The Giants continue to dominate, but both the Cuban Stars West and Monarchs have crept a bit closer in the latter stages of the month. Still, the St. Louis boys retain a healthy 10-game advantage in the FC National.
The FC American looks like it is going to be the one to watch, with the Royal Giants, Crawfords and Black Yankees already embroiled in a dogfight for the lead, and just 5 games separating top and bottom.
The WC American is also super tight, with the Elite Giants, Grays and Athletics within a game of each other and the others in close pursuit.
In the WC National, the Cuban Stars East have pinched a little break, 6.5 games clear of their nearest rival the American Giants. They look a dangerous unit, leading the WC in both runs scored and Starter ERA.
No doubt the cream is rising at the individual level. Ruppert Jones continues to be the WC offensive standout, already having amassed nearly 5 WAR, and Red Sox star Billy Sample has been on a tear of late. Among the pitchers, Juan Marichal is the dominant FC pitcher, while Tanaka-san is still giving hitters fits across in the WC.
The May awards went to the following players:
- FC BATTER OF THE MONTH: David Ortiz (West) 447 / 6 HR / 19 RBI.
- FC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Odell Jones (West) 5-1 / 1.66 / 49 K / 54.1 IP.
- WC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Eric Chavez (Athletics) 309 / 7 HR / 22 RBI.
- WC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Carlos Zambrano (East) 5-1 / 1.24 / 45 K / 58 IP
These are the overall Top 10 lists:
And these are just for the NeL players (I'll do these every few months):
