The Pittsburgh Pirates have quietly posted the best record in the Joy in Mudville's National League.
The Pirates have won seven of their last 10 games and have surged to a 44-17 record. Pittsburgh leads the NL East by five games over Philadelphia.
The outfield tandem of Al Oliver and Willie Stargell has steered the Pirate ship in the winning direction. Oliver leads the NL in RBIs (48) and runs scored (53). He ranks second in batting (.362) and fifth in home runs (12).
Stargell, last year's NL Most Valuable Player, is second in RBIs (45) and third in homers (13). Stargell is batting .274.
Meanwhile, right fielder Bill Buckner checks in with a .337 average.
Right-hander Bob Moose (11-2, 1.61 ERA) and Dock Ellis (12-4, 2.22) have led the Pittsburgh pitching staff.
Pittsburgh has won the NL East twice in JIM history. The lone time the Pirates ldid not win the division, they lost a special one-game playoff to St. Louis in 1971.
Diamond JIM Notes: The amateur draft is June 15. Cleveland holds the top pick . . .
Pete Rose of Cincinnati and
Lou Brock of St. Louis each collected five-hit games in June . . . Oakland lost third baseman
Sal Bando for the season. Bando tore a groin muscle sliding in a game against Milwaukee. Newly acquired
Ken Reitz takes over at third for the A's . . . Baltimore has reeled off 14 straight victories.
Major League 1970 06-15-1973
Standings Report | |