1995 All-Star Break Report

The Atlanta Braves find themselves in familiar territory, first place while dealing with the usual untimely injuries.

Tony Phillips spent more significant time on the disabled list with a torn hamstring, missing two months (after missing nearly half-the-season, plus the entire playoffs during 1994). Phillips signed a three-year deal worth $7.8 million prior to the 1994 season (signed through 1996), while already spending a total of 7 months on the DL.

Mark Wohlers is also a repeat offender in the injury department, dealing with shoulder issues. Wohlers spent 9 months on the disabled list, while pitching only 11.2 innings (0.77 ERA & 8 saves) until his recent injury, his return status at the moment is 'unknown'.

David Justice fractured his wrist & was on pace for 38 HR & 116 RBI at the time of his injury, he returns in 6 weeks.

The team currently sits at first place (59-29), 3.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the N.L. West. Atlanta has won the division for 3-years running, and have accomplished this with their stellar & consistent starting rotation.

Tom Glavine (12-1, 2.20 ERA), John Smoltz (12-4, 2.44 ERA) & Steve Avery (12-4, 2.54 ERA) have been excellent, while Greg Maddux (8-5, 3.76 ERA) has struggled a bit. Their 5th starter, Alan Benes (8-7, 4.49 ERA) has pitched pretty good considering that he's on the tail-end of the rotation.

On offense, the Braves' Ryan Klesko made his 1st All-Star Game, while hitting strong in all three triple crown categories, batting .341 with 20 HR & 77 RBI. Javy Lopez (.306, 16 HR & 64 RBI) was named to the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year.

It will be interesting to see what GM Shawn Summers (top right, handsome fella) will do in his quest for a 4th straight division title as we move forward.

Around the League....

Wade Boggs, who was leading the National League with a .371 batting average for the San Diego Padres, found himself shipped to the Oakland Athletics (June 28th, 1995) in exchange for SP Brad Radke and OF Ernie Young. Boggs joins a team that was very-much favored prior to the season, but has struggled badly, sitting in last place (44-45, 9.5 games out). The Athletics made a huge splash in the free agent market when they landed Larry Walker prior to the season.

Oakland's rotation has been disappointing considering that their top four starters are Kevin Brown, Mark Langston, Curt Schilling & Terry Mulholland.

Manny Ramirez (.339, 34 HR & 83 RBI) and Jim Thome (.348, 27 HR & 86 RBI) have the Cleveland Indians (winners of five straight games) looking good in first at 50-38, but the Toronto Blue Jays are nipping at their heals in the A.L. East. Ramirez only needs 2 HR to already match his 1994 season total of 36 dingers, while reaching his 1st All-Star Game.

The St. Louis Cardinals' Al Leiter is having a breakout year as he leads the Majors with an outstanding 1.48 ERA (13-3 record), which is totally eclipsing last season's 3.56 ERA. The Cardinals lured Leiter away from Toronto via free agency.

The Houston Astros' Darryl Kile has a 10-5 record, 1.80 ERA, with league-leading 0.89 WHIP.

The Detroit Tigers own the league's worst record with 30 wins, while they have won no more than 69 games during the last three seasons... finishing 7th each time. It is rumored that the Tigers' young superstar Alex Rodriguez is marking his days in Motown on the locker room wall at Tigers Stadium in the same way as a prisoner serving life in prison.