New Excellence Project

[Nick Soulis]

Season 5
National League Division 1

1. 1913 Chicago Cubs
Record: 88-65
Finish: 3rd in NL
Manager: Johhny Evers
Ball park: West Side Grounds
WAR Leader: Heinie Zimmerman (4.6)

Johhny Evers managed and played a central role on the field for this club. Heinie Zimmerman drove in 95 runs while Vic Saier hit an impressive 14 home runs. Chicago pitching as always was very consistent.

2. 2012 St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 88-74
Finish: Lost in NLCS
Manager: Mike Matheny
Ball park: Busch Stadium
WAR Leader: Yadier Molina (7.2)

Post LaRussa and Pujols this Cardinals club still made a deep run for the pennant. Yadier Molina was great all around including as a leader while Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn paced the rotation. The Cards will surely battle the Cubs on even terms for the division.

3. 1922 Washington Senators
Record: 69-85
Finish: 6th in AL
Manager: Clyde Millan
Ball park: Griffith Stadium
WAR Leader: Walter Johnson (5.4)

The Big Train was slowing down a bit at 34 but still struck out 105 batters. Goose Goslin and Sam Rice are also stars on this offense but to see the Senators compete here would be a major surprise.

4. 2016 San Diego Padres
Record: 68-94
Finish: 5th in NL West
Manager: Andy Green
Ball Park: Petco Park
WAR Leader: Will Myers (3.5)

Aging Matt Kemp and injury prone Will Myers had the Padres chasing most games in 2016. Fernando Rodney was a good closer for them but the starting rotation was a real merry go around.

[Nick Soulis]

Season 5
National League Division 2

1. 1946 St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 98-58
Finish: World Champions
Manager: Eddie Dyer
Ball park: Sportsmans Park
WAR Leader: Stan Musial (9.3)

Beating the highly favored Red Sox for the title in 46, Cardinal teams of the era lead by Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter always seemed to find a way. Howie Pollet won 20 games with a 2.10 ERA and was supported by Harry Brecheen.

2. 2015 Washington Nationals
Record: 83-79
Finish: 2nd in NL East
Manager: Matt Williams
Ball park: Nationals Park
WAR Leader: Bryce Harper (9.7)

Bryce harper did it all at 22 year sold with a 1.10 OPS while Max Scherzer and Steven Strasburg lead a very intimidating staff. Still the Nats under Matt Williams came up short too often in comparison to their talent.

3. 1955 Chicago Cubs
Record: 72-81
Finish: 6th in NL
Manager: Stan Hack
Ball Park: Wrigley Field
WAR Leader: Ernie Banks (8.2)

Ernie Banks won the MVP and showed incredible power for a shortstop and did it all with a smile. Sam Jones lost 20 games as the staff lacked depth. Dont expect these Cubs to make much npise but sure will want to beat out the Sox in the division.

4. 2014 Chicago White Sox
Record: 73-89
Finish: 4th in AL Central
Manager: Robin Ventura
Ball park: US Cellular Field
WAR Leader: Chris Sale (6.1)

Jose Abreu came on the scene and was quite a force for these Sox as was Chris Sale on the mound striking out batters at a 10.8 per nine. The Sox however had a number of holes especially on defense as well as making contact, with Adam Dunn leading the way.

[Nick Soulis]

Season 5
National League Division 3

1. 1955 Chicago White Sox
Record: 91-63
Finish: 3rd in AL
Manager: Marty Marion
Ball park: Comiskey Park
WAR Leader: Billy Pierce (6.9)

Nellie Fox leads a good White Sox team that had Minnie Minoso, Sherm Lollar, and George Kell. The Sox played good defense to support Billy Pierce who had a 1.97 ER and the rest of the staff.

2. 1938 Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 86-64
Finish: 2nd in NL
Manager: Pie Traynor
Ball park: Forbes Field
WAR Leader: Arky Vaughn (8.9)

A club that got their uniforms dirty, the Bucs feel they can win this division. The Waner brothers were a little older but Arky Vaughn hit .322 with over 100 walks. The key will the pitching, as the Pirates used six different to find consistency.

3. 1911 St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 75-74
Finish: 5th in NL
Manager: Roger Bresnahan
Ball park: Robinson Field
WAR Leader: Ed Konetchy (5.2)

Roger Bresnahan was the leader on and off the field as a very good catcher that knows the game inside and out. Miller Huggins is another smart player on the infield while Bob Harmon won 23 games. These cardinals are a nice fit in this rugged division.

4. 1982 Texas Rangers
Record: 64-98
Finish: 6th in AL West
Manager: Don Zimmer
Ball Park: Arlington Stadium
WAR Leader: Buddy bell (5,7)

Frank Tanana and Charlie Hough didnt throw very hard but do make the best part of the Rangers rotation that had no help after the top two. Buddy Bell and Jim Sundberg are two dependable players, but the Rangers have a a long way to go before they are respectable.