[FuzzyRussianHat]

Boston and Cleveland remained neck-and-neck in the American League East Division heading into the all-star break. The Red Sox narrowly hold the AL’s best record at 48-35 with the Spiders one back at 47-36. Philadelphia is a close third at 44-39, while the rest of the group lost some ground in June. Milwaukee maintained its AL West lead at 47-36, six ahead of Detroit and seven ahead of Kansas City.

Browns CF Hugh Duffy was AL Batter of the Month in June with a .347 average, 7 home runs, 23 RBI, and 25 runs. Duffy leads AL batters at the break with 4.3 WAR. Minnesota’s Toad Ramsey was Pitcher of the Month with a 2.13 ERA in 55 innings, 5-1 record, and 47 strikeouts. Brewers #8 draft pick Ed Stein was Rookie of the Month with a 2.91 ERA in 43.1 innings with 36 Ks and a 4-1 record.

Both Buffalo and Boston went on a tear heading into the break, growing their National League East Division lead to ten games with both teams at 51-32. New Orleans moved into first in the NL West at 49-34 with Louisville at 47-36 and St. Louis at 45-38.

Colonels slugger Jimmy Ryan was AL Batter of the Month with a .412 average, 6 home runs, 26 RBI, and 22 runs. Louisville also had Pitcher of the Month Jesse Duryea with a 4-2 record, 2.05 ERA, and 33 Ks in 52.2 innings. Buffalo pitcher Jack Sharrott was the top rookie as the #6 pick posted a 3.02 ERA over 53.2 innings for a 4-1 record and 39 Ks.



Cubs LF Dave Orr was the first player with a six-hit game in 1890, going 6-6 against New Orleans on June 3. The Braves had two notable hitting streaks end in June with Mike Tiernan at 24 games and Ed Crane at 22. The reigning MVP Tiernan leads the majors at the all-star break in home runs (30), RBI (78), and OPS (1.128).