The ups and downs continue into June as we lose three of our first four but then, in the wake of that 24-inning monster game I posted about, the lads dig deep and get things headed in the right direction with an 8-2 run.
Then Gossage tears his UCL and will be out for a year.
If anything, that seems to galvanize the group for the next wee while as we squeeze our way to the top of a crowded bunch and we’re cruising along nicely until we lose both Willie Stargell and Rick Miller in the one game (in which they had combined for 6 hits) to injury. While Miller will miss a month, the news is better for Pops—he’ll just need a minimum IL stint from the look of it. Still, it is a shame as he’s been killing it this past month, winning the hitting award for June.
One would think – especially in the middle of an unbroken run of 27 games with a bunch of DHs thrown in for good measure – that this dual setback would prove the proverbial back-breaking straw. But the lads have sure got their game faces on right now and they keep finding ways to win. Dave Parker in particular leads the way, smacking 3 HR and driving in 8 in one twin-bill as we stretch our lead to 5 games at the season’s midpoint.
Finally, however, the wear-and-tear starts to show as we put in some raggedy performances in the shadows of the ASB to go 3-7 and reach the break at 49-42, now trailing the Expos by a half-game.
We get Pops back at this point and get back to some winning form. When the Expos come to town for four in the last week of July, we are tied for the lead. We win three of four to kick us away again a little bit and, thanks to a stirring comeback walkoff win in our final game of July, enter August at 61-46 and 2½ clear of
Les Expos with the Cubs a further six in arrears of them.
The improvement in our defence with Stennett and Foli as our DP combination has really solidified the group.
Arguably the most potent lineup we've had in a while, something I didn't expect so soon. Pops wins the June batting award, while I may have written off
Arriba a tad prematurely—his BA exceeds 400 for quite some time before a slight cooling-off in recent weeks.
Had the right player been on offer, I'm almost certain we would have traded Ellis. All the same, he remains firmly rooted to the exit sign.
Boston looks dominant this season and is undoubtedly the team to beat. That Angels-White Sox battle has seen numerous lead changes already with plenty more seemingly in store down the stretch.
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
- Batter – Cecil Cooper (Brewers): 398 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
- Pitcher – Reggie Cleveland (Red Sox): 5-0 / 1.49 / 20 K / 42.1 IP
- Rookie – Pete Vuckovich (Royals): 4-1 / 2.89 / 17 K / 37.1 IP
National League
- Batter – Willie Stargell (Pirates): 351 / 7 HR / 16 RBI
- Pitcher – Don Sutton (Dodgers): 5-0 / 3.00 / 34 K / 45 IP
- Rookie – Sixto Lezcaino (Phillies): 380 / 3 HR / 12 RBI
July
American League
- Batter – Jim Rice (Red Sox): 318 / 9 HR / 29 RBI
- Pitcher – Pete Falcone (Red Sox): 6-0 / 1.04 / 30 K / 43.1 IP
- Rookie – Pete Falcone
National League
- Batter – Jorge Orta (Braves): 350 / 9 HR / 26 RBI
- Pitcher – Larry Christenson (Giants): 4-2 / 0.88 / 24 K / 51 IP
- Rookie – Francisco Berrios (Cardinals): 4-1 / 1.64 / 34 K / 49.1 IP
Milestones and Observations of Note
- Sandy Koufax is on track again for another TC.
- An elbow injury ends the season of Cardinals RP Pat Darcy, and a knee fracture does the same for Cubs 2B Bryan Lambe, as does a labrum tear for Baltimore OF Steve Brye.
- A’s superstar Reggie Jackson misses 5 weeks with elbow trouble, while Cincinnati’s Bill Hands has his 1975 season curtailed by a torn RC.
- While on the topic of Oakland, the A’s extend SS Bert Campaneris on a 3/918 deal. We are also busy in this regard, re-upping on Hendrick (8/2000), Stennett (2+1/970), Garber (3+1/330), Foli (3/570) and giving Bibby, Miller and Woodward 1-year extensions as well.
- No advance for the Hammer, who is stuck on 613 and still has just one for this season. It's not like he isn't getting his licks (119 PA), and at this rate the Mick might well retain his crown after all.
- Here are the notable trades from the Deadline period:
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