Baseball: The World's Game

[FuzzyRussianHat]

In the Mexican League’s debut season, the Merida Mean Green took the top overall record at 103-59. Winning the South Division, Merida allowed the fewest runs (461) and was second in runs scored at (631). The North was more competitive with Mexicali winning at 87-75, beating out Tijuana (83-79) and Juarez (80-82). In the LCS, Merida defeated Mexicali in six games.


The first Mexican League MVP went to Puebla’s Alex Hinojosa, who posted 13.1 WAR with a tied-for-first 47 home runs and stellar defense at second base and shortstop. Hermosillo’s Alfredo Salomon took pitcher of the year with league bests in ERA (1.89) and strikeouts (314).


The Caribbean League’s Island Division would be loaded with three 100+ win teams. The Havana Hurricanes loaded offense, 99 runs better than second place, took it at 112-50. Both Haiti and Jamaica finished 102-60. The Jazz allowed only 377 runs, a record that held through the century.


Only one team in the Continental Division finished above .500; the Panama Parrots at 89-73. Havana would make quick work of them in the LCS with a sweep. The Hurricanes had the league MVP in third baseman Yavier De Hombre, a Cuban national who led the league with 48 homers, 112 runs, 126 RBI, and a 12.4 WAR. Baptiste Timothee, a Haitian right handed arm, won POTY for Havana with an 11.9 WAR and 23-6 mark with a 1.59 ERA.


The first CABA championship series saw Havana roar to a 3-0 start. However, Merida completed the rally to win the inaugural championship in seven games, Little did the Mean Green know that this would be their only championship appearance for more than a century.

[jg2977]

I think sometimes in OOTP it's a curse to win a title in the inaugural season. I've done several dynasties where the inaugural champion never won again, or it took decades to win another title. There are a couple were the inaugural winner remained successful throughout and accumulated multiple titles.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Houston picked up a sixth Southern League title in seven years with the American Association’s best record in 1911 at 102-60. The Hornets had the MVP in shortstop Dave Douglas and a fourth pitcher of the year for Jeremy Frechette. The top scoring team in the AA was Dallas, whose 917 runs scored pushed them to second in the SL at 97-65, beating out 91-win Miami and Oklahoma City.


The big stunner in the Western League was the complete collapse of the Phoenix Firebirds. Despite having basically the same pitching staff and not many injuries, Phoenix went from an association best 607 runs allowed in 1910 to an abysmal 885 allowed in 1911 and a last place 62-100 finish. Los Angeles filled the void for a third-straight playoff berth, winning the WL at 93-69. Denver narrowly finished second at 92-70, fending off Portland (89-73), Oakland (86-76), and San Diego (85-77).


The Southern League established easy playoff dominance as Houston swept Denver and Dallas swept Los Angeles. The Texas rivals went the distance in the AACS but the Hornets would win in seven for back-to-back AA titles and their fifth in seven years.


In the National Association, the Washington Admirals came out of nowhere seemingly for the best record in the Eastern League at 101-61, allowing the fewest runs in baseball (560) with a balanced staff and fielding. It was Washington’s first playoff berth and only second time above .500, having won only 73 games the prior year. Second in runs allowed was Hartford at 92-70, also getting their first playoff appearance by holding off 90-win Montreal.


The Midwest League was a two-team race down the stretch. Detroit finished 94-68, edging Columbus at 93-69. It was also the first playoff berth for the Chargers, led by 22-year old outfielder Jonathan Gibbs. The 50^th overall pick by St. Louis in 1908, Columbus acquired him a week later in a trade and were rewarded with a 1.002 OPS, 8.6 WAR sophomore season.


Cleveland lefty Josh Davis earned his fourth pitcher of the year in his seven year career. His 19-10 record, 2.43 ERA, and 256 strikeouts made him the first Triple Crown winning pitcher in MLB history, one of only six who would do it in the 20^th century. The Cobras were improved with 85 wins in 1911, but it would not be enough to keep him from testing free agency in the coming offseason.


The National Association Championship Series would be all Midwest for the fifth consecutive season after the Tigers topped the Huskies in four games and the Chargers upset the Admirals in five. Much like how one game separated them in the regular season, Detroit and Columbus battled in the NACS with the Tigers winning in seven games. It was Detroit’s second World Series berth, having won it all in 1902.


However, the Tigers would be quickly stung by the Hornets. Houston won the World Series in five games, giving them back-to-back titles and three in four years.


Other notes: Second-year pitcher Newton Persaud of New Orleans had a curious statistical line, leading the AA in strikeouts (279) but also losses (24). The Trinidadian recorded only eight wins for the struggling Mudcats, which would be his only season below 12 wins for the next nearly two decades.


Calgary third baseman Max Pohorence won rookie of the year in the American Association by winning the hitting title at .373 and setting a MLB record with 240 hits.


Many career milestones would be hit in MLB’s 11^th season with numerous batters crossing the 1000 run and RBI thresholds. Four crossed the 2000 hit barrier, first reached by Tampa’s Alberto Anguiano on April 19. New York’s Franklin Carro became the first pitcher at 2500 strikeouts on September 10 with Brooklyn’s Casey Esnault hitting the mark 11 days later. Ernie Stanford of the Yankees would become the first slugger with 400+ home runs.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Defending CABA champ Merida narrowly took the Mexican League South Division again at 91-71, finishing two games ahead of both Leon and Mexico City. Mexicali would not repeat as North Division champs, as Juarez beat them out by two games at 94-68. In his one season south of the border, American Rich Pendley earned pitcher of the year for the Jesters. Ecatepec first baseman earned MVP, leading the ML in hits, RBI, AVG, OBP, and WAR.


In the Caribbean League, Havana led CABA in runs scored and fewest allowed for the Island Division title at 111-51. It was a stacked division again with Haiti (106-56) and Puerto Rico (99-63) missing the postseason despite great years. No team in the Continental Division posted a winning record as Panama took first at 77-86, one up on Costa Rica and three on Salvador.


The Hurricanes had the pitcher of the year in Julio Ruiz. The 33-year old lefty posted a 14.1 WAR season, which would be the only 14+ WAR pitching year in CABA history until 2025. Caligula Davalos of the Honduras Horsemen was MVP with the outfielder sitting the CABA home run mark at 57, a record that would hold until 1939.


Havana topped Panama in six games to claim the Caribbean title and Juarez edged Merida in seven games for the Mexican title. The Hurricanes wouldn’t fall victim to the rally this time in the CABA Championship as they swept the Jesters for the crown.


Other notes: Havana’s Baptiste Timothee threw a perfect game with 15 strikeouts against Santo Domingo. It was the second CABA perfecto, as Manniche Velez of Haiti did it against Santiago the prior year.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

The top record in the American Association in 1912 went to Los Angeles, as the Angels finished 106-56 and scored a MLB-best 976 runs. 24-year old Aaron Wageman earned MVP from the Angels, while also earning left field’s Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. First baseman Bill Willis defied the trope of 1Bs being big and slow, leading the AA in runs scored, triples, and stolen bases Vancouver picked up second in the Western League at 97-65, fending off 93-win Portland and 91-win Calgary.


Defending World Series champ Houston won a fifth straight Southern League title at 103-59. The Hornets had the big free agent signing of the offseason, securing four-time pitcher of the year Josh Davis formerly of Cleveland to a seven-year, $33,900 contract. He wouldn’t get his fifth POTY in 1912 because new Houston teammate Jeremy Frechette would be getting HIS fifth. Charlotte finished second in the SL at 96-66 for their second playoff berth ever, joining the inaugural 1901 campaign.


Kansas City claimed the Midwest League at 95-67 with Chicago getting the second playoff spot at 91-71 for the first playoff berth for both squads.. Cougars second baseman Archie Meredith posted a 10.4 WAR season at age 24 to earn the National Association MVP. He beat out Toronto’s Jimmy Miller, who set the MLB record with a .390 batting average.


Washington narrowly won back-to-back Eastern League titles with a 96-66 record. Hartford finished second again, one back at 95-67. Boston (92-70) and Brooklyn (90-72) just fell short. Columbus’s Owen Swanson picked up his first pitcher of the year at age 25.


For the first time in the MLB playoff history, all of the first round series’ went five games. The league champs prevailed in each matchup with KC over Hartford, Washington over Chicago, LA over Charlotte, and Houston over Vancouver.


In the NACS, the Admirals dropped the Cougars in six games for Washington’s first Association crown. In the AACS, the Hornets defeated the Angels in six games for their sixth American Association title in eight years.


It was the AA’s turn to have home-field advantage in the World Series rotation and that paid off as the home team won each game. Houston defeated Washington in seven games with MVP going to second baseman Matt Whittington. Thus, the Hornets earned the first-ever World Series three-peat and their fourth title in five years.


Other notes: Houston’s Jeremy Frechette became the first MLB pitcher to each 200 career wins, doing so on 6/24/12. Detroit’s George Lacey became the second on 7/13. Oklahoma City’s Bas Pietersma became the first player to win 10 Gold Gloves. Although a career .208 hitter, the Aruban goes down as an all-time great defender at shortstop, generating 20.0 career WAR despite a career OPS+ of 55.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Puebla had the top record in Mexico in 1913, winning the South division at 95-67 and dethroning Merida (92-70). The North had its third winner in three years as Tijuana took first at 91-71, beating out Mexicali (88-74).


Defending league champ Juarez limped to 75-87 despite having pitcher of the year Nick Bermea, a 23-year old American whom the Jesters purchased from San Francisco. Ecatepec first baseman Manny Arroyo again won MVP, although his .337/.391./.562 line; all league leading; wasn’t enough to get the Explosion a winning record.


In the Caribbean League, Havana again had the best record in CABA with a 115-47 mark. Jamaica finished above 100 wins for the second time, but the Jazz’ 107-55 couldn’t keep up with the Hurricanes. After no winning records in 1912, the Continental division had one solid team with Panama placing 91-71.


Havana’s Baptiste Timothee won his second pitcher of the year, finishing first in ERA (1.44), wins (22), WHIP (0.77) and second in strikeouts (339). Puerto Rico’s Jhoyce Hidrovo was MVP with a league best 1.000 OPS and 12.2 WAR added by great defense at shortstop.


The Parrots gave the Hurricanes a decent run, but Havana claimed the Caribbean title in seven games. The Toros topped the Pumas in six games for the Mexican title and Tijuana would unseat the Hurricanes as the CABA champ, winning in six games. Outfielder Jeison Miranda won series MVP, hitting nine home runs with 19 RBI over 12 playoff games.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

The Houston Hornets powerhouse seemed to grow even stronger on paper in 1913 with the unexpected emergence of Aitor Cerda. The Mexican slugger came from a time before well-organized leagues where he was, making his official recognized debut along with CABA at age 39 for Salvador. After spending 1912 with Merida and leading the Mexican League with 39 homers, he signed with the Hornets.


Cerda would play only one season with Houston, but his 1913 would be remarkable, setting MLB records with 58 home runs and 175 RBI. The RBI record would remain untouched for more than a century. Cerda earned 1913 MVP and helped the Hornets to a MLB best 105-57 and new MLB record 1024 runs, the second team to cross 1000. Josh Davis, in his second year in Houston, earned his fifth career pitcher of the year and first in the American Association.


Memphis placed second in the Southern League at 98-64 with only 82-win Charlotte also finishing above .500 in the SL. In the Western League, Denver grabbed first at 104-58. Defending WL champ Los Angeles grabbed the second spot at 102-60 for a fifth straight playoff berth; which would ultimately be their last playoff spot for a decade.


The Hornets defeated the Angels in four games in the first round of the playoffs and the Mountain Cats outlasted the Dragons on the road for a five-game upset. The AACS would see a shocking result though as Memphis knocked out Houston in five games. Despite a $33,450 payroll compared to Houston’s massive $81,476 payroll, the Mountain Cats advanced and started would what become the franchise’s signature run.


In the National Association, Omaha emerged for their first playoff berth, leading the Midwest League at 104-58 led by the one-two pitching punch of Chris Krych and Casey Esnault. Defending ML champ Kansas City placed second at 98-64, just defeating Cleveland (97-65) for the spot. Duel pitcher/outfielder Angel Guerra won his second MVP in his final year with the Cougars. The Cuban would oddly bounce around to 10 teams in 12 years in the remainder of his career with mixed results.


No one dominated in the Eastern League as Boston picked up its first-ever playoff spot with the EL title at 93-69. Matt “Banjo” Newman, a small but very hard throwing righty and second-overall pick 1905, earned pitcher of the year from the Red Sox. Pittsburgh picked up the franchise’s second playoff appearance, finishing second at 91-71, four games over Hartford.


The Pirates were the top scoring NA team and used that to upset Omaha in four games in the first round. Kansas City stunned Boston in five, pitting the second-place finishers against each other in the NACS. Pittsburgh defeated the Cougars in six games for their only National Association crown of the 20^th century. The World Series crown though would go to the Memphis Mountain Cats, who easily took the title in five games.


Other notes: Los Angeles pitcher Dennis Belch threw MLB’s third perfect game in a speedy three strikeout game against Denver on 8/30.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

The Mexican League North division came down to a tiebreaker game after defending CABA champion Tijuana and Mexicali both finished 98-64. The Toros took the tiebreaker game, aided by a 12.4 MVP series by Dominican catcher Mar Pavia. Although below .500 as a team, Juarez had the Pitcher of the Year in a back-to-back effort for Nick Bermea. The 24-year old from Columbus, Georgia became the first CABA pitcher to win the Triple Crown at 20-7, 1.55 ERA and 356 strikeouts.


In the South division, it was a three-team battle between Puebla, Leon, and Ecatepec. The defending champ Pumas ultimately prevailed at 98-64, ahead of the Lions (95-67) and the Explosion (94-68). The Mexican League Championship Series rematch went seven games with Los Toros again coming out on top.


Havana’s hold on the Island division was ended in 1914. Despite a 92-70 record, the Hurricanes wouldn’t keep up with Puerto Rico’s 102-60 season and a second MVP season by Pelicans shortstop Jhoyce Hidrovo and a 13.2 WAR, 119 run, 135 RBI season.


Panama again was the only team above .500 in the Continental division with a 95-67 finish. The Parrots had Pitcher of the Year Juan Mendoza and the best team ERA in the Caribbean League at 3.00 even. The Pelicans claimed the CLCS in six games against the Parrots. However, it would be Tijuana securing back-to-back CABA titles with the swept of Puerto Rico in the championship.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

After his stunning record-setting MVP season at age 41 with Houston, Aitor Cerda signed with the Denver Dragons for a one-year, $5,500 contract. Cerda’s numbers wouldn’t be as eye popping, but he’d earn another American Association MVP before finishing his career with weak seasons with Charlotte and San Francisco in 1915 and 1916.


Cerda wasn’t the only big addition for Denver. Former Phoenix MVP outfielder Jason Salvage, who was traded at the deadline to Houston in 1913, signed a five-year, $26,500 deal with the Dragons. These signings pushed Denver not only to back-to-back Western League titles, but the MLB’s best record at 110-52. Portland picked up the second place spot in the WL at 96-66, the first playoff berth for the Pacifics. Calgary had the most runs scored, but placed third at 91-71.


Defending World Series champion Memphis won their first-ever Southern League title at 94-68, reversing position with Houston. The Hornets placed second at 92-70, getting the second-ever 300+ strikeout season and a record sixth Pitcher of the Year from Josh Davis. It would be his final great season due to an ulnar nerve entrapment in his throwing elbow the following May.


Houston’s playoff experience paid off as they shocked top-record Denver with a road sweep in the first round. Memphis topped Portland in four games for an AACS rematch between the Southern League rivals. The series went the distance and despite their lack of big stars and stats, the Mountain Cats prevailed for the second straight year, winning in seven games.


With aging stars, this would prove to be the end of Houston dynasty. Although the Hornets would have some solid seasons in the next decade, their run of eight American Association finals appearances and six titles in 10 years would go down as arguably the best decade in AA history. Manager Erick Stockmann would be the only MLB manager to win four World Series titles until Dian Gesang and the San Diego dynasty of the 2020s.


Columbus would boast the National Association MVP and PotY in taking theie first Midwest League title at 100-62. 25-year old Outfielder Jonathan Gibbs grabbed his second MVP and 27-year old righty Owen Swanson his second Pitcher of the Year. After coming close last year, Cleveland finally earned a playoff spot with a second-place 98-64 record, beating out solid seasons from Chicago (93 wins), Omaha (93), and Kansas City (92).


In a competitive Eastern League, 1912 NA champ Washington bounced back after a down 1913, finishing first in the EL at 95-67. Hartford picked up a third wild card in four years at 93-69, outlasting last year’s Association champ Pittsburgh (89-73), as well as Montreal (88-74) and Boston (86-76).


It would be an all Eastern League NACS as in the first round, the Huskies upset the Chargers in five games and the Admirals bested the Cobras in four. Despite being close in the regular season, Washington handled Hartford in five games to give the Admirals their second NA title in three years.


Memphis would not be able to pull off back-to-back World Series titles, as Washington won the Fall Classic in five games. It was Washington’s first-ever World Series title and the second National Association winner in the last eight years.


Other notes: Calgary’s Max Pohorence broke his own 1911 single-season hits record, one-better with 241. Pohorence also scored a new record 141 runs, one ahead of Alex Rodriguez’s 1901 mark.


Vancouver third baseman Dusty Knight become the second player to win 10 Gold Gloves. Knight would be one of two MLB players ever to eventually rack up 15 Gold Gloves over his career with six teams (WAS, CIN, LAA, VAN, MON, CAL). Despite 2788 career hits, his relatively unremarkable hitting kept him from a Hall of Fame spot.


Omaha pitcher Casey Esnault became the first pitcher to reach 3000 career strikeouts. Esnault eventually finished with 3776 and would stay in the top 20 even into the new Millennium, although his 71.8 WAR and 254-227 record still wouldn’t be enough to get him into the HOF with unremarkable 3.89 career ERA and 1.34 WHIP.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

1915 would again see Tijuana and Puebla atop their Mexican League divisions. The Pumas had the best record in CABA at 114-48 despite a solid Ecatepec team at 99-63 giving chase early in the South. Puebla second baseman Alex Hinojosa picked up his second career MVP, leading Liga Mexico in home runs, RBI, and WAR. The Toros at 102-60 had no competition in the North, seeing CABA records with 370 runs allowed and a 1.99 team ERA, marks that wouldn’t be touched for the rest of the century.


Tijuana had a historic Pitcher of the Year season from 27-year old left Brian Kendall. The American from Massachusetts started as a solid pitcher with Oakland before having his contract purchased (in the short time that was allowed between MLB and CABA) by Santiago. After two years there, he signed with the Toros and posted a Triple Crown season at 23-8 with a 1.44 ERA and 441 strikeouts, plus 13.7 WAR. The strikeout record remains the all-time CABA mark even into the 2020s, as does his .151 opponent batting average and 4.67 hits allowed per nine innings pitched.


In the third iteration of Tijuana vs. Puebla in the Mexican League Championship Series, the Pumas prevailed for the first time, winning in six games.


In the Caribbean, the Island Division came down to a tiebreaker game after Jamaica and Havana each finished 99-63. The Jazz took the tiebreaker and the best record in the league, while defending CL champ Puerto Rico finished 86-76. Chris “Ratface” Barnett, a relatively unknown American third basemen whom came to Jamaica by way of Philadelphia, won MVP with the league best batting average and RBI tally.



Hurricanes pitcher Baptiste Timothee won his third PotY and was seven strikeouts from a Triple Crown. The man who bested him, 23-year old Ulices Montero of Santiago, had the breakout season in what would arguably be the greatest career any pitcher ever.


In the Continental Division, Salvador took the top spot at 91-71. The Stallions didn’t have much in the way of star power or big numbers, but they got hot at the right time. Salvador would defeat Jamaica in five games to become the first continental winner of the Caribbean League. Then in the CABA Championship, the Stallions dusted Puebla in five games. Second baseman Adony Nunez won series MVP and had seven runs and nine hits in the postseason.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

The American Association was incredibly titled towards the Western League in the 1915 regular season. Seven WL teams finished with 90+ wins whereas only two in the Southern League were above .500. In the SL, defending AA champ Memphis took first at 92-70 with Dallas taking the other playoff spot at 89-73. For the first time in 12 years, Houston had a losing record, finishing 71-91.


In the stacked WL, Denver led the way with the most runs scored (913) and fewest allowed (625) for a 112-50 record. Seattle earned their first playoff berth finishing 103-59, but they had to fend off Vancouver (102-6), San Diego (99-63), Las Vegas (93-69), Phoenix (93-69), Calgary (92-7), and Portland (89-73). Veteran first baseman Chad Tepp won his first and only MVP with Seattle, 24-year old Panamanian pitcher Duke Mercedes led the AA in strikeouts en route to his first and only Pitcher of the Year.


Denver easily swept Dallas in the first round of the playoffs while Memphis knocked out Seattle in four games. The AACS went seven games and despite the Dragons’ gaudy stats, the sturdy Mountain Cats prevails for a third straight American Association championship.


The top record in the National Association went to Montreal, the Eastern League champ at 97-65. New York took their first playoff spot since 1908 at 93-69, outracing Hartford (90-72) and last year’s World Series champion Washington (88-74). 22-year old right fielder Jonathan Goldstein, the ninth overall pick for the Yankees in 1913, had a breakout sophomore season with a MLB best 56 home runs and NA leading 124 runs.


The Midwest League had a five-team battle that Indianapolis took by one game at 95-67, the first league title for the Racers. St. Louis and Columbus tied for the second spot at 94-68, one game over Kansas City and four over Omaha. The Cardinals won a tiebreaker game against the Chargers to advance to the postseason. 35-year old veteran Willie Hodo, who signed with St. Louis in the offseason, had a career year for PotY.


The EL prevailed in the first round as Montreal survived St. Louis in five games and New York earned a road sweep over Indianapolis. The Maples handled the Yankees in five games to win the National Association Championship Series for their second NA title (the first coming in the inaugural season).


Montreal’s first World Series title would have to come another time as Memphis prevailed in six games for their second crown in three years. Outfielder Sam Best had emerged as a clutch performer, winning both World Series and AACS MVP. In 17 playoff games, Best had 22 hits, six home runs, 11 runs, and 11 RBI.


Other notes: Toronto outfielder Jeff Larouche set the MLB record with 74 stolen bases. Houston’s Adam Boehm and Dallas’ Israel Villalobos became the second and third players to achieve 2500 career hits.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Tijuana claimed their fourth straight North Division title, dominating the Mexican League regular season in 1916 at 110-52. The Toros had both the league MVP and Pitcher of the Year with veteran left fielder Celio Quintero leading the way in the triple slash and Wolf Middelkamp with the best ERA and WHIP. Tijuana led Mexico in both runs scored (614) and fewest allowed (382).


The South Division was much more competitive as Ecatepec, Puebla, and Merida all won 90+. The Explosion and Pumas tied for the top spot at 94-68 with the Mean Green third at 90-72. Ecatepec unseated the defending champ in an one-game playoff and gave Tijuana a run in the LCS. However, the Toros survived in seven games for their third Mexican League title in four years.


Defending Caribbean champ Salvador dropped off a bit, but still advanced by winning a weak Continental division at 84-78. The Island division again was the powerhouse, having Santo Domingo third at 95-67; and a tie for first at 103-59 between Santiago and Jamaica.


The Sailfish edged the Jazz in the playoff game for their first division title. Ulices Montero picked up his first of many Pitcher of the Year awards, striking out 379 for Santiago. The Sailfish had an incredible top three rotation of Montero, Esaie Cherenfant, and multiple-time MLB Pitcher of the Year Josh Davis, Puerto Rico’s Jhoyce Hidrovo won his third MVP with the shortstop posting a CABA record 13.73 WAR season.


Santiago and Salvador went seven games in the League Championship Series with the Sailfish taking the Caribbean League title for the first time. The CABA Championship went seven games as well. Veteran first baseman was named series MVP as Santiago brought home the first CABA title to the Dominican Republic.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Denver had the best record in baseball for the third straight season as the Dragons finished 115-47; their best mark yet. Denver had the highest attendance in baseball (2,640,779 over the season) and the highest payroll. Portland placed second in the Western League at 97-65, beting out Los Angeles (93-69) and Phoenix (90-72). 22-year old designated hitter Walter Seda won MVP in his sophomore season for the Pacifics.


Defending World Series champ Memphis dominated the Southern League at 101-61. Charlotte took the second place wild card spot at 86-76, edging New Orleeans (84-78) and Jacksonville (82-80). 23-year old Amo Smart from Albuquerque was Pitcher of the Year with the AA lead in wins (24) and ERA (2.40).


Denver dispatched Charlotte in four games in the first round of the playoffs. The stunner came on the other side as Portland shocked Memphis in five games. The Pacifics then shocked the Dragons by winning the AACS in six games, ending another season in disappointment for Denver and giving Portland its first Association title.


The Midwest League was top heavy in 1916 with four teams getting 92 wins or more. Indianapolis was back-to-back champ at 100-62, beating out Milwaukee (99-63) in the Mustangs’ first playoff berth since winning the World Series in 1904. Louisville was third (94-68), then Omaha (92-70).


The Eastern League had Hartford on top at 95-68 for their first league title and fourth playoff berth in six years. Washington also earned their fourth appearance in six years by finishing second at 89-73, one up over last year’s NA champ Montreal. New York’s Jonathan Goldstein won back-to-back MVPs with another 50+ home run season and Owen Swanson got his third Pitcher of the Year with Columbus on a career-high 270 strikeouts and 10.6 WAR.


The Racers swept the Admirals in the first round and the Huskies battled for a 3-2 series win against the Mustangs. In the National Association Championship Series, Hartford edged Indianapolis in seven games for their first Association title. In the first World Series appearance for both teams, the Huskies defeated the Pacifics in six games. Centerfielder Kody Moreland earned WS MVP, having 13 hits, five doubles, and three home runs in eight playoff starts.


Other notes: St. Louis pitcher Quadir Pitman threw MLB’s fourth perfect game, recording four strikeouts against Columbus on 8/18. Denver’s Jason Salvage became the first player to 500 career home runs with Vancouver’s Josh Noble doing it as well two months later. Casey Esnault of Omaha became the first pitcher to reach 3500 career strikeouts. Vancouver right fielder Joe Daniels won his 10^th Gold Glove.

[jg2977]

Hartford won a championship? That’s my hometown team!

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Tijuana won the Liga Mexico Division Norte for the fifth straight season and posted their best record yet, a league-record 115-47. Their team ERA was 2.24 with the next closest Puebla at 2.66. The Pumas won Division Sur for the fourth time in five years after just missing out last year. Puebla went 102-60, nine better than Ecatepec (93-69). In the fourth Mexican League Championship Series meeting of the Toros and Pumas, Tijuana prevailed in six games for their fourth league title.


Puebla’s Alex Hinojosa won his third MVP with a league best 1.022 OPS and 10.7 WAR. Juarez pitcher Nick Bermea won his third Pitcher of the Year and became the third pitching Triple Crown winner in CABA with a 24-9 record, 1.84 ERA, and 365 strikeouts.


In Liga Caribe, Santo Domingo won their first-ever division title. The Dolphins finished with 747 runs, 103 ahead of next best, to finish 99-63. Jamaica had another great season but was just short at 97-65, while last year’s CABA Champ Santiago was third at 89-73. Diomar “Top Dog” Glas won his first MVP, with the 26-year old Curacaoan outfielder leading the league in runs (114), homers (50), RBI (121), and OPS (1.001).


In the Continental Division, Salvador won the title at 93-69 for their third straight playoff berth. Veteran American pitcher Matt Newman won PotY for the Stallions with a 0.80 WHIP, 1.92 ERA, and 26-7 mark. Newman became the first player to win his position’s top award in both CABA and MLB, as he won Pitcher of the Year in the National Association with Boston in 1913.


Santo Domingo would easily take the league title, defeating the Stallions in five games. In the CABA Championship, the Dolphins handled Tijuana in five games for their first title, the second straight by a Dominican team, and third straight for the Caribbean. Glas earned series MVP and had 19 hits, 10 runs, 6 doubles, and 4 homers over 10 playoff games.


Other notes: Santo Domingo also had pitcher Dave Walsh throw CABA’s third-ever perfect game, striking out 11 against Honduras on June 20. Jamaica pitcher Alejandro Cordova became the first CABA player to record 2000 career strikeouts.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

After winning the American Association as a wild card in 1916, Portland won the Western League title for the first time with an AA best 102-60 mark in 1917. 23-year old First baseman Walter Seda won back-to-back MVPs for the Pacifics with 143 RBI and 1.001 OPS. Portland saw one of the best relief efforts in AA history from 24-year old Armen Eberhardt, who had an ERA+ of 600 over 77.1 innings with 114 strikeouts and 5.2 WAR out of the bullpen.


Second in the Western League was a five-team race. Last year’s 115-winner Denver was in the mix at 86-76 with Las Vegas also at 86-76, plus San Francisco and Seattle at 84-78. However, Phoenix took the spot at 87-75, tying the mark for fewest wins from a playoff team.


The Southern League saw a tie at the top with Dallas and Memphis both finishing 99-63. As both qualified, league rule didn’t require a tiebreaker game and the Dalmatians got the head-to-head narrowly to be crowned league champ. Jacksonsville was third at 93-69 in their best season in more than a decade, followed by Houston (88-74) and Charlotte (87-75). New Orleans ace Newton Persaud was Pitcher of the Year at age 27 in his first of five eventual crowns with a 10.2 WAR season.


Despite the best record, Portland was upset in the first round of the playoffs, losing in four to Memphis. Dallas swept Phoenix, making the AACS a true “tiebreaker” between the Southern League powers. Pitching depth for the Mountain Cats, who had the AA fewest runs allowed at 619, gave them the edge over the Dalmatians in seven games. It was Memphis’ fourth AA title in five years.


In the National Association, defending World Series champ Hartford finished 99-63, which believe it or not, put them in third place in the Eastern League. Montreal’s 97-65 was fourth best in a loaded field. The New York Yankees would take first at 103-59, one better than Philadelphia’s 102-60. The Phillies had Eric Roman in his one Pitcher of the Year, as the 24-year old tossed 9.9 WAR.


The Midwest League’s winner was Omaha at 101-61. Milwaukee was second again at 98-64 and was the only team from last year in the National Association to make it back to the playoffs. Indianapolis was a close third at 94-68 with a league MVP sophomore season from outfielder Buck Alexander.


The second place finishers pulled off the road upsets in the first round of the playoffs as Philadelphia beat Omaha in five games and Milwaukee topped New York in four. In the NACS, the Phillies defeated the Mustangs in six games for their first Association title.


The World Series between Philadelphia and the Mountain Cats would be a seven-game classic. The home team won each game and this year, that gave the Phillies the edge for their first MLB title. It also marked the end of the Memphis signature run, as the Mountain Cats wouldn’t be back until the Johnson Administration.


Other notes: St. Louis pitcher Willie Hodo became the second player to reach 3000 career strikeouts. Former Houston star Will Miller, now with the Yankees, and Atlanta’s Israel Villalobos became the second and third players to have scored 1500 career runs. Seattle’s Chad Tepp was the first to hit 1500 RBI, joined later in the year by Anthony Young of Vancouver, Will Miller, and Denver’s Jason Salvage.

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Tijuana continued their Mexican League success in 1918 with a 114-48 record for a sixth straight North Division title. Toros ace Brian Kendall picked up his second Pitcher of the Year, leading Liga Mexico with 7.9 WAR despite only 24 starts due to injury. Tijuana had the top three pitchers in ERA as well as Reliever of the Year B.J. Medina.


In the South Division, Ecatepec won their second division title in three years, finishing 97-65. Guadalajara was next at 90-72, followed by Puebla at 88-74. Pumas infielder Alex Hinojosa earned his fourth MVP and led the league in seven categories. The Explosion gave a nice effort in the League Championship Series, but Tijuana prevailed in six games for their fifth league title in six years.


In the Dominican, defending CABA champ Santo Domingo battled with Santiago for the Island division title. The Dolphins had the league MVP in Zósimo Hernández, a two-way pitcher and left fielder; and the Sailfish had a Triple Crown season from Ulices Montero for his second Pitcher of the Year. Both finished the regular season at 103-59, but the offensive prowess of Santo Domingo gave them the edge in the tiebreaker game.


Nicaragua easily claimed the Continental division at 97-65 for their first playoff appearance. The Navigators couldn’t stand up to the Dolphins though, as Santo Domingo won the LCS in six games for back-to-back Caribbean League titles. The Dolphins couldn’t claim back-to-back CABA titles though as Tijuana got revenge in five games. The Toros became the first three-time CABA champ.


Other notes: Juarez pitcher Nick Bermea set a single game record with 22 strikeouts, doing it in 14.2 innings against Merida. Tijuana’s Avelino Tamez threw CABA’s fourth perfect game on 8/27 against Monterrey.

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Defending World Series champ Philadelphia took a very top heavy Eastern League in 1918 at 102-60. Phillies outfielder Cam Lloyd picked up the MVP with the National Association lead in runs (129), hits (203), home runs (53), and RBI (147). He was six points away from a hitting Triple Crown. Hartford took the second place spot at 99-63, fending off 97-65 marks from both Montreal and New York.


Columbus, who won 68 games the prior year, picked up the Midwest League title at 90-72. Louisville earned their first playoff berth since 1906 with the wild card at 87-76, one game better than Indianapolis. Washington’s Jeremiah Jaiboon picked up the Pitcher of the Year.


The Chargers swept the Huskies in the first round of the playoffs while Philadelphia survived in five games against Louisville. Philadelphia would find a rhythm though to defeat Columbus in the NACS in six, sending the Phillies to the World Series for the second straight year.


In the American Association, Jacksonville won the Southern League for their first playoff appearance since 1903, finishing with the AA’s best record at 100-62. Dallas made back-to-back playoff berths by taking second at 97-65. Houston (91-71) and Memphis (88-74) were next.


In the Western League, San Francisco secured their first-ever playoff berth with the league title at 99-63. The Gold Rush had the league MVP in centerfielder Payton Wayman, with the 24-year old claiming the batting title at .362. Portland advanced to the postseason for the fourth time in five years as the wild card at 95-67. Third place Denver (90-72) had Pitcher of the Year in Ray Biedermann, whom they acquired in free agency from Louisville in the offseason.


The second place finishers both advanced in the postseason as the Pacifics upset the Gators in a sweep and the Dalmatians outlasted the Gold Rush in five. Dallas downed Portland in five games in the AACS for the Dalmatians’ first-ever Association title.


The World Series went to Philadelphia in six games, making the Phillies the second MLB team to repeat as overall champ. Outfielder Pablo De La Fuente was the World Series MVP, picking up 13 RBI, 23 hits, and 4 triples over 17 postseason games.


Other notes; Montreal third baseman Dusty Knight won his record 14^th and final Gold Glove.

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The idea of a Major League Baseball Hall of Fame came to fruition fairly quickly, but it wouldn’t be until 1919 that a player would be enshrined. The rules were induction were receiving 66% of the vote with a maximum of 10 years on the ballot if you received 5% or greater. You were eligible five years after retiring from the league.


The early voting was an interesting discussion as many of the earliest players started their officially recorded MLB careers in their late 20s or 30s. The disorganized and chaotic nature of professional baseball prior to MLB’s 1901 inaugural season meant some early players got punished by their lack of accumulated stats; accomplishments from the 19^th century were largely ignored or dismissed. But in 1919, the first player to receive the honor was starting pitcher Franklin Carro.


Franklin Carro: Starting Pitcher, New York Yankees (76.3%, first ballot)


Franklin “Stumpy” Carro was born on October 19, 1874 in McPherson, Kansas, which was only founded two years prior. At 5’6’’, 160 pounds, the lefty earned the name “Stumpy” for his short and stocky frame. While not physically intimidating, Carro was a hard worker who learned how to get ground balls and strikeouts with great efficiency. His pitches topped out in the lower 90 mph range, but his sinker, forkball, slider, and changeup was elite stuff and served him well as he took up the fledgling game in his 20s, despite having at times shaky control.


At the time Major League Baseball was founded, Carro was already 26-years old, but had become known among the baseball world as a great pitcher. So much so that in the inaugural draft, he was the 19^th overall pick of the Houston Hornets.


Carro pitched his first three MLB seasons with the Hornets, leading the American Association in strikeouts in 1902. The following year, his 21-6 record, 2.91 ERA, and 291 strikeouts earned him the Pitcher of the Year award. In a game that year against Phoenix, he hit a then-MLB record with 19 strikeouts in a game.


Late in 1903, Carro signed a one-year contract extension for $1,860 with the Hornets, but the team was worried they wouldn’t be able to keep him long-term. In January 1904, Houston traded Carro to Milwaukee for three ultimately unsuccessful prospects.


With the Mustangs, Carro had perhaps his best career season. He led the National Association and had a career-best 1.92 ERA and 308 strikeouts at age 29. Milwaukee led the NA at 103-59 won their only World Series title of the 20^th century. Carro won his second PotY and joined a small list of winners in both the NA and AA.


It proved a valuable one-year rental for the Mustangs, but Carro wouldn’t stick around. On December 2, 1904, he signed one of the richest contracts to date with the New York Yankees of seven years, $25,160. He played all seven years of the deal and became known as an all-time great Yankee.


The contract paid off right away as in 1905, Carro led the NA in strikeouts (296) and WAR (9.8) en route to a third Pitcher of the Year. He pitched 40 innings with a 2.68 ERA in the 1905 postseason as the Yankees won their first World Series, defeating his first team Houston in seven games.


He remained a strong starter for the Yankees after that, but started to see age and injuries catch up. In Austin 1907, Carro suffered a torn flexor tendon in his throwing elbow and then a torn rotator cuff in May 1909, leading to partial seasons. He pitched full seasons in 1910 and 1911 and even led the NA in WAR (7.4) in 1911 at age 36. But after that season, the Yankees elected to part ways with Carro.


He signed a two-year, $8,160 deal with San Diego and while still a quality pitcher, was no longer an ace by 1912. After a year with the Seals, he was traded for prospects to the Cleveland Cobras. He only made eight starts with the Cobras but one was special, his lone no-hitter against Minneapolis on April 16.


At age 38, he had more elbow issues and again suffered a torn flexor tendon, effectively ending his run with Cleveland. In late 1914, the Yankees signed him to a minor league deal, but he never took the field. One month later, he officially announced his retirement from professional baseball.


Carro notably was the first MLB player to reach the 2000 and 2500 strikeout threshold, finishing with 2740. His final record as 177-118 with a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 79.2 career WAR over 2866 innings. For Stumpy, an excellent career and a fine player to end up as the first MLB Hall of Famer.

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Guadalajara emerged as the dominant force in the 1919 Mexican League regular season at 113-49, leading in both runs and fewest allowed (660-421). They easily pulled away from Puebla in the South Division, despite the Pumas having league MVP Alex Hinojosa and Pitcher of the Year Matt Determan. It would be Hinojosa’s fifth and final MVP. Hellhounds outfielder Victor Valenzuela was the batting champion and would soon replace Hinojosa as the perennial top MVP contender.


Tijuana had a down year by their lofty standards, but still comfortably won the North Division at 95-67. The Toros’ playoff experience paid off against the fledgling Guadalajara squad as Tijuana won the LCS in six games. It would be their sixth Mexican League title in seven years.


Santo Domingo picked up a third straight Caribbean Island Division title with an 100-62 mark, fending off 93-win efforts from Haiti and Santiago. The Dolphins had three players in the top five for runs scored, home runs, and RBI; led by league MVP Alba Jiménez and former MVP Diomar Glas. Sailfish ace Ulices Montero won his third PotY in four years with 439 strikeouts, the second highest tally in CABA history and second highest season for WAR at 13.8.


In the Continental Division, Honduras posted their first-ever winning season en route to the title at 95-67. The Horsemen would upset the flashier and more acclaimed Dolphins, cruising to a 4-1 LCS win. Honduras would be no match for Tijuana in the CABA Championship, which the Toros took in five.


Through the first decade of CABA, Tijuana had emerged as the powerhouse with six finals appearances and four CABA titles. But 1919 would be the end of the dynasty run and apart from a one-off in the early 1920s, the end of Tijuana’s time as a top-tier team. 1919 was the last year for manager Santiago Francisco, who would be the only CABA manager with four titles until Spiro Santim picked up eight over the 50s, 60s, and 70s.