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JUNE
AL
Summer has begun and division battles started to heat up. In AL East Orioles still on top, but behind them the war is on with Red Sox and Yankees battling for 2nd place (43-30 Orioles record, 38-35 Red Sox, 39-37 Yankees); Brewers Always in last position while Tigers, Guardians and Blue Jays are on line for Anonymous season. In AL West 6 teams out of 7 are chasing the title: Royals lead with a 40-32 record, with White Sox 1 game back and Mariners 2 game back. Twins, which are in 6th place, are only 5 game back, so everything is open.
About stats, in batting Singleton (BAL) is leading in AVG while Luzinski (CWS) took the HR Lead after a hot month, with also a 176 OPS+; Henderson (OAK) has already 38 SB. In Pitching ERA rise for almost all pitcher, with Flanagan (BAL) still leading but in WAR, WINS and IP Blyleven got the edge (13 W, 3.2 WAR, 133 IP with 9 complete games)
NL
East division seems a three team battle: Pirates surpassed the Cubs, now 3 game back and Cardinals are approaching the leading duo, only 5 and a half game behind the Pirates. Expos and Mets are behind 9 and 10 games respectively, while Phillies are in last, 18 game back (25-48). In West division Astros are trying to escape, with a 5 and half game lead on the Dodgers and 7 game on the Padres. Giants, Reds and Braves appear already out.
Talking about players, Buckner is leading avg and OPS, trailing only Guerrero (LAD) and Mike Schmidt (PHI) in RBI. He is not a power guy, but is quest for MVP is on. In pitching, Nolan Ryan jumped on ERA lead, battling with Carlton (PHI) for the strikeouts lead (Carlton leads the WAR stat, with 5).
TRADES/NOTABLE MENTIONS
- Detroit acquired 38 year old LHP Jerry Koosman from the Twins in Exchange of 20 year old minor League RHP Randy O'Neal and 21 year old minor League Mark Lockenmeyer
- Chicago Cubs acquired 27 year old 2B lenn Sakata from the Orioles in Exchange for 31 year old RHP Lynn McGlothen
- San Diego Padres sent 17 year old SS Ozzie Guillen and 24 year old minor League LHP Mark Thurmond to California Angels for 26 year old minor League LF John Harris
- Cleveland Indians sent 30 year old LHP Sid Monge to Giants for 23 year old minor League CF Rich Murray and 23 year old 2B Doran Perdue
- San Diego sent 23 year old 2B Tim Flannery to New York Mets for 35 year old RHP Dyar Miller
- Cincinnati sent 21 year old RHP Kurt Kepshire and 22 year old RHP Frank DeJiulio to Chicago Cubs for 25 year old Jim Tracy (LF)
None of this trade seems relevant, even if Giants tried to reinforce their pitching staff with Monge.
Reggie Smith (LAD) hit his 300th HR on June 11th
Luis Tiant (SP - PIT) announced his retirement
MONTHLY AWARDS & NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
- Roy Smalley (MIN) against New York, 5/5, 4 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR
- Ron Jackson (MIN) against Chicago, 3/5, 2 R, 7 RBI, 2 HR
- Gaylord Perry (ATL) against Montreal, 9 IP, 1 H, 5 K
- Steve Carlton (PHI) against New York, 9 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K
AL Batter of the month: Roy Smalley (MIN)
AL Pitcher of the month: Steve Stone (BAL)
AL Rookie of the month: Bill Laskey (KC)
NL Batter of the month: Dave Parker (PIT)
NL Pitcher of the month: Don Robinson (PIT)
NL Rookie of the month: Fred Kuhaulua (SD)
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