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The National Association’s best record went to Omaha at 98-64, who won back-to-back Midwest League titles. The Hawks had to survive fierce challenges from Indianapolis (97-65) and Kansas City (96-66), who ended up with the first two wild cards. It was the first playoff berth for the Racers since winning the NA title in 1959, meanwhile the Cougars earned back-to-back wild cards.

After missing the playoffs the prior three years, Buffalo won the Eastern League at 97-65. Taking second and earning back-to-back wild cards was Ottawa at 94-68. Two-time defending National Association champ Montreal ended up with the final wild card at 90-72. The Maples finished two ahead of Chicago, three better than Pittsburgh, and four over Boston. Montreal now has the longest active playoff streak at four years, as St. Louis couldn’t extend their run to six, finishing 81-81.

Pittsburgh LF Connor Neumeyer won his third MVP in his fourth full season. The 24-year old lefty led in the triple slash (.382/.438/.684), OPS (1.122), wRC+ (225), and WAR (9.5), adding 35 home runs. Surprisingly, this would be his final MVP, although he’d finish with a 21 year career and slam dunk Hall of Fame credentials. Kansas City’s Mike Lee won Pitcher of the Year, leading in WAR (8.7), WHIP (0.91), innings (285.2), quality starts (28), and complete games (17). The 26-year old righty had a 2.27 ERA and 269 strikeouts with a 21-8 record.

In the first round of the playoffs, Ottawa ousted Kansas City 2-1 and Indianapolis eliminated Montreal 2-1, ending the Maples’ hopes at a three-peat. The Racers stunned Buffalo in five games in round two, while Omaha downed Ottawa in four. It was only the third National Association Championship Series berth for the Hawks, who lost in 1956 and 1967. Despite Omaha’s home field advantage, Indianapolis rolled to the first NACS sweep since 1958. It is the sixth NA title for the Racers (1931, 36, 52, 57, 59, 74).



Major League Baseball’s top overall record came in the American Association Southern League. Memphis finished 103-59 for back-to-back league titles, setting a franchise record for wins as well. Houston was second at 94-68 and earned the third wild card, snapping an uncharacteristically long seven-year playoff drought for the Hornets. Seattle won back-to-back in the Western League finishing at 101-61.

Los Angeles and Phoenix tied for second in the Western League at 95-67 and both earned wild cards. For the defending World Series champ Angels, it is their sixth playoff berth in seven years, while the Firebirds ended a five-year skid. In a tight battle for the final spot, Denver (91-71) edged out New Orleans (90-72), Tampa (90-72), and Oakland (89-73). This was the first playoff berth for the Dragons since 1964. It also officially marks the end of the Mudcats run, as they wouldn’t return to the playoffs until 1993.

American Association MVP went to third-year Tampa RF Will Brenneisen. He led in runs (120), total bases (373), slugging (.639), OPS (1.047), and wRC+ (177), adding 8.3 WAR, a .348 average, 44 home runs, and 130 RBI. Pitcher of the Year was Phoenix’s Edward Delesdernier, who posted MLB’s fifth pitching Triple Crown. The last pitcher to do it was Andy Upshaw in 1954. In his second season with the Firebirds, the 30-year old righty had a 26-8 record, 2.16 ERA, and 313 strikeouts, also leading in WAR (10.2), WHIP (0.97), innings (299.2), quality starts (28), complete games (24), and FIP- (64).

The wild card round had Los Angeles sweep Denver and Phoenix top Houston 2-1. Seattle rolled to a sweep of the Firebirds, while the Angels pulled off the upset 3-2 at Memphis. This pitted the defending champion Los Angeles in the American Association Championship Series against the Grizzlies, whose only prior AACS berth was a 1940 defeat. Seattle’s first title would have to come another day as the Angels won the series in six. This gave LA back-to-back wins and seven in franchise history.



In the 74^th World Series, Los Angeles was looking to repeat as champ, while Indianapolis was hoping their sixth Fall Classic would nab them the elusive ring. The series went seven games for the first time since 1962 with the Angels taking the crown. World Series and AACS MVP went to 1B Edward Torres, who had 29 hits, 17 runs, 9 home runs, and 21 RBI in 20 playoff games. This gives LA the repeat and five MLB titles (1945, 46, 68, 73, 74). They also join Philadelphia as the only franchises to repeat in two separate decades.



The Racers have the most appearances without a win at 0-6. Notably, former NA MVP R.J Clinton won NACS MVP and set a postseason record with 25 RBI, which still stands as of 2037 even with the expanded postseason. He had 21 hits, 15 runs, and 9 homers in 19 playoff games.

Other notes: Only two no-hitters were thrown in 1974, both by San Diego’s Leo Elliott. Both were against Oklahoma City as well with eight strikeouts and two walks on 5/29, then 11 Ks and one walk on 8/16. He became the first MLB player to throw two no-hitters in the same season. Nashvile’s Simao Ojeda had a 36-game hitting streak, tying him for the sixth longest in MLB history.

Benton Gibney became the ninth batter to reach 3500 hits, finishing with 3565. This placed him seventh all-time at retirement. Julius Jordan became the fifth pitcher to 4000 career strikeouts. Carson Hanford became the fourth reliever to 400 career saves. He finished the season with 417, third behind Rodrick Wisdom’s 441 and Rovaldis Arvelo’s 438. Hanford would pass them both next season and go onto put the mark out of reach with another four seasons. 3B B.J. Orwig won his eighth Gold Glove.