Week 18

Hey All,

August doesn't bring the dog days of summer to us, it also starts us on our scoreboard watch for the season. If your team is in a pennant race right now, odds are you are a scoreboard watcher. Now it's time to watch the scoreboard in the Longball League.

There's a small jumble to the standings this week, but it's clear there are five teams left with a legitimate shot at the title. On top still are the SV Coachwhips with a lineup that has been strong every week of the season.

Here's this week's three things from the Major Leagues

One, "The Curse of Jerry Meals" has hit the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ever since losing that 19 inning game in Atlanta where HP Ump Jerry Meals' blown call cost them the game, the Pirates have gone 1-12. They have lost 10 in a row and are now back in fourth place, 10 full games back of NL Central Division leader Milwaukee.

Two, Thank God for the MLB Network! Without 'em all we'd ever hear is about are the Yankees and Red Sox. ESPN's baseball coverage just flat out sucks and has for years.

Three, Dan Uggla's hitting streak has reached 28 games. His streak is great, but he is just halfway to catching Joe DiMggio.

Trivia: After throwing a no-hitter last week, Ervin Santana won his next start, but failed in his attempt to tie Johnny Vander Meer's great feat throwing two consecutive no-hitters. Vander Meer did his feat back in 1935 for the Cincinnati Reds. So, who has come closest to tying JVM? It was Ewell Blackwell. Blackwell was also pitching for the Cincinnati Reds when he threw a no-hitter v. the Boston Braves on June 18, 1947. Four days later vs. Brooklyn, Blackwell took another no-no into the ninth inning only to have it broken up by the Dodgers' Eddie Stanky. Blackwell finished a mere three outs away from tying Vander Meer.

Baseball Card of the Week: In honor of those who come close, Ewell Blackwell gets this week's honor. He's pictured here on his 1951 Bowman issue.

Until next week, remember that Vernon Wells is still hitting just .212

-The Commissioner