BDSL Players of the Month Awards

September 1984

The Joe's Eddie Murray stood tall in September, blasting a HR every 10.1 at bats. His 1.145 OPS led all, and he brought home 24 runners, impressive while walking 21 times. No surprise seeing speed merchant Tim Raines nabbing 15 bags and scoring 24 runs for Bay City. Oregon's 2Bman Lou Whitaker led all with a .417 Batting Average. On Base machine Wade Boggs scored 22 runs with his .483 OBP. Getting a .350+ BA and a .612 SLG from your catcher is noteworthy, something that the Outlaws appreciate from their Gary Carter. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Lots of competition for POM to finish up the season in the Pitching category. Very worthy candidates that didn't make the top 5 included: Tom Seaver, Mike Boddicker and Dennis Eckersley. However, Bay City took the Anderson Division with the help of Bob Ojeda, and his 5 Quality Starts. His 0.43 ERA led the loop, and he went the distance in 3 games. Joaquin Andujar, he of the Weaver second place finishing Columbia, had another outstanding month, compiling 5 wins in his 6 Quality Starts. His 4 Complete Games - and 3 Shutouts - certainly warranted attention. 5 Wins came from the arm of the Dukes' Storm Davis, and Rich Dotson contributed 5 wins to Alston Division leaders, Barnett. Dotson started 7 games, and had 6 Quality Starts, including 3 Shutouts. Also catching our eye was New York's Bert Blyleven and his 5 Wins. A really strong month for Pitchers. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Most Outstanding Hitter:

Eddie Murray SSJ (OPS 1.145, SLG .679, 24 RBI, TA 1.375, 21 BB, 7 IBB, 103PA)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Tim Raines BCB (OPS 1.007, OBP .476, 21 BB, 24 Runs, 15/19 SB, TA 1.356, 103 PA)

3. Lou Whitaker ORP (OPS 1.012, BA .417, 43 Hits, RC 27.3, TA 1.098, 115 PA)

4. Wade Boggs NYC (OPS 1.003, OBP .483, 22 Runs, 42 Hits, 119 PA)

5. Gary Carter CHO (OPS 1.033, BA .354, SLG .615, 34 Hits, 6 HR, 24.7 RC, 110 PA)

Most Outstanding Pitcher:

Bob Ojeda BCB (4-0, 5/5 QS, 0.43 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 29-12 K-BB, .498 OPS, 0 HR, 3 CG, 2 SHO, 42 i

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Joaquin Andujar CLS (5-1, 5/6 QS, 1.40 ERA, 4 CG, 3 SHO, 0.88 WHIP, 31-9 K-BB, .540 OPS, 51.1 ip)

3. Storm Davis SLD (5-0, 3/5 QS, 1.93 ERA, 3 CG, 2 SHO, 1.05 WHIP, 24-12 K-BB, .524 OPS, 51.1 ip )

4. Rich Dotson BSD (5-2, 6/7QS, 3 SHO, 2.13 ERA, 28-15 K-BB, 1.07 WHIP, 55 ip)

5. Bert Blyleven NYC (5-1, 4/6 QS, 1.94 ERA, 3 CG, 2 SHO, 0.82 WHIP, 40-8 K-BB, 51 ip)

August 1984

Impressively, Furies' Jose Cruz led in both Hits and RBI categories for August. His 1.091 OPS trailed only Kirk Gibson, he of the .679 Slugging Percentage. The only hitter to bat over .400 in August, the Pioneer's Steve Kemp did so in over 100 at bats. Furies teammate, Dwayne Murphy, led all hitters with 11 Home Runs. A Shortstop with an OPS of 1.034 catches the eye every month; Cal Ripken rocks at the plate, making his 7 errors in the field palatable. And look out for that Tim Raines when he gets on base, as he was 18 for 19 in Stolen Bases for Bay City. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Steady all season long, Bay City's Dwight Gooden takes Pitching Honours this Month. He led all in ERA and WHIP and he was also superior in allowing only 6.7 Baserunners per 9 Innings. His 3 Wins were half of John Tudors impressive total, though the Aztec's starter trailed in most significant statistical categories. Perennial candidate, Dave Stieb, went 6 for 6 in Quality Starts and tossed a bullpen saving 4 complete games in the dog days of the season. Mark Gubicza had 3 Wins, and his .529 OPS was 5th best among starters. The Organizations' best Furies were also represented in this category, as Reliever Willie Hernandez chipped in with 5 Wins and 5 saves. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Most Outstanding Hitter:

Jose Cruz FLF (OPS 1.091, 44 RBI, TB 75, 45 Hits, BA .385, OBP .450, SLG .641, 34.8 RC, 131 PA)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Steve Kemp ORP (OPS 1.064, BA .409, OBP .462, 38 Hits, TA 1.236, 106 PA)

3. Kirk Gibson TCR (OPS 1.108, SLG .679, .429 OBP, TA 1.283, 91 PA)

4. Dwayne Murphy FLF (OPS 1.032, SLG .660, 11 HR, 30 RBI, TB 68, 114 PA)

5. Cal Ripken (OPS 1.034, OBP .440, 19 Runs, 34 Hits, 109 PA)

Most Outstanding Pitcher:

Dwight Gooden BCB (3-1, 4/4 QS, 1.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .491 OPS, 40-7 K-BB, 1 SHO, 31 ip)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. John Tudor SDA (6-0, 4/7 QS, 3.65 ERA, 1 CG, 22-18 K-BB, 1.42 WHIP, 0.735 OPS, 49.1 ip)

3. Dave Stieb LLG (4-2, 6/6 QS, 1.75 ERA, 4 CG, 1 SHO, 36-13 K-BB, .562 OPS, 1.03 WHIP, 51.1 ip )

4. Mark Gubicza BSD (3-1, 4/5 QS, 2.01 ERA, 20-13 K-BB, .529 OPS, 0.99 WHIP, 40.1 ip)

5. Willie Hernandez FLF (5/6 Saves, 5-0, 9 GF, 1.37 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 19.2 ip)

July 1984

Anderson Divison leading Bay City were paced by July POM Alvin Davis; though not slick of field, July Honouree Davis was smooth at the plate, posting a 1.078 OPS. Barracuda teammate Raines also shone in July, scoring 23 Runs and stealing 9 bags. Barnett's Dave Kingman had 26 RBI to lead all, but the "rock" solid Raines was right behind him, driving in 25. Wade Boggs and Thunder Bay's Dave Winfield both had the most hits in July, 41. In the power department, Mike Schmidt launched the most HR's, 9. Mookie Wilson ran wild for Vegas, scoring 25 runs; Von Hayes and his +.400 BA teamed with Winfield to cause Black Jacks' opponents all kinds of trouble in July. Bold numbers: Category leader.

The BRL WildCard leading Senators' Andujar was again dandy, garnering July POM honours. Joaquin won all 6 of his Quality Starts, including an incredible 5 CG. Also in the hunt, The Drillers' Alejandro Pena; he of the July best ERA, at 0.56, and winning 4 of his 6 Quality Starts; Oregon's Jim Beattie had an equally miniscule ERA at 0.59, and he won 3 of his 6 Quality Starts. Wellington's workhorse Lefty, Steve Carlton, chipped in 6 Wins in his 7 starts. 18 Innings without allowing an Earned Run is always impressive, and The Outlaw's Tom Waddell was indeed impressive for the WJL best team in July. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Most Outstanding Hitter:

Alvin Davis BCB (OPS 1.078, 6 HR, 22 RBI, BA .360, OBP .482, SLG .596, 27.9 RC, 112 PA)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Tim Raines BCB (OPS .994, SLG .589, .405 OBP, 25 RBI, 23 Runs, 9/12 SB, 121 PA)

3. Dave Winfield TBB (OPS .995, SLG .577, 23 Runs, 41 Hits, 64 Total Bases, 19 RBI, 122 PA)

4. Von Hayes TBB (OPS 1.033, 43 Hits, 22 Runs, 17 RBI, BA .404, 7/8 SB, 96 PA)

5. Mookie Wilson VVK (OPS .866, BA .320, 25 Runs, 40 Hits, 11/15 SB, 23.4 RC, 135 PA)

Most Outstanding Pitcher:

Joaquin Andujar CLS (6-0, 4/6 QS, 1.56 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, .482 OPS, 5 CG, 2 SHO, 52 ip)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Alejandro Pena BSD (4-0, 6/6 QS, 0.56 ERA, 2 CG, 0.75 WHIP, 0.430 OPS, 48 ip)

3. Steve Carlton WLK (6-1, 6/7 QS, 2.13 ERA, 39 K's, 2 CG, 1 SHO, .530 OPS, 55 ip)

4. Jim Beattie ORP (3-1, 6/6 QS, 0.59 ERA, 2 CG, 2 SHO, .443 OPS, 0.80 WHIP, 46 ip )

5. Tom Waddell CHO (7 Saves, 3-0, 12 GF, 0.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 18 ip)

June 1984

As in May, our June POM swept the big three categories as well; LaGrange's Gary Matthews also led the loop with 29 Runs Scored for the Gunmen. Sarge also boasted a 1.484 Total Average. ShortStop Cal Ripken shone again for the Dukes; he paced the crowd with 28 Runs Batted In. Dale Murphy's 8 Home Runs was second only to the Ripper's Kent Hrbek's 9 in June. Jose Cruz and Tim Teufel rounded out the "above 1.000" OPS club in June; Fuller's Cruz finishing with 43 Hits and The Elk's Teufel sported the 4th best BA & OBP. Bold numbers: Category leader.

The Royals Dennis Eckersley is "Crowned" POM for June, as his 4 Wins were only bested by Reliever Don (Right Man, Right Time) Robinson and his 5 Wins for the Gunmen. Tied in Wins with a pack of other Starters, Eckersley's 1.53 ERA did lead the loop. Robinson's teammate, Starter Bryn Smith, did post a loop setting .501 OPS and 0.89 WHIP, though doing so in only 28 ip. The Gunmen's Dave Stieb had his wicked slider working again in June as he turned in 6 Quality Starts and 4 Wins. Thunder Bay's Juan Berenguer had 4 Wins and no losses in his 5 starts; Danny Darwin went 5 for 5 in Quality Starts, but had limited support and posted only 1 Win in June for The Aztecs. Out of the pen, The Elks Bruce Sutter finished out 14 games, and went a perfect 9 for 9 in Save opportunities. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Most Outstanding Hitter:

Gary Matthews LLG (OPS 1.188, 6 HR, 29 Runs, BA .392, OBP .492, SLG .696, 37.2 RC, 122 PA)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Cal Ripken SLD (OPS 1.006, SLG .614, 28 RBI, 23 Runs, 125 PA)

3. Dale Murphy WLK (OPS 1.032, 8 HR, SLG .667, 20 Runs, 72 Total Bases, 20 RBI, 115 PA)

4. Jose Cruz FLF (OPS 1.010, 43 Hits, 28 Runs, 20 RBI, BA .387, 6/6 SB, 124 PA)

5. Tim Teufel PBE (OPS 1.004, BA .365, SLG .587, 115 PA)

Most Outstanding Pitcher:

Dennis Eckersley TCR (4-1, 6/6 QS, 1.53 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .582 OPS, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 47 ip)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Dave Steib LLG (4-1, 6/6 QS, 1.97 ERA, 1 CG, 1.23 WHIP, 45.2 ip)

3. Juan Berenguer TBB (4-0, 4/5 QS, 1.77 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SHO, .555 OPS, 35.2 ip)

4. Danny Darwin SDA (1-1, 5/5 QS, 1.62 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SHO, .576 OPS, 1.03 WHIP, 39 ip )

5. Bruce Sutter PBE (9 Saves, 14 GF, 1.96 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 18.1 ip)

May 1984

Oregon's Jeff Leonard swept the big three categories and earned May POM honours; His 9 HR's were second only to WLK's Dale Murphy's 10. Leonard also finished second in Hits and RBI. Middle Infielders Sandberg and Ripken also shone in May, FLF's Sandberg lead the way with 43 Hits, and SLD's dangerous SS Cal Ripken had 14 Extra Base Hits. Bold numbers: Category leader.

The Outlaw's Mike Smithson garnered POM honours with his 5-0 clean slate; featuring 2 Complete Game Shut-Outs, one a 4 Hitter and the other an impressive 1 Hitter. BCB's Doc Gooden made several successful house calls in May, leading the way with 40 K's, and a microscopic 0.22 ERA, with his 3 Wins. Dave Stieb turned in another great month, winning 5 games in his 6 Quality Starts. The Senator's Charloie Hough was staedy, posting 3 Wins in his 5 Quality Starts. In a somewhat ordinary month for relievers, VVK's Dave Righetti's 5 saves caught our eye, as he did not give up a run in his 18+ innings of work. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Most Outstanding Hitter:

Jeff Leonard ORP (OPS 1.265, 9 HR, 27 RBI, BA .432, OBP .476, SLG .789, 103 PA)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Ryne Sandberg FLF (OPS 1.038, 43 Hits, 28 Runs, 20 RBI, OBP .438, 121 PA)

3. Cal Ripken SLD (OPS 1.140, OBP .462, 21 RBI, 20 Runs, 106 PA)

4. Darryl Strawberry NHH (OPS 1.125, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 9/10 SB, 86 PA)

5. Dale Murphy WLK (OPS .948, 10 HR, SLG .606, 23 Runs, 20 RBI, 114 PA)

Most Outstanding Pitcher:

Mike Smithson CHO (5-0, 4/5 QS, 1.13 ERA, 2 CG, 2 SHO, .438 OPS, 0.67 WHIP, 40 ip)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Dwight Gooden BCB (3-0, 5/5 QS, 0.22 ERA, 40 K's, 2 CG, .480 OPS, 0.87 WHIP, 40.1 ip )

3. Dave Stieb LLG (5-1, 6/6 QS, 2.60 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SHO, .628 OPS, 45 ip)

4. Charlie Hough CLS (3-0, 5/6 QS, 1.12 ERA, 1 CG, 1.26 WHIP, 40.1 ip)

5. Dave Righetti VVK (0-0, 5 saves, 6 GF, 0.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 18.1 ip)

April 1984

Wellingtons' Dale Murphy begins 1984 much as he finished 1983; taking Player of the Month honours for the .500 Knights. Dale led with a 1.101 OPS, slamming 7 HR's and producing 75 Total Bases. Steady Eddie Murray got on base at a robust .509 clip; keeping the Shoeless squad near the .500 mark for April. Eddie was feared by many, as 10 Intentional Walks were issued to him. The "Hawk" soared for Alston leading Decatur, as Dawson launched 9 HR's and drove in 26. Anderson best Bay City had OFer Bob Dernier leading the charge with his .403 Batting Average. Decaturs' Don Baylor knocked in 22 runs, and was himself knocked by opposing pitchers 10 times in April. Bold numbers: Category leader.

The Furies got off to an outstanding 20-6 start, as starters Nipper, Niekro and Burris all had ERA's under 2 for Fuller. A 5-0 record, coupled with a 1.19 ERA from Al Nipper, gives him the nod as our Pitcher of the Month for April. Nipper and Burris had lots of run support, but the Fuller bullpen did its' job as well, as Willie Hernandez went 11 for 11 in save opportunities. Willie also had 1 win in his 15 appearances, and featured a 0.44 ERA. Doug Corbett also shone brightly, as he did not give up a run in his 9 relief appearances for San Diego. Decatur's Morris went 5-1; Cox (WLK), Dotson (NHH) and Fontenot (FLF) all were solid in going 4-0. Terrell (DDD) and Moore (NHH) both contributed 6 Quality Starts in April. However, the Palm Beach duo of Bob Knepper and Mike Boddicker caught our eye this month, and both were highlight worthy. Bold numbers: Category leader.

Most Outstanding Hitter:

Dale Murphy WLK (OPS 1.101, 7 HR, SLG .688, 20 RBI, XBH 19, RC 28.4, Total Bases 75, 121 PA)

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Eddie Murray SSJ (OPS 1.077, OBP .509, TA 1.431, 27 Walks, RC 26.7, 112 PA)

3. Andre Dawson DDD (OPS .972, 9 HR, 26 RBI, RC 21.6, 69 TB, 111 PA)

4. Don Baylor DDD (OPS 1.002, 7 HR, 8 HBP, SLG .615, 22 RBI, 16 XBH, RC 24.5, 111 PA)

5. Bob Dernier BCB (OPS 1.024, BA .403, 19 Runs, TA 1.213, 84 PA)

Most Outstanding Pitcher:

Al Nipper FLF (5-0, 3/5 QS, 1.19 ERA, 22 K's, .564 OPS, RC ERA 2.52, 1.05 WHIP, 30.1 ip )

Receiving Consideration (in order):

2. Bob Knepper PBE (2-2, 5/5 QS, 2.18 ERA, .433 OPS, RC ERA 1.24, 0.76 WHIP, 33 ip)

3. Mike Boddicker PBE (5-0, 4/6 QS, 2.47 ERA, 3 CG, .552 OPS, RC ERA 2.33, 47.1 ip)

4. Willie Hernandez FLF (1-0, 11/11 saves, 14 GF, 0.44 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 20.2 ip)

5. Doug Corbett SDA (9/9 saves, 9 GF, 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 10 ip)