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All Star Reserve
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 847
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1960's Division-July
There are only four teams to cover in the 1960's. One in the American League and three in the National League. The lone team to speak of in the American League is the 1969 Baltimore Orioles, who lead their division by 11 games. The Orioles cruised through July, posting a 20-9 record to pad their lead by five games over June. Winning their first seven games of the month was the key to that record, as they swept the 1940 Detroit Tigers and 1978 New York Yankees. Baltimore is 4th in the AL in average (.282), tied for 5th in home runs (131), tied for 10th in runs allowed (401, 12th in starter ERA (3.48), 20th in bullpen ERA (3.53) and 13th in overall ERA (3.49). 1B Boog Powell (.313, 31 HR, 89 RBI), 2B Davey Johnson (.313, 4 HR, 41 RBI) and RF Frank Robinson (.307, 31 HR, 81 RBI) are paving the way for this team at the plate. SP Jim Palmer (13-6, 2.52 ERA) and SP Dave McNally (14-3, 3.38 ERA) are the top pitchers. Another starter made news for the club, though. On July 2nd, SP Tom Phoebus (9-7, 4.69 ERA) pitched an 8-0 shutout against the 1940 Detroit Tigers (41-43). Phoebus allowed five hits, struck out five and walked two in the game.
In the National League, three teams are still fighting for the division. Leading the division are none other than the 1969 New York Mets at 71-40. The Mets are 3rd in the NL in runs against (354), 2nd in starter ERA (2.77), 4th in bullpen ERA (2.82), 1st in overall ERA (2.78) and 14th in defense. LF Cleon Jones (.336, 8 HR, 49 RBI) and RF Art Shamsky (.300, 24 HR, 78 RBI) lead the team in hitting. SP Jerry Koosman (14-5, 2.12 ERA) and CL Tug McGraw (5-4, 1.80 ERA, 31 Saves) lead the team on the mound. The Mets slipped this month, posting a 13-16 record, but fortunately only lost one game on their lead.
In second place are the 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers at 66-45, 5 GB. The Dodgers are 7th in the NL in runs against (371), 7th in starter ERA (2.94), 17th in bullpen ERA (3.25) and 7th in overall ERA (3.03). 2B Jim Lefebvre (.332, 13 HR, 65 RBI) and LF Lou Johnson (.307, 13 HR, 69 RBI) lead the team in hitting. Lefebvre has a 23 game hitting streak at the moment. SP Claude Osteen (13-3, 2.06 ERA), SP Don Drysdale (13-4, 2.90 ERA) and SP Sandy Koufax (9-7, 2.17 ERA) lead the team on the mound.
The 1962 San Francisco Giants are in third place at 63-48, 8 GB. The Giants are 7th in the NL in runs scored (577), 16th in average (.273), 20th in OBP (.339) and 2nd in home runs (142). CF Willie Mays (.309, 25 HR, 77 RBI) and 1B Orlando Cepeda (.289, 28 HR, 82 RBI) lead the team in the batter's box. SP Jack Sanford (9-4, 3.17 ERA) leads a below average staff, while CL Jim Duffalo (2-3, 2.34 ERA, 26 saves) leads the bullpen. Cepeda made headlines for the club on July 4th after he was 5 for 5 in a 3-0 loss to the 1957 Milwaukee Braves (33-53). Cepeda had three singles and two doubles in the game. Also making news were LF Willie McCovey (.279, 19 HR, 76 RBI) and RF Felipe Alou (.286, 18 HR, 60 RBI). On July 12th, both players went 5 for 6 in a 15-3 drubbing of the 1905 New York Giants (43-50). McCovey hit a single, a double and three home runs, including a grand slam in the 9th inning. McCovey had eight RBI. Alou hit two singles, two doubles and a home run in the game.
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