Just three weeks into the 2007 baseball season, things are beginning to fall into place in the Major Leagues.
Carl Pavano is on the Disabled List -- again. That's right. Pavano is on the 15 day DL because of a mild right elbow strain. Since May of 2005, Big Carl has made a grand total of two starts for the New York Yankees. Not bad work for $10 million per season. Just to let the Yankees know, I am available. I stink, but I will give you more than two starts in two years.
Speaking of the Yankees, they just got swept by the Boston Red Sox. The three game sweep included a blown save by Mariano Rivera on Friday, April 20th, and four straight home runs by Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek on Sunday night. That was the first time in Boston's 107-year history that they did that. It was only the second time in baseball history that one pitcher gave up four in a row. The sweep lifted the Red Sox to the top of the MLB Power Rankings.
On the other side of the country, Barry and Barry have turned it on in the City by the Bay. Bonds is hitting .348 with 6 home runs and 12 RBI, and Zito is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 9 Ks in 13.1 innings. Bonds is only 16 home runs away from breaking Hank Aaron's home run record of 755. Barring a serious injury, Bonds could shatter the record before the All-Star Break.
Imagine that scene for a second. Hank Aaron won't even be there. Bud Selig will have to be there, but don't expect him to be very happy about the Central Figure in the sport's Steroid Scandal breaking the game's most hallowed record. Pretty sad. Even without the alleged "help" Bonds received from a syringe and a vial, he still is one of the five best players of all time. It's pretty infuriating that an entire generation of great home run hitters -- Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Giambi, Palmeiro -- had to screw things up so badly. Shame on them. Shame on baseball for letting it happen.
On a lighter note, the 2007 season has already showcased some of the game's newest and greatest young stars. Felix Hernandez is the most exciting young pitcher to come along since Doc Gooden. Jose Reyes is proving that he, and not Derek Jeter, may be the most exciting shortstop in New York City.
But the best story this spring may be about Josh Hamilton. The incredibly talented but troubled outfielder (who has been suspended for drug useage on and off for the past four years) appears to have put his troubles behind him. For one thing, he started the season on a MLB roster instead of in a court-ordered rehab. For another, he is hitting .289 with 5 home runs and 11 RBI through the first 14 games. Here's hoping that Josh keeps on the right track. He is just too good of a ballplayer, and too good af a young man to waste his vast talents.
