The Kansas City Monarchs defeated the Chicago Dogs three games to one in the best-of-five final series to claim the American Association of Professional Baseball title (Wolff Cup).
The title clincher ended dramatically. After blowing a 6-1 lead, the Monarchs walked it off on a Brian O'Grady line drive up the middle in the bottom of the ninth.
"This team has done such a great job, and I just happened to be the guy who was up at that time," said O'Grady to the Kansas City Star. "What a way to end it. This place [Kansas City] just let me have fun again, and I am so thankful."
O'Grady, a 31-year-old left-handed outfielder and first baseman, has previously played at the Major League Baseball (MLB; Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres), Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB; Seibu Lions) and Korea Baseball Organization (KBO; Hanwha Eagles) levels.
It was the third title in five years for the Monarchs under manager Joe Calfapietra.
The final series results
Dogs-Monarchs 3-2
Monarchs-Dogs 8-4
Monarchs-Dogs 9-6
Monarchs-Dogs 7-6
Catcher Chris Hermann earned Player of the Year honours. The former major leaguer was one of the reinforcements helping the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks win the inaugural Baseball Champions League (BCL) Americas.
The American Association is one of the leagues participating in the WBSC's Baseball Champions League and the Monarchs earned their right to compete in 2024.
The Monarchs were originally founded as the Duluth–Superior Dukes in the Northern League. The organization was later relocated to Kansas City and re-branded as the T-Bones. The club joined the American Association of Professional Baseball following the 2010 season.
