1974 Baseball Season

 

Highlights:

The Highland Flyers rolled to their fifth 3RBL championship in 1974.  A regular in post season play, the Flyers have participated in the post season in 13 of the 20 seasons played to date, 12 of which doing so as division champion.  A well balanced club, the Flyers were only average in runs scored per game (3.9) but were third in fewest runs allowed and fifth in overall defense.  

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Clay Kirby (20-11 2.69), Mike Cuellar (19-10 2.14) and Buzz Capra (14-7 2.08) led the rotation while Ramon Hernandez (6-2 2.56 11 saves) and Steve Foucault (12-10 2.72 17 saves) were best in the bullpen.  Mike Jorgensen (24-62-.300) was the surprising leader of the offense while Zisk (21-.272-89), Hebner (21-.255-77) and Hank Aaron (21-.230-54) provided backup on offense.

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Summit City repeated for the second year as the Presley Division winner.   Led again by Luis Tiant (19-10 1.84) and Bert Blyleven (19-14 3.01) on the mound and Gamble (25 HRs/ 80 RBI), Rader (22/85), Wynn (28/90) and Mayberry (21/59) they were always a threat to score.  

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Crimson (102-60) had the best overall record and cruised to the Holly Division title by 20 games while New York (96-66) won the Dean to make their first post season appearance.  Crimson was led by Bill Lee (23-12 3.34) and Doc Medich (19-12 2.81) on the hill and Dick Allen (26-88-.299) and Jorge Orta (15-83-.330) at the bat.  New York's top pitcher was Lynn McGlothlin (18-11 2.41) and top hitter was Steve Garvey 21-108-.315).

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Post Season:

Highland drew the bye in the Rockabilly and watched as Summit City disposed of Lansing in five games.  Highland then bounced Summit City in five games also to advance to the championship round.

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Meanwhile, in the Classic Crimson drew the bye and watched New York knock Providence out in six games but were surprised as New York followed with a sweep of Crimson to advance to face Highland.

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New York defeated Highland in the first game but Highland swept the next four to win the championship.