Well, we’re six weeks into the MLB season and I think we’re starting to get a feel for which teams are serious contenders. It’s time to compare the standings to my baseball predictions for this season.
The pick that’s made me look the smartest so far has been my pick for the Brewers to win the NL Central. With a solid rotation and a lights-out bullpen, the Brew Crew pitching staff has buoyed them to the best record in baseball. Two of my other NL picks are in the thick of things out West (SD & LA), but the pick that makes me look ridiculous was my choice of Philly as NL East champs. Looks like the Bravos and Metropolitans are for real. I might’ve missed this one.
In the AL, my Angels are tied for first in the West and the Tigers are only a half-game behind in the Central. I picked the Yanks in the East and I’m still sticking to that, but I never saw the Red Sox being this good. I still don’t think the Indians are for real.
As for my Cardinals, things look fairly bleak. At 13-18, the Cards have the second worst record in the National League. The offense is anemic, the pitching looks awful and it’s not getting better any time soon with Chris Carpenter staying on the shelf for another 3 months. Of course, the team is still grieving the loss of Josh Hancock a few weeks back. To add insult to injury, the Cubs reeled off a nice little run after my Cub-bashing post from a few weeks ago. No matter; we’re still the defending champs and I’ll say that every day until the regular season ends.
In other news, Barry Bonds is now 10 home runs away from breaking Hank Aaron’s all-time record. It’s a shame that the most hallowed record in sports will soon be held by one of the most despicable figures in the sports universe. I know Bonds has unfairly become the poster child for the steroid era, but America’s disdain for Bonds runs deeper in my opinion. His standoffish attitude toward fans, teammates and the media make him completely inaccessible. It’s just a shame that Hank Aaron — a figure of grace and perseverance and a true ambassador for the game– will have his name removed from the record book by such a colossal jerk. Here’s hoping ARod or Pujols will someday surpass Bonds as the all-time home run king.
already & not yet 
If A Rod plays like he is now, for the next few years, he’ll break it easily. He has a bit more class than Bonds, that’s for sure. Pujols could do it as well.Truth be told, in ten or twenty years, there will be another hot stud that comes in and break their records. Some are I believe with all my heart unbreakable, but the Home Run crown will always be sought after.No one will break the streaks of hits in successive game games, or consective games played, but the home run king will change, again and again.
I never thought Gherig’s record would be broken, but along came Ripken. I do agree that Joe D’s 56 game hitting streak will be pretty tough to top. But the most unbreakable record? It’s gotta be the all-time win record. I think Cy Young won like 500 games or something ridiculous like that.
Helps when you pitch about 60 games in a season… (Cy Young)
Yeah, really. It was definitely a different game back then.
Bonds isn’t my favorite player, but he deserves the recognition. Think back to the times and places when Aaron played – “the launching pad” in Atlanta. My husband can quote all the reasons why Aaron is behaving less than graciously now. He’s being a bad sport for sure.
I’d agree that Aaron played in a park that was conducive to the long ball, and Bonds plays his home games in a stadium that depresses power, but I still think Aaron has been a true ambassador of the game over the years. Personally, I wish he’d be present when the record is broken, if only to be honored for his own accomplishments. But I’m not taking anything away from Bonds. He’s the best baseball player we’ll ever see, maybe the best ever. Only Ruth can even be in the conversation with him.
Bond’s is a disgrace to the game and even though he has never admitted to anything Schilling said I would bet that everything Schilling said is true. His name just like Maris ( although Maris didn’t deserve it) should forever have an asterik next to his name. The asterick should be footnoted saying he broke the record by disgracing the game and using a controlled chemical substance to substitute for his lack of natural talent!
It’s interesting that Bonds hasn’t sued those San Francisco reporters who wrote that book about him a few years back. They detailed his alleged steroid use with dates, testimony, etc. If what they had to say was false, don’t you think Bonds would’ve sued them for slander? Yet, no litigation. Hmmm….It is worth pointing out, though, that even without the steroids, Bonds was a great talent. Who knows when he started taking (supposedly it was after the McGwire/Sosa homerun duel of ’98), but even without these incredible seasons, he would’ve been a multi-MVP with over 400 homers and 400 steals. The steroids just helped him go from great to otherworldly. Another question: If you were Bud Selig, would you show up for the record breaking home run? I’m thinking he should be there as league commish.
As bad as Bonds is, I can’t help but remember him playing catch with that 10 year old kid in St. Louis at the game we went to when we were in college. There must be some good in him way deep down in there. Kind of like Darth Vader.And the Braves have a shot to take the division back as long as Mark Redman stays on the DL and never pitches again.