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[Any strange AI behavior this month can be attributed to me not changing the AI percentages from June (40/15/30/15) to July (40/24/24/12). However, nothing looks completely ridiculous at first glance.]
August 1, 1950
The Eastern Division continues to be a rout as Norfolk leads by twelve games. Not counting the Clippers, the East has gone 112-157 (.416) versus the West thus far, which explains why Jacksonville remains in second place despite a .500 record. Norfolk is not complacent, however; the Clippers send last year's hero Kyle Roemer (12-3, 3.69) and $2.5 million to Miami for younger and better rated Ken Chilton (4-5, 3.42) on July 30.
Only six games separate worst from first in the Western Division after former cellar dweller Dallas wins 14 straight over Tampa, Atlanta and Carolina beginning June 29. San Antonio maintains a slim one-game lead over Memphis, but both squads may be vulnerable in August. The Blues lose Douglas Agan (4-6, 3.56) with a fractured elbow on July 25; Agan is due back in mid-September. The Missions, meanwhile, are bitten hard by the injury bug on back-to-back days. On July 28, Keith Ward (8-6, 3.04) goes down for about six weeks with an inflamed rotator cuff, and the next day sees SS Ken Bennett (.291, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 68 BB) tear his tricep on a throw. Bennett may return by the final week of the season.
In transactions news, starter Steve Boyd (8-6, 3.70) had one crazy month. On July 4th, Carolina deals Boyd to Tampa; one week later, Boyd is in the All-Star Game (and gives up the winning run). July 18 sees Boyd sent from Carolina to Atlanta, and then Boyd is dealt one more time, from Atlanta to New Orleans on July 30. Throughout all this, he manages to go 2-1 in four July starts with a 3.73 ERA.
Big extensions signed at the end of the month are topped by Tampa LF Bill Danner's (20 HR, 49 RBI) five years at $9.8 million, despite hitting just .219 this season. Batter of the Month Darrell Shehan also gets $9.8 million but for four years. Other extension highlights include:
NOR SP Joe Melton (13-7, 3.53) - 6 years at $7.1 million
HOU CL Will Bergen (20 SV, 3.14) - 3 years at $7.1 million
NSH SP Everett Lane (8-8, 4.15) - 4 years at $6.8 million
Western Division Batter of the Month:
SS Jerry Carroll (DAL) - Hit .351 with 6 HR and 20 RBI
Western Division Pitcher of the Month:
Joseph Phillips (DAL) - Went 5-0 with a 1.25 ERA
Eastern Division Batter of the Month:
SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) - Hit .340 with 8 HR and 25 RBI, receives a four-year $9.8 million extension (up from $9.0 million)
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:
Dan Light (NOR) - Went 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA
Western Division Standings
San Antonio... 58 - 47 .552 -
Memphis....... 57 - 48 .543 1
Houston....... 56 - 49 .533 2
Dallas........ 54 - 51 .514 4
Nashville..... 53 - 51 .510 4.5
New Orleans... 52 - 53 .495 6
Eastern Division Standings
Norfolk....... 65 - 41 .613 -
Jacksonville.. 53 - 53 .500 12
Miami......... 48 - 57 .457 16.5
Tampa......... 48 - 58 .453 17
Atlanta....... 46 - 60 .434 19
Carolina...... 42 - 64 .396 23
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