Who Would Have Predicted This?

In light of the Major League's All Star Break upon us, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at where we stand at the midpoint of the season, and the surprises of the 2008 season.

Through 90 games, at 55-35, the Tampa Bay Rays boast the best record in Major League Baseball. Yep, the same the franchise, who just a year ago from today, was 19 games below .500, the worst amongst the Majors. Since dropping the "Devil" from "Devil Rays," the team's offense has outdueled the Bronx Bombers this season, averaging nearly 5 runs per game. But what is perhaps even more impressive is their pitching staff, who's allowed 356 runs, which equates to 3.95 runs per contest, second best in the entire League. If they keep up their current pace, the club will reach their first postseason since the franchise was established back in 1998. Since then, their best finish was in 2004, when the club was 70-91 overall.

Texas Rangers' 2nd baseman, Ian Kinsler, leads the American League in batting average (.337), runs (81) and hits (126), which is pretty impressive considering a year ago, the Arizona native finished his 2007 campaign with 127 hits in 130 games, and batted a measly .263 from the plate. Too bad his Rangers are 7 1/2 games back of Anaheim in the AL West.

Just over a year ago, San Francisco Giants' starting pitcher, Tim Lincecum, was pitching for the organization's triple A club, the Fresno Grizzlies. Today, Lincecum ranks second in the NL with an ERA of 2.66, while he leads the league with 126 strikeouts, which is why he is headed to his first All-Star game of his young career. The 24-year-old right hander played with former Stallion, Tyler Graham, at Salem-Keizer during the Summer of 2007.

After struggling with several minor injuries over the past several years, many analysts believed that Atlanta's 3rd baseman, Chipper Jones, was nearing the end of his career. But since hte beginning of the 2008 season, Jones has flirted with a .400 batting average. Through his first 80 games, the 36 year old is hitting a league-best .376. Last year, he hit a career-best, .337. Who says you can't get better with age?

Those are just several stories that have headlined the first half of the Major League baseball season. It only makes you wonder what we'll be talking about come October.

Taking Us On A Voyage!

If you haven't been to a Pioneer League baseball game at Centene Stadium yet this season, then you are frankly, missing out! The Great Falls Voyagers have been nothing short of entertaining this Summer. The team is off to a 10-4 start where 8 of their wins can be credited to their ability to come from behind late in games. And it's not like they're destroying their opponents, either. The club has won 6 games by 2 runs or less, which has provided plenty of entertainment for Voyager fans early on this Summer. Of course, with high school sports taking a break from the action, most of us turn our attention to Centene Stadium during the hot months of the year. And if you're a baseball fan here in Great Falls, then you're in luck. Not only are the Voyagers tied for the best record in the Pioneer League, but the Electric City is hosting this year's American Legion AA baseball tournament, which will be held in early August, which follows the annual Big Sky Rodeo. So, for most of us who consider ourselves sports fans here in Great Falls, this Summer is shaping up to be one wild ride!