It's hard to believe that six seasons ago the San Diego Padres were the worst team in the Joy in Mudville League.
Winners of just 51 games that inaugural year, the Padres have now ascended to the league's top spot. Buoyed by a 20-win May, San Diego has surged to a 35-13 record. The Padres hold down first place in the National League West.
San Diego has developed a reputation for offense thanks to the likes of NL Player of the Month Dan Driessen (.379), George Brett (.352) and Jim Rice (.337).
Yet, it's been pitching that has propeled the Padres to the top. Rookie right-hander Mark Lemongello is 10-0 with a 2.57 ERA. The 20-year-old earned NL Rookie of the Month for the second straight time and was also tabbed as the Senoir Circuit's top pitcher. Lemongello was the 39th player taken in last year's June amateur draft.
Dave Goltz (8-3), Doc Medich (5-1) and Gary Ross (5-3) have also thrown the ball well. Pedro Borbon has been top notch out of the bullpen. The Dominican right-hander leads the JIM with an amazing 17 saves.
Diamond JIM Notes: Cleveland third baseman
Mike Schmidt is on pace to hit 53 home runs and drive in 151 runs this season. Schmidt presently leads the JIM with 15 homers and 43 RBIs . . . Recently acquired
Larry Dierker is 4-1 with a 1.88 ERA with his new team, the Kansas City Royals . . . Meanwhile,
Dave Winfield struggled in his first month with the Montreal Expos. Winfield, traded to Montreal by Milwaukee for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming amateur draft, hit just .185 with two home runs and 10 RBIs for the Expos . . . Cleveland pitcher
Claude Osteen has announced he will retire at season's end. However, Indians' brass may want to talk the veteran left-hander out of that idea. Osteen is 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA with the Tribe this year . . . Five players rapped out five-hit games in May. They were:
Gene Locklear (Mets),
Lou Piniella (Royals),
Darrell Evans (Orioles),
Willie Montanez (Cubs) and
Joe Torre (Cardinals) . . . The
Pittsburgh Pirates reeled off a 20-9 May record to take over first place in the AL East . . . Many are surprised by the second-place success of the
New York Mets. Look no further than the playing of outfielders
Steve Braun (.351-8-39),
Gene Locklear (.355) and
Mike Jorgensen (.327-7-26) . . . Players spending time on the disabled list in May included
Mark Belanger (Rangers),
Tommie Agee (Cardinals),
Rob Dressler (Pirates) and
Cesar Tovar (Twins).
May Award Winners
American League
Top Rookie--Bob Bailor, Detroit Tigers
Top Pitcher--Tom Seaver, Baltimore Orioles
Top Hitter--Mike Schmidt, Cleveland Indians
National League
Top Rookie--Mark Lemongello, San Diego Padres
Top Pitcher--Mark Lemongello, San Diego Padres
Top Hitter--Dan Driessen, San Diego Padres
Major League 1970 06-01-1976
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