Continental Baseball Federation OOTP 22 8-tier promotion/relegation sim: 1950-onward

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In the Second League, Columbus finished with the best record at 115-47, winning the Midwestern Division by 13 games over Windsor and 16 over Louisville. Milwaukee will be relegated for the second straight season, as the Brewers were 56-106, 10 games worse than eighth place Winnipeg.

In the EMC East, Staten Island finished 17-10 in September to hold onto the top spot at 104-58, giving them back-to-back promotions. The Squids outlasted solid seasons from Buffalo (99-63), Pittsburg (97-65), and Richmond (94-68). Ottawa had the worst mark by far in the entire 2L at 38-124.

San Juan held onto their Southern Division lead, also securing back-to-back promotions. The Jaguars become the first Caribbean team to be promoted to the First League, as the Puerto Rican capital outlasted the Dominican Republic’s Santo Domingo (94-68). Jacksonville was third at 89-73, an impressive turnaround since they were on the brink of relegation last season. Tampa avoided back-to-back relegation despite a terrible 56-106 year, as Fort Worth was worse. The Cats closed September 5-22 to take last at 50-112.

Edmonton had the best record in the conference with a 107-55 record atop the Western Division. Seven teams in the division finished above .500 with Juarex and Tijuana tied for second at 95-67, Colorado Spring at 92-70, and Honolulu at 90-72. The Los Angeles Angels at 56-106 get dropped for the second straight season.



In the Third League, both Worcester and Providence continued to play great in September, allowing the Walleye to hold onto the lead they entered the month with. Worcester gets promoted with the best 3L record of 117-45, while the second best record goes to the Pilgrims at 112-50, who are stuck in the 3L. Jersey City ends up demoted at 61-101, almost escaping relegation though as they got within one game of Hartford (62-100).

A 20-7 finish for Lexington and an 11-16 slump for Des Moines allowed the Lions to take off to win the Midwest at 106-56. The Ducks ended up a distant second at 94-68 despite entering the last month only three back. Dayton (53-109) ends up demoted after Madison played around .500 late. Saint Paul had an abysmal end, only finishing one better than the Dragons despite a 8.5 game gap entering September.

St. Petersburg closed 20-7 while Raleigh ended 16-12, giving the Pilots the top spot in the Southern Division at 111-51, earning promotion in back-to-back seasons. The Robins were 106-56 and Arlington a strong 101-61. Oklahoma City firmly was relegated at 51-111, two consecutive falls for them.

Boise also earned back-to-back promotions as the Brown Bears maintained their slim lead over Salt Lake. Boise finished 110-52, the Bees at 107-55, and Tucson at 101-61, a 27 game improvement for the Toros. Las Vegas is dumped for back-to-back years at 40-122, although Anchorage tried to get relegated with a terrible 44-118. Alas, the Gamblers were worse.



Over to the Fourth League, Albany finished strong to hold off four other 90+ win teams in the Eastern Division, taking first at 106-56. Yonkers was next at 99-63 in a great 4L debut, one better than New Haven (98-64). Gary held onto their lead over Ann Arbor to earn back-to-back promotion, the Guardians were 103-59 while the Axemen were 99-63.

In the other conference, Augusta’s lead shrank a bit but was plenty big to take the Southern Division at 100-62, improving 27 games from the prior year. Tallahassee was 25 better to take second at 93-69 with newcomer Amarillo right behind at 92-70. Irvine closed on a seven-game win streak and 9-1 final 10 games to beat Spokane for the Western Division title. At 109-53, the Inferno are moving up for the second straight year, while the Sabercats stay in the 4L despite the 105-57 mark.

The bottom four weren’t in doubt as Fresno, Greensboro, Lincoln, and Norfolk were all last place by a mile. All four are relegated in back-to-back years, hoping that a turnaround is possible in the Fifth League.



The Springfield (MA) Storm entered September with a 3.5 game lead in the Fifth League East and despite playing just below .500, they managed to hold first at 100-62. Portland made up 4.5 games but fell one short in second at 99-63. Charleston (97-65), Burlington (96-66), Poughkeepsie (95-67), and Scranton (94-68) all had a shot, but none could make enough of a run late. Eight of nine teams in the East had a winning record with Halifax (40-122) easily demoted yet again. The Springfield (IL) Showboats had the best record in the entire 5L at 116-46 to win the Midwest. Fargo at 6-21 in September had the worst finish and ended up demoted at 58-104, falling from seventh to ninth behind Duluth (61-101) and Springfield (MO) (60-102).

The South Division came down to the wire. Plano faded, but Cape Coral, Fayetteville, and Jackson all had an equal shot late. The Fire went 10-1 in their final 11, while the Crocs went 9-2, including a key series win over the Jazz. Cape Coral and Fayetteville finished tied at 98-64 with Jackson at 97-65. In a one-game playoff for the division title and promotion, the Crocs were 11-3 home winners. Winston-Salem was demoted for the second straight year at 42-120.



The Fifth League had all be last place Reno (36-126) within 6.5 games of first entering September. Fort Collins and Riverside pulled away from the pack with the Crusaders finishing 18-9 and the Rascals going 17-9. Riverside went ahead entering the final series, but won only one of three against Regina, while Fort Collins closed with a sweep of the Red Wolves, giving the Crusaders the rub at 92-70 and the Rascals at 91-71.



The West-South Conference in the Sixth League also had dramatic ends. In the West, three teams finished within two games of first. Santa Maria went 20-8 in September, Chandler went 19-9, and Boulder went 17-10. Salem went 20-7, but had a three game hold entering the month, while San Bernardino fell off. The Sharks went 10-3 to close, including 2-1 in the last series against the Bighorns, while the Swordfish and Chargers split their final four game series. The final tally in that mess? Santa Maria first at 101-61, Chandler second at 100-62, and Salem and Boulder both at 99-63. Saskatoon was the clear last place for a second straight drop.

The South was also tight, although less confusing with two teams as Lafayette tried to chase down Santiago. The Lazers ended on a five-game win streak, including taking two of three from the Sea Lions. But Santiago swept Greenville in their last series to hold on by one game at 100-62 to Lafayette’s 99-63. Four teams entered September in danger of relegation, but Gainesville’s abysmal 3-23 final month sealed their fate downward for back-to-back campaigns.



The East wasn’t interesting at Manchester easily took it 101-61 and Newfoundland a distance last at 42-120. In the Midwest, Rockford and Bloomington were tied with 10 to go, but a 7-3 finish for the Rockets and 2-8 one for the Blue Claws propelled Rockford to first at 96-66. Overland Park was just a little worse than London, dropping the Predators with a 60-102 season.


The Seventh League East came down to the last series with Moncton at Niagara Falls with the Muskies up by one game. Moncton would sweep the Fisherman to finish first at 101-61, while NF ends tied with Sherbrooke for second at 97-65. Willkes-Barre and York tied for last at 49-113, but even with the Blackhawks’ nine-game losing streak to end the year, they avoid demotion thanks to an 8-2 record against the Yellowbirds. Huntington held firm at 99-63 in the Midwest, 25 games better than last year, while Youngstown is relegated yet again. Same for Durham and Modesto in the WSC, although the good news is you can’t get relegated any lower.

Port St. Lucie maintained a five-game lead to win the South at 100-62. Mexicali matched pace with Santa Fe in the West, giving the Monkeys first at 105-57 over the 102-60 Sundevils.



Lakewood, Springdale, and Bend all held onto their leads in the Eighth League to win their divisions and earn promotion. The Midwest was a mess that ended with Bowling Green and Champaign tied at 87-75, one better than Livonia and two over Carmel. In the tiebreaker game, the Hot Rods went ahead in the eighth inning to win 9-6 and earn promotion.



Abbotsford avoided back-to-back El Stinko status as newly demoted Ogden was the worst team in all of baseball at 46-116. A minus -451 run differential.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1951 Promotion and Relegation

First League
Promoted To: Staten Island Squids, Columbus Redbirds, San Juan Jaguars, Edmonton Elephants
Relegated From: Washington Senators, Kansas City Athletics, San Antonio Missions, Seattle Rainiers

Second League
Promoted To: Worcester Walleye, Lexington Lions, St. Petersburg Pilots, Boise Brown Bears
Relegated From: Ottawa Otters, Milwaukee Brewers, Fort Worth Cats, Los Angeles Angels

Third League
Promoted To: Albany Capitals, Gary Guardians, Augusta Greenjackets, Irvine Inferno
Relegated From: Jersey City Jackrabbits, Dayton Dragons, Oklahoma City Osprey, Las Vegas Gamblers

Fourth League
Promoted To: Springfield (MA) Storm, Springfield (IL) Showboats, Cape Coral Crocs, Fort Collins Crusaders
Relegated From: Norfolk Tides, Lincoln Lightning, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Fresno Grizzlies

Fifth League
Promoted To: Manchester Malamutes, Rockford Rockets, Santiago Sea Lions, Santa Maria Sharks
Relegated From: Halifax Huskies, Fargo Foresters, Winston-Salem Dash, Reno Red Wolves

Sixth League
Promoted To: Moncton Muskies, Huntington Highlanders, Port St. Lucie Palms, Mexicali Monkeys
Relegated From: Newfoundland Northerns, Overland Park Predators, Gainesville Gray Sox, Saskatoon Sting

Seventh League
Promoted To: Lakewood Lakers, Bowling Green Hot Rods, Springdale Snappers, Bend Bulldogs
Relegated From: York Yellowbirds, Youngstown Terriers, Durham Bulls, Modesto Nuts


In the Second League playoffs, Columbus swept Staten Island in the conference final while Edmonton and San Juan went the distance. The home team all seven, giving the edge to the Elephants. The Redbirds kept rolling though with a sweep in the 2L Final, giving them a total record plus playoffs of 123-47.



Lexington and Worcester traded wins as their Third League Conference final went seven games, with the Lions taking a game seven pitcher’s duel 2-1. Boise defeated St. Petersburg 4-2, then the Brown Bears bested Lexington 4-1 to bring the 3L title to Idaho.



In the Fourth League, Albany rallied from a 3-2 series hole to defeat Gary 4-2 in game seven of the EMC Final. Irvine defeated Augusta in six, making the Inferno the first team to play in the championship at two different levels. Last year’s 5L champ ended up the 1951 4L runner-up with the Capitals taking it in seven.



The Battle of the Springfields went to the Massachusetts-based Storm, upsetting the Illinois-based Showboats in six. Fort Collins won over Cape Coral in six, but would fall to the Storm in five for the Fifth League title.



Manchester rallied from a 3-2 deficit to win in seven games over Rockford in the Sixth League EMC final. Santa Maria swept Santiago, then went the distance with the Malamutes. The home team won all seven games, giving the edge to Manchester in the 6L finale.



Moncton swept Huntington, while Port St. Lucie edged Mexicali in seven, taking game seven south of the border 7-4. After dropping the first two games of the Seventh League Championship, the Palms won four straight to claim the title over the Muskies.



The Eighth League conference finals had Lakewood sweep Bowling Green and Bend upset top-ranked Springdale in five. The Lakers defeated the Bulldogs in five for the 8L title.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

In the opening round of the First League playoffs, the #2 finishing team in a division meets the #3 finisher in their conference's other division in a "best-of-five." However, the higher seed gets a one-game advantage and hosts throughout, so it's effectively a four game series where the home team must win twice and the visitor must win three.

The 1951 playoffs opened with the #3 seeds winning the opening game in three of the four series. In the West-South Conference, Portland upset Miami 7-1 in game one and in a rematch of last year's first round, Dallas bested San Francisco 8-5. In the East-Midwest Conference, Chicago upset Brooklyn 6-2. The exception was in Detroit, where the Tigers held off Boston 9-8 in game one. Detroit eliminated the Red Sox in game two witn a 7-3 win, led by 10-strikeout, seven inning start with one run allowed by Kerry Mason.

Brooklyn bounced back with a 9-7 game two win over the Cubs thanks to an eight-run fourth inning. The Dodgers eliminated Chicago in game three with a 9-8 10-inning win. In the 10th, Joe Fuchs drew a leadoff walk, got bunted to second, and then brought in a walkoff RBI double by Barney Puente. This set up second round matchups with Brooklyn at Cleveland and Detroit at the New York Yankees.

San Francisco evened the series with Dallas in a 5-3 game two final with a quality start by A.C. Callahan and save by Marcos Santos. In game three, Santos again closed the door with two innings of scoreless relief for an 8-7 win, advancing the Seals to play at Mexico City in the second round, also a rematch from 1950.

Portland took game two at Miami 2-0 on a complete game shutout by Pitcher of the Year hopeful Beau Mitchell, allowing six hits with six strikeouts. The Makos avoided elimination with a 5-3 game three win, forcing a winner-take-all in Miami. The Makos survived, taking an early 4-0 lead in game four and holding on to win 4-3. This advanced them to face Phoenix in the second round.



The second round is a true best-of-five, but the division winners host throughout. San Francisco at Mexico City is a rematch with the Seals upsetting Los Diablos 3-1 last year before ultimately being the World Series runner-up. Not wanting to start behind, Mexico City uncorked with a seven-run fourth inning against A.C. Callahan en route to a 9-3 game one win. Diablos ace P.J. Fernandez had a complete game quality start.

In game two, the Seals jumped to a 6-0 lead and held on to win 8-5 and even the series. In game three, San Fran's Archie Fox, despite a rough regular season 5.42 ERA, stepped up to allow one run over seven innings in a 5-2 win. With Fernandez back on the mound, los Diablos bounced back to win game four 9-3 on another complete game outing.

Mexico City went ahead 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh in game five against relief, but the Seals matched with five runs on five hits in the top of the eighth. Santos came in with his fourth scoreless save of the postseason in the final two innings to push San Francisco to a 6-4 win, taking the series in five and putting the Seals in the conference final over the Southern Division champion Diablos in back-to-back seasons.

In the adjacent series, Miami rallied late on an Ivan Morales two run homer in the eighth to beat Phoenix 8-6. Game two went 10 innings and the Makos scored a run in the top of the 10th to go ahead 6-5. The Firebirds avoided falling behind 2-0 in the series though, as Avery Bender narrowly hit a two-run walkoff homer down the left field line to win it for Phoenix 7-6. The left field pole in Phoenix is 325 feet; Bender's homer went 331.

The Firebirds reclaimed the series advantage with a 6-0 game three victory. Starting pitcher Troy Stover tossed seven shutout innings with only three hits allowed, followed by two in clean relief by Jonathan Slade. But Miami would force a game five with an narrow 4-3 win in game four. Ivan Morales again was the difference maker, whacking a two-run go ahead dinger in the eighth.

In the winner-take-all game five in Phoenix, the Firebirds won 4-0 on a gem from Dilberto Hernandez. He tossed the complete game shutout on 115 pitches, allowing only three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Thus, Phoenix advances to the WSC final against their divisional foe San Francisco; who the Firebirds beat out by two games in the division standings and won the season series against 6-4.

Switching to the EMC, The New York Yankees fended off a late five-run ninth inning in game one to top the Tigers 9-7 to start the series. In game two, Detroit again had a five-run ninth inning, this time to tie the game at 8-8 and force extras. The Tigers went ahead in the top of the 10th on a sacrifice fly, but the Yankees' Angel Figgins had a two RBI walkoff single in the bottom half to give New York the 10-9 win and 2-0 series advantage.

The Tigers avoided the sweep with a 6-5 game three win, then picked up eight runs in the second inning of game four en route to a 14-5 rout, forcing the decisive game five at Yankee Stadium. In game four, Detroit lead-off man Woody Lido was 5-5 with five singles, three runs, two RBI, and a walk.

In game five, New York teed off on the Tigers with a six-run first inning, capped off with a three-run homer by #7 hitter Peter O'Connor. The Yankees finally got decent pitching as Connor Rottinghaus went 6.2 innings in the start with two allowed, followed by clean relief behind him. New York won game five 9-2 to advance to their first-ever conference final with home field advantage in the 2-3-2 series.

The bottom of Brooklyn's lineup brought them dividends as they took game one in an upset at Cleveland 8-6. In game two, the Dodgers got a quality start from Ashton Taylor and with that and Jacob Scott's three-run homer in the fifth, won 5-3 for the 2-0 series lead on the road.

The Spiders refused to be swept on their home diamond as Chuck Gonsalez tossed eight scoreless with two hits allowed and eight strikeouts in a 6-0 game three win for Cleveland.

Game four saw a 5-3 Cleveland lead after seven innings. In the eighth, Dodger slugger Angelo Baez hit a go-ahead three run homer. Two more runs followed for an 8-5 Brooklyn lead, which would hold as closer Carlos Huerta locked it down. Thus, the Dodgers upset the Spiders in four games to set up a Bronx versus Brooklyn conference final.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

The 1951 East-Midwest Conference championship would take place entirely in New York City with games one and two in the Bronx, three to five in Brooklyn, and six and seven if needed back at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees beat out the Dodgers by four games in the regular season for the Eastern Division title, but only won the season series 6-4.

In game one, Dodgers ace Ashton Taylor pitched a three-hit shutout against the top-ranked Yankee offense, striking out five with two walks on only 96 pitches, for a 5-0 road win to start the series. New York's offense bounced back with 11 hits in game two and got a quality start from Jeremiah Blaies in a 7-2 Yankee win, evening the series as they switched burroughs.

In game three, the Yankees were the road winners 7-1 with MVP candidate Africa Watson getting a homer and double with three RBI and a run. Connor Rottinghaus allowed one run over 6.2 innings with Bill Rouse pitching the remainder scoreless. Brookyln evened it back up with a 6-3 game four win on another quality start by Taylor, who moved to 4-0 with a 1.48 postseason ERA.

Game five was tied 4-4 heading into the eighth inning. In the top half, Kristof Baur put the Yankees ahead on a RBI single, then after back-to-back outs, Jack Parsons hit a two-run home run. New York won 7-4, taking two of three in Brooklyn and taking the 3-2 series lead back to the Bronx.

The Yankees had a 4-1 lead after the second in game six, but the Dodgers had tied it up at 4-4 after the sixth. It stayed 4-4 until the bottom of the ninth when catcher and #6 hitter Baur opened the inning with a leadoff singled. Elliott Lasster singled next, getting Baur to third in the process. Pinch hitter Stewie Borovsky, a bit-player in the regular season, battled back from a 0-2 count and knocked in Baur for the winning run on a RBI double. New York's 5-4 game six win punched their ticket to the 1951 World Series with #2 hitter Derek Scholz earning series MVP with seven runs scored.



Last season, San Francisco won the West-South Conference final without home-field advantage and they'd look to do that in 1951 against Phoenix. The Firebirds were two games better (102-60 vs 100-62) in the regular season, but only had a 6-4 edge in their divisional games.

In game one, the Seals went ahead 4-0 by the end of the fourth inning. The Firebirds got all of the runs back in the sixth to tie it, but Oliver Suarez's solo homer to lead off the eighth proved decisive. Marco Santos recorded his fifth scoreless save over the final two innings as San Francisco took game one 5-4 on the road.

Game two had far more offense with 15 Firebird hits and 16 Seals hits. However, Phoenix turned their hits into 15 runs while San Francisco managed only 8. #7 hitter Zachary Wallace had five RBI on three hits, including a three-run homer, as the Firebirds won 15-8 to even the series as it headed to the Bay.

Game three was an absolute mauling. San Francisco's Alrigo Hernandez was one out from a complete game shutout, but he didn't need to be great as the Seals won 16-0. But to their credit, Phoenix didn't fold for the series after that. Wallace's two-run double capped off a four-run sixth inning which was the difference in a 5-4 Firebirds win in game four, keeping the series even with one more to play in California.

After struggling earlier in the postseason, A.C. Calahan, who the Seals acquired from Oakland in a July trade, had a quality start in game five. He allowed two runs in 7.1 innings as San Francisco won 6-2. The Seals had the series lead 3-2, but would need to win one more in Arizona to return to the World Series.

Game six was a pitcher's duel with no runs in regulation. Phoenix's Dilberto Hernandez had only three hits allowed in nine shutout innings, while San Francisco's Alrigo Hernandez allowed two hits in eight shutout innings with Marco Santos tossing a scoreless ninth. In the top of the 10th, the Seals finally broke through against Dilberto as P.J. Ochoa got a two-out single, followed by a home run down the right field line by Dan Jolly. Jolly had only nine homers in the regular season, but found the power to put SF up 2-0. Santos closed out the bottom half, giving the 23-year old Puerto Rican closer 14 scoreless postseason innings in relief thus far, and the Seals claimed back-to-back conference championships.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

The New York Yankees had home field advantage for the 1951 World Series with their 107-55 record compared to San Francisco's 100-62. The Yankees and Seals actually met in inter-conference play. Back in May in the Bronx, the Yankees won 10-7 and 11-4 in a two-game series. In the return series in mid July in California, New York won game one 6-1, but lost game two 5-3.

Game one of the World Series went to the Yankees 7-3 as Jeremiah Blaies put together a quality start with three runs and eight hits allowed over 7.2 innings. New York got six runs and 12 hits against Seals starter A.C. Calahan, led by three hits and two RBI from leadoff man Jack Parsons and three hits with two runs for Steven Archambault.



San Francisco evened the series with a 7-2 game two road win. Archie Fox had 6.1 innings in the start with seven hits and two runs allowed, while Wilson Mildenberger pitched perfect relief after him. Six RBI came from the bottom two spots in the lineup, including four from #9 hitter Vito Reyes, including a three-run home run in the sixth.



Game three on a Saturday in the Bay Area went to San Francisco 8-5. The Seals had a 6-0 lead after the sixth inning, starting the festivities on a three-run first inning bomb by Connor Timmons. The Yankees began to chip back late, but Marco Santos came in for the final two
outs for his sixth save of the postseason.



Both starting pitchers struggled in game four, but the bullpen didn't fare better for the Yankees as the Seals were up 11-6 after the fourth inning and went on to win 15-7. Darwin Lara and E.J. Knudson in relief for the Seals gave up one run and six hits over 5.1 innings. The top six hitters each scored twice for San Francisco, giving the Seals a 3-1 series lead and a chance to clinch at home.



The Yankees were up 4-1 after the top of the fourth inning, but a solo homer by Dan Jolly and a two run shot that barely got out by Jonah Weber tied the game at 4-4 after four. Archie Fox wouldn't allow any more runs in his start for the Seals, finishing with 7.1 innings pitched, seven hits, four allowed.

In the bottom of the seventh, catcher P.J. Ochoa, who had seven homers in the regular season for San Francisco, sent one out to left to give the Seals a 5-4 lead. That would be the final tally, as Marco Santos came into record the final five outs. Santos picked up his seventh save in what was basically a perfect postseason for the 23-year old, allowing no runs and nine hits over 16.1 innings with 22 strikeouts. The 5-4 win gave the series to the Seals in five games, allowing them to forget the memories of losing the 1950 series to Philadelphia and give them a chance to celebrate the 1951 title at home.




Left fielder and #3 hitter Jonah Weber was named the World Series MVP for his part. He went 8-19 with two home runs and five RBI over the series.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Financial numbers from the 1951 season.



Here are the winners of the Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year.



Cleveland’s Emiliano Franco was the EMC’s Pitcher of the Year with the best ERA and record of the top candidates. Franco dominated the Seventh League in 1950 with Port St. Lucie, where he caught the attention of the Spiders who bought his contract in the offseason. Certainly a worthwhile investment, as the 27-year old Dominican righty signed a six-year extension worth over $600,000. His Cleveland teammate Keenan Williams was second in the voting with more innings and strikeouts, but far more walks and a weaker record.

The EMC’s MVP was unanimous for New York Yankees first baseman Steven Archambault, giving him back-to-back MVPs. He led the conference in batting average, hits, RBI, slugging, and OPS.

The WSC’s Pitcher of the Year was unanimous to Portland’s Beau Mitchell. The veteran righty had the most innings at 331.1 and proved the most reliable arm around.

The MVP race went to his Beavers teammate first baseman Heathcliff Brightwell, who led the conference in homers and slugging. This one was a tighter battle with Brightwell getting 16 first place voters. Mexico City second baseman Jonah Martin had the on-base and scoring numbers and defense, but the lack of power put him second. The well rounded Connor Timmons and Noah Leslie both got looks as well.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

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The most highly touted free agents in the 1951 off season were third baseman John Domec and outfielder Santiago Nero, both all-star level guys who opted out of contracts with Seattle after the Rainiers were relegated. Both guys would instantly provide a top level bat to whomever picked them. Former Rainier Declan Unkle, as well as Washington opt-outs Isaac Denham and Jess Peron were expected to be sought after hitters as well. Former Kansas City second baseman Cyril Turner was thought to maybe be the most well-rounded player in free agency with excellent defense as well, but his lingering concussion gives some teams pause.

Another Kansas City opt out, Ray Tamez, is thought of as the best starting pitcher out there, as the left has put up around 14 WAR in two years with the Athletics.

Domec ended up signing a seven-year, $1,724,000 deal with Mexico City. The $216,000 salary for 1952 makes him the second-highest paid for the season Toronto third baseman Logan Purdy’s one-year extension put him at $230,000 for the highest one-year salary to date. They signed him in April of last season and when healthy, he’s been great. The problem is the 33-year old has played only 109 games in the last two seasons.

Cleveland, who was a big spender last season, opened up the pocket book for Nero to the tune of eight years, $1,440,000 total. Tamex was signed by the Chicago Cubs for six-years and $1,250,000. The rest of the top signings are below.



The best players in baseball entering the 1952 campaign are below:

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

After a dud of a 1951, the 1950 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies started on top of the Eastern Division for the 1952 at 20-10 after the first month. In their second year in the First League, Baltimore sits second at 18-13, although many of the usual suspects are close behind. The free agent signing of Ray Tamez paid off early for the Chicago Cubs, as he posted 2.8 WAR in the first month to give Chicago the Midwestern Division lead at 23-7. Minneapolis, Cleveland, and Detroit are chasing early on.

The top three to start the year in the Southern Division is the same it has been, although newly promoted San Juan is in the mix early. In the West at 24-7, Phoenix has the best record entering May 1952, despite star second baseman Richard Azim missing most of the month with a thumb ligament tear. Defending World Champ San Francisco is third at 19-12, one back on the promoted Edmonton Elephants. Hollywood, who had the best overall record only two seasons ago, is at the bottom of the West to start the year at 10-20.



Notable in April, veteran arm Oliver Sawyer of Minneapolis tossed a no-hitter on April 3 at home against the New York Giants, allowing three walks and striking out five. In an offensive notable, Detroit slugger Marte Houston became the first player in CBF First League history to hit four home runs in a game. Houston did it on April 29 at Hollywood and also tied the 1L record of six runs scored in a game.



The big heartbreaking injury was to San Diego Padres ace Gunnar O’Connor, the leader in WAR in the conference the last two years. The 29-year old righty suffered a torn UCL in his second start, ending his season and putting his career in jeopardy.

Pittsburgh at 26-6 has the best overall Second League record a month in, although they have the challenge of the second and third best overall records behind them in Richmond and Buffalo. Louisville has a slight lead in the Midwest to start while Santo Domingo and Calgary hold leads in the WSC.



Gary at 26-6 leads the Third League overall through the first month.



In the Fourth League…



The Fifth League…



The Sixth League…



The Seventh League…



And the Eighth League…



Here are the college records halfway through the season. UTEP holds the #1 ranking in the AP Top 25, followed by Cal State Fullerton, Creighton, Dartmouth, and Maine. Rounding out the top 10 are Tennessee, Pittsburg, Virginia, San Jose State, and Minnesota. The finalists in the College World Series last season, Wyoming and Illinois, are both below the .500 mark entering May.