Sunday, July 8, 2007
By BOB KLAPISCH
BERGEN COUNTY RECORD COLUMNIST
The All-Star break offers something for everyone, whether you currently rule the world (Red Sox) or happen to be on a bullet train to pitchers-and-catchers (Reds). There are no guarantees in July, of course, but with 50 percent of the schedule in the books, we have a good idea of where the glass is half-empty (in the Bronx) and where it's half-full (Shea).
And it's not too early to entertain a hunch about what's in store in October (a Mets-Red Sox World Series).
That said, here are the annual halfway honors – the Klappies – dedicated to all that's not yet complete, but still worthy of an award.
Dan Haren
Cy Young, AL
Dan Haren, A's.
It wasn't so long ago that everyone anointed Rich Harden as the new Tim Hudson. Injuries have detoured Harden's destiny, allowing Haren to catch the AL by surprise. He's the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2000 to take a sub-2.00 ERA into July. If only the A's could hit, Haren might be in line for an MVP season, let alone the CY Young.
Jake Peavy
Cy Young, NL
Jake Peavy, Padres.
Coin flip, really, between Peavy and the Dodgers' Brad Penny. But Peavy has a better ERA (2.19 and 2.39) and a lower opponent's average (.213 to .244). Peavy also is leading the NL in strikeouts. What's not to love?
MVP, AL
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees.
You can make a strong case for Magglio Ordonez, who's singlehandedly taking the Tigers to the postseason. And it's true the Yankees could've sunk into a double-digit deficit with or without A-Rod. But he's been on a historic run with all of New York breathing hotly on his neck. In fact, without A-Rod, Joe Torre already would've been fired. That's pressure of its own kind.
Chase Utley
MVP, NL
Chase Utley, Phillies.
Third in the NL in RBI, out-pacing even his own teammate, Ryan Howard, which is fairly impressive for a middle infielder. Doesn't run like Jose Reyes, who merited consideration, but Utley has hit for a higher average and for more power.
Surprise team, AL
Mariners.
We don't like their chances of catching the Angels, but at 12 games over .500, this is a better team than anyone expected. And that just increases the impending drama: where is Ichiro Suzuki in 2008?
Surprise team, NL
Brewers.
Taking full advantage of the vacuum created by the Cardinals' inability to score.
Surprise player, AL
Hideki Okajima, Red Sox.
One Yankee veteran said it best after facing the Red Sox' lefty in Fenway in April: "I can't pick up the ball out of his hand. Whatever's he doing, it's different than anything I've ever seen."
John Maine
Surprise player, NL
John Maine, Mets.
How did this guy not get picked for the NL All-Star team?
Common sense award
David Wright, Mets.
For bailing out of the home run derby in San Francisco. Smart move, considering how the contest ruined the Mets' third baseman in 2006. He arrived at the All-Star Game with 20 homers, a .315 batting average, 74 RBI and a .575 slugging percentage in 339 at-bats. After the derby and All-Star Game, Wright slipped to six homers, a .305 average, 42 RBI and a .469 slugging percentage in 243 at-bats.
Weasel of the Year
Bud Selig.
For so far refusing to renounce Barry Bonds and his phony home run chase. If the commissioner had any guts, he would boycott Bonds' 756th blast the same way Hank Aaron will. But we're not holding our breath.
Mother Teresa award
Mike Hargrove.
He had the decency and self-awareness to walk away from managing the Mariners, knowing his heart wasn't in it anymore. If only Phil Garner would bestow the same gift onto the Astros.
Willie Randolph
Telling it like it is award
Willie Randolph, Mets.
For letting Jose Reyes know that failing to run out a ground ball is baseball's equivalent of a felony. Not many managers have the guts to speak plainly to their superstars anymore. Randolph showed unusual guts in sticking it to Reyes.
Runner-up: J.P. Ricciardi, Blue Jays general manager.
For saying exactly what he thinks of A.J. Burnett's chronic injuries. Imagine if all baseball executives were this unfiltered?
"I think [Burnett] is going to have to get over that hump at some point and just maybe pitch through some pain or realize the difference between being hurt and really being hurt."
Willie Sutton award
Carl Pavano, Yankees.
Would've been more honest if he just showed up at the Stadium with a gun and a mask and demanded $40 million.
Prince Fielder
Rock of Gibraltar award
Prince Fielder, Brewers.
Short and sumo-wrestler thick, but he's got lightning-quick bat speed, leading the NL in home runs -- and he's indestructible, playing in each of the Brewers' first 86 games this year.
Out of sight, out of mind award
Curt Schilling, Red Sox.
Think the Sox' executives aren't high-fiving each other over their decision not to give Schilling a contract extension this spring?
On the way up
Joe Girardi.
The longer he holds out, the greater his value as the next manager in (fill in the blank).
On the way down
Ozzie Guillen, White Sox.
The clock is ticking to his dismissal.
Alex Rodriguez
Meter is running award
Alex Rodriguez.
We're not just talking about the turbo-millions that await A-Rod this off-season. It's his home run pace that captures purists: Rodriguez's 429 HRs at age 31 beats Aaron (366) and Bonds (259).
Home cookin' award
Hackensack Troasts.
National semipro powerhouse in our back yard.
We're all ears award
Kirk Radomski.
Who's been juicing for the last 10 years? This man knows, and he's talking to the feds.
We told you so award
Diamondbacks.
Did they honestly think they could keep Randy Johnson off the disabled list? And they're into him for another $10 million in 2008.
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