[FuzzyRussianHat]

Rosters were announced for the first-ever All-Star Game with the best of both leagues squaring off. The day prior was the first-ever Home Run Challenge, won by Baltimore’s Billy Sunday. It came down to him and Louisville’s Ed Williamson with Sunday winning the final round 12-8. Baltimore hosted the first All-Star Game at Union Park and the American League picked up a 7-4 victory over the National League.



Both Chicago and Washington continued to pull away in the American League. Despite ending July on a four-game losing streak, the White Sox at 67-36 were still 13 games ahead of second place Kansas City in the AL West. Chicago still had the best record in MLB at 67-36, but the 62-41 Nationals were making a run. Washington’s AL East lead was up to nine games over both Cleveland and New York.

The National League West maintained similar margins through July with Chicago still first at 61-42. Indianapolis remained three back at 58-45, but did pass Cincinnati (57-46) for second. Buffalo (59-43) began pulling away in the East, going from a three-game lead at the break to 8.5 ahead of Brooklyn (51-52). The Bisons went 15-4 to close the month.

Washington CF John Meister won the AL’s Batter of the Month with a .394 average, 7 homers, 32 RBI, and 22 runs. For the second time this year, New York’s Dan Brouthers took the NL honor with a .393 average, 8 homers, 23 RBI, and 21 runs. Cleveland’s Frank Foreman was AL Pitcher of the Month with a 5-0 record in five starts, 34 Ks, and a 1.57 ERA. Indianapolis’s Perry Weren led the NL arms with a 6-0 record, 2.38 ERA, 53 innings, and 21 Ks in July.

In other notables, Pittsburgh’s Steve Brady was the first to record a six-hit game, going 6-6 on July 26 facing New Orleans. Cincinnati’s John Reilly hit for the cycle on July 17 against Brooklyn.