If ever there were a group that needed a fresh start it is the Dodgers. For them, the All-Star Break is already too late.
Their season is flushed down 1 toilet while the franchise itself circles yet another. A once proud organization is now left in the rubble of an ugly divorce, a joke of an ownership and a horrible product on the field.
We have played just over half the season and it is difficult to generate any positive reviews out of the Dodger camp. The Angels? Where do we start? As expected, they are in a race with the Rangers.
For the Dodgers though, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, who is having an MVP-type season, have hit well and Clayton Kershaw has delivered on the mound, but that’s it.
The Boys of Summer are now the Boys of Blunder.
While the Dodgers are the worst story so far, the Pirates are the best.
The Pirates, a joke since a thinner Barry Bonds left and doubled his hat size in San Francisco, have been a blast. They are in a playoff race—only 1 game back of the Cardinals and Brewers in the NL Central—and 2 games above .500. This is unheard of in almost 2 decades.
Behind new manager Clint Hurdle, the Pirates have taken their low-budget brand of baseball to new heights. While they may not win a championship, or even a division, at least they are entertaining for all the right reasons, unlike the Dodgers.
Pittsburgh is young, fun and exciting. It will squeeze in a winning run 1 day and jack a game-winning 3-run shot on the next day. And they are doing it with a group of relatively no-names and even fewer big contracts.
Arizona is another feel-good story. The Diamondbacks are just 1 decade removed from greatness, but have now have a young and exciting team, giving the Giants a run in the NL West.
Where once they used big-name, high-priced veterans to win a title, this group of desert dogs is doing it much cheaper.
Both teams are showing us how to be creative and win games.
Sure, the Yankees and Red Sox are among the best in baseball with their huge budgets and the ability to pay players more than anyone, but that no longer is a guaranteed formula for winning.
The punk-ass Cubs spend big money. And what have they won? The White Sox added big contracts and still can’t beat the Twins or practically anyone else in their division. Look at Cleveland. The Indians are another great story, making a run for the AL Central title as well.
The Mets? Well at least they are playing better, but they will fade in the 2nd half. Heck, even the Nationals are looking good and the future is bright for them. Just what the game needs.
For the 1st half, baseball gave us all hope. Maybe the little guys do have a fighting chance.
There will always be the big boys winning more than their share. The Yanks, BoSox and Phillies frequently shop for big deals and primo talent and attempt to buy a title every season, but hope comes from the Pittsburgh’s, Arizona’s and 1 day maybe the Royals. OK, at least we can hope.
And let’s hope for an even better 2nd half.