State of the Diamond address
The AL East has turned into a dog fight between the Yankees, O’s and Red Sox, which will give fans something to follow in September after Minnesota collapses with a 7-22 month in August, putting Oakland firmly in control. The NL races are still pretty much locked up and Houston looks poised to threaten the 1908 Cubs all-time win mark after another solid month in September. The Cubbies are languishing again, but ‘Sweet Swingin’ Billy Williams has taken the MLB lead in hitting at .332, with Rod Carew (.329) and the Braves Ralph Garr (.323) in pursuit. The Home Run race remains tight with Johnny Bench (32) and Earl Williams (Braves) and Dick Allen (Cardinals) with 31 apiece. Bobby Murcer leads Bench in RBI 99-93, while on the mound it is Jim Palmer (24-7, 2.18), Larry Dierker (23-9 2.21) and Jack Billingham (23-7, 2.90) setting the pace. The latter two are the main reason Houston has run away in the NL West.
Top Performances
• TC Crooks is only 3-2 in August, but holds opponents to a batting average of .204 for the month
• Eddie Ingram drives in 20 runs for the month of August and again hits over .300 (.316)
• Al Mighty has his best month as a pro, hitting .287 in August
• Gus Cantrell would be amazing with run support as opponents only hit .157 against him in August
• O’olish Amaneh hits .366 in his first full month in triple A
• If worthy only for the shock value, Willis ‘Leadfoot’ Wilson steals a base…in the majors!
Transactions
• Ivan Carrillo is returned to the minors by San Diego on August 4th to regain his confidence.
• Rick Inman is sent to the minors on August 3rd, but recalled on the 4th when Carrillo is demoted
• Frank Justice is also demoted on the 3rd, recalled the next day and given the starting job in CF
• Dan Schoonover gets the call from the Padres on August 3rd, but is sent back down the next day
• Will Brown joins Schoonover on the San Diego Merry-go-round, the Padres have issues
• Otto Sevihn is sent down by the Giants on August 28th
• Larry McGillicuddy gets the call to replace Sevihn on the Giants roster on August 28th
• Guess who finally gets the call? Willis Wilson joins the Pirates on August 5th
• Cleveland sends Jace Hunter back to Triple A on August 22nd
Injuries
• Gus Cantrell sustained a minor quadriceps injury on August 9th.
Misc Notes
• Rick Inman’s only hit in August is a big one as he strokes a 2 run HR against the Dodgers
• Neglected to mention that Eddie Ingram was our first All-Star, starting and getting 596,558 votes
• Diego Delavega continues to average a strikeout an inning. If he can harness his control look out
• Pedro Gonzalez goes 1 for 25 in August, a batting average of .040 for the month
• Kuji Chagulia is this year’s designated runner with as many runs and steal as official at bats
Set to debut in 1973
Crimson Fox
Name: Paul "Santa" Ruby
Age: 19
Role: SP
Bats/Throws: 6'3"
Ht/Wt: 230
You get 375 points to split between the following categories
Stuff: 70
Velocity: 80
Control: 100
Endurance: 75
Potential: 50
Muns
Name: Max "Mad Dash" Muller
Age: 21
Pos: CF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Ht/Wt: 6'2 215
You get 375 points to split between the following categories
Contact: 100
Power:0
Eye: 75
Speed:100
Potential: 100