2001 Midwest League
From SABR Encyclopedia
| 2001 Midwest League | |
|---|---|
| Classification: | A |
| Statistics |
| {{#sabr-lightbox-iframe:http://sabrpedia.org/includes/active/leagues/batting/b3afaff0.html|Individual batting statistics for 2001 Midwest League|width:95%;height:95%;scrolling:auto|Batting}} • {{#sabr-lightbox-iframe:http://sabrpedia.org/includes/active/leagues/pitching/b3afaff0.html|Individual pitching statistics for 2001 Midwest League|width:95%;height:95%;scrolling:auto|Pitching}} |
[edit] Season Summary
The Midwest League had one of its most interesting seasons in 2001, both on and off the field. Five teams--Kane County, Wisconsin, Michigan, Quad City, and Dayton--played at very high levels all season, while South Bend came on strong in the second half and was playing in the championship series when the season was ended. Quad City's Justin Morneau and Kane County's Adrian Gonzalez starred in a year dominated by the league's hitters, with Jason Bay (Clinton) and Craig Ansman (South Bend) having very strong MWL seasons after late starts. In the end, Kane County was the best team and was awarded the championship.
Away from the daily contests, interesting things were occurring. Cedar Rapids and Peoria finalized their plans to replace their ballyards, and began construction. Quad City played nearly half the season on the road, due to Mississippi River flooding at John O'Donnell stadium; during the long road trip, the team was sold to a buyer in northern Ohio (this sale later fell through). The Michigan team was sold, for the second straight summer.
Although Kane County finished second in attendance, the Cougars topped the half-million mark for the first time in team history.
Finally, umpire Ria Cortesio, a Rock Island native, became the second woman umpire in Midwest League history.
[edit] Notes
- The Midwest League played a 140 game, two-division, split-season schedule which began on April 5 and ended on September 3. The first half ended on June 17.
- An All-Star Game was played on June 19 between All-Star Teams representing the league's Eastern and Western divisions (Beloit was counted as an Eastern team). The East won by a 7-3 score[1].
- A three-tier championship playoff was held after the season, but it was cut short due to the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. The championship was awarded to Kane County, who were leading in the championship round when the season was ended.
- Total 2001 attendance: 3,232,355.
[edit] Sources
- 2001 Baseball Blue Book.
- 2002 Sporting News Baseball Guide.
- 2002 Baseball America Almanac.
Footnotes
- ↑ http://www.mwlguide.com/years/2001/allstars.html, retrieved on 2009-11-11.
