State of the Diamond address
The usual suspects are emerging in the AL East, with the Brew Crew also in the mix early, while Charlie Finley’s swinging A’s are asserting themselves in the west. Over in the NL St Louis looks like the early favorite to win their third straight division title and are possibly their third straight World Series, while the miracle run of Houston appears to have lasted but a single season, with LA and Cincinnati taking their places atop the NL west as expected. Young Otto Sevihn has seen his at bats decreased in San Francisco but still leads the majors hitting at a .377 clip ahead of Eddie Ingram (.363) and Rod Carew (.340). Could be a big year for power hitters as Darrell Evans of the Braves has 15 and Dave Kingman (San Diego) and Lee May (Reds) are not on his heels with 13. Bob Gibson (St Louis) and Mike Cuellar (Baltimore) both already have 9 wins and both could make a legitimate run at the holy grail of 30.
Top Performances
• A big month for Izulde Jestor who hits over .360 in triple A for May, will the Padres keep him or use him for trade bait with Kingman starting at third?
• Diego Delavega has a nice month allowing just a .174 average against and dropping his ERA by nearly 5 runs a game.
• Rookie Max Muller is handed the starting CF job by the Reds on May 19th and responds by hitting .310 the rest of the month.
• Mathurin mania is back in effect as he takes over as the starting CF for the Expos May 18th and hits .315 for the month.
• Another solid month for the majors 2nd leading hitter as Eddie Ingram strokes it at a .362 clip for the month of May.
• Another .400 month for everyone’s favorite modern version of minor league legend Joe Bauman
• Jace Hunter has a breakout month after regaining the starting 1B job hitting .324 for the Tribe in May.
• Otto Sevihn hits .404 for the month of May, but is curiously being used on a platoon role with Willie Mays.
Transactions
• Kuji Chagulia is elevated to the big club, getting the call on May 18th
• Paul Ruby is called up by Oakland on May 29th and immediately slotted as the #4 starter
Injuries
• TC Crooks suffers a calf injury on May 6th and goes on the 15 day DL. This marks the 5th injury that has caused him to miss at least 1 start in his brief career, not good.
• Gus Cantrell suffers a minor hand injury on May 17th, missing 2 starts
Misc Notes
• Frank Justice slumps in May hitting just .191 for the month after a solid start and Boo Bentley may push him for the job after hitting .348 for the month in limited playing time.
• Cantrell is handed the keys as the ace of a potent Reds team, moving into the #1 starter spot
Set to Debut in 1974
FOFC User Ramzavail
Name: Shovel Bryant
Age: 18
Pos: RF/LF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Ht/Wt: 6'3", 215
Contact: 60
Power: 75
Eye: 90
Speed: 75
Potential: 75
FOFC User: JAG
Name: Ty "Be the Ball' Webb
Age: 19
Pos: LF/RF
Bats/Throws: L/L
Ht/Wt: 6'2" 210lb
Contact: 100
Power: 50
Eye: 100
Speed: 50
Potential: 75