Suprises and Busts

As we approach the half way mark in this 09 season, there are always surprise teams, surprise players, events.
Much of April and May successes can get washed away with poor June and July, but once a team hits the All Star break, and they or their team are out producing their expectations, they become a legit surprise.
Cue the 2008 Tampa Rays, I mean, not one magazine, one website had them finishing this higher than 3rd in their own division, and they proved us all wrong as wrong can be.
A talented team got contributions from all hands, defense, 9th inning uprisings, great bullpen performances and they got the most out of super rookie Evan Longoria.

So, it's July 4rth, 2009, are they any Tampa Rays out there ?

The LA Dodgers, the Detroit Tigers, no, they had building blocks in place, and the Dodgers won their division last year, so just because they rule the NL and had no Manny Ramirez for 50 games.
The Blue Jays could have been, but a 9 game streak and injuries, plus weak performances from Wells and Rios have slid them now out of even the wild card chase.

Maybe the Texas Rangers, okay we'll take them for now, perennial second division dwellers but still fighting the good fight in the AL West.

In the NL, my 2009 surprise is the St.Louis Cardinals, injured, patch work pitching staff, my hats off to the them as my 2 surprise teams, to date. The second always brings high fliers many challenges, so we'll see if these two teams can hold on.
The Rangers can hit with anyone, and they have room to improve if 2nd year Chris Davis can regain last years batting stroke.

So players wise, who has surprised with their play to date ?

How about steady Kevin Millwood, that ERA is well below where it's been in year's past, and hey what about Johnny Damon, do you think Damon is enjoying the new dimensions in Yankee Stadium ? His 16 home runs to day ( one today against Doc Halladay ) is not a personal best, but it would seem he will reach the high 20's, and at age 35 that is amazing.

Aaron Hill coming off that nasty concussion that cost him almost all of last year has launched 19 homers, has played great defense, and leads his team in rbi's. The other guy who I want to give props to is Raul Ibanez, and I know his reputation is as a first player, but his numbers are fabulous, 22 home runs, hitting .314, c'mon folks, that's big time. He's hit 33 big flies, but he's 37, and if he stays in the line-up and shakes this ongoing groin issue, he is going to reach his career best.












I think I will pick Ibanez and Kevin Millwood as my 2 nice surprises of the year.

My busts, and there are a few will just be listed, I will spare you the rhetoric, and the public flogging they deserve.

Look no further than Toronto, and Vernon Wells, or in Boston with Big Papi, David Ortiz, and I will toss in World Series hero Cole Hamels, and I will include one other is Manny and his 50 game suspension, especially after taking such a long time before signing a huge deal to stay in LA, those fans, and team mates deserved better.

No photos for these busts, they don't deserve the recognition in my book.

What I will do is end on a positive note as we are posting this as the United States celebrate July 4rth and we are just concluded Canada Day on July 1st.

How about some fireworks !!!!