MLB Mid-Season Awards: Media Bias?

My thoughts on Sports Illustrated’s mid-season awards (runner-ups in parenthesis):

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (Jose Bautista)…Gonzalez could win the triple crown. Good for him! he’s wearing out the Green Monster. Bautista has captured the eye of America, despite playing in lowly Toronto.

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Jared Weaver)…Verlander rented a plane to ferry his All-Star Tigers teammates to Phoenix…and the Royals rookie reliever Aaron Crow, who was leaving at the same time.

AL ROY: Michael Pineda, Mariners RHP (Jeremy Hellickson, Rays RHP)

NL MVP: Prince Felder (Matt Kemp)…should Brian McCann continue on his torrid pace and lead the Braves into the postseason, he will garner his share of votes…especially if Felder is traded to the American League. Dodger Kemp is helped by the media machine.

NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels (Roy Halladay): Jurrigans has more wins and fewer losses in three less starts…and a much better ERA. The complete games racked up by Halladay (6) and Cliff Lee (4) are impressive. Tommy Hanson should also be in the mix.

NL ROY: Danny Espinosa, Nationals 2B (Craig Kimbrel): Freddie Freeman’s recent hot streak has evened his stats with Espinosa, who will benefit from northeastern media bias. Statistically, the ROY will be won these last three months of the year. While the Nats wallow in 4th place, Freeman is batting cleanup for the Braves, owners of the League’s second-best record. Both play excellent defense.

Kimbrel shattered the rookie record for most saves by the All-Star break. He was also the fastest in MLB history to record 100 strikeouts, besting Stephen Stassburg. His save total could get him a few Cy Young votes. Should Espinosa and Freeman falter, Kimbrel could easily snatch the ROY (in fact, he won the midseason vote on MLB.com).

PL…AVG/OBP…SLG…OPS/runs/HR/RBI…SB

FF.…274…347…459…805…39…13…43….2

DE…242…332…460…793…45…16…52…12

Phenom Bryce Harper went 0-4 in the Futures game. After demolishing Class A pitching, Harper was recently promoted to Class AA Harrisburg in the Eastern League. The furthest south Harrisburg plays is Richmond. Mentoring Harper’s move from center and right to leftfield is ex-Brave Tony Tarasco, Harrisburg’s outfield coach.

Nice to see Derek Jeter have a huge game to reach the 3000 hit mark, going five for five with a game-winning single to center. Also heart-warming for the fan who caught the 3000 hit (a home run) not demand anything in return for the ball. Nice that Jeter and the Yankees loaded him up, anyway. Coupled with the fan who caught Barry Bonds’ record-breaking home run ball, it’s interesting to see the big business of high-stakes instant memorabilia. Jeter is the fourth youngest to reach 3000, after Honus Wagner, Hank Aaron, and Robin Yount…the first shortstop since Wagner, and the first Yankee. Say what you will about Jeter, but he’s played his entire career in the Bronx pressure-cooker, winning more World Series (and getting more hits) than any player in his era.

Interesting that Beachy, Minor, and Guerrin are Buckhead roommates. The CPA doesn’t think Lowe will repeat his last September. Reid thought Fredi lost yesterday’s game with his choice of relievers. They only scored one run. Down several when Lowe tired, there was no need to waste the already overworked O'Flanery, Vinters, and Kimbrel. Tommy Hanson got the all-star shaft. I love his long hair.

Margaret’s baby shower was a small but fun gathering. The host Hurts (minus Margaret), Mark and Leah, Bob and Myra, Becky, and all the Ewings (Jim, Jimmy, Tyler, George, Margaret, and Will). Mary insisted some play the ‘Guess the Baby Food” game. Anna and Matthew joined in the fun. When George was blindfolded, Mark and Jimmy dumped Tabasco sauce in his baby food. At least we didn’t have to play the “Guess What’s in the Diaper” game (melted candy bars). The evening ran late, and then Mark’s SUV wouldn’t start. Sunday Haley sat behind us in the 9 am service.

Saturday’s trip to Macon was uneventful. That morning I checked my tires, since my ride has been rough lately. Sure enough, one was showing lots of metal. We drove the van to Macon, and also Sunday down to Passion. Will’s entire crew of counselors bussed down to PCC Sunday night, so we got to see him. The camp’s founder was also there. His kids used to attend Living Science.

Another Living Science parent passed away yesterday, after a long fight with cancer. Bill Donovan was Margaret and Patrick’s dad. Patrick, Will’s Crown teammate, always plays at 125%.

Between vacations I’m trying to work around the house. I want to get the woods cleared out some, and wash the gutters and garage doors…projects like that. Also put things on Craig’s List and eBay. I’m only making moderate progress. It would’ve helped had I trained for the Peachtree in the morning instead of after work. Last week I was too sore. I need to go to the doctor this week about my knee. Friday we leave for the beach.