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In 1984, the Chicago Champions ruled all during
the regular season with a record of 91-71. They did this with
the help of MVP Jim Rice who hit 59 homeruns and drove in 154 runs.
At the time the 59 homers was second all time only to his 1979 total
of 66. Rice's mark of 59 homeruns eclipsed Mike Schmidt's
second highest total that year by an amazing 23 homeruns.
It was actually a close race in '84. the
top five teams were separated by only 4 games. The Chicago
Mercenaries, who occupied the last playoff spot won the Illowa
Championship with the likes of Tim Raines and Lou Whitaker setting
the table and Andre Dawson driving them home. The
'84 season had its share of speedsters. Tim Raines of the
Davenport Fire stole 109 (3rd all-time) and Rudy Law stole 96.
In all, five players stole more than 55 bases.
Twin City Thunderchicken's Fergie Jenkins led the league in
strikeouts with 240 and innings pitched. However, he also led
the league in losses with 24. He may well have had the highest
ERA among qualifying starters with a 5.91 mark. The real star
on the mound was Hell's Kitchen's Mario Soto who was 21-10 with a
2.38 ERA and 21 complete games. He was voted Cy Young. |