Season 7
June
Awards
Batter of the month AL: Adam Jones (2009 Orioles)
Batter of the month NL - Tris Speaker (1919 Indians)
Pitcher of the month AL - Bullett Joe Bush (1921 Red Sox)
Pitcher of the month NL - Steve Renko (1975 Expos)
Injuries
Dioner Navarro (2005 Dodgers) - ACL (Seasom)
American League East
The worst division we have seen in 7 seasons has to be this AL as every club still has a losing record. The 2006 Athletics took over the top spot with a decent month lead by Rich Harden who pitched big and now has nine wins with 139 strikeouts. The starters are tops in strikeouts but is the Oakland offense that is unspectacular and holds this team back. The 2003 Royals finished June losing nine of ten as other then Carlos Beltran, the defense has been amateurish. Runelys Hernandez is 2-11 and Royals pitching has been hit hard; its a miracle this club is only a game and half out. The 1921 Red Sox saw Bullett Joe Bush heat up and win pitcher of the month the the Sox are last in the league in scoring runs and are last in home runs and steals. Del Pratt continues a good season hitting .359 but the club will need to ease the pressure on the Boston starters. The 1933 White Sox won only nine times in the month but only six games back just cant throw in the towel. They are 14-29 away from home and other then Ted Lyons, the pitching on the Chicago staff has been puddy in hitters hand and things look to likely get worse.
American League West
The club making the biggest statement thus far this season has to be the 1963 White Sox. Playing high level ball the Sox won 19 games in June after 23 in May and now have run away with the west. Every starter is over 10 wins and the offense is tops in the league in just about everything. Pete Ward has a 182 OPS+ and the team is hitting .281. Never has a group of unspectacular hitters looked so good. The 2009 Orioles had a winning month and a solid record but the heat has just been too much. Adam Jones really is a star hitting .344 with 54 RBI while the Oriole pen is best in the league supporting an overachieving staff lead by 11 win Brian Matusz. The 1974 Twins are five games over but over 13 back as they have leaned on pitching as Bert Blyleven has struck out 181 and Bill Campbell has 19 saves. Craig Kusick is having a nice season hitting .310 with 14 HR already. The 1986 Dodgers have faded away losing 17 games in the month as Alejando Pena and the pen have struggled. Mike Marshall has 18 home runs and Franklin Stubbs one better at 19 as the club has played in bad luck with their Pythag record 5 games better then what it is.
National League East
The 1919 Indians continuie their sprint to the division win with another big month and a 12 game lead. Tris Speaker has once again come to the forefront winning hitter of the month and holding steady with a .380 average tops in the game. Johnny Enzmann has become one of the best closers in the game with 18 saves. The 1967 Senators have held their own for a nice season so far even if they cant really hope for a top spot. Ken Harrelson and Frank Howard are ll muscle in the middle of the order even if they miss too much. Camilo Pascual had a good month for a overachieving staff and the Senators really will fight to finish at .500. Falling like a lump of coal are the 1969 Braves who lost 18 games in June. The Braves have allowed the most home runs in the league so far and overall team speed is lacking both on the bases and on defense. Rico Carty is having a nice season but this club has been a major letdown. Up in Montreal the 1969 Expos are 40 games under .500 but will play out the rest of the season looking to take small steps. Bob Bailey and Mack Jones have both driven in over 50 runs but Expos pitching have been deplorable and the club just doesn't have nearly the talent to be competing.
National League West
On the very bright side for Canada are the 1975 Expos who have also taken the league by storm winning 9 out of 10 to end the month and hold a 3 game lead in the division. Ellis Valentine is hitting .351 in the cleanup spot and the club is tops in the game with 121 steals. Steve Rogers was on point in the month with a 2.25 ERA and now has 12 wins. The 1972 White Sox won 20 games and really believe they can make a run at glory this year. Dick Allen has 22 home runs and most pitchers in the league are shaking in their boots. The rotation has been steady with Wilbur Wood 11-6 with a 3.05 ERA. Terry Foster has earned 21 saves as closer and looks like a revelation. Injuries continue to hurt the 2005 Dodgers but they are still playing good enough ball to hope. Brad Penny has been a good leader for the rotation but Dodger bats are not as consistent as they need to be. Jeff Kent is stuck on 8 home runs and the club doesnt run well. Jonathon Broxton however has 28 saves and really has been unhittable. The 1979 Brew Crew have broken hearts falling to last place losing 19 times and seemingly losing their confidence. With their closer hurt, the Brewer pen has been a bad puzzle and the starters ERA ballooned to 5.46. Milwaukee is now over 10 games and now can officially start to worry.