1951: That 155th Game

The 1951 Federally Aligned Baseball Leagues (FABL) season was an unforgettable year, marked by significant franchise developments, dramatic pennant races, and electrifying performances on the field. Here's a detailed recap of the events that shaped this storied season.

Off-Field Developments

Brooklyn Kings Sold and Relocation Announcement

The year began with a seismic shift in FABL’s landscape as the Brooklyn Kings were sold to Kansas City insurance magnate Chester Coleman. The move sparked speculation, confirmed shortly after, that the Kings would relocate to Kansas City for the 1952 season. This marked the end of an era for Brooklyn baseball fans as Kings County Stadium, nearly 70 years old, faced its swan song. The franchise’s future in a modern dual-purpose stadium shared with Kansas City's football team promised new beginnings but left Brooklyn fans heartbroken.

Hall of Fame Inductions

In February, three legends were inducted into the FABL Hall of Fame: Tom Bird, a charismatic and skilled catcher; Tom Barrell, a dominant pitcher and son of legendary scout Rufus Barrell; and Gil Hise, a defensive wizard from the sport's early days. These inductions added a nostalgic sheen to a year teeming with change.

Introduction of the George Theobald Award

FABL announced a new annual award to honor the league’s top managers, named after legendary skipper George Theobald. This addition further underscored the league’s commitment to celebrating excellence.

Season Highlights

Federal Association (FA) Pennant Race

The Federal Association saw a rollercoaster of a season, with three teams vying for supremacy until the final week.

• St. Louis Pioneers rebounded from a last-place finish in 1950 to claim the FA pennant after a tiebreaker game against the Detroit Dynamos. Key contributions from Hal Hackney, the league's best pitcher, and MVP Larry Gregory helped St. Louis secure its third pennant in five years.

• Detroit Dynamos, bolstered by mid-season acquisitions like Ralph Johnson, Pat Petty, and veteran pitcher Joe Hancock, fell just short. Despite a second-half slump, their revamped offense showed promise for future contention.

• The New York Gothams, last year's FA champions, finished four games back. Despite strong performances from Red Johnson, the Gothams couldn’t overcome key losses down the stretch.

Continental Association (CA) Pennant Race

The Philadelphia Sailors dominated the CA, finishing with a league-best 95-59 record. Early season brilliance was dampened by a mid-year slump, but the Sailors held off a late charge by the defending champion Cleveland Foresters.

• Philadelphia’s balanced offense, led by Sherry Doyal, the CA MVP, and timely pitching acquisitions like Lloyd Stevens, kept them on top.
• Cleveland’s Adrian Czerwinski, winner of the Allen Award, delivered an exceptional 22-win season but couldn’t propel the Foresters past the Sailors.
• The Montreal Saints, fueled by a 21-7 July and the late addition of Sal Pestilli, couldn’t make up the gap and finished seven games behind.

Notable Performances

• Larry Gregory (St. Louis) earned the Federal Association's Whitney Award with a .320 average, 20 homers, and 115 RBIs.
• Sherry Doyal (Cleveland) claimed the Continental Association's Whitney Award, leading with a .326 average, 30 homers, and 117 RBIs.
• Hal Hackney (St. Louis) and Adrian Czerwinski (Cleveland) won the Allen Awards for their stellar pitching campaigns.
• Rod Shearer (Chicago Chiefs) and Joe Wood (Cleveland Foresters) captured the Kellogg Awards as the top rookies.

World Championship Series (WCS)

The St. Louis Pioneers and Philadelphia Sailors faced off in a thrilling WCS, marking their third meeting in five years. St. Louis entered as underdogs, but with Hackney’s brilliance and Gregory’s clutch hitting, they outlasted Philadelphia in a five-game series to reclaim the crown.

Season Defining Events

1. Injury Woes:

   • Detroit’s ace Carl Potter suffered a season-ending injury on Opening Day, derailing their pitching rotation.
   • Philadelphia’s Win Lewis and St. Louis’s Ray Bates and Al Arnold missed key stretches, impacting their respective teams.

2. Trade Frenzy:

   • The Brooklyn-Detroit blockbuster, involving Ralph Johnson and a haul of prospects, reshaped the futures of both franchises.
   • The Montreal Saints' surprise acquisition of Sal Pestilli reflected a desperate bid to break their 30-year pennant drought.

3. Bobby Barrell’s Tragic Injury:

   • The beloved "Georgia Jolter" of the Philadelphia Keystones suffered a career-threatening back injury, likely signaling the end of an illustrious career.

4. Extra Game Drama:

   • The Federal Association’s first tiebreaker in nearly 25 years ended with St. Louis edging Detroit 3-2 in a thrilling one-game playoff.