Our battered bunch struggles early in August, unsurprising given the recent turn of events, but then dig deep to take 3 of 3 against the Mets at Shea and sit just one behind the Cards when they hit town for 4.
They take 3 of them to extend their lead and we push our luck after that with a number of fortuitous wins to keep them close.
Were it not for the strong play of Chris Gomez, that Dunston trade would rank with the worst of my career as Hernandez is dreadful early—his ERA sits above 8 after his first 10 appearances for us and the others around him aren’t any better as we lose a number of games late over this period and the Mets leapfrog us into second right at the end of August.
We get Bell and Bonds back in mid-September to be at full strength once more and by this point have our noses back in front by the barest margin with 20 games left.
We’re still 2 clear entering what should prove the key week of the season as first we head to the Loo for 3 with the Mets coming to TRS immediately after that for another 3.
As can often happen it turns out to be inconclusive as we win 2 at the Cards and lose 2 to the Mets to remain a couple clear entering the final week.
Sloppiness costs us a couple games we really should have won and it’s clear the earlier overusage of the group is now having an effect.
It also seems Bonds still isn’t right as he has barely contributed since his return.
Nevertheless, we do just enough right and our rivals just enough wrong for us to sneak home for our 6th straight NL East title.
A huge effort from the lads in the face of much adversity.
Quiet elsewhere for once as the Rangers, Yankees (finally!) and Padres all clinch easily within days of each other.
Final Leaders and Top 20s
Batting titles to Hal Morris and Tony Gwynn, with Big Mac's 41 HR, Rafa Palmeiro's 110 RBI and Luis Polonia's 78 SB the league highs.
No 20-game winners this year, with Mark Langston, Pedro Astacio and Cubs rookie Jason Bere logging 19. The Big Unit cruises to another King of K title, with Ben McDonald's 2.03 ERA easily this year's lowest. Mike Henneman sets a new MLB record with 53 Saves.
Greg Maddux hurls 16 Complete Games this season, almost twice as many as runner-up Jaime Navarro's 9 and the most that I can remember in some time.
Monthly Award Winners
August
American League
Batter – Tim Salmon (Angels): 402 / 8 HR / 20 RBI
Pitcher – Mike Mussina (Orioles): 3-0 / 1.03 / 26 K / 43.2 IP
Rookie – Kevin Stocker (A’s): 359 / 1 HR / 16 RBI
National League
Batter – Mark Grace (Cubs): 349 / 4 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Jose Rijo (Reds): 5-1 / 1.53 / 33 K / 47 IP
Rookie – Steve Trachsel (Marlins): 3-1 / 2.58 / 29 K / 38.1 IP
September
American League
Batter – Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers): 319 / 8 HR / 32 RBI
Pitcher – Bob Tewksbury (Brewers): 5-1 / 1.70 / 19 K / 47.2 IP
Rookie – Manny Ramirez (Red Sox): 320 / 8 HR / 16 RBI
National League
Batter – Andres Galarraga (Pirates): 417 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – John Smiley (Pirates): 5-1 / 1.86 / 29 K / 48.1 IP
Rookie – Jason Bere (Cubs): 5-1 / 3.08 / 37 K / 38 IP
Milestones and Observations of Note
300 HR: Mark McGwire
2000 Hits: Tony Gwynn
200 Wins: Jack Morris, Danny Darwin
An ACL tear ends Orioles 3B BJ Surhoff’s season prematurely and Reds superstar SS Barry Larkin is also done for the year courtesy of a badly-sprained ankle.
Elbow problems end the season for A’s veteran Rick Honeycutt.
In AAA, Tucson’s Mike Hampton hurls a no-hitter against El Paso.