[John C]

Before the playoffs, here are the top individual performances this season. As I go along, I will try to compare and rank them in a historical context.

Conan Koonts, Salt Lake City LF: Koonts had a season that many will talk about for decades. He hit .369 with 231 hits, 30 doubles, 10 triples, 16 homers, and 103 RBI. He had a 50-18 BB/K ratio, and stole 45 bases. He picked up two legs of the Triple Crown, winning the HR title, and tying phenom Larry Burton for the batting title. Gary Jones of Oakland spoiled the RBI title, netting 113 to take it.

Larry Burton, Los Angeles LF: Koonts isn't the only one who gets praise here. Burton also hit .369, with 26 doubles, 22 triples, five homers, 59 RBI, 98 walks (against 15 strikeouts) and 87 steals. His OBP was a stone cold .472. The amazing thing? He's just 21. If he keeps this up, he will be in the conversation for best ever in the outfield.

Gary Jones, Oakland CF: The 28-year-old Jones hit .357 with 36 doubles, 25 triples, two homers and 113 RBI. He stole 63 bases on the year, while netting 219 hits.

Stan Tucker, Cleveland C: Tucker lead the Federal League in hitting, with a .373 mark. He hit seven home runs and brought home 92 runs as well.

Davey Davis, Philly Grays CF: Davis, 28, lead the NA in hitting, at .359. He, like Tucker, hit seven bombs, along with 31 doubles, 12 triples, knocked in 85, and stole 40 bases.

Tim Glover, NY Gothams: Glover, who has been out for the past couple of weeks, still finished with a 24-10 record, against a 1.92 ERA. He also struck out 119 in his 323 innings. Out of his 37 starts, he finished 31 of them.

Nelson Holman, St. Louis P: The 19-year-old Holman, under the radar most of the year despite his age, led the Circuit in wins (25-12). He also recorded a 2.39 ERA for the Federal League champions.

Dave Conley, Denver P: Conley may have been the best pitcher in base ball this year, leading all hurlers in wins (28-10) and racking up a 2.19 ERA, which also tied for the Congress lead.

Mark West, Salt Lake City P: Went 26-10 with a 2.53 ERA. Walked a lot of hitters (107), but he managed to keep them from scoring.

Players who could end up in Best-Ever discussion:

All-Time, Any Position
OF Conan Koonts, Salt Lake City
OF Larry Burton, Los Angeles

All-Time, Pitcher
Dave Conley, Denver
Tim Glover, New York Gothams
Nelson Holman, St. Louis

All-Time, Catcher
Stan Tucker, Cleveland

All-Time, First Base
Tim White, Brooklyn (.333-6-82)

All-Time, Second Base
Francisco Fuentes, Denver (.368-4-95, 40 SB, 122 R)

All-Time, Third Base
Ant Graham, Seattle (.344-2-64, 89 R)

All-Time, Shortstop
Merlin Astley, Louisville (.332-2-75, 207 H, 60 SB, 101 R, age 22)

All-Time, Left Field
Larry Burton, Los Angeles
Conan Koonts, Salt Lake City

All-Time, Center Field
Joe Knox, Chicago Barrons (.339-1-91, 106 R, 20 3B, 53 SB, 203 H)
Gary Jones, Oakland (.357-2-113, 63 SB, 121 R, 25 3B)

All-Time, Right Field
None

All-Association Team

C: Stan Tucker, Cleveland
1B: Tim White, Brooklyn
2B: Francisco Fuentes, Denver
3B: Ant Graham, Seattle
SS: Merlin Astley, Louisville
LF: Conan Koonts, Salt Lake City
CF: Gary Jones, Oakland
RF: George Grant, Phila Keystones
SP: Dave Conley, Denver
SP: Timothy Glover, NY Gothams
SP: Nelson Holman, St. Louis