The battle for Pennsylvania bragging rights and the Joy in Mudville National League East title is officially on.
An 18-win August has pushed the Philadelphia Phillies to within two games of the front-running Pittsburgh Pirates. During that same span, Pittsburgh lost 15 of 25 games.
What's more the Phillies and Pirates will meet six times during September, three on the road and three at home. The two clubs have split the 12 games they've played so far this season.
Pittsburgh holds the edge in experience. The Pirates captured the East flag in 1970 and '72. In 1971 Pittsburgh lost a special one-game playoff to St. Louis. Philadelphia has never finished higher than second.
Diamond JIM Notes: Baltimore won its 100th game August 20 with a 5-4 victory over Minnesota. The Orioles have won at least 100 games four straight seasons . . . Baltimore center fielder
Billy North became the seventh player in JIM history to hit for the cycle. Houston's
Cesar Cedeno accomplished the feat on Opening Day this year. North is the third Baltimore player to do it following the leads of
Paul Blair and
Boog Powell in 1970. North also tied
Joe Morgan's single-season stolen base record of 71 . . . Detroit teammates
Norm Cash and
Dave Kingman are tied for the AL home run lead with 32 longballs each. Cash even missed a week of action with strep throat . . . Seven players collected five-hit games over the course of the past month. They are
Billy North (Baltimore),
Alex Johnson (California),
Joe Torre (St. Louis),
Willie Davis (Los Angeles),
Amos Otis (Baltimore) and San Diego rookie call-ups
Dan Driessen and
George Brett.
July Awards
AL Player of the Month--Bobby Grich, Baltimore
AL Pitcher of the Month--Jon Matlack, Baltimore
AL Rookie of the Month--Richie Zisk, Minnesota
NL Player of the Month--Jim Hickman, Chicago Cubs
NL Pitcher of the Month--Dock Ellis, Pittsburgh
NL Rookie of the Month--Steve Yeager, Houston
August Awards
AL Player of the Month--Johnny Grubb, Baltimore
AL Pitcher of the Month--Mel Stottlemyre, New York Yankees
AL Rookie of the Month--Gary Maddox, California
NL Player of the Month--John Mayberry, Houston
NL Pitcher of the Month--Steve Carlton, St. Louis
NL Rookie of the Month--Dan Driessen, San Diego
Major League 1970 09-01-1973
Standings Report | |