CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Whales' first season in Chicago after moving from Alcatraz has not improved the franchise's history of poor performance in the Blizzard Leauge standings. In its first season way back in 1997, the franchise (then the Sydney Taipans), actually finished with a winning record of 94-68. However, since then it seems that the team's constant moving -- six cities in six years -- has worn it down.

"There's no question. When I gained control of the franchise just before the season started I was hesitant to move because it had happened so many times already," said Carl Johnson, the team's latest owner. "However, there was zero fan support in the Bay Area for two reasons. The fans hated the name and they also weren't willing to take a boat out to Alcatraz Island all the time to watch a game. The biggest fanbase was the tourists! I had no choice. Chicago is a bigger market and there was huge demand for a team. The fans here are great. Even if we have been dubbed their 'lovable losers' for now, I plan on turning things around. We need to live up to the dominance of the Federal League ballclub we have resurrected."

The Whales have made a couple of big moves in the first half of the season, obtaining help at first base in the form of young Shane Williams (nagged by a heel injury the last two months), and pitchers Jack McDowell, Chuck McElroy, and Pep Harris. But just as the new players were beginning to contribute, disaster struck.

"We have been decimated by injuries", Joe Tinker, Whales manager, pointed out bluntly. No one argues with that. The following is a list of players the Whales have put on the DL in the past few months:

Chuck McElroy (P) - probably out until the end of the season.
Chris Hoiles (C) - probably out until the end of the season.
Derek Lee (1B,3B) - hopefully returning after the All-Star break.
Vinny Castilla (3B) - should be returning at the end of next week.

An additional SIX players have also missed games due to injury.

Castilla's absence has hurt the Whales the most. After leading the team in most offensive categories to start the season, Castilla (not known for his defense) injured his back diving for a foul pop-up near the Weeghman Park home dugout. Without Castilla's potent .324 average, the Whales have seen their offense crumble just when their pitching had come alive.

"If we can stay healthy in the second half and if Castilla resumes his pre-injury pace, we should be a much-improved ballclub" said Tinker. "We have some players that could surprise some people."

One of those is starter Frank Rodriguez, a Rookie of the Year candidate despite a losing record. When asked about Rodriguez, Tinker said that "He has pitched well in nearly all his starts but our offense just doesn't put runs on the board for him."

Rodriguez was 7-10 at press time but with only a 3.69 ERA and 13 Quality Starts in 20 games started since being moved to the rotation in early May.

Tim Wakefield started out as a surprise after his call-up from AAA, going 3-3 with a 2.99 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 75.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately he has slipped since then, winning only one of his last seven decisions.

Not every surprise has been pleasant. Stan Musial is thought by most to be the key to the Whales' offense. Many even consider him the most talented hitter in the league, but he has slumped so far, finally bringing his average up to .300 on June 24th while hitting an un-Musial-like 16 homers.

"Although we don't want him to feel any pressure, Stan needs to carry this team. Our players treat him with god-like reverance and he has let us down", Tinker stated. Whales owner/GM Carl Johnson agreed: "If he doesn't start putting up some big numbers, we're in big trouble."