Oh, we're halfway there, ohhh-ah, living on a prayer

Since the Mets are doing so well, I figured the Bon Jovi header was close enough.

It's All-Star Break time. Figured it's just a good a time as any to look back and be retrospective (and gloat or hang my head in shame, depending on the pick.)

AL East - Red Sox are in front of the Yankees but only by 3 games.
AL Central - Would have two playoffs teams as predicted - but along with everyone else, I thought the Tigers were a year away. Guess not.
AL West - What a mess. Texas and Oakland are tied, at 45-43, but last place Seattle is 43-46. Yuck.
AL Wild Card - Chicago, as predicted, so far.
NL West - Picked the Giants, who sit in 4th, 3.5 games behind the Padres. Another mess of a division where anyonee can win.
NL Central - Picked the Astros, who also sit in 4th, 6 games back. But they did get Clemens back, so this could still be right.
NL East - "NL East: As much as this hurts to do, I can't overlook the Braves not strengthening their bullpen, while the Mets got Billy Wagner while also adding Delgado to their lineup. I think the Mets snap this streak, but the Braves get in as the wild-card." Well, one part rings true - the Mets are up by 12 on Philly and 13 on Atlanta.
NL Wild Card - As of today, would be the Dodgers. I picked the Braves, who thanks to a 7-3 homestand are now only 6 out. IF they make a move or two, they have an outside chance. Given their history over the past 12 months, I'm not optimistice they will make the needed moves.

Five things I like about this season so far:

1) The Detroit Tigers. Winning with a limited payroll and young players, most of which were on the 119-loss team a couple of years back, this group has come a long way. I don't think they'll keep up their .700 pace on the road, but even so, just playing .500 the rest of the way will get them 101 wins. An amazing turnaround.
2) Jim Thome and the Juvenation machine. I won't begrudge him too much that he KILLED my fantasy team last year. This year - 30 HR's added to an already potent offense. Nice comeback for a nice guy.
3) Pabelboner! There's dominant, and then there's Papelbon's record so far as Red Sox closer. Only three runs given up for the whole year (which I think were in the same appearance), and 22 hits in 46 IP.
4) The Yankees playing second fiddle. Speaking of win paces, the Mets are on pace for 97 wins and lead the NL East by 12 games. Right now, they have a better record than the Yankees, but barely - they're tied in the loss column. Still, the Mets have no one in their heels right now in the weak National League, while the Yankees would miss the postseason for the first time since 1993 if the season ended today, and would lose their streak of eight straight division titles.
5) Nationals ownership. THankfully, the team has an actual ownership group. With ex-Braves president Stan Kasten in charge, I somehow think this team will be very competitive, very soon. Perhaps 2008, though I can't possibly think of what might be happening in 2008.

Five things I don't like about the season (Non-Barry Bonds division)

1) The return of Jason Giambi. Great, an admitted steroid user is back and slugging again - 27 HR and 72 RBI. You'll forgive me for not being excited.
2) End of the Braves' division streak. Because, frankly, this team needs to lose a little in the regular season to shock its fans (who have been more hushed than usual) and shock management into making some moves that make the team competitive and the fans excited. Maybe, with the subpar performance so far, management gets its act together and does something to improve the team, or blow it up and start things over. Please, though, no more status quo.
3) Brett Myers. It's a very stupid idea to hit your spouse. Ever. It's an even worse idea to do it in public. And it's even dumber to do it right before 40,000 people get the chance to curse you out live on national TV.
4) The Indians' quick fall. Lots of people, including myself, predicted a playoff season for the Tribe. Well, as of right now they have the same number of wins as the Braves, and they're in a much stronger league and have a lot more ground to recover. 16 1/2 games behind the White Sox for the Wild Card? Not gonna happen. very disappointing for a such a promising outlook.
5) The coup of King Felix. The next Doc Gooden has borne no resemblance whatsoever to the pitcher he was compared to in Spring Training. 8-8 with an ERA near 5 is not what a lot of people had in mind. Not bad for a rookie, but considering how much praise was being heaped, there's a disappointingn aftertaste.

Five things I don't like about the season (Barry Bonds division)

1) Busting Jason Grimsley. At least he found a way to overshadow his escapades switching bats for Albert (Joey) Belle. Refused to wear a wire - which seems pointless, because he wasn't even on the same team as Bonds.
2) Greg Anderson goes to prison. Pled guilty in the BALCO case and is now going to jail for contempt of court after refusing to testify against Bonds.
3) Game of Shadows. The book by the San Francisco Chronicle writers detailing alleged usage by Bonds dating back to 1998.
4) Bumbling Barry. So far, his outfield play and his batting make me think of Willie Mays' last season when he was not able to hit very much and was doddering around the outfield. His range is extremely limited, and he can barely get around the bases. It must be tough with all the injuries (hmm, wonder how they happened) and his gigantic head.
5) Chasing Aaron. He passed the Babe. Fine. But I'll be damned if anyone really wants to see Barry Bonds pass Hank Aaron. Aaron set the record based on pure talent, in the midst of a lot of pressure, resentment, and anger. If Bonds breaks it, it won't be dut to just his talent. It will be because he cheated. Thankfully, they way he's been playing this season, I don't think he'll get there. He might get to 730 this season, but I don't see him playing until 2008, potentially to get this record. I really hope that after this season, he leaves the game. Forever.