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October 4, 1948
Atlanta burns again as the Flames clinch the Eastern pennant on September 30 with a Norfolk loss against Tampa. Despite injuries to key starters Bill Wetzel and Jordan Evans (torn tricep on September 4, 4-1 in 9 GS with 3.08 ERA), Atlanta won seven straight beginning September 21, including three over Norfolk, to put them over the top. 3B Travis O'Connell led the Atlanta offense, while Stephen Vance (6-0, 2.05 in September/October) was practically the only effective healthy pitcher for the Flames down the stretch. The winning streak disappointed Clippers' fans who were hoping for the final three-game set with Atlanta, at Norfolk's Harbor Stadium, to be decisive.
The Western Division seemed a foregone conclusion as San Antonio tied up the top spot on September 25 with a 9-1 win over Houston at Alamo Field. The Missions ended up twelve games ahead of the Buffaloes, who finish second despite a record of 81-81. Dallas, contenders in the first half of the season, stumble badly the final two months to finish fourth.
Western Division Batter of the Month:
SS Ken Bennett (SAN) - Hit .400 with 3 HR and 16 RBI
Western Division Pitcher of the Month:
Steven Mackay (HOU) - Went 3-0 with a 1.34 ERA
Eastern Division Batter of the Month:
3B Travis O'Connell (ATL) - Hit .441 with 5 HR and 19 RBI
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:
Joe MacLeod (MIA) - Went 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA
Final Western Division Standings
San Antonio... 93 - 69 .574 -
Houston....... 81 - 81 .500 12
Nashville..... 80 - 82 .494 13
Dallas........ 77 - 85 .475 16
Memphis....... 76 - 86 .469 17
New Orleans... 74 - 88 .457 19
Final Eastern Division Standings
Atlanta....... 88 - 74 .543 -
Norfolk....... 85 - 77 .525 3
Carolina...... 82 - 80 .506 6
Jacksonville.. 81 - 81 .500 7
Tampa......... 80 - 82 .494 8
Miami......... 75 - 87 .463 13
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