[FuzzyRussianHat]

Through April 1886, the Boston Red Sox have the American League’s best record at 16-8. They led the AL East with Washington second at 14-10 and both Cleveland and Philadelphia at 12-12. In the AL West, Milwaukee and Minnesota are tied for first at 14-10. Defending AL champ Chicago is one back at 13-11 and St. Louis is 12-12.

Boston RF Sam Thompson was AL Batter of the Month with a .347 average, 34 hits, 9 home runs, 33 RBI, and 23 runs. Milwaukee’s Lady Baldwin was Pitcher of the Month with a 5-1 record and 1.86 ERA over 53.1 innings with 46 strikeouts. The Brewers also had the Rookie of the Month in SP Elmer Smith, the #7 pick. The 18-year old was 4-0 over 36.2 innings with a 1.72 ERA and 20 Ks.

After a last place in 1885, Buffalo has bounced back with the National League’s top record through the first month. The Bisons at 16-8 lead the NL East with Pittsburgh at 14-10 and Boston at 13-11. Brooklyn, last year’s division champ, is off to a lousy 9-15 start. Reigning World Series champ Indianapolis leads the NL West at 15-8 with New Orleans right behind at 15-9.

NL Batter of the Month should be renamed the Dan Brouthers award at this point, as the New York first baseman already has won it nine times. In April, he had a .363 average, 6 home runs, 20 RBI, and 18 runs. Buffalo’s Tommy Bond was the top pitcher with a 5-1 record, 45 innings, 2.00 ERA, and 26 Ks. Pittsburgh’s Matt Kilroy was the top rookie as the #5 pick had a 1.42 ERA over 38 innings with 31 Ks. Kilroy tossed MLB’s third no-hitter on April 10 with 10 strikeouts and four walks facing Louisville.



St. Louis’s Henry Boyle hit for the cycle on April 15 against New Orleans. On April 17, Boston’s Bill Wise had a 15 strikeout game facing Baltimore. Cincinnati’s John Reilly had a 21-game hitting streak that was snapped on April 15 by Indianapolis. In bad news for Washington, ace pitcher Peek-A-Boo Veach is dealing with shoulder inflammation. The two-time all-star is expected to be out at least four months.