Babe Ruth Award
Incredibly, 28-year old 2B
Patrick Lidgate (.343/.430/.640, 128 R, 199 H, 29-2B, 35 HR, 102 RBI, 84 BB, 10.0 WAR) has never finished in the top 3 of the Babe Ruth Award voting before. Well that all changed this year, as the 5-time all-star was voted the top offensive player in the Eastern League for 1953-54. Despite stiff competition, Lidgate was an easy choice as he was simply dominating this season.
Lidgate led the Eastern League in SLG (.640), OPS (1.070), WAR (10.0), Triples (19), Sac Flies (tied with three others at 8), EBH (83), OPS+ (172) and WOBA (.456). He finished in the Top 5 in 10 other offensive categories (second place 6 times).
His nearest competitors were:
2nd: Cobourg’s 28-year old CF
Raymond Williams (.332/.409/.638, 138 R, 196 H, 24-2B, 45 HR, 115 RBI, 73 BB, 7 SB, 9.4 WAR)
3rd: Braeland City’s 33-year old RF
Aidan Trembath (.340/.406/.533, 105 R, 207 H, 30-2B, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 64 BB, 6.2 WAR)
Williams, who finished 2nd in the voting last year as well, led the East in HR (45), Runs (138), TB (377) and ISO (.306). He finished in the Top 5 in 11 other offensive categories (second place 8 times).
Trembath finished in the Top 5 in 11 categories (second place once in Hits).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Katsunan Chikafuji, Queensland Eagles
1938-39: Paul Hooks, Embro Suns
1939-40: Terence Durney, Embro Suns
1940-41: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1941-42: Jim Friend, Embro Suns (2)
1942-43: Mark Elston, Brunswick Legends
1943-44: Dean Bishop, Braeland City Monarchs
1944-45: Stuart Bentham, Brunswick Legends
1945-46: Jim Friend, Embro Suns (3)
1946-47: Elijah Sheppard, Queensland Eagles
1947-48: Roberto Ríos, Stratford Barons
1948-49: Aaron Skidmore, Stratford Barons
1949-50: Raymond Williams, Cobourg Red Stockings
1950-51: Alfonso León, Downie Chiefs
1951-52: Raymond Williams, Cobourg Red Stockings (2)
1952-53: Alfonso León, Downie Chiefs (2)
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Satchel Paige Award
28-year old RHP
Magtanggol Jaojoco (22-10, 3.18 ERA, 280.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, .263 BABIP, 131 ERA+, 6.1 WAR) won his second Satchel Paige Award in three years, after finishing runner-up last season. He took all the first-place votes.
Jaojoco led the East in W (22), IP (280.0), CG (24), SHO (5) and QS (23 - tied). He finished in the Top 5 in 11 other categories and in the Top 2 three times.
Following him were:
2nd: Cobourg's 28-year old RHP
Marcus Turvill (18-7, 2.89 ERA, 252.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, .271 BABIP, 145 ERA+, 7.2 WAR)
3rd: Queensland’s 26-year old RHP
Stiofan Micklethwait (14-13, 2.97 ERA, 251.1 IP, 1.27 WHIP, .283 BABIP, 139 ERA+, 6.6 WAR)
Turvill led the Eastern League in ERA (2.89), WAR (7.2), K/BB (3.1), BB/9 (2.1), WHIP (1.11), FIP (3.07), ERA+ (145), WIN% (.720) and QS (23 -tied). He finished in the Top 5 in 6 other pitching categories and in the Top 2 three times.
Micklethwait led in rWAR (8.1). He finished in the Top 5 in 8 other categories (second place twice).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Colm Soper, Embro Suns
1938-39: Justin Hayhurst, Stratford Barons
1939-40: Lenny Freke, Braeland City Monarchs
1940-41: David Cooling, Braeland City Monarchs
1941-42: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends (2)
1943-44: Ryan Borden, Stratford Barons
1944-45: Matthew Monroe, Brunswick Legends
1945-46: Joel Fearn, Stratford Barons
1946-47: Arthur Bence, Wellington Athletics
1947-48: Ryan Borden, Stratford Barons (2)
1948-49: Nicholas Grimes, Braeland City Monarchs
1949-50: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends (3)
1950-51: Aaron Saunderson, Embro Suns
1951-52: Magtanggol Jaojoco, Stratford Barons
1952-53: Logan Belsey, Queensland Eagles
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Rookie of the Year Award
23-year old RHP
Darren Etheridge (13-16, 3.31 ERA, 260.2 IP, 102 K, 1.31 WHIP, .271 BABIP, 124 ERA+, 4.7 WAR) becomes the second pitcher in the Eastern League and fifth overall (not including Mike Park who is now a full-time position player) to win Rookie of the Year honors. The 3rd-round pick from 1951-52 quickly became Wellington’s No.1 starter this season and responded well, winning two Rookie of the Month honors and an invitation to the All-Star game.
Finishing behind him were:
2nd: Etheridge’s teammate, 21-year old CF
Greg Yates (.283/.317/.447, 50 R, 110 H, 18-2B, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 20 BB, 2.0 WAR). Yates, a 2nd-round pick from 1950-51, picked up 3 first-place votes.
3rd: Stratford’s 23-year old LF
Ronald Hollinshed (.284/.327/.418, 58 R, 120 H, 25-2B, 4 HR, 47 RBI, 23 BB, 0.6 WAR). Hollinshed was a 4th overall pick last season.
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1938-39: Adam Ashley, Braeland City Monarchs
1939-40: Soren Heinke, Wellington Athletics
1940-41: Dean Bishop, Queensland Eagles
1941-42: Harry Chatwin, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Geoff Lemoine, Stratford Barons
1943-44: Elijah Sheppard, Queensland Eagles
1944-45: Kyle Pryor, Braeland City Monarchs
1945-46: Jilenko Batiles, Cobourg Red Stockings
1946-47: Ron Gavin, Queensland Eagles
1947-48: Christopher Dainty, Braeland City Monarchs
1948-49: Patrick Lidgate, Braeland City Monarchs
1949-50: Matthew Floyd, Wellington Athletics
1950-51: Jim Mars, Wellington Athletics
1951-52: Robert Kersey, Brunswick Legends
1952-53: Andy Faulkner, Stratford Barons
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Babe Ruth Award
There was a ‘changing of the guard’ in the West, as three new players finished in the Top 3 voting. But the choice was rather academic, as 25-year old LF
Aidan Thirkettle (.327/.417/.607, 114 R, 180 H, 35-2B, 33 HR, 122 RBI, 92 BB, 7.8 WAR) ran away with the Award, winning all but one first-place vote.
Thirkettle led the League in HR (33), RBI (122), SLG (.607), OPS (1.024), WAR (7.8), TB (334), Sac Flies (tied with 11), EBH (78), ISO (280), OPS+ (168) and WOBA (.434). He finished in the Top 5 in 6 other categories (second place twice).
This year’s runners-up were:
2nd: picking up one first-place vote was teammate 29-year old RF
Ellis Dibble (.349/.408/.566, 104 R, 201 H, 35-2B, 24 HR, 95 RBI, 58 BB, 6.0 WAR)
3rd: Cambria's 24-year old CF
Sam Tite (.297/.397/.515, 109 R, 168 H, 25-2B, 28 HR, 109 RBI, 94 BB, 8 SB, 6.2 WAR)
Dibble led the League in AVG (.349) and Hits (201). He finished in the Top 5 in 12 other offensive categories (second place three times).
Tite tied with Thirkettle with most Sac Flies (11). He finished in the Top 5 in 8 other offensive categories.
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans
1938-39: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1939-40: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans
1940-41: Steven Winstanley, Hespeler Stars
1941-42: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1942-43: Ron Westmacott, Cambria Cannons
1943-44: Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral Giants
1944-45: Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral Giants (2)
1945-46: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1947-48: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans (3)
1948-49: Dylan Moyne, Fort Richmond Generals
1949-50: Carlton Hawking, Wolseley Unions
1950-51: Louis Wearne, Fort Richmond Generals
1951-52: Carlton Hawking, Wolseley Unions (2)
1952-53: Carlton Hawking, Wolseley Unions (3)
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Satchel Paige Award
For the fourth time in six years, a pitcher for the Fort Richmond Generals won the Western League Satchel Paige Award. This season, 31-year old RHP
Nicky Sherlock (19-6, 2.92 ERA, 287.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, .273 BABIP, 140 ERA+, 7.4 WAR) got the nod, the second of his career. In a year where the Generals lost both Nicholas Grimes ad Roberto Taváres to long-term injuries, Sherlock stepped up and led the team not only to the playoffs, but to a United Cup championship as well.
Sherlock led the West in WAR (7.4), IP (287.0), CG (18), BB/9 (1.6), FIP (3.17), WIN% (.760) and QS (25). He also finished in the Top 5 in 8 other pitching categories (second place 6 times).
Finishing behind Sherlock in voting this year were:
2nd: Wolseley’s 35-year old RHP
Bill Blair (20-10, 2.57 ERA, 265.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, .231 BABIP, 164 ERA+, 5.4 WAR)
3rd: Pulberry’s 26-year old RHP
Taylor Folkard (16-10, 3.04 ERA, 201.0 IP, 1.19 WHIP, .250 BABIP, 135 ERA+, 3.5 WAR)
Blair was outstanding this season as well, earning 4 first-place votes. He led the Western League in ERA (2.57), Wins (20), WHIP (1.07), ERA+ (164), rWAR (10.5), BABIP (.231) and OAVG (.223). He finished in the Top 5 in 6 other categories (second place twice).
Folkard finished in the Top 5 in 5 categories (second place twice).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Neil Guerin, Cambria Cannons
1938-39: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1940-41: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans (3)
1941-42: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans
1942-43: Joey Cumberledge, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1944-45: Roberto Taváres, Sherburn Tigers
1945-46: Patrick Denman, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Jesús Chapa, Sherburn Tigers
1947-48: Jesús Chapa, Sherburn Tigers (2)
1948-49: Nicky Sherlock, Fort Richmond Generals
1949-50: Bill Blair, Wolseley Unions
1950-51: Roberto Taváres, Fort Richmond Generals (2)
1951-52: Nicholas Grimes, Fort Richmond Generals (2)
1952-53: Aaron Saunderson, Wolseley Unions (2)
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Rookie of the Year Award
The Balmoral Giants were aggressive in signing the Cuban-born LF
Ángel Costa (.334/.399/.530, 78 R, 182 H, 42-2B, 19 HR, 79 RBI, 58 BB, 4.7 WAR) and the 33-year old did not disappoint them. He immediately become Balmoral’s top offensive player. He won two Rookie of the Month honors and a selection to the All-Star game, capping off his season with the Rookie of the Year Award.
Finishing behind Costa were:
2nd: Cambria’s 23-year old LF
Calvin Hanbridge (.287/.410/.477, 121 R, 17 H, 32-2B, 18 HR, 73 RBI, 115 BB, 4.7 WAR)
3rd: Kingston’s 23-year old CF
Chris Ramsbottom (.288/.340/.443, 101 R, 178 H, 22-2B, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 50 BB, 3.0 WAR)
Costa tied with the most Doubles (42) and finished in the Top 5 in 7 other offensive categories.
Hanbridge led the Western League in Runs (121) and WPA (5.48). He finished in the Top 5 in two other categories.
Ramsbottom led the League in SB (19) and CS (12). He finished in the Top 5 in two other categories, including second-most at-bats (619).
Voting Results:
Previous Winners:
1938-39: Aaron Flanagan, Wolseley Unions
1939-40: Francisco Rodríguez, Balmoral Giants
1940-41: Leon Hankey, Cambria Cannons
1941-42: Brian Pittman, Balmoral Giants
1942-43: Freddie Duran, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Rizalino Ringor, Wolseley Unions
1944-45: Hao Wang, Cambria Cannons
1945-46: Ben Currall, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Éric Denis, Wolseley Unions
1947-48: Dominic Pipard, Balmoral Giants
1948-49: Gavin Flatt, Fort Richmond Generals
1949-50: César Ruíz, Cambria Cannons
1950-51: Carlos Ortíz, Wolseley Unions
1951-52: Roberto Garza, Wolseley Unions
1952-53: Mike Park, Hespeler Stars
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Manager of the Year Award
The two men who faced each other in the United Cup both earned Manager of the Year honors.
60-year old
Xavier Ahernfeld (321-295, .521) guided the Barons to first place in the East and the Pennant in his fourth year as a manager. Despite his laid-back demeanor, Ahernfeld is known for his no-nonsense approach, something his players have thrived on. He has managed the Barons to three above .500 seasons and two playoff appearances. This year he won his first Pennant.
A former player in the United Leagues, 48-year old
John Mathis (528-397, .571) led his battered and beleaguered club not only to the playoffs, but to a United Cup championship as well. Although he previously won a United Cup with the Cambria Cannons as a utility infielder back in 1939-40, this was his first Pennant and Championship as a manager. He wins his second Manager of the Year Award, having won it previously in 1950-51. Unlike Ahernfeld, Mathis’ easygoing style is no put-on: he is a player’s manager through and through and the players love him for it.
Previous Winners:
1937-38: Bradley Balmforth, Wellington Athletics --- Rouke Barclay, Sherburn Tigers
1938-39: Vic Windle, Embro Suns --- John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Warren Paulino, Braeland City Monarchs --- Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons
1940-41: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons --- John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1941-42: Babe Ruth, Brunswick Legends --- Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons (2)
1942-43: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons (2) --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1944-45: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends (2) --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (3)
1945-46: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons (3) --- Bradley Balmforth, Sherburn Tigers (2)
1946-47: Reid Saxby, Queensland Eagles --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (4)
1947-48: Toby Reakes, Braeland City Monarchs --- Morrigan O’Lonergan, Balmoral Giants
1948-49: Toby Reakes, Braeland City Monarchs (2) --- Tony Fay, Wolseley Unions
1949-50: Bill Bouchet, Downie Chiefs --- Tony Fay, Wolseley Unions (2)
1950-51: Finlay Fay, Brunswick Legends --- John Mathis, Fort Richmond Generals
1951-52: Eugene Rogge, Wellington Athletics --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (5)
1952-53: Nicholas Willis, Cobourg Red Stockings --- Benjamin Sadler, Cambria Cannons
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New Records Set
In a season where offense was up across the board, it was no surprise that the majority of new records were for offensive achievements.
Patrick Lidgate set a new mark for slugging percentage with
.6397, surpassing Danny Trowbridge’s old mark of .6285, originally set in 1945-46.
Pulberry’s 1B Gerard Koerner tied the record for most game appearances in a regular season with
155. He now shares the record with Embro’s Jim Friend. Koerner played in all 154 regular games plus a tie-breaker game this season.
Raymond Williams established two new records: most total bases (
377) and home runs (
45). He eclipsed Downie’s Alfonso León’s old mark of 366 TB (1950-51) and Kingston’s Dean Bishop’s home run mark of 39, originally set in 1949-50.
One pitching record was set this season. Logan Belsey, who practically owns the strike out records, established a new mark in strikeouts/9 IP with
6.74. That edges his old mark from last season (6.70). He currently sits in the Top 3 in both K/9 IP and strikeouts. He is the only pitcher to surpass 200 strikeouts in a season in the United Leagues, which he accomplished in 1950-51 (203).