Around the League - Some Shine, Some Stink
We’re a third of the way through the baseball season – you can tell that because the NBA season is ALMOST over – and there are a few standouts. The Red Sox and Angels dominate their division in the American League and the Padres and the Mets lead the National League.
The Angels of course also have what amounts to one of the DUMBEST names in baseball. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Please! That’s the best anyone on the Left Coast could come up with? Although I suppose it could have been worse, their name could have ended up like an college bowl game: “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim brought to you by insert sponsor who shelled out big bucks here.”
But seriously, baseball season is in full swing (sorry, couldn’t resist that one!). Despite shocking everyone early in the season with impressive pitching and hitting, the Brewers have managed to settle down into a more typical run of mediocrity. The team that at one time had the best record in baseball still leads the NL Central division, but that’s not saying much. Granted, the Brewers are still above .500, with a 34-29 record but in any other division they would be at least 3 games back in the standings. Want to know how broadcaster Bob “Just a Bit Outside” Uecker described the team’s play? He made a comment about something "spreading like one of those diseases those cargo ships bring in from the Orient." Fortunately for the Brewers, they are lumped with my perennial losers the Chicago Cubs, a struggling World Champion St. Louis Cardinals team, the Astros, Pirates and Reds. Yes, folks, this is a division where the Cubs can have a record of 28 – 34 and STILL be in second place.
Speaking of the Cubs, it was nice to see that pitcher Carlos Zambrano can hit something other than catcher Michael Barrett’s face! Taking things into his own hands Monday night, Zambrano not only pitched a great game – allowing just three hits and one unearned run over eight innings – he also homered to give the Cubs a 2-1 win over the aforementioned Astros.
Oh, and in case anyone cares – I know I sure don’t – Barry Bonds hit his first home run in more than a month. Big whoop. Take away the steroids and suddenly he’s just another guy with a bat.