Pastime Baseball League
June Review (cont.)
Leaders as of July 1, 2012
It's still the New York Heroes in front in the East, hoping for their fourth straight division title. But a losing month for the Heroes (12-14) is keeping things a bit close, though their division lead of 5 1/2 games is tied for the PBL's best. Irish Meusel leads the league in hitting at .350, Roger Connor (.289-14-71) is his rock-steady self and it appears David Wright (.300-12-60) is evolving into the performer the Heroes anticipated when they took him in the inaugural draft. Pitching was the June struggle, though, as Jim McCormick, Harry Howell and Jack Taylor went a combined 3-8 with an ERA of 6.00.
That worked to the advantage of the Charlotte Cougars, who went 15-12 on the month. Jake Peavy (8-4, 2.71) continues to lead the rotation, but is getting support from Ben Sheets (6-8, 3.58) and Ralph Branca (8-4, 3.76). Rookie Billy Sample has filled in nicely for the injured Matt Holliday, hitting .301. Holliday (.350-3-22) is due back this week. New acquisition Adam LaRoche hit .351 with 2 homers and 7 RBI in 11 games, finalizing the move of Pedro Feliz (.204-1-17) to the bench.
Nobody's quite clear on what prompted the Philadelphia Ringers to deal John O'Rourke and his 20 homers to New Orleans for catcher Jack Rowe a few days ago, particularly near the end of a month that saw the Ringers go 16-11 and in which O'Rourke hit .333 with 5 homers and 20 RBI. His numbers aren't great, but the Ringers seem to think rookie Andre Dawson (.244-4-21) is the centerfielder of the future. Which is fine, but he's not there yet. Rookie Jason Thompson (.346-7-26) has taken the first base job by force. Satchel Paige posted a 2.68 ERA on the month.
A 14-12 month helped the Louisville Racers, but they'll need more to get back in the heat of things here, though there's plenty of time left, of course. After an abyssmal start to the year, Hardy Richardson (.247-10-45) hit .416 in June. Roy Oswalt (9-6, 3.91) continues to lead the way for the pitching staff.
Out west, the Indianapolis Racers have seen their hold slip to a single percentage point over the Wichita Brigade. The Racers continue to lead the league in scoring despite a sophomore slump of sorts from Stan Musial (.268-3-25) that has seen him reduced to part-time status for now. The emergence of Wally Pipp (.318-16-73) has put Jake Beckley (.346-6-44) in the DH slot. And as long as Billy Hamilton (.272-4-27), Elmer Flick (.311-11-45) and Fred Clarke (.365-1-17) are hitting, Musial - who hit .172 in June - will be getting a bit more of a breather. "He'll be a fixture here for a long time," manager Frank Selee said of Musial. "But right now, he's scuffling and we're winning. I'm not going to change that. And he gets it."
Despite a pitching staff with the next-to-most runs allowed (421) in the Northern League - and three pitchers done for the season - the Wichita Brigade are looking for their own fourth straight division crown. There's some concern over Rube Waddell's backslide this month, though he still has 12 wins and went 4-1 despite an ERA over 5. But there's more worry about Jonas Gaines, who went 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA. Rube Foster, acquired from Chicago before the season, has put up a 1.32 ERA out of the bullpen. Don't be shocked if he takes Gaines' spot if he falters in his next start.
Speaking of Chicago, the Hitmen remain in the hunt despite their own batch of injury woes. They've gone 24-31 since a 15-10 start, but still find themselves only five games out despite slipping below .500. Traditionally a good offense, bad pitching team, the Hitmen have weathered injuries to their preseason top two starters - Cy Young and Joe Bush - to post the Northern League's top ERA (3.66). The offense, however, ranks sixth, as injuries to Adam Dunn have crippled his production (.184, 5 homers), and injuries have also limited Babe Ruth's (.308-5-28) time. Saving graces have been pitchers Howie Pollet (12-2, 2.04), Amos Rusie (7-4, 3.44) and closer Bobby Jenks (13 saves, 1.31 ERA).
The Sacramento Stingers shocked the baseball world when they dealt George Hall - a one-time 50-homer man and the face of the franchise - to Los Angeles for Justin Morneau. But Morneau is five years younger and at this point may well be a better hitter, and hit .364-4-14 in his first 15 games with the Stingers. The move, combined with the trade of Adam LaRoche, puts Morneau as the every day first baseman and means the Stingers will need to find a regular DH. Expect Hank Sauer to get a turn there.
AWARDS
Player of the Week
6/4 SS John Beckwith - Charlotte Cougars
6/11 1B Roger Connor - New York Heroes
6/18 1B Wally Pipp - Indianapolis Engines
6/25 LF Charley Jones - Philadelphia Ringers
Hitter of the Month
2B Hardy Richardson - Louisville Racers
Pitcher of the Month
Bill Byrd - New York Heroes
Rookie of the Month
LF Gene Richards - Louisville Racers