Editor’s note: The 2006 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
The 2006 St. Louis Cardinals ended a 24-year drought for the organization as the squad defeated the Detroit Tigers to win the World Series in seven games.
There are some great players fans will notice in this single elimination tourney.
Despite winning the Central Division, the Cardinals had the fifth best record in the National League at 83-78. It was also the worst mark of te 10 teams in the post-season, so to say this tournament is wide-open might be an understatement.
Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies was named the Most Valuable Player in the National League, while Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb claimed the Cy Young Award. Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins became the Rookie of the Year after being acquired from Boston in a deal that sent Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to the Red Sox.
In the American League, the Minnesota Twins grabbed the best individual awards with Justin Morneau being named the MVP and Johan Santana winning the Cy Young. Detroit’s Justin Verlander was the voted as the top rookie.
2006 AL Tournament
First Round Pairings
New York Yankees, bye
Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox
Baltimore Orioles at Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays
Oakland Athletics, bye
2006 NL Tournament
First Round Pairings
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves
Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros
San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres