Highlanders
Capture First in Near Record Fashion
Behind manager Rob Moore, the Chicago Highlanders finished the
season in first a full eighteen games ahead of the second-place Green
Rock Bombers. The Highlanders win total of 106 is second highest
in IAL history behind only the 1985 Twin City Thunderchickens, managed
by Dennis Jennings, who went 115-47.
After the first few series, the Highlanders were in first place and
never looked back. Backed by superior pitching and a capable
lineup, they were the obvious dominant powerhouse in the league.
A
look at the results of the 2005 schedule shows that they only lost 3
series all year.
Congrats to Rob and Highlanders!
|
IAL Most Winningest Seasons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
ILLOWA LEAGUE |
W |
L |
PCT |
GB |
Manager |
|
1985 |
Twin Cities Thunderchickens |
115 |
47 |
.710 |
0 |
Dennis Jennings |
|
2005 |
Chicago Highlanders |
106 |
56 |
.654 |
0 |
Rob Moore |
|
1993 |
Northside Hitmen |
105 |
56 |
.652 |
0 |
Chuck Lucas |
|
1999 |
Aurora Gamblers |
104 |
58 |
.642 |
0 |
Todd Ventresca |
|
1980 |
Quad Cities Thunderchickens |
103 |
58 |
.640 |
0 |
Dennis Jennings |
|
1998 |
Aurora Gamblers |
103 |
59 |
.636 |
0 |
Todd Ventresca |
|
2001 |
Northside Hitmen |
103 |
59 |
.636 |
0 |
Chuck Lucas |
|
2004 |
Northside Hitmen |
103 |
59 |
.636 |
0 |
Chuck Lucas |
|
1987 |
Twin Cities Thunderchickens |
102 |
59 |
.634 |
0 |
Dennis Jennings |
|
1990 |
Northside Hitmen |
102 |
59 |
.634 |
0 |
Chuck Lucas |
|
Let the Playoffs Begin!!
The four playoff teams have been determined.
Playoffs were always in the works for the Highlanders. It was
touch and go for a while for the Bombers and Marauders but in the end,
they made it without much problem. The Rising Bamm! Beanos,
however eked in with one game to spare. The Bamm Beanos were a
surprise team that few saw in the playoff picture.
Three
of the four managers that dared to publish publish 2005 predictions
before the season picked them for last place. It goes without
saying that Brando worked his magic and got the job done.
It's not over yet, though. The Bamm! Beanos have
the Highlanders fresh off their 106 win season to play in the first
round. The Bombers and Marauders also stand off in a contest
between two IAL veteran managers.
|
Ichiro Breaks IAL Hit Record
Molly Putts Marauder outfielder Ichiro Suzuki can now
officially claim the single season hit record. For the 2005
season, Ichiro collected 208 singles, 26 doubles, 7 triples and 10
homeruns for a total of 251 hits. Ichiro's 251 hits
eclipsed Al Oliver's 1981 total of 231 hits which remained the record
until this year. He is 6th on the list when he got 224 hits in
1998 with the Marauders. Ichiro's 208 singles and 704
at-bats also broke IAL single season records.
|
Player |
YEAR |
CLUB |
H |
|
Ichiro Suzuki |
2005 |
MRDRS |
251 |
|
Al Oliver |
1981 |
CARDS |
231 |
|
Darrin Erstad |
2001 |
UPDKRS |
228 |
|
Nomar Garciaparra |
1999 |
CARDS |
226 |
|
Ichiro Suzuki |
2002 |
MRDRS |
224 |
|
Nomar Garciaparra |
1998 |
CARDS |
224 |
|
Dave Parker |
1978 |
TCHIX |
224 |
|
Tim Raines |
1987 |
PHNX |
224 |
|
Garry Templeton |
1980 |
BMBRS |
221 |
|
Cecil Cooper |
1981 |
RFIRE |
219 |
|
Wade Boggs |
1987 |
HTMN |
218 |
|
3-way tie for MVP! Edmonds, Ichiro, and
Sheffield Share Honor
Brando takes Manager Award, Hernandez get
the Cy
In a rare 3-way tie, Jim Edmonds, Ichiro Suzuki,
and Gary Sheffield win the Most Valuable Player award for the
2005 season. Edmonds and Sheffield won due to their power
(Edmonds had 43 HR and Sheffield 44 HR) while Ichiro got the
trophy due to his record breaking year (251 hits, .357).
Rising Manager John Brandeberry was voted
Manager of the Year by his peers. Indeed, Brandeberry's team
rose above everyone's expectations and he brought his team to
the playoffs.
Livan Hernandez went 22-7 with a 3.18 ERA in
2005 and won the Cy Young award for his trouble.
See the full
list of 2005 Awards and All-League winners.
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