While things remain tight as we head into the dog days of summer, the big story in the EL at the moment is the one big exception to this: the 19-33 Black Yankees. Their pitching continues to kill them, with CC Sabathia the only starter with a sub-4 ERA and the bottom two exceeding 7 in that category - Willie Gisentaner (7.28) and Bill Anderson (8.71). Hank Thompson's imminent return will be a boon but they'll need to get a move on before this season gets completely away from them.
Two of their chief FC rivals will also have to do without a big name for a while, with the Dodgers losing key rotation member Connie Rector for 4 months to shoulder inflammation and a broken cheekbone from an errant pitch puts a six-week hole in the fantastic season Martin Dihigo has been compiling.
Hilldale Closer Lefty Moses, who wins this month's WC pitching award, has started the season with 29 scoreless innings pitched. This has helped the A's turn around a slow start to now be just a handful of games behind the Grays, who have done the opposite and cooled right off.
- FC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Harry Simpson (Giants) 363 / 8 HR / 22 RBI.
- FC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Jair Jurrjens (Monarchs) 5-0 / 1.64 / 37 K / 44 IP.
- FC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Moses Yellow Horse (West) 3-1 / 2.31 / 28 K / 35 IP.
- WC BATTER OF THE MONTH: John Mayberry (East) 318 / 7 HR / 22 RBI.
- WC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Lefty Moses (Athletics) 3-0 / 0.00 / 10 SV / 16 K / 21 IP.
- WC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Leonardo Medina (Grays) 5-3 / 1.86 / 5 SV / 16 K / 19.1 IP.
In the TL, Cleveland are trying to make a wee run for it; the other three remain close.
- CAC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Johnny Washington (Choo-Choos) 473 / 8 HR / 31 RBI.
- CAC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Henry Strickland (Choo-Choos) 4-1 / 2.44 / 22 K / 44.1 IP.
- FRC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Emil Brown (Tigers) 427 / 2 HR / 12 RBI.
- FRC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Lum Croxton (Wolves) 4-0 / 1.54 / 17 K / 35 IP.