Baseball: The World's Game (OOTP 22 Fictional World)

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Three of the newcomers to the ABF repeated as playoff teams in 2000. Dushanbe and Bishkek tied for the top spot at 97-65 with first place officially going to the Dynamo. It was Dushanbe’s first time taking first since 1982. For the remaining two playoff spots, defending ABF champ Tashkent and Multan took them at 89-73. The Mighty Cocks had the tiebreaker to take third, while the Tomcats were eighth. Tashkent extended their playoff streak counting the EPB days to seven seasons. Rawalpindi and Peshawar both were one game short of the postseason at 88-74. Hyderabad’s seven-year postseason streak came to an end as they were seventh at 79-83.

East League MVP went to Rawalpindi first baseman Altaf Aslam. The 28-year old Pakistani lefty led in runs (104), home runs (69), RBI (127), total bases (380), slugging (.687), OPS (1.041), and wRC+ (214). Aslam’s 69 homers was tied for the second-most in ABF history. He also had 9.0 WAR in a contract year and would leave for MLB and Quebec City in the offseason on a four-year, $32,300,000 deal.

Pitcher of the Year was Bishkek veteran Procopie Lungu. The 36-year old Moldovan was in his third year with the Black Sox, after playing the prior 12 years with Almaty. It was Lungu’s second Pitcher of the Year, as he won all the way back in 1992 with the Assassins. He led in ERA (1.64), K/BB (9.6), quality starts (32), FIP- (61), and WAR (8.9). Lungu also had 345 strikeouts and an 18-9 record over 264 innings.

The favorites prevailed in the first round of the playoffs with Dushanbe sweeping Tashkent and Bishkek sweeping Multan. That ended the Tomcats’ hope for a fourth straight pennant. The Black Sox earned repeat East League Championship Series appearances, while the Dynamo hadn’t gotten this far since their 1981 EPB pennant. Dushanbe would claim the title 4-1 over Bishkek for their fourth-ever pennant (1958, 60, 81, 01).



The West League had the same four playoff teams as the prior year, albeit in different spots. Ankara was the top squad at 106-56, setting a franchise record. Reigning WL champ Isfahan finished second at 99-63, extending their playoff streak to seven years. The Imperials had 1924 strikeouts and an 11.77 K/9, both of which remain West League records as of 2037. Bursa took third at 96-66 to grow their own streak to five years, while Adana grabbed fourth at 88-74. Istanbul was the first team out in fifth at a distant 81-81.

For the third time in four years, MVP went to Adana’s Humayun Kahil. The 24-year old Pakistani left fielder was the WARlord (10.4) despite playing only 127 games. He also led in RBI (115), average (.346), slugging (.677), OPS (1.093), and wRC+ (225). Kahil had 44 home runs, falling one short of a Triple Crown.

Isfahan’s Yazeed Anwari won a historic sixth West League Pitcher of the Year. As of 2037, he’s one of only three ABF pitchers to win the award six times or more. The 28-year old Pakistani righty also prevailed despite injury, losing the final two months to elbow inflammation. Anwari led in ERA (1.76), K/BB (15.6), and FIP- (46). He added 7.9 WAR, 266 strikeouts, and an 18-4 record over 189.1 innings.

In the first round, #4 seed Adana stunned top seed Ankara 3-1, while #3 seed Bursa upset #2 Isfahan with a sweep. The Axemen earned their first WLCS since 1996, while the Blue Claws earned a third straight berth. Bursa battered Adana with a sweep to take their second West League pennant in three years.



In the 17^th Asian Baseball Federation Championship, Dushanbe beat Bursa 4-2, sending the ABF title to Tajikistan for the first time. It is the third ring overall for the Dynamo, who won the EPB title in both 1960 and 1981. In his Dushanbe debut, 1B Maksim Ignashevich won finals MVP. The 32-year old Russian signed a five-year, $18,400,000 deal after previously playing for Baku. In the playoffs, Ignashevich had 14 starts, 20 hits, 8 runs, 11 doubles, 4 home runs, and 8 RBI.



Other notes: Hasan Afshin became the first ABF pitcher to 3500 strikeouts.

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Ahmedabad’s Indian League again continued as the seven-time defending league champs broke their own wins record. The Animals finished 125-37 in 2001, topping their own 124-38 mark from 1995. That is one win shy of the SAB and world record of 126-36 by Ho Chi Minh City in 1993. Ahmedabad also extended its playoff streak to 17 seasons and its West Division title streak to 15.

Second in the division was 90-72 Mumbai, which earned them the wild card and their first-ever playoff berth. The Meteors entered the season as the only team in South Asia Baseball without at least one playoff appearance through SAB’s first 21 years. Jaipur cruised to the Central Division title at 97-65, getting their fifth playoff berth in six years. Kolkata, who won 95 games last year, fell off to 78-84. In a weak West Division, Visakhapatnam took it at 83-79, edging Chennai by one game. The Volts secured a fourth consecutive division title.

Indian League MVP was Jaipur 2B David Rusli in a record-setting campaign. The 28-year old became the second-ever SAB hitter to bat above .400 with his .4055 falling barely behind Arnav Sumedh’s .4057 from 1996. Rusli also stole 143 bases, which remains SAB’s all-time record as of 2037. At the time, it was the second most in any world league only behind Beisbol Sudamerica’s Pascal Garcia getting 152 in 1996. The 28-year old Thai switch hitter was only caught stealing 28 times, making for an truly all-time baserunning effort. On top of all that, he led the IL in runs (135), hits (234), OBP (.463), OPS (1.042), wRC+ (239), and WAR (13.3). Rusli’s effort was the fifth-most WAR by a SAB position player to that pint, especially remarkable with only 10 home runs (but 52 doubles).

Ahmedabad’s Gandhalata Green won Pitcher of the Year. The 30-year old got it despite only throwing 195 innings, winning amidst a quiet field. He did post a league-best 1.75 ERA and 0.86 WHIP to his credit. Green had a 16-3 record, 166 strikeouts, and 3.2 WAR. Green also tossed SAB’s sixth-ever perfect game on May 21, striking out eight against Hyderabad. Also of note, his Animals teammate Saroth Bora won his third Reliever of the Year. The 29-year old Cambodian tied SAB’s single-season saves record with 52, adding a 1.94 ERA over 97.2 innings, 178 strikeouts, and 3.8 WAR.

Mumbai took their divisional foe Ahmedabad to the brink in the first round of the playoffs, but the Animals escaped in five games. This meant for the 16^th consecutive season, Ahmedabad would play in the Indian League Championship Series. For the fourth time in six years, they would be facing Jaipur in the ILCS, as the Jokers edged Visakhapatnam 3-2. Ahmedabad won the ILCS 4-2 for an eighth consecutive pennant. They became the first team in any world league to win eight subleague titles in a row. The Animals became only the second team in world history to win 125+ games and also get to their championship, joining WAB’s Kano from the prior year. The other two teams to win that many lost in the first round (Ho Chi Minh City in 1993 & EBF’s Madrid in 1951).



Speaking of the Hedgehogs, the reigning SAB champs and winners of four straight Southeast Asia League titles continued their usual dominance. Ho Chi Minh City had SEAL’s best record at 115-47, rolling to a 13^th consecutive South Division title and 15^th straight playoff berth.

In the North Division, Yangon was first at 103-59, extending their own nice playoff streak to seven years. Hanoi was second at 92-70, easily getting the first wild card. The Hounds advanced for the sixth time in nine years. The second wild card spot was a mess that saw Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Kathmandu all tied at 82-80. SAB doesn’t use tiebreaking games and the formula favored the Bobcats. Bangkok got its fifth wild card in eight years.

Southeast Asia League MVP was Hanoi DH Htay Lay. The 25-year old Burmese lefty led in hits (187), RBI (141), total bases (407), slugging (.652), and wRC+ (179). Lay added 8.0 WAR, 58 home runs, and a .300 average. Although Vientiane had the worst record in the league, their ace Van Minh An won Pitcher of the Year. The 26-year old Vietnamese lefty was the WARlord (8.6) and leader in FIP- (59). An added a 15-11 record over 243.1 innings, 2.44 ERA, and 302 strikeouts.

The wild cards were quickly dispatched in the first round with Ho Chi Minh City sweeping Bangkok and Yangon sweeping Hanoi. This was the eighth successive Southeast Asia League Championship Series for the Hedgehogs. The Green Dragons hadn’t been that far since 1996 despite their playoff streak. Yangon pulled off the upset and denied the HCMC five-peat, winning the series 4-2. This was the fifth pennant for the Green Dragons (1980, 82, 83, 96, 01).



In the 22^nd South Asia Championship, all seven games were needed for the first time since 1995. Ahmedabad was denied becoming the first-ever champ in any world league with 125 wins or more, as Yangon pulled off the upset for its first-ever SAB title. The Animals were runner-up in back-to-back seasons. Leading Yangon was LF J.V. Munshi, who won finals MVP. The 27-year old had 27 hits, 16 runs, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 8 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 16 playoff starts.



Other notes: Reliever of the Year Saroth Bora had an all-time great postseason in defeat for Ahmedabad, posting 19.2 scoreless innings with six saves and 37 strikeouts. Van Loi Phung became the sixth to reach 500 career home runs and won his ninth Silver Slugger in center field. 3B Manju Abbas won his 12^th Gold Glove and won his eighth Silver Slugger. 2B Tirtha Upadhyaya won his seventh Silver Slugger.

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Defending West African Baseball champ Abidjan again finished with the top record in the Western League, going 100-62. The Athletes extended their playoff streak to four years and earned their ninth berth in a decade. Accra was second at 91-71 to earn repeat wild cards. Freetown’s playoff streak grew to six years, taking the third place slot at 88-74. The Foresters took the final wild card by only one game over Nouakchott, two over Cape Verde, and five over both Conakry and Kumasi.

Western League MVP went to Kumasi designated hitter Mo Reda in his second season as a full-time starter. The Egyptian lefty led in runs (118), home runs (48), RBI (156), total bases (412), slugging (.661), OPS (1.057), wRC+ (189), and WAR (8.7). Reda’s 156 RBI was a new single-season WAB record, which he himself would top two years later. Abidjan’s Antonio Akinyemi repeated as Pitcher of the Year, winning his third. The 32-year old Nigerian lefty led in ERA (2.50), posting a 14-3 record over 197.2 innings with 233 strikeouts and 5.0 WAR.

Freetown upset Accra 2-0 in the wild card round, sending the Foresters to their sixth straight Western League Championship Series appearance. Unfortunately for Freetown, they also lost in the WLCS for the sixth straight year. Abidjan won the rematch 3-1 for a third straight pennant and their seventh in a decade. The Athletes now have 11 WL titles in WAB’s 27 year history.



Last year, Kano had a record-setting 125-37 season, but lost in the WAB Championship. The four-time defending Eastern League champs yet again took first in the standings with the Condors at 105-57. Kano’s postseason streak grew to seven years. Cotonou was second at 95-67 for their second-ever playoff appearance (1987). Ibadan narrowly extended its 12-year playoff streak, the longest active one in WAB. The Iguanas took third at 90-72, edging Lome by one game and Niamey by seven.

Kano’s Darwin Morris won a historic seventh Eastern League MVP. He broke his own runs scored record of 146 from 1997, scoring 152 times for a new world record. This held as the top mark in WAB until 2024 and still sits second in WAB history. The 29-year old Liberian shortstop also led in total bases (417), triple slash (.365/.454/.739), OPS (1.193), wRC+ (215), and WAR (14.5). He added 47 home runs and 134 RBI and posted his fourth season worth 14+ WAR. As of 2037, Morris is the only position player in baseball history with four seasons worth 14+ WAR.

Kano also had the Pitcher of the Year Kennedy Chisanga. He joined the Condors in a trade with Lome in January. The 26-year old Zambian led in wins (20-7), ERA (2.77), and WHIP (1.01). Chisanga added 218 strikeouts over 227 innings with 5.0 WAR. He would cash in with a six-year, $14,780,000 free agent deal in the offseason with Cotonou.

Ibadan earned the road win 2-1 over Cotonou in the wild card round, giving the Iguanas their fourth consecutive appearance in the Eastern League Championship Series. They were again no match for Kano, as the Condors swept them in the ELCS to earn a fifth straight pennant. Kano has won the Eastern League crown nine times now.



For the third straight year, the West African Championship pitted Kano against Abidjan. The Condors won in 1999 to three-peat, then the Athletes stunned the 125-win Kano squad in 2000. In six games, the Condors defeated Abidjan for their fourth WAB title in five years. Kano now has seven WAB titles, second only to Lagos’ eight. 3B Arnaud Aho was finals MVP with the 33-year old Beninois getting 9 hits, 7 runs, 5 home runs, and 11 RBI in 9 starts.



Other notes: Douala’s Kely Ballard had a 35-game hit streak, setting a new WAB record that held until 2013. Jack Kidaii also had a 34-game hit streak in 2001, both passing the previous record of 33. 2B Fausto Pyagbara won his seventh Gold Glove. Finals MVP Arnaud Aho won his ninth Silver Slugger at 3B and Darwin Morris won his eighth at SS. 2B Hamza Seidu won his seventh Silver Slugger.

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The Chinese Northern League had a three-way tie for first at 92-70 between Tianjin, Beijing, and Harbin. No tiebreaker games were used as all three teams got playoff spots. The formula gave the Jackrabbits first place and the bye, while the Hellcats took second and the Bears third. Tianjin ended a playoff drought dating back to 1988. Beijing was back after missing the prior year, while Harbin returned to the playoffs after a two-year layoff. The last time each of those teams made the playoffs, they won it all. Jinan narrowly missed out, taking fourth at 90-72. Hangzhou was fifth at 85-77 and Shenyang was sixth at 84-78.

Shenyang CF Xirong Wang won his second Northern League MVP, leading in WAR at 10.7. The 28-year old added 185 wRC+ and 32 home runs. Pitcher of the Year was Beijing’s Rajit Khatiwada. The 26-year old Nepali lefty led in ERA (1.02), WHIP (0.67), K/BB (11.4), shutouts (7), FIP- (43), and WAR (10.9). Khatiwada also had 342 strikeouts and an 18-8 record over 265 innings. Also of note, Xi’an’s Chaing-Ho Yang won his third Reliever of the Year.



Wuhan was first in the Southern League at 95-67, earning their first playoff berth since 1993. Dongguan took second at 93-69 to end a two-year playoff drought. Defending CLB champ Guangzhou was the only playoff team from last year to make it back to the playoffs. The Gamecocks narrowly took third at 90-72, topping Foshan by one game and Kunming by three.

Dongguan 2B Chenglin Huang won his second Southern League MVP. In his final season in CLB, the 32-year old led in hits (183) and average (.310), while adding 7.5 WAR and 30 home runs. Huang would leave for MLB in the offseason on a five-year, $42,500,000 deal with Phoenix.

Foshan’s Jinlong Han became the first-ever five-time Pitcher of the Year winner in CLB. The 31-year old righty led in strikeouts (378), K/BB (13.5), FIP- (34), and WAR (12.3). Han also had a 17-10 record over 266.1 innings and 1.69 ERA. Han also cashed in with MLB money in the offseason, joining St. Louis on a six-year, $50,100,000 deal. As of 2037, he’s one of only three pitchers in Chinese League Baseball history to win POTY five times.

In the first round crossover games, both Northern League teams beat their Southern team counterparts. Both were sweeps with Beijing over Dongguan and Harbin over the reigning champ Guangzhou. SL top seed Wuhan downed Harbin 4-2 in their semifinal. Earning their second-ever trip to the China Series (1993). The other semi re-established the great postseason rivalry of the mid 1980s between the Bears and Tianjin. Beijing upset the Jackrabbits 4-2, sending them to the final for the second time in three years.



In the 32^nd China Series, Wuhan became a first-time champion, besting Beijing 4-1. The Wolverines became the 14^th different CLB franchise to win it all. Third-year 2B Zifeng Zhou was finals MVP, getting 8 hits, 7 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, and 6 RBI in 11 playoff starts.



Other notes; Xiamen was last in the Southern League at 61-101 and set an all-time CLB worst with only 326 runs scored. Qingdao’s Bryan Morris tossed CLB’s 30^th Perfect Game, striking out eight against Tianjin. Tao Yang became the fourth CLB slugger to 400 home runs. Yang also won his seventh Silver Slugger. Jinlong Han became the sixth to 3500 strikeouts. SS Chengxi Erpan won his eighth Gold Glove. 2B Chenglin Huang won his eighth Silver Slugger.

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Defending Austronesia Champion Kaohsiung took the Taiwan League for the third consecutive season. The Steelheads won it at 100-62, holding off respectable efforts by Tainan (91-71) and Taichung (90-72). Zamboanga repeated in a weak Philippine League field. 84-78 was enough for the Zebras to take first, edging Quezon by two games and Manila by six.

Repeating as Taiwan-Philippine Association MVP was Zamboanga CF Paolo Baptista. In only his third season, he led in WAR (10.8), wRC+ (193), total bases (300), slugging (.591), OPS (.921), and wRC+ (193). Baptista pulled it off despite missing three weeks to a fractured foot. The Zebras didn’t mess around with their young budding superstar, signing him to an eight-year, $31,340,000 extension in October.

Cebu’s Ninoy Lumar won his third consecutive Pitcher of the Year, leading in wins (18-11), innings (304.1), strikeouts (415), WHIP (0.73), K/BB (9.9), quality starts (28), complete games (10), shutouts (10), FIP- (51), and WAR (11.6). The 30-year old righty also had a 1.60 ERA, tying his career best. Lumar would have two more good years, but two torn rotator cuffs would end his career after his age 33 season. Also notable was Kaohsiung’s Bo-Kai Yen winning his third Reliever of the Year in only his fourth season. He led in saves at 43 and posted a career best 0.98 ERA over 100.2 innings with 179 strikeouts and 5.5 WAR.



Reigning Sundaland Association champ Medan repeated in the Malacca League at 99-63, taking the top spot by 11 games over Singapore. The Java League had a shakeup with Semarang first at 96-66. The Sliders hadn’t won the JL since their 1990 APB title season. Bandung was a close second at 93-69 with Surabaya at 87-75. Last year’s Java League winner Depok dropped to fourth at 83-79.

Sundaland Association MVP went to Surabaya 3B Gede Mamuaya. It was the second MVP for the 36-year old lefty, who had done it a decade earlier. He found the fountain of youth with a career season, leading the SA with career bests in runs (101), home runs (55), RBI (108), total bases (340), slugging (.622), OPS (.967), wRC+ (225), and WAR (12.2). Mamuaya also became a ten-time Silver Slugger winner.

Afiq Parker won his fourth consecutive Pitcher of the Year with another historic season. The 27-year old lefty for Medan led for the third straight year in ERA (1.10), strikeouts (431), FIP- (13), and WAR (16.0). He hit a career-best in ERA and WHIP and posted only the fifth-ever 16+ WAR season for an APB pitcher. In four seasons, Parker had posted a bonkers 60.9 WAR. He pitched 261.1 innings with a 22-5 record; two wins short of a third straight Triple Crown. Parker had a no-hitter (the third of his career) against Batam on May 23 with 18 strikeouts and one walk, as well as a 20 strikeout game in August versus Palembang. The Singaporean would see adversity shortly, suffering a torn rotator cuff in spring training 2002 that would knock him out 13 months.

In a Taiwan-Philippine Association Championship rematch, Zamboanga got revenge and upset Kaohsiung in six games. The Zebras entered the year as the only TPA team without at least one pennant, finally ending that unfortunate distinction. The Sundaland Association Championship was a seven game battle with Semarang ousting reigning champ Medan. It was the fifth pennant for the Sliders (1975, 80, 88, 90, 01).



The 37^th Austronesia Championship would be the first since 1986 to end in a sweep, as Semarang smacked Zamboanga. The Sliders became three-time APB champs with the win, having also won it all in 1975 and 1990. Backup 1B Ronald Yang was finals MVP. He only had two playoff starts and seven games, but he posted eight hits, 5 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, and 5 RBI.



Other notes: Batam’s Wisnu Mahmudiana had the 25^th APB perfect game on September 23, striking out 18 against Depok. He joined very elite company in baseball history as it was his second perfect game (1994). It was also Mahmudiana’s fourth no-hitter, becoming the third APB hitter with four or more no-nos. Mahmudiana also became the 12^th pitcher to 4000 career strikeouts in APB and the 12^th to 200 wins.

Bandung had 248 doubles as a team, setting a new Sundaland Association record that still holds as of 2037. Eli Cheng won his seventh Silver Slugger and his first as a DH. His previous wins were split between the corner outfield and first base. Cheng did it at age 39 in his return to APB after playing the prior eight years in MLB.

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For the third time in six years, Adelaide claimed the Australasia League pennant. The Aardvarks bounced back from only 82 wins in 2000 and 72 in 1999, rolling to the AL title at 100-62. They were 18 games better than their closest competitors in Gold Coast and Christchurch. Last year’s winner Auckland fell to 80-82, fifth behind 81-81 Melbourne. Adelaide outperformed their Pythagorean expectation by a large margin, winning 11 more games than the math would suggest.

Melbourne’s Tyler Straw repeated as Australasia League MVP. The third-year shortstop was the WARlord (11.1) and leader in slugging (.659), and OPS (1.025). Straw added 105 runs, 39 home runs, 108 RBI, and a .303 average. Pitcher of the Year was Adelaide’s Peter Regan, who led in wins at 23-12. The 27-year old righty had a 3.21 ERA over 289 innings, 275 strikeouts, and 6.4 WAR. This would be the peak of an otherwise unremarkable career for Regan, who suffered a torn labrum the next summer.



Two-time defending Oceania Champion Guam held its hold on the Pacific League crown. The Golden Eagles won their fifth consecutive pennant, taking first at 99-63. It was also Guam’s eighth title in 11 years and their 13^th overall, tying them with Honolulu for the most. Port Moresby was their only real competitor, a distant nine games back at 90-72. Guadalcanal was third at 85-79.

Tahiti struggled to seventh place, but they found a rising star in Arjita Gabeja, the Pacific League MVP. It was the first full season for the 22-year old Fijian lefty, who shined as a designated hitter. He led in home runs (51), RBI (115), runs (97), total bases (364), slugging (.589), and OPS (.928). Gabeja added 6.1 WAR and a .288 average. Guam’s Timothy Manglona won his fourth Pitcher of the Year in five seasons. The 27-year old Northern Marianan was the WARlord (9.5) and leader in wins (23-10), WHIP (0.71), K/BB (19.2), quality starts (28), complete games (25), shutouts (8), and FIP- (67). Manglona added 384 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA in 307.2 innings.



Guam entered the 42^nd Oceania Championship looking for the third-ever three-peat. Adelaide denied them that honor, taking the series in six games. In his OBA debut, DH Kiryl Savchuk picked up finals MVP. The 29-year old Belarusian had played in Poland for Warsaw before signing a seven-year, $19,560,000 deal with the Aardvarks. In the series, he had 9 hits, 7 runs, 4 home runs, and 6 RBI.



It was the Aardvarks’ third title in six years and their eighth overall, sitting an impressive 8-1 all-time in the championship. The win also ties Adelaide with Honolulu for the most OBA titles. This would mark the end of the Aardvarks status as a regular contender, as they wouldn’t be back to the final in the next 35 years.

Other notes: Ricardo Antonio became the 10^th pitcher to 3500 strikeouts and the 12^th to 200 career wins. 3B Errol Herne won his 10^th Gold Glove and SS Thom Serra won his eighth. CF Damien Patton won his seventh Silver Slugger.

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Defending Eurasian Professional Baseball champ Minsk took top honors in the European League again, finishing 99-63. This grew the Miners’ playoff streak to 21 seasons, tying EBF’s Zurich for the longest streak in any pro league. Moscow ended a 13-year playoff drought, taking the wild card at 88-74. Kazan fell two games short of the Mules with St. Petersburg six back. The Crusaders had their four-year playoff streak snapped.

European League MVP went to Kazan veteran SS Gleb Khassanov. The 31-year old had Gold Glove winning defense, helping him to lead in WAR at 11.3. Khassanov also led in runs (89), and doubles (37), while adding 25 home runs and 172 wRC+.

Minsk’s Markiyan Konoplya repeated as Pitcher of the Year and repeated as a Triple Crown winner. The 27-year old Ukrainian righty posted only the sixth Triple Crown by an EPB pitcher and became the first to do it twice, posting a 22-6 record, 1.72 ERA, and 342 strikeouts over 277.2 innings. Konoplya also led in WHIP (0.83), quality starts (31), shutouts (6), FIP- (51), and WAR (10.7). In addition, Konoplya won a Gold Glove.



Defending Asian League champ Yekaterinburg finished atop the standings again, this time going 103-59. The Yaks earned a third consecutive playoff berth. Krasnoyarsk got second at 97-65, ending a playoff drought dating back to 1988. Last year’s wild card Omsk finished third, five back on the Cossacks at 92-70.

Yekaterinburg ace Matvey Ivanov won his third straight Asian League Pitcher of the Year and also earned league MVP. The 26-year old Russian lefty led in ERA (1.85), strikeouts (363), WHIP (0.81), quality starts (27), FIP- (49), and WAR (11.2). He added a 21-10 record over 278 innings.

In the European League Championship Series, Minsk downed Moscow 4-2 to repeat as champs. The Miners now have 15 pennants to their name. The Asian League Championship Series had Krasnoyarsk upset Yekaterinburg in six games. It was the fourth pennant for the Cossacks, who hadn’t taken the AL since their lone EPB championship ring in 1982.



In the 47^th EPB Championship, Minsk repeated as champion, although they had to work for it as Krasnoyarsk forced all seven games. The Miners became 11-time champs (1956, 62, 66, 69, 85, 88, 90, 91, 96, 2000, 01). Finals MVP was LF Ryuunosuke Sugawara, a Japanese veteran who joined Minsk in 1999 after starting in East Asia Baseball. In 13 playoff starts, Sugawara had 18 hits, 7 runs, 2 doubles, 4 home runs, and 11 RBI.



Other notes: EL MVP Gleb Khassanov won his eighth Silver Slugger. RF Sapar Durdyek won his seventh.

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Glasgow took the top seed in the EBF Northern Conference with a franchise record 110-52 season. The Highlanders won a fifth consecutive British Isles Division title and extended their playoff streak to six years. Copenhagen fell just short of the top seed, but earned a bye as well at 109-53. This was also a franchise record for the Corsairs, who repeated as Northeast Division champs. Defending EBF champion Kharkiv won a competitive North Central Division at 102-60. Counting their EPB days, the Killer Bees’ playoff streak grew to seven seasons. Hamburg was close behind at 99-63, earning the first wild card for a third straight playoff berth.

In a weak Northwest Division, Amsterdam (87-75) edged out Paris (84-78). This ended a four-year playoff drought for the Anacondas. In the race for the second wild card spot, Oslo (94-68) topped Warsaw (92-70), and Birmingham (91-71). The Octopi hadn’t earned a playoff spot since 1980. Notably, Berlin’s five-year playoff streak ended as the Barons dropped to 76-86.

Copenhagen LF Villum Kleist used epic power to win his second Northern Conference MVP. The 32-year old Dane smacked 71 home runs, becoming the sixth player in EBF history to hit 70+. He also led in RBI (143), total bases (422), slugging (.733), OPS (1.096), and wRC+ (201). Kliest had a .297 average and 8.0 WAR.

Kharkiv’s Igor Kuchkowski repeated as Pitcher of the Year, winning the award for the fourth time counting his two from EPB. The 34-year old Polish lefty led in wins (23-4), ERA (1.82), innings (272.1), and quality starts (30). He added 302 strikeouts and 9.1 WAR. Kuchkowski would look great again in 2002, but his velocity would fall off a cliff after that, ending his run after the 2003 season.

Hamburg beat Amsterdam 2-1 and Kharkiv topped Oslo 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs. Both top seeds prevailed in round two with Glasgow taking it 3-1 over the Hammers and Copenhagen surviving in five against the reigning champion Killer Bees. Glasgow advanced to the Northern Conference Championship for the fourth time in five years, but they hadn’t claimed the pennant since 1976. This was the Corsairs’ first NCC since their 1984 title. Glasgow would ultimately sweep Copenhagen, sending the pennant to Scotland for the fourth time (1965, 66, 76, 2001).



Munich ended up with the top record in the Southern Conference at 100-62, taking the South Central Division champ. The Mavericks ended a five-year playoff drought, fending off a solid 92-70 Rome squad. The Red Wolves fell four games short of the second wild card. The two wild cards and the #2 seed all came out of a tight Southwest Division. Seville and Madrid tied for first at 99-63, while Milan was 96-66. The tiebreaker game gave the division to the Stingrays, ending a nine-year playoff drought for them. The two-time defending conference champ Conquistadors got the first wild card, while the Maulers got the second spot and repeated as a playoff team.

Budapest grabbed a tight East Central Division at 89-73; their first playoff appearance since 1978. The Bombers dethroned Athens by one game, ending a four-year division title streak by the Anchors. The Southeast Division went to Sofia at 87-75. Last year’s division winner Tirana plummeted to 63-99. For the Spikes, it is their first-ever division title in franchise history. Their lone playoff appearance from their prior EPB stint came in 1977.

Southern Conference MVP was Milan 1B Joseph Doran. The third-year Irishman led in runs (123), total bases (427), and slugging (.695). Doran added 51 home runs, 126 RBI, a .344 average, and 8.3 WAR. Pitcher of the Year was Naples’ righty Ivo Jericek. The 28-year old Croatian led in wins (18-10), innings (270.2), quality starts (25), and complete games (19). Jericek added a 2.59 ERA, 217 strikeouts, and 7.1 WAR.

Madrid swept Sofia and Milan edged Budapest 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs. Munich survived 3-2 to oust the defending champ Conquistadors, while the Maulers stunned Seville with a road sweep. Milan hadn’t played in the Southern Conference Championship since 1958, while the Mavericks were making their first appearance since 1992. Munich took the series 4-2 over Milan to win a sixth pennant (1951, 52, 71, 88, 91, 2001).



The 52^nd European Championship went to Glasgow in five games over Munich, making the Highlanders three-time EBF champs (1966, 1976). They’re the first champ out of the United Kingdom since Birmingham in 1994. Backup OF Louis Spinner won finals MVP, having to take a starting role in 13 playoff games. The Swiss 27-year old had 17 hits, 7 runs, 5 doubles, and 18 RBI. Glasgow notably was the tenth different European Champion in ten years.



Other notes: Birmingham’s Lindsey Brampton twice had 21 strikeout games in 2001, including a no-hitter with 21 strikeouts and four walks against London on August 14. He’s thrown five 21K games and has three with 22 K. Only Ugo Musacci also has an EBF game with 21 Ks. Brampton’s eight games of 21 or more strikeouts is the most in world history, topping Beisbol Sudamerica legend Mohamed Ramos’ seven. His 21 K no-no is also the EBF record for strikeouts in a no-hitter. Brampton also joined Jean-Luc Roch as the only pitchers with 5500 strikeouts. He would play two more years, hampered by a torn UCL in 2002. Still, Brampton would pass Roch’s 5757, retiring EBF’s strikeout king at 5955.

Helsinki’s Valery Yevseyev had a 39-game hitting streak, the fifth longest in EBF history. Robin Morrison, Peter Brinkmann, and Villum Kleist each joined the 500 home run club, making 20 members. Rodrigo Vilanova became the 21^st to 1500 runs scored.