British Baseball Reborn: 1950 - Present

[Haystacks]

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

The First Strikeout Pitcher

On July 1 of the 1952 season, not yet at the half way mark, James 'Bad Jimmy' O'Toole was already on the cusp of breaking the strikeout record he recorded last season. In 1951 O'Toole pitched 239 innings, fanning hitters 116 times, so far for 1952 he had pitched 145 inning and recorded 113 Ks.

The Elephants two-way star player had become British baseball's first strikeout pitcher, the first pitcher to throw to challenge batters, not get the ball in play. His closest rival sitting on 69 strikeouts, his opponents frequently said on record they had never seen anyone throw so hard.

Not only the first strikeout pitcher, O'Toole's antics at bat and on the mound, which saw him win both the Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in 1951, had fast made him the first baseball player in Britain that could be called a household name.



Progress League



Alliance League



Note: I forgot to swap in the schedule I wanted for the Alliance League, my intention was for them to play 3 games a weekend, not for the league to have already wrapped up.

Scottish Baseball League

[Haystacks]

The votes are tallied and the players have been chosen -- all that's left is to "Play Ball"! This is the first All-Star Game since the restructuring of the British Baseball Association, it is no longer North versus South, it is National League versus Union League. It's time to see if the upstarts and newcomers in the Union League have what it takes to face off against the best of the best from the National League.

The roster for the National League is:

SP Kevin Howden (LIV) - 9-6, 2.41 ERA, 123.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 1.4 WAR
SP Simon Johnson (NOT) - 6-4, 2.28 ERA, 87.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 3.5 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Richard Miller (MAN) - 8-4, 1.86 ERA, 130.1 IP, 0.97 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP James O'Toole (MAN)* - 16-0, 0.87 ERA, 154.1 IP, 0.83 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 7.4 WAR
SP Danny Sirmond (LIV) - 10-4, 1.83 ERA, 123.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Robin Spalding (LDS) - 4-4, 2.83 ERA, 120.2 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 3.4 WAR
SP Damien Stone (NOT) - 8-7, 2.78 ERA, 136.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.7 WAR
RP Hanlon Grainger (BRI) - 3-0, 0.45 ERA, 40.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 1.1 WAR
CL Jack Ferguson (BIR) - 3-2, 9 SV, 1.88 ERA, 52.2 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 2.7 K/9, 0.8 WAR
CL James Werner (NOT)* - 1-1, 6 SV, 1.57 ERA, 28.2 IP, 0.66 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 0.7 WAR
C Conor Banks (BIR) - .263/.303/.379, 190 AB, 3 HR, 94 wRC+, 1.0 WAR
C Bernard Russel (EDI)* - .322/.398/.490, 149 AB, 7 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
C Bert Wakefield (LON) - .239/.324/.339, 180 AB, 2 HR, 85 wRC+, 0.7 WAR
1B Wayne Fraser (BRI) - .287/.393/.496, 115 AB, 6 HR, 153 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
1B Gael Keith (LON)* - .182/.292/.335, 203 AB, 9 HR, 86 wRC+, 0.1 WAR
2B Kane Hamilton (NOT) - .265/.343/.422, 211 AB, 7 HR, 113 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
2B Ross McCaffrey (MAN) - .286/.348/.469, 241 AB, 9 HR, 133 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
2B Brian Menon (LIV) - .277/.349/.508, 242 AB, 13 HR, 3 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
2B Trevor Summers (EDI) - .291/.349/.502, 247 AB, 11 HR, 5 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Jack Barclay (EDI)* - .345/.470/.517, 232 AB, 6 HR, 6 SB, 184 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
3B Jack Kennedy (LIV) - .242/.396/.396, 207 AB, 8 HR, 127 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
SS Dean Keelan (NOT)* - .272/.330/.492, 246 AB, 11 HR, 128 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
SS Ryan McIntosh (EDI) - .258/.357/.396, 225 AB, 7 HR, 118 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
SS Daniel Williamson (MAN) - .279/.350/.455, 244 AB, 7 HR, 5 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
LF Ruairc Kelley (LON) - .312/.335/.426, 202 AB, 3 HR, 118 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
LF Robert Mullen (BIR)* - .319/.364/.421, 216 AB, 2 HR, 1 SB, 119 wRC+, 1.7 WAR (Injured)
LF Benno van Noort (NOT)* - .310/.368/.425, 226 AB, 5 HR, 3 SB, 131 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
CF Conor Bass (EDI) - .254/.328/.422, 244 AB, 7 HR, 7 SB, 113 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
CF Eddie Ireland (MAN) - .265/.329/.371, 264 AB, 4 HR, 5 SB, 103 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
CF Andrew Wilson (LON) - .264/.330/.434, 258 AB, 8 HR, 120 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
RF Anthony Wolstencroft (NOT)* - .345/.435/.528, 142 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 177 wRC+, 1.8 WAR


The roster for the Union League is:

SP Fergal Aspey (LEI) - 10-4, 2.22 ERA, 130.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 2.8 WAR
SP Ryan Ayton (NEW) - 11-4, 3.14 ERA, 126.0 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Nicky Jones (BRA) - 7-8, 3.06 ERA, 138.1 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Christopher O'Keefe (LEI) - 9-4, 2.69 ERA, 130.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 3.8 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Freddie Richardson (CAR) - 11-5, 3.39 ERA, 138.0 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 3.9 K/9, 3.1 WAR
SP Alexander Shaw (SHF)* - 5-7, 3.81 ERA, 115.2 IP, 1.46 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Wayne Nicholls (SHF) - 0-1, 2.72 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 3.5 K/9, 0.1 WAR
RP Alexander Williams (SHF)* - 1-3, 4.08 ERA, 35.1 IP, 1.67 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Alan Murphy (CRO) - 5-2, 11 SV, 0.90 ERA, 50.0 IP, 0.82 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 1.4 WAR
C Andrew Adams (BPL)* - .343/.399/.580, 181 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 176 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
C Ian McCool (CRO) - .250/.327/.364, 184 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 104 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
C Leonard Wakefield (CAR) - .266/.310/.337, 199 AB, 1 SB, 86 wRC+, 0.5 WAR
1B Robert Alstom (BPL) - .341/.405/.465, 226 AB, 5 HR, 151 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
1B Kai Latham (CRO) - .295/.378/.550, 220 AB, 13 HR, 1 SB, 162 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
1B Stewart Morton (HUL) - .349/.404/.450, 238 AB, 2 HR, 1 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
1B Lee Rennie (BRA)* - .359/.468/.481, 231 AB, 4 HR, 174 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
3B Quinlisk Duffy (BPL) - .330/.486/.777, 103 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 237 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Neil Parry (LEI)* - .310/.430/.493, 229 AB, 4 HR, 6 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.6 WAR (Injured)
3B Lester Tomkins (LEI) - .345/.431/.475, 238 AB, 6 HR, 164 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
SS Rodger Blair (HUL) - .323/.388/.566, 235 AB, 12 HR, 173 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Dick Davies (CRO)* - .419/.510/.651, 86 AB, 4 HR, 4 SB, 228 wRC+, 2.1 WAR (Injured)
SS Sebastian Harris (LEI) - .275/.344/.419, 160 AB, 4 HR, 109 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
SS Synan Holmes (NEW)* - .328/.386/.603, 247 AB, 12 HR, 4 SB, 179 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
SS Derry Michel (CAR) - .263/.424/.446, 224 AB, 4 HR, 8 SB, 153 wRC+, 5.2 WAR
LF Griff Barker (BPL) - .333/.403/.569, 174 AB, 8 HR, 2 SB, 177 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
LF Aidan Iles (CRO)* - .346/.478/.590, 234 AB, 5 HR, 11 SB, 206 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
CF Shaun Jones (LEI) - .317/.405/.500, 224 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
CF Griff Lines (NEW) - .297/.354/.458, 249 AB, 4 HR, 16 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
CF Edward Taylor (CRO)* - .277/.349/.479, 238 AB, 10 HR, 9 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
RF Carl Chandler (LEI) - .349/.458/.490, 241 AB, 7 HR, 3 SB, 174 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
RF Brandon Martin (HUL)* - .366/.485/.574, 216 AB, 3 HR, 203 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
RF Tony White (BRA) - .346/.404/.519, 231 AB, 3 HR, 3 SB, 159 wRC+, 2.3 WAR

[Haystacks]

Dean Keelan Stars in National League Loss to Union League

Despite Keelan’s best efforts, 3 hits in 3 at bats and 2 RBIs, his National League All-Stars could not keep pace with the bats of the Union League in the annual All-Star Game.

This the first all-star match up since the restructuring of the professional level of baseball, it was drawing much attention, and a sellout crowd of 18,000 filled Bradford’s Barkerend Road baseball ground for the occasion.

Despite the National League’s strong start, scoring 3 runs in the first inning, they were unable to maintain their early lead. The Union League steadily closed the gap, ultimately taking control in the sixth and seventh innings, with a 2-run home run from Harris (SS, Leicester) in the sixth and Latham (3B, Croydon) contributing the same in the seventh.

The game saw multiple strong pitching performances, including Union League’s C. O'Keefe (Leicester) who pitched 2 scoreless innings and earned the win, and A. Murphy (Croydon) who secured the save.

Final score as 6-4 at Barkerend Road, Dean Keelan earning the game MVP for his standout performance.

[Haystacks]

Excursions manager, Clinton Bayman, returned to his former employer, the Manchester Elephants, for the first time today, with his side in red hot form, recording 10 straight wins.

Joshua Evans halted the Excursions winning run, pitching a complete game, allowing only 2 runs over 9 innings, earning him the Player of the Game title. He scattered 8 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5, improving his season record to 9-4.

Backpool’s Quincy Duffy hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to tie the game, the Excursions then took the lead in the sixth but couldn’t hold out. McCaffrey drove in the winning run with a ground out in the bottom of the eighth to break a 2-2 tie, marking his 52nd RBI of the season.

Bayman, who made his name organising amateur clubs before taking a job with the Manchester Elephants was not downbeat in the face of the defeat, telling The Baseball Review “We are in a good place now, I am happy with our roster, injuries to our big hitters in that first month of the season set us back, but the Blackpool you’ve seen in recent weeks, that is a true reflection of the winning ball club we are.”

Blackpool’s last eleven games:

• July 16: WIN, 4-2 @ BIR
• July 17: WIN, 4-2 vs BIR
• July 18: WIN, 6-5 (10) vs BIR
• July 19: WIN, 6-4 vs BIR
• July 21: WIN, 1-0 (10) vs LDS
• July 22: WIN, 2-1 vs LDS
• July 23: WIN, 1-0 vs LDS
• July 24: WIN, 2-1 @ LDS
• July 26: WIN, 11-8 and WIN, 5-1 @ LDS (doubleheader)
• July 28: LOSS, 2-3 @ MAN

Bayman’s move to Blackpool had apparently long been planned, in advance of the expansion that saw the Excursion club set up and join the professional leagues. He left Manchester with a 110-110 record and winning the 1950 Manager of the Year in the old North League.

[Haystacks]

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

Progress League



Scottish Baseball League

[catamount_kid]

This is great! Go Bristol Pirates.

[Haystacks]

Originally Posted by catamount_kid

This is great! Go Bristol Pirates.

Thank you!

[Haystacks]

Standings and Statistics page from The Baseball Review.
From The Baseball Review archive.

The Progress League



The Scottish Baseball League


Five games remaining.

[Haystacks]

Elephants Seal National League Pennant

Friday, September 19, 1952

YESTERDAY; an offensive and defensive masterclass sealed the National League pennant for the Manchester Elephants against their nearest rivals, the Edinburgh Cannons.

Under dark clouds, James O’Toole took the mound for Manchester and delivered a fine performance. The Cannons were muted by O’Toole’s wizardry, mustering only 4 meagre hits and 1 solitary walk, while O’Toole fanned 4 with his splendid arsenal of pitches. The batter’s box was veritable graveyard for Edinburgh’s pennant hopes, as O’Toole hurled a near flawless nine innings without a run conceded.

The Elephants’ struck early, third-baseman Williamson unleased a towering home run in the first inning off Edinburgh’s J. Croft, bringing home lead-off man Ireland and setting the tone for the game. Manchester maintained their momentum, and despite a 24-minute rain delay disrupting the rhythm in the third, Andrew Cameron launched another mighty blow for a two-run home run in the fourth.

Manchester tallied 9 hits, Ireland, Cook, Warren and the versatile O’Toole each playing a pivotal role, showcasing their prowess with the bat to seal a comprehensive victory.

A dejected Edinburgh dutifully trudged through the innings with B. O'Sullivan, K. Fox, and T. Summers among the few to find any joy at the plate, but ultimately failing to piece together any productive offensive action. Reliever D. Lindsay took over pitching duties to no great effect, and the Cannons' often formidable firepower was extinguished.

This Manchester’s 80th win of an exceptional season, guaranteed the Elephants the pennant and a place in the Championship Series. Celebrations on the field were subdued and respectful, hearty handshakes and backslaps all round. The Cannons club showed true grace in defeat as fans and players alike gave a standing ovation to the new National League winners as they left the field.



GAME NOTES Player of the Game: James O'Toole Ballpark: London Road Weather: Cloudy (61 degrees), wind blowing out to right at 10 mph Start Time: 2:05 PM GMT Time: 3:03 Attendance: 4246 Special Notes: Rain delay of 24 minutes in the 3rd inning.

...

The Union League Pennant Chase

Monday, September 22, 1952

Early Sunday morning, crowds gathered outside Manchester Victoria railway station to welcome home their heros. The Elephants had won 5 of their 6 game series in Edinburgh, finishing late Saturday evening, to secure the National League pennant. Estimates suggest 10,000 gathered in the streets, police having to hold back the crowds from the station entrance as the sleeper train arrived.

The Manchester management promise a celebration after their final series against Bristol is wrapped up this week, it may be a task to stay focused however, as I am sure some of their attention will divert to the yet to be decided Union League, and who their opponents in the Championship Series will be.

Croydon and Leicester both sit tied with a record of 73-53, and 6 games remain. The Capitals face a series in Sheffield, against the former National League outfit. The Steelmen sit in seventh, with a 58-68 record, almost certainly regretting publicly stating they expected an easy ride in the new Union League against recent amateurs. Meanwhile the Foxes travel to Newcastle, a recently slump has seen the Knights fall to the bottom of the standings after sitting around the middle for most of the year.

Bookmakers have the Croydon club as 4/6 odds on favourites to win the pennant.

[Haystacks]

[Haystacks]

Standings and Statistics page from The Baseball Review.
From The Baseball Review archive.

The Progress League



The Alliance League



The Scottish Baseball League

[Haystacks]

Game 1

After much anticipation the Championship Series began at Belle Vue Stadium on October 2. The Croydon Capitals triumphed over the Manchester Elephants with a score of 5-2.

The Elephants took an early lead in the 2nd and 3rd innings, thanks to solid hitting by Cameron and O'Toole. However, Croydon bounced back in the 4th, tying the game with key hits from Porter and Maggs. The Capitals pulled ahead in the 6th and sealed their victory in the 8th, driven by Iles and McCool's clutch performances.

Finian Keane pitched six strong innings for Croydon, with D. Neilson securing the save. Despite a commendable effort from Manchester's triple crown winner, O'Toole, Croydon emerged victorious and claimed a crucial win in the first game of the series.

Game 2

The Manchester Elephants rebounded to even the series with a 3-1 victory over the Croydon Capitals.

The game was closely contested, with both teams struggling to get a runner home. Croydon managed to take a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, thanks to a key double by Porter. However, the Elephants answered back in the 5th inning with a decisive two-run double from Ireland, putting them ahead 2-1. Manchester added an insurance run in the 7th inning, securing their lead.

Richard Miller, the standout for Manchester, pitched a complete game, allowing only 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 5. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Game honour. Croydon's Kerr likewise put in a solid effort but ultimately took the loss.

The series is tied.

Game 3.

The Croydon Capitals narrowly defeated the Manchester Elephants with a final score of 6-5.

Croydon took an early and commanding lead, scoring 4 runs in the 1st inning and 2 more in the 2nd. Manchester fought back valiantly with key hits from Cook, Williamson, and Warren, reducing the deficit in the 4th and 6th innings. Despite their late-game rallies, the Elephants couldn’t overcome the initial 6-run surge by the Capitals.

Croydon's pitcher, H. Thompson, secured the win with six strong innings, while D. Neilson ensured the save. Manchester's Legg struggled early, allowing 6 runs, which ultimately cost them the game.

Croydon now leads the series 2-1, with the momentum shifting back and forth in an intensely contested championship.

Game 4

The Manchester Elephants defeat the Croydon Capitals 3-1, tying the series at 2-2.

Manchester struck early, scoring a run in the 1st inning and adding two more in the 3rd with key hits from Williamson and Ireland. Croydon managed to pull one back in the 7th inning but couldn't overcome O'Toole's stellar pitching. O'Toole's complete-game performance, allowing just four hits and striking out nine, propelled the Elephants to victory.

Game 5

The Croydon Capitals secured a commanding victory over the Manchester Elephants with a score of 7-1. The Capitals came out swinging with 3 runs in the first inning and continued to dominate, led by Davies and O'Hanrahan.

Manchester managed to score a run in the fourth inning but couldn't overcome the strong pitching of Gideon Kerr, who allowed only 1 unearned run across his complete nine innings, fanning two.
Croydon leads the series 3-2, putting them one win away from capturing the championship as the teams head back to Belle Vue Stadium.

Game 6

Manchester Elephants, hold on and overcome in extra innings to win against the Croydon Capitals with a final score of 5-4.

The Capitals took an early lead, scoring 2 runs in the 2nd inning, Manchester immediately answered back with 2 of their own, before Croydon added another in the 3rd. Manchester tied the game back up in the 7th inning. The sides remained deadlocked until the 11th inning, the Capitals centrefielder, Taylor hit a triple, himself becoming the go-ahead run. With 2 outs, and 2 on base, David Glass came in to pinch hit, he’d only had 13 at-bats in the whole of the regular season. With the series on the line, Glass delivered a single that drove in two runs, a walk off win for the Elephants, the series is tied!

Game 7

The Manchester Elephants clinched their first title in their history by defeating the Croydon Capitals 10-4.

Despite an early lead by Croydon, Manchester quickly responded with 2 in the second and a 5-run burst in the third inning. Harrison Warren carried his team over the line, he hit two home runs and drove in 8 RBIs, setting a playoff game record for RBIs in a game.

The Elephants maintained their lead, adding three more runs in the 7th, while pitcher James O'Toole worked hard to keep the Croydon bats subdued, allowing three runs from seven hits, and fanning seven across nine innings.

The atmosphere was jubilant as the Elephants celebrated their victory. Player of the Series went to CF Harrison Warren, he had a poor season with a .207 AVG across 75 games, but come October he turned up. Warren batted .500 for the series, 8 of his 9 RBIs coming in game 7.



Other Leagues.

The Progress League Championship Series was won by the Swansea Swans, 4 games to 2 against the Burnley Storks.

The Scottish Baseball League was won by the Dundee Lillies, 4 games to 1 against the Glasgow Celts.

[RMc]

You're not calling the final the Brit Series (or even The Baseball Final)?

And, cor blimey! Where's me quickstart, ya silly bugger...?!

[catamount_kid]

Bristol has some work to do. Probably second-guessing that expansion vote...

[Haystacks]

Originally Posted by RMc

You're not calling the final the Brit Series (or even The Baseball Final)?

And, cor blimey! Where's me quickstart, ya silly bugger...?!

Baseball Final sponsored by bo'oh'o'wa'er...
I don't sound like that... honest... I hope...

Quick start coming soon... want to get the minor leagues fleshed out a bit more first

[Haystacks]

Originally Posted by catamount_kid

Bristol has some work to do. Probably second-guessing that expansion vote...

Might be some positive news for Bristol from the off-season

[Haystacks]

National League

Player of the Year

He's only 26 years old, but James O'Toole of the Manchester Elephants has clearly established himself as a star of British Baseball Association, with the potential to dominate for many years.

His status grew today as the two-way ace was named the winner of the National League Player of the Year Award for a second consecutive year.

"I just want to play well and win games," he said. "The awards are nice though."

O'Toole's award-winning season saw him put up a 29-3 record through 34 starts, throwing 310 innings. He had 241 strikeouts with 68 walks and a 1.13 ERA. Opponents hit only .179 against him during the season. In the batters box Bad Jimmy, as he's known to teammates, faired well, not as dominant as in 1952, but a consistent contributor to his team. In 427 at bats, 135 hits were registered, 9 doubles and 9 home runs with an average of .316. He scored 65 runs, and batted in 36.

He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Jack Barclay of the Edinburgh Cannons finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Trevor Summers of the Edinburgh Cannons finished third.

Pitcher of the Year

Another case of two in a row for O'Toole!

Pitching stats above, James O'Toole received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Danny Sirmond of the Liverpool Giants finished second in voting, while Richard Miller of the Manchester Elephants finished third.

Rookie of the Year

Daniel Williamson, shortstop for the Manchester Elephants, has won the National League Rookie of the Year Award for 1952 after putting up a good freshman year. The 24-year old, Dudley native, was discovered by Elephants scouts as they scoured the amateur midlands competitions in the summer of 1951.

In 130 games, Williamson hit at a .292 clip with 148 hits in 507 at-bats and 12 home runs, drove in 65 runs and scored 73 times.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Oliver Grant of the Leeds White Sox finished second in voting, while Eddie Ireland of the Manchester Elephants finished third.

Manager of the Year

When Dennis Dickerson was hired to lead the Manchester Elephants, fans were expecting improvement over the last manager. Today, flanked by team officials, Dickerson accepted the National League Manager of the Year Award, noting the level of passion for the Manchester Elephants.

"The biggest challenge was the fans. I don't know how many times I was asked, if I thought the club was good enough. It was as if they expected failure. It was much easier to win over the ballplayers. Slowly but surely the fans began to believe in us."

Dickerson led Manchester to a first place finish in the National League. The Elephants ended up with a 86-46 record.

Great Glove Award

Good defence can be the difference between taking the championship and coming in second. The National League announced its top defenders at each position today. Here are the Great Glove Award winners for 1952:

Pitcher
James O'Toole (Manchester Elephants)

Catcher
Patrick Dowell (Liverpool Giants)

First Baseman
Ronald Wraight (Bristol Pirates)

Second Baseman
Trevor Summers (Edinburgh Cannons)

Third Baseman
Daniel Williamson (Manchester Elephants)

Shortstop
Bert Wood (Liverpool Giants)

Left Fielder
James O'Toole (Manchester Elephants)

Center Fielder
Christopher McNeil (Leeds White Sox)

Right Fielder
Joseph Pallett (London Monarchs)

The Union League

Player of the Year

Quinlisk Duffy has been around baseball enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one first-hand all year. For his standout run through the 1952 season, he's taking home the Player of the Year Award in the Union League.

The Blackpool third baseman put up a batting average of .328 with 13 doubles, 4 triples, 31 home runs and 95 RBIs.

His 31 home runs a new record for both professional leagues, and don't let the longer season fool you. Quinlisk missed over 5 weeks with a leg injury, the slugger set that new record in one fewer game appearances than Gael Keith's 99 when he recorded 29 home runs in 1951.

He received 14 first place votes out of a possible 16. Aidan Iles of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Edward Taylor of the Croydon Capitals finished third with 1 first place vote.

Pitcher of the Year

Freddie Richardson walked away with the top pitching honors in the Union League this year. The Cardiff Dragons starter was named the Pitcher of the Year Award winner for 1952 earlier today.

This outstanding 29-year-old hurler fashioned a fine 23-8 won-lost record in 34 starts. He threw 280 innings, giving up 266 hits and 86 walks and holding opponents to a .248 average. Richardson struck out 134 and posted a 2.89 ERA.

He received 15 first place votes out of a possible 16. Harrison Taylor of the Bradford Boars finished second in voting, while Alan Murphy of the Croydon Capitals finished third with 1 first place vote.

Rookie of the Year

It wasn't a stroke of good luck that got Croydon's Edward Taylor the 1952 Union League Rookie of the Year Award, it was his skill on the field. The gifted centre fielder performed well with a .283 batting average, while playing in 128 games and delivering 139 hits in 491 at-bats. His totals also included 17 home runs, 86 RBIs, 88 runs scored, 63 walks and a .366 OBP.

He received 16 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Robbie Cowley of the Croydon Capitals finished second in voting, while Alan Murphy of the Croydon Capitals finished third.

Manager of the Year

An outstanding season by the Capitals garnered their manager Patrick Cole the Union League Manager of the Year award for 1952. He led Croydon to a 79-54 record this year and a first place finish in the Union League.

Cole had gave no comment on the award, perhaps still stinging from the defeat in the Championship Series.

Great Glove

Any pitcher would love to have these defenders on the field backing them up. They are the best glovemen in the Union League for 1952. This year's Great Glove Award winners are:

Pitcher
Vincent Varney (Blackpool Excursions)

Catcher
Lewis Donald (Sheffield Steelmen)

First Baseman
Robert Alstom (Blackpool Excursions)

Second Baseman
Harold Harrison (Bradford Boars)

Third Baseman
Gideon McEwan (Hull Tigers)

Shortstop
Derry Michel (Cardiff Dragons)

Left Fielder
Jacob West (Sheffield Steelmen)

Center Fielder
Edward Taylor (Croydon Capitals)

Right Fielder
Carl Chandler (Leicester Foxes)

[Haystacks]

Deleted as the financials got messed up by affiliating some minor league teams to clubs, fixed the financials and it's probably for the better, the first £600 men are now not some newly signed free agents, but who I'd expect them to be...

[catamount_kid]

Financials are always a pain, especially when integrating new leagues. Glad it was sorted out.

[Haystacks]

Originally Posted by catamount_kid

Financials are always a pain, especially when integrating new leagues. Glad it was sorted out.

Screwed financials have brought the end to many of my leagues I must admit