Ohboyoboyoboyoboy, what a month. Undoubtedly the most engrossing, infuriating, invigorating 31 days I have experienced in this game. It had a bit of everything: peaks and troughs; slumps and spikes; blowouts (including a club-worst 0-19 loss to the Giants) and walkoffs; niggles and nightmares. No less than four doubleheaders, including two in three days.
And, after all that, we finish with a near 500 record and end up neither closer to nor further from any sort of resolution.
All the bats continue to pull their weight, both starters and backups. Jimmie Foxx leads the way, slashing 322/412/534 with 5 HR - including the 150th of his career - and 29 RBI. Jack Rothrock has really impressed since joining us, but remains frustratingly committed to testing the FA waters at the end of the year. Big Poison is crafting another fine season. All looks on track in this area, but I have made the decision not to renew Pie Traynor's contract when it expires and season's-end and will be on the hunt for a big bat to replace him.
A mixed bag for our pitchers. Willie Foster's season from hell continues with a 1-6 / 4.70 month, while Paul Derringer rights the ship sufficiently to win the monthly rookie award.
It is, as they say,
delicately poised in the NL, with the Phillies a few games to the good of the Jints and then us in third. While I'd obviously prefer us to be where Philly is, I also am kind of glad we're not. Defending a lead is tough. If we can just keep nipping at their heels, our homestand against them covering games 150 thru 152 looms awfully large. In the AL, the BoSox have a decent, albeit not insurmountable, lead over the Yanks.
Awards, news, leaders. A few milestones of note. Oscar Charleston reaches 2500 hits, Bill Terry 1500 hits, Les Bell 100 HR. So caught up was I in the excitement, I neglected to post that Adam Comorosky hit for the cycle. While Turkey Stearnes has cooled off, George Scales' push for 400 continues. At 414 with 30-odd to play, he's looking good. Cool Papa Bell sets a new single-season SB mark with 66, but any chance of extending this figure is derailed by a season-ending hip injury.
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