manchester Elephants)

Catcher
Patrick Dowell (Liverpool Giants)

First Baseman
Ronald Wraight (Bristol Pirates)

Second Baseman
Trevor Summers (Edinburgh Cannons)

Third Baseman
Daniel Williamson (Manchester Elephants)

Shortstop
Bert Wood (Liverpool Giants)

Left Fielder
James O'Toole (Manchester Elephants)

Center Fielder
Christopher McNeil (Leeds White Sox)

Right Fielder
Joseph Pallett (London Monarchs)

The Union League

Player of the Year

Quinlisk Duffy has been around baseball enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one first-hand all year. For his standout run through the 1952 season, he's taking home the Player of the Year Award in the Union League.

The Blackpool third baseman put up a batting average of .328 with 13 doubles, 4 triples, 31 home runs and 95 RBIs.

His 31 home runs a new record for both professional leagues, and don't let the longer season fool you. Quinlisk missed over 5 weeks with a leg injury, the slugger set that new record in one fewer game appearances than Gael Keith's 99 when he recorded 29 home runs in 1951.

He received 14 first place votes out of a possible 16. Aidan Iles of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Edward Taylor of the Croydon Capitals finished third with 1 first place vote.

Pitcher of the Year

Freddie Richardson walked away with the top pitching honors in the Union League this year. The Cardiff Dragons starter was named the Pitcher of the Year Award winner for 1952 earlier today.

This outstanding 29-year-old hurler fashioned a fine 23-8 won-lost record in 34 starts. He threw 280 innings, giving up 266 hits and 86 walks and holding opponents to a .248 average. Richardson struck out 134 and posted a 2.89 ERA.

He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Harrison Taylor of the Bradford Boars finished second in voting, while Alan Murphy of the Croydon Capitals finished third with 1 first place vote.

Rookie of the Year

It wasn't a stroke of good luck that got Croydon's Edward Taylor the 1952 Union League Rookie of the Year Award, it was his skill on the field. The gifted centre fielder performed well with a .283 batting average, while playing in 128 games and delivering 139 hits in 491 at-bats. His totals also included 17 home runs, 86 RBIs, 88 runs scored, 63 walks and a .366 OBP.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Robbie Cowley of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting, while Alan Murphy of the Croydon Capitals finished third.

Manager of the Year

An outstanding season by the Capitals garnered their manager Patrick Cole the Union League Manager of the Year award for 1952. He led Croydon to a 79-54 record this year and a first place finish in the Union League.

Cole had gave no comment on the award, perhaps still stinging from the defeat in the Championship Series.

Great Glove

Any pitcher would love to have these defenders on the field backing them up. They are the best glovemen in the Union League for 1952. This year's Great Glove Award winners are:

Pitcher
Vincent Varney (Blackpool Excursions)

Catcher
Lewis Donald (Sheffield Steelmen)

First Baseman
Robert Alstom (Blackpool Excursions)

Second Baseman
Harold Harrison (Bradford Boars)

Third Baseman
Gideon McEwan (Hull Tigers)

Shortstop
Derry Michel (Cardiff Dragons)

Left Fielder
Jacob West (Sheffield Steelmen)

Center Fielder
Edward Taylor (Croydon Capitals)

Right Fielder
Carl Chandler (Leicester Foxes)

01-22-2025, 02:14 PM	#57
Haystacks Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 170	1952 End of Season Awards National League Player of the Year He's only 26 years old, but James O'Toole of the Manchester Elephants has clearly established himself as a star of British Baseball Association, with the potential to dominate for many years. His status grew today as the two-way ace was named the winner of the National League Player of the Year Award for a second consecutive year. "I just want to play well and win games," he said. "The awards are nice though." O'Toole's award-winning season saw him put up a 29-3 record through 34 starts, throwing 310 innings. He had 241 strikeouts with 68 walks and a 1.13 ERA. Opponents hit only .179 against him during the season. In the batters box Bad Jimmy, as he's known to teammates, faired well, not as dominant as in 1952, but a consistent contributor to his team. In 427 at bats, 135 hits were registered, 9 doubles and 9 home runs with an average of .316. He scored 65 runs, and batted in 36. He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Jack Barclay of the Edinburgh Cannons finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Trevor Summers of the Edinburgh Cannons finished third. Pitcher of the Year Another case of two in a row for O'Toole! Pitching stats above, James O'Toole received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Danny Sirmond of the Liverpool Giants finished second in voting, while Richard Miller of the Manchester Elephants finished third. Rookie of the Year Daniel Williamson, shortstop for the Manchester Elephants, has won the National League Rookie of the Year Award for 1952 after putting up a good freshman year. The 24-year old, Dudley native, was discovered by Elephants scouts as they scoured the amateur midlands competitions in the summer of 1951. In 130 games, Williamson hit at a .292 clip with 148 hits in 507 at-bats and 12 home runs, drove in 65 runs and scored 73 times. He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Oliver Grant of the Leeds White Sox finished second in voting, while Eddie Ireland of the Manchester Elephants finished third. Manager of the Year When Dennis Dickerson was hired to lead the Manchester Elephants, fans were expecting improvement over the last manager. Today, flanked by team officials, Dickerson accepted the National League Manager of the Year Award, noting the level of passion for the Manchester Elephants. "The biggest challenge was the fans. I don't know how many times I was asked, if I thought the club was good enough. It was as if they expected failure. It was much easier to win over the ballplayers. Slowly but surely the fans began to believe in us." Dickerson led Manchester to a first place finish in the National League. The Elephants ended up with a 86-46 record. Great Glove Award Good defence can be the difference between taking the championship and coming in second. The National League announced its top defenders at each position today. Here are the Great Glove Award winners for 1952: Pitcher James O'Toole (Manchester Elephants) Catcher Patrick Dowell (Liverpool Giants) First Baseman Ronald Wraight (Bristol Pirates) Second Baseman Trevor Summers (Edinburgh Cannons) Third Baseman Daniel Williamson (Manchester Elephants) Shortstop Bert Wood (Liverpool Giants) Left Fielder James O'Toole (Manchester Elephants) Center Fielder Christopher McNeil (Leeds White Sox) Right Fielder Joseph Pallett (London Monarchs) The Union League Player of the Year Quinlisk Duffy has been around baseball enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one first-hand all year. For his standout run through the 1952 season, he's taking home the Player of the Year Award in the Union League. The Blackpool third baseman put up a batting average of .328 with 13 doubles, 4 triples, 31 home runs and 95 RBIs. His 31 home runs a new record for both professional leagues, and don't let the longer season fool you. Quinlisk missed over 5 weeks with a leg injury, the slugger set that new record in one fewer game appearances than Gael Keith's 99 when he recorded 29 home runs in 1951. He received 14 first place votes out of a possible 16. Aidan Iles of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Edward Taylor of the Croydon Capitals finished third with 1 first place vote. Pitcher of the Year Freddie Richardson walked away with the top pitching honors in the Union League this year. The Cardiff Dragons starter was named the Pitcher of the Year Award winner for 1952 earlier today. This outstanding 29-year-old hurler fashioned a fine 23-8 won-lost record in 34 starts. He threw 280 innings, giving up 266 hits and 86 walks and holding opponents to a .248 average. Richardson struck out 134 and posted a 2.89 ERA. He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Harrison Taylor of the Bradford Boars finished second in voting, while Alan Murphy of the Croydon Capitals finished third with 1 first place vote. Rookie of the Year It wasn't a stroke of good luck that got Croydon's Edward Taylor the 1952 Union League Rookie of the Year Award, it was his skill on the field. The gifted centre fielder performed well with a .283 batting average, while playing in 128 games and delivering 139 hits in 491 at-bats. His totals also included 17 home runs, 86 RBIs, 88 runs scored, 63 walks and a .366 OBP. He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Robbie Cowley of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting, while Alan Murphy of the Croydon Capitals finished third. Manager of the Year An outstanding season by the Capitals garnered their manager Patrick Cole the Union League Manager of the Year award for 1952. He led Croydon to a 79-54 record this year and a first place finish in the Union League. Cole had gave no comment on the award, perhaps still stinging from the defeat in the Championship Series. Great Glove Any pitcher would love to have these defenders on the field backing them up. They are the best glovemen in the Union League for 1952. This year's Great Glove Award winners are: Pitcher Vincent Varney (Blackpool Excursions) Catcher Lewis Donald (Sheffield Steelmen) First Baseman Robert Alstom (Blackpool Excursions) Second Baseman Harold Harrison (Bradford Boars) Third Baseman Gideon McEwan (Hull Tigers) Shortstop Derry Michel (Cardiff Dragons) Left Fielder Jacob West (Sheffield Steelmen) Center Fielder Edward Taylor (Croydon Capitals) Right Fielder Carl Chandler (Leicester Foxes)