British Baseball Reborn: 1950 - Present

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Standings and Statistics page of The Baseball Review.
From the archive of The Baseball Review.

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Bristol baby!

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The 1954 Championship Series once again saw the Manchester Elephants and Croydon Capitals facing off, as had the previous two seasons. The Elephants looking to avenge their 1953 defeat, the Capitals looking to assert their dominance over baseball in Britain.

Game One – The Elephants built up a 2 run lead with 1 in the third and fifth, the Capitals offense knocked the usually dominant pitcher Jimmy O’Toole out of the game in the sixth. Racking up 4 runs, notably Croydon first baseman Thomas O’Hanrahan, knocking in a run with a powerful double. The Elephants replied with 1 in the eighth and securing the first win of the series with 3 in the ninth. Outfielder Eddie Ireland and 1B Adonis Millar contributing with a double and RBI each to show for it.



Game Two – The Croydon Capitals overpowered the Elephants in game 2, consistently tallying up runs to tie the series with a 10-3 victory in Croydon. Two big two-run home runs played a big part in Croydon’s dominance, 3B Rich Rainey with one in the fifth, and Thomas O’Hanrahan in the sixth with his.



Game Three – The Elephants came out swinging, lead off man Teague Doyle opened the bottom of the first with a solo-home run. The Capitals will rue the expansive outfield of Belle Vue Stadium, a triple in the first with the bases empty would’ve been a home run in almost every other ballpark, lead-off man Aiden Iles also going for a bases empty triple in the eighth, a sac-fly from Robbie Cowley getting Iles home, giving the Capitals their only run in the game, as a solo-home run from Teague Doyle, and 2-run home runs from Millar and McCaffrey saw the runs mount as the Elephants marched to an 8-1 victory.



Game Four – 3 time Pitcher of the Year James O’Toole was absolutely rocked by the Capitals yet again this series. Maybe for the first time in his career O’Toole looked out of his depth, in 4.2 innings he gave up 11 hits, 8 runs, 6 earned, 4 walks, 1 home run, fanning 3 batters. The Capitals put up 7 in the fifth as O’Toole and the Elephants crumbled. The Manchester crowd was silenced as the lead continued to grow with another 4 runs in the sixth as the Capitals romped to a 15-2 win.



Game Five – Again the Elephants look helpless in the face of the Capitals offense. Of their 11 hits 7 were doubles in an incredible display of quality in the batter’s box, as Billy Walsh marched to the win pitching all 9 innings, allowing only 2 runs and 7 hits. The Elephants looked bewildered, their only scoring efforts coming from star man Millar, a solo-home run in the sixth and a run scoring double in the eight.



Game Six – The Elephants refused to go out without a fight, the Capitals took the lead with a double from Rainey in the second, the Manchester club responding with a 2-run home run from McCaffrey in the fourth. Croydon would immediately respond with 1 in the fourth, a run scoring double from Edward Taylor. The Elephants retook the lead in the fifth and again the Capitals showed they wanted to end the series that day, replying immediately. The sixth stayed scoreless with the game tied, it looked like it could go either way, until the Capitals broke through with a run scoring triple from Taylor. Another run for insurance and the Croydon club saw it out to win 5-3.



The Croydon Capitals win the series, 4-2.

Player of the Series, Thomas O’Hanrahan.

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National League

Player of the Year

The manager of the Manchester Elephants said he thinks Ross McCaffrey is only going to get better as he gets older.

He may only be 24, but it will be hard to top the second baseman's 1954 campaign, as he has been named the winner of the National League Player of the Year Award.

His winning campaign featured a .335 batting average and a .409 on-base percentage this year. In 151 games he piled up 186 hits, 31 doubles, 2 triples, 41 home runs, 139 RBIs and 105 runs scored.

He received 13 first place votes out of a possible 16. Adonis Millar of the Manchester Elephants finished second in voting, while James O'Toole of the Manchester Elephants finished third with 3 first place votes.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Ross McCaffrey - Manchester Elephants - 13 - 209
Adonis Millar - Manchester Elephants - 0 - 138
James O'Toole - Manchester Elephants - 3 - 135
Jack Barclay - Edinburgh Cannons - 0 - 117
Conor Bass - Edinburgh Cannons - 0 - 71
Daniel Williamson - Manchester Elephants - 0 - 62
Kilroy Walmsley - London Monarchs - 0 - 58
Randal Jackson - Nottingham Sheriffs - 0 - 42
Brian Menon - Liverpool Giants - 0 - 40
Finley Ashworth - Edinburgh Cannons - 0 - 20
Louie Green - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 16
Todd Norton - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 11
Zak Brooks - London Monarchs - 0 - 2
Jon Evans - Nottingham Sheriffs - 0 - 2


Pitcher of the Year

James O'Toole of the Manchester Elephants fired on all cylinders in 1954 and dominated National League batters. For his superb season he has been selected the Pitcher of the Year Award winner.

During the year O'Toole compiled a 31-8 record, a 2.13 ERA and 222 strikeouts while working 346.1 innings.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Todd Norton of the Bristol Pirates finished second in voting, while Declan Robinson of the Manchester Elephants finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
James O'Toole - Manchester Elephants - 16 - 112
Todd Norton - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 63
Declan Robinson - Manchester Elephants - 0 - 32
George Jones - Birmingham Athletics - 0 - 26
Nicholas Showell - Liverpool Giants - 0 - 19
Albert Baker - Liverpool Giants - 0 - 5
Zachary Sharp - Manchester Elephants - 0 - 5
Richard Miller - Manchester Elephants - 0 - 4

Rookie of the Year

In his first season, Kilroy Walmsley not only won the hearts and cheers of the local London fans, he also nabbed the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

This gifted catcher compiled a .296 batting average while collecting 28 home runs and 86 RBIs with a .372 on-base percentage and scoring 71 runs.

He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Jon Evans of the Nottingham Sheriffs finished second in voting, while Louie Green of the Bristol Pirates finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Kilroy Walmsley - London Monarchs - 15 - 78
Jon Evans - Nottingham Sheriffs - 0 - 24
Louie Green - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 19
Zak Brooks - London Monarchs - 0 - 9
Todd Norton - Bristol Pirates - 1 - 6
Billy Naylor - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 4

Manager of the Year

Dennis Dickerson, Manchester Elephants

Great Glove Award

The highlight reels were full of plays from these British Baseball Association standouts this year. The National League Great Glove Award for 1954 has been awarded to the following players:

Pitcher
Christopher O'Keefe (Birmingham Athletics)

Catcher
Patrick Dowell (Liverpool Giants)

First Baseman
Jon Evans (Nottingham Sheriffs)

Second Baseman
Brian Menon (Liverpool Giants)

Third Baseman
Lee Lines (Leeds White Sox)

Shortstop
Bert Wood (Liverpool Giants)

Left Fielder
Christopher McNeil (Leeds White Sox)

Center Fielder
Conor Mackie (Leeds White Sox)

Right Fielder
Joseph Pallett (London Monarchs)

Union League

Player of the Year

It's been a year of triumph for veteran Quinlisk Duffy of the Blackpool Excursions as he hit his way to the 1954 Union League Player of the Year Award.

The 30-year-old veteran compiled a .342 average and .480 on-base percentage by putting together 177 hits, 24 doubles, 3 triples, 42 home runs and 137 walks. He also scored 135 times and drove in 138 runs.

He received 14 first place votes out of a possible 16. Thomas O'Hanrahan of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting with 2 first place votes, while Derry Michel of the Croydon Capitals finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Quinlisk Duffy - Blackpool Excursions - 14 - 214
Thomas O'Hanrahan - Croydon Capitals - 2 - 140
Derry Michel - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 110
Ken Richardson - Hull Tigers - 0 - 107
Adam Mulligan - Blackpool Excursions - 0 - 69
Jude McKay - Cardiff Dragons - 0 - 59
Aidan Iles - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 53
Zak Hearn - Bradford Boars - 0 - 51
Kieran MacLaughlin - Bradford Boars - 0 - 41
Ryan Ayton - Newcastle Knights - 0 - 20
Derby O'Sullivan - Newcastle Knights - 0 - 7
Simon Anderson - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 5
Edward Taylor - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 5
Carl Chandler - Leicester Foxes - 0 - 4
Kenneth Brookfield - Cardiff Dragons - 0 - 3
Dick Davies - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 3
Dewald Looney - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 3
Josh Armstrong - Newcastle Knights - 0 - 2
Douggie Neville - Leicester Foxes - 0 - 2
Robbie Cowley - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 1


Pitcher of the Year

The Newcastle Knights have a rising superstar or maybe even a budding Hall-of-Famer in the making. It's Ryan Ayton, this year's Union League Pitcher of the Year Award selection. This blossoming hurler wowed fans, peers and sportswriters with a fabulous performance.

Ayton compiled a 21-11 record in 39 starts, tallied 164 strikeouts in 316.1 innings and recorded a 3.16 ERA. Other clubs managed only a .245 batting average against him.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Graham Ingleby of the Blackpool Excursions finished second in voting, while Dewald Looney of the Croydon Capitals finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Ryan Ayton - Newcastle Knights - 16 - 112
Graham Ingleby - Blackpool Excursions - 0 - 46
Dewald Looney - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 39
Cathmor Hunt - Sheffield Steelmen - 0 - 31
Evan Horne - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 20
Colin Clive - Blackpool Excursions - 0 - 8
Alexander Shaw - Sheffield Steelmen - 0 - 5
Eddie Drummond - Newcastle Knights - 0 - 2
Euan MacLean - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 2
Harrison Taylor - Bradford Boars - 0 - 1


Rookie of the Year

Ken Richardson put together some impressive numbers for Hull to garner enough votes for the Union League Rookie of the Year Award.

The Tigers shortstop took the honor by hitting .344 in 152 games this season and finishing with 189 hits, 12 home runs, 112 RBIs and 96 runs scored.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Zak Hearn of the Bradford Boars finished second in voting, while Derby O'Sullivan of the Newcastle Knights finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Ken Richardson - Hull Tigers - 16 - 80
Zak Hearn - Bradford Boars - 0 - 45
Derby O'Sullivan - Newcastle Knights - 0 - 11
Kenneth Brookfield - Cardiff Dragons - 0 - 4

Manager of the Year

Patrick Cole, Croydon Capitals

Great Glove Award

While their actual gloves may be black or brown, these fielders proved the value of their gloves was golden in 1954. The following players have been named the Great Glove Award winners for the Union League:

Pitcher
Brannan Miller (Cardiff Dragons)

Catcher
Lewis Donald (Sheffield Steelmen)

First Baseman
Neil Parry (Leicester Foxes)

Second Baseman
Harold Harrison (Bradford Boars)

Third Baseman
Derby O'Sullivan (Newcastle Knights)

Shortstop
Evan Armstrong (Sheffield Steelmen)

Left Fielder
Michael Findlay (Bradford Boars)

Center Fielder
Pat Henderson (Blackpool Excursions)

Right Fielder
Zak Hearn (Bradford Boars)

[Haystacks]

Feeder Leagues

The 1954 Annual General Meeting welcomed the announcement of the formation of 3 feeder leagues to "secure the future success of the British Baseball Association and the development of professional baseball players across Britain".

Two leagues, County Baseball Northern Association and County Baseball Southern Association were formed to represent youth players under the age of 18. Competing teams would represent a county or large urban areas would be represented with 'District' teams. With plans in place to extend the county secondary school leagues into Wales and Scotland in the future.

A 10 team university league was also formed for players that wish to pursue further education.

To ensure competitive balance and prevent the hoarding of talent, an amateur draft would begin in the 1955 season.

Minor Leagues

The BBA made the decision to implement a class system to it's associated minor leagues, following the American example. The Progress League was renamed The National Reserve League, this would be Class-A. The Alliance League Class-B. The newly associated Combination League forming Class-C. All clubs in this network of minor leagues were to enter into a development partnership with a professional club to aid the development of future professional level ball players and to grow interest in the game in their local area.

[catamount_kid]

Those logos look great!

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Originally Posted by catamount_kid

Those logos look great!

Thank you!

[Haystacks]

The 1954-55 off-season marked the final time teams would be able to freely raid amateur talent from outside the British Baseball Association, and in terms of such signings it was a quiet affair.

All BBA professional clubs now had a 3 level system of affiliates to develop talent, and would mostly have to rely on bringing talent through the amateur draft and their own development system. Players may still be found in the independent league's and acquired, but after 5 years of heavily raiding them, it was becoming rare to find such playing talent.

Over the first month of play in the National League, we saw Bristol and Edinburgh lay down the gauntlet, making it clear they would not allow another year of Manchester dominance without a fight. It looks unlikely the Elephants will runaway with the National League this year.

The Union League appears to be a two-horse race between Croydon and Blackpool, by June third placed Newcastle were already 10 games back. Cardiff look to be in for a third successive season of struggle as the Welsh crowds continue to lose interest in a losing club.


Standings and Statistics page of The Baseball Review.
From the archive of The Baseball Review.

[Haystacks]

Nothing is for certain about the 1955 British Baseball Association All-Star Game. It might be dominated by top-notch pitching performances. Or it could turn into a home run derby. Who knows? Pitch by pitch, inning by inning, the game could feature a little of both -- six strikeouts in a row by a nasty southpaw -- or a 3-homer day for some superstar slugger -- plus great catches, thrills, chills and spills -- all the great and the unexpected things that can happen in a baseball game.

This year, the National League will be represented by these All-Star performers:

SP Rodney McCarthy (BIR) - 13-7, 2.98 ERA, 166.1 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Oscar McLoughlin (BRI) - 11-6, 2.98 ERA, 151.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 4.2 WAR
SP Richard Miller (MAN) - 9-7, 3.27 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Todd Norton (BRI) - 11-6, 3.38 ERA, 154.2 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 3.4 WAR
SP James O'Toole (MAN)* - 17-5, 2.21 ERA, 199.1 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 6.5 WAR
SP Bart Vickers (LDS) - 7-9, 3.01 ERA, 158.1 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 4.1 WAR
CL George Daly (LIV)* - 5-1, 11 SV, 2.58 ERA, 52.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 1.0 WAR
CL Alan Johnson (LON) - 5-5, 12 SV, 2.63 ERA, 61.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Quincy Tompkin (BRI) - 6-1, 16 SV, 3.09 ERA, 64.0 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 0.7 WAR
C Daniel McCulloch (EDI) - .324/.394/.557, 253 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
C Lyndon Robertson (BRI)* - .340/.407/.506, 265 AB, 11 HR, 146 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
C Kilroy Walmsley (LON) - .260/.352/.480, 277 AB, 16 HR, 124 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
1B Finley Ashworth (EDI) - .349/.455/.544, 307 AB, 16 HR, 2 SB, 171 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
1B Zak Brooks (LON) - .318/.412/.540, 311 AB, 17 HR, 156 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
1B Adonis Millar (MAN)* - .331/.397/.613, 305 AB, 23 HR, 167 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
1B Dennis Perry (BRI) - .338/.377/.561, 278 AB, 15 HR, 150 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
2B Alfie Benson (BRI) - .325/.437/.498, 271 AB, 9 HR, 156 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
2B Ross McCaffrey (MAN)* - .287/.372/.543, 317 AB, 21 HR, 144 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
2B Billy Naylor (BRI) - .277/.356/.492, 303 AB, 16 HR, 1 SB, 127 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Trevor Summers (EDI) - .307/.357/.572, 166 AB, 9 HR, 2 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
3B Jack Barclay (EDI)* - .345/.468/.623, 284 AB, 19 HR, 189 wRC+, 5.2 WAR (Injured)
3B Robin Barrett (BRI) - .317/.393/.595, 309 AB, 24 HR, 160 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
3B Jack Kennedy (LIV) - .277/.383/.466, 292 AB, 16 HR, 132 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
SS Arthur Morton (BIR)* - .332/.399/.570, 328 AB, 20 HR, 4 SB, 159 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
LF Teague Doyle (MAN) - .312/.412/.517, 317 AB, 13 HR, 2 SB, 151 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
LF John Hurst (NOT)* - .316/.407/.508, 256 AB, 9 HR, 8 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
CF Conor Bass (EDI)* - .282/.360/.473, 347 AB, 12 HR, 5 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
CF Albert Cadman (LIV) - .284/.350/.423, 338 AB, 8 HR, 110 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
CF Reginald Price (BIR) - .354/.383/.446, 379 AB, 2 HR, 9 SB, 127 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
RF Daniel Carnegie (LDS) - .302/.373/.478, 324 AB, 12 HR, 126 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
RF Dwayne Taylor (BRI)* - .316/.371/.616, 323 AB, 21 HR, 2 SB, 159 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
.

While the Union League best will include these stars:

SP Ryan Ayton (NEW)* - 9-9, 4.42 ERA, 138.1 IP, 1.50 WHIP, 4.2 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Robbie Devonport (NEW) - 17-4, 2.30 ERA, 195.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 5.9 WAR
SP Callum Glover (SHF) - 7-11, 3.63 ERA, 168.2 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 3.5 WAR
SP Graham Ingleby (BPL) - 13-6, 3.19 ERA, 175.0 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Dewald Looney (CRO) - 8-7, 3.33 ERA, 116.1 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 3.4 WAR
SP Ciaran Russell (HUL) - 9-5, 2.57 ERA, 147.0 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 3.2 K/9, 3.1 WAR
RP Alan Murphy (CRO) - 6-1, 6 SV, 1.70 ERA, 53.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 1.4 WAR
CL Simon Anderson (CRO)* - 3-0, 10 SV, 3.17 ERA, 48.1 IP, 1.53 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 0.7 WAR
CL Sebastian Wilcox (LEI) - 7-1, 9 SV, 2.60 ERA, 52.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 1.5 WAR
C Brendan Hayes (LEI)* - .301/.356/.579, 266 AB, 22 HR, 146 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
C Ian McCool (CRO) - .256/.339/.427, 246 AB, 12 HR, 110 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
C Declan Smith (NEW) - .231/.322/.422, 225 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 89 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
1B Dick Davies (CRO)* - .328/.401/.439, 305 AB, 6 HR, 133 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
1B Adam Mulligan (BPL)* - .307/.402/.513, 335 AB, 16 HR, 146 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
2B Aidan Anderson (SHF) - .300/.361/.458, 297 AB, 11 HR, 4 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
2B Fursey Chapman (BPL) - .288/.396/.483, 302 AB, 13 HR, 1 SB, 139 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
3B Quinlisk Duffy (BPL)* - .317/.453/.619, 278 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 175 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
3B Ian McCallum (BRA) - .300/.378/.434, 320 AB, 6 HR, 1 SB, 122 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Derby O'Sullivan (NEW) - .279/.391/.516, 308 AB, 21 HR, 9 SB, 142 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
3B Ken Richardson (HUL) - .333/.424/.508, 315 AB, 6 HR, 2 SB, 154 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
SS Derry Michel (CRO)* - .266/.469/.421, 278 AB, 2 HR, 8 SB, 155 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
SS Arthur Nott (BPL) - .290/.367/.457, 300 AB, 13 HR, 9 SB, 122 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
LF Aidan Iles (CRO)* - .297/.434/.459, 320 AB, 8 HR, 16 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
LF Jimmy Smith (LEI) - .322/.419/.506, 332 AB, 11 HR, 152 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
CF Pat Henderson (BPL) - .301/.380/.500, 292 AB, 9 HR, 4 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
CF Douggie Neville (LEI)* - .338/.394/.526, 340 AB, 13 HR, 6 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
CF Edward Taylor (CRO) - .260/.352/.468, 308 AB, 11 HR, 6 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
RF Carl Chandler (LEI)* - .324/.409/.485, 336 AB, 11 HR, 3 SB, 143 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
RF Shane Ellis (CRO) - .339/.412/.484, 351 AB, 8 HR, 3 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
RF Finley Stewart (CAR) - .278/.384/.528, 316 AB, 16 HR, 3 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
.

The only thing for certain is that with this group of fine all-stars, the fans will really enjoy the show.

[Haystacks]

Union League All-Stars Win Again
Tuesday, July 12, 1955

The annual All-Star Game has quickly become a British summer tradition, and as is tradition the Union League All-Stars won again.

Union League bats overpowered the National League players, 5 of the 10 hits being for doubles. Blackpool's Quinlisk Duffy and Leicester's Finley Stewart took much of the plaudits. Duffy appeared at bat twice, recording 2 hits and 1 RBI, whilst Finley got a double and 2 RBIs in his one at bat.

National League ace, Jimmy O'Toole, looked to be outsmarted on the mound, giving up 3 hits and 3 runs, throwing over 40 pitches in his opening inning. Whilst the Union League pitchers looked assured throughout, only Hull's Ciaran Russell giving up any runs.

[Haystacks]

[Haystacks]

[Haystacks]

Despite the best efforts of Blackpool and Bristol, the Championship Series would be contested by Manchester Elephants and Croydon Capitals for a fourth consecutive season.

Game one: A tight affair, both teams racking up the hits but struggling to bring the runners home. The Capitals took the lead in the first, adding a second in the fourth, the Elephants managed to pull a run back in the eighth, but couldn't find a second run to tie it up.

Solid pitching from both starters, Grant got the win pitching all 9, allowing 10 hits, 1 ER, 0 walks and 4 Ks. O'Toole will be frustrated to be marked with a loss, questions hung over him after his performance in the 1954 series, but there were no doubts after today. 8 innings pitched, 8 hits allowed, 2 ER, 2 BBs, 6K.

Game two: a back and forth game until a 2-run home run from Elephant's 2B McCaffrey in the seventh secured the lead for a second time.

Game three: McCaffrey hit a run scoring single in the top of the first for the only run of the game. It was a rock solid display from the Manchester pitching staff that combined to shut out the Capitals. David Robinson threw 6, allowing only 3 hits, 3 walks and striking out 3. Doyle and Love combined for the final 3 innings, allowing 0 hits and fanning 4.

Game four: A five hour grinder that took 12 innings to decide. Neither team could break the deadlock in 9. Both scored 1 in the tenth, Manchester's right-fielder Ronald Hodgson pinch hit for Cook in the twelfth, hitting a vital run scoring double.

Game five: The Capitals stay alive, Croydon's centre-fielder Edward Taylor tied up the game with a solo home run in the seventh. Dick Davies came in to pinch hit in the bottom of the tenth to hit a walk-off, run scoring, single.

Game six: The Elephants started strong, responding to the Capitals scoring 1 in the top of the first, with three of their own, a three-run home run from McCaffrey. The Capitals tied it up in the third, but the Elephants would continue to add on runs in the third, fifth, seventh and eighth, to secure a comfortable win and the British Championship.

[Haystacks]

National League

Player of the Year

Ross McCaffrey has been around British Baseball Association enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one firsthand all year. For his standout run through the 1955 season, he's taking home the Player of the Year Award in the National League.

The Manchester second baseman put up a batting average of .290 with 19 doubles, 6 triples, 40 home runs and 127 RBIs.

He received 7 first place votes out of a possible 16. Jack Barclay of the Edinburgh Cannons finished second in voting with 4 first place votes, while James O'Toole of the Manchester Elephants finished third with 5 first place votes.

Pitcher of the Year

James O'Toole is the latest National League Pitcher of the Year Award winner. The Manchester starter really shone on the hill time and again and finished 1955 with a sparkling 32-8 record.

In 41 starts, he fanned 224, walked 103 in 357 innings and posted a 2.14 ERA. O'Toole held opposing hitters to a .205 batting average.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. David Robinson of the Manchester Elephants finished second in voting, while Todd Norton of the Bristol Pirates finished third.

Reliever of the Year

Matthew Love was a calming influence out of the Manchester Elephants bullpen this season.

His teammates and manager said he had a poised demeanor about him that was typical of someone much older and more experienced. His poise has paid off, as the 26-year-old turned in a sparkling season and has been named the winner of the National League Reliever of the Year Award for 1955.

The Littlehampton, England native won the award with 21 saves in 73 relief appearances, 67 strikeouts in 113 innings and a record of 11-7 to go with his 2.87 ERA.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. George Daly of the Liverpool Giants finished second in voting, while Quincy Tompkin of the Bristol Pirates finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Matthew Love - Manchester Elephants - 16 - 80
George Daly - Liverpool Giants - 0 - 37
Quincy Tompkin - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 20
Alan Johnson - London Monarchs - 0 - 3

Rookie of the Year

Today the National League announced the winner of the 1955 Rookie of the Year Award. The top-ranked rookie was the talented Bristol right fielder David Taylor.

The 23-year-old Pirates newcomer took the trophy by hitting .319 in 149 games this season and finished with 186 hits, 28 home runs, 125 RBIs and 95 runs scored.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Arthur Morton of the Birmingham Athletics finished second in voting, while Reginald Price of the Birmingham Athletics finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
David Taylor - Bristol Pirates - 16 - 80
Arthur Morton - Birmingham Athletics - 0 - 45
Reginald Price - Birmingham Athletics - 0 - 7
Alfie Benson - Bristol Pirates - 0 - 3
Albert Cadman - Liverpool Giants - 0 - 3
Daniel McCulloch - Edinburgh Cannons - 0 - 2

Manager of the Year

Dennis Dickerson, Manchester Elephants.

Gold Glove Award

Making the play is the mark of great defenders. Spearing a liner, diving in the hole or crashing headlong into the wall makes no difference to these awe-inspiring fielders. Magicians they sometimes appear to be, showing up out of nowhere to rob a batter of a hit and to turn a hit into an out. Pitchers love 'em and batters curse 'em. These defensive wizards will collect their 1955 National League Great Glove Awards tonight:

Pitcher
Nicholas Showell (Liverpool Giants)

Catcher
Patrick Dowell (Liverpool Giants)

First Baseman
Jon Evans (Nottingham Sheriffs)

Second Baseman
Brian Menon (Liverpool Giants)

Third Baseman
Lee Lines (Leeds White Sox)

Shortstop
Murray Anderson (Edinburgh Cannons)

Left Fielder
Luke MacKenzie (Leeds White Sox)

Center Fielder
Albert Cadman (Liverpool Giants)

Right Fielder
Joseph Pallett (London Monarchs)

Union League

Player of the Year

Blackpool's Quinlisk Duffy put the wraps on a fine campaign today by winning the 1955 Union League Player of the Year Award.

The 31-year-old veteran scorched the opposition with a .328 average, picking up 173 hits, 25 doubles, 5 triples, 50 home runs and 154 RBIs, while scoring 122 runs.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Derry Michel of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting, while Richard Douglas of the Newcastle Knights finished third.

Pitcher of the Year

The Newcastle Knights have a rising superstar or maybe even a budding Hall-of-Famer in the making. It's Robbie Devonport, this year's Union League Pitcher of the Year Award selection. This blossoming hurler wowed fans, peers and sportswriters with a fabulous performance.

Devonport compiled a 27-8 record in 39 starts, tallied 172 strikeouts in 326.2 innings and recorded a 2.59 ERA. Other clubs managed only a .221 batting average against him.

He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Dewald Looney of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Graham Ingleby of the Blackpool Excursions finished third.

Reliever of the Year

The Union League Reliever of the Year Award for 1955 has been bestowed on Croydon Capitals relief specialist Alan Murphy.

The 28-year-old bullpen ace, out of Thetford, England, nailed down the award with 8 saves in 57 relief appearances, 74 strikeouts in 91.2 innings and a record of 7 wins and 4 losses to go with his 2.06 ERA.

He received 9 first place votes out of a possible 16. Sebastian Wilcox of the Leicester Foxes finished second in voting with 7 first place votes, while Simon Anderson of the Croydon Capitals finished third.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Alan Murphy - Croydon Capitals - 9 - 59
Sebastian Wilcox - Leicester Foxes - 7 - 54
Simon Anderson - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 27

Rookie of the Year

Stanley Ellis was the preeminent newcomer this year in the Union League and the winner of the 1955 Rookie of the Year Award.

The Croydon right fielder played 147 games this season, hitting for a .305 with 179 hits, 17 home runs, 104 RBIs and 103 runs scored.

He received 7 first place votes out of a possible 16. Robbie Devonport of the Newcastle Knights finished second in voting with 8 first place votes, while Micah Finnigan of the Bradford Boars finished third with 1 first place vote.

Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Stanley Ellis - Croydon Capitals - 7 - 57
Robbie Devonport - Newcastle Knights - 8 - 49
Micah Finnigan - Bradford Boars - 1 - 32
Matthew Grant - Croydon Capitals - 0 - 1
Archie Hardie - Hull Tigers - 0 - 1

Manager of the Year

Croydon Capitals, Patrick Cole.

Gold Glove Award

The Great Glove Award winners don't get the recognition of the home run hitters, but they are very much appreciated by managers, their teammates and by the fans, who know the value of defensive excellence. Great defense makes a difference in baseball. This year's top glovemen in the Union League are:

Pitcher
Declan Wright (Leicester Foxes)

Catcher
Lewis Donald (Sheffield Steelmen)

First Baseman
Archie Hardie (Hull Tigers)

Second Baseman
Tomelty Lloyd (Leicester Foxes)

Third Baseman
Ian McCallum (Bradford Boars)

Shortstop
Gideon McEwan (Hull Tigers)

Left Fielder
Micah Finnigan (Bradford Boars)

Center Fielder
Michael Findlay (Bradford Boars)

Right Fielder
Carl Chandler (Leicester Foxes)

[Haystacks]

[Haystacks]

The inaugural BBA rookie draft was held on the August 1, 1955.

In a smoky room filled with chalkboards, deep within the league's Liverpool office, managers and coaches scoured over reports and drafted 144 players over 15 rounds.

17 year-old Stephen Hughes of the East Yorkshire county team had the honour of being the first ever rookie draft pick. The young infielder has highly rated contact and is able to competently field a number of positions.


Round 1, Pick 1 - Birmingham Athletics: 3B Stephen Hughes, age 17
Round 1, Pick 2 - Cardiff Dragons: SP Andrew Hunter, age 18
Round 1, Pick 3 - London Monarchs: SP Hartigan Stafford, age 17
Round 1, Pick 4 - Hull Tigers: 3B Lester Drewett, age 17
Round 1, Pick 5 - Leeds White Sox: LF Benjamin Matthews, age 17
Round 1, Pick 6 - Leicester Foxes: SP Tommy Burke, age 17
Round 1, Pick 7 - Bradford Boars: SP Peter Davies, age 19
Round 1, Pick 8 - Sheffield Steelmen: LF James Stuart, age 17
Round 1, Pick 9 - Bristol Pirates: 1B Jack Collins, age 21
Round 1, Pick 10 - Liverpool Giants: 2B Morgan Rush, age 17
Round 1, Pick 11 - Edinburgh Cannons: 2B Gerald Wallis, age 16
Round 1, Pick 12 - Newcastle Knights: LF Neal Wilson, age 17
Round 1, Pick 13 - Nottingham Sheriffs: 2B Martin Hill, age 22
Round 1, Pick 14 - Blackpool Excursions: 1B Robert Green, age 17
Round 1, Pick 15 - Manchester Elephants: 3B Jonathan Murray, age 17
Round 1, Pick 16 - Croydon Capitals: LF Lawrence Crowley, age 21

- forgot to post this during the season.

[catamount_kid]

I feel like Bristol is right there! Hard to compete with a season like Manchester's.

[Jeff1787]

Originally Posted by Haystacks

Standings and Statistics page of The Baseball Review.
From the archive of The Baseball Review.

What fill effects are you using? I love the look!