60 Team League History and story of Tate Redinger

[majormet]

The 2024 season has been quiet with trades as we pass the one third mark of the season but 2 trades were made today to booster rosters.

The Jones Beach Jets traded Deion Sanders to the Richmond Gamecocks along with Frank Gregory to get Kyle Crockett. Trade doesn't make much sense for Jones Beach as Crockett is a dime a dozen type reliever. Prime Time was hitting .154 so far this year and I guess the Jets wanted to trade him now before he puts on the football pads.

Meanwhile, the Calgary Fusion acquired third basemen Don Money from the Kingston Sea Lions in exchange for Fred Newman and Pete Compton. Compton (a pure fictional player) had 22 homers in 2020 for San Juan but has not done much since. Money is 37 at this point in his career and had been a power hitter for the Milwaukee Brewers (organically ended up there) but picked up his average. He will moves from contrasting areas, Jamaica to Calgary.

[majormet]

The Atlanta Braves enjoyed a laughter today as they beat nearby new rivals the Birmingham Hillcats 24-4 at home. Game was highlighted by a cycle by Paul Molitor and a 7 RBI game for Whitey Lockman. Bobby Mitchell got enough run support and is now 10-1 on the season for the Braves who are 5 games by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2nd place in the NL Atlantic. Brent Burns of the Hillcats said after the game "That was the longest day of my life, if you are getting blown out in hockey there is a finite time and the game was over, we could not get anyone out, when is this season over?"

[majormet]

The AL West leading Utah Saints were able to unload the lofty contract of Frank Killen who has underperformed this year to the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers for Roger Wolff and 4 other low level prospects. Killen won 22 games in 2023 for the Boston Red Sox but came here with large fanfare and has struggled. Ed Brandt had been pitching well in AAA and it enables Utah to use him in the rotation while Wolff will work out of the pen. Milwaukee hears the footsteps of the 2nd place Cincinnati Reds and are taking a gamble that Killen finds his form.

The 2nd place AL Atlantic Tampa Bay Rays lost their ace pitcher Happy Townsend for the year with a broken elbow. Townsend suffered the injury in an 8-7 win over the Portland Lions. Townsend has been the ace of a pitching poor rotation as the Rays are a high octane offense team in 2024. The Rays are 4 games back of the San Juan Storm. They have recalled 26 year old rookie Cisco Carlos to take Townsend's place in the rotation. First year manager Mario Saabedra commented "It is a tough blow we will need Ricky Romero and Pat Zachry to step up in a big way if we want to catch San Juan"

Season ending injury to rookie starting pitcher Jack Easton for the Sacramento Bees will hurt in a major way. The Bees sit in second place in the NL Pacific, 3 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. Easton tore his rotator cuff in a 4-3 win over the Las Vegas Snake Eyes. Easton got his 6th win of the year in the game, but had to leave and knew it was not good. Sacramento has promoted Chappie McFarland back into the rotation where he struggled earlier this year McFarland won 17 games in 2023.

[majormet]

The Month of May is in the book, and this is how the MLB stands as of June 1st 2024

Batter of the Month

American League - Adam LaRoche - San Antonio River Kings (19 HR 45 RBI .328)

National League - Todd Helton - Atlantic City Sharks (12 HR 29 RBI .390)


Pitcher of the Month

American League - Ray Fontenot - Indianapolis Bulldogs (6-0 1.31 ERA)

National League - Bobby Mitchell - Atlanta Braves (6-0 1.27 ERA)


Rookie of the Month

American League - Reggie Sanders - Toronto Blue Jays (15 HR 29 RBI .394)

National League - Richie Hebner - Tulsa Rattlers (9 HR 28 RBI .351)


League Leaders

American League

Average
1. Zack Wheat (Houston Astros) - .391
2. Paul Waner (Richmond Gamecocks) .374
3. Fred Carroll (Caracas Toros) - .356

Homers
1. Adam LaRoche (San Antonio River Kings) 41
2. David Justice (Chicago White Sox) 30
2. Juan Soto (Texas Rangers) 30

RBI's
1. Adam LaRoche (San Antonio River Kings) 94
2. Francisco Cabrera (Buffalo Bisons) 84
3. George Sisler (San Antonio River Kings) 73

Stolen Bases
1. Mike Lanning (Indianapolis Bulldogs) 33
2. Mallex Smith (Buffalo Bisons) 30
3. Dee Gordon (Cabo San Lucas Black Gold) 26

WAR
1. Adam LaRoche (San Antonio River Kings) 5.0
2. Francisco Lindor (Portland Lions) 4.8
3. Pete Hotaling (Buffalo Bisons) 4.7

Wins
1. Christy Mathewson (Toronto Blue Jays) 11
1. Jose Rosado (Indianapolis Bulldogs) 11
3. Ray Fontenot (Indianapolis Bulldogs) 10

Strikeouts
1. Christy Mathewston (Toronto Blue Jays) 153
2. Chief Bender (San Juan Storm) 137
2. Bill George (Cabo San Lucas Black Gold) 137

ERA
1. CC Sabathia (Kingston Sea Lions) 0.86
2. Dean Chance (Spokane Gangsters) 1.21
2. Bill George (Cabo San Lucas Black Gold) 1.21

Saves
1. Alex Malloy (Detroit Tigers) 24
2. Bunny Hearn (Jacksonville Beach Bums) 23
3. Fernando Cabrera (Spokane Gangsters) 20


National League

Batting Average
1. Bernie Williams (Riverhead Racers) .399
2. Todd Helton (Atlantic City Sharks) .371
3. Paul Molitor (Atlanta Braves) .367

Homers
1. Dave Henderson (San Bernardino Butchers) 28
1. Bud Souchock (Honolulu Riptide) 28
3. Cy Williams (Sacramento Bees) 27

RBI's
1. Cy Williams (Sacramento Bees) 75
2. Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) 71
3. Dave Henderson (San Bernardino Butchers) 68

Stolen Bases
1. Donell Nixon (Duluth Champions) 25
2. Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) 24
3. Billy Hamilton (Vancouver Men-O-War) 21

WAR
1. Bernie Williams (Riverhead Racers) 5.5
2. Paul Molitor (Atlanta Braves) 4.9
3. Harry Stovey (Brooklyn Brawlers) 4.7

Wins
1. Jack Harshman (Los Angeles Dodgers) 11
2. Brownie Foreman (Tulsa Rattlers) 10
2. Bobby Mitchell (Atlanta Braves) 10

Strikeouts
1. Brownie Foreman (Tulsa Rattlers) 152
2. Noodles Hahn (Colorado Rockies) 151
3. Bob Feller (Chicago Cubs) 145

ERA
1. Brownie Foreman (Tulsa Rattlers) 0.94
2. Dave Righetti (Washington Nationals) 1.52
3. Tom Brewer (Los Angeles Dodgers) 1.65

Saves
1. Paul Masterson (Tulsa Rattlers) 23
2. Ralph Comstock (Arizona Diamondbacks) 21
3. Andrew Bailey - (New Orleans Zebras) 20

[majormet]

There was some movement in some divisions this month

AL East
Toronto Blue Jays - 48-20
Buffalo Bisons - 44-24
New York Yankees - 42-26
Foxwoods Colonials - 37-31
Boston Red Sox - 36-32

*** We saw Toronto making their move for sure, they vault from 5th to 1st in a month

AL Atlantic
San Juan Storm - 47-21
Tampa Bay Rays - 43-25
Baltimore Orioles - 41-27
Delaware Big Train - 40-28
Richmond Gamecocks - 38-30

*** Tampa Bay made their move from nowhere while Jacksonville has collapsed


AL Central
Detroit Tigers - 54-14
Indianapolis Bulldogs - 52-16
Chicago White Sox - 48-20
Caracas Toros - 37-31
Cleveland Indians - 33-35

*** Indy is keeping pace with Detroit still 68 games into the season


AL Midwest

Minnesota Twins - 43-25
Omaha Eagles - 42-26
Des Moines Jaguars - 38-30
Kansas City Royals - 37-31
Guadalajara Bighorns - 36-32

**** Seems that Minnesota and Omaha will be in a tight race in this weaker division


AL West
Utah Saints - 51-17
Houston Astros - 50-18
Calgary Fusion - 40-28
San Antonio River Kings - 33-35
Tucson Tomahawks - 32-36

*** Utah and Houston have made this a 2 team race pretty quickly


AL Pacific
Seattle Mariners - 46-22
Oakland Athletics - 46-22
Los Angeles Angels - 42-26
Fresno Bashers - 42-26
Portland Lions - 42-26

*** Seattle and Oakland have made some distance


NL East
New York Mets - 50-18
Riverhead Racers - 45-23
Brooklyn Brawlers - 44-24
Atlantic City Sharks - 39-29
Newark Thieves - 37-31

*** Mets holding steady, Newark has been on a run


NL Atlantic
Philadelphia Phillies - 50-18
Atlanta Braves - 46-22
Miami Marlins - 41-27
Washington Nationals - 39-29
Orlando Alliance - 39-29

**** Nationals starting to play better in this division


NL Central
Milwaukee Brewers - 52-16
Cincinnati Reds - 50-18
Chicago Cubs - 44-24
Louisville Bats - 36-32
Mobile Swordfish - 35-32

*** Reds have won 15 straight but have not passed Milwaukee yet


NL Midwest
Tulsa Rattlers - 49-18
New Orleans Zebras - 44-24
Memphis Cougars - 43-25
St Louis Cardinals - 42-26
Oklahoma City Colts - 34-34

**** Tulsa has let the other 3 teams come a bit closer, should be a 4 team reace


NL West
Colorado Rockies - 47-20
Las Vegas Snake Eyes - 43-25
Boise Parrots - 43-25
Arizona Diamondbacks - 41-26
Austin Donkeys - 34-34

**** Boise is staying around this year


NL Pacific
Los Angeles Dodgers - 47-21
Sacramento Bees - 44-24
San Diego Padres - 40-28
Honolulu Riptide - 38-30
San Francisco Giants - 38-30

**** Giants have been playing better

[majormet]

A couple of highlights today for famous fictional players.

The AL Player of the Week Award goes to Paul "Sh!tbreak" Finch of the Toronto Blue Jays who slammed 4 homers, drove in 8 runs and batted .500 for the first place Toronto club. Finch attributed his success this week to a surprise visit from Stifler's mom.

Paulie Walnuts became a very rich man today signing a 5 year $81 million extension with the San Francisco Giants. Walnuts has been a steady pitcher for the Giants since coming over from the Las Vegas Snake Eyes in 2020, but his overall record is barely over .500. Some suspected this contract was negotiation by Junior Soprano, or he may have had a high ranking official on camera at the Bada Bing.

[majormet]

As we get closer to the 2024 All Star Break teams are trying to bolster their pitching up.

The Colorado Rockies dealt prospect Alfredo Griffin and a few other prospects to the Aruba Jackrabbits in order to get bullpen workhorse Saul Rivera. Rivera compiled 75 saves in 5 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles as he was used in various roles. Colorado has a good lead in the NL West but has always choked in the playoffs. They have Jesse Tannehill closing and spent big money on Duane Ward to set up and have depth with John Wetteland, Jim Umbricht and yes Anderson Cooper. Griffin gives Aruba a solid glove for the future, he had been in double A ball the past 4 years and hit over .300.

Chubby Dean was dealt today to the Portland Lions by the Maine Attack in exchange for 3 minor leaguers. Portland has slipped to 6th place in the AL Pacific and are 8 games behind the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. Dean won 41 games as a starter between 2019 and 2021 for the Los Angeles Angels and was a decent reliever before being claimed off waivers by Maine. Portland GM Mark Sanders said that a move had to be made at this point, as the season was disappearing on them.

[majormet]

Mario Soto fired the first no hitter in San Diego Padres history today as the Padres beat the Wichita Hawkeyes at home 4-0. Soto fanned 11 batters on the day and only allowed one walk to Carlos Perez. The San Diego offense was spearheaded by Kyle Seager who hit a big 3 run homer. The Padres remain in 3rd place in the NL Pacific 6 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. Power hitter Bob Speake of Wichita was at a loss after the game "He fanned me 3 times on 9 pitches, he had his good stuff today and we were doomed"

[majormet]

As we are closing in on the all star break, 2 trades of note to report

The first trade is an odd trade of players with the same last name. The Tampa Bay Rays trade the controversial Scott Erickson who had a drunk driving incident along with Frank Tepedino to the Little Rock Sunbirds for Paul Erickson. Tampa Bay is 6 games behind the San Juan Storm in 2nd place in the AL Atlantic division and always have pitching problems so trading a starter for a reliever doesn't make much sense. For Little Rock it means adding a young pitcher for the future.

Veteran Joe Torre ended his brief stay with the Columbus Barracudas as they dealt him to the San Jose Skeeters for John Marzano, Rob Dressler and Mark Grant. Neither team is going anywhere this year, but it is curious that the AL Pacific last place San Jose team would deal for a 36 year old player and give up 3 players to get him. Torre was asked about the trade "I thought maybe I was going to be traded to a contender, not the worst team in the league. Maybe they are going to trade me, after the disappointing run with the Cardinals last year, would like to be back in the action"

[majormet]

As we are one game away from the All star break the All Star teams were announced

Here is the American League

SP - Cy Blanton/New York Yankees (4th time) (8-4, 2.17 ERA)
SP - Dean Chance/Spokane Gangsters (1st time) (9-1 1.23 ERA)
SP - Bill George/Cabo San Lucas Black Gold (1st time) (8-2 1.35 ERA)
SP - Walter Johnson/Fresno Bashers (2nd Time) (9-1 1.72 ERA)
SP - Kid Madden/Providence Chargers (1st time) (3-5 4.92 ERA)
SP - Christy Mathewson/Toronto Blue Jays (5th time) (11-1 1.81 ERA)
SP - CC Sabathia/Kingston Sea Lions (1st time) (5-0 0.81 ERA)
SP - Al Santorini/San Juan Storm (1st time) (2-1, 2.60 ERA 3 saves)
SP - Mike Smith/Minnesota Twins (5th time) (10-3 2.64 ERA)
RP - Jeremy Affeldt/Houston Astros (3rd time) 3-2 1.51 ERA 4 saves
RP - Anthony Banda/Detroit Tigers (1st time) 2-0 0.82 ERA
RP - Jeff Pierce/Wall Street Black Cats (1st time) 2-3 3.49 ERA
RP - Bob Veale/Albany Warcats (1st time) 2-1 13 saves 1.47 ERA
C - Fred Carroll/Caracas Toros (1st time) 17 HR 45 RBI .346
C - Bill Dickey/Utah Saints (6th time) 16 HR 49 RBI .275
C - Morgan Murphy/San Juan Storm (1st time) 25 HR 77 RBI .342
1B - Adam LaRoche/San Antonio River Kings (1st time) 44-99-.315
1B - Fred Luderus/Kansas City Royals (2nd time) 27 HR 57 RBI .324
1B - David Ortiz/Des Moines Jaguars (2nd time) 27 HR 57 RBI .330
2B - Trea Turner/Chicago White Sox (2nd time) 21 HR 63 RBI .335
3B - Yonder Alonso/Foxwoods Colonials (1st time) 12 HR 36 RBI .262
3B - Mel Ott/Utah Saints (6th time) 25 HR 62 RBI .327
SS - Dave Bancroft/Mexico City Salukis (1st time) 18 HR 48 RBI .332
SS - Rogers Hornsby/Detroit Tigers (5th time) 26 HR 64 RBI .306
SS - Francisco Lindor/Portland Lions (1st time) 20 HR 41 RBI .348
SS - Sam Wise/Boston Red Sox (1st time) 18 HR 50 RBI .314
LF - Joe Connolly/San Juan Storm (1st time) 26 HR 75 RBI .293
LF - Juan Soto/Texas Rangers (1st time) 31 HR 59 RBI .328
LF - Zack Wheat/Houston Astros (4th time) 24 HR 65 RBI .385
CF - Cody Bellinger/Minnesota Twins (1st time) 28 HR 72 RBI .314
CF - Pete Hotaling/Buffalo Bisons (1st time) 18 HR 53 RBI .332
CF - Duke Snider/Omaha Eagles (1st time) 28 HR 58 RBI .314
CF - Casey Stengel/Buffalo Bisons (5th time) 17 HR 68 RBI .306
RF - Chuck Klein/Los Angeles Angels (3rd time) 24 HR 65 RBI .301

[majormet]

This is the roster for the 2024 national League All star team

SP - Tom Brewer/Los Angeles Dodgers (1st time) 5-0 1.59 ERA
SP - Doug Drabek/Ottawa Argonauts (1st time) 7-5 3.43 ERA
SP - Bob Feller/Chicago Cubs (2nd time) 9-1 1.97 ERA
SP - Carl Fischer/Hartford Rocketmen (1st time) 5-4 3.00 ERA
SP - Brownie Foreman/Tulsa Rattlers (1st time) 11-3 1.60 ERA
SP - Noodles Hahn/Colorado Rockies (6th time) 10-3 1.96 ERA
SP - Bobby Mitchell/Atlanta Braves (2nd time) 11-1 1.53 ERA
SP - Dave Righetti/Washington Nationals (1st time) 10-3 1.49 ERA
SP - Don Robinson/Memphis Cougars (1st time) 8-3 2.08 ERA
SP - Julio Urias/Las Vegas Snake Eyes (1st time) 3-3 2 saves 2.66 ERA
SP - Johnny Vandermeer/Louisville Bats (1st time) 7-4 1.72 ERA
RP - Kevin McGlinchy/Milwaukee Brewers (1st time) 6-0 0.84 ERA
RP - Duane Ward/Colorado Rockies (1st time) 2-1 2.95 ERA 4 saves
RP - Buddy Napier/Halifax Eclipse (1st time) 1-2 9 saves 1.67 ERA
C - Cal McVey/St Louis Cardinals (2nd time) 14 HR 40 RBI .311
C - Jake Stahl/Cincinnati Reds (1st time) 21 HR 46 RBI .314
C - Carl Taylor/Madison Monarchs (1st time) 11 HR 34 RBI .329
1B - Todd Helton/Atlantic City Sharks (3rd time) 24 HR 63 RBI .373
1B - Frank Thomas/Milwaukee Brewers (1st time) 27 HR 71 RBI .297
1B - Hal Trosky/Miami Marlins (5th time) 23 HR 66 RBI .323
2B - Fred Dunlap/Newark Thieves (2nd time) 19 HR 66 RBI .345
2B - Paul Molitor/Atlanta Braves (1st time) 22 HR 50 RBI .360
3B - Nolan Arenado/St Louis Cardinals (2nd time) 26 HR 68 RBI .311
3B - Richie Hebner/Tulsa Rattlers (1st time) 22 HR 64 RBI .336
3B - Bill Joyce/New York Mets (1st time) 13 HR 53 RBI .323
3B - Casey McGehee/Montreal Anchors (1st time) 14 HR 44 RBI .294
SS - George Wright/Sacramento Bees (2nd time) 15 HR 55 RBI .346
LF - George Van Haltren/St Louis Cardinals (2nd time) 14-35-.294
LF - Cy Williams (Sacramento Bees) (1st time) 29 HR 81 RBI .309
CF - Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) (1st time) 22 HR 76 RBI .325
CF - Bernie Williams (Riverhead Racers) (1st time) 22 HR 63 RBI .394
RF - Curry Foley (Sacramento Bees) (1st time) 8 HR 16 RBI .327
RF - George Metkovich (Atlanta Braves) (1st time) 20 HR 57 RBI .337
RF - Harry Stovey (Brooklyn Brawlers) (1st time) 19 HR 65 RBI .359
RF - Larry Walker (New Orleans Zebras) (1st time) 21 HR 47 RBI .332

[majormet]

The news of the day was Heinie Reitz hitting for a cycle in an 8-1 drubbing by the Fresno Bashers over the Calgary Fusion. Reitz got 4 hits mostly off the dominant Juan Marichal. This was billed as a classic pitching duel between Marichal and Mickey Harris, Harris was the only one up to the task. Harris was also helped by 2 homers from catcher Charlie Graham. Fresno is sitting 6 games back in the AL Pacific third place behind the Oakland Athletics.

Meanwhile, Washington Nationals lost one of their catchers for the season in Emil Gross. Gross has been a mainstay on the Nats field for 6 years winning a world series ring in 2019, but he went down in a 6-4 loss against the lowly Grand Rapids Crawdads. Injury was determined to be torn PCL which means Dave Nilsson who shared in the catching and played first base will be catching full time.

[majormet]

The Utah Saints tried to release Roger Wolff without success and he has a big contract so they traded Todd Benzinger to the Sioux Falls Velocity for outfielder Brett Favre. Benzinger was on the field when the Utah Saints won the world series last year but he has not impressed much and was expandable. Favre had some big power numbers over the years and hit 30 homers for the Key West Condors in 2023, but was in the minors this year and will start in the minors with the Saints this year. Benzinger was mixed about the trade "It is great that I will be on the major league roster without any worry of demotion, but the bad news is that I am going to be house shopping in Sioux Falls". Favre was happy with the trade "I am here to show the Utah folks I can still be a major leaguer, and I promise not to show pics to secretaries"

[majormet]

Today was a day in the MLB where a few trades were made that could help teams this year or down the road.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired reliever Dave Wickersham from the Milwaukee Brewers for Minor leaguers Rip Sewell and Willie Smith. Very odd to see two team that are battling for first in the same division make this kind of trade. The Reds lead the Brewers by 3 games in the NL Central. Wickersham is a workhouse and Cincy needed to upgrade their pen. Brewers add a blooper ball pitcher, but curious as to why they needed to make their rivals better via trade.

Reno Armada dealt power hitter Candy Maldonado to the Des Moines Jaguars for 2 minor leaguers. Maldonado hit 40 homers in 2023 for Reno and had hit 24 already this year, so the Jaguars get a big bat. Reno was not going anywhere this year, so they traded Candy while had some value. The expectation is that Maldonado will play left field where Jim Kelly has disappointed this year.

Last key trade of the day sees the Honolulu Riptide dealing away former All Star pitcher Bob Ewing to the Saskatoon Beavers in exchange for reliever Joe Lotz. Honolulu needed to upgrade their pen but not sure Lotz marks the boxes. Ewing won 16 games in 2022 but has been exiled to the minors and was starting to show signs of being a flash in the pan. Saskatoon does not have great pitching and are far from contending so this deal can't hurt them.

[majormet]

The Delaware Big Train are 13 games back and in 6th place in the AL Atlantic, however they feel they have a chance in a year where nothing was expected. They dealt two decent prospects in Ed Stauffer and Randall Simon to the Grand Rapids Crawdads in exchange for shortstop Freddie Patek and starting pitcher Bert Abbey. Delaware reacquires Patek who they had in 2022 and gives them a solid veteran player. In getting Abbey they are taking a flyer on a guy that won 11 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021. Grand Rapids is building so these 2 players won't help them when they are a decent team.

On 6/21 there was a brawl between new Canadian teams as the Halifax Eclipse beat the Winnipeg Wolf Pack 4-1. Ryan Secrest of American Idol fame took exception to some chin music from Ed Bahr and fists were thrown and benches were emptied. Secrest got suspended for 4 games, while Bahr got 6 games. Asked after the game why the usually happy go lucky Secrest charged the mound "Getting tired of bouncing around the league and playing in such a pointless game and we are not even in July it all caught up to me, I apologized to Ed after the game.

[majormet]

Today some trades were made of note

The Utah Saints sent Ed Brandt, Ed Willett and Derek Law to the Austin Donkeys for Paul Maholm, Tony Kemp and Slim Love. The Saints are now 2 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West and have been losing game here and there to some of the weaker teams, adding Maholm gives them a guy who has proven he can start on the MLB level, as he won 13 games for the Anchorage Bears in 2022. Brandt was the key piece for Austin and he is a pitcher that has looked great at the AAA level but he gets frazzled at the major league leavel. The prospects are not major level guys.

The Newark Thieves were busy as well adding Bill Campbell in a trade with the Maine Attack. Newark gives up shortstop Jim Mason in the deal and also get back prospect Gregorio Petit from Maine. This is not the reliever Campbell but a fictional player that was a steady leadoff hitter for the San Juan Storm from 2021-2023 and Newark was looking to add some speed.

[majormet]

The Foxwoods Colonials got the best of the Cabo San Lucas Black Gold 11-4 today as Yonder Alonso went 6 for 6 and drove in 2 runs. Foxwoods was propelled by that and solid pitching from Vern Bickford who improved to 8-4. Aristedes Aquino added 3 hits including a 2 run homer. Foxwoods is 11 games out in 5th place in the AL East.

In trade news, the Pittsburgh Pirates who are in 5th place and 17 games behind the Cincinnati Reds decided to trade for Lefty Stewart from the Providence Chargers. Stewart is much traveled and has never registered an ERA below 5 in a season. Bucs deal Mike Olt and John Johnstone to Providence.

[majormet]

There were 3 deals of note today as teams move ahead in the 2024 season

The New Orleans Zebras who have won 10 straight games and are 2 games behind the Tulsa Rattlers in the NL Midwest have traded for former gold glove infielder Ski Mellillo. In return New Orleans sends the Sarasota Typhoon Dick Williams and Rick Auerbach. Ski won his Gold Glove with the New York Mets.

The Orlando Alliance made a deal to get C Lo Green from the Cheyenne Black Aces. Orlando will deal back to Cheyenne John Chapman and Bill Singer. Singer has a lot of upside and Green is 31 years old and only got to breakthrough this year after being a deep September call up for the Cincinnati Reds from 2021-2023. Green was happy with the move "I dug Cheyenne, fans were hungry for something but there wasn't enough people there to get a good crowd. Looking forward to hitting Orlando and ladies watch your drinks"

Lastly, in an odd trade the Toronto Blue Jays traded their first baseman Paul "Sh!tbreak" Finch to the very non-contending Jones Beach Jets in exchange for some relief arms in Steve Kline and James Edwards. Finch won a World Series ring with the Seattle Mariners in 2021 and was able to win a player of the week award for the Jays this year, but his average was .256 and the Jays wanted to move Mike Slattery for first base. Jones Beach has had a hard time drawing fans with just one parkway to get to the games, hoping that Finch will draw some attention. Finch was not happy with the move "I have no idea that they were shopping me. I thought they were happy with my play, I was gloating in the press about this team. I had to look on the map where Jones Beach was as they are a National League team. Guess I can get a place in Manhattan and commute. I am a bit stunned"

[majormet]

The Omaha Eagles were dealt a heavy blow today as star two way player Frank Hankinson was injured and is out for the year. He torn his UCL in a game in which Omaha beat the San Antonio River Kings 7-5. Hankinson was 10-2 on the season as Omaha nurses a one game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. Hankinson also had 17 homers and 41 RBI's. Omaha manager Cory Wamsley was beside himself "He is one of our key players, our ace pitcher and a solid DH. We lost him last year and that affected our slow start to the season, this will be hard to replace" John Thomson will take Hankinson's spot in the rotation. Hankinson won 18 games for Omaha in 2022.

The Sacramento Bees seems to be pitching starved as they are tied for first in the AL Pacific with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Today they traded for Bob Chesnes from the Santa Barbara Dolphins. Santa Barbara gets back Bob Prichard and Len Whitehouse in the deal. The Bees are trying to replace Jack Easton's production in the rotation and needed to make this deal. Chesnes had 7 wins this year for the Dolphins and was a former pitcher in the Dodgers farm system. Chesnes was excited about the opportunity "Will be fun to pitch in the divisional race against the Dodgers I was always expecting to be in their rotation, never got there, and now I am only 2 hours from home" Chesnes grew up in Oakland, CA.

Lastly, Marcell Ozuna saw his 28 game hitting streak for the Pittsburgh Pirates get snapped by the Little Rock Sunbirds. The Karate Kid, Daniel Larusso pitched 6 innings and allowed just 2 hits as Little Rock beat the Bucs 3-0. Bradley Zimmer had 2 hits and a homer for the Sunbirds. Ozuna was relieved in a way to have his streak stopped "Man, it is a lot of pressure mon... I mean it is in your head each time you get up, that is why I think Dimaggio's streak is the hardest record in the game." Asked about Larusso "We play teams once a year, and some teams we never see. His Tai Chi moves or whatever do affect you at the plate. Stinks we lost to that team, they ain't good"