Johnny Ray is making what will almost certainly be his final season with the club a memorable one, slashing his way by mid-June to a 338 AVG and 30 RBI—the latter of those placing him third among our players, and from the leadoff slot!
He, Bell and Burks are to thank for keeping us in top spot as the pitchers cool right off and Van Slyke, Bonds and Bonilla go almost completely AWOL.
Entering July, they have 22 home runs and 94 RBI between them, although the two BBs do improve from there.
Danny Jackson, who certainly won’t go down as one of my better acquisitions, is the other big worry and he eventually pitches himself out of the rotation, with Zane Smith getting his spot.
Still, we get it together after the ASB and lead by 9 at the end of this sectional.
All the same, I just don’t feel this is the side that’s going to break our title drought. I don’t know what it is but something in the mix isn’t quite right.
We aggressively look around the league as the Deadline nears but simply can’t find the piece(s) that might solve the puzzle.
Every option strikes us as having the potential to do more harm than good—as likely a result of us looking too hard as anything, I fear.
Some more extensions signed: Jay Bell 1/630; Doug Drabek 6/4780; Dan Plesac 5/2880; Brian Harper 1/800.
Ron Gant’s negotiations prove fruitless and we’ll arb him although it doesn’t bode well for the future.
The Rangers are making another push for their maiden playoff appearance and they move past the Mariners to the top of the AL West thanks to a 10-game run of wins.
With their pitching looking good and a handy lead entering the stretch, they might be a bit of a dark horse this year.
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
Batter – Ruben Sierra (Indians): 432 / 6 HR / 30 RBI
Pitcher – Dennis Eckersley (Rangers): 4-0 / 1.76 / 14 K / 30.2 IP
Rookie – Kevin Appier (Royals): 4-0 / 2.90 / 28 K / 40.1 IP
National League
Batter – Pedro Guerrero (Dodgers): 373 / 7 HR / 31 RBI
Pitcher – Orel Hershiser (Dodgers): 5-0 / 1.29 / 23 K / 48.2 IP
Rookie – Greg Hibbard (Reds): 3-1 / 2.19 / 6 SV / 8 K / 12.1 IP
July
American League
Batter – Andres Galarraga (Mariners): 353 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Chris Bosio (Rangers): 6-0 / 3.07 / 23 K / 44 IP
Rookie – Kenny Rogers (Rangers): 3-0 / 1.78 / 19 K / 30.1 IP
National League
Batter – John Olerud (Cardinals): 376 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Jose De Leon (Pirates): 5-0 / 1.52 / 32 K / 41.1 IP
Rookie – John Olerud
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Jose De Leon's some chance of a Triple Crown if he keeps going as he has been.
Milestones and Observations of Note
2500 Hits: Keith Hernandez
2000 Hits: Willie Randolph, Willie Wilson
Expo Joe Magrane suffers a dose of elbow tendinitis that causes him to miss the ASG and 12 weeks’ action all told.
Ex-Pirate Gary Redus, now with the Tigers, is put out of action for the year by an ACL tear, as is Royals OF Felix Jose by a calf injury.
Deadline trades of note:
