1991 update: Aug. 5, 1991

Finally, I have gotten around to doing an update for the 1991 APBA baseball replay I'm doing. This is the slowest seasonal replay I've ever done. Usually, I can knock out a full season in about 18 months (or less if it's a pre-1969 divisional season). But I am soon to reach three years on this project. I began rolling the 1991 season on Aug. 16, 2015. I've picked up the pace of games a bit lately, but I still have a ways go to.

It's not because the season is boring. Instead, I've gotten a life. I've written about how life changes during a replay. We elect new presidents, some get new jobs, move away, buy new cars, have health issues, whatever. A lot has happened in my world just after I rolled the first at bat for this 1991 season. A week later, I headed for northern Illinois and those who've read this blog in the past know that story. Now, I'm a domesticated guy, going to the store with my sweetie to buy lotions and to look at bedspreads and towels and all. I could probably roll a complete game in the amount of time we stand at the fingernail polish section of Wal-Mart.

But, I still find a way to fit in a few games and still enjoy this season. And, like all other replays I've done, I'm finding personalities of teams are shining through.

First, the standings through Aug. 5, 1991

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East Division W   L   GB

Toronto       68    35     --
Milwaukee  56   49   11.5
Boston         55   50   12.5
Detroit         51    54   16.5
New York     44   58    21
Baltimore     41   63    26
Cleveland     32    72    35

West Division   W   L   GB
Minnesota        65    42    -
Seattle               62    44   2.5
California         56    49     8
Chicago             55    49    8.5
Kansas City      54     50   9.5
Texas                 47     55   15.5
Oakland            47     60    18

NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Division      W    L     GB
Pittsburgh           68    35     -
St. Louis              62    42   6.5
New York            56    48   12.5
Philadelphia       43     61   25.5
Chicago               41      63   27.5
Montreal             33      71   35.5

West Division    W    L    GB
Atlanta                 71     32      -
Cincinnati           60     43    11
Los Angeles         56    48    15.5
San Diego            53     52     21
San Francisco     42     62   30.5
Houston               38    66    33.5

And the leaders, so far:
American League
Home Runs: 40, Canseco, Oak; 34, Buhner, Sea; 30, Thomas, Chi
Wins: 17-1, Erickson, Minn; 16-7, Tapani, Minn; 15-7, Clemens, Bos
Saves: 20, Reardon, Bos; 19, Harvey, Cal; 19, Montgomery, KC
National League
Home Runs: 29, Mitchell, SF; 28, Dawson, Chi; 25, Strawberry, NY
Wins: 22-0, Glavine, Atl; 19-2, Leibrandt, Atl; 15-6, Tewskbury, StL
Saves: 24, Dibble, Cin; 22, Howell, LA; 18, Belinda, Pit

Two things stand out immediately. Check out Atlanta's pitching. Glavine and Leibrandt are a combined 41-2 for the Braves! It's hard to not run away with the division with that kind of record on the mound. The Braves have gone 12-3 in their last 15 games. Cincinnati won seven of its last eight games, but 11 games back in early August is a large hurdle to overcome. The only other interesting things about playing National League West teams is if Mitchell will get hot and start hammering home runs again like he did early on in the season and if Fred McGriff will pick it up for the Padres.

Pittsburgh looks like a lock to take the East as well. Montreal continues to be dismal, despite having some good players. They can hit and run, but, oh that pitching. There has been some hope for the Expos as of late. They've gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, better than that 3 for 10 stuff earlier in the season. I cannot understand the Mets this season. The team is overachieving, winning a lot of games in come-from-behind fashion. But, just when I think they may make a run, they fall apart. For instance, they've won one of their last seven games. Before that, they embarked on an eight-game winning streak. Pittsburgh has gone 7-3 in the Pirates' last 10 games, compared to St. Louis' 5-5 mark. The two teams still have eight games against each other and the late season could become interesting if the Pirates falter and St. Louis can put together a good streak.

Cleveland now has the distinction of being the worst team in the league, surpassing Montreal for futility. The Indians helped their downfall by winning only three of their last 20 games and are on a seven-game losing skid. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has gone 10-3. Detroit, which seemed to present a decent challenge in the East at the beginning of the season - fueled by Mickey Tettleton's bat - has won only two of its last 12 games. Boston has won two of its last 10, giving Toronto, basically, the free pass to the divison crown.

Minnesota and Seattle continue to play close. Just as the Twins began taking off and Seattle began slipping, the Twinks went 6-4 while the Mariners took eight of 10. The two teams will play each other six more times. It may be the best pennant race of the season.

So, I play on to see what happens. Will Canseco hit 61 or more home runs? He was hot for a while and then just stopped. Then, he hit one in early August, prompting speculation that he'd be back on track. He then struck out three times in that game. But, he hit two more on Aug. 4 against the Twins, bringing his tally to 40.

Will Glavine lose? Can he go 30-0? Will Montreal find a way not to lose 100 games? Will Ron Dibble save 50 games for the Reds?

A lot of questions still remain in this season and I'll begin getting answers as the season progresses - as long as I can stay out of the fingernail polish aisle for a while.