What does a player have to do be named an all-star? Lyle Overbay has carried the Brewers' offense hitting .337 with 9HRs and 61RBIs. He also leads the league with 36 doubles which is on pace to break the all-time record. Not to mention that he has made a city that is tired of losing its favorite players forget about Richie Sexson. That alone should get you a trip to Houston. What makes this even worse is that Overbay was not one of the five players eligible for the 32nd roster spot. To top it all off, manager Jack McKeon selected Paul LoDuca to fill injured first baseman Sean Casey's. Compared to Overbay, LoDuca is not worthy of the selection. And why not fill the spot with another first baseman since Casey got hurt? On another note, what would be the problem with adding Carlos Beltran to the NL roster? He obviously can't play on the AL team, but since he would have been named to the team would it be a crime for the NL to have an extra guy? Either that or he should have been one of the five players eligible to be voted into the 32nd spot. He is obviously worthy to be playing in the game, so why should he be punished for being traded to the NL? I spend a lot of time defending Bud Selig, but these issues aren't rocket science. |
At the start of the season it was stated that as many as 20 teams had a shot at competing for the championship. Midway through the season that number hasn't changed. The surprises stem from teams like the Brewers, Reds and Rangers poking their noses into their divisional races to the Royals and Diamondbacks that have been complete busts.
The Astros are in the same leaky boat despite the acquisition of Carlos Beltran. The Angels who were preseason favorites in the west have been devastated by injuries and the Devil Rays are starting to show some of their young talent.
July is normally a period where trading is frenzied. This season there are so many teams that are still in the race that none of them can decide whether they are buyers or sellers. One of those teams is the Brewers.
As many surprises as there are, the old mainstays are still around. The Yankees are as good as advertised, although their pitching has been a little shaky. The Braves still aren't dead, although that has more to do with the disappointing Phillies than the moxy of the Braves. The AL Central still has the Twins and the White Sox battling it out once again.
There have been many milestones achieved in the first half of the season. Barry Bonds passed his godfather Willie Mays to be third on the all-time home runs list and he also became the all-time leader in walks. Ken Griffey Jr. revitalized his career and joined the 500 HR club while his father looked on. The Devil Rays and the Pirates ripped off double digit win streaks, and the Expos and the Blue Jays had their battle of Canada in Puerto Rico.
With the all-star approaching it is time to give out the mid-season awards and review the pre-season predictions.
AL East
It is not surprising that the Yankees are running away with the division. What is surprising is how bad the Red Sox are playing. Their record doesn't exactly show the ugly brand of baseball that they are playing. Another surprise in the division is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Lou Piniella is carrying this franchise to a semblance of respectability.
Preseason Pick: New York Yankees
Midseason Pick: This division is over. The only drama will be if the Red Sox can put it together enough to win the Wild Card.
AL Central
This division will shape up to be one of the best races. The White Sox have shown that they will be in it for the long haul led by manager of the year candidate Ozzie Gullien. The Twins haven't hit their stride yet, but are right in the thick of things. They have been ravaged by injuries. The big surprise in this division is the collapse of the Royals. Yes they played over their heads last year, but this season has been a debacle and GM Allard Baird pulled the plug early with the trade of Carlos Beltran.
Preseason Pick: Minnesota Twins
Midseason Pick: The Twins are the better team regardless of the White Sox acquisition of Freddy Garcia. They just need to get healthy.
AL West
This division is another case of a team that has been decimated by injuries. The Anaheim Angels are the best team on paper, but have lost half of the their starting lineup. Not to mention the real Bartolo Colon is on the back of a milk carton. The A's are at the top of the division and Billy Beane made his yearly move to solidify the A's weaknesses by acquiring Octavio Dotel. The Rangers are the big surprise of the division, but no matter how good your lineup the pitching needs to be better that AA caliber. We all blinked and the Mariners got old.
Preseason Pick: Anaheim Angels
Midseason Pick: If the Angels weren't half dead I would stick with my pick, but it looks like the A's are going to control the second half.
NL East
This division is tight, but it is all-around bad. It seems like nobody wants to take control of the lead, but Philly is doing it by default. The Phillies look like they are on pins and needles constantly waiting for the skipper Larry Bowa's next blowup. The Braves are still not dead, and the Mets have even resurrected themselves enough to be in the hunt. The Marlins just haven't been able to put it together, which isn't surprising since their heart and soul is revitalizing the Tigers.
Preseason Pick: Philadelphia Phillies
Midseason Pick: You can never count the Braves out, especially since they are just staring to get healthy, but the Phillies are still the team to beat, despite Bowa.
NL Central
The NL Norris has turned into the best division in baseball. The Cardinals are running away with the division at the moment, but time will tell if their pitching can hold up. The Cubs, Brewers and Reds are bunched behind the Cards with the disappointing Astros in fifth. The Astros made the big move to get Beltran, but will look to dump him later in the month if they don't make a significant run.
Preseason Pick: Chicago Cubs
Midseason Pick: The Cards have a big lead going into the break, but their pitching is shaky. The Cubs are the best team on paper, but haven't shown that they have what it takes to overtake the streaking Cards.
NL West
The West is another bad division in which the last team standing may take the title. It is a three-team race between the Giants, Padres and the Dodgers. One thing is for sure - those three teams don't like each other, and their hatred should make for an entertaining race. The D-backs have been a major disappointment, but they also have been destroyed by injuries. The question is will Randy Johnson remain a D-Back?
Preseason Pick: San Diego Padres
Midseason Pick: There aren't any reasons to change my mind about the Padres. They are just as good as the Giants and the Dodgers, and since I picked them from the beginning, I'll stick with them.
AL Wildcard: There would be nothing that makes me happier than to see the Red Sox collapse and not make the playoffs at all, but they should be able to hold onto the wildcard.
NL Wildcard: My original thinking was that this is where the Astros would fit in because the Cubs were going to run away with the division. I wasn't completely wrong -- the Cards are running away with the division leaving the Cubs with the inside track at the wildcard. My head is overruling my heart with the Brewers' chances.
AL MVP: Now the best player plays for the best team. I'll stick with Alex Rodriguez who is putting up ridiculous numbers despite not hitting for the entire month of April.
NL MVP: My original pick was Albert Pujols, and he would still be a solid choice, but I have to switch my allegiance to his teammate Scott Rolen who is having a season of the ages. Not to mention that he is a gold glove winner as well.
AL Rookie of the Year: In both leagues there really hasn't been anyone that has distinguished himself. I'll stick with my choice in the AL - Bobby Crosby. Playing shortstop in a division push will win him the award.
NL Rookie of the Year: There hasn't been anyone in the NL as far as rookies go. Even Kaz Matsui has been terrible. My original pick - Edwin Jackson - has only started two games, but he is 2-0 with two solid starts. He may be another Dontrelle Willis.
AL Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter -- This is a no-brainer. Lose A-Rod -- make a run at the division.
NL Manager of the Year: Tony LaRussa - The Cards have the best record in the majors, and even though they were expected to be good, they weren't expected to walk away with the division. Ned Yost is more deserving of sainthood that just an award.
Enjoy the second half -- The Brewers bandwagon will be by to pick you up.
