1906 INTERNATIONAL ROOKIE LEAGUE POST SEASON REPORT
(Report Date - 9/19/06)
LEAGUE REPORT
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1906 FINAL STANDINGS
Washington League Standings
East
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Missoula Osprey 71 29 .710 - 66-34
Ogden Raptors 58 42 .580 13.0 56-44
Idaho Falls Chukers 57 43 .570 14.0 54-46
Orem Owlz 50 50 .500 21.0 50-50
Billings Mustangs 42 58 .420 29.0 46-54
Central
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Jupiter Hammerheads 63 37 .630 - 61-39
Boise Hawks 48 52 .480 15.0 47-53
Yakima Bears 48 52 .480 15.0 42-58
Eugene Emeralds 40 60 .400 23.0 43-57
Tri City Valley Cats 40 60 .400 23.0 42-58
West
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Vancouver Canadians 54 46 .540 - 59-41
Brooklyn Cyclones 53 47 .530 1.0 56-44
Aberdeen Ironbirds 41 59 .410 13.0 40-60
Everett Aquasox 35 65 .350 19.0 34-66
PENNANT RACES:
2 of the 4 playoff spots in the WL were decided early. Both Missoula in the East & Jupiter in the Central clinched with healthy leads over the the rest of the division. The Osprey won their 2nd division title, with the 1st being in 1904 while the Hammerheads made it 2 straight Central division pennants.
Then there was the other 2 spots, the West champ & the wildcard. Out West, the 2 teams that have combined for 6 of the 7 division titles were at it again. The schedule makers must have realized this as they had Vancouver & Brooklyn meet to end the year. Tied heading into the 100th and final game of the year, the Canadians pulled out a 4-2 victory to clinch their 2nd straight West pennant. It also gave them 4 division titles and 5 playoff appearances as well as the 1901 IRL Championship in their 7 year history.
Finally, the wildcard came down to 2 teams in the East. Ogden, as the only 2-time IRL World Series winner has the experience, but Idaho Falls had made the playoffs 2 years in a row and have had the more recent success. The Raptors clinched with a season ending win over Orem, giving them the wildcard berth and making it 3 post-season berths, with the previous 2 times ending in a championship.
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1906 FINAL STANDINGS
Lincoln League Standings
East
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Williamsport Crosscutters 57 43 .570 - 56-44
Hudson Valley Renegades 54 46 .540 3.0 60-40
Auburn Doubledays 53 47 .530 4.0 55-45
Batavia Muck Dogs 48 52 .480 9.0 38-62
State College Spikes 43 57 .430 14.0 39-61
Central
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Vermont Lake Monsters 55 45 .550 - 56-44
Hagerstown Suns 50 50 .500 5.0 52-48
Mahoning Valley Scappers 50 50 .500 5.0 52-48
Delmarva Shorebirds 49 51 .490 6.0 48-52
Lowell Spinners 45 55 .450 10.0 42-58
Hickory Crawdads 42 58 .420 13.0 42-58
West
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Kannapolis Intimidators 59 41 .590 - 53-47
Asheville Tourists 57 43 .570 2.0 63-37
Lake County Captains 49 51 .490 10.0 52-48
Lakewood Blueclaws 49 51 .490 10.0 52-48
West Virginia Power 40 60 .400 19.0 40-60
PENNANT RACES:
Unlike in the WL, nothing was decided early in the Lincoln League and all 4 playoff spots was up for grabs heading into the final week of the season.
In the East & the West, the team that wasn't neccessarily the best won the pennants. Williamsport was 4 games worse in the pyt record, yet they knocked off defending champion Hudson Valley to win their 1st division title and their 2nd straight playoff berth. Even more drastic out West, Kannapolis was 10 games worse in the pyt rec than Asheville, yet the Intimidators were able to end Asheville's run of 4 straight division titles and will be making their 1st post-season appearance.
Asheville got a bit of consoliation prize however. Even though their division championship streak came to an end, they kept another IRL record streak alive, qualifing for their 6th consecutive playoffs as the wildcard.
Finally, in the Central, which was the worst division in the league, the only team that finished above .500 wound up walking away with the pennant. Vermont went from worst last year to 1st this season, winning their 2nd pennant in 3 years with their first coming in 1904.
1906 PLAYOFFS
WILDCARD:
In the first round of the playoffs this year, teams from the same division reached the LCS and the rivals will play for a trip to the IRL Championship.
In the Washington League, East rivals Missoula & Ogden will meet in the WLCS. Missoula knocked off Vancouver 2 games to 1 while Ogden swept Jupited 2-0.
And in the LL, the 2 West division teams, Asheville & Kannapolis advanced when they knocked out Vermont & Williamsport, respectively, both in 2 game sweeps.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Missoula needed only 3 games to sweep and defeat 2-time IRL Champion Ogden. After a league best 71 win season, the Osprey proved they were indeed the best in the Washington League and will be making their first trip to the Championship. Paul Watson was named series MVP as Missoula's LF racked up 4 RBI in the series while going an impressive 6 for 13 including 3 doubles.
The LL was a different story, as the team with the most playoff experience in the league used it to their advantage. Asheville beat Kannapolis 3-1 to advance to their 2nd IRL World Series, winning the 1st in 1902. The Tourists have the best resume in the league with 6 straight playoff appearances and used it to their advantage vs the newbie Intimidators. Jack Coombs was named series MVP winning games 1 & 4 while allowing 3 earned runs in 14 ip.
ROOKIE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:
"MISSOULA'S MAGNIFICENT SEASON"
Missoula capped a record setting 71-win season with a Championship trophy. The best team in the league all year proved that the regular season does indicate something as they knocked off Asheville 4 games to 1 to win their first IRL World Series. Their big 4 SPs each won 1 game in the series after all 4 finished with 10+ wins during the regular season and team offensive leader, 2b Glenn Bowers was the series MVP hitting 1 hr and driving in 7 in the 5 game series including winning game 3 with a walkoff 9th inning HR.
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1906 LEAGUE LEADERBOARD
WASHINGTON LEAGUE
Batting AVG
G. Bowers MIS .336
J. Canham JUP .334
D. Simpson IF .332
E. Hahn BOI .332
M. Rolan IF .331
On-Base + Slugging
G. Gasporra IF .969
D. Simpson IF .924
T. Straughan MIS .906
G. Bowers MIS .903
J. Canham JUP .901
Homeruns
G. Gasporra IF 24
E. Halstead EVE 23
V. Patmore ORE 21
R. Saxton EVE 18
T. Straughan MIS 18
Runs Batted In
G. Gasporra IF 87
V. Patmore ORE 71
P. Watson MIS 71
T. Straughan MIS 69
E. Halstead EVE 65
Runs
T. Straughan MIS 76
A. Burch MIS 72
P. Watson MIS 68
G. Moriarty JUP 65
H. Haws VAN 61
Stolen Bases
M. Rolan IF 31
H. Haws VAN 29
G. Moriarty JUP 28
J. Canham JUP 26
B. Wethington BRO 25
ERA
J. Harris VAN 1.56
H. von Thuengen ORE 1.86
R. Garcia YAK 1.96
I. Higginbotham MIS 2.10
E. MacIndoe JUP 2.27
Wins
J. Harris VAN 13-4
S. Eredia MIS 12-3
C. Pride MIS 12-6
A. Boone BRO 11-5
E. Bradby MIS 11-3
Saves
M. Jung OGD 25
E. Whipkey BOI 25
J. Ceballo VAN 24
O. Cronie MIS 24
B. O'Mulcahy ORE 24
Strikeouts
H. von Thuengen ORE 170
B. Ange BOI 161
V. Debaca EUG 160
C. Pride MIS 154
E. Bradby MIS 143
LINCOLN LEAGUE
Batting AVG
H. Chase AUB .373
J. Nealon HAG .346
D. Dugan KAN .333
J. MacCurrach ASH .333
K. Elimu VER .330
On-Base + Slugging
Á. Andux HV .958
J. Nealon HAG .930
R. O'Mulrian AUB .907
M. McCormick AUB .900
H. Chase AUB .893
Homeruns
D. Bracey WIL 26
C. Barajas ASH 22
J. Ojito KAN 20
D. Cambell DEL 15
H. Facundo LOW 15
Runs Batted In
J. Ojito KAN 77
D. Bracey WIL 70
B. Bond ASH 63
D. Cambell DEL 58
R. McConvill VER 58
Runs
H. Chase AUB 79
M. McCormick AUB 73
M. Olaiz BAT 72
F. Schulte HV 68
J. Garsia LAK 65
Stolen Bases
J. Garsia LAK 35
F. Schulte HV 33
H. Chase AUB 31
H. Armbruster LAK 24
S. Boyall HAG 24
ERA
C. Pirir HV 2.19
J. Coombs ASH 2.26
H. Ables WIL 2.49
D. Espinoza KAN 2.54
W. Egan HIC 2.55
Wins
W. Egan HIC 14-4
D. Espinoza KAN 14-5
J. Lush ASH 14-5
O. Basilo MV 11-6
C. Certuche KAN 11-4
Saves
C. Monroe WIL 24
A. Denoon AUB 21
S. Echi BAT 21
C. Smith WV 21
A. Thornton HV 21
Strikeouts
P. Ordway SC 150
O. Basilo MV 143
G. Gaunt LAK 141
I. Quisano VER 137
F. Beebe MV 134
AWARD WINNERS
WASHINGTON LEAGUE
MVP AWARD - CF Guillermo Gasporra (Idaho Falls Chukers)
- 27yo / Cuba - IRL MVP Awards: 2
- Season Stats: 95 g - 339 ab - .274 avg - 24 hr - 87 rbi - 57 r - 7 sb - .969 ops
- Career Stats: 376 g - 1336 ab - .280 avg - 87 hr - 285 rbi - 242 r - 32 sb - .937 ops (minors/4 yrs)
390 g - 1381 ab - .279 avg - 87 hr - 290 rbi - 248 r - 35 sb - .926 ops (career/4 yrs)
- Overview: Well. I guess it's official, Gasporra is the greatest hitter in IRL history. Winning his 2nd consecutive MVP award, he bocmes the only repeat award winning in league history. He also lead all of the league in OPS & RBI and led the WL in homers. The good news is that he is finally getting some time in the majors with Anaheim after dominating the minors for 4 straight seasons and hopefully, he won't be back for a 3rd straight IRL MVP award and will remain in the bigs.
CY YOUNG AWARD - SP Joe Harris (Vancouver Canadians)
- 24yo / USA - IRL CY YOUNG Awards: 1
- Season Stats: 21 g - 21 gs - 13-4 rec - 0 sv - 1.56 era - 138.2 ip - 33 bb - 68 k - 1.03 whip
- Career Stats: 21 g - 21 gs - 13-4 rec - 0 sv - 1.56 era - 138.2 ip - 33 bb - 68 k - 1.03 whip (minors/1 yr)
21 g - 21 gs - 13-4 rec - 0 sv - 1.56 era - 138.2 ip - 33 bb - 68 k - 1.03 whip (career/1 yr)
- Overview: The 4th rd pick in the most recent draft proved the scouts wrong as he was easily the most dominant pitcher in the minors in his 1st season. Leading all the league in ERA while tying for tops in Wins in the WL, Harris was impressive while leading Vancouver to a division title. He also finished 2nd in Vorp and figures to be a major player for Colorado next season.
GOLD GLOVE AWARDS:
P - Ray McIntosh (Orem Owlz) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
C - Justin Frasier (Missoula Osprey) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
1b - Dong-won U (Vancouver Canadians) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
2B - George Roycroft (Everett Aquasox) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
3B - Bill Sill (Brooklyn Cyclones) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
SS - Dave Kyd (Vancouver Canadians) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
LF - Winn Banks (Vancouver Canadians) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 2
CF - Ty "The Georgia Peach" Cobb (Yakima Bears) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
RF - Manny Cestero (Aberdeen Ironbirds) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
LINCOLN LEAGUE
MVP AWARD - 1b Chr Barajas (Asheville Tourists)
- 24yo / USA - IRL MVP Awards: 1
- Season Stats: 50 g - 165 ab - .364 avg - 22 hr - 57 rbi - 46 r - 2 sb - 1.358 ops
- Career Stats: 50 g - 165 ab - .364 avg - 22 hr - 57 rbi - 46 r - 2 sb - 1.358 ops (minors/1 yr)
104 g - 229 ab - .328 avg - 22 hr - 64 rbi - 51 r - 2 sb - 1.153 ops (career/1 yr)
- Overview: For the 2nd straight season, a 1b for Asheville walked away with the MVP award. Barajas only played 1/2 the season in the IRL before being promoted to the majors, but still led the league in Vorp and finished among the leaders in HR & RBI. Had he played out the full year, he was on pace for record breaking 40+ hr/100+ rbi season. He has struggled a bit with the Giants since being called up as he is in his 1st season after being a 6th rd pick in the last rookie draft. Odds are he will begin the season with SF though, so it looks like his IRL career is over after 50 games.
CY YOUNG AWARD - SP Donatello Espinoza (Kannapolis Intimidators)
- 23yo / Cuba - IRL CY YOUNG Awards: 1
- Season Stats: 20 g - 20 gs - 14-5 rec - 0 sv - 2.54 era - 156.0 ip - 31 bb - 96 k - 1.10 whip
- Career Stats: 20 g - 20 gs - 14-5 rec - 0 sv - 2.54 era - 156.0 ip - 31 bb - 96 k - 1.10 whip (minors/1 yr)
20 g - 20 gs - 14-5 rec - 0 sv - 2.54 era - 156.0 ip - 31 bb - 96 k - 1.10 whip (career/1 yr)
- Overview: A 4th rd pick by the Twins, much like Harris, Espinoza proved the scouts wrong as he walked away with the Cy Young award in his 1st season in the minors. He tied for league lead with 14 wins, and while not leading in any 1 category, he was in the top 5 in ERA, Whip & Vorp and was the leader on the team that won the LLCS.
GOLD GLOVE AWARDS:
P - Luther Hammons (State College Spikes) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
C - Boss Schmidt (Vermont Lake Monsters) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
1b - George Gaffney (Hudson Valley Renegades) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 2
2B - Harry Niles (Delmarva Shorebirds) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
3B - Terry "Cotton Top" Turner (Lake County Captains) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
SS - Luz Bascuas (Hickory Crawdads) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
LF - George Houston (Hickory Crawdads) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
CF - Mike Birchfield (Lowell Spinners) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 1
RF - Elian Coranado (Lowell Spinners) - IRL GOLD GLOVES: 2