[BirdWatcher]

Before we move on to the World Series let's take a look at the final statistical leaders in the WPK this season.

Starting with the SJL, let's take a look at a number of offensive categories.

As you can see some names are pretty prominent in many categories: Lazaro Lowndes, Jesus Casiano, Nate Bennett, Larry Glinski, Erik Buonopane, and Bud Lindsay to name a handful.

Lowndes, the 25-year old superstar center fielder for the Washington Night Train, was the Rookie-of-the-Year in 1967, is a 2-time All-Star, has won 1 Gold Glove and 1 Silver Slugger Award. This is the second year in a row that he has led the SJL in hits though it is his first batting title (and first time leading in OBP). He has been the league leader in triples 3 times in his career. In his 7 years in the league (all with Washington) he has a WAR of 37.7. He is considered durable and intelligent and should have a long and successful career ahead of him.

Jesus Casiano, at age 30, is in the midst of transitioning back to first base from third base, where he is a 3-time Gold Glove winner. He did come up as a first baseman originally and also won 2 Gold Gloves at that position earlier in his career. Casiano has played his entire career with the Jacksonville Wolf Pack, was the 1970 MVP of the SJL, is a 6-time All-Star, and a 4-time Silver Slugger award winner. He has led the league in RBI 5 times now, in HR's and doubles twice, in batting average once, and has a career WAR of 51.6.

Slugging first baseman Nate Bennett has been a mainstay of the Boston Berserkers for the team's entire history. Bennett, at age 33, is a defensive liability but still a very potent hitter. He led the league in batting average in 1965 and also led the league in RBI that year. He led the SJL in HR's , with 37, in 1967. He is an 8-time All-Star and 7-time Silver Slugger. His career WAR is 45.3.

The 27-year old Larry Glinski has been much less heralded then those listed above thus far in his WPK career. He is a 1-time All-Star and that was this season. But he's always been a solid defensive second baseman with great speed and good contact hitting abilities and 1972 was something of a break-out season for him. He spent his first 5 1/2 seasons with the Phoenix Speed Devils, was traded to Philadelphia mid-1970, played for the Milwaukee Cadets in 1971, before joining the Columbus Whalers this season. And now he's heading to his first World Series!

If there is a superstar catcher in the WPK, that man is San Antonio's Erik Buonopane. The 25-year old power-hitter is defensively strong and has won 2 Gold Gloves, is a 3-time All-Star, and a 2-time Silver Slugger. 1972 was his 4th big league season, all with the Keys. And he's really just getting started.

The same could absolutely be said of Bud Lindsay. At the tender age of 21, Lindsay is already considered the team captain of the San Antonio Keys. Lindsay is a tremendous defensive shortstop who will likely win his first Gold Glove award this year. He is a speedy runner and should develop into a good base stealer but could use some polishing of his base-running skills. Lindsay has surprising power for his position (and his size- he is 6'0'' and 165 lbs) and is a very good gap hitter. He still needs to improve a bit on his plate discipline and has room for growth as a contact hitter, but if he does reach his full potential the sky is really the limit for young Mr. Lindsay. After all, even with some flaws in his game still he led the SJL in WAR this year at 9.2.