The All Star Break

The Home Run Derby was just shy of amazing. Yoenis Cespedes put on a show by blasting 17 home runs in the first round and eventually winning the entire competition. My pick Bryce Harper was the runner up with a total of 24 home runs, conveniently 8 in each round.

The All Star Game itself was all American League. The AL pitching combined to pitch a shutout and the offense scored 3 runs. Two runs came off of Diamondback's starter Patrick Corbin and the third off of Braves' closer Craig Kimbrel.

The highlight of the night was the entrance of Mariano Rivera to his final all star appearance. Every player, umpire, coach, and crew member cleare
d the field and Rivera walked into to the hymns of Enter Sandman all by himself. The ovation was electrifying, loud, and actually a quite touching. The respect the fans, the players, and everyone for that matter have for Rivera is just amazing. He pitched a perfect 8th inning and helped the American League secure home field advantage in the World Series: Somewhere he also wishes to have another ovation.

Robinson Cano was hit on the knee by Matt Harvey in his first at bat. It was of course an accident, but something the Yankees cannot afford. Cano tried to stay in the game, but was taken out before the end of the top of the first. Tests came back negative and reports are that Cano will play in the game against the Red Sox Friday night.

My first half awards:

American League MVP: Miguel Cabrera
American League Cy Young Award: Felix Hernandez
American League Rookie of the Year: Jose Iglesias

National League MVP: Yadier Molina
National League Cy Young Award: Clayton Kershaw
National League Rookie of the Year: Yasiel Puig

There are
also reports that the Texas Rangers are on the verge of acquiring Matt Garza

Trouble in NY

The Yankees have always been a well hitting team and this year the pitching has finally come around. The Yankees have been on a stretch where the starting pitchers have gone 6 or more innings consistently with a low ERA.

Before the season started the Yankees traded top catching prospect Jesus Montero for the 22 year old pitcher Michael Pineda. Pineda was injured before the season started and that was where the pitching problems began. It was a blessing to the Yankees and their fans when word that the 240 game winner  Andy Pettitte was making a return from retirement to fill the roll.

In the beginning of the season Freddie Garcia and Phil Hughes were no where as good as they were in the past and eventually Garcia would be sent to the bullpen. Hughes has shown why he won 18 games in 2010 in a few games, but it seems like you get all or nothing when he pitches.


Perhaps the biggest blow to the Yankees was the injury to Mariano Rivera. Rivera tore his ACL and partially tore his meniscus. X-Rays also showed he had a blood clot in his leg. Rivera would undergo surgery and be out for the entire year. The all time saves leader hinted this might be his last season, but he said he will come back next year. Rafael Soriano has taken over the role as closer. 


Yesterday the Yankees put CC Sabathia on the 15 day DL with a strained abductor muscle. That was a huge blow to the Yankees to lose their ace starter. During yesterday's game against the Indians Andy Pettitte took a ball off the ankle and X-rays showed that it was fractured. Pettitte is said to be out for a minimum of 6 weeks.   


The Yankees may hit a rough patch now, but their offense could bail them out. Pettitte should return somewhere in August. In August and September the Yankees play a lot of games against the American League East. They will get Joba Chamberlain and David Aardsma back soon to help the already good bullpen. 


Adam Warren and Freddie Garcia are said to fill the gap for Sabathia and Pettitte, but other alternatives could be a trade. Rumors have flown around that Zach Greinke, Cole Hamels, Ryan Dempster, and Matt Garza are available for trade. The one acquisition that has held much significance is the signing of Hiroki Kuroda who has a 3.40 ERA in 15 games this season. 

Mariano Rivera and Jim Thome

In 2011 Mariano Rivera and Jim Thome both reached career milestones. The number 600 will both be unique to Jim Thome and Mariano Rivera because Thome hit his 600th home run in 2011 and Rivera recorded his 600th save. In yesterday's article I discussed two young players making their debut season. Today i'll discuss two of the game's most established veterans of which 2012 may be their last season.

Thome played with The Indians, White Sox, Phillies, Twins and The Dodgers in his 21 year career. Thome hit 604 home runs in his career and had 12 seasons in which he hit 30 or more home runs. People often forget about Thome's 2287 career hits and a .403 on base percentage. Thome has a career 147 OPS+. Although Jim Thome lacks a victory in the World Series he is still ticketed for the Hall of Fame.

Mariano Rivera has played his entire 17 year career with The Yankees. He is respected in New York and everywhere he goes. He is without a doubt the greatest reliever ever. In 2011 he recorded his 600th save and has 603 for his career. He also has a 2.21 career ERA and 5 World Series victories. A career 206 OPS+ also shows Rivera's dominance among the other pitchers in his era.

Rivera and Thome may be embarking on their last season in The MLB. Thome will play with The Phillies and Rivera will play with The Yankees in 2012. Not only are they great baseball players they are great people. Ask anyone who has met one of them and they will say Jim Thome or Mariano Rivera is the nicest guy you can meet. If 2012 is their last season seeing these two legends stand next to each other in Cooperstown in the future will be a great sight.