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KCRoyals15 · 12-18-2024, 12:37 PM

1959

The end of the 50's marked the end of 60 years of USBF play and for a second decade in a row, significant change was seen in the American baseball landscape. Most notable was of course the elevation of the Texas League to big-league status, while at the same, the pseudo-major American Baseball League emerged as a middle ground between the majors and minors—and had already sent one of their teams to the majors.

In the Northern Conference, Albany and Manhattan tied for first in the New England League at 99-63 to take the two playoff spots there. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Toronto jockeyed for the top in the Midwest Association, with the Black Hawks coming out one game ahead.

In the postseason, Albany brushed aside Milwaukee in a four-game sweep, while Manhattan also pulled off a sweep, wiping out the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Yankees then took out their up-state rivals, defeating the Adirondacks in six games for the NC title.

The Southern Conference saw an excellent four-team race in the Eastern League, with Washington winning the league at 94-68, Atlanta and Jacksonville tied at 93-69, and Newark at 92-70. The Crackers, though, defeated the Tars in a one-game playoff for the second playoff spot. The Western League, meanwhile, saw St. Louis explode for 114 wins, tying for the EBF record. Omaha, meanwhile, won a franchise-record 100 games to earn their first playoff spot since 1946.

In the postseason, Omaha took care of Washington in a five-game series. Meanwhile, St. Louis defeated Atlanta in a six-game series. The Browns then glided past the Golden Spikes in another six-game set to take the South championship.

Out in California, the Hollywood Stars were atop the Pacific Coast League, with San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland filling out the other three playoff spots.

In the first round, Oakland pulled an upset, knocking off top-seed Hollywood, while San Francisco completed their own upset of San Diego in a seven-game thriller. The Seals then took out their Bay Bridge rivals in six games, defeating the Oaks to win their first PCL title in a decade.

For the second time in three years, the ten-team Texas League had just three teams over .500. 103-win and 91-win Wichita earned the two playoff spots in the South, while the North saw El Paso win 99 games, while 77-win Tulsa backed into the second spot, missing the dubious title of worst playoff team in USBF history by percentage points.

Galveston did not overlook Tulsa in the first round, as the Hurricanes put down the Oilers in five games, while El Paso won a seven-game tussle with Wichita to end the Aeros' two-year reign atop the TL. Galveston then defeated El Paso in six games to win their second Texas League title in four years.

That set up the field for the National Championship tournament, which began with a huge upset, as the record-setting Browns were bounced as the Manhattan Yankees (NOR) defeated the St. Louis Browns (SOU). San Francisco matched two teams who both won 103 games in the regular season—but the Seals played 38 more games. However, the San Francisco Seals (PCL) defeat the Galveston Hurricanes (TL) to reach the championship series. In the final, the Manhattan Yankees (NOR) defeat the San Francisco Seals (PCL), 4-1 to earn the Yankees' second National Championship and their first since 1940.

For the Seals, it was a sour note to close out their chapter at venerable Seals Stadium, which the Seals would depart the next year for a new stadium at Candlestick Point.

After winning Rookie of the Year the year prior, Philadelphia Quakers outfielder Tom Clark took it one step further in 1959, as the 23-year-old slashed .300/.346/.594 with 188 hits, 104 hits, 31 doubles, and led the Northern Conference with 47 homers and 156 RBI, logging the most RBIs by an EBF hitter since 1936 as he took home MVP honors. Though it would be Clark's only MVP, he would still star for two more decades.

Third-year New York hurler Kevin Cronin put everything together as he logged the first pitching Triple Crown in the Eastern Baseball Federation in a quarter-century, going 24-10 with a 2.34 ERA and 254 strikeouts, while also leading the North in innings (315.2), complete games (27) and shutouts (8). Notably, the 254 punchouts were a new Eastern Baseball Federation record. Though he enjoyed a decent career, Cronin never remotely approached any of those figures again.

Toronto starter Steve Slape was truly a mediocre pitcher, going 17-19 with a 4.70 ERA over four big-league seasons. However, in the midst of his final major-league campaign, the 29-year-old had the game of a lifetime, setting down all 27 Indianapolis Hoosiers, striking out seven and throwing 98 pitches in the first perfect game in the Northern Conference since 1941.

In the Southern Conference, 24-year-old Jacksonville second baseman Steve Bishop debuted and burst onto the scene in a huge way. Earning Rookie of the Year and MVP, Bishop slashed .316/.383/.587 with 194 hits, 40 doubles, and a conference-leading 114 runs, 40 homers, and 127 RBI, while adding 19 steals. It was just the start of one of the greatest careers in USBF history.

For the second year in a row, St. Louis right-hander Allen Staub earned Pitcher of the Year honors, putting together his finest season. Staub narrowly missed the first 30-win season by an EBF pitcher since 1917, going 29-6 with a 1.76 ERA, leading the South in wins, ERA, starts (37), innings (322.1), complete games (28) and shutouts (7), and striking out 179 batters to earn an unquestioned POTY trophy.

In the PCL, San Diego Will McAfee had been very good over his first five sesons, but the 28-year-old was just a little bit better this year, slashing .329/.414/.497 with a PCL-best 242 hits, 150 runs, and 43 doubles, while adding 22 homers, 114 RBI, and 40 stolen bases, earning MVP honors.

Amidst their surprise run to the PCL title, San Francisco righty Danny Elizondo earned his second 20-win season in as many big-league seasons, going 20-13 with a 3.34 ERA, while leading the PCL in innings (331.0) and strikeouts (216), earning Pitcher of the Year.

Seattle first baseman Griffin Searle hit 29 homers and 99 RBI, the fist season in his ten-year career in which he had failed to reach 30 homers and 100 RBI. However, on September 14, he made history as the first player in USBF history to reach 400 home runs.

In a year where the Texas League had few MVP candidates among their hitters, it was a pitcher who took both MVP and Pitcher of the Year honors. Kyle Clark came up with New Orleans but just into his third season there, the Pelicans gave up on his and dealt him to El Paso, where he immediately became a front-line starter for the Texans. Clark took the Texas League pitching Triple Crown, going 22-7 with a 2.40 ERA, striking out 203 in 262.2 innings.

---

In the American Baseball League, New Haven and Spokane dominated once more, winning over 100 games each. Tampa edged Miami by two games for the second East playoff spot, while Salt Lake City cruised to the second West spot. In the playoffs, Spokane defeated Tampa and New Haven took down Salt Lake City in a pair of six-game series, while New Haven won another six-game series over Spokane for the American Cup. The Weavers and Indians have now won all six ABL titles, with the Weavers winning the odd-numbered years and Indians the even-numbered years.

Spokane shortstop Teruhiko Takagi earned MVP honors, slashing .322/.377/.428 with 196 hits, 86 runs, 33 doubles, a league-leading 14 triples, 1 homer, 81 RBI, and 35 steals. Miami lefty Jacob Garrett won his second ABL Pitcher of the Year title, going 21-11 with a 2.31 ERA, and leading the ABL in starts (38), innings (323.1), and strikeouts (328).

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Chattanooga Lookouts, 96-58, defeats Baton Rouge
Colonial League: Pittsfield Colonials, 97-43, defeats Worcester (2nd straight)
River Valley League: Evansville Bees, 81-59, defeats Toledo (3rd straight)
Rocky Mountain League: Albuquerque Outlaws, 69-57, defeats Pueblo
Coastal League: Charleston Cannons, 104-50, defeats Augusta
Northern League: Fargo-Moorhead Indians, 100-40, defeats Sioux City
Great Lakes League: Youngstown Steelers, 84-56 defeats Allentown (2nd straight)
Southwest League: Bakersfield Conquistadors, 87-67, defeats Las Vegas (5th straight)
Southern Association: Beaumont Exporters, 81-59, defeats Joplin
Northwest League: Yakima Tomahawks, 87-53, defeats Stockton (6th straight)
Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 76-50, defeats Springfield (3rd straight)
Mid-Atlantic League: Roanoke Red Hawks, 89-51, defeats Greensboro
Lone Star League: San Angelo Colts, 77-63, defeats Waco (2nd straight)
Great Plains League: Thunder Bay Timberjacks, 87-53, defeats St. Paul
Florida Coast League: Columbus Catfish, 78-62, defeats St. Petersburg

Fargo-Moorhead became the first Northern League team to win 100 games

12-18-2024, 12:37 PM	#69
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	Brown Streak Snapped 1959 The end of the 50's marked the end of 60 years of USBF play and for a second decade in a row, significant change was seen in the American baseball landscape. Most notable was of course the elevation of the Texas League to big-league status, while at the same, the pseudo-major American Baseball League emerged as a middle ground between the majors and minors—and had already sent one of their teams to the majors. In the Northern Conference, Albany and Manhattan tied for first in the New England League at 99-63 to take the two playoff spots there. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Toronto jockeyed for the top in the Midwest Association, with the Black Hawks coming out one game ahead. In the postseason, Albany brushed aside Milwaukee in a four-game sweep, while Manhattan also pulled off a sweep, wiping out the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Yankees then took out their up-state rivals, defeating the Adirondacks in six games for the NC title. The Southern Conference saw an excellent four-team race in the Eastern League, with Washington winning the league at 94-68, Atlanta and Jacksonville tied at 93-69, and Newark at 92-70. The Crackers, though, defeated the Tars in a one-game playoff for the second playoff spot. The Western League, meanwhile, saw St. Louis explode for 114 wins, tying for the EBF record. Omaha, meanwhile, won a franchise-record 100 games to earn their first playoff spot since 1946. In the postseason, Omaha took care of Washington in a five-game series. Meanwhile, St. Louis defeated Atlanta in a six-game series. The Browns then glided past the Golden Spikes in another six-game set to take the South championship. Out in California, the Hollywood Stars were atop the Pacific Coast League, with San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland filling out the other three playoff spots. In the first round, Oakland pulled an upset, knocking off top-seed Hollywood, while San Francisco completed their own upset of San Diego in a seven-game thriller. The Seals then took out their Bay Bridge rivals in six games, defeating the Oaks to win their first PCL title in a decade. For the second time in three years, the ten-team Texas League had just three teams over .500. 103-win and 91-win Wichita earned the two playoff spots in the South, while the North saw El Paso win 99 games, while 77-win Tulsa backed into the second spot, missing the dubious title of worst playoff team in USBF history by percentage points. Galveston did not overlook Tulsa in the first round, as the Hurricanes put down the Oilers in five games, while El Paso won a seven-game tussle with Wichita to end the Aeros' two-year reign atop the TL. Galveston then defeated El Paso in six games to win their second Texas League title in four years. That set up the field for the National Championship tournament, which began with a huge upset, as the record-setting Browns were bounced as the Manhattan Yankees (NOR) defeated the St. Louis Browns (SOU). San Francisco matched two teams who both won 103 games in the regular season—but the Seals played 38 more games. However, the San Francisco Seals (PCL) defeat the Galveston Hurricanes (TL) to reach the championship series. In the final, the *Manhattan Yankees (NOR) defeat the San Francisco Seals (PCL), 4-1* to earn the Yankees' second National Championship and their first since 1940. For the Seals, it was a sour note to close out their chapter at venerable Seals Stadium, which the Seals would depart the next year for a new stadium at Candlestick Point. After winning Rookie of the Year the year prior, Philadelphia Quakers outfielder Tom Clark took it one step further in 1959, as the 23-year-old slashed .300/.346/.594 with 188 hits, 104 hits, 31 doubles, and led the Northern Conference with 47 homers and 156 RBI, logging the most RBIs by an EBF hitter since 1936 as he took home MVP honors. Though it would be Clark's only MVP, he would still star for two more decades. Third-year New York hurler Kevin Cronin put everything together as he logged the first pitching Triple Crown in the Eastern Baseball Federation in a quarter-century, going 24-10 with a 2.34 ERA and 254 strikeouts, while also leading the North in innings (315.2), complete games (27) and shutouts (8). Notably, the 254 punchouts were a new Eastern Baseball Federation record. Though he enjoyed a decent career, Cronin never remotely approached any of those figures again. Toronto starter Steve Slape was truly a mediocre pitcher, going 17-19 with a 4.70 ERA over four big-league seasons. However, in the midst of his final major-league campaign, the 29-year-old had the game of a lifetime, setting down all 27 Indianapolis Hoosiers, striking out seven and throwing 98 pitches in the first perfect game in the Northern Conference since 1941. In the Southern Conference, 24-year-old Jacksonville second baseman Steve Bishop debuted and burst onto the scene in a huge way. Earning Rookie of the Year and MVP, Bishop slashed .316/.383/.587 with 194 hits, 40 doubles, and a conference-leading 114 runs, 40 homers, and 127 RBI, while adding 19 steals. It was just the start of one of the greatest careers in USBF history. For the second year in a row, St. Louis right-hander Allen Staub earned Pitcher of the Year honors, putting together his finest season. Staub narrowly missed the first 30-win season by an EBF pitcher since 1917, going 29-6 with a 1.76 ERA, leading the South in wins, ERA, starts (37), innings (322.1), complete games (28) and shutouts (7), and striking out 179 batters to earn an unquestioned POTY trophy. In the PCL, San Diego Will McAfee had been very good over his first five sesons, but the 28-year-old was just a little bit better this year, slashing .329/.414/.497 with a PCL-best 242 hits, 150 runs, and 43 doubles, while adding 22 homers, 114 RBI, and 40 stolen bases, earning MVP honors. Amidst their surprise run to the PCL title, San Francisco righty Danny Elizondo earned his second 20-win season in as many big-league seasons, going 20-13 with a 3.34 ERA, while leading the PCL in innings (331.0) and strikeouts (216), earning Pitcher of the Year. Seattle first baseman Griffin Searle hit 29 homers and 99 RBI, the fist season in his ten-year career in which he had failed to reach 30 homers and 100 RBI. However, on September 14, he made history as the first player in USBF history to reach 400 home runs. In a year where the Texas League had few MVP candidates among their hitters, it was a pitcher who took both MVP and Pitcher of the Year honors. Kyle Clark came up with New Orleans but just into his third season there, the Pelicans gave up on his and dealt him to El Paso, where he immediately became a front-line starter for the Texans. Clark took the Texas League pitching Triple Crown, going 22-7 with a 2.40 ERA, striking out 203 in 262.2 innings. --- In the American Baseball League, New Haven and Spokane dominated once more, winning over 100 games each. Tampa edged Miami by two games for the second East playoff spot, while Salt Lake City cruised to the second West spot. In the playoffs, Spokane defeated Tampa and New Haven took down Salt Lake City in a pair of six-game series, while New Haven won another six-game series over Spokane for the American Cup. The Weavers and Indians have now won all six ABL titles, with the Weavers winning the odd-numbered years and Indians the even-numbered years. Spokane shortstop Teruhiko Takagi earned MVP honors, slashing .322/.377/.428 with 196 hits, 86 runs, 33 doubles, a league-leading 14 triples, 1 homer, 81 RBI, and 35 steals. Miami lefty Jacob Garrett won his second ABL Pitcher of the Year title, going 21-11 with a 2.31 ERA, and leading the ABL in starts (38), innings (323.1), and strikeouts (328). --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Chattanooga Lookouts, 96-58, defeats Baton Rouge Colonial League: Pittsfield Colonials, 97-43, defeats Worcester (2nd straight) River Valley League: Evansville Bees, 81-59, defeats Toledo (3rd straight) Rocky Mountain League: Albuquerque Outlaws, 69-57, defeats Pueblo Coastal League: Charleston Cannons, 104-50, defeats Augusta Northern League: Fargo-Moorhead Indians, 100-40, defeats Sioux City Great Lakes League: Youngstown Steelers, 84-56 defeats Allentown (2nd straight) Southwest League: Bakersfield Conquistadors, 87-67, defeats Las Vegas (5th straight) Southern Association: Beaumont Exporters, 81-59, defeats Joplin Northwest League: Yakima Tomahawks, 87-53, defeats Stockton (6th straight) Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 76-50, defeats Springfield (3rd straight) Mid-Atlantic League: Roanoke Red Hawks, 89-51, defeats Greensboro Lone Star League: San Angelo Colts, 77-63, defeats Waco (2nd straight) Great Plains League: Thunder Bay Timberjacks, 87-53, defeats St. Paul Florida Coast League: Columbus Catfish, 78-62, defeats St. Petersburg Fargo-Moorhead became the first Northern League team to win 100 games Last edited by KCRoyals15; 12-18-2024 at 04:04 PM.