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Dukie98 · 07-21-2016, 12:48 AM

Despite potentially crippling injuries to MVP candidate Bill Bradley and defending ERA champion Addie Joss, the Cleveland Naps had their finest month of the season, going 19-9 and opening up a moderate lead in what is shaping up to be a two-team pennant race. After a ten-game winning streak, the Naps closed the month with a 3 1/2 game lead over the overachieving Detroit Tigers, with the New York Highlanders and Chicago White Sox slipping to 7 1/2 and 9 games back, respectively.

On July 1, Bradley pulled his groin legging out a triple, and he is expected to miss six weeks. A week later, Joss tore a tendon in his elbow -- thereby suffering his second season-ending injury in three years. Following Bradley's injury, without a legitimate backup third baseman on the roster, the Naps traded backup outfielder Rube Vinson to the Chicago Cubs for Germany Schaefer. Two weeks later, they added additional depth by trading surplus reliever Jack Lundborn to Brooklyn for backup third baseman Tommy Sheehan.

Offensively, the Naps were sparked by a return to form from their namesake, second baseman Napoleon Lajoie, who was named the AL Player of the Month with a remarkable 46 hits for the month (.387), 23 runs scored, and 20 RBIs. Leadoff hitter Harry Bay chipped in with a .295 batting average and 8 steals, and Elmer Flick returned from a rib cage injury to hit .369 in the last three weeks of the month. Although Mike Donlin did not reach base consistently, he ripped 5 triples, drove in 12 runs, and stole 6 bases for the month.

On the mound, Dummy Taylor had another strong month, going 5-2 with a 1.80 ERA. Before being sidelined, Joss was having a brilliant July, with a 1.27 ERA, but replacement Otto Hess hardly missed a beat, stepping in with a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings. Second-year pitcher Barney Pelty added depth with a 2.35 ERA for the month and a sparkling 0.98 WHIP.

The Naps are cautiously optimistic that they may have a rematch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. For the third straight season, the Pirates have effectively wrapped up the pennant by July, again flirting with 100 wins.

07-21-2016, 12:48 AM	#32
Dukie98 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 902	July 1904 Despite potentially crippling injuries to MVP candidate Bill Bradley and defending ERA champion Addie Joss, the Cleveland Naps had their finest month of the season, going 19-9 and opening up a moderate lead in what is shaping up to be a two-team pennant race. After a ten-game winning streak, the Naps closed the month with a 3 1/2 game lead over the overachieving Detroit Tigers, with the New York Highlanders and Chicago White Sox slipping to 7 1/2 and 9 games back, respectively. On July 1, Bradley pulled his groin legging out a triple, and he is expected to miss six weeks. A week later, Joss tore a tendon in his elbow -- thereby suffering his second season-ending injury in three years. Following Bradley's injury, without a legitimate backup third baseman on the roster, the Naps traded backup outfielder Rube Vinson to the Chicago Cubs for Germany Schaefer. Two weeks later, they added additional depth by trading surplus reliever Jack Lundborn to Brooklyn for backup third baseman Tommy Sheehan. Offensively, the Naps were sparked by a return to form from their namesake, second baseman Napoleon Lajoie, who was named the AL Player of the Month with a remarkable 46 hits for the month (.387), 23 runs scored, and 20 RBIs. Leadoff hitter Harry Bay chipped in with a .295 batting average and 8 steals, and Elmer Flick returned from a rib cage injury to hit .369 in the last three weeks of the month. Although Mike Donlin did not reach base consistently, he ripped 5 triples, drove in 12 runs, and stole 6 bases for the month. On the mound, Dummy Taylor had another strong month, going 5-2 with a 1.80 ERA. Before being sidelined, Joss was having a brilliant July, with a 1.27 ERA, but replacement Otto Hess hardly missed a beat, stepping in with a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings. Second-year pitcher Barney Pelty added depth with a 2.35 ERA for the month and a sparkling 0.98 WHIP. The Naps are cautiously optimistic that they may have a rematch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. For the third straight season, the Pirates have effectively wrapped up the pennant by July, again flirting with 100 wins. Last edited by Dukie98; 07-21-2016 at 03:35 PM.