MLB - Midseason Report

One half of the 2011 MLB season is in the books and it has been nothing short of incredible.  Every division is separated by fewer than 4 games.  There have been multiple surprise teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Arizona Diamondbacks, all of whom are within striking distance of first place.

After starting the year 0-8, the Boston Red Sox have made a tremendous surge and sit a game up on the New York Yankees in the ultra competitive AL East.

It's been a long time since baseball has seen this kind of parody.  No matter what city you live in, you can feel confident that your team can compete and win a game on any given night. (Unless you are a fan of the Chicago Cubs, in which case it's probably better to just stay home.)

My pre-season predictions are mostly still in play, except that the Oakland Athletics have already fired their manager, so he won't be winning the "AL Manager of the Year" and the A's probably won't be winning the pennant in the AL West.  My predictions for AL MVP and Cy Young are right on the mark as Adrian Gonzalez, of the Boston Red Sox, has been killing in his new home, Fenway Park,  and leads the league in RBI, hits, and batting average.  The Detroit Tigers Justin Verlander, has been nearly un-hittable, and threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May, 8th, earlier this year.  JV is the early favorite to win his first Cy Young award.

On the NL side of things, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Roy Halladay has continued his dominance that we have come to expect and along with Verlander, is the best pitcher in baseball.  Colorado Rockies star, Troy Tulowitzki has gotten off to a lackluster start, but has been amazing with the glove and is one of the most exciting players in the game to watch in person.  My prediction for NL Manager of the Year, Ron Roenicke has the Milwaukee Brewers tied for first in the NL Central.  The second half of the season is going to be exciting to say the least.  But before the second half starts let's hand out some mid-season awards.

AL MVP

Hands down it's Adrian Gonzalez.  The big big big big big trade made by the Boston Red Sox has been paying the Red Sox back with pure gold, batting .354, with 77 RBI, and 128 hits, all tops in the AL. Baseball fans everywhere are lucky that Gonzalez was rescued from baseball purgatory that is the San Diego Padres, and fans across the nation now have the chance to see the awesome talent he possesses.

Honorable Mention
Jose Bautista continues to crush home runs as he did in 2010, proving that his power was no fluke.  To go along with his Major League leading 31 big flys, "Joey Bats" picked up a new trick.  He has learned to hit for average.  Bautista is currently batting .334, almost 75 points higher than his total of .260 a year ago.

NL MVP
There are plenty of deserving individuals in the NL and it's tough to peg down one guy that clearly exceeds his peers as the sole MVP.  If forced to name an MVP today, I'd pick Lance Berkman of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Many thought his career was quickly coming to an end after a couple of disappointing seasons.  But halfway through the 2011 season, Berkman has already eclipsed his totals in Home Runs, RBIs, and runs from a year ago.  The National League Home Run leader has also carried the Cardinals into a tie for first place in the NL Central, while Albert Pujols has battled injuries and an uncharacteristic slow start.  Without Berkman's contributions, the Cardinals would not be atop the standings.  Therefore, Lance Berkman is the MVP in NL.

Honorable Mentions
Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers are both having outstanding years offensively and are too huge reasons why the Brew Crew is tied with the Cardinals for the lead in the NL Central.

Jose Reyes of the New York Mets is having a career year.  He's batting .354 with 124 hits, both bests in the NL.  With the Mets 11 games out of first place, and currently sitting third in the NL East, I can't rationalize Reyes as the MVP.

AL and NL Cy Young

Justin Verlander and Roy Halladay.  Once again it seems to be the year of the pitcher in Major League Baseball.  JV and the Doc are the hottest pitchers in the universe putting up phenomenal numbers.  Both have double digit wins, both have ERAs under 2.50.  More than that, as Detroit Tigers announcer often calls Verlander, these guys are must see TV.  On any given night, one of these guys could throw a no-htter.  There are many pitchers having fantastic seasons on an array of different teams, but none of them can touch Verlander and Halladay.

If the finish to the 2011 MLB season is anything like the first half, baseball fans are in line for a thrilling ride.

*Standings and stats are as of the All-Star break.

The Ice has Melted for Paul Kariya

On July 29th, 2011,  Paul Kariya called it a career after 15 seasons in the NHL.  Kariya missed all of the 2010-2011 season due to a concussion he suffered in December of 2009, in which he took an elbow to the head by Buffalo Sabre's winger, Patrick Katela.  Doctors haven't been able to clear Kariya to play and a recent brain scan showed continued signs of brain damage.  With no choice, Paul Kariya is forced to walk away from the game he loves.


Paul Kariya was drafted 4th overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1993.  Along with Teemu Salanne, Kariya made hockey relevant in Southern California.  Not exactly the most ideal destination for a NHL franchise, Kariya and Salanne had the then, Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim rocking on a nightly basis.  The exciting duo created a buzz in Orange County, and helped hockey become popular among the young and the old. Everywhere you went in the OC, you would see kids playing street hockey.  Kariya and Salanne jerseys were everywhere and all the kids I knew had a Mighty Ducks duck caller, myself included, that were sold at games and local sporting good stores.

Kariya served as the Ducks team captain for 7 years, before going to the Colorado Avalanche, with Salanne in 2004.  Kariya was a 6 time all-star, won a Gold Medal with team Canada in 2002, and also won the NCAA National Championship at the University of Maine.

Kariya had a solid NHL career, unfortunately it was cut a little short.  I attended many Ducks games in the mid 90's and I will always remember Kariya and the impact he made on hockey and the community. The Ducks should retire his number and I look  forward to it happening.  Quack-Quack-Quack!!!