Season Spotlight: 1980 Illowa APBA League

IAL Champions: Quad Cities Thunderchickens

1980 was the beginning of Dennis Jennings’ Thunderchicken dynasty as they captured first place three times in the next 6 years.  In 1980, they did everything right, winning 103, capturing the Illowa championship.  In addition, Steve Garvey won league MVP hitting .330, driving in 122, & scoring 114 runs.  The Thunderchickens also had the top two in ERA (Bruce Kison with 2.56 and Ron Guidry with 2.73), but lefty Tommy John led the way with a 20-11 record.

But the big bopper in the league was East Moline Bomber outfielder Gorman Thomas.  Thomas banged out 57 homeruns that year.  Not only that he led the league in runs (131), slugging (.645), and walks (109).

Davenport Fire pitcher Dennis Martinez won Cy Young award based on his league leading 22 wins and a 2.84 ERA.

After the season ended Tedd Mallasch attempted buying Gorman Thomas from Mike Bunch by giving him a fifty dollar bill, it took alot of time & effort to recover the money.