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After missing the postseason in 1931, both Ottawa and Toronto found themselves back atop the Eastern League in 1932. The Elks took first at 104-58, their sixth playoff berth in nine seasons. The Timberwolves at 97-65 finished one ahead of Buffalo and two on Brooklyn, Last year’s qualifiers, Washington and Montreal, both won only 79 games apiece. Defending National Association champ Indianapolis won the Midwest League for the second straight season, improving to 105-57. Detroit took second at 94-68, two ahead of Kansas City.

Despite Omaha having the worst record in the NA, 25-year old Hawks first baseman Kaby Silva was the MVP. A native of Cape Verde, he was the home run leader with 55, giving him the spot despite great years from Ottawa’s Robert Ross and Indy’s Caleb Yang. Brooklyn’s Ned Giles was Pitcher of the Year, one win short of a Triple Crown. At only age 23, the Dodgers acquired him in an offseason trade from Nashville. 10.5 WAR and a 2.03 ERA would be single-season bests for the Ireland-born Giles, who over the next two decades would build a case as MLB’s greatest pitcher.

In the first round, Indianapolis swept Toronto and Detroit upset Ottawa in five. Despite finishing 11 games ahead of the Tigers in the Midwest standings, it would be Detroit knocking out the Racers in six games for the National Association title. It’s the third NA title for the Tigers and the first since 1911.



In a competitive American Association, Jacksonville finished with the top record at 97-65 for the Gators’ third playoff berth in four years. Last year’s MLB champ Miami snuck in at 91-71, two games ahead of Houston and four over Dallas in the Southern League wild card race.

The Western League would be an absolute dogfight to the end. San Diego took first at 91-71, earning their first-ever playoff berth and league title. Las Vegas and Albuquerque both ended one game back with both Los Angeles and Phoenix only two off the lead and San Francisco four off. The Vipers won their one-game playoff over the Isotopes to take the second place spot and advance.

Memphis outfielder Andrei Tanev won his first MVP. The 25-year old Russian led the AA in runs (124), home runs (48), RBI (143), OPS (1.056) and WAR (8.5). San Francisco’s Reese Hall won Pitcher of the Year with the lead in wins (22), ERA (2.57), and WAR (10.2), while taking second in strikeouts at 305.

The Seals ousted the Mallards in four games and Jacksonville topped Las Vegas in four in the first round. The Gators then swept San Diego in the American Association Championship Series, giving Jacksonville their second AA title (1903). The Gators would secure their first World Series title as well, defeating Detroit in six games.





Other notes: St. Louis’s Elijah Cashman won his 10^th Gold Glove at first base. Phoenix’s Cliff Bettis won his third Reliever of the Year, the fourth player to win it thrice. Hartford’s Redman Sephus became the 11^th MLB player to 500 career home runs.