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In 1944, Hartford was able to dethrone three-time defending World Series champ Philadelphia for first in the Eastern League. The Huskies finished 105-57 for their first EL title since 1920. The Phillies still grabbed the wild card at 103-59, tied for the second best record in MLB. Minneapolis took the Midwest League at 96-66, their first playoff berth since 1934 and first ML crown since 1928. Cincinnati extended their postseason streak to three years by taking second at 92-70.

The Moose had SP/OF Jared Lee win his third straight MVP award. The 26-year old as a pitcher had a 17-4 record, 3.43 ERA, 194 strikeouts and 4.0 WAR. In the outfielder, he added 26 home runs, 79 RBI, a .359 average and 5.1 WAR. With three MVPs by 26, he seemed on his way to a Hall of Fame career, but although he played into his late 30s, this would be his last year able to play full-time in a season. Brooklyn’s Carter Hicks won Pitcher of the Year. The 25-year old led the National Association in ERA (2.40), strikeouts (283), quality starts (28), and WAR (8.7).

In the first round of the playoffs, Hartford topped Cincinnati in four games and Philadelphia swept Minneapolis. In a highly anticipated NACS rematch, the Phillies swept the Huskies to give Philadelphia its fourth straight National Association title. It is also their sixth NA title, passing Ottawa for the lead outright.



Two-time defending American Association champ Dallas won the Southern League for the third straight season, posting their best record in the stretch at 104-58. Nashville took second at 100-62 to earn their first playoff spot since 1925 and only third-ever playoff berth. Los Angeles took the Western League at 100-62, their first playoff appearance since 1938 and first WL title since 1926. Denver at 95-67 took the second place spot, three games better than last year’s WL champ Albuquerque. It’s the first playoff spot since the Dragons won the 1938 World Series.

Taking the 1944 American Association was Nashville CF Choo Crass. The 24-year old led the AA in doubles (45) and WAR (7.5). Dallas’s Vinny Elliott earned the Pitcher of the Year. He had been traded to the Dalmatians the prior year from San Antonio. Elliott had the AA lead in WAR (9.2), strikeouts (293) and complete games (22) with a 2.85 ERA.

The First Round saw the second place teams get road upsets; Denver edged Dallas in five games and Nashville knocked off Los Angeles in four. The Knights swept the Dragons to give Nashville their first American Association title. The underdog Knights gave Philadelphia a respectable fight, but the Phillies dynasty continued. Philadelphia won the 1944 World Series in six games over Nashville, becoming the first team in MLB history to win four straight Fall Classics. Ultimately, they would be the only franchise in the 20^th Century to win four straight.





Other notes: Albuquerque’s Brad Berg and Omaha’s Rodrigo Reta both passed 500 home runs and 1500 career RBI. San Diego’s Aubin Shrauger, and Kansas City’s Purvis Jones each also crossed 500 dingers. Omaha’s Kaby Silva crossed 1500 runs scored.