Baseball: The World's Game

[FuzzyRussianHat]

In 1924, Yokohama exploded for the best-ever Japan League record at 118-44, leading the league in runs scored and allowed by a large margin. Yellow Jackets pitcher Seo-Yul Park became the first EAB pitcher with a Triple Crown season, as the 30-year old left was 22-6 with a 1.57 ERA and 294 strikeouts. Four other teams were above .500 in the North Division but couldn’t stack up to Yokohama. Saitama, in a three-way tie for third, had the league MVP in first baseman Ji-Hoo Kim with a 10.8 WAR season.


Defending EAB champ Osaka would finish second in the South Division at 90-72. Kitakyushu would edge them out with their first playoff berth at 93-69. The Kodiaks wouldn’t put up much of a fight In the JLCS though as the Yellow Jackets won in five games for their first Japan League title.


Pyongyang finished with 100+ wins for the fourth straight season, winning the Korean North Division for the second time with a 115-47 mark. The Pythons allowed only 377 runs and had a 11.5 WAR season and Pitcher of the Year from Ching-Wei Kuo of Taiwan. The division was strong again at the top with 100-62 Goyang and 98-64 Hamhung missing out on the postseason. Heat outfielder Sozen Murata won his second straight MVP.


The Korean South Division was a tight fight with four teams within five games of first. Gwangju earned their first playoff berth at 92-70, topped Daegu (90-72), Ulsan (89-73) and defending Korea champ Changwon (87-75). Like in Japan, the League Championship went to the team with the top mark as Pyongang swept the Grays.


In the EAB championship, the home team won each game as the series went seven games. Pyongyang had the home field in an even year, giving the Pythons their second EAB title. Veteran second baseman Tae-Hyeon Park was series MVP, picking up 16 hits and 6 runs over 11 playoff games.


Other notes: Ulsan pitcher Michiro Yabuta set a record with 22 strikeouts iin a complete game against Incheon on 6/2. No one would crack 20 in a game again until 1949. On 9/12, Changwon’s Moon Kim threw the seventh EAB perfect game against Busan.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

In 1924, Mexico City earned their first playoff berth with a 100-62 record and South Division title, ending the five-year streak of Guadalajara, who finished 86-76. After missing last year, Chihuahua won the North Division 99-63, topping defending Mexican champ Tijuana at 90-72.


The Warriors had Pitcher of the Year B.J. Medina, who also was Reliever of the Year for the third time. After missing 1923 with a torn UCL, Medina had one of the best reliever seasons possible, posting a 0.39 ERA and 0.53 WHIP with 54 saves and 192 strikeouts in 92.1 innings. His ERA+ was a bonkers 750, deserving as the first closer to win PotY. Tijuana outfielder Alba Jimenez won his second league MVP and first with the Toros, whacking 51 home runs and 114 RBI, two average points off a Triple Crown season. He was the third CABA player to reach 50+ homers in a year.


In the Caribbean League, Jamaica had the best record and their second-ever division title at 103-59. The Jazz won a tough Island Division by three games over defending CABA champ Santiago (100-62) and seven against Havana (96-66). Despite taking second, the Sailfish had Diomar Glas with his third MVP and Pitcher of the Year Esaie Cherenfant.


In the Continental Division, Honduras bounced back for their fifth division title in six years, winning the spot at 94-68. The Horsemen again found playoff success, winning the CLCS in five games over Jamaica for their fourth Caribbean title in six years.


Mexico City claimed their first Mexican League title by easily sweeping Chihuahua and the Aztecs continued their tear into the CABA Championship by sweeping Honduras as well.


Other Notes: Ulices Montero was the first player to 4000 career strikeouts. Diomar Glas became the first hitter to 1000 career runs scored.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

In 1924, Ottawa had the best record in the National Association with their second-ever playoff berth (1909) and first League title. The Elks went 102-60 atop the Eastern League and had 23-year old righty pitcher Logan Gauvin get Pitcher of the Year at 21-5 with a 2.57 ERA. Hartford took the second place playoff spot at 97-65. Defending World Series champ Baltimore was sixth at 83-79 and wouldn’t see another playoff berth for a decade.


Kansas City made their fourth straight playoff berth by winning the Midwest League at 96-66. 1922 NA champ Cleveland bounced back from a 75-win 1923 by finishing second at 94-68. St. Louis tied for third with Elijah Cashman getting his third straight MVP for the Cardinals.


The League champs advanced in the first round as the Cougars swept the Huskies and the Elks survived in five games against the Cobras. In the NACS, Ottawa defeated Kansas City in six games for the Elks’ first ever Association Title and the first by a Canadian team since 1915.


In the American Association, San Francisco earned a seventh consecutive playoff berth, leading the AA and winning the Western League at 103-59. The Gold Rush led the AA in runs scored and runs allowed and had an MVP season from outfielder Joseph Finch, who posted a league-best 1.015 OPS. Oakland took second at 95-67, getting their first-ever playoff berth. B.J. “Bane” Herrick won Pitcher of the Year with 11.3 WAR, 296.2 innings, 279 strikeouts and an AA best 3.00 ERA. He was two wins shy of a Triple Crown.


In the Southern League, Nashville and San Antonio tied for first at 90-72 with the Knights holding the tiebreaker. It was Nashville’s first playoff berth and only the second for the Oilers. This leaves New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and San Diego as the only American Association teams not to make a playoff appearance after the first 24 years. Houston’s hope for a fifth straight berth was thwarted, taking third at 85-77. Miami saw a 54 home run season from Chris Barnett.


Both first round series went five games and went to the Western League with San Fran edging San Antonio and Oakland upsetting Nashville. In a Bay-Area AACS, the Gold Rush topped the Owls in five games for their second-ever Association title. In the World Series, Ottawa defeated San Francisco in six games for their first overall title and the second-ever by a Canadian team. 22-year old first baseman Robert Ross was WS MVP and had 21 hits, 16 RBI, and 6 homers in 17 postseason games.


Other notes: Montreal’s D.J. Lapointe tossed the fifth MLB Perfect Game on 8/5, striking out 11 against Detroit. Corey Patrizio and Archie Meredith became the 9^th and 10^th players to 1500 career RBI and both also got to 2500 career hits. Newton Persaud became the third pitcher to 250 career wins.

[RMc]

How about a quickstart?

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Originally Posted by RMc

How about a quickstart?

I don't know if that's even possible with this save since the actual save file I have is like a century ahead of what I wrote up. It moves pretty slowly and also has some quirks in it that I have to manually massage (like the champions league tournament I later added).


An FYI for anyone else discovering this thread, I'm taking a break from writing anything from this universe in part because it's so big and the game is so removed from the early years that digging through the history files isn't always a quick process.


If I get a little more free time I might do more or maybe re-tool how to write the stuff up to make it a quicker smoother process. For now, I'm more locked into the new game I've started and writing the results as it happens.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Four players were elected into the MLB 1925 Hall of Fame Class, all on their first ballot. Jason Salvage and Will Miller both were above the 90% mark, while Eric Barter got in at 74% and Kyle Borchelt just made it at 67.9%. Three second-ballot guys were above the 50% mark. No one made the CABA class, but Brian Kendall at 61% in his first try is expected to make the cut soon.



Jason Salvage – 98.7% - Centerfielder – Phoenix Firebirds

Jason Salvage was perhaps the first major baseball star of the draft era. The 5’9’’, 200 pound left handed outfielder was a highly touted prospect as a tremendous all-around hitter and a very good fielder. Born in Cincinnati, Salvage played college baseball at Purdue and was the 1902 NCAA Player of the Year. That earned him the #2 overall draft selection in the 1902 draft, picked by the Phoenix Firebirds.

Salvage split time in right and center before becoming the full-time centerfielder for most of his 20s. His third season at age 23 was his breakout year and the first of three straight MVP seasons from 1905 to 1907. These years turned the struggling Firebirds into an American Association contender, making it to the AA final five times between 1905 to 1910. In 1907, the Firebirds won the World Series and Salvage was the MVP, forever cementing his spot in the history books. That postseason, he had eight homers, 21 hits, and 15 runs in 14 games.

Phoenix’s run ended and so did Salvage’s time there, getting traded for four players to Houston before the 1913 deadline. The Hornets were ousted in the AA final by Memphis and Salvage decided to test free agency. That winter, he signed a five-year, $26,500 deal with Denver. He made two more AACS appearances during his run with the Dragons. He moved to right field and was no longer a stud, but still a solid starter during his run with Denver. After dealing with injuries in his last year with the Dragons, he became a free agent in 1918 and played one partial year at age 37 with Jacksonville. Followed that, he played two seasons for Costa Rica before retiring.

Among the accolades, three MVPs, eight Silver Sluggers, and eight all-star appearances, plus 26 home runs in 80 playoff games. Salvage finished with 2167 MLB hits, 1497 runs, 559 homers, 1588 RBI, 1444 walks, and a career WAR of 99.1. Well-deserved as a member of the Hall of Fame.




Will Miller – 94.6% - Third Baseman – Houston Hornets

Will Miller was a 5’8’’, 165 right handed infielder who was drafted in the second round of the inaugural MLB draft in 1901 by Milwaukee. Miller was one of the only guys taken in the first draft that early who was a prospect and not a somewhat seasoned pro. He played second base in his early seasons, but became fully entrenched as a solid third baseman for the majority of his run.

In 1904, his fourth season, Miller posted a 9.5 WAR season and won the MVP, helping the Mustangs to the World Series title. Miller won his second MVP the following the year. In 1906, he missed most of the year with a fractured wrist and a torn back muscle, but bounced back in 1907, his final year with Milwaukee.

Miller signed a one-year deal with St. Louis and was second in MVP voting. The following year, he signed the big deal, eight years, $36,080 with Houston, who had just won their first World Series.. Miller’s third and final MVP was in 1909 with the Hornets. In 1910, 1911, and 1912, Houston won the World Series with Miller a huge piece of the dynasty. Miller was the World Series MVP in 1910.

Out of nowhere in 1915, Miller struggled immensely. But he bounced back at age 36 to lead the AA in WAR for the fourth time in his career. His Houston contract ended, and he would then play his final three seasons with the New York Yankees before retiring.

Miller was a 10-time Silver Slugger winner and 11-time all star, finishing with 106.9 career WAR, the first hitter to crack 100+ WAR for his career. Miller added 2776 hits, 1708 runs scored, 445 home runs, 1621 RBI, 1212 walks, and a triple slash of .292/.381/.505. A four-time champ and a key player in the history for both Milwaukee and Houston; Miller was an easy HOF choice.



Eric Barter – 74.0% - Starting Pitcher – New York Yankees

Eric Barter was a stock right handed pitcher at 5’5’’, 200 pounds from North Vancouver, British Columbia. Barter had four pitches, led by an impressive sinker that topped out in the mid to upper 90s. Very much a ground ball pitcher and not a strikeout guy, but he was a reliable starter and innings eater.

He was picked at age 25 in the inaugural draft by Boston in the sixth round and posted his career best single-season WAR in 1902 at 9.4 Late in his third year with the Red Sox, he was traded to Philadelphia for prospects. He didn’t stay with the Phillies and in the offseason, began his signature run with the New York Yankees on a 7-year, $23,620 deal. In 1905, he was part of the World Series champion squad and the next year, won his only Pitcher of the Year.

When his contract with New York ended, he signed a five-year deal with Detroit. After three seasons, the Tigers sold him to Tijuana for the 1913 season. There, he suffered a torn UCL at age 37. This ended his career as a starter, but he would bounce around baseball as a reliever until retiring at age 43. He had brief stints with Calgary and Houston in MLB and in CABA with Puerto Rico, Ecatepec, Hermosillo, and Santo Domigno.

Barter was just short of 200 career MLB wins, finishing 199-104 with a 2.64 ERA with almost 3000 innings pitched. He had 286 quality starts in 387 tries and a MLB war of 82.0. Rarely considered dominant or flashy, but one of the most reliable pitchers of the early 1900s.




Kyle Borchelt – 67.9% - Starting Pitcher – Hartford Huskies

Kyle Borchelt was a 5’9’’, 170 pound right handed pitcher from Orrington, Maine. After a strong college career at the University of Minnesota, Borchelt was the 9^th overall draft pick by the Hartford Huskies in the 1903 draft. He had five pitches, highlighted by a fastball that could top 100 mph. He was also an ironman and almost never missed a start.

Borchelt spent his 20s as a solid starter for the Huskies. At age 30, he tested free agency and signed a six-year deal with Houston for the 1913 season, getting to pitch in two American Association Championship Series but missing the dynasty run. After six years with the Hornets, Borchelt played one last season at age 36 with Las Vegas.

Borchelt finished with a 249-191 record, 3.27 ERA, 3105 strikeouts, 4039.2 innings, and a 103.0 WAR. He almost quietly put up great numbers as a consistent #1 or #2 pitcher for 16 years, earning his spot in the HOF.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Defending World Series champion Ottawa made the playoffs again in the National Association, but came a game short of another Eastern League title. Toronto at 97-65 beat them by one game, giving the Timberwolves their first postseason appearance since 1904. Hartford was three games short of back-to-back postseason berths.

In the Midwest, Cleveland took the top spot at 94-68 for their third playoff appearance in four years and second league title. St. Louis took second with 90 wins for their first playoff berth since 1915 and the first career berth for perennial MVP candidate Elijah Cashman. Cashman won his fourth straight MVP. Washington’s Dylan D’Ippolito was Pitcher of the Year at age 23. In addition to earning it as a pitcher, he also hit 32 home runs as a two-way player in the outfield. D’Ippolito posted 3.4 offensive WAR along with 9.1 pitching.

Both NA first round series went the five-game distance with Toronto surviving St. Louis at home and Ottawa upsetting the Cobras in Cleveland. While the Timberwolves beat out the Elks in the regular season, Ottawa swept them in the National Association final, giving the Elks back-to-back World Series appearances.



After missing the postseason the prior season, Houston bounced back to win the Southern League title in 1925 at 101-61. Last year's SL champ Nashville qualified as the second place finisher at 89-73 with only Oklahoma City also finishing above .500. Alas, the Outlaws remain one of three American Association teams yet to qualify for the postseason in MLB's first 25 seasons.

Denver snapped an eight-year playoff drought and Los Angeles ended an 11-year one in the Western League. The Dragons and Angels both finished 98-64 with Denver taking the tiebreaker for the League title. Five other teams finished with 90 wins in the WL with nine teams total at 86 wins or more; Oakland was the closest to making it but were two games out. Defending AA champ San Francisco finished with 90 wins, snapping their postseason streak at seven years.

Calgary's B.J. Scott was the AA MVP as the second baseman won the batting title (.365) and was the WARlord at 9.1. He pulled this off in his rookie season with the Cheetahs as well. Elijah Campbell of Vancouver was the Pitcher of the Year with a 2.25 ERA, 44 points better than second place. He also had the best hits per nine and strikeouts per nine in the AA.

In the first round, Denver swept Nashville and Los Angeles swept Houston, setting up an all Western League final. Despite tying in the regular season, the AACS was no contest as the Dragons swept the Angels, sending Denver to its first World Series.



The Dragons would then defeat Ottawa in six games, denying the Elks back-to-back titles and bringing the first title to the Rocky Mountains. In his only season with Denver, 38-year old outfielder Jordi Linares picked up World Series MVP honors.





Other notes: Christopher Ross of Cincinnati became the first MLB hitter to 600 career home runs. Houston’s Newton Persaud became the first to 4000 career strikeouts.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Yokohama again in 1925 had the best record in Japan, easily winning the North Division at 110-52. 1923 EAB champ Osaka won the South in a route 101-61, 16 games ahead of last year's division champ Kitakyushu.

Orange Sox ace Zeshin Saito was a dominant Pitcher of the Year, picking up the Triple Crown at 25-6, 1.46 ERA, and 345 strikeouts for a blistering 11.1 WAR. Despite a 74-win season, Fukoka's Kota Takeda shined as MVP, tying for the league lead in home runs (46) and doubles (33) while knocking in 126 RBI.

The Japan League Championship Series pitted the 1923 champ Osaka versus the 1924 champ Yokohama. The Orange Sox got the better of the Yellow Jackets, winning the series in six games.




Last year's EAB champ Pyongyang took second in the Korea League North Division thanks to a 108-54 season by Hamhung, 13 games ahead of the Pythons. The Heat had Pitcher of the Year Chikara Ohkubo, who tossed the Triple Crown himself on a 24-8, 2.03 ERA, 338 strikeout season for 12.1 WAR.

Gwangju won back-to-back South Division titles with a Korea-best 116-46 record, holding off a solid 105-57 mark from Daegu. The Grays were led by an MVP season for right fielder Timofei Vasnetsov, who had a EAB best 127 RBI. Gwangju had three of the top five hitters in Korea by WAR though. Incheon's Fomio Chikafuji socked 57 home runs, two off the EAB record.

In the KLCS, the Grays used their loaded lineup to defeat the Heat in six games for Gwangju's first Korea League title. They would not get the EAB title though as Osaka prevailed in six games, giving the Orange Sox two East Asian Championships in three years. Journeyman shortstop Tenri Murayama earned series MVP.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Guadalajara was back atop the Mexican South Division in 1925 at 105-57 as Mexico City fell off to around .500. For the Hellhounds, it gives them six division titles in seven years. In the North, Chihuahua won back-to-back divisions on their sixth in seven years. The Warriors at 92-70 beat out Monterrey by two games.

For the fourth time, Guadalajara and Chihuahua met for the Mexican League title. For the first time, the series went all seven games with the Hellhounds taking the crown for the third time.



Also getting a sixth playoff spot in seven years was Honduras, claiming another Continental Division title at 100-62. In the Island Division, Puerto Rico grabbed only their second division title along with the 1914 campaign. The Pelicans finished with 93 wins, two better than 1923 CABA champ Santiago. Last year's division champ Jamaica dropped to just below .500.

Puerto Rico won the Caribbean Championship in six games over Honduras for the Pelicans' second Caribbean title. They also easily claimed their first overall CABA title, as they swept Guadalajara for the championship.





Other notes: Santiago pitcher Ulices Montero became the first pitcher to 4500+ career strikeouts. His teammate Esaie Cherenfant became the third to reach 200+ wins. Havana’s Diomar Glas became the first CABA hitter to 500 career home runs.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Two pitchers were inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame 1926 class. Starter Willie Hodo and closer Jim Klattenburger made the cut, with starter George Lacey and first baseman Chad Tepp both getting above 60%.

Four players were dropped from the ballot after their 10^th try. George Cull finished at 51.6% with his highest finish at 59.7% on his eighth try. The third baseman was a two-time MVP with Tampa and suffered from starting his MLB career at age 1901, lacking the counting stats. Mario Salazar peaked at 58.4% on his sixth try, another former MVP. The former Detroit and Calgary first baseman lost some counting stats by playing his last five years in Puerto Rico. Chris Bychyk also was a former MVP who started in his 30s, but never got above 26.7% of the vote. Cubs pitcher Lowell Dunphy hit a high of 32.4%.

In CABA voting, Alex Hinojosa got 85% of the vote to become the second Hall of Famer. Brian Kendall on his second try got 62.1%, close to the 2/3s threshold.



Willie “Oz” Hodo – Starting Pitcher – Chicago Cubs – 91.9%

Willie Hodo was a 5’9’’, 200 left handed pitcher with dual American and Mexican citizenship, born November 12, 1879 in Chicago. Hodo attended Akron, where he quickly drew the attention of scouts ahead of the first rookie draft in 1901. Hodo threw in the 96-98 miles per hour range with a solid fastball, cutter, and a changeup. Not always flashy, Hodo had excellent control and was rated 9/10 for control in his later seasons.


He was a first round pick, 32^nd overall by Nashville. He was a partial starter in his rookie year, then became a regular respectable starter with the Knights over seven years.

Hodo’s biggest notoriety came when he returned home to Chicago, signing a seven-year, $22,120 free agent contract starting in 1909 with the Cubs. His first year was rocky, but the next five were solid with two seasons over 7.0
WAR, accumulating 34.4 WAR with the Cubs.

Hodo declined the final year of his Cubs contract and signed a three-year, $13,740 deal with St. Louis. His Cardinals debut at age 35 was his best season and only Pitcher of the Year, leading the National Association in wins (21), strikeouts (240), and innings pitched (278). His one postseason start was a rough one and despite a great career, he only had a chance to make two postseason appearances in his career.

After his Cardinals contract ended, Hodo signed for two seasons with Houston; unfortunately missing their playoff window. He did collect his 250^th win with the Hornets; the first MLB pitcher to get there. His final year in 1920 was as a reliever for Toronto, but at that point, it was time to call it quits. But with the Timberwolves, he reached 3500 career strikeouts, the second pitcher to reach that mark.

Hodo almost never missed a start over his 19-year career, finishing 267-216 with a 3.47 ERA, 3503 strikeouts, 361 quality starts in 577, and 95.2 WAR. Other pitchers would later top his accolades, but he was one of the first reliable aces and certainly deserving of the Hall of Fame.



Jim Klattenburger – Closer – Ottawa Elks – 67.8%


Jim Klattenburger was the first relief pitcher to earn MLB Hall of Fame honors. The 5’11’’, 170 pound right handed arm was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Klattenburger came to the United States to play college ball at Ohio State and then returned to Canada when Ottawa picked him in the second round, the 91^st overall pick, in the 1904 draft.

Klattenburger only threw two pitches, but had a 100 MPH cutter along with a nice curveball. The cutter made him dominant, taking over the closer role for the Elks by his second season. His fourth and fifth seasons, he posted ERAs of 1.25 and 1.21, both worth over 4 WAR. His 1909 season had 104 strikeouts over 89.1 innings, earning him his lone Reliever of the Year award. He finished second in 1908 voting and third in 1911 and 1913.

Unfortunately for Klattenburger, he only once got to play in the postseason with the Elks. In the 1913 offseason, he was traded to Houston, where he spent the next three seasons. His also missed the Hornets dynasty, only getting to see the postseason in his first year there.

At age 33, he signed for three years with Baltimore in 1917 and was the closer for two. Towards the end of 1918, shoulder inflammation put him on the shelf for nine months. He came back to record his 400^th save on May 6, 1919; the first player to reach the mark and one of only four to do it in the 21^st Century.

One week later, Klattenburger suffered a partially torn UCL, ending his season and run with the Orioles. That offseason, Montreal signed him to a one-year deal, but the Maples cut him before the season. In April 1920, the Elks brought him back, but it was clear at age 36 that his time was done, retiring that offseason with the Elks.

Due to the way relievers are used, some felt they weren’t important enough to be Hall of Fame choices; thus Klattenburger barely getting the threshold (67.8%), albeit in his first year. But with 401 saves, 483 shutdowns, and 1184 strikeouts over 1098.1 innings with a 2.85 ERA, he was one of the first notable closers and someone worth honoring.



Alex “Bubba” Hinojosa – Second Baseman/Shortstop – Puebla Pumas – 85.0%

Alex Hinojosa was a 5’11’’ 170 pound switch hitting middle infielder from Tepatitlan, a town 70 kilometers east of Guadalajara in Mexico. When CABA was formed, Hinojosa was already 28-years old, but well respected in the Mexican baseball world. Prior to the debut 1911 CABA season, he signed an eight-year, $17,720 contract with Puebla; a huge deal for the fledging association.

Called a “sparkplug” by those who played with him, Hinojosa was known as an excellent power hitter and solid fielder. He’d strike out a lot, but provided excellent power, the ability to draw walks, and solid baserunning. Puebla’s investment immediately paid off as the 28-year old Hinojosa in his debut led Mexico in runs (105), home runs (47), and WAR (13.1). The 13.1 WAR would be one of only 10 seasons in CABA history to get above 13. The Pumas would win four division titles in his time and win the Mexican League title in 1915.

In a decade with the Pumas, “Bubba” won five MVPs; 1911, 15, 17, 18, and 19. Although he played some shortstop most years, he was primarily a second baseman, winning eight Silver Sluggers and a gold glove at the position. He led the league in homers five times, WAR five times, RBI three times, and runs thrice. He became the first CABA player to 300 career home runs.

After winning the MVP at age 36, he fell off hard in his last year with Puebla and didn’t re-sign after the 1920 season. At age 38, Hinojosa went north to America and signed a three-year deal with San Diego, where he played two seasons before retiring

Having started his career late, he doesn’t have the all-time leaderboard numbers of some of the other CABA greats. But five MVPs in a decade is one of the most impressive runs one can have and Hinojosa deserves recognition as one of the first star sluggers of the Mexican League.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Yokohama claimed a third straight North Division title in 1926, this time finishing 101-65 with both the most runs scored and fewest allowed in the Japan League. Seo-Yul Park picked up his second Pitcher of the Year for the Yellow Jackets. Saitma was second at 89-73 and had the MVP in first baseman Moon-Hwan Lee. In the South Division, Fukuoka went from 74 wins the prior year to 92-70, taking the title for the first time. Kitakyushu was second four games back and defending EAB champ Osaka took third at 85-77. Yokohama would defeat Fukuoka 4-1 in the JLCS, sending the Yellow Jackets to their second EAB final in three years.



In the Korea League, Hamhung set a record with a 122-40, winning the North Division by 14 games despite a 108-54 season from Pyongyang. Three of the top pitchers by ERA and WAR pitched for the Heat, although the Phytons' Ching-Wei Kuo earned his second Pitcher of the Year. The South Division went to defending Korean champ Gwangju for the third straight season, their 106-56 mark was 31 games ahead of second place. Slugger Ji-Hoo Kim won MVP for the Grays. He had won MVP in 1924 in Japan with Saitama, then played 1925 with Pyongyang before signing with Gwangju in 1926

In a KLCS rematch, Gwangju defeated Hamhung again, this time in seven games, giving them back-to-back Korean titles. The Grays would again be thwarted in the East Asian Championship, as Yokohama claimed the overall title in five.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

Guadalajara kept their stranglehold on the Mexican League's South Division with their seventh title in eight years. At 113-49, they matched their franchise record 1919 campaign. Centerfielder Victor Valenzuela picked up his third career MVP and Adrian De La Rosa grabbed back-to-back Pitcher of the Year Awards.

Chihuahua again won the North, their sixth title in seven, but it was more competitive. At 88-74, they finished five better than Monterrey and seven over Juarez. Thus it was the Warriors and Hellhounds in the Mexican League final for the fifth time in seven years. Guadaljara was the heavy favorite, but Chihuahua stunned them in seven games for the Warriors' second Mexican League title.



The Caribbean League pennant races came down to the wire. Defending CABA champ Puerto Rico claimed the Island Division for back-to-back years, their 90-72 finish was one game better than Haiti, three over Santo Domingo, and five over Jamaica. Haiti shortstop Jonny Lucero was the MVP with 10.6 WAR and the best wRC+ at 172.

The Continental Division was also decided by one game in a two-team race. Honduras (91-71) fended off Salvador (90-72), giving the Horsemen their seventh division title in eight seasons. Ace Pedro Becerra won his second straight Pitcher of the Year, tossing the Triple Crown on 20-7, 1.99 ERA, and 358 strikeouts. Becerra became the sixth pitcher to achieve the feat.

The LCS rematch this time went to the Horsemen, defeating the Pelicans in a seven-game thriller. The CABA Championship would also go the distance with Honduras defeating Chihuahua for their first CABA title in five appearances. It's also only the second overall title won by a Continental Division team, joining Salvador's 1915. American Owen Richardson in his first CABA season at age 34 won the series MVP.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

In 1926, it was again Ottawa and Toronto atop the Eastern League with one game separating them. This time, the Elks were the league champ at 98-64, one-better than the Timberwolves. Montreal at 96 wins just missed out on snapping their playoff drought. Elks slugger Robert Ross earned National Association MVP with the lead in WAR (9.9), RBI (144), and tied for first in home runs (49). Although below .500, Buffalo boasted the Pitcher of the Year in Derek Edwards, leading in ERA (2.10) and WAR (10.3). Edwards became a two-time winner, having also taken the PotY in 1920.


In the Midwest League, Cleveland took first at 91-71 for their fourth playoff berth in five years and third league title in that stretch. Louisville fended off Kansas City and Chicago for the wild card spot, the first for the Lynx since 1919.

The EL teams advanced in the first round as Toronto topped Cleveland and Ottawa beat Louisville, both in four games. In a NACS rematch, the Timberwolves got the better of the Elks in six games.



Houston was the 1926 Southern League champion at 103-59 for their sixth playoff appearance in seven years and fifth league title in that stretch. After getting only 68 wins the year before, Atlanta bounced back at 90-72 to take the second place playoff spot ahead of Memphis and Nashville. For the second time in his career, Oklahoma City first baseman Ethan Lewis was named American Association MVP. However, the Outlaws again were middling, winning only 75 games.

Los Angeles earned back-to-back playoff berths by winning the Western League at 104-58, their first league title since 1912. Albuquerque, whose only other playoff appearance was back in 1901, took the second place spot at 98-64. They beat San Diego by one game, preventing the Seals from their first playoff appearance despite finishing with 90+ wins seven times now. Defending World Series champion Denver fell completely off a cliff, taking dead last at 65-97.

The AA Pitcher of the Year went to Albuquerue's Crazy Legs Snider, an all-time great name, who posted a 9.8 WAR season. The Isotopes also had Reliever of the Year Kyle Ruschak, pushing them to the fewest runs allowed in the American Association.

That served Albuquerque well as they upset Houston on the road in five games in the first round, while the Angels survived in five against the Aces. The Isotopes knocked off Los Angeles in six in the AACS for their first-ever World Series appearance. In a seven-game thriller, the 26th Fall Classic went to Albuquerque over Toronto.





Other notes: Hartford's Ripley Goldstein reached the 3000 career hit threshold, the third player in MLB history to do so. Later that year, Montreal's Joe Thibault joined him in the 3000 hit club. Toronto's Archie Mereidth became the second batter to 600+ career home runs. Reaching 1500 runs scored were Calgary's Jonathan Gibbs, Tampa's Troy O'Brien, and Cincinnati's Christopher Ross. Miami's George Showalter reached 1500 career RBI.

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The lone inductee in the 1927 MLB Hall of Fame class was George Lacey, getting in on his fourth try at 69.4%. First baseman Chad Tepp on his fourth attempt was at 63.7%, just shy of the 2/3s threshold. Third baseman Rick Montgomery also was above 60% on his third try.

In the CABA voting, Brian Kendall became the third CABA Hall of Famer on his third go on the ballot at 71.3%. First baseman Manny Arroyo had a solid debut in his first go at 61.0%.



George Lacey - Starting Pitcher – Houston Hornets – 69.4% - 4^th Ballot

George Lacey was a 5’9’’, 200 pound right handed pitcher who was born in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. Lacey’s pitching velocity was in the upper 90s and he relied on an excellent fastball, while using a curveball and forkball (and rarely a changeup) as the alternate. He was known for reliable control and movement as well and was generally considered to be a great team captain and leader.

Lacey was 24 years old when the inaugural MLB Draft came around in 1901, but already thought of as a solid pitcher in baseball circles despite being from a relatively remote area. The San Francisco Gold Rush used their first round pick, the 43^rd overall, to select Lacey.

Lacey immediately became a quality top-end starter for the Gold Rush and in 1904 at age 27, he won the American Association Pitcher of the Year, leading the AA in ERA at 2.58. This was a contract year for Lacey and he cashed in, signing a seven-year, $24,480 contract with Houston beginning with the 1905 season.

He became an important part of the first Hornets dynasty, which won the World Series four times and made it six times between 1905 and 1912. Lacey settled into the middle of their rotation and actually struggled a bit in the postseasons. But he was old reliable, not missing a start, rarely having a bad start, over his seven years with Houston. He collected three rings but was gone before he could get the fourth as they didn’t re-sign the then 35-year old Lacey after the 1911 season.

Lacey signed a four-year, $13,840 contract with Detroit, who Houston had defeated in the 1911 World Series. The Tigers wouldn’t get to the playoffs in his three years there though, where he was mostly an innings-eater. The Tigers traded him in 1915 to Montreal for his final MLB season at age 38.
After that, he spent two seasons in CABA between Juarez and Ecatepec, then came back for 27 innings as a 41-year old relief with Atlanta in 1918.

His final MLB line was 244-175, 3.65 ERA, 292 quality starts out of 499 with 2541 strikeouts and a 73.7 WAR. He was a reliable arm for nearly two decades and was well-liked enough by his contemporaries to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame.



Brian Kendall – Starting Pitcher – Tijuana Toros – 72.3% - 3^rd Ballot

Kendall had one of the stranger careers of the 1910s and is a surprising third member of the CABA Hall of Fame, considering he’s an American guy from Massachusetts. Kendall was a 6’0’’, 190 pound left hander who became known for having some of the best stuff of all-time, making up for at times weak control. At his peak, he’d hit 100 miles per hour with his fastball, while getting whiffs with a quick slider and splitter.

Kendall played college baseball for Texas Tech and excelled, leading to him being picked fifth overall in the 1907 MLB draft by Oakland. By his third year with the Owls at age 22, he led the American Association in strikeouts and earned All-Star honors in 1910 and 1911. In 1911, he was second in Pitcher of the Year voting.

Despite his talent, Kendall was a jerk. Contemporaries said he was greedy, selfish, and lazy. This led Oakland to sell his contract midway through the 1912 to Santiago back in the early days of CABA when teams bought and sold players from within the leagues. He pitched well in two and a half years in the Dominican Republic, but wasn’t a cultural fit. In the 1915 offseason, Santiago traded him to Tijuana for prospects.

He’d only be with the Toros for five years, but this was his signature run. In 1915, he earned the Triple Crown with a 23-8, 1.44 ERA, and 441 strikeouts. The strikeout tally, .151 batting average against and his 4.67 hits allowed per nine innings stand as all-time single season CABA records more than a century later. He twice had a 20-strikeout, one-hit shutout performance. Unsurprisingly, he earned Pitcher of the Year honors.

Kendall missed parts of 1916 and 1918 to injury, but when healthy still was a top tier pitcher during Tijuana’s dynasty. The Toros won four straight Mexican League titles from 1916-1919, taking the overall CABA crown in 1918 and 1919. In just five seasons with Tijuana, Kendall had 1514 strikeouts with 42.1 WAR. He again won Pitcher of the Year in 1918 and tossed a no-hitter in 1919.

When his contract with the Toros was up, he returned to America at age 32 by signing with Houston, who had missed the postseason in five straight seasons after their first dynasty ended. Kendall never pitched a full season again due to lingering issues, but earned two more World Series rings for being on the 1920 and 1922 Hornet rosters as their second dynasty began. He only briefly was on the 1922 squad, cutting released in April. He signed and was later released by Portland. After more injuries and some time in the minors, Kendall retired at age 35.

Between MLB and CABA, Kendall had 3993 strikeouts and 101.5 career WAR. His final CABA line was 117-61, 2.02 ERA, 2331 strikeouts and 59.8 WAR. It was a short burst, but his dominance and role in the Tijuana 1910s dynasty earned him the election to the CABA Hall of Fame.

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In the Japan League North Division, defending EAB champ Yokohama again had the best record, this time finishing 107-55 for their fourth straight division title. Sozen Murata, a two-time MVP in the outfield in Korea, hit 51 homers for the Yellow Jackets for his first Japan League MVP and third overall. Chiba's Yoshimatsu Sakamoto won his first Pitcher of the Year on a 11.6 WAR season, just missing a Triple Crown due to the lack of team support.

On the other side, Nagoya narrowly outraced defending division champ Fukuoka. Despite the Frogs winning 11 more games than last year, the 104-win Nightowls bested them by one for their second playoff berth. Yokohoma would prevail in six over Nagoya in the JLCS for back-to-back league titles and the third in four years for the Yellow Jackets.



In the Korea League, Gwangju and Hamhung both ran away with their division titles again. For the Heat, it's a third straight and fifth in EAB's first seven years. For the defending champ Grays, it's their fourth straight. Hamhung pitcher Chikara Ohkubo won his third Pitcher of the Year and for the second time, picked up the Triple Crown. Gwangju's Ji-Hoo Kim won his third MVP and back-to-back ones.

The Grays continued their postseason dominance of the Heat, as Gwangju won the KLCS in five games for their third straight Korea title over Hamhung. They'd be denied the overall EAB crown for the third straight year, falling in six games in a rematch with Yokoahama. Sozen Murata was series MVP as the Yellow Jackets picked up back-to-back EAB titles.

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Guadalajara's reign atop the Mexican League South Division narrowly ended in 1927, as 93-win Leon bested them by one game. It was the first division title for the Lions, they were the only team in the South who hadn't advanced at least once. In the North Division, Mexicali won its second-ever division title, joining the 1911 CABA debut season. The Maroons at 98-64 comfortably took first, while defending Mexican champ Chihuahua dropped to 84-78. Both the Hellhounds and Warriors, who consistently were division champs in the 1920s, both will be waiting until the 1940s for their next chance at glory.

The major awards went to standouts on middling teams. Hermosillo third baseman Mason Mick was the MVP, while Monterrey's Jorge Aleman won Pitcher of the Year; his 10.1 WAR and 1.47 winning the day despite having a 8-12 record due to lack of support. In the Mexican League Championship, Leon defeated Mexicali 4-2, sending the Lions to their first-ever CABA championship.


In the Caribbean League, defending CABA camp Honduras (98-64) again ran away with the Continental Division, earning their eighth division title in nine seasons. Santo Domingo took the top spot in the Island Division at 99-63, nine better than defending champ Puerto Rico. It was the Dolphins first playoff berth since 1919.

Haiti third baseman Jonny Lucero won his second straight MVP as the champ in OPS and WAR. Santiago's Ulices Montero won his seventh and ultimately final Pitcher of the Year, his first since 1923. He was first in strikeouts and WAR, second in ERA and wins. Montero reached another milestone; 5000 career strikeouts. He's the first (and as of a century later, the only) CABA player to reach the milestone.

The Horsemen would be denied a repeat Caribbean title as Santo Domingo defeated them in six games, earning the Dolphins their third league title. The CABA championship would go all seven games with Santo Domingo defeating Leon; giving the Dolphins their second overall CABA crown.





Other notes: Tijuana’s Alba Jimenez won his ninth and final Silver Slugger in left field, only the third CABA player to get that many. Catcher Norman Everett won his tenth Gold Glove, the first CABA player to reach that mark.

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After coming close the last few years, Montreal picked up the Eastern League crown in 1927 at 102-60, their first playoff berth since 1920. Ottawa took second at 95-68, defeating Pittsburgh in a one-game playoff for the second place spot. Washington was 93-69, Hartford 88-74, and defending National Association champ Toronto dropped to sixth at 86-76. For the Elks, it was their fourth straight playoff berth.

Cleveland picked up a third straight Midwest League title and fourth consecutive playoff appearance with the NA's best overall record at 104-58. Louisville again took the second place spot at 95-67. St. Louis tied for fifth, but had first baseman Elijah Cashman record his fifth MVP in six seasons. At a .353 average, 57 home runs, and 150 RBI, Cashman became only the second-ever MLB player to record the Triple Crown. Washington's two-way star Dylan D'Ippolito picked up his second career Pitcher of the Year while also adding 3.2 WAR and 109 RBI as a hitter.

After early playoff exits the last three seasons, Cleveland swept Ottawa to advance to the NACS, while Montreal defeated Louisville in four. In the NACS, the Cobras defeated the Maples in six, sending Cleveland to the World Series for the second time in team history.



In the American Association, Houston won the Southern League at 102-60 for their seventh playoff berth in eight years and record 14th time finishing first place. Atlanta finished second for back-to-back seasons, as the Aces at 92-70 were one better than Tampa and five ahead of Oklahoma City.
After just missing the last two seasons, San Francisco was back atop the Western League at 102-60 with the most runs scored at 918. This gives the Gold Rush eight playoff appearances in the last decade. Defending World Series champ Albuquerque earned second place again, this time at 96-66.

SF's Sebastian Pentland won the Pitcher of the Year. Fourth place Oakland's David Latzko was an MVP in a weak field, the lowest WAR of an AA MVP winner. Latzko was a 30-year old first baseman with a surprising career year in only his second season as a MLB starter.

Houston swept Albuquerque in the first round and Atlanta upset San Francisco to set up an all-South American Association Championship Series. The Aces stunned the Hornets In the AACS in seven games, sending Atlanta to the World Series for the first-time ever.

In the 1927 World Series, Cleveland defeated Atlanta 4-2, the first-ever MLB title for the Cobras. Wayne Cantrell won both World Series MVP and NACS MVP, with the outfielder whacking 23 hits, 11 runs, 14 RBI and five homers in the postseason.





Other notes: San Antonio’s Kirk Seago won his 10^th Gold Glove at center field. He’d finish with 11and compile an amazing 335.7 career ZR. He’d only have 40.6 career WAR as a well-below league average hitter with more career strikeouts (2208) than hits (1805).

Houston’s Newton Persaud became the first pitcher to 300+ career wins. Later in the season, he’d become the first pitcher to 4500 strikeouts. The fifth, sixth, and seventh guys to reach 3000 career hits were Corey Patrizio, George Showalter, and Troy O’Brien. Jonathan Gibbs and Boswell Lindsey became the eighth and ninth MLB players to 500 career home runs.

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Columbus Pitcher Owen Swanson was a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame selection or the 1928 class, earning 92.1% of the vote. On his fifth try, Dallas first baseman Chad Tepp made the cut at 75.2%. Third baseman Rick Montgomery was one percent short in his fourth try at 65.6%. Pitcher Lanny Roberts, outfielder Bill Willis, and closer Dan Wagner all were above 57%.

Terry Hart was dropped after his 10^th year. The Milwaukee and Chicago outfielder was a five-time Silver Slugger winner with 74.2 career WAR, 2047 hits, 1182 runs, 1138 RBI, and 404 home runs. His highest mark on the ballot was his debut at 45.9%.

The CABA Hall of Fame Class added two first-ballot members; both pitchers. Nick Bermea received 98.3% of the vote and Alejandro Cordova got 88.7%. First baseman Manny Arroyo had a good showing on his second ballot at 61.2%.





Owen “Pinocchio” Swanson – Starting Pitcher – Columbus Chargers – 92.1% First Ballot

Owen Swanson was a 6’0’’ 185 pound right handed pitcher born in the title Oklahoma town of Talihina. The hard-working Swanson was known for a strong slider and sinker that hit the upper 90s, as well as a changeup. His stuff and movement were consistently rated an 8/10 over his career. After playing college ball at Auburn, he was the eighth overall draft pick in 1907 by Columbus.

He would spend nearly his entire career with the Chargers, three times getting them to the National Association Championship Series. Swanson earned Pitcher of the Year three times, in 1912, 1914, and 1916. He finished third in 1910, second in 1911, and second in 1920.

In 1913, he signed a seven-year contract extension worth $37,460. At age 29 in 1916, he led the NA with 10.6 WAR and 270 strikeouts, with 16 complete games and 28 quality starts.

Swanson led the NA in strikeouts twice, WAR thrice, WHIP twice, innings pitched twice, and wins twice. He almost never missed a start until his early 30s, having a torn flexor tendon in his elbow to end the 1918 season. Swanson bounced back for a solid 1919 and 1920, still among the best pitchers in the league. He was second in Pitcher of the Year voting in 1920. But he suffered a torn flexor again in 1921 to miss almost the entire season.

In 1922, he was able to pick up his 200^th career win upon his return, but the Chargers would release him in July. He signed with Louisville to finish the year, but retired in the offseason of 1922 at age 35.

Swanson’s final line was 207-135, 2.74 ERA, 2886 strikeouts, a 1.12 WHIP, 94.1 WAR and 317 quality starts in 435 tries. One of the top pitchers of the 1910s and a Columbus legend, certainly deserving of Hall of Fame entry



Chad Tepp – First Baseman – Dallas Dalmatians – 75.2% Fifth Ballot

Chad Tepp was a right-handed 6’2’’ 200 pound first baseman from Glendale, California. Tepp was considered a well-rounded hitter combining above average contact, power, and eye, while adding a very good glove at first base, where he played exclusively. He played college ball at Clemson and was taken 30^th overall in the 1901 rookie draft by Dallas.

After spending two seasons in the minors, Tepp was called up in 1904 and earned American Association Rookie of the Year honors. He was a reliable middle-of-the-lineup starter over the next six seasons with the Dalmatians, but not an award winner. Even though he was inducted with Dallas, his best seasons came in his 30s.

Tepp tested free agency and signed a seven-year, $25,920 deal with Tampa starting in the 1910 season. He only played three years with the Thunderbirds, but twice had his career-high with 40 home runs and won a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. As Tampa started to struggle, Tepp opted out of his contract and signed a six-year, $29,060 deal with Seattle, where he’d finish out his career.

With the Grizzlies at age 34, Tepp won the 1915 American Association MVP, leading the AA with 7.3 WAR. He was a six-year starter with Seattle, earning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger while there as well. He finally started to fall off at age 37 in 1918 and retired at the end of the season.

Tepp was rarely flashy, but he was a reliable constant putting up good production and defense over 15 seasons. He compiled 1375 runs, 2736 hits, 459 doubles, 443 home runs, 1629 RBI with a 304 average and 69.3 WAR. This earned him a spot in the 1928 Hall of Fame class.



Nick Bermea – Starting Pitcher – Juarez Jesters – 98.3% First Ballot

Nick Bermea was a 5’11’’, 200 pound starting pitcher from Columbus, Georgia. Bermea had a 100 MPH fastball along with a curveball and changeup, generally considered to have solid control and movement. He played college baseball at Wichita State and was drafted in 1911 with the sixth overall pick by San Francisco. Despite this, he wouldn’t throw an MLB pitch for a decade.

Much to his surprise and the surprise of many in MLB, San Francisco almost immediately sold his contract to the Juarez Jesters of CABA. Bermea would instantly become the Jesters ace, helping them to the Mexican League title in 1912 as the Rookie of the Year. He’d never get back to the playoffs with them, but he’d win Pitcher of the Year in 1913, 1914, 1917, and 1920.

Bermea earned the Triple Crown in 1914 and 1917 and in his nine years with Juarez, had 75.9 WAR, 2819 strikeouts, and a 140-90 record with 54 saves and a 2.00 ERA. He had 10 shutouts in 1917. In 1918, he set the CABA record for 22 strikeouts in an extra-inning game and in 1919, tossed a no-hitter.

He was one of the top paid in CABA and still excellent entering his 30s, but Juarez decided to trade him for five players to Santiago. In his one year with the Sailfish, he earned his 3000^th career CABA strikeout. The Sailfish won the Caribbean League title, but Guadalajara prevented Bermea from his first overall ring. In the offseason, he declined his contract option and made his way back stateside, signing a five-year, $28,500 deal to join Philadelphia for the 1922 season at age 32.

Bermea led the National Association in ERA (2.55) in his Phillies debut and earned Pitcher of the Year, his fifth overall, making him one of a select few to earn the honor in two different leagues. He played out his deal with Philadelphia, but regressed after that and was a below average player by the end. Las Vegas signed him to a minor league deal in 1927 at age 37, but he’d retire after struggling there.

Between MLB and CABA, he had 103.4 career WAR and 3944 strikeouts. In CABA, he was 167-96 with 54 saves, a 2.03 ERA, 3149 strikeouts, and a 84.9 WAR. Baseball historians often wonder where he would’ve fared among the MLB greats had his contract not been sold after being drafted. But he was one of the best pitchers of the 1910s in CABA with Juarez, certainly worthy of Hall of Fame status.



Alejandro “Nightmare” Cordova – Starting Pitcher – Jamaica Jazz – 88.7% First Ballot

Alejandro Cordova was a 5’9’’, 195 pound right handed pitcher from Santo Domingo. Considered a very intelligent and adaptable player, ‘Nightmare’ had a very good mid to upper 90s fastball, plus a slider, forkball, and changeup. When CABA formed, he had already been known locally in the Dominican as a great pitcher. For the 1911 CABA debut season, at age 26, Cordova signed a three-year, $3,460 deal with the Jamaica Jazz.

He was a six-time All-Star with Jamaica and was a reliable innings eater, almost never missing a start in his decade in Kingston. He rarely was a league leader, but did lead the way in innings pitched in 1916, 17, and 18.


On average, he was worth around 6 WAR per year, a dependable player for the Jazz. He never won Pitcher of the Year, but finished second in voting in 1916 and third in both 1911 and 1913. Although they never had a losing record during his tenure, only once did Jamaica make the postseason during Cordova’s run. He had a no-hitter in 1916 against Havana.

Cordova became a free agent for the 1921 season and signed a two-year deal with Tijuana at age 36. His production fell off with the Toros and after one year, he was traded to his hometown team, Santo Domingo. With the Dolphins, he earned his 200^th career win on September 11, 1922. That offseason, he decided to enjoy his retirement back home in the DR.

Cordova’s final stats; 201-148, 2.66 ERA, 299 quality starts of 410, 3283 strikeouts, and 66.2 WAR. A consistent ace for Jamaica in their first decade of existence earns “Nightmare” a spot among the CABA greats.

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Back-to-back East Asian Champion Yokohama won their fifth North Division title in a row in 1928 at 104-58. In the South, Fukuoka at 105-57 took first, this time doing better than Nagoya at 98-64. Frogs right fielder Kota Takada was the MVP with an 11.1 WAR season, leading Japan in batting average, on-base percentage, WRC+, runs, and doubles. It was his second MVP award. Chiba’s Tadakatsu Kyuki won the Pitcher of the Year.



Hamhung won their fourth Korean North Division title at 119-43, outracing Pyongyang’s 104-58. Gwangju took the South again at 101-61, their fifth straight. The Grays’ Ji-Hoo Kim won his fourth career MVP and third straight with Gwangju; the 32-year old first baseman led Korea with 138 RBI and a 1.025 OPS. Hamhung’s Chul Ryu was Pitcher of the Year with the lead in ERA (1.71) and wins (26), while tying for second in strikeouts (317).

Fukuoka prevented Yokohama from a three-peat, as the Frogs won the Japanese League Championship Series in six games for their first title. In their fourth straight KLCS battle, the Heat came out on top for the first time as Hamhung swept Gwangju. The Heat beat Fukuoka in the EAB Championship in six for Hamhung’s second EAB title.







Other notes: Sendai's Masakatsu Yoshida struck out seven against Kawaski on April 14 in EAB's eighth perfect game

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1928 saw a shift in the top of the Mexican League standings. In the North Division, Hermosillo ran away with the title at 91-71 for their first-ever playoff appearance. On the other side in a loaded South Division, Puebla took the top spot for their first division title in a decade. The Pumas at 101-61 beat out challenges from Ecatapec (98-64), defending champ Leon (92-70), and Guadalajara (91-71).


Hyenas third baseman Mason Mick won back-to-back MVPs as the offensive WARlord at 8.7. Chihuahua's Max ‘Maniac’ Ramirez secured Pitcher of the Year despite his team's struggles, leading in ERA at 1.43 and WAR at 9.9.



Puerto Rico won their third Island Division title in four years, finishing 99-63 with a six-game lead on Havana. Defending champ Santo Domingo took third at 89-73. Although they missed out, the Dolphins had Pitcher of the Year Noah Nieveld with the Aruban arm earning the Triple Crown at 22-7, 18.1 ERA, and 337 strikeouts. He had 31 quality starts of 35 and a 11.1 WAR.

Honduras dominated the Continental Division again for their ninth title in ten seasons. Costa Rica outfielder Domingo Huerta led the way in WAR (9.1), slugging, and OPS en route to the MVP.

Both League Championship Series went seven games. Puebla outlasted Hermosillo for their second Mexican League title and the Pelicans edged the Horsemen for Puerto Rico’s third Caribbean title. The Pumas defeated the Pelicans in six for the 1928 CABA championship; their first overall title.





Other notes: Mexico City shortstop Sergio Precaido won his 10th Gold Glove, the second-ever CABA player to do so. Havana's Diomar Glas was the first to reach two major milestones; 1500 RBI and 600 home runs. Santiago's Ulices Montero became the first player to record 5500 strikeouts. To this point, no one else has gotten to 4000. Meanwhile, Mexican Pitcher of the Year Max Ramirez became only the fifth to 3500 strikeouts. The sixth-ever CABA perfect game came on July 22 from Tijuana's Emmanuel Camacho, striking out 12 against Merida.