Summer is now half over and the sports world has had more stories than Mother Goose has rhymes.
The Cubs, Twins and Phillies are all in first place and showing no signs of letting up.
The Mariners are destroying everyone in their path, and they are doing it despite losing three of the best players in the Major Leagues in the last three years.
Barry Bonds is on an amazing pace to shatter the home run record. Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn, both a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame, are retiring at the end of this season. And Alex Rodriguez is making around $150,000 for every Texas Rangers game, whether he plays or not.
Of course, the biggest story of the season could come after the season has finished. That is when the bargaining agreement between the players’ union and the owners end and another strike could begin.
Strange as it may seem, there are other stories going on in the sporting world besides baseball. Here are a few random thoughts about the summer thus far.
At 22, Kobe Bryant has two championship rings, millions of dollars, a huge mansion, a wife, and is arguably the best player in the NBA.
At 22, I live with my parents, have no car, no real job and I’m not even the best athlete in my house.
The Blues may have been the best team overall the last two years, but they’ve peaked. It’s all downhill from here.
Good News: Saint Louis University baseball player Dan Shouse was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 39th round of the baseball draft.
Bad News: That means he was like the 1200th guy drafted. Not very promising odds. But you should never say never. Shouse can still make it.
Congratulations are in order for Maurice Jeffers, who was very deservedly selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the NBA draft. Good luck, Maurice.
What’s worse, the Cardinals aren’t anywhere near first place in the NL Central, or the Cardinals were swept by the Kansas City Royals? Hmm…
Coolest moment of the summer so far: With tears streaming down his eyes Ray Bourque holding the Stanley Cup over his head. Something he’d waited 22 years to do.
Worst moment of the summer so far: The look of joy and satisfaction on the face of Phil Jackson, the most overrated coach in NBA history, after his Los Angles Lakers won their second straight NBA title.
The U.S. Men’s soccer team is quickly closing in on a World Cup birth, good for them . Hey, I’m trying to be patriotic.
All of this, and we still have plenty of summer to go. Will the Cubs, Twins, Phillies and Mariners continue on their unbelievable runs? Will Bonds break 70? Will Ichiro Mania ever stop? Can Lance Armstrong win an unthinkable third Tour De France in a row?
Only time will tell.
