The Bucs have a real fight on their hands here, with the NL race one of the tightest on memory. They right the ship with a 16-12 August after looking ready to sink without a trace thanks to a 12-18 July.
I've been fairly liberal with my praise and won't make a habit of second-guessing but I am having trouble understanding the trade the Bucs do on Jul 10, that sees pitcher Russ Christopher swapped for outfielder Thurman Tucker. It seems utterly inexplicable, given they are already thin on pitching and have Pete Reiser at AAA. It makes even less sense retrospectively when Ken Heintzelman goes down with a season-ending injury, forcing them to then trade for Jim Tobin.
Ray Dandridge and WBW are each having another superb season, while Stan Spence is showing plenty as well. Leroy Matlock (12-2 / 1.90) has turned back the clock with a sublime performance and must be in Johnson-Waddell calculations, with Leon Day offering great support. Almost to a man, the staff has greatly outperformed my expectations.
Five teams within 5 games in the NL - we've seen fewer, if any, tighter races than this in the senior circuit. And, thanks to some exemplary play, both the A's and Yanks have crept right up on the BoSox. A double grandstand finish!
News and Leaders
Monthly Award Winners
July
American League
- Batter Ted Williams (Red Sox): 416 / 5 HR / 28 RBI
- Pitcher Eddie Lopat (Yankees): 5-0 / 2.66 / 17 K / 44 IP
- Rookie Eddie Lopat
National League
- Batter Phil Weintraub (Braves): 299 / 7 HR / 18 RBI
- Pitcher Claude Passeau (Cubs): 5-0 / 1.31 / 20 K / 48 IP
- Rookie Johnny Sain (Cardinals): 3-0 / 2.45 / 20 K / 29.1 IP
August
American League
- Batter Charlie Keller (Yankees): 374 / 8 HR / 23 RBI
- Pitcher Dutch Leonard (Red Sox): 5-0 / 2.08 / 16 K / 43.1 IP
- Rookie Arnold Carter (Indians): 3-1 / 1.77 / 7 K / 20.1 IP
National League
- Batter Stan Musial (Cardinals): 388 / 3 HR / 19 RBI
- Pitcher Harry Brecheen (Cardinals): 4-1 / 1.47 / 31 K / 55 IP
- Rookie Danny Gardella (Giants): 357 / 6 HR / 17 RBI
Milestones and Observations of Note
- Joe Cronin reaches 2500 career hits, Joe Medwick 2000.
- Ray Brown notches win #300, Bill Walker and Luis Tiant each make it to 200.
- Another injury for the Yanks, with Paul Derringer lost for the season through radial nerve compression. Ed Durham of the As has his season ended prematurely via a torn labrum, as does the Cards Stubby Overmire via a rotator cuff tear.
- Funny how some of these trades work out, as IRL long-time Card Marty Marion gets traded there by the Giants for P Murry Dickson and 2B Buddy Blattner.
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