It isn’t quite the All-Star Break for baseball, yet most of the league’s teams are at or past the halfway point of this year’s grueling 162 game season. With that being said, there are certainly a number of teams and players that have already stood out in a positive way.
Yep, like a teacher gives her best students, it’s time to hand out some gold stars, this time to the best performers during baseball’s first half.
Gold Stars – Volume III Baseball’s Halfway Point
Tampa Bay Rays (49-32) Many prognosticators had these guys competing in 2008, but let’s be honest, did we all really believe it? One thing’s for sure, the Rays are loaded with talent all over the field, and oh yeah… Evan Longoria is for real.
Baltimore Orioles (41-39) Many critics had the Orioles finishing with the worst record in the majors. Meanwhile, the O’s are finding ways to stay afloat. Baltimore is 17-12 is one-run games, that’s four more one-run victories than all of last season. Their bullpen has been the strong point, posting the fifth best ERA in the majors (3.15). Andy MacPhail also deserves “props” for the deals he made in the offseason, as the players acquired in the Tejada and Bedard deals are making significant contributions to this year’s club (as well as in the minors).
Philadelphia Phillies (44-39) In recent years, Philadelphia has been a consistent slow starter. However, 2008 has been a different story. While many would point to Chase Utley and Cole Hamels as the main reasons for their hot start, one shouldn’t dismiss how deadly Philly’s bullpen has been, with a major league leading ERA of 2.62. Boston Red Sox (50-34) The reigning champs have sustained some injuries, with David Ortiz going down weeks ago and Curt Schilling being lost for the year. Still, the Sox keep picking each other up, and remain in a battle with the Rays and Angels for the AL’s best record.
Chicago Cubs (49-33) We knew they would likely perform well, but were the Cubbies expected to have a commanding lead for best record in the NL at the midway point? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it’s going to be interesting to see what Chicago does at the trade deadline, especially with Carlos Zambrano injured. George Sherrill (3.53 ERA, 26 saves) Taking over as a full-time closer for the first time in his career, did anyone see these kind of numbers coming out of Sherrill? His 26 saves are second in the major leagues. If this guy doesn’t make the AL All-Star team, it’s a shame.
Carlos Quentin (.288 average, 19 HR, 61 RBI) Looks like the D’Backs gave up on Quentin one year too early, as he’s putting up MVP-type numbers for the White Sox through the first half.
Nate McLouth (.283 average, 15 HR, 51 RBI) Pittsburgh’s 26-year old center fielder has already reached career highs in home runs and RBI’s. The real question is, how long can he keep this torrid pace up? Chase Utley and Dan Uggla (23 HR each – leads MLB) Who out there had two National League second basemen leading the Majors in home runs? Yeah, I didn’t think so. The real question is, who deserves to start at second in the All-Star game?
Josh Hamilton (.312 average, 19 HR, 79 RBI) It’s been years since there was talk about a Triple Crown winner. That is, until Hamilton stepped up to the plate as a Texas Ranger in 2008. Currently, he leads the AL in homers and RBI’s, but has dropped to 10th in average. There’s plenty of season left for Hamilton to hit the record books.
Lance Berkman (.364 average, 21 HR, 67 RBI) Sticking with the Triple Crown theme, Lance Berkman has rustled up similar rumors in the NL this season. On a ridiculous pace in 2008, Berkman is currently second in the NL in average, 3rd in HR, and 2nd in RBI. Chipper Jones (.394 average, 16 HR, 46 RBI) It’s nice to once again have a story about someone chasing .400 this far into the season. Then again, do any of us really think that Chipper can pull it off? One thing’s for sure, if he does, Jones will be feeling… well… chipper.
Edinson Volquez (10-3, 2.08 ERA, 110 K’s) In his first full season, Volquez has been dominant since being traded from the Rangers to the Reds. He doesn’t count as a rookie, but should definitely be considered a candidate for the NL Cy Young award as the season progresses.
Tim Lincecum (9-1, 2.38 ERA, 114 K’s) In only his second season, the 24-year old Lincecum has been dominant in the young Giants rotation. If San Francisco could just acquire some supporting cast… Cliff Lee (11-1, 2.34 ERA, 90 K’s) and Ervin Santana (9-3, 3.32 ERA, 99 K’s) After abysmal 2007 campaigns, Lee (6.29 ERA) and Santana (5.76) were nearly traded by their respective teams. In the end, neither were dealt, and now both are comeback stories of the year. Justin Duchscherer (8-5, 1.91 ERA) With nearly 200 relief appearances over the last four seasons, Duchscherer was placed in the Oakland rotation this year, and has flourished. Now, he leads the majors with the best ERA, and a start in the All-Star game is certainly not out of the question.
Ryan Dempster (9-3, 3.26 ERA) Starting for the first time since 2003, Dempster has pitched extremely well for the Cubs. How smart is Lou Piniella looking right now for moving him back into the rotation?
Francisco Rodriguez (2.04 ERA, 31 saves) Rodriguez is having an incredible season, and well on his way to challenging Bobby Thigpen’s record of 57 saves (set back in 1990).
Silver Stars (Honorable Mentions) Rich Harden, Jim Johnson, Mike Mussina, J.D. Drew, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Milton Bradley, John Danks, Joe Saunders, and Aaron Cook If you get a chance, check out this post’s counterpart, “Throwing Tomatoes: Baseball’s Halfway Point”.
This has been “Gold Stars”… let’s see who performs during the second half.
5TH GROUP,
Thanks... so what you're saying is, if the Sox the series with Tampa starting today, you won't be hurtin' that much? Tampa is a nice story, that's for sure.
SODACAN,
Hey, what's up? Yes, the Cardinals are a great addition to the list. I definitely could have included them... you have an easy argument to have them included. Good call.
SODACAN,
Thanks... stay in touch. It's always good to chat sports with you.
BITTERBLOGGER,
Wilson is a solid addition to this list. His 22 saves are tops in the NL, which is pretty solid for a team that is ten games below .500. I'll give you that one... good call.
As much as it pains me to say this, Mariano Rivera deserves mention too. He's got a 0.55 WHIP and 0.74 ERA, while saving 22 in 22 chances. Opponents are batting .138 against him. As close to a perfect season as a reliever can have, and quietly too, how is that possible?
S2DSAYER,
As it pains you to say it? Are you a Sox fan? If so, then you get a gold star for saying it.
Yes, though, Rivera is another solid addition. I guess the fact that the Yankees haven't woken up yet is why people aren't talking about Rivera as much.
Lidge should go on a list of "Comeback of the Year" candidates, along with Cliff Lee, Ervin Santana, and others...
S2DSAYER,
Hey, that's fair... I can understand why and know exactly what you're talking about.
Hey, do you think the Braves are going to be able to retain Teixeira, or will he sign elsewhere in the offseason?
How on earth do you consider a 2.5 game lead on the Cardinals by the Cubs a "commanding" lead? And how does this guy fail to mention either the Cardinals or any Cardinal player? They've got Pujols and the equivalent of 12 utility players and they're 12 games above .500, threatening the Cubs, and leading the NL Wild Card.
Well, as much as I have a man-crush on Texy, I'm thinking either Scott Thorman or somebody like Sean Casey (God forbid) will be the Braves 1B next year. Tex will, of course, probably wind up with the Yanks. And Bobby Cox will still somehow find a way to keep the Bravos competitive.
Nice list JoePa, but I would squeeze Kinsler into the goldstars and give a silver to Ryan Ludwick. Almost time for the goodstuff. If you run into Joe any time soon, give him a slap on the back for me and a thanks for the great recruits who keep jumping the border to O-H-I-O!
BKMUNK,
It was more pushed towards the division leaders, but I hear what you are saying. You have a fair argument with the Cards as a team. You have to stop somewhere, so I left them off. As for Pujols, he does this every year, so it's nothing new to me. Therefore, he was a no brainer to leave off the list.
S2DSAYER,
I think the Yanks (or one of the other large markets) is a good bet for Tex. I do consider the Orioles a dark horse considering he is from Severna Park, which is just outside of Baltimore. Also, Peter Angelos loves him too, so he could be more willing to open his pockets... that is, if Teixeira fits into MacPhail's plans.
Yeah, they may be the Detroit Tigers of 08 where they take this ride into the playoffs. I can tell you this, they have the pitching (GOOD PITCHING) and that is the X-factor in my opinion win it comes to being a pretender or contender!
S2dsayer, man I am a Yankee fan. I don't see Tex coming this way. The Yankees need a guy with his talents at the bat without Matsui, but I think they need pitching more than anything – look at the Sox! They have Manny who has been injured a bit and Ortiz out probably until the break and they are still winning. How are they doing it? PITCHING!
In the past I would have always said if the Yankees needed two stars in two specific areas, they would find a way to pull off the deal - I don't hold that faith nowadays with the lame duck Cashman at the helm of wheeling and dealing.
PETE,
You had to go there with the recruits didn't you?! You're killin' me.
Yep, there are certainly a good list of additional "gold star" candidates coming from everyone on here. Kinsler certainly deserves some "props"... Ludwick has played well too.
BRO,
While you're correct that the Yanks could use some pitching, that doesn't mean that they also won't splurge for Teixeira. Giambi and others at first will be off the books right (or not retained)? So if you want pitching, who do you go add or trade for? Sheets? Sabathia? Someone else?
kp
After the Rays' takedown of the Red Sox. Are there anymore questions that are really needed to be asked of this team at present ?
They're playing with a great deal of confidence and Maddon has 'em going in the right direction at this juncture.
See my baseball post on the state of the game within the state of Florida titled
Sense And Sensibility ....If We Build It They Will Come..Not So Fast ! Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
justan' aka tophatal ............
Last edited by justanotherfan on July 1st at 10:33 AM.
Yes, you are correct, but I am saying Cashman can't make those types of savy moves. Sabathia is out there to be had by the Yankees if they truly want to get him - but after the debacle with Santana, I will be surprised if Cash can pull that type of deal off.
After throwing a tomato at Liriano, which I think is unfair. He's a young kid who didn't come back from Tommy John surgery as quicly as we hoped. How about props for Slowey and Blackburn, who stepped up and have pitched admirably in his place.
TOP/JUSTANOTHER,
Sure there are more questions... here are a few: 1) This is one game, let's see if they win the series, 2) Let's see them beat Boston at Fenway, and 3) Let's see them make it down the stretch and make the playoffs. How about those?
BRO,
I would not be shocked to see the Yankees sign one high profile pitcher AND one high profile hitter in the upcoming offseason. As for the counter, I don't know, I just went to the site it was on, chose one... plugged in the code and it worked.
HIGHWAYMAN,
OK, so from your standpoint, you could say that maybe the Twins management team deserves one for rushing him back? Who knows... all I do know is that if they can get Liriano back on track, that's big for their playoff hopes. A healthy and solid Liriano is like adding a free agent late in the season. Yes, Slowey and Blackburn deserve "props" for picking up the Twins. We should give Scott Baker some "props" too, as he has pitched well.
kp
That's not only what their fans want to see but many also within the realms of the game itself. Before they can really come to some sort of judgement as to how good this team really is.
I for one think that they're capable of doing just that given the right set of circumstances. But at this juncture a lot of people are jumping on the wagon merely for the joy of the ride. As to what might happen should they hit that proverbial bump in the road is open to debate.
Suffice to say there'll be some who'll remain on the wagon and then there'll be some who'll indeed jump right off it. And then start to say ...." I told you so they weren't that good to begin with in the first place .." . The proverbial fickle and fair weather fan who still remains a wagon jumper !
JUSTANOTHER,
I hear you about fair weather fans.
Hey, well Tampa won again last night... will be interesting to see if they can pull off another sweep at the Trop tonight.
Hey duh!! What about the Chi Sox? Most of you so called experts out there didnt even pick them to be in 3rd let alone be in first by July 1st. There are still dumb ace holes out there and Im talking almost every writer for Fox sports that actually think the tigers are still going to make the play offs!! Double duh!!! Oh but boy does everyone want to be on the chokeago dubs and those f-ing whinners in boston band wagon.Well go a head CHI SOX all the way.
SOX1919,
The White Sox are having a solid year so far. I did recognize them by adding Quentin to my list, and giving Danks an honorable mention. I foresee an interesting second half in the AL Central.
kp
Red Sox and Rays' fans were allegedly going at it back and fro' last night. And with the Rays having the last laugh. I'd dare say that there are lot of Red Sox and Yankees' fans that are mightily pi##ed off at this juncture.
The Yanks' chances of making the playoffs are about as likely as you or I get to bed down with Scarlett Johansson for the night. And I know how much you'd likt to knock boots with Scarlett ?
JUSTANOTHER,
I'm also willing to bet that there are a ton of Sox and Yankees fans that think that Tampa is going to fold, and their teams will prevail. Either way, it's going to be an interesting second half, especially in the surprising AL East. Completely overlooked, the Orioles are exceeding expectations as well.
PALMSTER,
Yeah, that's fair. He's pitched pretty well too... but until his homer, a granny by an AL pitcher hadn't happened in a long time.
ksp
After last night's display by the Rays I don't think that's sure on certainty. If their pitching can hold up and their batting is able to do the same. Then they could make the likes of the Red Sox and Yankees sweat a great deal.
And now with 'em talking about going after a big bat in either Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. I would hazard a guess that they're not about to make do with second place within the division. It's all or nothing with the Rays from hereon in.
