Buster Posey

The Major League Baseball All-Stars have been announced so that means if you wear Yankee pinstripes then you are going to the game whether you deserve it or not. More importantly, the All-Star game marks the halfway point of the season so what better time to evaluate the league and highlight some of the good and bad of the past three months.

Two of the biggest surprises of the season are that the Cleveland Indians are still virtually in first place and the Pittsburgh Pirates don’t suck. The Indians have the Detroit Tigers breathing down their neck but Cleveland will take it considering they were in last place and almost 12 games out of first at this same time last year.

After 18 straight years of losing seasons, the Pirates find themselves four games over .500 and only one game out of first place. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff is the main reason they are still in it but I am afraid it will not be enough for them to surpass and hold a lead over the hot and cold St.Louis Cardinals, the powerful Milwaukee Brewers, or the reigning yet struggling NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds.

What isn’t much of a surprise is that the Philadelphia Phillies and their vaulted pitching staff are in first place and have the best record in baseball or that the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are hogging all of the media attention. Everyone knew about the financial woes of the New York Mets, but now the Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be in even worse shape than the Mets by filing for bankruptcy and having baseball operations taken over by Major League Baseball.

Some noticeable absences from the game are Adam Wainwright from the Cardinals. Wainwright never made it out of spring training having Tommy-John elbow surgery. A player that barely made it out of spring training was Manny Ramirez of the Tampa Bay Rays. He opted to retire on April 8th instead of facing the consequences of another failed drug test.

The Los Angeles Angels Kendrys Morales will not be back on the field until next year because of a second surgery on the ankle he broke during a home plate celebration in May of 2010. Speaking of ankles, Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants is out for the rest of the season after a collision at home plate caused him to have ankle surgery and a great debate on catchers blocking the plate has ensued.

Finally, there are two players who come to mind that might as well never started the season. Dan Uggla of the Atlanta Braves and Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox are both struggling mightily with the bat. Both players are known for their slugging and ability to change a game with one swing, but fans in Atlanta and Chicago have yet to marvel at the skills that Uggla and Dunn are paid so highly for … yet you can sense it coming. They are both too good to be playing so poorly.

All of the division races are tight at the moment which means good baseball drama.  The trade deadline is at the end of July, so we should start seeing some moves between teams soon and perhaps some of these teams in tight division races will start to distance themselves from the competition.

It may be too early to talk about the wild card but I am willing to bet it will be another nail-biter going down to the last couple of days of the season. The halfway mark is an important time for teams to bear down and sweat out the summer heat, but unfortunately this is also a time when the casual baseball fan starts to lose interest in the game. It is important to let all of your friends and loved ones know that these summer months are just as important as the first three months and that a true fan must remain diligent in support of their team. The playoffs will be here before you know it!

Low and Inside.

Kevin Hart writes the myboyfriendlikesbaseball blog.

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Opening Day 2011 has arrived!

In an attempt not to have baseball played in November again, the 2011 season began a few days earlier than in seasons past. So I had no choice but to blow off work, buy some hot dogs & beer, and settle onto my couch and begin the journey of a 162-game Major League Baseball season.

The Braves, Yankees, Reds, Angels, Padres, and Dodgers all won on Opening Day while the Nationals, Tigers, Brewers, Royals, Cardinals, and Giants lost. It is hard to put value on these first games because the season is so long but some of these teams might look back to the results of  Opening Day if their playoff chances are decided by one game or less.

Many dramas will be unfolding over the course of the next seven months and I would like to highlight some that I find most interesting…

Battle for the NL East: Almost everyone in the world is picking the Phillies to take their division and easily make it to the World Series, with good reason because of the phenomenal four in their starting rotation of Halliday, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt…WOW! However, the 2010 Wild Card winning Braves have a pretty impressive four of their own in Lowe, Hudson, Hanson, and Jurrjens. The Braves might just have the edge because of their superior bullpen.

Three team race for the AL East: Boston looks to be the favorite here because of their acquisitions of Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and Bobby Jenks. The Yankees are never out of the conversation because of the big talent, big money players always on their roster. The Yanks starting rotation is questionable other than Sabathia but the impressive back end of their bullpen of Joba and Mariano just got better with the addition of  Rafael Soriano. The Rays lost some valuable players but they also gained some potentially potent offensive players in Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon but is it enough to repeat as winners of this tough division.

How the NL West will be won: Can the World Series Champion San Fransisco Giants repeat their success of 2010? Their pitching is still great but the Giants did not make any significant off season moves while the Padres made great improvements even after losing Adrian Gonzalez by adding Bartlett, Hudson, Hawpe, and Maybin. The Dodgers have much to prove after a very disappointing 2010 but the maturation of their pitching staff and improved health of their offense could actually make them contenders for the NL West.

There are many more teams and many more stories that will factor into this season but I think the 2011 World Series participants will most likely come from the above mentioned divisions. However, anything can happen from day 1 to day 162 and the three divisions not mentioned might be more involved in the post season picture than I have envisioned. Naaah, probably not.

Low and inside.

Kevin Hart writes the myboyfriendlikesbaseball blog.

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Just a week or so ago, most people were probably imagining a rematch of last year’s Fall Classic participants,  the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.  Alas, both teams failed to win there respective leagues and instead the uncanny San Francisco Giants and the resilient Texas Rangers are facing off in the 2010 World Series.

Fans of the Giants and Rangers never doubted that their teams would be playing for baseball’s ultimate crown just as I’m sure fans of the Phillies and Yankees never imagined that their teams would not. I will not mention the team I would prefer to be watching chop their way to another championship title but instead will thoroughly enjoy watching two very deserving teams compete for their first World Series title  (New York Giants not included).

Unfortunately, because of the extreme length of the baseball season and the distractions of both college and professional football, the start of the NBA and the NHL,  sports fans have grown tired of baseball. Add to that the fact that the two popularity contest winning teams are not present, a lot of people aren’t going to watch the World Series and will miss some great baseball drama unfold.

FOX, which is broadcasting the series, probably would have preferred a Phils/Yanks rematch but I for one think it is better for the sport that those two teams are watching instead of playing. The 2010 World Series proves you do not have the biggest payroll or a team full of smug superstars in order to be competitive in Major League Baseball. Those things help but it is harder to earn a championship than it is to buy one.

Low and inside,

Kevin Hart

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Listen here or on itunes.

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Yankees spokesperson Alice McGillion told us “the Yankees have zero tolerance for this and any kind of abuse.” She said that security in the bleacher sections of the stadium will warn fans, before YMCA is played, that any type of homophobic abuse “will not be tolerated” and she assured us that any fans who take part in this ugly bullying will be ejected from the game.

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Gay man, get up off yor knees
I said gay man, you will catch a disease
I said gay man, don’t touch me please
because you have got a disease
Gay man, wipe that sperm off your chin
I said gay man, what you do is a sin
I said gay man, I won’t let you in
because you have got a disease
Why are you gay?
I saw you sucking a D-I-C-K

Video, put together by Sean Chapin, is after the jump…

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This is a tough weekend to be a baseball fan and a loving boyfriend. Personally, I have a few conflicts…

First conflict: My sister is coming to town for the weekend and she is excited about the big  art  extravaganza taking place just a stone’s throw  from Turner Field where the Atlanta Braves will be fighting the Philadelphia Phillies for a spot in the playoffs. Flux Projects is throwing a big art party in the area of Atlanta known as Castleberry Hill. Flux 2010 is a great event with art installations and performances taking place on the sidewalks, in the streets, alleys, and in the galleries or open loft spaces. I don’t want to miss it but at the same time I will need to know what is happening with the baseball game because a Braves win and a Padres loss will mean a clinch of the Wild Card for the Bravos. Since I don’t have the internet on my phone  I will have to bring my little pocket radio and earphones and catch bits and pieces when I can.

Second conflict: My boyfriend Joey. Joey is part of an art collective known as John Q and on Saturday they have an opening at MOCA GA(Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia). I always love Joey’s art ventures so of course I am going to be there to support him. Depending on the outcome of the baseball games on Friday, I may or may not be relieved of my tensions over the NL Wild Card race and once again will have to resort to the radio for any updates. Joey knows how much these games mean to me and he has even said I don’t have to attend the opening but there is no way I would miss this important event.

Third conflict: Well, there really isn’t another conflict because hopefully the Braves will have already taken care of their business and the Giants will have dispatched  the Padres. I don’t know if my nerves can take it but if the Braves season is still hanging in the balance on Sunday then I will either be sitting on my couch watching on TV or trying to find a way to get into The Ted and watch in person.

I will gladly sacrifice watching the Braves clinch their first NL Wild Card for two fun social events and supporting my boyfriend but after watching almost every game the Braves played this year, it will be tough to miss two of the most important games of the season. What seems even more excruciating than my dilemma is being a San Diego Padres fan. There are only 3 games left to be played and being 3 games back of the Giants in the NL West and 2 games back of the Braves for the Wild Card the Padres can’t lose or they are out! They can possibly still win their division or the Wild Card but San Diego’s margin for error is nil.

The American League is pretty much wrapped up. The only thing of interest left in these final 3 games of the regular season is who will be the AL East champ, Tampa Bay Rays or New York Yankees? The loser is the Wild Card …not as much drama as the race happening in the National League.

Either way, this weekend of baseball is just a lead into an exciting extension of the season. Yeah ! My boyfriend hates the post-season because of this reason. Joey has seen me watching games since April and I’m sure to him it feels like the season will never be finished. However, after my display of selflessness this weekend I’m sure he won’t mind just a few more weeks of the game I love.

Low and inside,

Kevin Hart

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With less than two weeks to play, there are only four teams left in the American League with post season aspirations, five if you count the Boston Red Sox but they need a long win streak and help from a several other teams in order to make it. Barring a colossal collapse, the Twins and the Rangers are in. The AL East is a bit wilder with the Yankees and Rays fighting for the division and the loser settling for the Wild Card(unless the fore mentioned miracle with Boston happens).

It makes me nervous just looking at the standings in the National League right now. There is still no sure bet but the closest thing to a lock is in the NL Central with the Reds. The Cardinals are still within striking distance but need to play flawless baseball this week to stay alive. The NL East is still up for grabs as my Braves are fightin’ the Phils down to the wire but they have their work cut out for them if they want to give Bobby Cox one more division title before he retires.

Last but not least is the wildest of all…the NL West. Either the Padres, Giants, or Rockies could be in first come Wednesday and all three teams could be flip flopping for first place until the last day of the season. Also, there is no guarantee the odd team out will win the wild card if the Braves continue to win. Speaking of which, the Braves lost Monday night and the only real spark of life they showed was the body block Atlanta left fielder Matt Diaz threw at a fan wearing a full red body suit that ran onto the field during the 7th inning.

Then there are the spoilers! The teams that have nothing to lose because their season is technically over and their only remaining contribution is to ruin the party for the teams ahead of them trying to make the playoffs.  These are teams that lurk in the shadows and start playing amazing baseball once their opponent has something to lose. Here are some spoilers to keep an eye on in the week to come…

The Chicago Cubs can really put a cramp in the plans of the San Francisco Giants over the next few days and then the Cubbies can dash any reaming playoff hopes of the St.Louis Cardinals heading into the weekend.

The hapless Nats will try continue their dominance over the far superior Braves after Atlanta has finished their duel with Philadelphia, while the Mets step in against Philly and try to knock the defending NL champs down a notch or two.

The Padres should have their hands full with the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks will do their best to stop the surging Rockies.

The Baltimore Orioles are a thorn in the side of the Boston Red Sox right now and will try their best to keep the Sox out of the race. On a lesser note, the Orioles will also have the chance to thwart the Toronto Blue Jays from achieving a .500 or better season during their weekend set.

After the Oakland Athletics are done with the White Sox, they are going to make things as difficult as possible for the AL West leading Rangers, but the Rangers will have to contend with the always tough Angels first.

Remember the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry? Well, it will be alive and well come Friday when the Sox will more than likely try to beat the Yanks as a spoiler instead of a division playoff rival.

Pay attention because it is wild out there and things are starting to happen fast. We will be into the 7th month of baseball before you know it!

Low and inside,

Kevin Hart

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The National and American League have the chance to rejuvenate their teams with young talent and veteran rehabbers from their minor league system as of September 1^st. The September call-ups allow some teams to add to their already potent lineup while other teams are trying to piece together a team to fight their way into the playoffs or just end the season in a respectable manner. All teams, whether they are in playoff contention or not, get this opportunity to preview their future.

2010 is being considered  the Year of the Pitcher and has already seen three no hitters and two perfect games (three perfect games, if it weren’t for a blown call by an umpire…see earlier post). The breakout of players like Ubaldo Jiminez of the Rockies, CJ Wilson of the Rangers, and Mat Latos of the Padres has gotten people’s attention. The revival of players like Tim Hudson of the Braves, Bronson Arroyo of the Reds, and Carl Pavano of the Twins have been an inspiration. Then there are the mainstays like Roy Halladay of the Phillies, Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals, and CC Sabathia of the Yankees who always seem to be in the Cy Young race.

The Year of the Pitcher hasn’t been without a down side.  Last year’s Cy Young winners Tim Linecum of the Giants and Zack Greinke (above) of the Royals are not performing very well and neither are in contention for repeating as winner of the prestigious pitching award they won in 2009. After leaving the San Diego Padres Jake Peavy finally had a shot at the playoffs as the ace of the Chicago White Sox this year, but injuries and season ending surgery have kept him on the bench, and the Sox are on the playoff bubble. Ironically the Padres are playing their best baseball in years and appear to be headed to the post-season. The emergence of Stephen Strasburg generated plenty of excitement around the sport and sparked interest in a struggling Washington Nationals team but just as quickly as he burst onto the scene, he was gone. Season ending surgery on Strasburg’s elbow will keep him on the sidelines at least until the middle of the 2012 season…ouch!

I think 2010 could also be considered the Year of the Rookie. This crop of new comers is one of the best in years. The National League East alone has three solid candidates in Jason Heyward of the Braves, Gaby Sanchez of the Marlins, Ike Davis of the Mets. Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro with the Cubs and Jamie Garcia with the Cardinals are also candidates that will be competing for the NL Rookie title this year. The American League rookie race isn’t as log jammed as the NL but there are still some very talented youngsters that could win the title. The Detroit Tigers have two great chances with Brennan Boesch and Austin Jackson, while Neftali Feliz of the Rangers and Wade Davis of the Rays will also have a good chance to be the AL Rookie of the Year.

The summer is almost over but things are heating up in the Major Leagues.

Stay tuned.

Low and inside,

Kevin Hart

Editor’s note: Kevin Hart writes the blog My Boyfriend Likes Baseball.

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Enjoy…

Hat tip to Kelvin.

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