United Leagues of Braeland

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March 25, 1940

The West is Set: Cambria and Kingston to Battle for Pennant



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The Cambria Cannons have nothing to apologize for. Qualifying for the wild card last year simply because they weren’t quite as awful as they rest of the Western League teams not named Kingston, the Cannons of today are the class the United Leagues, having won 99 games.
Last year at this time, it would have seemed incredible for anyone in the West to supplant the Kingston Pelicans from their roost atop the standings. But Cambria has assembled a tremendous team that finished 14.0 games ahead of the defending champions. Now comes the task of truly usurping the Pelicans, who have won the Western League Pennant and United Cup the past two seasons. The Cannons went 31-16 in February and March; if they can keep up that strong play, the United Leagues may be crowning a new champion in April.

Top Position Player- Season: The drafting of LF Ron Westmacott 2nd overall in the 1937-38 amateur draft proved to be a shrewd move, as he was Cambria’s top position player again this season. The 23-year old went .311/.408/.599, 16 HR, 99 RBI, 115 R, 80 BB, 20 SB, 6.6 WAR. Westmacott is rated #4 overall among position players.

Top Pitcher-Season: Cambria’s pitching was the top-rated staff in the Western League. That said 36-year old SP-RHP Neil Guerin is the well-established ace. And with good reason; he went 20-8, 3.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 7.0 WAR. Guerin is rated #4 overall among pitchers in the ULB.

Top Performance –Position Player: LF Ron Westmacott and 1B Keane Fysh tied for the top game performance for Cambria this season. On February 29 against the Wolseley Unions, Westmacott went 4-5, with 7 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, while Keane went 3-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB (Score: 103). The Cannons demolished the Unions 27-2.

Top Performance –Pitcher: On March 23, SP Neil Guerin went 9.0 IP, 1 HA, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys (Score: 88). Cambria won 1-0.

Key Injuries: RP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 6 SV, 4.03 ERA, 1.52) was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in a game on January 20. He is gone for the season (7 weeks).

SP Hideki Matsui (10-7, 4.24 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 1.1 WAR) injured himself in a game on February 11. He is gone for the season with shoulder inflammation (3-4 weeks).

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The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in the playoffs for the third straight season, but it’s not quite the same old song. Kingston finished in 2nd place, 14.0 games back of first place; but 14.0 games ahead of 3rd place Fort Richmond. The Pelicans had to contend with a swath of injuries all season long, but still managed to compete. But in February, they stumbled, going just 8-17. That month included being swept in 3 games by both the 1st place Cambria Cannons and the 1st first place Braeland City Monarchs. Kingston rebounded in March, going 16-6 to finish with 85 victories.
Despite the adversities and struggles, the Pelicans are still a dangerous team, finishing at or near the top in a slew of batting and pitching categories.

Top Position Player- Season: Kingston has a lot of worthy candidates, but SS Okura Ito is the best of the best, going .370/.405/.540, 15 HR, 117 RBI, 113 R, 41 BB, 8.0 WAR). Ito is rated #1 in the ULB for position players.

Top Pitcher-Season: SP Brady Murdy is the top pitcher on a very good pitching staff. This season, Murdy went 21-12, 3.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8.9 WAR. He is rated #2 among ULB pitchers.

Top Performance –Position Player: 1B Fergus Chitty (.338/.436/.587, 21 HR, 90 RBI, 74 R, 69 BB, 4.2 WAR) was hampered by injuries all season, but he had the top game performance for the team this season. On March 18 against the Hespeler Stars, Chitty went 2-3, with 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R 3 BB (Score: 107- 2nd overall).

Top Performance –Pitcher: Back on October 26, SP Brady Murdy went 9.0 IP, 3 HA, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K in a game against the Fort Richmond (Score: 90).

Key Injuries: SP Joey Cumberledge is still out out for at least 3-4 weeks, due to a torn labrum he suffered in Spring Training.

SP Hirotada Fukushima (10-10, 5.25 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 4.7 WAR) suffered a torn flexor tendon on March 1. He is gone for the season and will miss part of next season as well.

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The Fort Richmond Generals were not able to hang with the big boys in the West, but they did finish with 7 more victories than they won last season and moved up from 7th spot to 3rd.
They have some nice young talent starting to blossom in players such as SS Steven Wormleighton (.283/.323/.357, 3 HR, 50 RBI, 91 R, 38 BB, 30 SB, 3.6 WAR - 5th overall pick in 1938-39) and C Danny Trowbridge (2nd overall pick in 1939-40), who won Rookie of the Month honours in February. Also waiting in the wings is SS Jamie Florey, the 8th overall pick in 1938-39 acquired in a trade from the Cobourg Red Stockings in January. Their continued progress will be critical if Fort Richmond hopes to improve their anemic offense and compete for a playoff spot in the coming years.

Top Position Player- Season: Its between Steven Wormleighton and Kade Limeburner, but I’ll going with Limeburner, as he went .274/.404/.476, 19 HR, 95 RBI, 96 R, 123 BB, 4.1 WAR).

Top Pitcher-Season: SP Oscar Burress was the ace for Fort Richmond this season, as he went 19-7, 3.19 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 5.4 WAR.

Top Performance –Position Player: None made the Top 25.

Top Performance –Pitcher: Back on January 6, SP Oscar Burress went 9.0 IP, 2 HA, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys (Score: 86). Fort Richmond won 9-0.

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The Balmoral Giants won one fewer game than they did last season and finished a whopping 30.0 games out of 1st place, but the Giants are not dwelling on that. Instead they are looking to the future when a crop of top-tier prospects finally arrive at the big-league level to make Balmoral a powerhouse. That is the hope anyway, but there’s no disputing the bevy of talent the Giants have drafted and/or acquired through trades that now makes their farm system the deepest in the ULB.
One of those prospects arrived this year, in the form of 22-year old RF Carlton Broadbent (.282/.323/.423, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 20 R, 10 BB, 0.6 WAR – 3rd overall pick in 1938-39), who was acquired from the Braeland City Monarch last May. Broadbent was rated the 2nd overall prospect at the start of the season and represents the beginning of Balmoral’s ascendency to relevance in the Western League.

Top Position Player- Season: He may be just a rookie (and will likely win the Rookie of the Year Award), but SS Francisco Rodríguez was Balmoral’s best player, batting .329/.373/.458, 3 HR, 82 RBI, 91 R, 44 BB, 16 SB, 4.6 WAR, to go along with a solid defensive game at SS (+4.1 ZR).

Top Pitcher-Season: Not a memorable season for Balmoral pitchers, but I’ll go with SP Charlie Crocombe, who went 14-12, 3.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 2.3 WAR.

Top Performance –Position Player: C Maurice Evans (.218/.313/.345, 11 HR,58 RBI, 46 R, 57 BB, 0.2 WAR) went 3-3, with 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R 2 BB back on October 21 against the Cambria Cannons (Score: 95).

Top Performance –Pitcher: None made the Top 25.

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The Sherburn Tigers 64-90 record this season belies the fact that their offense was not all that bad, averaging 3rd in the West in a number of categories. But injuries and a struggling pitching staff undid any hope of optimism for the Tigers. In reality, the Tigers need a major infusion of talent if they hope to compete in the coming seasons. Sherburn’s farm system is one of the weakest (13th overall), and they really only have three players of any consequence: C Joe Gault, SS Gary Watkinson and LF Robin Harney.

Top Position Player- Season: 33-year old SS Gary Watkinson had to deal with multiple spells on the DL and he is not quite the player he once was. Still, he is a productive player when healthy and went .322/.428/.431, 2 HR, 51 RBI, 82 R, 81 BB, 11 SB, 4.8 WAR. Watkinson is the rated #7 overall in the ULB.

Top Pitcher-Season: As mentioned earlier, this was not a memorable season for Sherburn pitchers (again). I’ll go with 26-year old SP Steve Greenwell, who went 11-17, 4.15 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 3.6 WAR.

Top Performance –Position Player: None made the Top 25.

Top Performance –Pitcher: It’s ironic that a lone pitching performance (and none from a position player) made the list. Steve Greenwell went 9.0 IP, 2 HA, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K in a game against the Fort Richmond Generals on January 20 (Score: 85). Sherburn won 5-0.

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The Wolseley Unions gave up the ghost in February and March, winning a grand total of 14 games, against 33 losses. But much like Balmoral, the Unions have fully embraced rebuilding and a number of their top prospects, such as CF Jon Moreau, LF Blake Harmon, SP Aaron Saunderson, RP Steve Patterson and SP Michael Milk received a taste of the major leagues this season. Saunderson performed well (6-2, 1 SV, 2.74 ERA, 1.51 WHIP), as did Michael Milk (4-5, 2 SV, 3.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) before he suffered a torn flexor tendon in February that ended his season. On offense, 23-year old rookie LF Nicky Willis gave the Unions further hope, as he went .284/.343/.408, 9 HR, 73 RBI, 62 R, 51 BB, 2.0 WAR.
Wolseley has additional talent in the system that should serve the Unions well in the near future.

Top Position Player- Season: Wolseley’s offense ran out of steam in the last two months of the season and 1B Aaron Flanagan wasn’t immune, but overall he went .279/.369/.527, 30 HR, 119 RBI, 100 R, 83 BB, 4.4 WAR.

Top Pitcher-Season: The 1939-40 season will not go down as one of Wolseley’s better years in pitching. Case in point is 31-year old SP Joe Walrond, who went 5-15, 3.74 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 2.8 WAR on the year. But Walrond led the team in a slew of categories (BABIP, WHIP, Hits per 9 IP, etc.) that gave him the nod.

Top Performance –Position Player: Aaron Flanagan had Wolseley’s top offensive performance, as he went 3-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB (Score: 96) in a game against the Cobourg Red Stockings back on November 22.

Top Performance –Pitcher: SP Jim Smyth (13-9, 3.84 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 2.6 WAR) went 9.0 IP, 3 HA, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K in a game against the Balmoral Giants on December 27 (Score: 87).

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In the race to the bottom, the Pulberry Trolleys came up a few games short, but a second overall pick in next season’s amateur draft is assured for the hapless Trolleys, as they lost 28 games in February and March combined. They did finish on a high note of sorts, as March was the only month they finished above .500 this season.
Pulberry does some things right though, as they finished first in stolen bases and defensive efficiency in the West. And in terms of prospects, they are stacked.
In addition to 1B Wenceslas Jasmin (1st overall pick in 1938-39) and CF Brian Ilderton (12th overall pick in 1938-39), they have a Top-10 (organizational ranking) prospect at every position waiting in the wings except at the catcher position.
They also have the top 2B in the ULB in Brian Main (.300/.363/.454, 16 HR, 143 RBI, 85 R, 71 BB, 12 SB, 4.8 WAR) as well as SS Colin Strudwick (.318/.343/.463, 4 HR, 68 RBI, 71 R, 20 BB, 16 SB, 2.9 WAR), a 3rd overall selection in 1937-38. Strudwick also enjoyed a 29-game hitting streak that ended on the next to last game of the season. It was the longest hitting streak of the season.



Oddity: Brian Main finished with 143 RBI this season, the most of any player. But because 94 of them came when he played in the Eastern League with Stratford, and the remaining 49 came after he joined Pulberry in the West, he is absent from the top of either League leaderboard.

Top Position Player- Season: SS Colin Strudwick led the Trolleys in a host of offensive categories this season, but was sub-par on defense (-2.0 ZR). Hence, the accolade goes to CF Rio Gidley (.267/.361/.388, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 64 R, 73 BB, 18 SB, 3.7 WAR), who had a down year compared to last season, but led the team in WAR and was outstanding again in CF (+13.7 ZR).

Top Pitcher-Season: None of these choices are appealing, so I’ll hold my nose and select SP Bailey Keedwell (10-17, 4.92 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 2.3 WAR).

Top Performance –Position Player: None made the Top 25.

Top Performance –Pitcher: None made the Top 25.

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Someday, all this losing is bound to pay off. The Hespeler Stars’ finished dead last in the ULB again and will receive the first overall selection in next season’s amateur draft. If their pick will be anything like this season’s, then the Stars’ future will be bright.
CF Vic Weetman who, as mentioned before, has yet to play a game in the minors, continues to blossom with the big club. In his first partial season, Weetman went .267/.314/.393, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 62 R, 27 BB, 15 SB, 3.1 WAR. March was by far his best month, as he batted .323/.385/.452.

Top Position Player- Season: 24-year old LF Steven Winstanley was Hespeler’s top player, batting .284/.342/.478, 17 HR, 88 RBI, 74 R, 46 BB, 3.9 WAR.

Top Pitcher-Season: He’s not a young one, but 41-year old SP Michael Wilberfoss was the pitching ace for the Stars, as he went 14-17, 3.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 5.1 WAR.

Top Performance –Position Player: 25-year old 1B Erwin Deang (.258/.311/.393, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 42 R, 25 BB, -0.3 WAR) enjoyed an outstanding game at the plate against the Sherburn Tigers back on March 15. Deang went 2-3, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB (Score: 102). Hespeler won 11-0.

Top Performance –Pitcher: Back on December 5, SP Brendon De san miguel (4-2, 3.42 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 1.1 WAR) went 9.0 IP, 1 HA, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K in a game against the Balmoral Giants (Score: 85).

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1940 Eastern League Pennant Series

Braeland City Monarchs (96-58) vs. Wellington Athletics (93-61)
Season Matchup: 10-5 in favour of Wellington

Braeland City: Runs scored – 857 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 668 (2nd in EL).
Wellington: Runs scored – 767 (6th in EL); runs allowed – 642 (1st in EL).

The usual pomp and ceremony that accompanies the beginning of the United Leagues playoffs each season was heighted even more as the nation’s capital, Braeland City, joined in the festivities for the first time.
Among the nearly 27,000 fans in attendance at King’s Park for Game 1, was the immediate Royal Family including His Royal Highness, King William. The King threw out the first pitch to officially kick off the 1940 Eastern League Pennant series between the Braeland City Monarchs and the Wellington Athletics.
The showdown between two teams that won +90 games in the regular season was expected to be a heated battle; but in the end, it took just the minimum 4 games to determine the Eastern League Champions.

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Game 1
Wellington 2 – Braeland City 8



The Monarchs got straight to work in the bottom half of the opening inning. Four singles and a ground out gave Braeland City a 3-0 lead after one inning.
After Wellington pushed a run across in the top of the 4th inning, Braeland City responded with 3 more runs in the bottom half. Jay Atwood and Marcus Mundord led off with back-to-back walks and scored on Trevor Bolen’s triple. Bolen scored on Finlay Ridd’s sac fly and the Monarchs led 6-1 after four.
Braeland City added two more runs in the bottom of the 8th, off of two singles, a sac bunt and an error.
Wellington’s CF Reece Liddell hit a two-out solo home run in the 9th but that’s all the Athletics could muster and the Monarchs took the first game handily.

Player of the Game: Monarchs’ SP David Cooling went the distance, scattering 8 H with 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR (1-0, 2.00 ERA).
SP Clyde Boney took the loss, going 6.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (0-1, 9.00 ERA).

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Game 2
Wellington 5 – Braeland City 6



It was Wellington’s turn to do some damage off the hop. Alejandro Valdés led off the game with a single, followed by walks issued to Natsume Matsumoto and Bob Boynton to load the bases. With two out, Dylan Watkins singled to score Valdés and Matsumoto and the Athletics led 2-0 after 1 inning.
Wellington added a run in the top of the 4th. Dylan Watkins led off with a double and came in to score after back-to-back ground outs by Phil Keeling and Colin Blyth.

But Braeland City would not remain quiet for long. In the bottom half of the 4th inning, Jay Atwood reached base with a 1-out triple. On a full-count, Marcus Mundford then tagged SP Soren Heinke with a two-run homer to right field, bringing the Monarchs to within a run.

But Wellington responded in the 6th. After loading the bases on two singles and a hit batsman, Colin Blyth hit a 2-run double, making the score 5-2 Athletics.

It remained that way until the bottom the 9th inning. Marcus Mundford led off with walk and advanced to second on a ground out. After Finlay Ridd walked, Munford came in the score on an error that allowed Adam Ashley to reach first base safely. Louie Hetherington then followed with a single, scoring both Ridd and Ashley to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the 11th inning. Louie Hetherington reached second with one out. After a ground out by Kane Broom, RP Samuel Hollier singled in Hetherington for the winning run.

Player of the Game: 1B Marcus Mundford of the Monarchs went 2-4, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

Both starters got no-decisions. SP Jin-man Kim of Braeland City went 9.0 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 5.00 ERA.
SP Soren Heinke went 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 2.57 ERA.

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Game 3
Braeland City 6 – Wellington 5



The series switched to Wellington for Game 3.
In the bottom of the first, Alejandro Valdés led off with a single and reached third base on a throwing error on his steal attempt of second. Valdés came in to score on a Natsume Matsumoto ground out.
The Monarchs took the lead in the top of the 2nd inning when 3 doubles scored two runs.
Braeland City added a third run in the top of the 4th on back-to-back doubles by Jay Atwood and Marcus Mundford.
Braeland City made it 5-1 in the top of the 5th inning, thanks to a leadoff double, a walk, a throwing error and a fielder’s choice that scored two more runs.

After scratching out a run in the bottom the fifth inning, Wellington would get to within one in the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back singles by Garry Biggin and Alejandro Valdés was immediately followed by a Charles Halse double, scoring both Biggin and Valdés.
Braeland City and Wellington exchanged runs in the 8th inning. The Athletics, however, went 1-2-3 in the 9th to fall 3 games to none in the series.

Player of the Game: Monarchs’ SP Lenny Freke went 9.0 IP, allowing 10 H with 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (1-0, 3.00 ERA).
SP Derek Cawley suffered the loss, going 6.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 K (0-1, 5.40 ERA).

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Game 4
Braeland City 6 – Wellington 2



The game began with a pitching duel, as Clyde Boney and David Cooling exchanged zeros for the first 3.5 innings, allowing only three batters to reach first base.
Wellington got on the board first in the bottom of the 4th inning.
The Athletics loaded the bases on a single, an error and an intentional walk. But SP Clyde Boney foiled that strategy when he singled in Byron Tope, making it 1-0 Wellington.

The wheels fell apart for the Athletics in the 5th inning, however.
Dwayne Hollinshead hit a one-out single and reached second on a ground out. After Marcus Mundford was intentionally walked, SP David Cooling singled. A throwing error by CF Reece Liddle on the same play allowed Hollinshead to come home and tie the game. After Trevor Bolen was intentionally walked to load the bases, Finlay Ridd doubled, scoring Mundford, Cooling and Bolen. Braeland City now led 4-1 after five.

Wellington would score an additional run in the bottom half of the 5th, but that was all they could muster. The Monarchs would add some insurance in the 8th inning, when Louie Hetherington led off with a walk and came in to score on Jay Atwood’s two-out triple. Marcus Mundford then followed with a single to drive in Atwood.

Wellington went down in order in the bottom of the 9th inning, and the Braeland City Monarchs won the right to represent the Eastern League in the United Cup in an impressive four game sweep.

Player of the Game: Braeland City’s SP David Cooling went the distance once again, allowing 9 H with 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (2-0, 1.50 ERA).
SP Clyde Boney got hung with the loss again, going 8.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (0-2, 7.71 ERA).

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1940 Western League Pennant Series

Cambria Cannons (99-55) vs. Kingston Pelicans (85-69)
Season Matchup: 11-4 in favour of Cambria

Cambria: Runs scored – 886 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 688 (1st in WL).
Kingston: Runs scored – 875 (2nd in WL); runs allowed – 738 (2nd in WL).

The much anticipated Western League Pennant Series opened at Cambria’s Alexander Field, with nearly 24,700 boisterous fans ready for the ‘Battle of the West’ to finally get underway between the top two teams in the League.

Kingston comes into this series as the two-time defending United Cup Champions and has the swagger that goes along with it. But the Cannons of today are a far cry from the team of last season, who were rather awestricken at the prospect of facing the formidable Pelicans in the playoffs. Not anymore. Cambria is no longer intimated, and proved that by taking 11 of 15 games in their matchups against the Pelicans this season.

But in a short series, anything can happen. Will Cambria crumble under the swagger, or is there truly a new sheriff in town? One thing is for certain, it would be a memorable series.

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Game 1
Kingston 6 – Cambria 7



Kingston got right down to business as Mo Symes led off the game with a triple and scored on an Andrew Jensen sac fly, giving the Pelicans a 1-0 lead.

Cambria responded in the bottom of the 2nd. Kenneth Logan led off with a first-pitch single and reached third when Hyun-jung Moon immediately followed with a first-pitch double. Glen Yeend drove them both home with a one-out single to make it 2-1 Cambria. Al Tucker made it 3-1 when he singled in Yeend.

In the top of the 3rd inning, the Pelicans loaded the bases thanks to an Okura Ito single, a throwing error allowing Fergus Chitty to reach first base safely and a walk to Chong-sik Lee. Jayden Tennant then followed with a two-run single to tie the game at 3-runs apiece.

Cambria regained the lead in the bottom half of the 3rd when 3 consecutive singles by Ron Westmacott, Kenneth Logan and Hyun-jung Moon drove in a run.

But Kingston would get the equalizer in the top of the 5th, when Okura Ito, Fergus Chitty and Jayden Tennant all hit singles themselves. Ito came in to score, but Chitty was thrown out at third base on the same play to end the inning.

Three consecutive singles by Bradley Dodson, Al Tucker and Keane Fysh in the bottom of the 6th drove in a run, giving the Cannons a 5-4 lead.

Kingston retook the lead in the top of the 7th. After Mo Symes led off the inning with a first-pitch double, Okura Ito followed with a 2-run home run with one out. Kingston now led 6-5.

Cambria managed to tie the game in the 8th. Al Tucker hit a one-out double and reached third when Keane Fysh followed him with a single. Tucker came in to score on a sac fly by Joe Olver.

The game remained tied at 6 runs apiece until the bottom of the 13th inning. Back-to-back singles by Joe Olver and Ron Westmacott and a walk to Kenneth Logan loaded the bases for Cambria. With two outs, RP Sergio Valdés batted for himself. But a throwing error by Kingston’s Bob Kight (E4) allowed Valdés to reach base safely and drive in Olver for the winning run. Cambria took the first game in a hard fought battle.

Player of the Game: SS Okura Ito of the Pelicans went 4-6, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R.

Both starters got no-decisions. SP Bradley Dodson of Cambria went 7.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 4.70 ERA.
SP Brady Murdy went 10.0 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 5.40 ERA.

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Game 2
Kingston 6 – Cambria 12



Cambria wasted no time in getting on the board. In the bottom half of the 1st inning, Al Tucker led off with a solo home run, off of SP Francis Slocock. Cambria added a second run to make it 2-0 Cannons.
Kingston scored their first run in the top of the 3rd inning, off an error and a double.

Cambria opened the floodgates in the 5th. After loading the bases through an error (E8), a single and a walk, Kenneth Logan doubled in two runs. Hyun-jung Moon followed with a single, driving in one. Aidan Smerdon then doubled to drive in Kenneth Logan. That made it 6-1 Cambria.

The Cannons were not done, however. Following a pitching change, Keane Fysh drew a walk with the bases loaded. Joe Olver singled to score Smerdon. Finally, Ron Westmacott tripled, driving in 3 more runs. When it was all said and done, Cambria led 11-1 after 5 innings. Cambria added another run in the 7th to make it 12-1.

But Kingston would not take it lying down. In the 8th inning, Okura Ito, Fergus Chitty and Chong-sik Lee led off with two singles and a double respectively, driving in a run. Following a pitching change, Bob Kight singled to drive in another run. Then C Ellis Oram sent RP Sergio Valdés’ first pitch into the right field bleachers for a three-run homer, making it 12-6 Cambria. The Cannons were able to keep the Pelicans off the board after that though and took the second game of the series.

Player of the Game: CF Joe Olver of the Cannons went 4-5, with 1 RBI, 2 R.

Noteworthy: Cambria’s 1B Keane Fysh set a WL playoff game record for runs with 4.

Cambria’s Neil Guerin got the win, going 7.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 3.68 ERA.
SP Francis Slocock got hung with the loss, going 4.2 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 15.43 ERA.

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Game 3
Cambria 2 – Kingston 5



After two tough losses in Cambria, the Pelicans were only too happy to return to the confines of Kingston Park and their 27,000 fans that were ready to cheer them back into the series.

Kingston’s SP Darwin Monday responded to the support by pitching a solid game and contributing offensively. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Soshu Shimizu led off with a double and reached third on a ground out. Darwin Monday then doubled to score Shimizu for the game’s first run.

Kingston added to their lead in the 6th. After Mo Symes led off with a single, Jayden Tennant immediately followed with a two-run shot off of SP Owen Tautor. Tautor was stung again when Okura Ito singled and was immediately followed by Fergus Chitty, who tagged Tautor with a two–run shot of his own. Kingston now led 5-0 after 6.

Cambria finally got on the board in the 7th. Kenneth Logan got the first run with a one-out solo shot to left field. Back-to-back singles by Aidan Smerdon and Glen Yeend followed and Smerdon later came into to score on a wild pitch. That would be all the scoring for Cambria and the Pelicans picked up their first win of the series.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Darwin Monday went 8.1 IP, allowing 6 H with 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 1 K, I HR (1-0, 2.16 ERA).
SP Owen Tautor took the loss, going 6.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 2 HR (0-1, 7.50 ERA).

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Game 4
Cambria 10 – Kingston 4



The Cannons got back to work in Game 4. After reaching base on an error (E4), Keane Fysh scored on Joe Olver’s double. Cambria followed with two singles and a double to score 3 more runs, and the Cannons led 4-0 after 1.

Cambria made it 5-0 in the 3rd off of two singles and a sac fly.

In the 4th, doubles by Fergus Chitty and Bob Kight scored Kingston’s first run. The Pelicans would add a second run in the 5th, thanks to Andrew Jensen’s solo shot to right field.

Cambria would break it open in the 6th. An error (E4), followed by three consecutive singles drove in 3 runs to make it 8-2 Cannons.

Kingston would get a run back in the bottom of the 6th, but Cambria added two more in the top of the 9th, off of three singles and sac fly.

The Pelicans would add a final run in the bottom of the 9th, but Cambria prevailed to take a 3 games to one lead in the series.

Player of the Game: Cambria’s SP Bradley Dodson won the honours, as he went 8.0 IP, 8 H 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (1-0, 3.45 ERA).
SP Brady Murdy took the loss, going 5.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (0-1, 4.02 ERA).

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Game 5
Cambria 3 – Kingston 4



Game 5 began as a pitcher’s duel as Cambria’s Neil Guerin and Kingston’s Francis Slocock exchanged zeros for the first 4 innings. Cambria struck first in the top of the 5th. Hyun-jung Moon led off with a triple and scored on a ground out to give Cambria a 1-0 lead.

Kingston responded in the bottom half. After loading the bases thanks to a single, an error (E1) and a walk, Andrew Jensen grounded out to score the Pelicans’ first run. Okura Ito followed with a triple to score two more and Kingston led 3-1 after 5.

A solo shot by Hyun-jung Moon in the 7th got Cambria to within one. The Cannons tied it up in the 8th when Ron Westmacott tripled in Keane Fysh who had reached base on an error (E4).

For the second time in the series, a game went into extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th, the Pelicans loaded the bases with one out, thanks to a single, an error (E5) and an intentional walk. PH Devon Sechrist then singled to score the winning run and kept Kingston’s playoff hopes alive.

Player of the Game: Kingtson SP Francis Slocock took the honours, as he went 7.0 IP, 6 H 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (0-1, 7.71 ERA). He did not get the decision, however.
SP Neil Guerin went 8.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (1-0, 1.76 ERA).

Noteworthy: Kingston’s RF Jayden Tennant was injured on a throwing play in the 8th inning. He is gone for 2-3 weeks.

--------

Game 6
Kingston 1 – Cambria 2



The series returned to Cambria’s Alexander Field with a near capacity crowd of 24,400 on the edge of their seats as the game remained scoreless for the first 5 innings.

In the top of the 6th, Ellis Oram singled and reached second on a sac bunt by SP Darwin Monday. Mo Symes then doubled to score Oram and Kingston led 1-0.

Cambria would respond in the bottom half of the inning. With two out, Hyun-yung Moon walked and reached third on Aiden Smerdon’s double. Glen Yeend was given an intentional walk to load the bases. But SP Owen Tautor come through with a first-pitch single, scoring both Moon and Smerdon to give Cambria a 2-1 lead.

Kingston would not get on base again until the bottom of the 9th. Mo Symes singled with one out, but Andrew Jensen then grounded into a double play (4-6-3) to end the threat, the game and the series. Cambria is now the new Western League Champions.

Player of the Game: Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor was the hero in this game, as he went 8.0 IP, 6 H 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (1-1, 3.86 ERA), in addition to driving in the winning runs.
SP Darwin Monday pitched valiantly, but couldn’t get the run support. He took the loss, going 8.0 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (1-1, 2.20 ERA).


--------

[reds1]

And with that, I will be going off the grid for a week, as my wife and I are heading to the lake for some R&R.

So I'll not be able to play out the United Cup Series until I get back next Sunday.

[Izz]

The ole 'end-on-a-cliffhanger' trick!

[reds1]

1940 United Cup Championship

Cambria Cannons (99-55) vs. Braeland City Monarchs (96-58)
Season Matchup: 5-1 in favour of Cambria

Cambria: Runs scored – 886 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 688 (1st in WL)
Braeland City: Runs scored – 857 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 668 (2nd in EL)

--------

The Cambria Cannons and the Braeland City Monarchs finally kicked off the third annual United Cup Championship and for the first time, it needed the full seven games to determine a winner.

The Series opened up at Cambria’s Alexander Field and the 24,700 faithful let their presence be known early and often. But Braeland City was not intimidated; indeed, home field advantage was not much of a factor as the two teams battled back and forth throughout the series.

As exciting as the series was, it was not particularly well-played as the two teams combined for 25 errors.

--------

Game 1
Braeland City 4 – Cambria 8



Cambria drew first blood in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Keane Fysh led off with a double, reached third when Joe Olver followed with a single and came in to score on a groundout.

The Cannons broke it open in the 4th. Singles by Glen Yeend and Al Tucker put runners on the corners with two out. A single by Keane Fysh and a throwing error by CF Jay Atwood on the same play made it 3-0. Two further doubles and a single scored 3 more and it was 6-0 Cambria.

Braeland City got on the board in the top of the 5th. Two singles, a fielding error (E6) and a sac fly pushed two runs across and made the score 6-2 in favour of Cambria.

After Cambria scored an additional run in the bottom of the 7th, Braeland City made it interesting in the 8th. A lead-off double by Finlay Ridd and a subsequent single by Adam Ashley put runners on the corners with nobody out. An errant pick-off attempt (E1) allowed Ridd to score and Ashley to move to second.
A ground-out and sac fly allowed Ashley to come home and make it 7-4 Cannons.

In the bottom of the 8th, a lead-off triple by Ron Westmacott and a single by Kenneth Logan scored one more. The Monarchs put two runners on base in the 9th, but were unable to capitalize and Cambria took Game 1.

Player of the Game: 1B Keane Fysh of Cambria went 4-5, with 2-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R.

Cambria’s Neil Guerin got the win, going 8.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2-0, 1.88 ERA).
SP Lenny Freke took the loss, going 8.0 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1-1, 5.82 ERA).

--------

Game 2
Braeland City 4 – Cambria 3



Braeland City got down to business in the 1st inning. Jay Atwood led off with a double and came into score on an Adam Ashley single with one out.
After a fielder’s choice at 2B, SP Bradley Dodson then walked the next 3 batters to drive in another run and the Monarchs lead 2-0 after 1 inning.

Cambria responded in the 4th. With two out, Hyun-yung Moon singled and reached 2B on a throwing error (E9). Glen Yeend then doubled to score Cambria’s first run. Following an intentional walk to 2B John Mathis, SP Bradley Dodson singled to load the bases. Al Tucker then singled to score both Yeend and Mathis and the Cannons now led 3-2 after 4 innings.

Braeland City tied it up in the 6th with back-to-back singles, a fielder’s choice and a sac fly by SP David Cooling.

The Monarchs took the lead for good in the 8th. Marcus Mundford led off with a single and moved to second on a sac bunt by David Cooling. Following a pitching change, Finlay Ridd singled in Munford and Braeland City held on to tie the series up at a game apiece.

Player of the Game: Monarchs’ SP David Cooling went the distance, scattering 8 H with 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (3-0, 2.00 ERA).

SP Bradley Dodson suffered the loss, going 7.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 1 K (1-1, 3.86 ERA).

--------

Game 3
Cambria 4 – Braeland City 1



The United Cup moved to the nation`s capital, as nearly 27,000 packed Kings Park for Game 3.

Cambria spoiled the party beginning in the 2nd inning. Ron Westmacott led off with a first-pitch double. A single by Hyun-jung Moon, a triple by Aiden Smerdon and a single by Glen Yeend scored three quick runs and the Cannons were out in front.

Braeland City scored their lone run in the 5th, when Dwayne Hollinshead tripled with one out and scored on a sac fly by Marcus Mundford.

Cambria pushed a final run across in the top of the 9th off of two singles and a ground out.

Braeland City attempted a rally in the bottom of the 9th, but Cambria induced Louie Hetherington to ground into a double play and the Cannons took a 2-1 lead in the series.

Player of the Game: Cambria`s SP Owen Tautor was the star, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (2-1, 2.74 ERA).

SP Jin-man Kim also went the distance, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (0-1, 4.50 ERA).

--------

Game 4
Cambria 0 – Braeland City 1



Game 4 featured an outstanding pitching duel between Cambria`s Neil Guerin and Braeland City`s Lenny Freke.

Both teams had chances to score in the early innings, but three double plays (two by Braeland City, one by Cambria) snuffed each of them out.

The game`s only run came in the 6th. Louie Hetherington led off, reaching base on a dropped throw (E3). After reaching 3B via a single by Kane Broom and an intentional walk to Dwayne Hollinshead, Hetherington scored on a ground out by Marcus Mundford.

Cambria`s best chance to score came in the 7th. After issuing walks to Al Tucker, Keane Fysh and Ron Westmacott to load the bases with one out, SP Lenny Freke induced fly balls from Kenneth Logan and Hyun-jung Moon to end the threat and tie the series at 2 games apiece.

Player of the Game: Braeland City`s SP Lenny Freke won the pitching battle, going 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (2-1, 3.81 ERA).

SP Neil Guerin went 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2-1, 1.45 ERA).

--------

Game 5
Cambria 6 – Braeland City 3



After being shut-out the day before, the Cambria Cannons responded by getting on the board early in Game 5.

In the top of the 1st inning, Keane Fysh reached base safely on an error (E5) with one out. After Ron Westmacott walked with two out, Kenneth Logan singled to drive in Fysh for the game’s first run. Hyun-jung Moon then doubled to drive in Westmacott and the Cannons were up 2-0.

The Monarchs responded in the 5th. SP David Cooling led off with a first-pitch single and reached second when Jay Atwood walked. Cooling, however, was thrown out at 3B on Finlay Ridd’s unsuccessful sac bunt. But Adam Ashley immediately followed with a triple to drive in Atwood and Ridd. Louie Heatherington then scored Ashley on a ground out and the game was tied 3-3 after 5 innings.

But it would not stay tied for long. In the top of the 6th, Ron Westmacott led off with a single and reached 3B when Kenneth Logan followed with a double. With one out, Glen Yeend singled in Westmacott to break the tie. After fouling off 5 pitches, John Mathis hit a sac fly on the 8th pitch of the at-bat, scoring Logan to give the Cannons a 2-run lead.

Cambria would add another run in the 7th, when Keane Fysh took David Cooling yard with a solo shot to left-center. That was all the scoring they needed and the Cannons took a 3 games to 2 lead back to Cambria for Game 6.

Player of the Game: Cambria’s 3B Kenneth Logan went 3-3, with 2-2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB.

Noteworthy: Monarchs’ SS Adam Ashley hit 2-3B in the game, tying a playoff game record in the young league’s history.

SP Bradley Dodson got the win this time, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (2-1, 3.62 ERA).
Monarchs’ SP David Cooling suffered his first loss of the post-season, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR (3-1, 2.50 ERA).


--------

Game 6
Braeland City 6 – Cambria 0



Talk among fans was that the Cannons had the momentum and would wrap it up in Game 6, but Braeland City had other ideas.

Braeland City set the tone in the 1st inning, when singles by Jay Atwood and Finlay Ridd to lead off the game put runners on the corners. Atwood came in to score on a fielder’s choice and the Monarchs led 1-0.

In the 2nd inning, Scott Kessler led off with a single and reached third when Dwayne Hollinshead followed with a double. After Kessler scored on a ground-out, Jay Atwood doubled in Hollinshead and Braeland City increased their lead to 3-0 after 2.

Braeland City made it 5-0 in the 3rd inning. Adam Ashley led off with a triple and came in to score on Louie Hetherington’s sac fly.
With two out, Scott Kessler reached base safely on an error (E5). Dwayne Hollinshead then singled him home for the inning’s second run.

Jay Atwood put an exclamation mark on things with a lead-off solo home run in the 7th inning.

Cambria would load the bases in the 8th inning and put two on in the 9th, but came away empty each time. The Braeland City Monarchs took Game 6 to tie the series and set the stage for a Game 7.

Player of the Game: Braeland City’s SP Jin-man Kim got the better of Tautor this time, as he went 9.0 IP, 6 H,0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (1-1, 3.00 ERA).

SP Owen Tautor took the loss, going 8.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (2-2, 3.48 ERA).

--------

Game 7
Braeland City 3 – Cambria 7



Game 7 was played under rainy skies and endured delays in both the 3rd (22 minutes) and 6th (58 minutes) innings.

The Monarchs looked as though they were going to take this game in the early going. In the 1st inning, Finlay Ridd doubled with one out and reached 3B on a ground out. Louie Hetherington then singled him home for the game’s first run.

Cambria tied it up it up in the 2nd inning, when Ron Westmacott led off with a triple and scored on Hyun-jung Moon’s sac fly.

In the 3rd, Finlay Ridd led off with a single and reached second on an error (E7) on the same play. Ridd came in to score on Kane Broom’s double and the Monarchs retook the lead.
Another Cambria error led to Braeland City’s third run. In the 4th inning, Dwayne Hollinshead led off with a single and reached second on a fielding error (E9). SP Lenny Freke singled with one out to put runners on the corners. Hollinshead then scored on a fielder’s choice.

But then the Cannons finally found their firepower. In the bottom of the 4th, Joe Olver walked with one out. Ron Westmacott then singled to put runners on 1B and 2B. A Kenneth Logan single scored Olver. Hyun-jung Moon immediately followed with a triple, scoring both Westmacott and Logan. Moon then came in to score on Aiden Smerdon’s sac fly. Cambria now led 5-3 after 4 innings.

The score would remain 5-3 until the 8th inning. In the bottom half, Ron Westmacott led off with a double and came in to score when Kenneth Logan followed him with a single.
RP Quentin Teague then reached base safely on an error (E2), moving Logan up to 3B.
Finally, Logan came in to make it 7-3 Cambria on Glen Yeend’s sac fly.

In the top of the 9th inning, RP Quentin Teague would induce ground outs from both Finlay Ridd and Adam Ashley, before walking Louie Hetherington. But Kane Broom would ground out as well, ending the game and the series.

Player of the Game: Cambria’s LF Ron Westmacott went 3-4, with 1-2B, 1-3B, 3 R.

Cambria’s SP Neil Guerin picked up the win, going 6.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (3-1, 1.95 ERA).
Braeland City`s SP Lenny Freke took the loss, going 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (2-2, 4.50 ERA).

--------

[reds1]

[Bottom Of The Sixth]

25 combined errors????!!!

I don't know you were running a Single A League!

Sounds like it may be investigation time to look into a possible "Scandal"!

[Eugene Church]

reds1,

It is hard to improve on perfection... your United Leagues of Braeland is excellent in all respects... IMHO one of the all-time best Dynasties on this Forum.

This is not a criticism, just a personal opinion and observation. I really enjoy your excerpts from the fictional book that covers the history of Braeland. You really are a fine writer and great with dialogue. This element lifts you a little above the other great dynasties that I have enjoyed over the years. The Babe Ruth stories really got to me... the royal commission, the history timeline and the coverage of the royal family and civil war... I like the way you set the stage for World War II, too.

It is my suggestion to have the excerpts a little more frequently if your time permits. I know you can't do everything you want on a dynasty as it can consume your life totally if you try... instead of being a "labor of love", it can become tiring burden, if you don't watch it.

Keep up the great work... your content, graphics and presentation is flawless as it is... almost beyond perfection.

[Eugene Church]

I really love this excerpt... you made the Babe and the prince come alive to me... you made me feel I was right there in the sunshine at Yankee Stadium standing on the green grass of the diamond with the immoral Babe.

Tears came into my eyes that day I first read it... And those tears are back again today.

This is classic writing.

A Young Prince Meets a Sultan
April 1926

Despite being denied from playing with the neighbourhood children, William nevertheless was fascinated with the big league version of baseball as well. He would follow both the National and American Leagues with zeal, with such stars as Jimmie ‘The Beast’ Foxx, Lou ‘The Iron Horse’ Gehrig, and Walter ‘Big Train’ Johnson setting off his imagination as well as the imaginations of other baseball mad children. But above all the others, there was one player he idolized: George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth Jr., the man American journalists would dub ‘The Sultan of Swat’ for his hitting prowess. Years later, the King would recount with pride the experience of witnessing Babe Ruth play ball first at the Polo Grounds, and later, Yankee Stadium:

“Those were definitely heady days, as you had two great teams, the Giants and the Yankees, competing for centre stage at the Polo. But it really was no contest as the Yanks had the Babe and that’s all that mattered. Looking back, I can understand [New York Giants’ manager John] McGraw’s frustration, but Ruth was worth the price of admission alone.

“The first time I heard that sound of the ball making contact with his bat is something I will never forget. His sound was different, completely unique from anyone else’s.”

The occasion of attending his first ballgame at Yankee Stadium was due to another time-honoured ritual often observed by the rambunctious kids – skipping lessons to sneak into the ballpark. While William would quickly pay a stern price for that stunt, there was no denying him. William was hooked. The Queen Mom, understandably protective of her children, eventually grew tolerant of their fondness for baseball, at least when his schooling was over for the summer.

Meeting the Babe

In 1926, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, owner of the New York Yankees, invited William to meet his idol for the first time upon learning of the lad’s lineage and his reverence for the Babe. Walking out onto the green grass of expansive Yankee Stadium in the bright sunshine enthralled William. But it paled in comparison after the Colonel called out to a man leaning on his bat waiting his turn at batting practice.

“Hello Babe, I have someone who would like to meet you.”

Turning around, the man looked down upon his young admirer, who was now standing completely in his shadow.
]
”Hey kid, how you doin’?”

The lad, rendered speechless, could all but shake the Babe’s outreached hand.

“What’s the matter son - cat got your tongue?”

The broad smile on Ruth’s face put William at ease and he finally found the words.

“Would you teach me how to hit a baseball like you?”

Ruth laughed. “Sure kid. Here, let me show you how to hold a bat.”

It would be the beginning of a friendship that would last to this day. The Prince would continue to meet his idol on numerous other occasions, learning the finer elements of hitting and how to wait for a pitch. His Highness recalled another experience he had with the Babe later that same summer:

“I was swinging the bat back and forth trying to apply what the Babe was teaching me while he relaxed on the grass.

“Keep your feet square son, and bend those elbows”, he implored. “Keep them close to the body. You gotta watch for those inside pitches.”

Looking out towards the pitcher’s mound, I made the mistake of thinking out loud.

“It must be easy to be a pitcher. All you do is wind up and throw.”

“Easy?” Ruth exclaimed, “That just goes to show how little you know about baseball!”

“Why, have you tried it?” I asked.

The immediate laughs from the other players within earshot made me realize that I had just stuck my other foot in my mouth. Needless to say, that little session quickly became a pitching clinic. As the rest of the team lined up to watch him take to the mound, my awe of the Babe only grew.

“There’s nothing he can’t do!” I said to myself.””

As pleasant as it was for the young royal family in America, home was never far away for the Queen Mother. For the first time in years, the news from Braeland sounded hopeful. Unrest over the oppressive regime was spreading throughout the island. The Resistance was successfully turning the tide, and clamour for a return of the monarchy was becoming more vocal. In anticipation of their eventual return, William would now be groomed in preparation for assuming the Brunswick throne. While his personal contact with the Babe would become less frequent, his education and training would not deter him from following Ruth and his Yankees. In time, Ruth himself would pay William a visit, although under much different circumstances.

Excerpt taken from the forthcoming book At The Wall: How Baseball Saved A Nation, by Paul Shirley, senior sports editor of the Brunswick Courier. Reprinted with permission.

[reds1]

1939-40 ULB Awards

Eastern League Awards



Babe Ruth Award

Runners-ups for the award this season were both Brunswick Legends players:

LF Mark Elston (.354/.484/.646, 26 HR, 96 RBI, 6.2 WAR) and
RF Rolvison Valdevieso (.398/.426/.586, 20 HR, 105 RBI, 6.3 WAR).

Notes:

Embro’s CF Terence Durney led the Eastern League in Runs (129), SLG (.591) and WAR (8.9).

Valdevieso led the League in hits (239), AVG (.398) and OPS (1.012).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Queensland’s Katsunan Chikafuji
1938-39: Embro’s Paul Hooks

--------

Satchel Paige Award

Runners-ups for the award this season was Wellington’s SP Clyde Boney (23-5, 2.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 7.2 WAR) and Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (16-11, 2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.8 WAR).

Notes:

Braeland City’s Freke led the Eastern League in ERA (2.22), GS (35), IP (299.2), WHIP (1.06), HR/9 (0.1), BB/9 (1.6) and WAR (9.9).

Boney led the League in wins (23), K (146), K/9 (4.9) and BABIP (.253).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Embro’s Colm Soper
1938-39: Stratford’s Justin Hayhurst

--------

Rookie of the Year Award

Runners-ups for the award this season was Wellington’s RF Phil Keeling (.313/.353/.529, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 1.4 WAR) and Stratford’s 3B Terry Maxwell (.277/.355/.391, 4 HR, 62 RBI, 1.9 WAR).

Previous Winner:

1938-39: Braeland City’s Adam Ashley

--------

Western League Awards



Babe Ruth Award

Runners-ups for the award this season was Kingston’s SS Okura Ito (.370/.405/.540, 15 HR, 117 RBI, 8.0 WAR) and Cambria’s LF Ron Westmacott (.311/.408/.599, 16 HR, 99 RBI, 6.6 WAR).

Notes:

Kingston’s RF Jayden Tennant led the Western League in HR (34) and RBI (125)

Ito led the League in hits (237), AVG (.370) and WAR (8.0).

Westmacott led the League in triples (30), SLG (.599) and OPS (1.007).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Kingston’s Fergus Chitty
1938-39: Kingston’s Fergus Chitty

--------

Satchel Paige Award

Runners-ups for the award this season was Cambria’s SP Neil Guerin (20-8, 3.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 7.0 WAR) and Fort Richmond’s SP Oscar Burruss (19-7, 3.19 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 5.4 WAR).

Notes:

Kingston’s Brady Murdy led the Western League in wins (21), GS (35), IP (284.2), K (139) and WAR (8.9).

Guerin led the League in ERA (3.13), WHIP (1.18) and BB/9 (1.4).

Burress tied for the League lead in GS (35).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Cambria’s Neil Guerin
1938-39: Kingston’s Brady Murdy

--------

Rookie of the Year Award

Runners-ups for the award this season were a couple of Stevens:

Hespeler’s LF Steven Winstanley (.284/.342/.478, 17 HR, 88 RBI, 3.9 WAR) and
Fort Richmond’s SS Steven Wormleighton (.283/.323/.357, 3 HR, 50 RBI, 3.6 WAR).

Note:

Wormleighton led the Western League in AB (669) and SB (30).

Previous Winner:

1938-39: Wolseley’s Aaron Flanagan

--------

[reds1]

Originally Posted by Bottom Of The Sixth

25 combined errors????!!!

I don't know you were running a Single A League!

Sounds like it may be investigation time to look into a possible "Scandal"!

Yeah, 25 errors in 7 games. At least the first batter in Game 1 wasn't hit by a pitch to tip off gamblers that a fix was on though. I just hope future United Cups don't come close to breaking that record.

It reminded me of what I read about the 1917 World Series. The White Sox and NY Giants combined for 23 errors in 6 games; 12 for Chicago, 11 for New York. Game 5 saw 9 errors committed alone; 6 of them by the White Sox .

It was described at the time as the "worst played series in the history of the annual classic."

[reds1]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

reds1,

It is hard to improve on perfection... your United Leagues of Braeland is excellent in all respects... IMHO one of the all-time best Dynasties on this Forum.

This is not a criticism, just a personal opinion and observation. I really enjoy your excerpts from the fictional book that covers the history of Braeland. You really are a fine writer and great with dialogue. This element lifts you a little above the other great dynasties that I have enjoyed over the years. The Babe Ruth stories really got to me... the royal commission, the history timeline and the coverage of the royal family and civil war... I like the way you set the stage for World War II, too.

It is my suggestion to have the excerpts a little more frequently if your time permits. I know you can't do everything you want on a dynasty as it can consume your life totally if you try... instead of being a "labor of love", it can become tiring burden, if you don't watch it.

Keep up the great work... your content, graphics and presentation is flawless as it is... almost beyond perfection.

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Eugene! You never know how you're writing is going to be received until you post it somewhere, so I'm really gratified that at least someone doesn't think it stinks.

I'm a such a slow writer - those short stories relating to Babe Ruth were written almost 7 years ago and just languished as I just couldn't tie all the loose ends together - until I realized I could summarize everything in a timeline and finally get on with my league.

I have really thought about adding a chapter or two to the story of the king, but I just haven't received the 'inspiration' yet. I've also written myself into a dead end I guess since I was really focusing on the lead up to the start of the leagues. And now that has happened, I don't know how to pick it up or where to lead it.

I have kept WW2 developments in mind as far as how it will affect the league itself. I don't want to go overboard, but I can't see how Japanese-born players will remain unaffected with the Empire of Japan becoming a belligerent in 1941. The players would face some tough choices about either staying in Braeland or returning to their homeland. I would like to reflect that in the league as it progresses, but without any marginalization in Braeland society.

Thanks again, Eugene, for your kinds words. It's truly humbling to receive words like that from the master!

[Bottom Of The Sixth]

Eugene beat me too it as I have been thinking the same thing.

I would have guessed that you had been a sports writer at one time or another, maybe as far back as your high school days.

Your story lines are top-notch and the title leads are just like what you would read in the Chicago Sun-Times, which sure makes your "stories" that much more believable.

It is a very enjoyable read!

I can't wait to see what happens when the League Front Office finds out that there is more than one Chicago "Black Sox" player playing in the United Leagues of Braeland using alias names!

Hope you can keep up that great work, without getting burnt out!

[reds1]

1939-40 ULB Top Fielder Awards



---------

[reds1]

[thirdsaint]

Loved reading this. How did you get the Champions group picture though? Or did you do that yourself? Love all the graphics in here.

[reds1]

Originally Posted by thirdsaint

Loved reading this. How did you get the Champions group picture though? Or did you do that yourself? Love all the graphics in here.

Thanks, thirdsaint!

Yes, I clip the players from the team photo in photoshop and then put in my own team layout. I got that idea from some of the old-timey team montages I came across that included managers and coaches, in addition to the players.

[reds1]

A Legend Returns
July 1940

Leaning over the ship’s railing, the passenger flicked the ash from his cigar into the turbulent waters below. Afforded a rare occasion where his ever-present wife was not tending to him, the man retired to a lonely spot along the promenade deck to enjoy a contraband havana, one he had stowed away in the inner lining of his coat pocket.

Having watched the port town of Honolulu slowly recede from view, the man closed his eyes, lost in thought, allowing the South Pacific sun to warm his face. Suddenly, the silence was broken.

“To hell with ‘em!”, he heard himself holler. The man opened his eyes and stood erect, surprising himself at his sudden outburst. He looked around to make sure he wasn’t overheard.

But he now realized that any misgivings he had of leaving America were gone. He was going to pursue his dream one way or another, and if the baseball barons stateside were going to shut him out, he’d simply take his business elsewhere. One way or another, he was going to get his chance.

Just then, he heard his name being called by someone just around the corner.

“George? George? Oh, where is that man?”

He quickly took one last puff from his cigar and tossed it overboard just as his wife came into view.

“George – there you are! What on earth are you doing out here?”

“Just enjoying the sea air, my pet.”

His wife leaned into him and took a big whiff. “Is that tobacco smoke I smell? George, how could you? You know how I feel about them.”

“Now don’t get yourself all riled up – I just had the one. Besides, this is a long trip. A man is entitled to one now and again, ain’t he?”

“But they’ll be the death of you, I swear!”

“Oh, now don’t worry, yourself, Claire. I’ll get the better of them before they ever get the better of me! But what’s with all the ruckus? What’s the panic?”

“There’s some gentlemen on board that would like to meet you. They say they have some important matters to discuss. You need to get dressed and meet them straight away.”

“Meet them? What important matters? The only important matter I want to discuss is the return to our cabin and chow down! I’m starving! And dress up? Who are these people anyway?”

“Now, George, you’ll find out soon enough. They’re very important people and they’ve invited us to dine with them in the private banquet hall. The sooner we get going, the sooner we can eat and find out what this is all about. Now come on, George – they’re waiting!”

Following a frantic visit to their suite to freshen up, they made their way to the banquet hall. With his wife pulling him by the hand, George reluctantly followed, but stopped just short.

“Wait, wait – I haven’t finished doing up my tie! Why do I have to wear one of these things anyway?”

His wife neatly fixed his tie, kissed him gently on the cheek and looked at him with a knowing smile on her face.

“You’ll thank me later.”

Reaching their destination, attendants on either side opened the doors on their behalf. Stepping into the opulent room, George looked around to see guests formally dressed seated around a large elongated dining table. He recognized none of them until his eyes lighted upon a young man seated at the far end. A man he had not laid eyes on in nearly five years.

Upon seeing him enter the room, the young man’s face lit up. He immediately jumped up from the table and raised his champagne glass with an exuberance that startled the others who had been in quiet conversation.

“Hello, Babe! Remember me?”

Ruth beamed at seeing his old friend. “William! What the devil are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting to see you until we arrived in Braeland!”

William rushed over to greet his idol with a hearty handshake and hug. “You know me; I couldn’t wait that long and so we sailed to Hawaii to meet up with you half way. It’s so good to see you again! Hello Claire – thank you for keeping it a surprise for me!”

One of the guests, startled at Mr. Ruth’s informality, leaned over and whispered into the ear of Alexander Louden, the King’s Private Secretary. “He calls him ‘William’?”

“He calls him ‘kid’, too”, added Louden, as the guest looked on in disbelief.

For a moment, the two began to reminisce while the guests stood in awkward silence. Finally, a beautiful young woman approached and gently tugged on the King’s arm.

“William dear, perhaps you should introduce them to the rest of your guests?”

The King, having returned to the present, turned around and realized that all eyes were upon him.

“Why yes, of course. Thank you, Lily. How foolish of me. My friends, allow me to introduce to you Mr. George Ruth and his wife Claire. They are our honored guests for this evening.”

“We do apologize for our tardiness, your Majesty”, replied Claire as she and her husband were shown to their seats at the dining table.

“No apology necessary, Mrs. Ruth”, the King countered, as he and his fiancée returned to their places. “It is I who should apologize, for springing this last minute engagement upon you. And I know how all of you must be famished, so I will make my remarks brief. We can dine and then following which, we can tend to the business at hand.”

“I have had the privilege of knowing Babe Ruth personally for nearly 15 years and I cannot tell you how excited I am at the prospect of him joining our ‘United League’ family. And so I propose a toast: To Babe Ruth, the greatest ballplayer who ever lived and the greatest friend a person could ever hope to have. May you meet with every success as you embark on your new adventure in Braeland.”

“Thank you, your High–er, your Majesty”, responded Ruth, as his wife nudged him in the ribs, correcting him.

The slight faux pas drew a hearty laugh from William while the other guests followed suit. As the Chief Steward commenced the serving of the meal, Lily’s curiosity got the best of her.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ruth. William has told me so much about you, but he hasn’t actually informed me as to the nature of your visit to Braeland.”

“Oh, haven’t I dear?” interjected the King. “You must forgive me. The Babe will be the new field manager for the Brunswick Legends this coming season.”

“Really? Oh, how splendid. I know you will really enjoy it here in Braeland,” Lily continued. “Have you done much managing before in America?”

A look of horror swept across William’s face and an awkward silence descended upon the dining party, but Ruth was unfazed. Indeed, he seemed relish the opportunity to respond.

“No I have not, and it is a fair question to ask why”, answered Ruth, while holding his champagne coupe up as it was being filled. “Ah, thank you”, Ruth replied to the waiter, as he took a big gulp of his champagne.

Ruth continued.

“I believe the American owners are afraid; afraid of being proved wrong. They have this silly notion of me not having the capability of managing a team simply based on personal habits and conduct. But if anyone should know how to handle players on a team, it should be one who has been there, in the trenches and gone through all the ups and downs, both on the field and in personal life. And believe me; I have experienced all of that first hand.”

“Rogers Hornsby, Pie Traynor, Frankie Frisch – all of them big names; and all of them have managed and managed successfully without needing time in the minors. I’m just asking for my fair shot, and I am grateful to the Brunswick Legends and their owner, Mr. Reomel Buesa, for giving me that opportunity.”

“Hear, hear” and “well put” responded the dining party following Ruth’s comments.

“And we’re so very pleased to have you as our manager, Mr. Ruth,” replied Legend’s owner, Reomel Buesa, as he raised his glass in his honor. “Once we conclude this fine meal, I propose that we follow through on the King’s suggestion and retire to the Captain’s Quarters to make everything official.”

The parties involved did indeed make it official following the sumptuous meal, as representatives from the team and League met with the Babe to sign off on the contract and issue the official press release, announcing that none other than the immortal Babe Ruth had signed on to manage the Brunswick Legends for the upcoming 1940-41 season.

--------

After the evening’s unexpected flurry of activity, Ruth was eager to retire to his cabin and unwind. But as he had done earlier in the day, the Babe found himself once again along the promenade deck alone. Ruth, pleased with the day’s developments, watched as the light from the full moon danced over the restless waves below.

“Beautiful evening, isn’t it sir?” asked a voice that seemingly came from out of nowhere.

Ruth turned to address the stranger. “It sure – William! What on earth are you doing out here?”

“I knew you were a night owl, so I figured you’d still be up”, replied William, as he turned down the collar of his sport jacket that he had used to try and conceal his identity. “It’s not every day that I get a chance to spend time with my good friend.”

The two men leaned forward against the railing and remained silent for a few moments.

Finally William spoke up. “Are you happy with how things turned out?”

“Very”, replied Ruth. “Managing is something I’ve always wanted to do, and now I’m getting my chance. And I have you to thank for that.”

“It’s the least I could do. Besides, this just might be step that’s needed to get that manager’s job back in the States.”

Ruth looked up at William, who had a knowing smile on his face. Ruth smiled as well, and returned to looking out over the waves in silence.

“Here, I have something for you.” William pulled a couple of cigars out of his coat pocket and gave one to the Babe. “I didn’t know you smoked, kid”, replied a surprised Ruth.

“Just on very special occasions; and this is a very special occasion.” William pulled out a lighter and lit the Babe’s cigar, before doing the same for himself. “Just don’t tell Lily, OK?”

Ruth looked at his friend with a wide grin on his face and took a puff from his cigar.

“You’ve got my word, kid; you’ve got my word.”

[thirdsaint]

Originally Posted by reds1

Thanks, thirdsaint!

Yes, I clip the players from the team photo in photoshop and then put in my own team layout. I got that idea from some of the old-timey team montages I came across that included managers and coaches, in addition to the players.

Awesome idea, wish it was part of the game! Will definitely be following this league from here on out.