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28 seasons, 4 NL pennants, but no World Series titles. That was the history of Lightman's Cobb journey headed into Season 30, the season in which it all paid off with the franchise's first World Series title. Lightman finally found a formula that worked, defeating the Durham Bulls in a tough seven game series to win the crown. Atlanta came into the playoffs as the #5 seed in the NL, unable to pass Rochester for the NL East title. After taking down sub .500 Charleston in the opening round, they had the daunting task of facing 7-time champion and #1 seed Omaha. Edging out Omaha 3-2 seemed to seal their destiny, but it wouldn't be easy, winning a tough NLCS against Burlington in 6, and then Durham in the World Series in 7. Congrats to Lightman on the title, it's good to see an owner who has put in so many seasons into the world without winning one, finally take it home!
Here were season 30's award winners:
Most Valuable Player
American League - Don Nation, Baltimore - .327 AVG 49 HR 133 RBI
Another amazing season at the plate earns Nation his 2nd MVP award in 3 seasons. Arguably the premiere hitter in Cobb right now, he made his 2nd All-Star team and won his 3rd Silver Slugger award this season as well. At just 28 going into Season 31, he could have a couple of more trophies by the end of his run.
National League - Harry Tracy, Atlanta - .321 AVG 62 HR 148 RBI
In addition to a World Series ring, Tracy took home the NL MVP award as well, his first. Looking at his stat line, it's not hard to figure out why. The young slugger also made the All-Star team in Season 30, and looks to have many more tremendous seasons ahead of him.
Cy Young Award
American League - Juan Romano, Durham - 19-8 3.71 ERA 162 K
The 36 year-old hurler showed in Season 30 that he's still got something left, taking home the AL Cy Young Award while helping Durham make it to the World Series. Pretty unusual to see a player take home their first Cy Young at age 36, but his incredibly solid numbers in a hitter's heaven ballpark got the job done. He also made his 4th All-Star team in Season 30.
National League - Harvey Diaz, Omaha - 19-8 2.53 ERA 166 K
Diaz took home his 3rd Cy Young award in Season 30 for the top regular season team, Omaha. Yet another impressive season for Diaz saw him make his 4th All-Star team. At age 32 going into Season 31, he certainly has a chance to enter the elite group of 4-time Cy Young winners, but the question is will it be with Omaha or another team?
That does it for Season 30, looking forward to another great season for #31 after a hopefully quick rollover!
