Team Leaders Batting average: Mike Schmidt, .418
Slugging percentage: Rogers Hornsby, .559
Runs scored: Tris Speaker, 10
RBI: Schmidt, Hornsby; 11 each
Homeruns: Hornsby, 3
Doubles: Schmidt, 4
Stolen bases: Honus Wagner, 12 (led league)
ERA (starters): Urban Shocker, 1.13 (led league)
H/IP (Min. 4 IP): Carl Hubbell, Bob Lemon; 1.00 each
Saves: Lemon, 3
Strikeouts: Shocker, 31 (led league)
W-L: Shocker, Hubbell; 3-1 each
Synopsis The Powers started 9-1 then coasted to their 2nd straight
regular season title, and their 3rd in the last four years.
They have made the playoffs ever year since J. Karas took
over this year. The suprise of the year was Shocker, who
led the league in strikeouts and ERA among starters in his
rookie season. But Shocker's 3-1 record was bested by the
Chips' Steve Carlton (3-0). With those and other great players,
the Season 12 World Series promises to be very competitive.
The Powers went 9-1 during the first half of the season; the
Chips went 8-2 during the second half.
In the Series, something will have to give.
Team Leaders Batting average: Ty Cobb, .446 (T-batting title)
Slugging percentage: Stan Musial, .482
Runs scored: Cobb, 15 (led league)
RBI: Musial, 23 (HBWRL record)
Homeruns: Three tied with 2
Doubles: Gabby Hartnett, 5
Stolen bases: Cobb, 10
ERA (starters): Steve Carlton, 1.47
H/IP (Min. 4 IP): Goose Gossage, 0.86
Saves: Gossage, Wes Ferrell; 2 each
Strikeouts: Sandy Koufax, 27
W-L: Carlton, 3-0
Synopsis The Chips made an improbable run to the HBWRL playoffs with an
eight game winning streak after a 4-7 start. That streak tied
a regular season record. In addition, the Chips blew 3-0 leads
and lost by one run or in extra innings in both their first and
last games of the season. Had they won even one of those two
games, they would have been the regular season champions, despite
a 9-1 start by the Powers. The Chips will be formidable World
Series opponents for the Powers, and should again be formidable next year.
Team Leaders Batting average: Joe Sewell, .412
Slugging percentage: Edd Roush, .506
Runs scored: Three tied with 12
RBI: Roush, Richie Allen; 13 each
Homeruns: Roush, 3
Doubles: Roush, Babe Ruth; 3 each
Stolen bases: Eddie Collins, 8
ERA (starters): Eddie Plank, 2.08
H/IP (Min. 4 IP): Bob Feller, 1.00
Saves: Rube Marquard, 3
Strikeouts: Plank, 29
W-L: Rube Waddell, Greg Maddux; 3-0 each
Synopsis Despite sporting the league's most prolific offense and going 10-5
in their last 15 games, it was a disappointing season for the defending
champion Reps. They are the first team in HBWRL history to lead the
league in batting average and have a team ERA under 3.00, yet fail to
make the playoffs. The Reps never totally overcame a 1-4 start, and could
not beat the streaking Chips in two decisive games down the stretch.
Despite the addition of two expansion teams, the Reps' winning percentage
actually fell from last year (.556 to .550). Each of the other incumbent
teams improved. Kevin C. not pleased.
Team Leaders Batting average: Jackie Robinson, .446 (T-batting title)
Slugging percentage: Ken Griffey, Jr., .605 (HBWRL Season 12 MVP)
Runs scored: Paul Molitor, J. Robinson; 14 each
RBI: Mickey Mantle, J. Robinson; 11 each
Homeruns: Griffey, 3
Doubles: Griffey, 7 (T-HBWRL record)
Stolen bases: Molitor, 5
ERA (starters): Walter Johnson, 2.38
H/IP (Min. 4 IP): Roger Clemens, 0.78
Saves: Luis Tiant, 2
Strikeouts: Cy Young, 28
W-L: Jim Palmer, 2-0
Synopsis Clearly the biggest surprise of the season, Burke had a winning record
as an expansion team and finished just one game out of the playoffs.
A prolific offense tied for the league lead in runs scored and homeruns,
and led the league in slugging percentage. Burke got good pitching at
the beginning and end of the season, but was victimized by a pitching
slump during the season's "dog days" (no pun intended). Burke should
contend next year.
Team Leaders Batting average: Albert Belle, .412
Slugging percentage: Belle, .588
Runs scored: Belle, 13
RBI: Wade Boggs, 15
Homeruns: Belle, Boggs; 3 each
Doubles: Belle, 6
Stolen bases: Nap Lajoie, 1
ERA (starters): Whitey Ford, 2.48
H/IP (Min. 4 IP): Lefty Grove, 0.21
Saves: Grove, Carl Mays; 1 each
Strikeouts: Ford, 24
W-L: Eppa Rixey, 2-0
Synopsis A solid year of improvement for Red Dawgs GM Jak Myers in his 2nd
HBWRL season. The Dawgs went from 5-13 (.278) to 9-11 (.450), thanks
mostly to modern players like Boggs and Belle. The Dawgs offense was
impressive, tying for the league lead with 86 runs scored. Inconsistent
pitching victimized the Dawgs-they finished in the lower half of the
league in almost every pitching/defensive category. The Dawgs should
contend next year if they can combine solid pitching with Season 12's
offense. The Dawgs started and ended the season with two wins, but went
5-11 in the other 16 games.
Team Leaders Batting average: Eddie Mathews, .368
Slugging percentage: Bill Dickey, .440
Runs scored: Three tied with 7
RBI: Dickey, 8
Homeruns: George Sisler, Dickey; 1 each
Triples: Sisler, 1
Doubles: Three tied with 3
Stolen bases: Sisler, Dickey; 1 each
Synopsis The Titans and their expansion brethren, the Burke Upper-Deckers,
were each 4-6 at the All-Star Break. While Burke ended with a
playoff surge to finish 11-9, the Titans didn't win another game,
and ended the season at 4-16, riding a record 12 game losing streak.
It was the anatomy of a slump, as the Titans got hitting when there
was no pitching, and vice versa. Still, the 4-16 mark is not
horrible-or even unexpected-for an expansion team, and the Titans
should improve next year.