A Season of Surprises... Mid-Season Review:

What a year it's been so far! We've had a no-hitter and a perfect game thrown so far by two pitchers who weren't expected to accomplish this feat. Tim Wakefield with 11 wins? Who guessed that one? Yet the rest of the guys on the field, the position players, haven't disappointed us either! Who would've thought leading up to Opening Day that Raul Ibanez would have 20+ HRs and would be a huge, and I'm not exaggerating here, HUGE, offensive weapon? Who would've thought Nelson Cruz would have 20+ HRs and be one of the Ranger's best hitters?

This is going to be a season to remember even if it is because a perfect game was thrown in 2009. It never ceases to amaze me how fickle of a game baseball is! For example, look at Raul Ibanez again, he hasn't had a season this good in years! All it took was a new club, a new team, and a fresh start. Baseball is so unpredictable. That is why this game is so widely loved with even the youngest of fans! I can remember when Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera, and Dontrelle Willis were the superstars of the year. Now, just a couple years later, all three are on different teams, 2 of the 3 are succeeding at a far greater level than their stint with the Marlins, and Beckett and Cabrera are considered as some of the best young players in the game!

Now back to this year. We have had guys like Trevor Hoffman continuing to have an unbelievable year as a closer for the 100th season. Yet, at the same time, Mr. Invincible, Jonathan Papelbon, has struggeled greatly all this year along with his "Turn Around Player of the Year" teammate David "Big Papi" Ortiz. While all this is going on, unknown Nick Green takes over the starting shortstop role for the Bo Sox and excels at a level never before imagined for him.

This year will also be known as a year when some of the new crop of youngsters emerged into the limelight. Zack Grienke, everyone always knew he was special, and I'm assuming he did too, but he never lived up to his full potential. Now, his personal life is straight and he is one of the Top 5 pitchers in the tough American League. Tommy Hanson, he appears to be an ace in his future as long as he doesn't pull a Francisco Liriano. Nyjer Morgan, what a speedster! The newest member of the Washington Nationals is just starting his career at a later age than most, but he is taking full advantage of his time in MLB.

It seems to be the cycle of life in baseball. You have your good years when you are a mega-star and you have bad years when you are chased off the field and booed even when you're not playing.

Baseball will always be one of my favorite sports and I believe that if the first half of the season shows us anything of what's to come.... I'd have my eyes glued to ESPN! The year of 2009 is a memorable one, and even if it is just because of the perfect game, will never be forgotten.

Here's to a great second half!

Have something you'd like to see discussed? E-mail it to me at chuck@chucksttmautos.com!