[rockford]

Standings after nine seasons of play (pennants and championships in parentheses):


GB

--- 1910 Cubs .595 (7-5)
94 1952 Dodgers .527 (2-1)
94 1912 Giants .527 (2-1)
95 1948 Indians .526 (1-0)
97 1943 Yankees .525 (2-1)
107 1971 Orioles .517 (1-1)
120 1949 Red Sox .508 (2-0)
137 1917 Giants .496
146 1911 A’s .489
152 1905 Giants .485
152 1963 Dodgers .485
160 1991 Pirates .479
163 1914 A’s .477
179 1912 Pirates .465
186 1912 Red Sox .460
210 1985 Cardinals .443




The 1948 Indians ended the Cubs’ streak of consecutive pennants at six and continued to move up the standings -- from sixth to fourth – behind three straight MVP seasons from Lou Boudreau (best year: .353, 24 HR).

The 1971 Orioles followed with their first pennant (and a championship). They slid from fifth to sixth in the standings, but added six points to their winning percentage (.517).

Despite cooling off a bit, the 1910 Cubs have clinched first place in the pool. The teams in the 2nd through 5th position in the standings are within three games of each other.

The 1952 Dodgers continued their march up the standings, moving into second place by a whisker over the 1912 Giants. Jackie Robinson finished second and third in MVP voting.

The 1943 Yankees got a seventh POTY season from Spud Chandler (20-10, 3.01 ERA).

Mel Parnell (16-8, 2.86 ERA) of the 1949 Red Sox ended Chandler’s run of POTY awards at seven, and helped the Sox solidify their position. They pushed their winning percentage up seven points to .508.

The 1917 Giants jumped from 10th to 8th in the standings, and with a winning percentage of .496 they have a real chance at advancing, especially if they perform well in the final season.