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August 1, 1949
San Antonio wins ten straight before the break (including sweeps of Norfolk and Miami) to take a two-game lead over Dallas in their bid to repeat as Western Division champs. Behind ace Keith "Superfly" Ward (11-4, 1.79, 144 K in 156 IP, .178 OAVG), the Missions lead the league in stolen bases once again, with CF Jeff McGovern (.317, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 45 SB) and 2B John Watkins (.250, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 38 SB) burning up the basepaths.
Last place Houston's woes continue as they lose 1948 MVP 1B Matt Wille (.233, 17 HR, 50 RBI) for the season to a broken wrist on July 6. The Buffaloes must not be too concerned, however, as they ink Wille to a four-year, $10.1 million extension at the end of the month. New Orleans also breaks out the checkbook to tie up CF Charlie Norwood (.256, 19 HR, 66 RBI, 15 2Bs, 65 R) at $7.4 million for three years and SP Ronald Absher (7-8, 3.11, 21 BB in 162 IP) at $6.4 million for four years.
In the East, Norfolk stumbles as Miami takes a 1 1/2 game lead over the Clippers. The Meteors' 3.51 staff ERA tops the league, thanks to Edwin Frey (8-6, 2.55), Joe MacLeod (11-5, 2.82), and Kevin Dotson (8-5, 2 SV, 3.16, 9 GS).
After rebounding a bit in July (19-7), Atlanta signs their top two starters to extensions, with 38-year-old Tim Steele (7-4, 3.31) getting another year at $5.7 million and Stephen Vance (9-5, 3.91) receiving $5.1 million for three years.
Western Division Batter of the Month:
SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) - Hit .420 with 3 HR and 17 RBI
Western Division Pitcher of the Month:
Keith "Superfly" Ward (SAN) - Went 3-0 with an 0.81 ERA and 45 K in 44 2/3 IP
Eastern Division Batter of the Month:
LF Bill Danner (TAM) - Hit .314 with 8 HR and 22 RBI
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:
Kevin Dotson (MIA) - Went 4-0 with a 2.32 ERA
Western Division Standings
San Antonio... 59 - 45 .567 -
Dallas........ 57 - 47 .548 2
Memphis....... 52 - 52 .500 7
Nashville..... 51 - 53 .490 8
New Orleans... 50 - 53 .485 8.5
Houston....... 46 - 58 .442 13
Eastern Division Standings
Miami......... 58 - 47 .552 -
Norfolk....... 56 - 48 .538 1.5
Tampa......... 52 - 53 .495 6
Jacksonville.. 51 - 54 .486 7
Atlanta....... 47 - 58 .448 11
Carolina...... 47 - 58 .448 11
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