Officially, the 2010 baseball season is one-third complete.
What does it mean?
Nothing close to forecasting the post-season, but teams should identify themselves by now.
A few teams can already call it a season, but the majority of teams can still dream of a World Series.
Even if, your team’s chances might look bleak, fans should keep the faith. If anything is still possible, it can happen.
Just ask any NY Giants fan about the 2007 season if you need an example to why you should never give up.
Now here are my five (non-Yankee) situations that first came to my mind when reflecting on one-third of it all:
THE BIGGEST LOSER:
First, 
let’s remove the obvious team who’s season could not be saved even by a miracle. The Baltimore Orioles are one group I can assure you will not be playing in October. Poor O’s fans because the team is worse than ever. Should I dare suggest that Oriole fans start dreaming big for 2011?
THE MOST IMPROVED:
The National League is not a joke in 2010. The AL bullies have definitely been notified.
The Phillies, Cardinals and Dodgers no longer own the National League. Welcome to the contender’s lounge, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres. Not only have each respected division gotten better, but as a whole, the National League is no longer living in the shadow of the American League.
The Padres, Braves and Reds do whatever they have to do to win, by utilizing on their strengths.
AND THE OSCAR GOES TOO:
Congratulations to the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets for faking out their fans with false hopes. These two teams will fail because how can anyone be sold that either has the guts to continue for the rest of the season?
The Blue Jays can hit home runs in their sleep, but slumps are inevitable. Toronto does not play small ball, which will affect them down the stretch. Pitching has been lucky so far, but the consensus is the Rogers Centre is an easy place to pitch, so the road games will be the truest test.
How can October baseball happen for a team who just let Roy Halladay go? Basically, Toronto gave up in 2010 season in 2009.
It is the Mets, and they are causing a mess. No team can win seven straight games, and then lose the next nine in a row because it is way to inconsistent.
This week is the AMAZINS chance to jump over Philly in the NL East. Even if the Mets get ahead, their egos never stay in check long enough to make it stick.
Carlos Beltran has been out for to long, considering he had the same hip surgery as Alex Rodriguez. Can you blame Beltran for not wanting to run back to the Mets?
I still firmly believe the Mets success lays with a new manager, with a take no prisoners’ personality. Bobby Valentine???
Do not say you were not warned.
THE BIGGEST SCANDAL:
The umpires have hogged headlines since 2010 Opening Day at Fenway Park, when Umpire Joe West called the Yankees and Red Sox an embarrassment to the game of baseball.
Why? West says the games take two long and who do they think they are.
Let’s see, it is the most notable rivalry in sports, and the players are making sure to do anything and everything to win. It means more to Boston and New York fans than breathing, so in essence, the players give a shit. That seems pretty much on track to me.
THE PROUDEST MOMENT:
It was the last out, in an-about-to-be significant moment. Than suddenly, about becomes almost because of one umpire’s call.
The ‘SAFE’ heard round the world, that umpire James Joyce made in error, which assured in ending Detroit Tigers pitcher, Armando Galarraga’s perfect game.
What could have a mess, showed the sports world that respect, dignity and sportsmanship is always more perfect than any stat.
Both men accepted the mistake, Joyce in tears for not seeing it right and acknowledging his mistake immediately.
Galarraga displayed utter respect, by not even putting up a fight and going back to the mound to finish the last out. Galarraga is a true gentleman. He defined sportsmanship in the toughest of situations.
It will be one of the greatest moments in baseball history that even tops being perfect.
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- Pinch hitting: Robert Tusso (yankees.lhblogs.com)
See, that is the one nice thing about the Pirates. They are consistent, so if anything us fans are pleasantly surprised.
Thanks Jammer…..it hurts to be so close to making the post-season and losing right at the end.
Aka. Detroit Tigers in 2009, that had to hurt.
I can tell you that if owners are not generating revenue from fans going to games, most won't spend any money to get better players. Fans have more power than you realize and it might be frustrating and seem pointless, but how cool will it be to know you played a significant part when the Pirates do win.