LOUISVILLE SPIRES
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 88-74, Won NL South
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: 24-year old expansion team that's never won a title. Always rumored to be on the move, but remain entrenched with a loyal fanbase. A title would cement their legacy.
PHOENIX FIREBIRDS
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 91-71, Won NL West
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: They're the defending champs.
SAN FRANCISCO PEANUTS
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 83-80, NL WILD CARD
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
Remember him? He got traded by Brattleboro during the off-season. Things turned out okay for Rick Salgado, as San Francisco's new most popular player and fixture in their lineup.
WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: An original ABA franchise. 13 titles in their history. Last title came 9 years ago and have been out of the playoffs the past four years. A venerable club if there ever was one, play baseball the right way and have a storied history.
TORONTO BLUE COLLARS
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 91-71, NL WILD CARD
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: Last title came 51 years ago. This team has been shuffling back and forth between Chicago and Toronto, was originally a Chicago team, moved to Toronto from 2036-64, back to Chicago in 2065 and then move back to Toronto again in 2117.
AMARILLO GOLD SOX
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 92-70, Won AL Central
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY SHOULD YOU ROOT FOR THEM?: It's been 39 seasons since the last Gold Sox title -- which came in Colorado. The team moved to Amarillo after over 250 years in Colorado. The Gold Sox have become most of Texas favorite team and they could be yours too.
WEST VIRGINIA ALLEGHENIES
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 82-80, Won AL South
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: 2nd smallest market in ABA after Brattleboro. 13 playoff appearances in their 26-year history but not titles thus far. Always a fun team to watch.
LAS VEGAS ACES
HOW'D THEY GET HERE: 94-68, Won AL West
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY SHOULD I ROOT FOR THEM: This is their first playoff appearance in franchise history (2136) but they are the continuation of the Tacoma Thrashers who folded after 2135. If your life was looking for a club to root for without the baggage of moves, long history or whatever else, the Aces are a good bet.
SALT LAKE CITY ELDERS
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 87-75, AL Wild Card
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:
WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: Team founded in 1891. Seven titles in franchise history. This playoff appearances is their 5th straight, but first time in that stretch as a wild card. No titles to show for their efforts. Maybe 5th time is a charm?