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

KCRoyals15 · 02-19-2025, 04:31 PM

2008

Two years after the institution of the amateur draft, the United States Baseball Federation made a slight change, re-ordering the draft to focus solely on team winning percentage, without consideration for postseason finish.

Otherwise, it was business as usual for a Federation that was seeing record profits amidst a large uptick in television money. In the earlier part of the decade, many weaker clubs were approaching a state of crisis due to rising salaries, but this had mostly been assuaged in the past couple years.

In the Northern Conference, the defending National Champions, the New York Gothams, continued their rampage through the Eastern League, winning their fourth-straight pennant and their 11th-straight playoff appearance by winning 111 games. The only race in the EL was for second, but it was a doozy, as four teams were in legitimate contention into the final week, finishing four games apart, with the Philadelphia A's edging out Manhattan by a game for the final playoff spot.

The Midwest Association also saw several teams in playoff contention and also had a race go down to the final day. Montreal nudged out Chicago to earn their fourth-straight playoff trip, while a race between Chicago and Cleveland went down to the wire, though the Whales finished a game out in front of the Spiders to earn their seventh-consecutive playoff berth, though Toronto was also just three back of Chicago.

In the League Finals, the two league winners moved on, with New York knocking off Philadelphia in six games, while Montreal and Chicago battled tooth-and-nail for seven games, with the Royals emerging on top. Montreal was against locked in a seven-game tussle in the Northern Championship, but the Gothams won the deciding game at Shea Stadium, giving New York their third conference title in four years.

The big story in the Southern Conference was that of the Norfolk Admirals, who spent all summer on a collision course with history. The Admirals entered the final weekend of the season with a chance to tie or surpass Milwaukee's Eastern Baseball Federation record of 119 wins set in 1973, but Norfolk lost two of three to bottom-dwelling Orlando to end the season, settling for a still-remarkable 118-44 record. The Admirals posted a +415 run differential and allowed 133 fewer runs than any other team, while also boasting the second highest-scoring offense in the conference. If the Top-10 All-Time Teams list were re-drafted, chances are this squad would be on it.

Outside of the Hampton Roads region, Atlanta won 102 games to finish a distant, comfortable second, their sixth-straight playoff appearance. In the Western League, New Orleans led the country in scoring and won 106 games to cruise to their third-straight WL crown. Meanwhile, the Omaha Golden Spikes emerged from a crowded four-team jumble over the final weeks to finish second, earning their first playoff spot since 1994.

On the flip side, the Denver Bears, who had never contended since re-emerging on the major league scene over a decade ago, posted a ghastly 6.81 team ERA and allowed over 1,100 runs on their way to a 44-118 finish.

All eyes were on Norfolk once the postseason got underway, and the Admirals took care of business in the League Finals, defeating Atlanta in five games. Meanwhile, Omaha dealt New Orleans an upset, overpowering the Pelicans in six games. The Golden Spikes, though, could not keep their surprise run going, as Norfolk ousted Omaha in six games to win their second Conference Championship in four seasons.

The Pacific Coast League featured a wild race in the North Division, where four teams were in the playoff hunt till the final weekend. Sacramento was just 106-94, but won the division for the first time in nine years and reached the postseason for the first time in five seasons. Meanwhile, Portland was the beneficiary of two improbable strokes of good luck: Oakland lost their final nine games and San Francisco lost their final four, while the Beavers finished 7-2, including a four-game sweep to end the season, finishing with their first winning season in nine years and improbably sneaking into the playoffs. The South was less dramatic, with Phoenix finishing first and making their 12th-straight playoff trip, while San Jose snagged second and their eighth-straight trip to the postseason.

In the Division Series, the North series was indicative of the regular season, with the series going the distance. In the end, Sacramento protected their home turf against Portland, winning game seven at ARCO Park. Meanwhile, San Jose, who finished three games behind Phoenix in the regular season, was three games better than them in the first round, winning a five-game set. The Gulls stayed hot through the Finals, sending Sacramento home with another five-game victory to lift San Jose to their second PCL crown in three years.

In the Texas League, the Dallas Lone Stars continued to be the class of the league, winning 109 games for a second year in a row and making their sixth-straight trip to the playoffs. After a couple Octobers at home, Tulsa returned to the playoffs, winning 99 games. In the South, Houston also won 99 games to cruise to a division crown (their fourth in a row), while San Antonio breezed into second to claim the last playoff spot.

The divisional round had little intrigue as the favorites won handily: Dallas dismantled Tulsa in a four-game sweep, and Houston swamped San Antonio in a five-game triumph. The Lone Star Series, though, saw an upset, as the Buffs downed the Lone Stars in six games, with Houston claiming their third TL title in four years.

In the national semifinals, a San Jose team that won 6 fewer games than Norfolk, but had 44 more losses, squared off as heavy underdogs. However, the Gulls slayed Goliath, trouncing the Admirals in a decisive five-game series. New York, meanwhile, bounced Houston in a much less surprising five-game series. San Jose slayed one giant, but they couldn't slay a second, as the Gothams, who had gone 72 years between titles, only had to wait a year this time, winning their second-straight National Championship and their sixth all-time.

With a National Championship team, it wasn't too surprising that the New York Gothams swept the two primary Northern Conference awards. Gothams centerfielder Greg Batchelor slashed .316/.421/.572 with 177 hits, a North-leading 135 runs, 43 doubles, and a career-high 35 homers and 121 RBI, earning him his second MVP trophy.

On the mound, 24-year-old New York righty Craig Wyse had posted seasons worthy of a Pitcher of the Year award in his first two seasons, only to be blocked by Chicago's Adrian Wright both times. This year, he finally got over the hump...halfway. As it turned out, Wyse and Wright tied atop of the POTY voting, meaning a trophy for each. Wyse went 22-2 with a 2.23 ERA (both North bests) and 183 strikeouts in 230.0 innings. Wright was 21-7 with a 2.75 ERA and also led the North with 240 strikeouts, 258.2 innings, 9 complete games, and 3 shutouts. With such a tough choice. Wright and Wyse were 1-2 on every ballot; each pitcher earned eight first-place votes and eight second-place votes. For Wyse, it was his first POTY, for Wright he won his sixth award in his seven-season career.

In the Southern Conference, it was appropriately a member of New Orleans' top-ranked offense who won MVP, though an unexpected member. 20-year-old Danny Vega, in his first full big-league season, slashed .323/.391/.565 with 188 hits, 126 runs, 27 doubles, 9 triples, 32 homers, and 110 RBI in his award-winning campaign.

Norfolk's 23-year-old ace Bryan Kohler finished a close second in MVP voting, but was a unanimous Pitcher of the Year. Bouncing back from a sophomore slump in 2007, the third-year pro went 26-4 with a 2.45 ERA (both conference bests) with 185 strikeouts in 231.0 innings. Kohler's 26 wins were the most by a non-PCL pitcher since 1959.

In the Pacific Coast League, San Francisco's Jordan Brewer returned to the top of the podium for the third time in his career. A repeat winner in 2004-05, the 29-year-old slashed .340/.434/.631 with 211 hits, 124 runs, 57 doubles, 6 triples, 37 home runs, 129 RBI, and 64 stolen bases to take his third MVP trophy.

For the second year in a row, a Phoenix fireballer earned his first Pitcher of the Year trophy. This time, it was 24-year-old righty Matt Simeroth, who won over 20 games for the fourth year in a row, going 20-12 with a 3.12 ERA, striking out 234 over 279.2 innings.

The PCL said goodbye to one of it's top arms of all time, as San Diego's Jody Hintz, just months after earning his 250th career win, hung it up at the age of 43 years old. Despite not debuting until he was 27, Hintz still won 257 games, struck out 2,948 batters and won six Pitcher of the Year awards.

In the Texas League, Tulsa third baseman Sean Hayden had never been more than a solid, if unspectacular, player over his first eight big league seasons. However, the 30-year-old, who had never hit more than 20 homers, exploded for a TL-leading 43 home runs and 120 RBI, to go along with a .313/.376/.581 slash line, 188 hits, 105 runs, 32 doubles, and his second Great Glove, earning him a surprising MVP award.

Houston righty David Rojas also fell in the category of solid, but unspectacular, but he found another gear after a trade from San Antonio to Houston late in 2007. The 33-year-old went 18-10 with a 3.12 ERA in his first full year in the Space City, leading the TL in wins and striking out 155 over 213.2 innings to take home his first Pitcher of the Year.

On Hall of Fame weekend, the Eastern Baseball Federation welcomed in a trio of pitchers; one Pitcher of the Year who was also a longtime dominant reliever and two more former Pitchers of the Year who were underrated ace-level pitchers for many years:

RP Ismael Villavicencio (1986-02), 98.8%
SP Mark Overton (1977-95), 77.1%
SP Hugh Marcotte (1978-97), 77.0%

The Texas League also inducted a pitcher, one who won a Pitcher of the Year and even in the later stages of his career was a key cog in the TL's greatest dynasty:

SP Jorge Matias (1982-98), 78.8%

---

In the American Baseball League, Charlotte posted the best season in franchise history, winning 106 games to finish atop the East. Richmond was a distant second, but it was tightly bunched from there, with four teams separated by five games. Ottawa and Raleigh-Durham finished third and fourth, with the Tar Heels edging out Syracuse by two games. In the West, Anaheim won 103 games and Las Vegas 100, with Minneapolis shooting up to third for their best record and highest finish since 1995. Memphis finished fourth, three games clear of Spokane. The ABL had a weird year where ten teams won at least 84 games (three over 100 wins), six teams lost at least 94 games (three over 100 losses)...and no one in between.

In the first round, Charlotte vanquished their in-state rivals in Raleigh in five games, as did Richmond against Ottawa. In the West, favorites Anaheim and Las Vegas each won six-game series over Minneapolis and Memphis. In the semifinals, Richmond upset Charlotte in seven games and Anaheim held off Las Vegas in six. The Giants had one more upset in them, sweeping the Amigos in the finals. After no titles in their first 31 ABL seasons, the Giants now were hoisting the American Baseball Cup for the second year in a row.

In the East, Richmond catcher Chris Hanson claimed MVP honors for the third time in four years, slashing .314/.432/.582 with 151 hits, 94 runs, 36 doubles, 31 homers, and 102 RBI for the ABL champs. On the mound, Raleigh-Durham's Chris Banks went 21-9 with a 3.58 ERA, leading the league with 261 strikeouts over 263.2 innings and logging 14 complete games as the 21-year-old won Pitcher of the Year.

In the West, Anaheim's Mike Parks enjoyed another strong season in a career full of them. The 29-year-old slashed .320/.375/.555 with league-high 193 hits and 114 runs, in addition to 50 doubles, 28 homers, and 107 RBI to win MVP for the first time. Two years after not winning Pitcher of the Year despite earning a Triple Crown, Memphis' Fernando Evangelista finally took home the hardware, going 25-7 with a 3.41 ERA, leading the league in wins, innings (272.0), and complete games (20), while his 260 strikeouts led the West.

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Chattanooga Lookouts, 108-46, defeats Savannah
Colonial League: Binghamton Big Cats, 83-57, defeats Reading (2nd straight)
River Valley League: Charleston (WV) Coal Sox, 84-56, defeats Toledo
Rocky Mountain League: Lethbridge Moose, 59-61, defeats Missoula
Coastal League: Johnson City Smokies, 99-55, defeats Macon (3rd straight)
Northern League: Winnipeg Goldeyes, 107-33, defeats Thunder Bay (2nd straight)
Southwest League: Ventura Vipers, 74-67, defeats Fresno
Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 83-57, defeats Springfield
Northwest League: Pocatello Gatekeepers, 79-75, defeats Salem (2nd straight)
Can-Am League: Quebec Capitales, 68-58, defeats Trois-Rivieres
Mid-Atlantic League: Frederick Keys, 78-62, defeats Worcester
Lone Star League: Abilene Prairie Dogs, 88-52, defeats Rio Grande
Great Plains League: Peoria Distillers, 83-58, defeats Des Moines
Florida Coast League: St. Petersburg Saints, 89-51 defeats Daytona Beach
Heartland League: Sioux Falls Canaries, 68-72, defeats Lansing
Atlantic Coast League: Lynchburg Lightning, 62-58
North American League: Billings Mustangs, 80-60, defeats Ft. Collins
North Atlantic League: Nashua Knights, 55-57, defeats Halifax

A record three league champions finished the regular season below .500, though maybe the most interesting race was in one where that didn't happen. In the Atlantic Coast League, Lynchburg won the four-team North division at 62-58, though Annapolis and Petersburg were both 61-59. Even last-place Newport News was just five games back at 57-63.

Checking in on the best player in minor league baseball, Idaho Falls' Matt Nichols just can't catch a break. After two straight Triple Crowns and success in limited big-league time in both 2006-07, Nichols...played 127 games in Triple-A in 2008. Same ol, same ol, .386/.460/.842 slash line, 52 homers, 115 RBI. Finishing runner-up in RBIs prevented him from winning a third-straight Triple Crown. Despite a slash of .322/.366/.568 and 27 homers in 114 big-league games (over three years), Nichols still hasn't cracked Oakland's big-league lineup, despite being a top-5 PCL prospect since 2003 (currently #1) and the Oaks refusing to trade him (I've tried with no luck). Maybe next year he'll finally break through...

02-19-2025, 04:31 PM	#123
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	Still in a New York Groove 2008 Two years after the institution of the amateur draft, the United States Baseball Federation made a slight change, re-ordering the draft to focus solely on team winning percentage, without consideration for postseason finish. Otherwise, it was business as usual for a Federation that was seeing record profits amidst a large uptick in television money. In the earlier part of the decade, many weaker clubs were approaching a state of crisis due to rising salaries, but this had mostly been assuaged in the past couple years. In the Northern Conference, the defending National Champions, the New York Gothams, continued their rampage through the Eastern League, winning their fourth-straight pennant and their 11th-straight playoff appearance by winning 111 games. The only race in the EL was for second, but it was a doozy, as four teams were in legitimate contention into the final week, finishing four games apart, with the Philadelphia A's edging out Manhattan by a game for the final playoff spot. The Midwest Association also saw several teams in playoff contention and also had a race go down to the final day. Montreal nudged out Chicago to earn their fourth-straight playoff trip, while a race between Chicago and Cleveland went down to the wire, though the Whales finished a game out in front of the Spiders to earn their seventh-consecutive playoff berth, though Toronto was also just three back of Chicago. In the League Finals, the two league winners moved on, with New York knocking off Philadelphia in six games, while Montreal and Chicago battled tooth-and-nail for seven games, with the Royals emerging on top. Montreal was against locked in a seven-game tussle in the Northern Championship, but the Gothams won the deciding game at Shea Stadium, giving New York their third conference title in four years. The big story in the Southern Conference was that of the Norfolk Admirals, who spent all summer on a collision course with history. The Admirals entered the final weekend of the season with a chance to tie or surpass Milwaukee's Eastern Baseball Federation record of 119 wins set in 1973, but Norfolk lost two of three to bottom-dwelling Orlando to end the season, settling for a still-remarkable 118-44 record. The Admirals posted a +415 run differential and allowed 133 fewer runs than any other team, while also boasting the second highest-scoring offense in the conference. If the Top-10 All-Time Teams list were re-drafted, chances are this squad would be on it. Outside of the Hampton Roads region, Atlanta won 102 games to finish a distant, comfortable second, their sixth-straight playoff appearance. In the Western League, New Orleans led the country in scoring and won 106 games to cruise to their third-straight WL crown. Meanwhile, the Omaha Golden Spikes emerged from a crowded four-team jumble over the final weeks to finish second, earning their first playoff spot since 1994. On the flip side, the Denver Bears, who had never contended since re-emerging on the major league scene over a decade ago, posted a ghastly 6.81 team ERA and allowed over 1,100 runs on their way to a 44-118 finish. All eyes were on Norfolk once the postseason got underway, and the Admirals took care of business in the League Finals, defeating Atlanta in five games. Meanwhile, Omaha dealt New Orleans an upset, overpowering the Pelicans in six games. The Golden Spikes, though, could not keep their surprise run going, as Norfolk ousted Omaha in six games to win their second Conference Championship in four seasons. The Pacific Coast League featured a wild race in the North Division, where four teams were in the playoff hunt till the final weekend. Sacramento was just 106-94, but won the division for the first time in nine years and reached the postseason for the first time in five seasons. Meanwhile, Portland was the beneficiary of two improbable strokes of good luck: Oakland lost their final nine games and San Francisco lost their final four, while the Beavers finished 7-2, including a four-game sweep to end the season, finishing with their first winning season in nine years and improbably sneaking into the playoffs. The South was less dramatic, with Phoenix finishing first and making their 12th-straight playoff trip, while San Jose snagged second and their eighth-straight trip to the postseason. In the Division Series, the North series was indicative of the regular season, with the series going the distance. In the end, Sacramento protected their home turf against Portland, winning game seven at ARCO Park. Meanwhile, San Jose, who finished three games behind Phoenix in the regular season, was three games better than them in the first round, winning a five-game set. The Gulls stayed hot through the Finals, sending Sacramento home with another five-game victory to lift San Jose to their second PCL crown in three years. In the Texas League, the Dallas Lone Stars continued to be the class of the league, winning 109 games for a second year in a row and making their sixth-straight trip to the playoffs. After a couple Octobers at home, Tulsa returned to the playoffs, winning 99 games. In the South, Houston also won 99 games to cruise to a division crown (their fourth in a row), while San Antonio breezed into second to claim the last playoff spot. The divisional round had little intrigue as the favorites won handily: Dallas dismantled Tulsa in a four-game sweep, and Houston swamped San Antonio in a five-game triumph. The Lone Star Series, though, saw an upset, as the Buffs downed the Lone Stars in six games, with Houston claiming their third TL title in four years. In the national semifinals, a San Jose team that won 6 fewer games than Norfolk, but had 44 more losses, squared off as heavy underdogs. However, the Gulls slayed Goliath, trouncing the Admirals in a decisive five-game series. New York, meanwhile, bounced Houston in a much less surprising five-game series. San Jose slayed one giant, but they couldn't slay a second, as the Gothams, who had gone 72 years between titles, only had to wait a year this time, winning their second-straight National Championship and their sixth all-time. With a National Championship team, it wasn't too surprising that the New York Gothams swept the two primary Northern Conference awards. Gothams centerfielder Greg Batchelor slashed .316/.421/.572 with 177 hits, a North-leading 135 runs, 43 doubles, and a career-high 35 homers and 121 RBI, earning him his second MVP trophy. On the mound, 24-year-old New York righty Craig Wyse had posted seasons worthy of a Pitcher of the Year award in his first two seasons, only to be blocked by Chicago's Adrian Wright both times. This year, he finally got over the hump...halfway. As it turned out, Wyse and Wright tied atop of the POTY voting, meaning a trophy for each. Wyse went 22-2 with a 2.23 ERA (both North bests) and 183 strikeouts in 230.0 innings. Wright was 21-7 with a 2.75 ERA and also led the North with 240 strikeouts, 258.2 innings, 9 complete games, and 3 shutouts. With such a tough choice. Wright and Wyse were 1-2 on every ballot; each pitcher earned eight first-place votes and eight second-place votes. For Wyse, it was his first POTY, for Wright he won his sixth award in his seven-season career. In the Southern Conference, it was appropriately a member of New Orleans' top-ranked offense who won MVP, though an unexpected member. 20-year-old Danny Vega, in his first full big-league season, slashed .323/.391/.565 with 188 hits, 126 runs, 27 doubles, 9 triples, 32 homers, and 110 RBI in his award-winning campaign. Norfolk's 23-year-old ace Bryan Kohler finished a close second in MVP voting, but was a unanimous Pitcher of the Year. Bouncing back from a sophomore slump in 2007, the third-year pro went 26-4 with a 2.45 ERA (both conference bests) with 185 strikeouts in 231.0 innings. Kohler's 26 wins were the most by a non-PCL pitcher since 1959. In the Pacific Coast League, San Francisco's Jordan Brewer returned to the top of the podium for the third time in his career. A repeat winner in 2004-05, the 29-year-old slashed .340/.434/.631 with 211 hits, 124 runs, 57 doubles, 6 triples, 37 home runs, 129 RBI, and 64 stolen bases to take his third MVP trophy. For the second year in a row, a Phoenix fireballer earned his first Pitcher of the Year trophy. This time, it was 24-year-old righty Matt Simeroth, who won over 20 games for the fourth year in a row, going 20-12 with a 3.12 ERA, striking out 234 over 279.2 innings. The PCL said goodbye to one of it's top arms of all time, as San Diego's Jody Hintz, just months after earning his 250th career win, hung it up at the age of 43 years old. Despite not debuting until he was 27, Hintz still won 257 games, struck out 2,948 batters and won six Pitcher of the Year awards. In the Texas League, Tulsa third baseman Sean Hayden had never been more than a solid, if unspectacular, player over his first eight big league seasons. However, the 30-year-old, who had never hit more than 20 homers, exploded for a TL-leading 43 home runs and 120 RBI, to go along with a .313/.376/.581 slash line, 188 hits, 105 runs, 32 doubles, and his second Great Glove, earning him a surprising MVP award. Houston righty David Rojas also fell in the category of solid, but unspectacular, but he found another gear after a trade from San Antonio to Houston late in 2007. The 33-year-old went 18-10 with a 3.12 ERA in his first full year in the Space City, leading the TL in wins and striking out 155 over 213.2 innings to take home his first Pitcher of the Year. On Hall of Fame weekend, the Eastern Baseball Federation welcomed in a trio of pitchers; one Pitcher of the Year who was also a longtime dominant reliever and two more former Pitchers of the Year who were underrated ace-level pitchers for many years: RP Ismael Villavicencio (1986-02), 98.8% SP Mark Overton (1977-95), 77.1% SP Hugh Marcotte (1978-97), 77.0% The Texas League also inducted a pitcher, one who won a Pitcher of the Year and even in the later stages of his career was a key cog in the TL's greatest dynasty: SP Jorge Matias (1982-98), 78.8% --- In the American Baseball League, Charlotte posted the best season in franchise history, winning 106 games to finish atop the East. Richmond was a distant second, but it was tightly bunched from there, with four teams separated by five games. Ottawa and Raleigh-Durham finished third and fourth, with the Tar Heels edging out Syracuse by two games. In the West, Anaheim won 103 games and Las Vegas 100, with Minneapolis shooting up to third for their best record and highest finish since 1995. Memphis finished fourth, three games clear of Spokane. The ABL had a weird year where ten teams won at least 84 games (three over 100 wins), six teams lost at least 94 games (three over 100 losses)...and no one in between. In the first round, Charlotte vanquished their in-state rivals in Raleigh in five games, as did Richmond against Ottawa. In the West, favorites Anaheim and Las Vegas each won six-game series over Minneapolis and Memphis. In the semifinals, Richmond upset Charlotte in seven games and Anaheim held off Las Vegas in six. The Giants had one more upset in them, sweeping the Amigos in the finals. After no titles in their first 31 ABL seasons, the Giants now were hoisting the American Baseball Cup for the second year in a row. In the East, Richmond catcher Chris Hanson claimed MVP honors for the third time in four years, slashing .314/.432/.582 with 151 hits, 94 runs, 36 doubles, 31 homers, and 102 RBI for the ABL champs. On the mound, Raleigh-Durham's Chris Banks went 21-9 with a 3.58 ERA, leading the league with 261 strikeouts over 263.2 innings and logging 14 complete games as the 21-year-old won Pitcher of the Year. In the West, Anaheim's Mike Parks enjoyed another strong season in a career full of them. The 29-year-old slashed .320/.375/.555 with league-high 193 hits and 114 runs, in addition to 50 doubles, 28 homers, and 107 RBI to win MVP for the first time. Two years after not winning Pitcher of the Year despite earning a Triple Crown, Memphis' Fernando Evangelista finally took home the hardware, going 25-7 with a 3.41 ERA, leading the league in wins, innings (272.0), and complete games (20), while his 260 strikeouts led the West. --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Chattanooga Lookouts, 108-46, defeats Savannah Colonial League: Binghamton Big Cats, 83-57, defeats Reading (2nd straight) River Valley League: Charleston (WV) Coal Sox, 84-56, defeats Toledo Rocky Mountain League: Lethbridge Moose, 59-61, defeats Missoula Coastal League: Johnson City Smokies, 99-55, defeats Macon (3rd straight) Northern League: Winnipeg Goldeyes, 107-33, defeats Thunder Bay (2nd straight) Southwest League: Ventura Vipers, 74-67, defeats Fresno Southern Association: Biloxi Pilots, 83-57, defeats Springfield Northwest League: Pocatello Gatekeepers, 79-75, defeats Salem (2nd straight) Can-Am League: Quebec Capitales, 68-58, defeats Trois-Rivieres Mid-Atlantic League: Frederick Keys, 78-62, defeats Worcester Lone Star League: Abilene Prairie Dogs, 88-52, defeats Rio Grande Great Plains League: Peoria Distillers, 83-58, defeats Des Moines Florida Coast League: St. Petersburg Saints, 89-51 defeats Daytona Beach Heartland League: Sioux Falls Canaries, 68-72, defeats Lansing Atlantic Coast League: Lynchburg Lightning, 62-58 North American League: Billings Mustangs, 80-60, defeats Ft. Collins North Atlantic League: Nashua Knights, 55-57, defeats Halifax A record three league champions finished the regular season below .500, though maybe the most interesting race was in one where that didn't happen. In the Atlantic Coast League, Lynchburg won the four-team North division at 62-58, though Annapolis and Petersburg were both 61-59. Even last-place Newport News was just five games back at 57-63. Checking in on the best player in minor league baseball, Idaho Falls' Matt Nichols just can't catch a break. After two straight Triple Crowns and success in limited big-league time in both 2006-07, Nichols...played 127 games in Triple-A in 2008. Same ol, same ol, .386/.460/.842 slash line, 52 homers, 115 RBI. Finishing runner-up in RBIs prevented him from winning a third-straight Triple Crown. Despite a slash of .322/.366/.568 and 27 homers in 114 big-league games (over three years), Nichols still hasn't cracked Oakland's big-league lineup, despite being a top-5 PCL prospect since 2003 (currently #1) and the Oaks refusing to trade him (I've tried with no luck). Maybe next year he'll finally break through...