A to Z League update: South Division

We're about a third of the way through the A to Z League season and our quest to determine which letter is better. We'll be taking a quick look this week at all of the teams. Today: the South Division. Interestingly, in a league named A to Z, the South Division standings are presently in alphabetical order.

GOLDENDALE: 35-20, leading the division

Lou Gehrig

Goldendale leads the league in runs, doubles, OBP, slugging, OPS, and home runs, and are fourth in batting average. Much of that has to do with Henry Louis Gehrig. The Iron Horse is a leading early candidate for MVP in the league; he has yet to earn player of the week honors, but he's been in strong contention almost each time. If the season ended today, Gehrig would win the triple crown. He's leading the league in batting (.366), home runs (tied with 22) and RBI (55). He also leads in slugging and hits. If you believe in the whole "on a pace" thing, he's on track to hit 66 taters and drive in 165 runs. He's off to a good start.

Josh Gibson and Ken Griffey, Jr. each have 13 homers for manager Clark Griffith's club.

The team's pitching is about league average overall. Lefty Grove leads the way with a 6-0 mark and a 2.78 ERA. Bob Gibson has a 2.88 ERA, but his record is just 4-3. Goose Gossage has a nifty 2.38 ERA out of the bullpen. He's 3-3 with 18 saves.

KELSO: 30-25, second place, 5 games back

Kershaw and Koufax

As you might expect from a team called the K's, pitching has been a strong point. They lead the league in ERA at 3.20 and Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax anchor the rotation. Kershaw is at 7-3, 2.37 and Koufax is right there at 7-5, 2.45. The pair are 1-and-2 in strikeouts, 112 and 97 respectively, and they're fifth and sixth in the league in ERA.

Manager Tom Kelly's offense has not been so hot. Kelso ranks 20th in runs scored and dead last in batting average (.228). Al Kaline has been the top hitter; he's batting .282, has ten doubles, five triples, seven home runs, and leads the club with 34 runs scored. Harmon Killebrew leads the team with 13 homers and 33 RBI, but is batting just .223.

PASCO: 29-26, third place, 6 games back

Albert Pujols

Pitching has been prime for the P's, who are fourth in the league in ERA at 3.50. Manager Lou Piniella has been getting solid work from Jim Palmer (3-2, 2.65), Gaylord Perry (5-5, 2.72), Andy Pettitte (5-3, 3.56), and Troy Percival (2-1, 2.35 and 12 saves).

The hitting has not been so great. Albert Pujols has 11 home runs and leads the club with 34 RBI and 37 runs scored, but is batting "only" .289. Mike Piazza (.307-6-21) and Buster Posey (.291-1-18) have been splitting duties behind the plate, but Piniella may lean more on Piazza if Posey doesn't pump up the power numbers. Sweet Lou also might activate himself if some of the outfielders don't show a little more production.

VANCOUVER, 23-33, fourth place, 12 1/2 games back

Frank Viola

The V's simply aren't very good. They're 17th in both ERA and runs scored, and that's a bad combination.

The pitching has been OK at times. Frank Viola is 5-3, 3.76, Fernando Valenzuela 5-4, 3.93 and Javier Vazquez 4-3, 2.83. However manager Bill Virdon farmed out Justin Verlander after he logged an 0-5 record and 7.20 ERA in eight starts. Johnny Vander Meer and Pete Vuckovich may get shots to start soon.

Joey Votto leads the offense but with somewhat un-Vottoesque numbers: .255, 9 HR and 35 RBI, leading the club in the latter two. Arky Vaughan leads the team in runs scored with 31. Bobby Veach, Andy VanSlyke, and Jose Valentin have six homers each.

YAKIMA: 15-41, fifth place, 20 1/2 games back

Yaz

Yakima, a two-letter team representing both Y and Z, is at the tail end of the standings, too. They're last in homers, 19th in runs, and 21st in ERA.

Perhaps you know you're in trouble if your top pitchers are Emil Yde (2-3, 3.11) and Jordan Zimmermann (1-4, 3.24). Cy Young has not been his award-winning self, going 3-5, 3.61. A trio of hurlers have been truly terrible: Carlos Zambrano (0-6, 5.37) , Tom Zachary (0-6, 6.25) , and Geoff Zahn (1-6, 6.94). Manager Ned Yost appears close to calling up Tetsuya Yoneda, Masato Yoshii, and Curt Young.

Ryan Zimmerman is the bright light of Yakima's meager offense, hitting .264-11-29. Carl Yastrzemski leads the club with 31 RBI but is batting just .247. Ben Zobrist is hitting. 294 and has nine homers.