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The Oakland Telegraph
1 September 2033
Another rookie of the month award for centre fielder Dalton, as A's open narrow 2-game lead on Texas
By Kanye Winnit, narrow leads correspondent
The scouts aren't massively hot on him: they rate him at a markedly average 2.5 stars with a 2.5 potential. But Oakland centre fielder Ray Dalton is sticking two fingers up at those ungenerous assessments, as he continues to build a strong portfolio of evidence in his bid to be named American League rookie of the year. Dalton's consistent displays last night saw him named AL rookie of the month for August, his third monthly accolade of the season.
Dalton hit .321 with 2 homers and 14 ribbies during the month. Overall this season he has stolen 17 bases from 18 attempts, and in 99 starts in centre field he has committed no errors at all. A's GM Paulie Beane said last night: "It's an unusual treat to see an Oakland rookie batter contribute in all aspects of the game like Ray has this term."
Beane's boys have finally got a lead in the AL West division title race, but they have not exactly established clear water. Yesterday afternoon's 5-3 win over Houston, in which Dalton went 2-5 batting lead-off, put the A's at 85-43, and a slender 2 game advantage over Texas. It's been quite a tussle between the two all season, and Beane's hair seems to have noticeably gone greyer these last few months. He claims it's just the Californian sun bleaching it, but Paulie, you're middle-aged now and kidding no one. Over in the National League, defeated World Series runners-up Washington look certain to get another crack at the postseason, with their 82-45 record being 10 games better than anyone else.
As rosters expanded, Beane also announced that speedy young outfielder Tim Townsend has been promoted to the active roster. He's unlikely to get a plate appearance (sorry to break it to you Timmy, old chap) but will give the A's a potent pinch-running threat.
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