(Sports Network) - - Major League Baseball's first half is now in the books.
So, while the All-Stars converge on Kansas City, let's take a look back at some
of the top stories through the first part of the season.
In no particular order and without further ado:
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Pittsburgh Pirates were one of the best stories in baseball at last year's
All-Star break, but things went horribly wrong for them after that and the team
stumbled to a North American sports-record 19th consecutive losing season.
This year, the Bucs find themselves 11 games over .500 and hold a one-game
lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central. Andrew McCutchen
is blossoming into one of the best players in the game and A.J. Burnett is
pitching like the right-hander the New York Yankees gave $80-plus million to
before the 2009 season. I'm not sure if the Pirates have enough to make the
postseason, but they will be fun to watch, as they take aim at their first
winning season since 1992.
NEW YORK METS
Speaking of first-half surprises, how about the New York Mets. An offseason
punch line in most circles, some people thought the Mets were going to lose
well over 100 games. Not only are the Mets six games over .500, but they are
right in the thick of things in the NL East. When you look at their lineup,
it's actually amazing the Mets are in this position. That is a credit to
manager Terry Collins. R.A. Dickey's story has been amazing and Johan Santana's
comeback from shoulder surgery was complete when he tossed the first no-hitter
in team history on June 1. How Santana holds up for them down the stretch may
go a long way in deciding their postseason fate.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
As good as New York and Pittsburgh have been, the biggest disappointment in
baseball has to be the Philadelphia Phillies. The five-time defending NL East
champions had to deal with injuries to Roy Halladay, Chase Utley and Ryan
Howard, while Cliff Lee just picked up his first win of the season on July 4.
The bullpen has been abysmal and the Phils seem to be headed toward a 90-loss
season. Still, they could be the team to watch in the second half. Why? Well
they have perhaps the biggest trade commodity on the market in lefty Cole
Hamels, who can become a free agent at season's end.
EXIT SANDMAN?
Before the start of the season, New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said he
had already known if this was going to be his last year or not. Well, that all
changed on May 3 in Kansas City when the future Hall of Famer tore his ACL
shagging fly balls before a game. Rivera has already stated that he will be
back next year, but coming off knee surgery and the fact that he'll be 43 in
November, you have to wonder if we've seen the last of the great Rivera.
OZZIE GUILLEN COMMENTS
Well, it didn't take Ozzie Guillen long to leave his mark on South Beach,
although I think he'd have preferred to do it a different way. Guillen
created a firestorm in Miami with his comments in Time Magazine, praising
Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The Marlins suspended him five games, but there are
still some who think he should have been fired. The Marlins can have 20
straight losing seasons and nobody cares. But say something like that in Miami
of all places and there is going to be trouble. Compounding the situation is
the fact the Marlins are among the league's biggest underachievers following an
offseason that saw owner Jeffrey Loria dole out close to $200 million.
LINCECUM STRUGGLES
Perhaps the most baffling story of the first half is what has become of Tim
Lincecum. The two-time NL Cy Young winner fell to 3-10 on Sunday and saw his
ERA rise to 6.42. His WHIP is at 1.58 and he has been one of the worst
pitchers in baseball all season. So what's wrong? Everyone says there is no
injury, but his fastball isn't popping anymore and that devastating change-up
isn't fooling anyone. I know this, though: If Lincecum somehow gets it
together in the second half, the already impressive Giants may be tap dancing
their way to a second title in three years. That seems like a big if at the
moment.
JOSH HAMILTON
When he is firing on all cylinders, is there a better player in baseball than
Josh Hamilton? Following an offseason that saw him slip up with alcohol,
Hamilton has been magnificent for the American League West-leading Rangers,
hitting .308 with 27 home runs and 75 RBI. Injuries always seem to rear their
ugly head with him, but he is a legitimate Triple Crown talent when healthy.
YOUKILIS SAYS GOODBYE TO RED SOX
Kevin Youkilis' time with the Red Sox essentially ended in April when new
manager Bobby Valentine questioned his commitment to the team. You can
probably say a lot of things about Youkilis, but questioning his desire to
play? The damage was done. Then to make matters worse, rookie Wil Middlebrooks
emerged while Youkilis was hurt and the trade talk really started to heat up.
Youk was finally shipped to the Chicago White Sox, but not before getting a
proper sendoff from the Fenway crowd following a triple in his final at-bat
with the team. Youkilis was removed after the hit, signaling a trade was near
and he left to a standing ovation. For anyone wondering, Youkilis is hitting
.347 since the trade and his three home runs in 13 games for the Pale Hose are
one less than he hit in 42 games for the BoSox.
ANGELS SLOW START
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were clearly the winners of the offseason.
With the free agent signings of slugger Albert Pujols and left-hander C.J.
Wilson, most predictions had them reclaiming the AL West from the two-time
defending champion Rangers. But the Angels stumbled badly out of the gates and
were 6-14 after 20 games. And Pujols was a big reason why. Maybe he was trying
to hard to live up to his $254 million contract, but he hit .217 in April and
didn't homer until May 6. The Angels, though, have turned it around and now
head into the break 48-38 and four games back of the Rangers. So what brought
on this turnaround?
THE EMERGENCE OF MIKE TROUT
Well, if you want to try and put your finger on what exactly got the Angels
going, look no further than April 28, or the season debut of outfielder Mike
Trout. The 20-year-old phenom has come up and has been the AL MVP through the
first half. In 64 games, he has 12 home runs, 15 doubles and 40 RBI to go
along with 26 stolen bases. He has also played Gold Glove-caliber defense.
And, oh yes, he leads the AL with a .343 batting average.
BRYCE HARPER ARRIVES
Trout wasn't the only rookie who stole headlines in the first half. Bryce
Harper made his long-awaited debut for Washington. It's hard to believe Harper
is only 19 because it seems we have been hearing about him forever. But, the
kid came up and has produced for the NL East-leading Nationals. Washington is
in first place because of their pitching, but Harper has played well above his
age and is an integral part of that lineup.
The Sports Network