WEEK IN REVIEW
Cobb Proving To Be A Mentor To First Place Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are sitting in first place in the AL Central with the best record in the American League at 12-4. The Tigers have started the first two weeks of the season hitting baseball very well and lead the Cooperstown league with a .315 average. The Tigers are best in almost every American League catagory including runs scored with 100.
AL Team Batting
1. Detroit Tigers .315
2. NY Yankees .296
3. Oakland A's - .293
4. Boston Red Sox - .291
5. Baltimore Orioles - .283
In the middle of this hitting barrage is maybe one of the best hitters of them all in Ty Cobb. Cobb himself is batting .343 but that high number is only good enough for third on the team. Cobb has a reputation of not being a team player but his teamates say other wise as his influence and lessons at the plate have made a diffrence. Others are saying that Cobb is on a mission to beat the Yankees and will do anything and everything to get his teamates to play above expectations to make that happen.
Miguel Cabrera is hitting everything in sight and leads the league with a .424 average after two weeks of play. Cabrera has five home runs and 14 RBI and seems in no mood to slow down. Lance Parrish is another example hitting .404 in the same time span, well above expectations while also hitting five home runs.
"We do help eachother out" said Cabrera of his hot start, "to watch a hitter like Cobb obviously has been a great benefit. All the rumors about him being a bad teamate just are not true."
The Tigers hold a three game lead in the division.
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Players of the Week
Amercian League
Babe Ruth - NY Yankees
The Babe went 13-20 during this week and has his swing looking at its best. The Babe is hitting .361 for the season with five home runs and 13 RBI.
National League
Kevin Appier - KC Royals
Appier pitched not one, but two consecutive shutouts this week and is among the hottest pitchers in the game. Appier has struck out 23 men and is a breath of fresh air for the first place 10-6 Royals.
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League Leaders
Average
Migue Cabrera DET - .424
Gary Sheffield MIL - .417
Lance Parrish DET - .404
Home Runs
Ken Griffey Jr SEA - 8
Johhny Mize STL - 6
Joe DiMaggio NYY - 6
RBI
Stan Musial STL - 23
Chipper Jones ATL - 18
Johnny Mize STL - 18
Stolen Bases
Willie Wilson KC - 8
Ichiro Suzuki SEA - 6
Willie Keeler LAD - 5
Wins
Mike Boddicker BAL - 4
Chris Carpenter STL - 4
Hal Newhouser DET - 4
ERA
Fergie Jenkins CHC - 1.30
Mordecai Brown CHC - 1.30
Mike Bodicker BAL - 1.57
Strike Outs
Randy Johnson SEA - 41
Don Drysdale LAD - 39
CC Sabathia CLE - 36
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Managerial Decisions Mike Boddicker has now fully taken a rotation spot for the Orioles for Dave McNally (6.30). Nick Markakis will also get more time as Paul Blair is batting only .122
Harold Baines is only 2 for 19 this season so Magglio Ordonez is set to get more atbats.
Bo Jackson of the Royals will replace Danny Tartabull in the lineup. Tartabull is batting under .200.
The Dodgers will turn to Burleigh Grimes to replace Don Newcombe in the Dodgers rotation. Newcombe has an ERA over 7.
Andy Pettitte is due to make a start for the Yankees over Red Ruffing.
Chief Bender replaced Vida Blue in the A's rotation. Mack feels more comfortable with Bender.
Terry Pendleton for the time being will play for Kenny Boyer at third base for th Cardinals as Boyer has failed to impress.