1921 North Carolina State League — Carolina Champions Cup Recap
Offensive Showcase
Winston-Salem batters Durham into submission
GAME SUMMARIES
While the field of NCSL contenders was muddled for awhile in 1921, Winston-Salem left no doubt about who deserved to rule by season’s end. The Twins bull-whipped the Durham Bulls in four straight games to take their third league championship.
Ironically, all three of Winston’s playoff series victories have come against Durham. The Twins are 8-1 against the Bulls in playoff games.
As you can tell by looking at the box scores, Winston flat out hit the cover off the ball. The Twins averaged 16.5 hits per contest. They never trailed, getting off to a huge start in Game One with seven runs in the first four innings.
First baseman
Roland Brown earned series MVP honors. He was red-hot the entire series, starting with his 4-for-5 performance (with five RBIs) in the opening game. For the series, Brown went 12-for-19 (.632 average). He ripped off four doubles and a home run, and finished with 13 RBIs.
Outfielder
Angel Pellicer went 10-for-18 to add to the attack (Pellicer batted fourth and Brown fifth in the playoffs). Third baseman
George Romano was 9-for-19. Platoon right fielder
Hollis Bailey went 7-for-13. A monster series for the Twins indeed, who also got good pitching from
Gary “Brick” Lee (no earned runs) and
Eric Mason (one earned run).
The Bulls were held to only five extra base hits in the four games. Durham’s top hitter was
Raul Rivera (.353). No one else batted better than .300. Back to the drawing board for the Bulls, who have played in five championship series but have only won one.
Winston-Salem and Asheville are now tied for most championships in the nine-year history of the North Carolina State League (three each). Charlotte has a pair of rings, while Durham has one. Greensboro and Raleigh are still looking for their first. So, too, are newcomers Wilmington and Fayetteville.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
1913 - Winston-Salem Twins (defeated Durham 2-1)
1914 - Durham Bulls (defeated Raleigh 2-1)
1915 - Winston-Salem Twins (defeated Durham 2-0)
1916 - Asheville Tourists (defeated Charlotte 3-0)
1917 - Charlotte Hornets (defeated Winston-Salem 3-0)
1918 - Charlotte Hornets (defeated Winston-Salem 3-1)
1919 - Asheville Tourists (defeated Charlotte 3-1)
1920 - Asheville Tourists (defeated Durham 4-2)
1921 - Winston-Salem Twins (defeated Durham 4-0)