Texas two-step

The 2009 Major League Baseball season recently hit the 81-game midway point. For the first time since 2004, 18 teams were at or above .500 on July 9. But, October births aren't earned in the early stages of summer. The grueling months of July, August and September separate the teams on the fence and the clubs destined for the playoffs.

Like it or not, we're here

Texas Rangers (47-36, one game lead in AL West) — The rangers have been near the top of their division for all of 2009.

I'll admit it; I sometimes say things that I don't mean. I specifically make bold predictions only to be different. Here's what I wrote in my American League preview for Sinclair Community College's newspaper The Clarion in April:

"Potential suspects to steal playoff berths for the postseason regulars include the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles.

I am completely sold on all three teams, but there is something to the Rangers. Though they lack pitching, Texas' offense is absolutely frightening. Led by Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler (above) and Michael Young, the Rangers should easily exceed the 5.2 runs per game average they boasted last season and win a tough AL West."

I hadn't bought into what I had written at the time, but I went with it because it was a different approach. I got tired of seeing the experts selecting the Anaheim Angels to take down the West.

It's hard not to believe what Texas has done so far. With Hamilton only participating in 38 games, the rest of the Rangers offense made giant strides in productivity.

Outside of leading baseball in HRs, Texas is generally ranked in the middle of the American League pack in a number of offensive categories.

Surprisingly, the Rangers pitching has been the anchor to a winning record. Led by Kevin Millwood, Texas starters are nine games over .500. In 2008, Rangers starters were four games under the .500 mark.

With Hamilton coming back to full strength and Kinsler ready to bust out of a dark slump, I expect Texas to continue its winning ways and become the last to stand in the AL West.

In all seriousness

Major League Baseball announced its All-Star rosters today and I'm wondering why a handful of players were placed on the rosters. In order to represent every team in the Midsummer Classic, one player from each franchise gets the call to join in on the festivities.

How in the world did Colorado's Jason Marquis (above) get an invitation to the 80th All-Star game in St. Louis? As of Sunday, July 5, Marquis was ranked 26th in the National League in ERA (3.87). Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto (8-4, 2.69) and Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens (6-6, 2.73) both have much more prominent numbers than Marquis.

Baseball must stop acknowledging lowly winners and start embracing great arms. No more awarding pitchers who luck into great run support and solid bullpen play and then punishing the hard-luck losers.

Arizona's Dan Haren made the All-Star team, but only because he forced it. Haren, who won his eighth game on Sunday, had a 4-4 record on June 7 with 2.33 ERA as his WHIP was below 1.00. But the right-hander couldn't catch a break as his bullpen blew two large leads. Now, Haren owns an 8-4 record and continues to lead the NL in ERA and WHIP.

The point is just because a guy has 10 wins at the All-Star break doesn't mean he has been playing at an All-Star level through the first three months of the season.

—I can't believe Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton made the All-Star team. Hamilton has been on the DL twice this season, hitting .240 in 35 games. I know he isn't going to play because of his injured abdomen, but it's sad to see him receive more than 1 million votes from knowledgeable "baseball fans."

—Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson is a solid player. But I'm getting tired of him consistently being handed awards. In 2006, Hudson peaked with 15 HRs and 67 RBIs while playing good defense. He won two NL Gold Glove awards in 2006 (13 errors, .984) and 2007 (10 errors, .985). Kansas City's Mark Grudzielanek took home the 2006 AL Gold Glove with four errors and a .994 fielding percentage; Detroit's Placido Polanco grabbed the 2007 AL Gold Glove at second with ZERO errors and a .1000 fielding percentage.

So how did Hudson take home two Gold Gloves on a combined 23 errors and an above average fielding percentage? Somebody answer me!

—Did you check out the Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick? It was an absolutely amazing match as Federer fought to punch his card in the history books and Roddick attempting to hold off Roger the Great for his first Wimbledon title.

Federer wrapped up his 15th Grand Slam title, passing Pete Sampras for first all-time.

Got to give it up for Roddick. He's been owned by Federer during his career and I believed Federer would roll through Roddick. He hung tough and helped put on a show for the ages.