You don’t realize how easy this game is…
..Until you get up in that broadcasting booth
Last week saw the 2012 draft take place and the wannabe superstars of baseball were claimed. The number one pick was 17 year old Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa who was selected by the Houston Astros. In this transaction, you can see all the good and bad points of the collegiate draft system. The draft acts as an equalizer, in essence, to any team disparity by giving the poorer teams access to better players. This is a flawed process in so far that draft picks are traded, ironically like baseball cards, in other deals as makeshifts. So, poor performing Houston pick Correa as a future cure to their woes. This must be a huge responsibility on the boy, as he is at 17, for his unquestionable talent to flourish in the Little Leagues and rise to the MLB as soon as possible. Furthermore, Correa is from Puerto Rico and the national responsibility will be massive. I’m not against the draft structure as it is more egalitarian than, say football (soccer) transfers, but it does have its shortcomings.
Recently there have been 2 “no hitters” in MLB. Johan Santana of the New York Mets recorded the first no hitter in the National League since October 2010 when he shut out the Cardinals on June 1st. The other was a combined no hitter by no less than six (6) pitchers for the Seattle Mariners: Millwood, Furbush, Pryor, Luetge, League, Wilhelmsen. This was the first occurrence in nearly 9 years and only the third time that the Mariners had pitched a no hitter.
Looking at the American League, the East division is the tightest by far. The Yankees and the Rays are going head to head with the Orioles only 1 game back. Toronto and Boston are starting to trail. The Central division is also a tight affair between the White Sox and the resurgent Indians. Detroit have lost their way somewhat on .467 (5 games back) whilst the Royals and Twins are 8 and 8.5 games back. The West division is clearer cut with Texas blazing away but the Angels are on a 7-3 run and trail by 2.5 games. The Mariners and the A’s are languishing.
In the National League, the East and West divisions are clearly led but the Central division is tight. The Nationals are leading the East with a .610 record whilst inconsistent Braves, Marlins and Mets chase. The Phillies are 8.5 games back because of a 2-8 record in the last 10 games. The Dodgers boast the best record in baseball (.629) whilst the Giants and the Diamondbacks chase (4.5 and 8 games behind). The Rockies and the Padres need minor miracles already. The Central division sees the Reds and the Pirates trading blows at .542 whilst world champions St Louis are only 2 games back. The Brewers and the Astros are chasing whilst the Cubs make up the numbers on .333.
As we are in a period of Interleague play, the usual ‘designated hitter’ debate raises its head. Personally, I think it should be consistent across both leagues and, at a push, I’d say it should be eradicated. Sacrilege from a fan of an American League team, I know….