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Minnesota holds the American League’s best record at the all-star break at 49-32 atop the West Division. Their lead shrunk to only 2.5 games after an impressive 19-7 run in June by Kansas City, who sits at 47-35. They went into the break on a five-game winning streak, while reigning AL West champ Milwaukee had the inverse to fall to third at 42-41.

Boston made slight gains on their AL East lead in June, growing it to 4.5 games with a 47-36 record. Defending World Series champ Washington is second at 42-40 and the only other team above .500. However, three other teams are within eight games of first place. Cleveland had a particularly rotten 9-18 record in June to fall to fifth place.

Detroit LF Chick Stahl was both AL Batter of the Month and Rookie of the Month in June as the #3 pick had a .408 average, 42 hits, 7 homers, 23 RBI, and 20 runs. Kansas City’s Mike Sullivan was Pitcher of the Month with a 6-0 record, 3.86 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 49 innings.

Cincinnati took the best record in Major League Baseball into the break at 53-30 and was 8-2 in their final ten games. Still, the Reds have tough competition in the NL West with Indianapolis (49-34), Louisville (48-35), and New Orleans (45-38) each live concerns. The Pelicans and Clowns lost some ground in June, while the Colonels made up ground. New Orleans had to deal with a six week strained hamstring to star 2B Frank Grant. Chicago (30-53) and St. Louis (29-54) are battling for MLB’s worst record thus far. It is a huge collapse for the Cardinals, a division champ the prior year.

Philadelphia’s NL East lead was at five games through June at 48-35. Brooklyn stayed even with them at 43-40. Buffalo (40-43), Pittsburgh (39-44), and New York (39-44) each could still make a push despite weak first halves.

Cincinnati RF Kip Selbach was NL Batter of the Month as the third-year star had a .441 average, 8 homers, 35 RBI, and 22 runs. At the break, Selbach leads the majors in WAR (6.3), RBI (82), OPS (1.176), hits (116), and total bases (201). #4 pick Arlie Pond was Pitcher and Rookie of the Month for Louisville with a 1.55 ERA in 52.1 innings, 5-0 record, and 43 Ks.



In injury news, two-time Pitcher of the Year Ed Daily suffered a torn flexor tendon to end his season. Injuries have derailed the 32-year old since joining the Boston Red Sox in 1891. He missed most of 1893 to a torn UCL and had already missed part of 1895 to a fractured ulna.

The first cycle of the season came on June 25 by Baltimore OF Jack O’Connor against Boston. In milestones, Red Sox star Charlie Ferguson became the third pitcher with 200 career wins and Brooklyn’s Billy Sunday became the 17th with 1000 career RBI.