Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs (1961-)

[gskweres9]

Turmoil. One word described the state of franchises in Major League Baseball in 1958. The Dodgers left Brooklyn. The Giants left New York. The Browns left St. Louis. There's a lot more teams that moved that I haven't even mentioned.

New York Mayor Robert Wagner was hell-bent on bringing another baseball team back to New York. His city just didn't feel right with only one team in it. The mayor was a busy man, and he couldn't bring baseball to New York by himself, so he tabbed Brooklyn attorney William Shea to lead the charge.

Shea originally went directly to baseball with a simple plea -- expansion. However, baseball refused to expand. The National and American Leagues each had 8 teams since 1900, and nobody saw a reason to change the construction of the league.

This left Shea with only one option...Create a league of his own.

Insert the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

“This country has grown too big for the entire framework of the major leagues to consist of 16 franchises, just as it did 58 years ago,” Shea said.

Shea needed help to make this vision come to life, and let me tell you, William Shea couldn't have picked a better person.

Branch Rickey

Think about all of the things Rickey had done for baseball: He pioneered the farm system, he invented baseball academies, he helped break the color barrier.

Rickey jumped all over the opportunity. He had been forced into retirement after being fired as general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates just a few years prior, and he wasn't exactly enjoying it. The way he saw it, his footprint was all over baseball, and now he could form a league completely in his own image.

So in 1958, Branch Rickey became the President of the Continental League.

Rickey and Shea got to work on finding financial backing for their league.

The two wanted franchises in baseball starved cities around the country, and maybe even out of the country. Eventually they tabbed Robert Howsam to own a team in Denver, oil magnate Craig F. Cullinan Jr. to own a team in Houston, Wheelock Whitney Jr. to own a team in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Joan Whitney Payson to own a team in New York, and Jack Kent Cooke to own a team across the border in Toronto.

The owners each pledged to pay the league $50,000, and they all committed to a capital investment of $2.5M, excluding stadium costs. Each team would be required to construct a stadium with a capacity of at least 35,000.

Rickey knew that the league would need something to set it apart from the already established teams in America, and he wanted to hit them where it hurt. Rickey always believed parity was a good thing, so in order to keep the teams competitive, he instituted revenue sharing. It always ticked him off watching the damn Yankees win every single year, his league would be different. The owners would all split the money they made off of television between the teams. Rickey believed this league could be special.

The five owners joined Shea and Rickey at the Biltmore Hotel as they revealed the league to the media.

The media loved it. These were powerful businessmen, and Rickey was a powerful baseball mind. The league became front page news immediately.

“What impresses me is the dream of baseball hasn’t perished in this country,” Jimmy Cannon wrote in The New York Journal-American. “We still want it in our cities and important people are willing to risk fortunes to buy it for their hometowns.”

Questions remained, who would play for these teams? Will it only be five teams? How long until the league is a true competitor to MLB?

***NOTE: ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS FACTUAL, INCLUDING QUOTES. I HAVE FOUND THEM IN ARTICLES AND IN RESEARCH ABOUT THE CONTINENTAL LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CLUBS. IN REAL LIFE, MLB FINALLY GAVE IN AND EXPANDED, ADDING THE METS IN 1962. WITH BASEBALL BACK IN NEW YORK, SHEA FOLDED THE CONTINENTAL LEAGUE BEFORE IT EVER BEGAN PLAY. IN THIS OOTP UNIVERSE, THE MLB WILL CONTINUE TO BE STUBBORN, AND WE WILL SEE IF SHEA'S DREAM COULD HAVE PANNED OUT.

[gskweres9]

Rickey and Shea began scrambling after the media reveal. This thing had some real legs. It was front page news every single day, and it had real expectations.

With that, they granted teams in three more cities: Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta, and Buffalo. This brought the Continental League to a total of 8 teams. 7 of the 8 cities didn't have professional baseball at the time. The only one that did was New York, who as recently as five years prior held 3 teams.

While Shea handled business, Rickey handled baseball. Who would play for the teams? Rickey thought each team needed at least one big name. The owners would have to use their money to purchase aging superstars, while the rosters would fill out with prospects and players from latin america. He figured he would have no problems convincing prospects to come to his league. They would make way more money in the Continental League than they would in the minor leagues. With this blueprint, the Continental League could have just as much talent as the American and National Leagues in four or five years.

***NOTE: ANYTHING POSTED AFTER THIS IS ENTIRELY FICTIONAL AND IS OF MY OWN IMAGINATION.***

Before we meet the players that fill the teams, it would be better to reveal the franchises.

[G-Force]

Like the premise! Good luck!

GH

[gskweres9]

The Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs revealed the names and brands of their 8 teams today. The league begins play on April 2nd, 1961. They also revealed more information about the schedule.

The Continental League consists of 8 teams split into two 4 team divisions. The teams will play an 84 game schedule, with the winner of each division squaring off in the best-of-seven Continental Series.

Western Division

Dallas Texans
Denver Doves
Houston Colt .45s
Minneapolis Millers

[gskweres9]

Eastern Division

Atlanta Pilots
Buffalo Lakers
New York Mets
Toronto Maple Leafs

[gskweres9]

"Hello? Jackie?"

Branch Rickey began his hail Mary.

"Mr. Rickey?" a familiar voice responded. "What are you calling me for, sir?"

"Jackie...I'm the president of a new baseball league."

Before Branch could continue, Jackie interrupted him.

"I heard about that. It's been all over the news," Jackie responded.

Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson always kept tabs on each other. After all, the two men had immortalized themselves in the game of baseball. Rickey, the first man willing to take a shot on an African American ballplayer, and Robinson the first black player to play in MLB.

"Well, Jackie...we need players."

Jackie interrupted him again.

"Mr. Rickey...you're not about to ask me to come play baseball, are you?"

Branch Rickey's silence was about the loudest thing he could've said.

"Mr. Rickey, I retired almost 5 years ago."

"I know Jackie, but this league needs players. We need players that will put butts in seats and we need players that are good. You can do both of those."

"I don't know about being all that good. Like I said, I haven't played in 5 years," Jackie replied.

"Listen Jack, I've been in contact with the owner of the New York Mets. They are one of the teams in our league. They're willing to pay $100,000 for you to come play. It's just for one season Jackie, then you can go back into retirement."

Jackie fell silent.

"Look at it this way Jack, you'll be the first person to break the color barrier in two leagues. If people didn't know you then, they certainly will now," Rickey quipped.

Jackie chuckled on the other end. "I don't know if I want to go through all that again," Jackie joked back.

"Jackie...we really need you," Rickey said as he let out a sigh.

"Ok Mr. Rickey. One season. That's all I'm giving you."

"One season Jack, that's all I need."

"Ok Mr. Rickey. You've got a deal."

Just like that, Branch Rickey had his first superstar. Lord knows if Jackie still had any ability. He hadn't played in 5 years, is on the wrong side of 40, and has had complications with diabetes, but he needed to start somewhere, and he didn't know anyone better than the man he hitched his career to about 15 years earlier.

[NolaSola7]

My Professional Baseball League has a subleague called The Continental League ... ...Also, my fictional history also is derived from when The Giants and Dodgers left NY

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...d.php?t=271103

Haha.

[gskweres9]

Originally Posted by NolaSola7

My Professional Baseball League has a subleague called The Continental League ... ...Also, my fictional history also is derived from when The Giants and Dodgers left NY

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...d.php?t=271103

Haha.

Ha. Interesting how that works out

[gskweres9]

"Ted Williams speaking."

"Hello Ted, this is Branch Rickey calling."

"Branch? What are you calling me for?" Williams replied.

"I'm the President of the Continental League for Professional Baseball Clubs, and I'm calling to see if you would have interest in playing in my league for one of my teams," Rickey replied.

"Branch...I retired less than a couple months ago."

It was true. The 41 year-old had retired just months earlier at the end of the 1960 season, and it was a respectable season at that. He hit .284 with 34 HR and 86 RBIs in only 115 games played. Branch Rickey knew he had more in the tank.

"I know that Ted, but you played well last year, and I know you have more in the tank. I'm pretty sure you know that you have more in the tank too. Why did you call it quits?"

"It was just time," Williams replied.

"Ted, I know you want to win, and you will have a chance to do that in my league."

Branch Rickey hit the nail right on the head. The Red Sox had finished 77-77, 16GB of the AL Pennant. Boston most recently won the pennant in 1946, and hadn't won a title since 1918.

"It isn't just that, Branch. I'm 41 years-old," Williams said timidly.

"C'mon Ted. You know it hurts that you haven't won a title of any sort. You can fill that void in the Continental League. Players will be dying to come play with you, and you won't be playing for a team that's cursed. Your team will have just as much of a chance of winning as any team. There's no Yankees in this league."

"What does winning a title in your league even mean? It's new. It means nothing."

"It means you will be the beginning of history. This league will be successful, and you will be a part of it's folklore," Ricky replied.

Ted then asked, "Ok...so what are my options?"

"Our team in Buffalo is interested in bringing you in. They'd absolutely love to have you."

Ted pondered the question for a little while. He then asked, "what does the money look like?"

"They're willing to pay you $200,000," Rickey said flatly.

That number really got Ted's attention.

"$200,000? The highest paid player in the MLB makes $190,000," Ted said.

"Well...I didn't stutter did I?"

"No sir...you didn't."

"So Ted, how does one more year of baseball sound."

"I'm in."

Just like that, Branch Rickey completed his second Hail Mary. Getting Jackie Robinson to come play was one thing, but getting Ted Williams to come play was another. Williams played at an all-star caliber level just the year prior, and he would bring not just star power, but talent.

[gskweres9]

The Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs begins play on April 2nd, 1961. The Buffalo Lakers will be visiting the Minneapolis Millers. Here are the starting lineups

Buffalo Lakers

1) LF Ted Williams
2) 2B Billy Goodman
3) 3B Luis Marquez
4) RF Bill Wilson
5) C Roger McCardell
6) CF Tom Saffell
7) SS Artie Wilson
8) 1B Raymond Estes
9) P Leverette Spencer

Minneapolis Millers

1) SS Maury Wills
2) LF Thomas Adams
3) RF Gene Woodling
4) 1B Melvin Geho
5) C Cal Neeman
6) 2B Paul Gammel
7) 3B Roy Hartsfield
8) CF Clark Rex
9) P Richard Bolli

GAME RECAP

Ted Williams stepped to the plate as the first ever hitter in Continental League history, receiving a raucous ovation from the crowd, even in a visiting ballpark. His AB was anti-climactic, as he walked on five pitches. Millers starter Richard Bolli then walked Billy Goodman before giving up hits to Luis Marquez and Bill Wilson as the Lakers opened up the scoring in the top of the 1st. The Lakers finished the inning with a 3-0 lead.

Former Dodger Maury Wills led off with a single for the Millers, the first hit in franchise history. He then stole second base, good for the first steal in both franchise and league history. On a steal attempt of third base, Lakers catcher Roger McCardell sailed his throw into left field, allowing Mills to score. That would be all the scoring for the Millers in the bottom half as the Lakers led 3-1.

Mills made his presence felt again in the 2nd, singling home a run to make it 3-2. The Lakers scored again in the 3rd after Tom Saffell drive in Bill Wilson on a RBI ground out to second base. Wilson reached base on a double to left field.

Paul Gammel closed the gap in the bottom of the third on a 2-out double to drive in Melvin Geho. The Millers tied the game in the fifth after Cal Neeman drove in Woodling on a RBI fielders choice. Woodling reached base on a double in the left-center gap, before Geho moved him over and reached base on an infield single.

After the leadoff hitter reached base for the Lakers in the top of the 7th, the Millers brought in lefty reliever John Hanes. Hanes allowed two runs to score on a bases loaded double by the catcher McCardell, as the Lakers took a 6-4 lead. That closed the book on Bolli, who went 6 1/3, giving up 4 hits and 5 runs while walking 5 and striking out 4.

The Millers took an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the 7th behind 3 hits and a walk, all off the starter Spencer. After a wild pitch allowed the 8th run to score, Buffalo went to the bullpen. Spencer went 6 1/3, allowing 8 runs on 10 hits while walking 5 and striking out 4.

The Lakers did add one more run in the top of the 9th on a homer by Wilson, but Hanes struck out Saffrell to end the game and earn the save. Wills earned Player of the Game, going 3-for-5 with 3 steals.

[gskweres9]

The New York Times

April 14th, 1961

Mets sign Ted Kluszewski

The New York Mets of the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs have signed former MLB'er Ted Kluszewski. The 36-year-old found most of his success over an 11-year stretch with the Cincinnati Reds, appearing in four All-Star Games. Kluszewski reportedly will take over for Jackie Robinson as the starting first baseman. Robinson is struggling mightily to start the year, batting just .167 in 24 at bats. The Mets are 4-5 and 2 GB of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Division. Kluszewski reportedly signed for $96,000.

[gskweres9]

April 21, 1961

TEXANS LOSE STOTTLEMYRE

The Dallas Texas received a huge blow today, losing young phenom pitcher Mel Stottlemyre for the season. The 19-year-old had an ERA of just 3.15 in 20 innings of ball over his first four starts. Suffering from shoulder inflammation, the team decided it would be best to shut down the young star for the year instead of rushing him back and possibly ruining his career.

Stottlemyre refused to comment as he was choking back tears while leaving the clubhouse.

"I feel horrible for him," first baseman Earl Torgeson said. "You can tell that kid loves baseball, and he was throwing the ball really well for us."

The Texans are 7-8, and are 3 games back of the Denver Doves for the Continental League's Western Division.

[gskweres9]

The first month of play has come to a close in the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs, and it's been an encouraging start for the new league. All of the teams have reported major financial success, and the league has been a hit for fans. Both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minneapolis Millers have attendance numbers well north of 300,000 over the first month.

While that is a look at what is happening off the field, let's take a look at what is happening on the field. First, we visit the Western Division.

The Western Division is a really tight race after the first month of play. The Dallas Texans currently lead the league with a 13-11 record. They are led by second baseman Bobby Avila. Avila is hitting .452 with 3 homers and 16 RBI's over 109 plate appearances. He also has 5 steals. The former Cleveland Indian is enjoying his resurgence.

"It feels great. You turn 37 and you get released, and you think your career is over, but I've been able to come here and be successful. God bless Branch Rickey, William Shea, and the rest of the people that put this league together, because without it, my career might be over."



The Texans have been able to mitigate the loss of Mel Stottlemyre in the rotation with an absolutely potent offense. Aside from Avila, the Texans have two other players hitting above .300 in Earl Torgeson and Bobby Morgan.

Tied for second behind the Texans are the Denver Doves and the Houston Colt .45s. Both teams are 12-12. The Doves are led by 18-year-old third baseman Bob Bailey. Bailey is hitting .253 with 11 homers and 22 RBI's. His 11 home runs have him tied for third place in the league. The Colt .45s are led by right fielder Jim King. King most recently played for the Cleveland Indians. He is hitting .278 with 11 home runs.

Rounding out the Western Division are the Minneapolis Millers. The Millers struggled mightily, limping to a 7-17 record out of the gate. The injury to Maury Wills undoubtedly hurt the team, as he was off to a good start. His 9 stolen bases had him in first place in the league. Wills is expected back in two weeks from his intercostal strain.


The Western Division might be close, but the Toronto Maple Leafs look to be a runaway train in the Eastern Division. Their 19-5 record gives them a commanding 7 game lead over the Atlanta Pilots and Buffalo Lakers for the division crown. Toronto is first in the entire league in both runs scored and runs allowed. The rotation is led by 17-year-old youngster Tommy John. John is 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 43.1 IP. John won the league's Pitcher of the Month. The lineup is anchored by right fielder Leon Wagner. Wagner, who spent last year with the St. Louis Cardinals, is hitting .279 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI's.



The Atlanta Pilots might not be hot on Toronto's heels, but they do look like a serviceable ball club. At 12-12, they are led by a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in Al Downing and John Smith. Downing has a 1-1 record and a 2.70 ERA over 5 starts, while Smith has a 4-0 record and a 0.92 ERA over 5 starts. People doubt the staying power of Smith, who spent last year with the Columbia Reds of the South Atlantic League. While Downing is just 19-years-old, he was one of the top five prospects in the league.



The Pilots are tied with the Buffalo Lakers, who are led by none other than Ted Williams. The 42-year-old is having a magnificent season, and is the early favorite for the Most Valuable Player Award. He's hitting .376 with 17 homers and 29 RBI's. The Lakers hope Williams can help generate enough offense to overcome their lackluster rotation, which is currently dead last in run prevention.

In last place in the Eastern Division at 9-15 are the New York Mets. The Mets have few positives, but 22-year-old outfielder Tony Oliva has been a bright spot for the team. Hitting out of the leadoff spot, Oliva is batting .337 with 2 HR and 7 RBI. He also has 4 steals. Ted Kluszewski has played well since signing with the Mets, hitting .350 with 8 home runs. The biggest story coming out of Flushing has been the poor play of Jackie Robinson, who has been relegated to bench duty and hasn't started a game since Kluszewski signed with the club.

[gskweres9]

MLB Update

I meant to put this at the bottom of the last post, but here's a look at the MLB at the end of April. They had an uncharacteristically late start, so there isn't much to look at. I'll give more information about the MLB in posts later in the year.

[gskweres9]

May 6, 1961

WILLIAMS SWATS FOUR

Ted Williams had a magnificent performance last night, hitting four home runs in the Lakers 10-5 win over the Minneapolis Millers.

Williams stepped up in the first inning and led off the game with a homer off of Millers starter Vernon Noggle. Williams homered again off Noggle in the third. Williams then did his damage to the bullpen in the 6th, homering off of James Evans. He capped his day with a homer off of Murray Wall in the 8th.

"I was seeing the ball really well today. I'm just glad I was able to help us win a ballgame," Williams said.

The win gives the Lakers a 16-13 record. They are 7 GB of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lead the Eastern Division with a 23-6 record. Toronto's ten game winning streak came to an end last night on a 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Pilots.

Williams' four homers gives him 23 on the year, a 7 homer cushion on Toronto's Leon Wagner for the league lead. It also extended his current hitting streak to 20 games.

"He sure does make it easy for me to pencil him in the lineup," Lakers manager Shawn Tucker joked after the game.

In more bad news for the Minneapolis Millers, who are off to an 8-21 start, Maury Willis suffered a setback today from his intercostal strain. He could miss up to two more weeks.

[gskweres9]

May 8, 1961

DOWNING-JOHN SQUARE OFF

Al Downing won the battle of the teenage phenom pitchers, defeating Tommy John and the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 on Sunday. The victory gives the Atlanta Pilots a 14-16 record, while the Maple Leafs dropped to 23-7.

The Pilots opened up the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd when Nelson Pagan doubled home Fred Hatfield. The Pilots would add two more runs in the third when Hatfield would drive in Craig Morris and Ray Bellino on a single.

That would be all the scoring on the day though, as the two young pitchers were mostly dominant. John pitched 8.0 innings, allowing the 3 runs on 4 hits. He also walked 4 and struck out 7. John also picked up the loss, dropping him to 5-1 on the year. Downing went the distance for Atlanta, twirling a complete game shutout. The 19-year-old struck out 9 and walked 1 while allowing 4 hits. The win gave him a 2-2 record on the year.

"That kid's got great stuff," Toronto center fielder Don Taussig said. "He's going to have a nice, long career in this league. He kept us off balance all day long."

Taussig struck out 3 times in 4 at bats on the day.

Toronto manager Mike Parrot was upset with his team's effort of the plate, but he was complimentary of Downing.

"We didn't have good at-bats. I don't make excuses, but when we were playing the game, our energy didn't show. That comes from either extremely good pitching or extremely lousy hitting and seeing as our team has a bunch of good hitters, I have to tip my cap to Downing."

Downing hopes today was just the beginning of a long rivalry with John.

"He certainly didn't let me relax today. I had to keep going out and putting zeros on the board, because he pretty much did the same thing on the other side all day long. Obviously we're both teenagers, so I'd love to face him for a long time. Today was a lot of fun," Downing said.

[gskweres9]

END OF MAY UPDATE

May has come and gone, and the playoff picture looks like it is already taking shape in the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

In the Western Division, the Dallas Texans have a 5 1/2 game lead over the second place team. Bobby Avila continues to impress, as he leads the league with a .407 batting average. May also treated Texans starting pitcher Harold Norris well, as he won the league's Pitcher of the Month award. Over 7 starts in the month of May he went 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA.



Behind the 28-20 Texans are their rival right down I-45, the Houston Colt .45s. At only 23-26, the Colts don't seem to be a real threat for the division crown. While their league worst rotation could use some help, the lineup has gotten a real boost from late April signee Ray Jablonski. Jablonski hit .400 in May while slugging 6 home runs.



Behind the Colt .45s are the 21-27 Denver Doves. The Doves had a rough go of it in May, with just a 9-15 record in the month. 18-year-old third baseman Bob Bailey continues to be their most consistent performer, even taking his game up a notch in May. This month he hit .391 with 5 home runs in 24 games played.

Rounding out the Western Division are the abysmal Minneapolis Millers. At 13-35 and 15 GB of the division leaders, they've been all but eliminated from contention. Their league worst offense has truly sunk them, and Maury Wills has been mostly uninspiring since returning from an intercostal strain.

The race isn't any tighter in the Eastern Division. At 37-12, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a commanding 8 1/2 game division lead. Tied for 1st in runs scored and 1st in runs allowed, the Maple Leafs truly have been the league's most dominating team. Leon Wagner, William Reynolds, and Don Taussig have provided a potent 3-4-5 middle of the lineup. Wagner is second in the Continental League in homers with 22, while Reynolds is hitting .318 with 15 homers himself. Taussig is hitting .314, but for much less power, as he has only 6 home runs. If there's any concern for this monster club, its been the struggles of 18-year-old Tommy John. After an impressive month of April, John limped to a 2-2 record with a 4.60 ERA over 4 starts in May.



Behind the Maple Leafs are the 28-20 Buffalo Lakers. The Lakers were hot in May, going 16-8. They'll also expect a big boost with the return of Ted Williams within the next 4 days. Williams has missed the better part of the last two weeks with a hamstring strain. Hitting .400 with 29 home runs on the year, Williams is the odds on favorite for the Most Valuable Player Award. Keeping the Lakers afloat in his absence has been third baseman Frank J. Thomas and catcher Roger McCardell. Thomas, a three time all-star with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit .337 with 14 HR in May. McCardell hit .409 with 6 HR in the month. In a surprising move, the Lakers traded away outfielder Bill Wilson to the Mets for 18 year-old starting pitcher Joseph Carboni at the trade deadline. Wilson was batting .264 with 11 HR for the Lakers. Carboni had a .402 ERA in 6 starts for the Mets. While the Lakers are tied with the Maple Leafs for runs scored, their pitching staff has been suspect, so they hope Carboni can come in and help right the ship.



The New York Mets and Atlanta Pilots are tied for last in the Eastern Division at 21-26, however the two teams couldn't have had more different months. The Mets showed signs of improvement in May, going 12-11 after a dismal 9-15 month of April. The Pilots went just 9-14 in May after a 12-12 April. While the offense has been the big issue for the Pilots all year long, the struggles of the starting rotation is what truly did them in this month. John Smith followed up his 4-0 month of April with a 2-2 May. He had an ERA of 4.05 in May after having a 0.92 ERA in April. Al Downing also struggled more in May, going 2-4 with a 3.83 ERA after going 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in April.

The Mets improvement comes from a steadying of the middle of the lineup. Tony Oliva, Steve Demeter, and Ted Kluszewski provide a solid middle of the lineup, however they have very little help around them and a poor rotation. With the acquisition of Bill Wilson, the lineup has the potential to get even better in June.

AROUND THE MLB

American League

1) Washington Senators 25-9
2) Chicago White Sox 27-12 (1/2 GB)
3) Cleveland Indians 20-16 (6 GB)
4) Detroit Tigers 16-15 (7 1/2 GB)
5) New York Yankees 15-21 (11 GB)
6) Baltimore Orioles 14-22 (12 GB)
7) Boston Red Sox 14-23 (12 1/2 GB)
8) Kansas City Athletics 10-23 (14 1/2 GB)

League Leaders

Average

1) Roy Sievers (CWS) - .373
2) Harmon Killebrew (WAS) - .342
3) Marty Keough (BOS) - .338

Home Runs

1) Harmon Killebrew (WAS) 14
2) Bob Allison (WAS) 13
3) Woodie Held (CLE) 13

Runs Batted In

1) Bob Allison (WAS) - 34
2) Roy Sievers (CWS) - 32
3) Rocky Colavito (DET) - 31

Wins

1) Gene Conley (CWS) - 6
2) Jim Bunning (DET) - 5
3) Jim Perry (CLE) - 5

Earned Run Average

1) Pedro Ramos (WAS) - 1.85
2) Gene Conley (CWS) - 2.06
3) Bill Monbouquette (BOS) - 2.27

Strikeouts

1) Milt Pappas (BAL) - 44
2) Pedro Ramos (WAS) - 42
3) 3) Bill Monbouquette (BOS) - 40

National League

1) Los Angeles Dodgers 27-11
2) St. Louis Cardinals 21-17 (6 GB)
3) Cincinnati Reds 20-17 (6 1/2 GB)
4) Milwaukee Braves 21-20 (7 1/2 GB)
5) San Francisco Giants 18-19 (8 1/2 GB)
6) Philadelphia Phillies 17-24 (11 1/2 GB)
7) Pittsburgh Pirates 15-22 (11 1/2 GB)
8) Chicago Cubs 14-23 (12 1/2 GB)

League Leaders

Batting Average

1) Roberto Clemente (PIT) - .372
2) Ken Boyer (STL) - .368
3) Hank Aaron (MIL) - .340

Home Runs

1) Hank Aaron (MIL) - 12
2) Ken Boyer (STL) - 11
3) Frank Howard (LAD) - 11

Runs Batted In

1) Jim Ray Hart (SF) - 36
2) Hank Aaron (MIL) - 34
3) Joe Adcock (MIL) - 31

Wins

1) Larry Jackson (STL) - 7
2) Don Drysdale (LAD) - 5
3) Mike McCormick (SF) - 5

Earned Run Average

1) Joe Nuxhall (CIN) - 1.09
2) Juan Marichal (LAD) - 1.14
3) Mike McCormick (SF) - 1.78

Strikeouts

1) Jim O'Toole (CIN) - 59
2) Don Drysdale (LAD) - 58
3) Marcelino Lopez (PHI) - 55

[gskweres9]

So my laptop crashed yesterday and the progress I made on the league was completely lost, so I'm all the way back in April at the start of the year. I swear I had changed it to monthly autosaves, but apparently not.

I will continue this league. I really like the premise of it, but it might take me a couple of days to get things back together and up and running.

Question for the readers: should I make a new thread, copy and paste the first couple of posts that set the stage, and go from there, or should I just continue on this thread?

Sorry for the inconvenience!

[G-Force]

Originally Posted by gskweres9

So my laptop crashed yesterday and the progress I made on the league was completely lost, so I'm all the way back in April at the start of the year. I swear I had changed it to monthly autosaves, but apparently not.

I will continue this league, I really like the premise of it, but it might take me a couple of days to get things back together and up and running.

Question for the readers, should I make a new thread, copy and past the first couple of posts that set the stage, and go from there, or should I just continue on this thread.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

I created a new thread when I had issue with the Alltime Baseball League dynasty, but you can keep it here...but if you do, I would put a link in the first post of the thread explaining what happened that will jump people to the "new start." Just my .02

GH