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It was an unlikely run as the NL 6-seed, but San Francisco turned it up in the postseason to capture their 2nd title in three seasons, defeating a stout Seattle team in the World Series 4 games to 1. It was Arismendy Espinoza leading the San Francisco offense throughout the postseason, crushing 12 homers in 16 games. The long ball was prevalent for San Francisco as a whole, as they slugged 39 long balls in 20 playoff games. The pitching was solid for San Francisco as well throughout the postseason, putting up a 3.51 team ERA. The bullpen was excellent at shutting the door, converting on 9 of 10 save opportunities and they got some nice starting pitching appearances as well. It was a great run and a case of a team getting hot at the right time. It just goes to sure you, once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen. Congrats to Sipe on his 2nd Cobb championship!
Now, let's take a look at this season's major award winners!
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
American League - Charles Walton, Detroit - .318 AVG 33 HR 122 RBI
The smooth swinging Center Fielder from Detroit captured his first MVP trophy in Season 41 at age 31. He's had several impressive seasons in the past, as evidenced by the fact he is a 6-time All-Star and 5-time Silver Slugger (both accomplishments which he also achieved in Season 41), but this was the season he finally got the big MVP win.
National League - Hunter West, Kansas City - .335 AVG 23 HR 98 RBI 54 SB
The Kansas City 1st Baseman put together an amazing season, getting on base at a .470 clip, swiping 54 bases and crossing the plate to score 121 times to earn his 1st MVP award. Overcoming a weakness vs. LHP, the Season 39 Rookie of the Year did it all in Season 41, earning his 1st All-Star appearance and 1st Silver Slugger award as well. It will be interesting to see where the 27 year-old West goes from here, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the stellar performances continue.
CY YOUNG AWARD
American League - Harry Galvis, Cleveland - 23-7 2.38 ERA 245 K
Also a Season 39 Rookie of the Year, the 22 year-old Galvis truly broke out in Season 41, mowing down hitters at an impressive pace. Galvis may sport the most impressive ratings out of any pitcher in Cobb and he lived up to the billing, also making his 2nd All-Star appearance. There's little doubt that this youngster will be in the Cy Young Award conversation for many seasons to come and it wouldn't be shocking to see him break a few records along the way.
National League -
Bernard Spencer, San Jose - 19-6 2.10 ERA 193 K
Fausto Posada, Chicago - 22-5 2.83 ERA 193 K
Voters couldn't decide between these two impressive veteran righties, so there ended up being Co-Cy Young winners in the NL this season. This is the 1st Cy Young win for both hurlers. Each were All-Stars in Season 41, Spencer for the 4th time, Posada for the 6th. Neither guy is a flame thrower but both are extremely effective in getting out in other ways, as their stat lines show. It wouldn't be a surprise to see either back in contention next season for a solo win, given their impressive track records.
That's it for the Season 41 Wrap Up, looking forward to a great Season 42!
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