[Nick Soulis]

The Excellence Project – Season 8 Monthly Review: July 2025
All 16 clubs near the trade deadline and postseason chase

🌟 Monthly Superlatives

Pitcher of the Month (NL): Gaylord Perry – 1969 Giants
Record: 5-1 | ERA: 1.05 | Innings: 51.2 | K: 26
→ Now 15-6 with a 2.75 ERA over 26 starts.

Pitcher of the Month (AL): José Lima – 1994 Tigers
Record: 5-1 | ERA: 1.53 | Innings: 58.2 | K: 29
→ Now 13-10 with a 3.89 ERA.

Batter of the Month (NL): Rogers Hornsby – 1926 Cardinals
AVG: .343 | HR: 10 | RBI: 27 | Runs: 20
→ Slashing .327/.392/.619 with 28 HR and 80 RBI.

Batter of the Month (AL): Stuffy McInnis – 1910 Athletics
→ League-best .364 AVG, anchoring a juggernaut lineup.

📊 League Leaders Snapshot – July 31

Batting Average:
1. Stuffy McInnis (PHA) – .364
2. Owen Wilson (PIT) – .343
3. Eddie Collins (PHA) – .338

Home Runs:
1. Willie Stargell (PIT) – 38
2. Willie McCovey (SFN) – 30
3. Jeff Heath (SLA) / Rogers Hornsby (SLN) – 28

RBI:
1. Willie Stargell (PIT) – 96
2. Danny Murphy (PHA) – 93
3. Willie McCovey (SFN) – 84

Wins:
1. Eddie Plank (PHA) – 16
2. Bender, Coombs (PHA), Perry (SFN) – 15

ERA:
1. Andy Pettitte (HOU) – 2.15
2. Hank Robinson (PIT) – 2.36
3. Roger Clemens (HOU) – 2.40

Strikeouts:
1. Charles Bender (PHA) – 180
2. Harry Krause (PHA) – 174
3. Jack Coombs (PHA) – 163

📁 Team-by-Team Summaries – July 2025

AL East Division

Philadelphia 1910 Athletics (71–32, .689) – 🔥
McInnis, Collins, and Murphy power an unstoppable offense. Plank, Bender, and Coombs dominate on the hill. A 20+ win month has them cruising toward the postseason.

Detroit 1994 Tigers (47–55, .461)
Lima's brilliant July (5-1, 1.53 ERA) couldn’t save a struggling club. Tettleton (27 HR) needs more support. Still searching for consistency.

Boston 1953 Red Sox (44–58, .431)
Ted Williams-less team lacks identity. No major July standouts. Hovering in mediocrity.

St. Louis 1947 Browns (39–63, .382)
A rough July continues a lost season. Few signs of a turnaround.

AL West Division

Pittsburgh 1972 Pirates (63–40, .612) – ⭐
Stargell is the league’s top slugger (38 HR, 96 RBI). Elite arms like Moose and Robinson make this team dangerous. Took control of the division in July.

Seattle 1990 Mariners (52–50, .510)
Solid but unspectacular. Erik Hanson (154 K) is a bright spot. Hanging around in a crowded wildcard chase.

St. Louis 1945 Browns (43–61, .413)
A rough 9-17 July. Offense is stagnant, pitching worse. Sliding down the standings.

Minnesota 1998 Twins (42–60, .412)
Virtually tied with the Browns. Another team that hasn’t put it all together. Treading water.

NL East Division

St. Louis 1926 Cardinals (60–42, .588)
Hornsby’s award-winning July carries the team. Gritty group leads a tight race. Smart, balanced baseball keeps them on top.

Pittsburgh 1913 Pirates (59–44, .573)
Owen Wilson (.343) keeps raking, Honus Wagner steady as always. Still within striking distance.

Washington 1965 Senators (39–63, .382)
A once-promising team fading fast. McMullen earned recognition, but not enough help.

Chicago 1983 Cubs (39–64, .379)
Rough July as they continue to struggle against top-tier opponents. Another step back.

NL West Division

San Francisco 1969 Giants (61–42, .592)
Perry’s dominant July headlines a team on the rise. McCovey (30 HR) providing big power. Quietly establishing themselves as a frontrunner.

Cincinnati 2015 Reds (54–47, .535)
Inconsistent but dangerous. Votto and Frazier give them life, but they need more rotation support.

Houston 2005 Astros (54–50, .519)
Pettitte and Clemens form a shutdown 1-2 punch. Still in the mix, but bats must improve.

San Diego 2013 Padres (54–50, .519)
Underrated squad playing clean baseball. Looking for a true breakout star to lead them.

What to Watch in August

• Can anyone catch the Athletics? Philly has run away with the AL East.
• NL West is a 4-team brawl – 7.5 games separate first and fourth.
• MVP Race: Stargell vs Hornsby
• Cy Young Watch: Perry (SFN), Bender (PHA), Pettitte (HOU) all surging

The Excellence Project continues into the heat of August…