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The American Association Playoffs, 1933 to 1941

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The American Association Almanac Volume 13, No. 2 Fall 2017 The 49th issue of the American Association Almanac was released in early September, 2017. It provides a comprehensive look at the American Association playoffs which began in 1933 when the first-place Columbus Red Birds (101-51), led by Ray Blades, vied for the league championship against the second-place Minneapolis Millers (86-67) under the leadership of future Hall of Famer Dave Bancroft. As explained in the official league manual (pub. 1969), "Under the playoff plan whereby the highest standing Eastern team met the highest standing Western Club, Columbus beat Minneapolis four out of six games to win the official league championship..." There was no beef about the outcome with the possible exception of a handful of Columbus fans who thought their team, with its clearly superior record, shouldn't have to prove itself twice. The following year, Minneapolis fans had the beef as the same two teams met in the