So Who Won Eastern League Title ?

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies had their season ended in the Eastern Division Championship round by the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. After Binghamton finished second to the Thunder in the regular season the Rumble Ponies took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-five series.  But Trenton came alive to win the next three contests and take the series 3-1. That put Trenton into the Championship Round in the Eastern League.

The Thunder faced the Altoona Curve in the series to decide the overall League crown.  Altoona had swept the Bowie Baysox in three straight games to get to the final round.  Trenton combined superb pitching, including a combined no-hitter, with explosive hitting to knock out Binghamton.  With the best regular season record the Thunder looked like a lock to win everything.

The Curve had other ideas.  Altoona, the Pittsburgh Pirates Eastern League affiliate, not only defeated Trenton but swept them.  The Curve clinched the best-of-five series with a 4-2 victory before their home fans.  They became just the third Eastern League team to sweep all six of their playoff games. Their starting pitchers won all six games and the pitching staff overall posted a 1.50 ERA.  Congratulations Altoona Curve !