Baseball: The World's Game (OOTP 22 Fictional World)

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1922 in EAB

Defending Japanese champion Tokyo improved from 96 wins to 104 in their second season in East Asia Baseball. Unfortunately for them, Sapporo was three games better for the North Division title at 107-55. The Swordfish led Japan in runs scored and allowed with pitcher Ju-An Kim earning both Pitcher of the Year and League MVP with the league-best 1.62 ERA. The South Division was a bit weaker with 89-73 Hiroshima taking the top spot by one game over 88-74 Osaka. In the JLCS, Sapporo would prevail in six games.


The North was also top heavy in the Korea League as Hamhung outraced defending champ Pyongyang for the top spot. The Heat led the way at 107-55, five games better than the 102-60 Pythons. Daegu dominated in the South Division at 98-64, 15-games ahead of next best Changwon. The top awards went to players on below .500 teams as Seoul’s Ju-Won Song won MVP, whacking 138 RBI (31 more than second place). Suwon’s Jung-Won Park led the league in ERA for the PotY.


In the KLCS, Hamhung defeated Daegu in six games. In the second East Asia Baseball Championship, the Heat bested the Swordfish in six. Outfielder Sozen Murata won series MVP in the EAB final and the KLCS for the Heat, getting 19 hits, 11 runs, four HR, and eight RBI in 12 games.


Other Notes: Tokyo’s Tae-U Jun threw EAB’s third perfect game on 4/25 against Kobe. Then on 9/18, Kyoto’s Shinji Higa tossed the fourth perfecto.

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1922 in CABA

Defending CABA champ Guadalajara won a fourth straight South Division title in 1922, taking the crown comfortably at 101-61. The Hellhounds had the Pitcher of the Year in Carlos Cartagena, with the 27-year old eating what would be a long-standing record of 309.1 innings while posting a solid 2.27 ERA.


The North Division was more competitive with Hermosillo (96), Tijuana (95), and Mexicali (89) all posting solid years. However, Chihuahua prevailed at 102-60 for a third straight division title.


Interestingly, the pitcher with the best WAR in Mexico was the Reliever of the Year for the Warriors. B.J. “The Warden” Medina picked up his second award in his return to Mexico after a few years in MLB, posting 50 saves and a 1.07 ERA with 218 strikeouts over 101.1 innings. He finished second in PotY voting, the closest a reliever had gotten to the award. Outfielder Alba Jimenez, who signed with Tijuana in the offseason from Santo Domingo, won his second career MVP, easily leading the Mexican League with 47 home runs.


For the third straight year, the MLCS was between Guadalajara and Chihuahua. For the first time, the Warriors prevailed, winning the series in five games for their first Mexican title.


Although it was their fourth straight 90+ win season, 1922 would be the first playoff berth for the Haiti Herons, winning the Caribbean Island division at 99-63. They held off Havana (93-69), Jamaica (92-70), and defending champ Santiago (91-71), getting a Pitcher of the Year from Makenson Augustin.


In the Continental Division, Honduras edged Guatemala for the top spot with the Horsemen at 89-73 and Ghosts at 87-75. Guatemala shortstop Neno Campos won the league MVP with the batting title and 10.8 WAR.


It was the fourth straight playoff berth for Honduras and for the third time in that stretch, they prevailed in the CLCS despite boasting the less impressive record. Honduras beat Haiti 4-2 to take the Caribbean League title. Yet again, they’d be denied their first CABA title, falling in a seven-game classic to Chihuahua. Second baseman Hamilton Salazar was series MVP with a .386 average in the postseason.


Other Notes: Kenyon Jorgensen of Juarez had CABA’s fifth perfect game, striking out 11 against Puebla on 8/2. Santiago ace Ulices Montero became the first pitcher to 3500 career strikeouts and Santo Domingo’s Alejandro Cordova the first to 200 wins. Jamaica’s Chris Barnett and SD’s Diomar Glas were the first to reach 1000 career RBI.

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1922 in MLB

San Francisco once again won the Western League in 1922, giving the Gold Rush five straight playoff berths and four league titles in that stretch. SF had the most runs scored at 907 and finished 100-62. Las Vegas took the second place spot at 91-71 for their first ever playoff berth. This left San Diego, Nashville, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City as the only AA franchises without one playoff appearance in the first 22 years of Major League Baseball.


The Knights came close to getting their first spot, but 98 wins put Nashville third in the Southern League. Houston won the SL with the best AA record at 103-59, followed by Atlanta second at 100-62. The Aces had the league MVP in first baseman Israel Bishop as the lefty from Grenada led the AA in runs (123), hits (220), RBI (128) and average (.351). Hornets ace Newton Persaud won his fourth Pitcher of the Year, leading the AA in WAR for the sixth straight season.


In the first round of the playoffs, Houston swept Los Vegas and Atlanta upset San Francisco in four games. The Aces would fall in the AACS for the second straight year as the Hornets won in five, sending them to their second World Series in three years and eighth WS appearance overall.


In the National Association, Buffalo was the top team with a 100-62 mark atop the Eastern League. Seven teams were within six games of second place with Philadelphia taking second at 92-70, one up on Hartford, two on Baltimore, three on Boston, four on New York, five on Toronto, and six on Washington.


The Midwest League was even tighter with four teams within one game of each other for the top spot. Cleveland and Kansas City both finished 90-72 with Cincinnati and Columbus one back at 89-73. As both clinched a playoff spot, the Cobras and Cougars didn’t have to play a one-game playoff, with Cleveland getting the tiebreaker for the ML title. It was a huge turnaround for the Cobras, who hadn’t won more than 61 games in a season in their last three years.


Pitcher of the Year went to Nick Bermea. After four PotYs in CABA with Juarez, the Columbus, Georgia native returned to America by signing with Philadelphia and tossing a NA best 2.55 ERA at age 32. St. Louis slugger Elijah Cashman had his first career MVP at age 25 with a 1.060 OPS. His 46 home runs was third in the NA. Next year, he’d begin a streak of eight years as the Association leader in dingers.


It would be an all-Midwest Association final after Cleveland defeated Philadelphia in four and Kansas City topped Buffalo in four in the first round. The Cobras bested the Cougars in six, ending KC’s run for the second straight year in the NACS and giving Cleveland their first World Series appearance. Their first title would have to come another year as Houston won the World Series in six games; the Hornets’ sixth overall MLB crown and second in three years. First baseman Emanuel McCain won WS MVP with 20 hits, 12 runs, and 11 RBI over his postseason.


Other Notes: Denver and former Omaha Shortstop Lee Chase won his 10^th Gold Glove. Christopher Ross became the fourth hitter to 500 career home runs. Denver pitcher Regal Lewis became the third pitcher to 3500 career strikeouts.

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1923 HOF

For the second straight season, no one reached the 66% threshold for MLB Hall of Fame induction. Shortstop Dave Douglas saw four points of improvement, getting to 63.8% on his second year. Mario Salazar got his highest total yet at 58.4% in his seventh try and third baseman Israel Villalobos had a nice debut at 54.3%.


John Waymire became the second player to last 10 years on the ballot, ending on a low 5.8% with a high of 30.6% on his second try. An interesting career as a closer, Waymire played with nine teams (NO, CAL, DEN, NY, SF, PHX, LOU, HOU, CHA) from 1901 to 1908. With a 1.66 ERA in 476.1 innings and 170 saves, he was one of the first well known closers, twice a Reliever of the Year.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1923 in EAB

Sapporo won the Japan League North Division for the second straight season with a 103-59 mark and league-best 670 runs scored. Tokyo was close but just short at 99-63. In the South, Osaka took first at 102-60, fending off Kitakyushu (98-64) and Hiroshima (95-67). For the second time, Orange Sox pitcher Zeshin Saito won both league MVP and Pitcher of the Year, having thrown almost 34 WAR over three seasons. This time, Saito had enough support around him to lead Osaka to a league title, as the Orange Sox defeated the Swordfish in five games in the JLCS.


In the Korea League, Defending EAB champ Hamhung and Pyongyang battled at the top of the North Division. The Heat claimed first at 118-44, leaving the Pythons out of the postseason despite finishing 116-46. Hamhung outfielder Sozen Murata won MVP with 119 runs scored and a 1.093 OPS and Pitcher of the Year Chikara Ohkubo with a 12.7 WAR mark and 353 strikeouts. The 29-year old Ohkubo joined the Heat from Busan with a seven-year, $33,580 contract.


The South Division went to Changwon at 106-56, 13 games better than previous division champ Daegu. Despite Hamhung’s gaudy stats, the Crabs would oust them in six games in the Korea League Championship Series. However, Osaka would sweep Changwon in the East Asia Baseball Championship for the first overall title by a Japanese team.


Other notes: The fifth and sixth EAB perfect games were thrown in 1923. Katsunari Fujiwara of Tokyo tossed one against Kobe in April and Moon Kim of Changwon did it against Suwon in May.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1923 in CABA

Guadalajara secured a fifth straight playoff berth in 1923 as the Hellhounds won the South Division at 103-59, 10 games better than Mexico City. “Mr. Reliable” Victor Valenzuela won his second MVP with the outfielder leading the league in the triple slash with a 9.3 WAR. Guadalajara pitcher Aitor Moreno in his second year with the squad tossed 10 shutouts en route to the Pitcher of the Year.


After missing the playoffs the last three years, Tijuana was back atop the North Division at 95-67, besting defending CABA champ Chihuahua by five games. The Toros would oust the Hellhounds 4-1 in the MLCS for their seventh Mexican League title.


In a very competitive Caribbean League, Santiago had the best record at 96-66. The Sailfish finished two ahead of Haiti, three of Havana, and nine over Jamaica. Perhaps putting Santiago over the top was Diomar Glas, who they acquired in the offseason from Santo Domingo for five prospects. The Curacaoan outfielder would get his second MVP, picking it up at age 32 after his first game at age 27. Santiago also had Pitcher of the Year Ulices Montero, picking up his sixth thus far in his decade-long career.


The Continental Division was a two-team race between Guatemala and Honduras. The Ghosts snapped the Horsemen’s postseason streak at four years, getting their first playoff berth with a 92-70 mark, two games better than Honduras. In the CLCS, the Sailfish topped the Ghosts in six games. In the CABA Championship, Santiago best Tijuana in five games for their second CABA title and the first Caribbean winner since 1917.


Other Notes: Toros catcher Mar Pavia won his 11^th and final Silver Slugger award. Diomar Glas became the first player to 400 career home runs and Ulices Montero the second pitcher to 200 career wins.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1923 in MLB

The best record in the National Association in 1923 went to Baltimore atop the Eastern League at 102-60. Philadelphia took the wild card at 97-65, finishing three ahead of Buffalo and five over Ottawa. In the Midwest League, Columbus took the first place spot at 92-70. Kansas City got the other plyoff spot at 90-72, one better than Cincinnati and four over Chicago and Minneapolis.


The notable individual seasons came from non-playoff teams. St. Louis first baseman Elijah Cashman set the Major League record with 61 home runs in his second MVP season. Cashman’s 12.3 WAR was the most ever in a single season by any MLB player to that point, hitting a 1.060 OPS with league bests in runs (138) and RBI (145) along with Gold Glove winning defense. Despite this, the Cardinals were 74-88, tied for seventh In the Midwest.


Brooklyn was 10^th in the Eastern League at 75-87 but had Pitcher of the Year Bailey Johnson. The 26-year old left was one ERA point from the Triple Crown at 23-7, 2.34 ERA, and 313 strikeouts. The man one point better was Dylan D’Ippolito of Washington at 2.33, the 1923 Rookie of the Year. Very soon, D’Ippolito became notable as a legitimate two-way success on the mound and in the outfield.


In the playoffs, Baltimore swept Kansas City and Columbus beat Philadelphia in four in the first round. The NACS went to the Orioles in six games for their second Association title in three years.


The defending World Series champ Houston improved upon their 1922 record by nine games, the best in the American Association at 112-50. The Hornets had by far the best pitching staff in the AA, allowing 592 runs with a fifth Pitcher of the Year Award for Newton Persaud. Charlotte placed second in the SL at 93-69, beating out Atlanta for second by two games.


SL Sixth place Oklahoma City had the league MVP in Ethan “Socks” Lewin. The 26-year old designated hitter became the first MLB hitter ever to land the Triple Crown at .368 with 52 home runs and 143 RBI.


San Francisco advanced to the playoffs for the sixth straight season with their fifth Western League title in that run. The Gold Rush finished at 95-67. Six teams were within five games of the second place spot with Calgary and Denver tying for the spot at 89-73. Oakland was one back at 88-74, then Vancouver (86-76), Phoenix (85-77), San Diego (85-77), and Los Angeles (84-78). In a one-game playoff, the Cheetahs beat the Dragons to send Calgary to the playoffs for the first time since 1905.


The Cheetahs used that momentum to stun Houston in the first round in five games. Charlotte also swept San Francisco on the road, setting up both second place teams in the AACS. The Canaries won their first Association title in a seven-game classic over the Cheeaths. The World Series went seven as well with the home team winning each game; this time leading to Baltimore’s first overall title. Journeyman catch Russel Dennis won the World Series MVP, picking up 19 hits and 11 runs over the postseason.


Other Notes: Phoenix’s Marc Hutson had a 35-game hit streak, the second-longest only behind Condela Gurrola’s 40-game streak for Seattle in 1902. Seattle’s Del Klassen became the second hitter to 3000 career hits. Archie Meredith of Toronto was the 5^th to 500 career home runs and Newton Persaud the fourth to 3500 career strikeouts.

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1924 Hall of Fame voting

After back-to-back seasons with no one reaching the 66% threshold for the MLB Hall of Fame, two were elected for the 1924 class. Shortstop Dave Douglas made it on his third try at 71.4% and pitcher Tom Guillaume narrowly made the cut on his seventh effort at 67.0%. Closer Dan Wagner and first baseman Chad Tepp both hit 60% on their first time on the ballot. Early days MVP George Cull on his eighth try had his highest number yet, but still short at 59.7%.


Meanwhile, CABA’s Hall of Fame had existed for a few seasons but no one had come close yet in the limited history to the threshold. That is, until 1924 when pitcher Baptiste Timothee earned the distinction as the first Hall of Famer for the Central American Baseball Association.

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1924 Hall of Fame Class

Dave “Scuba” Douglas – Shortstop – Cincinnati Reds – 71.4 % (3^rd Ballot)


Dave Douglas had a lengthy career even with most of his 20s coming in the pre-MLB era. The 6’0’’ 180 pounder from Dallas, Oregon was a right-handed bat who apart from a brief stint at third base and left field at the very end, played his entire career at shortstop. “Scuba” surprisingly only won the Gold Glove once despite a career Zone Rating of 136.8 over 1781 games at short. Five times he was named the best hitter at the position.

By the time Major League Baseball was officially formed for the 1901 season, Douglas was already 27 years old. But he was well known as a very solid all-around hitter, fielder, and leader. As such, Cincinnati used their first pick in the inaugural draft to choose Douglas; 24^th overall.


Douglas played eight seasons with the Reds, leading the National Association in WAR in 1901, 1902, and 1905 as well as in runs in 1905. In 1908, Cincinnati had their first-ever playoff berth, falling in the NACS to St. Louis. That would be his last season as a Red as like many others, he chased the big money and allure of the Houston Hornets dynasty. He signed a four year, $15,520 deal at age 35 and played four years with the Hornets.


Douglas would be an integral starter for Houston as they won three straight World Series titles from 1910-1912. Douglas led the American Association with 139 runs in 1910 and 1911, posted a 10.1 WAR for his lone MVP season. During the three-peat, he had 57 playoff hits and 32 runs scored.


After 1912, now age 39, his contract was purchased by the Leon Lions of CABA, which was something allowed in the early days between the two organizations. He was respectable in his year there, but age caught up as he was traded to Haiti in 1914. He made a brief return in 1915 and 1916 to the majors with Atlanta and Las Vegas, but by this point, his days as a premier player was done.


For his MLB career, Douglas finished with 91.4 WAR, 2249 hits and 1392 runs scored with a .286 average and .374 OBP. An always solid defensive presence, reliable hitter, and team leader, Douglas earned his spot among the HOF greats.


Tom “Dash” Guillaume – Starting Pitcher – Phoenix Firebirds – 67.0% (7^th Ballot)

The first Canadian inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, Tom Guillaume in rural Alberta. As he got older, the 5’7’’ 195 pound righty was introduced to baseball by some friends. A “fan favorite” personality type, Tom’s work ethic and adaptability made him a quick study despite not being exposed to the game much as a kid.


He was never a dominant pitcher, although his fastball did top out in the 96-98 range. But his stuff and movement were always respectable, his control solid, and his repertoire diverse, switching between a fastball, slider, changeup, splitter, and forkball.


Guillaume was 24-years old when the MLB was officially formed and was well enough liked and known locally in Alberta to get on the radar of the Calgary Cheetahs. In the inaugural draft, he was picked in the 10^th round by Calgary; the 463^rd player overall.


In his few months with the Cheetahs, he pitched an unremarkable 38.1 innings. In July of 1901, he was involved in a trade with Phoenix, sending a farm boy from rural Alberta to the heat of Arizona. The Firebirds put him in as a starter, but he finished his rookie year with a lousy 5.20 ERA, not exactly a guy seemingly destined for greatness.


The remaining 11 years of his MLB career would be with the Firebirds. He gradually worked on his craft, eventually making his way into an ace role for a team that made the playoffs each year from 1905 to 1910 after struggling in their first years. Tom led the American Association in wins in 1906, 1907, and 1910, while leading in WHIP in 1907.


That 1907 season was his lone Pitcher of the Year, going 27-5 with a 2.77 ERA over 282.1 innings, 42 walks, 224 strikeouts, and a 0.98 WHIP. In five postseason starts, he posted a 4-1 record, 1.77 ERA over 40.2 innings, helping lead Phoenix to their first World Series title. It would be the team’s only Association title in the run, suffering four knockouts in the AACS despite strong win-loss records. Guillaume was a solid playoff performer though, with a career 2.61 ERA in 17 playoff starts with 134.1 innings.


1911 was the end of Phoenix’s run at the top of the Western League and Tom saw a step drop-off in personal production in 1912 at age 35, retiring after that season.


Guillaume finished with a 193-124 record, 3.39 ERA over 2933 innings with 1984 strikeouts and a 56.3 WAR. He was rarely dominant, but a well-liked teammate and reliable starter with a few years atop the staff during a strong run for Phoenix. The lack of flash meant it took him seven tries on the Hall of Fame ballot to narrowly make the cut, but Guillaume found his spot in the Hall of Fame.



Baptiste “Matchbox” Timothee - Starting Pitcher – Havana Hurricanes – First Ballot (77.9%)


The first Central American Baseball Association Hall of Famer, Baptiste Timothee was the first great starting pitcher in the Caribbean League. Born in rural northern Haiti, the hard working Timothee was inducted to the game in his mid 20s and took to it. He had four pitches with a mid 90s fastball, strong slider and forkball, as well as a changeup. “Matchbox” was a right-handed arm, standing at 6’0’’, 200 pounds.


When CABA was officially formed, Timothee was already 28-years old, but his past barnstorming earned him a contract with the Havana Hurricanes. In the first year of CABA, Timothee was the Pitcher of the Year with a league-leading 11.9 WAR, a 23-6 record, 1.59 ERA, and 350 strikeouts. He had three great postseason starts to help the Hurricanes to the first Caribbean league title. The next year, Havana would take the CABA title as well. In 1912, Timothee had the second ever CABA perfect game, striking out 15 against Santo Domingo.


Timothee would again be Pitcher of the Year in 1913 and 1915, leading the Caribbean League in wins and ERA in both. His 1913 season was a 12.8 WAR season with a 1.44 ERA. In only six seasons in Cuba, Timothee had 59.2 WAR.


At age 34, Timothee left Havana and signed a five-year, $15,900 contract with Santo Domingo starting in 1917. Unfortunately, he suffered severe forearm inflammation in late May and missed four months. Timothee was back by the postseason and made two passable starts, helping the Dolphins win their first CABA championship and getting himself a second ring. After a forgettable 1918 season, Timothee retired at the age of 35.


His final numbers; 139-68, 2.25 ERA over 1942.1 innings with 2042 strikeouts and 61.1 WAR. His career was short, but his six years with Havana were among the strongest six consecutive seasons anyone would ever post in CABAs history. This was enough to earn him the honor as the first member of CABA’s Hall of Fame.

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1924 in EAB

In 1924, Yokohama exploded for the best-ever Japan League record at 118-44, leading the league in runs scored and allowed by a large margin. Yellow Jackets pitcher Seo-Yul Park became the first EAB pitcher with a Triple Crown season, as the 30-year old left was 22-6 with a 1.57 ERA and 294 strikeouts. Four other teams were above .500 in the North Division but couldn’t stack up to Yokohama. Saitama, in a three-way tie for third, had the league MVP in first baseman Ji-Hoo Kim with a 10.8 WAR season.


Defending EAB champ Osaka would finish second in the South Division at 90-72. Kitakyushu would edge them out with their first playoff berth at 93-69. The Kodiaks wouldn’t put up much of a fight In the JLCS though as the Yellow Jackets won in five games for their first Japan League title.


Pyongyang finished with 100+ wins for the fourth straight season, winning the Korean North Division for the second time with a 115-47 mark. The Pythons allowed only 377 runs and had a 11.5 WAR season and Pitcher of the Year from Ching-Wei Kuo of Taiwan. The division was strong again at the top with 100-62 Goyang and 98-64 Hamhung missing out on the postseason. Heat outfielder Sozen Murata won his second straight MVP.


The Korean South Division was a tight fight with four teams within five games of first. Gwangju earned their first playoff berth at 92-70, topped Daegu (90-72), Ulsan (89-73) and defending Korea champ Changwon (87-75). Like in Japan, the League Championship went to the team with the top mark as Pyongang swept the Grays.


In the EAB championship, the home team won each game as the series went seven games. Pyongyang had the home field in an even year, giving the Pythons their second EAB title. Veteran second baseman Tae-Hyeon Park was series MVP, picking up 16 hits and 6 runs over 11 playoff games.


Other notes: Ulsan pitcher Michiro Yabuta set a record with 22 strikeouts iin a complete game against Incheon on 6/2. No one would crack 20 in a game again until 1949. On 9/12, Changwon’s Moon Kim threw the seventh EAB perfect game against Busan.

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1924 in CABA

In 1924, Mexico City earned their first playoff berth with a 100-62 record and South Division title, ending the five-year streak of Guadalajara, who finished 86-76. After missing last year, Chihuahua won the North Division 99-63, topping defending Mexican champ Tijuana at 90-72.


The Warriors had Pitcher of the Year B.J. Medina, who also was Reliever of the Year for the third time. After missing 1923 with a torn UCL, Medina had one of the best reliever seasons possible, posting a 0.39 ERA and 0.53 WHIP with 54 saves and 192 strikeouts in 92.1 innings. His ERA+ was a bonkers 750, deserving as the first closer to win PotY. Tijuana outfielder Alba Jimenez won his second league MVP and first with the Toros, whacking 51 home runs and 114 RBI, two average points off a Triple Crown season. He was the third CABA player to reach 50+ homers in a year.


In the Caribbean League, Jamaica had the best record and their second-ever division title at 103-59. The Jazz won a tough Island Division by three games over defending CABA champ Santiago (100-62) and seven against Havana (96-66). Despite taking second, the Sailfish had Diomar Glas with his third MVP and Pitcher of the Year Esaie Cherenfant.


In the Continental Division, Honduras bounced back for their fifth division title in six years, winning the spot at 94-68. The Horsemen again found playoff success, winning the CLCS in five games over Jamaica for their fourth Caribbean title in six years.


Mexico City claimed their first Mexican League title by easily sweeping Chihuahua and the Aztecs continued their tear into the CABA Championship by sweeping Honduras as well.


Other Notes: Ulices Montero was the first player to 4000 career strikeouts. Diomar Glas became the first hitter to 1000 career runs scored.

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1924 in MLB

In 1924, Ottawa had the best record in the National Association with their second-ever playoff berth (1909) and first League title. The Elks went 102-60 atop the Eastern League and had 23-year old righty pitcher Logan Gauvin get Pitcher of the Year at 21-5 with a 2.57 ERA. Hartford took the second place playoff spot at 97-65. Defending World Series champ Baltimore was sixth at 83-79 and wouldn’t see another playoff berth for a decade.


Kansas City made their fourth straight playoff berth by winning the Midwest League at 96-66. 1922 NA champ Cleveland bounced back from a 75-win 1923 by finishing second at 94-68. St. Louis tied for third with Elijah Cashman getting his third straight MVP for the Cardinals.


The League champs advanced in the first round as the Cougars swept the Huskies and the Elks survived in five games against the Cobras. In the NACS, Ottawa defeated Kansas City in six games for the Elks’ first ever Association Title and the first by a Canadian team since 1915.


In the American Association, San Francisco earned a seventh consecutive playoff berth, leading the AA and winning the Western League at 103-59. The Gold Rush led the AA in runs scored and runs allowed and had an MVP season from outfielder Joseph Finch, who posted a league-best 1.015 OPS. Oakland took second at 95-67, getting their first-ever playoff berth. B.J. “Bane” Herrick won Pitcher of the Year with 11.3 WAR, 296.2 innings, 279 strikeouts and an AA best 3.00 ERA. He was two wins shy of a Triple Crown.


In the Southern League, Nashville and San Antonio tied for first at 90-72 with the Knights holding the tiebreaker. It was Nashville’s first playoff berth and only the second for the Oilers. This leaves New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and San Diego as the only American Association teams not to make a playoff appearance after the first 24 years. Houston’s hope for a fifth straight berth was thwarted, taking third at 85-77. Miami saw a 54 home run season from Chris Barnett.


Both first round series went five games and went to the Western League with San Fran edging San Antonio and Oakland upsetting Nashville. In a Bay-Area AACS, the Gold Rush topped the Owls in five games for their second-ever Association title. In the World Series, Ottawa defeated San Francisco in six games for their first overall title and the second-ever by a Canadian team. 22-year old first baseman Robert Ross was WS MVP and had 21 hits, 16 RBI, and 6 homers in 17 postseason games.


Other notes: Montreal’s D.J. Lapointe tossed the fifth MLB Perfect Game on 8/5, striking out 11 against Detroit. Corey Patrizio and Archie Meredith became the 9^th and 10^th players to 1500 career RBI and both also got to 2500 career hits. Newton Persaud became the third pitcher to 250 career wins.

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1925 Hall of Fame Classes



Four players were elected into the MLB 1925 Hall of Fame Class, all on their first ballot. Jason Salvage and Will Miller both were above the 90% mark, while Eric Barter got in at 74% and Kyle Borchelt just made it at 67.9%. Three second-ballot guys were above the 50% mark. No one made the CABA class, but Brian Kendall at 61% in his first try is expected to make the cut soon.



Jason Salvage – 98.7% - Centerfielder – Phoenix Firebirds

Jason Salvage was perhaps the first major baseball star of the draft era. The 5’9’’, 200 pound left handed outfielder was a highly touted prospect as a tremendous all-around hitter and a very good fielder. Born in Cincinnati, Salvage played college baseball at Purdue and was the 1902 NCAA Player of the Year. That earned him the #2 overall draft selection in the 1902 draft, picked by the Phoenix Firebirds.

Salvage split time in right and center before becoming the full-time centerfielder for most of his 20s. His third season at age 23 was his breakout year and the first of three straight MVP seasons from 1905 to 1907. These years turned the struggling Firebirds into an American Association contender, making it to the AA final five times between 1905 to 1910. In 1907, the Firebirds won the World Series and Salvage was the MVP, forever cementing his spot in the history books. That postseason, he had eight homers, 21 hits, and 15 runs in 14 games.

Phoenix’s run ended and so did Salvage’s time there, getting traded for four players to Houston before the 1913 deadline. The Hornets were ousted in the AA final by Memphis and Salvage decided to test free agency. That winter, he signed a five-year, $26,500 deal with Denver. He made two more AACS appearances during his run with the Dragons. He moved to right field and was no longer a stud, but still a solid starter during his run with Denver. After dealing with injuries in his last year with the Dragons, he became a free agent in 1918 and played one partial year at age 37 with Jacksonville. Followed that, he played two seasons for Costa Rica before retiring.

Among the accolades, three MVPs, eight Silver Sluggers, and eight all-star appearances, plus 26 home runs in 80 playoff games. Salvage finished with 2167 MLB hits, 1497 runs, 559 homers, 1588 RBI, 1444 walks, and a career WAR of 99.1. Well-deserved as a member of the Hall of Fame.




Will Miller – 94.6% - Third Baseman – Houston Hornets

Will Miller was a 5’8’’, 165 right handed infielder who was drafted in the second round of the inaugural MLB draft in 1901 by Milwaukee. Miller was one of the only guys taken in the first draft that early who was a prospect and not a somewhat seasoned pro. He played second base in his early seasons, but became fully entrenched as a solid third baseman for the majority of his run.

In 1904, his fourth season, Miller posted a 9.5 WAR season and won the MVP, helping the Mustangs to the World Series title. Miller won his second MVP the following the year. In 1906, he missed most of the year with a fractured wrist and a torn back muscle, but bounced back in 1907, his final year with Milwaukee.

Miller signed a one-year deal with St. Louis and was second in MVP voting. The following year, he signed the big deal, eight years, $36,080 with Houston, who had just won their first World Series.. Miller’s third and final MVP was in 1909 with the Hornets. In 1910, 1911, and 1912, Houston won the World Series with Miller a huge piece of the dynasty. Miller was the World Series MVP in 1910.

Out of nowhere in 1915, Miller struggled immensely. But he bounced back at age 36 to lead the AA in WAR for the fourth time in his career. His Houston contract ended, and he would then play his final three seasons with the New York Yankees before retiring.

Miller was a 10-time Silver Slugger winner and 11-time all star, finishing with 106.9 career WAR, the first hitter to crack 100+ WAR for his career. Miller added 2776 hits, 1708 runs scored, 445 home runs, 1621 RBI, 1212 walks, and a triple slash of .292/.381/.505. A four-time champ and a key player in the history for both Milwaukee and Houston; Miller was an easy HOF choice.



Eric Barter – 74.0% - Starting Pitcher – New York Yankees

Eric Barter was a stock right handed pitcher at 5’5’’, 200 pounds from North Vancouver, British Columbia. Barter had four pitches, led by an impressive sinker that topped out in the mid to upper 90s. Very much a ground ball pitcher and not a strikeout guy, but he was a reliable starter and innings eater.

He was picked at age 25 in the inaugural draft by Boston in the sixth round and posted his career best single-season WAR in 1902 at 9.4 Late in his third year with the Red Sox, he was traded to Philadelphia for prospects. He didn’t stay with the Phillies and in the offseason, began his signature run with the New York Yankees on a 7-year, $23,620 deal. In 1905, he was part of the World Series champion squad and the next year, won his only Pitcher of the Year.

When his contract with New York ended, he signed a five-year deal with Detroit. After three seasons, the Tigers sold him to Tijuana for the 1913 season. There, he suffered a torn UCL at age 37. This ended his career as a starter, but he would bounce around baseball as a reliever until retiring at age 43. He had brief stints with Calgary and Houston in MLB and in CABA with Puerto Rico, Ecatepec, Hermosillo, and Santo Domigno.

Barter was just short of 200 career MLB wins, finishing 199-104 with a 2.64 ERA with almost 3000 innings pitched. He had 286 quality starts in 387 tries and a MLB war of 82.0. Rarely considered dominant or flashy, but one of the most reliable pitchers of the early 1900s.




Kyle Borchelt – 67.9% - Starting Pitcher – Hartford Huskies

Kyle Borchelt was a 5’9’’, 170 pound right handed pitcher from Orrington, Maine. After a strong college career at the University of Minnesota, Borchelt was the 9^th overall draft pick by the Hartford Huskies in the 1903 draft. He had five pitches, highlighted by a fastball that could top 100 mph. He was also an ironman and almost never missed a start.

Borchelt spent his 20s as a solid starter for the Huskies. At age 30, he tested free agency and signed a six-year deal with Houston for the 1913 season, getting to pitch in two American Association Championship Series but missing the dynasty run. After six years with the Hornets, Borchelt played one last season at age 36 with Las Vegas.

Borchelt finished with a 249-191 record, 3.27 ERA, 3105 strikeouts, 4039.2 innings, and a 103.0 WAR. He almost quietly put up great numbers as a consistent #1 or #2 pitcher for 16 years, earning his spot in the HOF.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1925 in MLB

Defending World Series champion Ottawa made the playoffs again in the National Association, but came a game short of another Eastern League title. Toronto at 97-65 beat them by one game, giving the Timberwolves their first postseason appearance since 1904. Hartford was three games short of back-to-back postseason berths.

In the Midwest, Cleveland took the top spot at 94-68 for their third playoff appearance in four years and second league title. St. Louis took second with 90 wins for their first playoff berth since 1915 and the first career berth for perennial MVP candidate Elijah Cashman. Cashman won his fourth straight MVP. Washington’s Dylan D’Ippolito was Pitcher of the Year at age 23. In addition to earning it as a pitcher, he also hit 32 home runs as a two-way player in the outfield. D’Ippolito posted 3.4 offensive WAR along with 9.1 pitching.

Both NA first round series went the five-game distance with Toronto surviving St. Louis at home and Ottawa upsetting the Cobras in Cleveland. While the Timberwolves beat out the Elks in the regular season, Ottawa swept them in the National Association final, giving the Elks back-to-back World Series appearances.



After missing the postseason the prior season, Houston bounced back to win the Southern League title in 1925 at 101-61. Last year's SL champ Nashville qualified as the second place finisher at 89-73 with only Oklahoma City also finishing above .500. Alas, the Outlaws remain one of three American Association teams yet to qualify for the postseason in MLB's first 25 seasons.

Denver snapped an eight-year playoff drought and Los Angeles ended an 11-year one in the Western League. The Dragons and Angels both finished 98-64 with Denver taking the tiebreaker for the League title. Five other teams finished with 90 wins in the WL with nine teams total at 86 wins or more; Oakland was the closest to making it but were two games out. Defending AA champ San Francisco finished with 90 wins, snapping their postseason streak at seven years.

Calgary's B.J. Scott was the AA MVP as the second baseman won the batting title (.365) and was the WARlord at 9.1. He pulled this off in his rookie season with the Cheetahs as well. Elijah Campbell of Vancouver was the Pitcher of the Year with a 2.25 ERA, 44 points better than second place. He also had the best hits per nine and strikeouts per nine in the AA.

In the first round, Denver swept Nashville and Los Angeles swept Houston, setting up an all Western League final. Despite tying in the regular season, the AACS was no contest as the Dragons swept the Angels, sending Denver to its first World Series.



The Dragons would then defeat Ottawa in six games, denying the Elks back-to-back titles and bringing the first title to the Rocky Mountains. In his only season with Denver, 38-year old outfielder Jordi Linares picked up World Series MVP honors.





Other notes: Christopher Ross of Cincinnati became the first MLB hitter to 600 career home runs. Houston’s Newton Persaud became the first to 4000 career strikeouts.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1925 in EAB

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Yokohama again in 1925 had the best record in Japan, easily winning the North Division at 110-52. 1923 EAB champ Osaka won the South in a route 101-61, 16 games ahead of last year's division champ Kitakyushu.

Orange Sox ace Zeshin Saito was a dominant Pitcher of the Year, picking up the Triple Crown at 25-6, 1.46 ERA, and 345 strikeouts for a blistering 11.1 WAR. Despite a 74-win season, Fukoka's Kota Takeda shined as MVP, tying for the league lead in home runs (46) and doubles (33) while knocking in 126 RBI.

The Japan League Championship Series pitted the 1923 champ Osaka versus the 1924 champ Yokohama. The Orange Sox got the better of the Yellow Jackets, winning the series in six games.




Last year's EAB champ Pyongyang took second in the Korea League North Division thanks to a 108-54 season by Hamhung, 13 games ahead of the Pythons. The Heat had Pitcher of the Year Chikara Ohkubo, who tossed the Triple Crown himself on a 24-8, 2.03 ERA, 338 strikeout season for 12.1 WAR.

Gwangju won back-to-back South Division titles with a Korea-best 116-46 record, holding off a solid 105-57 mark from Daegu. The Grays were led by an MVP season for right fielder Timofei Vasnetsov, who had a EAB best 127 RBI. Gwangju had three of the top five hitters in Korea by WAR though. Incheon's Fomio Chikafuji socked 57 home runs, two off the EAB record.

In the KLCS, the Grays used their loaded lineup to defeat the Heat in six games for Gwangju's first Korea League title. They would not get the EAB title though as Osaka prevailed in six games, giving the Orange Sox two East Asian Championships in three years. Journeyman shortstop Tenri Murayama earned series MVP.