Regular Season Overview
The 1959 season marked the end of the decade with significant shifts across the league. With the Detroit Dynamos' dynasty in transition, the door opened for contenders like the Boston Minutemen and Cleveland Foresters, both of whom seized the opportunity to shine.
- Federal Association: Boston dominated, finishing 96-58 and securing the pennant with ease, backed by the stellar performances of Rick Masters, Jack Denis, and a dynamic pitching duo of Dick Wilson and Don Griffin.
- Continental Association: Cleveland claimed their 6th pennant in 11 years with a 93-61 record, edging out Kansas City in a tight race. Adrian Czerwinski led the way, supported by Sherry Doyal and Hal Kennedy.
Notable Players
- Hank Williams (Kansas City): Achieved a historic .406 batting average, the first .400+ season since 1937. Williams also led the CA in OPS (1.184), WAR (10.4), and runs created (214 WRC+), cementing his place as the league’s most dominant hitter.
- Billy Hasson (St. Louis): Won his second consecutive Allen Award with a Fed-high 254 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA.
- Adrian Czerwinski (Cleveland): Captured his 5th Allen Award, leading the CA in wins (22), ERA (2.82), and innings pitched (300.1).
- Jerry Smith (St. Louis): Led the Federal Association with 45 home runs and 123 RBIs while posting a 1.097 OPS, earning him the Whitney Award.
1959 World Championship Series
The Boston Minutemen faced off against the Cleveland Foresters in a highly anticipated series, with Boston’s balanced roster pitted against Cleveland’s wealth of postseason experience.
- Game 1: Don Griffin threw eight scoreless innings, leading Boston to a 4-0 victory.
- Game 2: Boston won 2-1 in 10 innings, with Pat Todd delivering the walk-off double.
- Game 3: Boston edged Cleveland 4-3, with key contributions from Bob Hollister out of the bullpen.
- Game 4: Cleveland avoided a sweep, winning 6-3 behind Jake Pearson.
- Game 5: Boston clinched the title with an 8-3 win, propelled by a 4-run first inning.
Series MVP: Pat Todd, who hit .409 with five RBIs, highlighted by clutch doubles and defensive plays.
Notable Trades
Several impactful trades reshaped rosters during the offseason:
- Cleveland Foresters: Acquired veteran slugger Paul Williams and OF Armando Estrada, further strengthening their already potent lineup.
- Kansas City Kings: Added Bill Guthrie to enhance their offense, pairing him with Hank Williams and Ken Newman.
- Detroit Dynamos: Continued their sell-off, trading Jack Halbur to Chicago for top prospect Cecil Gregg and others.
Awards and Milestones
- Whitney Awards: Hank Williams (CA) and Jerry Smith (Fed)
- Allen Awards: Billy Hasson (Fed) and Adrian Czerwinski (CA)
- Kellogg Awards: Sid Cullen (Toronto) and Dave Price (Chicago)
- Hall of Fame Induction: Harry Barrell, former star shortstop, joined his father Rufus and brothers Tom and Bobby in the Hall of Fame.
Looking Ahead to 1960
- Boston Minutemen: Poised to repeat with young stars Dick Wilson and Don Griffin leading a strong core.
- Cleveland Foresters: Bolstered by offseason acquisitions, they remain a powerhouse contender in the CA.
- Kansas City Kings: With Hank Williams and Bill Guthrie, KC aims to capitalize on their offensive firepower.
- Detroit Dynamos: Rebuilding phase continues, with new prospects creating hope for the future.
The 1959 season ended on a high note, setting the stage for a competitive and exciting 1960 season, with new stars emerging and legendary players continuing to leave their mark.
For a more in-depth look at the 1959 season check out the yearly recap from This Week in Figment Sports, here!