08/21/24 Michigan's unofficial history in the American Legion World Series -

08/21/24 Michigan's unofficial history in the American Legion World Series -

(1) Midland Post 165's 2024 post-season path

(2) Michigan in the American Legion World Series

(3) American Legion narrative for Michigan's American Legion World Series Champions (1959, 2009)

(4) Michigan's post-season awards

*American Legion World Series - Shelby, NC

08/20/24 - Troy/AL Pot 70 5, Midland Berryhill Post 165 3 - championship game

08/19/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 1, League City/TX Post 554 0 - 8 innings

08/18/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 4, Billings/MT Post 4 3

08/17/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 9, Wilmington/DE Post 1 2

08/15/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 3, Bossier City/LA Post 202 0

*American Legion Great Lakes Regional - Wheaton, IL

08/11/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 6, Evansville/IN Post 265 Eugene Pate 3

08/11/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 7, Eau Claire/WI Post 53 1

08/10/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 7, Lancaster/OH Post 11 1

08/09/24 - Evansville/IN Post 265 Eugene Pate 3, Midland Berryhill Post 165 1

08/08/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 8, Eau Claire/WI Post 53 2

08/07/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 3, Lancaster/OH Post 11 1

*American Legion Michigan Department Championship - Midland, MI

07/27/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 19, Blissfield/MI Post 325 4

07/26/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 5, Mt Plaeasnt/MI Post 110/AA 2

07/25/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 5, Bay City/MI Post 18 1

*American Legion Michigan Zone 4 Class AA Championship - Mt Pleasant, MI

07/19/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 6, Bay City/MI Post 18 3

07/18/24 - Midland Berryhill Post 165 14, Big Rapids/MI Post 98 0

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*American Legion World Series - Michigan -

2024 - Midland Berryhill - ALWS Runner-up / Region 5 Champion

2022 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

2021 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

2018 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

2017 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

2015 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

2014 - Midland Berryhill - ALWS Runner-up / Region 5 Champion

2011 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

2009 - Midland Berryhill - ALWS Champion / Region 5 Champion

2008 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

1996 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

1994 - Blissfield - Region 5 Champion

1990 - Midland Berryhill - Region 5 Champion

1978 - Allen Park - Region 5 Champion

1971 - Lincoln Park - Region 5 Champion

1964 - Detroit - Region 5 Champion

1959 - Detroit Post 187 - ALWS Champion / Sectional Champion

1943 - Flint - NorthEast Sectional Champion

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#1959 American Legion World Series at Hastings, NE

*Champion - Detroit/MI Post 187

*Runner-up - Hampton/VA Post 48

*Recap (https://issuu.com/theath1296/docs/2024_record_book?fr=sMzlhNDYyNzY2MDA)

Sparked by the all-around play of 5-6 shortstop Fred Brown, Detroit, MI Post 187 won the American Legion World Series championship.

The Michigan champion had to overcome an opening day setback to advance through the elimination round to win the title. It was a remake of regional and sectional playoffs as Detroit rebounded in both those tournaments after early round losses to come back and win.

Detroit won the title with a pair of victories over previously unbeaten Hampton, VA winng 5-3 and 11-4.

Detroit managed only five hits in the championship game, but Hampton committed a record 10 errors. Two of the Detroit hits came from catcher John Hansen.

Bowen was chosen the American Legion Player of the Year while Phoenix's Louis Webb had the highest average at .478.

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#2009 American Legion World Series at Fargo, ND

*Champion - Midland/MI Post 165

*Runner-up - Medford/OR Post 15

*Recap (https://issuu.com/theath1296/docs/2024_record_book?fr=sMzlhNDYyNzY2MDA)

On a sun-splashed afternoon that felt more like an autumn college football Saturday, Midland, Michigan Post 165 won the 2009 American Legion World Series championship.

It was a perfect ending to an otherwise imperfect tournament due to inclement weather. In fact seven of the tournaments 14 games were seven inning affairs instead of the normal nine-inning games due to the weather.

In the end it was Midland, Michigan claiming the national championship beating Medford, Oregon Post 15 11-4 in front of 1,867 at Newman Outdoor Stadium on the campus of North Dakota State University.

Defending champions Las Vegas returned to defend its title and was the pre-tourney choice to repeat but just prior to the start of the Series, Jeff Malm, the MVP in '08 signed a Big-League contract. Midland, the only other returning team from the 2008 field was then installed a slight favorite to claim the crown. Midland did not disappoint its fans by going 5-0 at the ALWS.

The mainstay was tourney MVP Jordan Dean.

Dean, shortstop, anchored a defense that turned 12 double plays,

Perhaps one of the wildest games in American Legion saw Midland eliminate Rowan County, NC 15-14.

Midland was cruising with a 12-0 margin going into the sixth innings when North Carolina exploded for eight runs. Midland countered with three runs in the seventh before North Carolina scored five in the seventh. In the bottom of the ninth, North Carolina scored again to cut the margin to one and the game ended that way.

The championship game was exciting as Midland jumped to an 8-0 lead and coasted to the win.

Midland ended its most successful season at 54-7 record.

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Michigan American Legion Baseball awards

*George W. Rulon Player of the Year - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/player

Through a special arrangement with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a player is selected each year as the George W. Rulon Player of the Year. The award is based on integrity, mental attitude, cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship, scholastic aptitude and general good conduct.

2024 Cayden Smith, Post 165, Midland, MI

2001 Jay Threet, Post 275, Adrian, MI

1959 Fred Bowen, Jr., Thomas A. Edison Post 187, Detroit, MI

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*The American Legion Baseball Slugger - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/batting

Since 1945, the American Legion has presented a slugger trophy to the player with the highest batting average during national competition.

2017 Jordan Patty, Midland, Mich. (.529)

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*American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/bigstick

The Big Stick Award is given at the American Legion World Series to the player who rounds the most bases in regional and national competition.

2009 Kyle O'Boyle, Midland, Mich.

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*Dr. Irvin L. "Click" Cowger RBI Memorial Award - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/rbi

Dr. Irvin L. Cowger, a former Department of Kansas adjutant and devoted baseball supporter. The National Americanism Commission established an award in Cowger's name, sponsored by the Department of Kansas. The recipient is credited with the most runs batted in during regional and national competition.

2024 Nathan Ball, Post 165, Midland, MI

2009 Kyle O'Boyle, Midland, Mich.

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*Bob Feller Pitching Award - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/pitching

Bob Feller was the first American Legion Baseball alumnus elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Despite an active business career, Feller continues to maintain a keen interest in the program. The recipient is the player with the most strikeouts in regional and national competition.

2017 Jordan Patty, Midland, MI (19)

2011 Colton Loomis, Midland, MI (35)

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*James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award -

The James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award is presented to a player who participates in the Legion World Series and best embodies the principles of good sportsmanship.

2014 Tanner Gross, Post 165, Midland, MI

2009 Garret Yatch, Midland, Mich.

1996 Andy Hoffman, Berry Hill Post 165, Midland, Mich.

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*Jack Williams Memorial Leadership Award - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/leadership

Adjutant Jack Williams led the Department of North Dakota for 49 years before his death in 1967. Aware that proper adult leadership is an important component of success, Williams encouraged qualified men to work in the program. To honor Williams' memory, this award is presented to the manager and coach of the national championship team as outstanding representatives of adult leadership.

2009 Dan Cronkright, Mgr., Steven Cronkright and Patrick Dawson, coaches, Midland, Mich.

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*American Legion Graduate of the Year - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/graduate

Each year The American Legion honors a former American Legion Baseball player who is currently playing in the Major Leagues for his character, leadership, playing abilities and community service. Individuals are recommended by their respective post.

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