[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 8-1
Seasonal Record: 53-30 (1st, 1 GA)
Stars of the Week
Skipper Schneider : 32 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .344 AVG, .994 OPS
Art White : 2 Wins, 18.0 IP, 1 BB, 5 K, 0.50 ERA
Clark Car : 32 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .344 AVG, .938 OPS

Schedule
7-5: Win vs Cannons (1-5)
7-5: Win vs Cannons (1-2)
7-6: Win vs Cannons (0-1)
7-7: Win vs Cannons (1-7)
7-8: Win vs Sailors (1-4)
7-9: Win vs Sailors (2-4): 11 innings
7-10: Win vs Sailors (2-5)
7-11: Win vs Sailors (1-8)
7-11: Win vs Sailors (5-4)

Recap
First place babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not only did we just roll off 14(!) consecutive wins, but 11 of the 14 came against teams above .500! After finishing last week with a three game sweep against the Wolves, we took out the Cannons in a four game sweep. We allowed just 3 runs against the then second highest scoring offense in the CA and outscored them by 14. We then won the first four against the Sailors before they took the final game before the break. Of our 8(!) wins this week, we allowed two or fewer runs, and the only game we lost was by a single run. After just mediocre performances at home, we're now 32-17 in Chicago, winning 19 of our last 21 games at Cougars Park. As usual, we suck in one run games (11-13), so we're slightly underperforming our 56-27 expected record, and while I did expect us to lead the league at the break when the season started, if you told me a month in we'd be leading I wouldn't believe it. But here we are, right before the All Star game, and one game ahead of the Cannons and 2.5 games above the Wolves. The three of us all have a better record then the Fed's first place Chiefs (48-32) and I am very excited for what should be an awesome pennant race.

Speaking of the Al-Star game, the entire Continental Association infield will consist of Chicago Cougars! The dirt will comprise of Dick Walker (4th), Clark Car (2nd), Hank Barnett (6th), and Skipper Schneider (3rd); easily the best infield in baseball. The four have been worth 14.4 WAR, which is more then the entire position player groups for every team except the Minutemen, Chiefs, and Cannons. They've all hit extremely well, and just Hank Barnett has been below average in the field. Walker is having his best season as a Cougar, slashing .280/.395/.441 (142 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 7 triples, 7 homers, 16 steals, and 36 RBIs. Car has hit .285/.336/.442 (124 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 3 triples, 7 homers, 30 RBIs, 10 steals with an elite 1.159 efficiency at second. Skipper's is a slightly lower 1.135 at short with a .303/.350/.407 (119 OPS+) line with 14 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers, 3 steals, and 43 RBIs. Lastly, Barnett hit .305/.397/.425 (138 OPS+) with 11 doubles, a triple, 8 homers, and 49 RBIs. They weren't are only All Stars, as they will join Dick Lyons (7-4, 2.12, 18), Johnnie Jones (11-2, 2.32, 51), Cliff Moss (.307, 5, 29), and Leo Mitchell (.307, 5, 29). Our 8 All Stars were most in the game, and as far as I know, most we've had since the game began.

Of course, we had a big week pitching and hitting, but none bigger then the newest Cougar Art White. Our new ace had about as good of a debut as you could ask for, tossing a 6-hit shutout in a 1-0 squeaker over the then first place Cannons. He then bested the Sailors with more run support, just one run off 8 hits, a walk, and 2 strikeouts in our 8-1 win. With no Harry Parker a lot, of weight will fall on White's left arm, and if these are the starts we're going to get, it is well worth the four pitcher package to get him. Our surprise All Star Johnnie Jones had a pair of elite starts, including what should have been a shutout if it weren't for a Car error. Jones' only run was unearned, going all nine as always with 4 hits, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts. He then made it 10 consecutive complete game wins after besting the Sailors, charged with 7 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts to improve to 11-2 with a 2.32 ERA (148 ERA+). He's allowed 3 or less runs in each of those 10 games after allowing 16 runs in his first three starts. That accounts for more then half of his 29 earned runs on the season. Papenfus broke out in '41, Donnie Jones in '42, and Now Johnnie Jones in '43. I hope Johnnie can break the trend, because I'm not sure I can take another elite pitcher leaving us for the service...

His All Star counterpart Dick Lyons didn't dominate quite like he did, as the 43-year-old did lose the only game of the week. He allowed 10 hits and 5 runs (2 earned) with 2 strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched. Sure, a Dick Walker error made the difference in a 5-4 loss, but during a 14 game win streak you pick up far more luck then you get hit by. He did get a win against the Cannons, allowing a single run with 6 hits and a walk in 6 innings on short rest. Lyons has been stretched out to end the break, having to pitch on the 3rd, 7th, and 11th with all the double headers. He still managed to throw 20.1 innings with 24 hits and 9 runs (6 earned) allowed. Lyons' 2.12 ERA (162 ERA+) is third in the CA and he's allowed just one homer in 114.2 innings pitched. Fellow vet and 1938 Allen Winner Jim Lonardo also defied age this week, pitching all 11 in our extra inning win over the Sailors. He allowed just 4 hits, a walk, and 2 runs, with just one of his 33 outs coming from a Sailor being set down on strikes.

Joe Brown couldn't go as deep, getting all but one out after 127 pitches in a 4-1 win. He allowed 7 hits, a run, and a walk with 2 strikeouts to improve to 10-5. Brown has been inconsistent, as four of his five starts saw him allow just 1 or 0 earned runs. Of course, the other he allowed 9, and 13 of his 21 hits in those five starts came in this loss. The biggest shock of the week was the surprise dominance from Angel Lopez, allowing 3 hits and 3 walks in 7.1 innings with an impressive 7 strikeouts against a tough Cannons team. Our Rule-5 pitcher has looked good in his 2 starts and 9 relief outings, allowing 23 hits, 5 runs, and 11 walks with 10 strikeouts in his first 26.2 big league innings. We didn't need then pen much, with Cal Knight, Pug Bryan, and Ben Curtin combining for just 6.2 innings pitched. The only run was an unearned run when Knight was on the mound, and the trio combined to allow just 4 hits and 5 walks with a pair of punch outs. Can't complain about anything this week, and the three days of rest should work wonders for the staff. Our hurlers rank top four in each pitching category, but we don't rank above the Cannons in any stat but walks (we're third), and they're tied for 4th with us in homers allowed.

Just Orlin Yates and Harry Mead had below average weeks at the plate, but that's how it's gone most of the time. Yates went just 5-for-25, but with a homer, 3 walks, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs. Mead was just 6-for-23 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and 3 RBIs. Mead's first half has been a huge surprise, as last year's All Star is hitting just .219/.272/.321 (71 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, and 41 RBIs. Mead has already struck out 16 times, and seems likely to pass his previous career high of 22. This is all much different then his breakout last year, where he hit .287/.352/.456 (139 OPS+) with 30 doubles, 16 homers, and 81 RBIs with nearly five times as many walks (47) as strikeouts (10). What keeps Mead in the lineup every day is his defense, as he's one of the best defensive catchers in terms of arm strength and catching ability. Our pitchers love throwing to him and he handles the staff well and I know he'll eventually start hitting again.

All six of our All Stars hit average or better on the week, with Dick Walker leading the way. He started all nine games, going 9-for-32 with 5 doubles, a triple, homer, 2 steals, 7 RBIs, 8 walks, and 10 runs scored. Skipper's bat started to heat up, going 11-for-32 with 3 doubles, a triple, a homer, steal, 3 runs, and 6 RBIs. Our 22-year-old star has already been selected to three All Star games and his 5.2 WAR is good for a 9.6 pace. Double play partner Clark Car tried to match the weekly production, 11-for-32 with 3 doubles, a triple, homer, 2 steals, 3 runs, and 4 RBIs. Car has been worth exactly 4 WAR, almost a full point higher then his previous career high. Leo Mitchell maintained his batting title lead, entering the break with a 12-for-34 week. Mitchell is hitting .351/.386/.429 (145 OPS+) through 82 games with 11 doubles, 5 homers, 48 RBIs, and just 45 strikeouts. Jim Watson of the Chiefs is hitting five points higher, but Mitchell has a nearly 20 point lead in the CA over Adam Mullins. The former Chiefs were both just average on the week, but Hank Barnett and Cliff Moss have arguably been our best players. Barnett went just 6-for-29, but with a double, homer, 6 runs, 6 RBIs, and 7 walks. Our blockbuster offseason pickup hit .305/.397/.425 (138 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 8 homers, and 45 RBIs and he's started all 83 games this year at third. Cliff Moss went 7-for-28 with a double, homer, and 4 RBIs. He hasn't started nearly as many games, but he's hit a strong .307/.386/.422 (134 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 5 homers, and 29 RBIs in 225 trips to the plate.

Even the backups produced, with both Eddie Curtis, Dan Rogers, and Mike Taylor hitting well in their starts. Curtis was 2-for-5 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs, Rogers was 2-for-6 with a homer and 2 runs scored and driven in, and Taylor was 5-for-11 with 2 runs and RBIs. At the break, we've scored more runs then every team in the CA, and we rank 1st in all categories except WAR (2nd), extra base hits (4th), walks (t-2nd), strikeouts (6th), and baserunning (3rd). Our lineup is very deep and we've survived the enlistments of Ray Ford, John Lawson, and Carlos Montes, the injuries of Billy Hunter and Rich Langton, and the trade of Freddie Jones. Hunter will be back next week and Langton closer to roster expansion, but I still might try to pick up a center fielder for us.

Last thing before the break was our final two draftees signing, but I'm shocked neither ranked in the top 100. 1st Rounder Tommy Seymour ranks 14th in our system and 182nd in the league with 2nd Rounder Al Clement ranked lower at 18 and 203 respectively. All draftees we gave a bonus to currently rank in the leagues top 500, giving a nice breath of light to a system that has seen a lot of players either graduate or traded. Jimmy Hairston (6th, 94th) is the highest listed, followed by Johnny Weaver (8th, 136th), Seymour, Bob Rogers (15th, 190th), Clement, Lefty Jones (19th, 218th), Dick Garcia (23rd, 248th), Bill Holloway (30th, 317th), and Barney Gunnels (41st, 436th). A few draftees on other teams still need to sign, but our system ranks 9th with 6 top 100 Prospects, 23 top 250 prospects, and 46 top 500 prospects. Our system tends to be deep and have at least one top 10 pitchers, but behind Duke Bybee and Otto Christian, there is a lack of star power in the farm, and both of those youngsters are off at war.

Looking Ahead
After our three game break, we'll get to face the Kings in Brooklyn for four. Brooklyn had a pair of first time All Stars, both who seemed like they'd get more then that when they first debuted. One was well deserved, going to former Cougar ace and current King ace Jim Crawford. The 37-year-old never quite panned out, but he's been elite this season despite just four above average ERA+ seasons since he debuted in 1930. This season has been what I once thought Crawford could do, going 9-8 with a 2.51 ERA (141 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 33 walks, and 19 strikeouts in 18 impressive starts. With the Kings at 37-43 and 14.5 games out of first, he could be the next King move, as not only did they send Art White to us, but Al Wheeler (.232, 25, 77) and Bob Cummings (2-9, 4.29, 29) are now Chiefs and Harry Barrell (.287, 0, 32, 6) laces up for the Minutemen. Crawford would be an enticing trade candidate that can add prospects to an already deep Kings system. Their other All Star was former 1st Overall Pick Curly Jones. It sucks the game assigns reliever All Stars in this era, but Jones' 55 innings have gone well. He's got a 2.13 ERA (167 ERA+) and 1.24 WHIP with 26 walks and 22 strikeouts. He's re-found himself as a reliever, but it's not the pitcher most expected he'd turn into.

Looking at the series we'll get a look at a familiar face for the first time: Mel Haynes. The 21-year-old was our 1st Round selection in 1940, but I sent him to the Chiefs in the Hank Barnett deal. He was then part of the package for Al Wheeler and Bob Cummings, and he's now made two starts for the Kings. Haynes has a win and no decision, going 15.1 innings with 9 hits, 5 runs, 9 walks, and 7 strikeouts. He's one of many new faces on the Kings, along with former Sailor Merritt Thomas (1-2, 2.36, 5), minor league journeymen Otto Deal (.174) and Hal Reynolds (.250, 5, 21, 5), and 23-year-old rookie Bill McGraw. This is a good team to start the second half with, and after beating better teams the past two weeks, we should do well here.