We’ve only ourselves to blame as we play some simply dreadful baseball and, by the time we’ve (sort of) got it back together, the Dodgers have made a fair run for it and they’ll now take some catching.
While 27-32 over the period might not seem it, this is a disastrous stretch for us that includes a run where we go 3-13, along with losing streaks of five and six. During the worst of it, more in a fit of pique (read, tantrum) than anything, I make the following trade with the Tigers.
The significance of this trade is how it very much acts as a psychological fillip for me by - in this season that promised so much and looks almost certain to deliver so little - we've at least got this to show for it.
Unlike most trades done in anger, this one holds up pretty well when the ardour cools. For two guys who were set to walk at the end of the season, we've got two solid players from whom we'll get multiple seasons' service.
We have called Kiner back up and he's getting his fair share of playing time as Wertz's horrible season continues. He's not alone, and we just don't seem to have the requisite pop with this group at the moment. Not just HR power (although we are next-to-last in that cat), but a general ability to score freely. Take Runnels, Boone and the now-departed Burgess out of these figures and it is far worse. Piersall has been OK but he and Sievers need to produce more runs with their bats, while Clemente has done everything you can ask from a rookie.
No complaints about the pitching. Well... one - another ordinary season by Vern Law and it seems almost a lock that his role with us moving forward is one of a relief nature.
After my sabotage job of last year, I'll refrain from making any comment about the standings other than to say the AL is still very much up in the air, while the NL really looks the Dodgers' to lose from here.
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
- Batter – Dale Long (Senators): 364 / 11 HR / 33 RBI
- Pitcher – Mike Garcia (Indians): 6-0 / 1.36 / 23 K / 46.1 IP
- Rookie – Bill Virdon (Tigers): 330 / 3 HR / 19 RBI
National League
- Batter – Wally Post (Giants): 327 / 12 HR / 33 RBI
- Pitcher – Curt Simmons (Phillies): 5-1 / 1.59 / 15 K / 45.1 IP
- Rookie – Hector Lopez (Phillies): 363 / 4 HR / 10 RBI
July
American League
- Batter – Mickey Mantle (Yankees): 316 / 8 HR / 29 RBI
- Pitcher – Whitey Ford (Yankees): 5-1 / 2.81 / 40 K / 48 IP
- Rookie – Rocky Colavito (Athletics): 226 / 8 HR / 13 RBI
National League
- Batter – Ted Kluszewski (Redlegs): 415 / 12 HR / 29 RBI
- Pitcher – Dixie Howell (Phillies): 4-0 / 2.18 / 3 SV / 7 K / 20.2 IP
- Rookie – Larry Jackson (Redlegs): 4-2 / 3.46 / 24 K / 41.2 IP
Milestones and Observations of Note
- 2000 Hits: Pee Wee Reese
- Ted Kluszewski is having a career year (check out those numbers in July!!) and looks set to challenge the single-season HR record (Lou Gehrig, 58).
- The biggest injury news is Duke Snider’s season ending after an errant pitch leaves him with a broken elbow. A similar occurrence gives Red Schoendienst of the Cards a 4-month holiday, while Mickey McDermott’s shocking run of injuries continues as his elbow gives out and he is done for the year.
- Yankees infielder Billy Goodman goes down for the year with a meniscus tear, as does Cincy catcher Bobby Hofman with a medial ligament rupture.
- Veteran Braves hurler Ken Raffensberger has his campaign curtailed thanks to an elbow injury, while a troublesome groin ends up keeping Brooklyn’s George Crowe on the sidelines for two months all told.
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