A bit less frantic compared to this time a year ago, thank goodness.
We keep things ticking along in the early part of June, with the pitching remaining especially sharp including a Ron Guidry 1-hitter against San Diego. We reach the 60-game mark at 41-19 and four clear of the Mets.
When we do finally get Wally Backman back from the IL, I do sadly have to send Pops to AAA Lincoln. He’s not giving us much and as they say this ain’t show friends, it’s show business. He’ll come back up when rosters expand if not before and takes it like the pro he is.
One dilemma is the strong performance of Derrell Thomas this season. He offers better defence at 2B and with the offensive uptick is pressing for everyday usage. It’s a nice dilemma to have, no doubt, and should Wally’s performance slip then we may well make the switch or run a platoon of some sort.
We swap wins and losses over the next bit, including a split of four straight 4-3 scorelines, and there’s no doubt a the heat has come out of our bats ever so slightly for the moment.
We end June at 47-24 and five to the good of the Mets, with Ron Guidry announced as the month’s best pitcher in the NL.
July starts in ominous fashion as we lose Al Oliver for a month to a lat strain. With Mitchell Page still in the group and Derrel Thomas also able to play LF, we’ll start Tony Armas there and have the other two as backups, allowing us to recall Pops. Would love to be able to promote Kong, but rules are rules.
Then Ron Guidry loses his first decision of the season after 11 Wins. That happens in the first of a four-game series against the Mets that also features Gorman Thomas delivering us back-to-back walkoff wins as we split it 2-2.
We lose Ken Oberkfell – really solid for us so far although yet to homer – for a week to a biceps strain but, despite Gorman Thomas and Jason Thompson both enduring lean spells, we ride a Tony Armas explosion and a couple walkoffs in a 6-game string to hit the ASB at 56-28, 7 clear of the Mets.
With Tony doing so well, the news that Al Oliver will need another month’s recovery doesn’t bite as hard as it otherwise would but we need Gorman and Jason to find their mojo ahead of the stretch run in a crucial little period for us with few off days.
An injury to Edd Ott, on the other hand, is the last thing we need even if it is just an mild oblique strain that will sideline him for 3-4 weeks. Gary Alexander, the only other eligible Catcher we have at the club, gets the call-up.
In spite of which, along with a niggle that will keep Wally Backman on ice for a few days, we keep it going and enter the stretch run in the box seat with a 67-33 record and a handy lead over the Mets et al.
Just a really solid group effort so far this year, with few not pulling their weight. Craig Reynolds deserves special mention, he has been super handy for us in the 8 slot and with his glove. Reliever Rod Scurry has also impressed and he wins the July Rookie award for his efforts.
We extend reliever Odell Jones on a 1/275 deal, leaving Pops as the only unsigned player for 1982. He wants $450k for that season but we’ll just play it by ear for now.
If we play our cards right, we should hopefully be able to sit back, relax and watch the other three races - each of which looks set for yet more in the way of grandstand finishes - play out.
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
Batter – George Brett (Royals): 376 / 8 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Britt Burns (White Sox): 5-0 / 1.99 / 36 K / 45.1 IP
Rookie – Doug Potestio (Twins): 4-2 / 3.11 / 19 K / 46.1 IP (never made it to the MLB IRL)
National League
Batter – Tim Raines (Expos): 396 / 1 HR / 9 RBI
Pitcher – Ron Guidry (Pirates): 5-0 / 0.92 / 36 K / 49 IP
Rookie – Bryn Smith (Padres): 4-2 / 3.14 / 18 K / 43 IP
July
American League
Batter – Buddy Bell (Red Sox): 354 / 9 HR / 33 RBI
Pitcher – Marty Bystrom (Twins): 5-0 / 0.85 / 22 K / 42.1 IP
Rookie – Johnny Ray (Royals): 368 / 1 HR / 11 RBI
National League
Batter – Greg Luzinski (Phillies): 395 / 5 HR / 14 RBI
Pitcher – Jim Clancy (Braves): 5-1 / 1.57 / 27 K / 46 IP
Rookie – Rod Scurry (Pirates): 4-0 / 4.15 / 1 SV / 13 K / 8.2 IP
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Milestones and Observations of Note
2500 Hits: Tony Perez
200 Wins: Jerry Koosman (see below)
Rookie Padres OF Eddie Milner is the latest to catch the injury bug as a torn ACL ends his season, while the Red Sox lose Manny Trillo for 5 weeks to a knee injury and Expos rookie Pascual Perez also has his 1981 campaign brought to an end by a ruptured back disc.
A bout of shoulder inflammation sidelines Indians pitcher Fred Kuhaulua for the remainder, while Phillies superstar Mike Schmidt misses a week thanks to a PCL strain.
Deadline trades of note:
