Welcome to Cincinnati: THE GRIFFEY YEARS

[PotatoOfCouch13]

DarthJaker: Both guys were drafted in the 1st round last year: Jose Reyes by Arizona (19th), and Hanley Ramirez by Cleveland (27th). Both are still in Rookie ball.

RSR: Yep! So long as he keeps that average at an acceptable level, he'll be in the lineup. His speed is too important to me!

OregonDuck: That's what I try and do here: if you're not interested in the game, you can at least say you had a good laugh!

***

Oh and BINGLE? If you're out there reading, I know how much you like defensive catchers. Check out the RTO% of mine, Jason LaRue!

***

BIG MOMENTS IN MAY

MAY 3, 2002
WOOD K’s 10 EN ROUTE TO VICTORY
JUNIOR PASSES MURRAY

Cubs SP Kerry Wood certainly brought his A-game to Cinergy Field tonight, as he fanned 10 Reds batters in an 11-7 Cubs victory. Wood only allowed 1 earned run over 6 innings, before handing the reins over to the beleaguered Cubs bullpen.

In the loss, Ken Griffey, Jr. was the victim of 2 of Wood’s strikeouts. However, Junior did hit 2 home runs, tying and passing Eddie Murray for 16th place on the all-time list, with 505. Next will be Mel Ott (511), followed by Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews (512).

MAY 11, 2002
HARNISCH RETURNS VICTORIOUSLY

Reds SP Pete Harnisch made his return from the DL yesterday, and boy was he missed! Big Pete struck out 9 Brewers hitters, allowing only 2 runs over 8 innings in his first win of the season.

In other Reds news, RP Hector Mercado will miss the next few days with a small blood clot in his throwing arm. Team doctors stress that it is not serious, and that Mercado just needs a few days off to fully heal.

MAY 17, 2002
UNHAPPY HOMECOMING FOR RUETER; REDS STOMP D’BACKS

There is certainly no love lost between the Cincinnati fans and Kirk Rueter.

The hometown crowd roundly booed the former-Reds pitcher, who surrendered 6 runs in 1.2 innings en route to a 12-5 blowout by the Reds.

MAY 18, 2002
REDS BEAT D’BACKS 8-2; GO FOR SWEEP TOMORROW
GRIFFEY PASSES OTT, JOINS BANKS AND MATHEWS

Dan Smith pitched well, allowing only 2 runs in 7.1 innings, as the Reds took their 2nd straight game from the Diamondbacks, 8-2. Sean Casey and Adam Dunn also homered in the contest.

Ken Griffey, Jr. continues his torrid month of May, hitting his 9th HR of the month, the 15th of the season, and the 512th of his career, passing Mel Ott, and moving himself into a tie for 13th place all-time with Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews.

MAY 19, 2002
REDS USE BATS TO SWEEP D’BACKS OUT OF CINCY!
JUNIOR HOMERS AGAIN

Lance Davis shut down the Diamondbacks offense, surrendering only 6 hits in 8 innings of one-run ball, as Ken Griffey, Jr. continued to sizzle in May, hitting another home run. The Reds won, 7-1.

In the 3-game sweep, the Diamondbacks relievers pitched 12.2 innings, surrendering 14 runs to the suddenly smoking Cincinnati sluggers.

Junior’s home run moves him past Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews into sole possession of 13th place on the all-time home run list. He now sets his sights on Willie McCovey and Ted Williams, tied with 521 apiece.

***

[RedsoxRockies]

Jason LaRue has a bad fielding rating, his PBs will be a bit high... And Mogul HATES that

[Crazycooterxc]

POC, New reader and a fan. I read everything compulsively today end to end. My boss hates you. Thanks!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RSR: Well, he's my starting catcher. I guess Mogul is going to have to get used to it.

Crazycooter: Great to have you aboard! And I'm sure that if your boss got to know me, he wouldn't think so bad of me!

***

MAY IN REVIEW

Cincinnati Reds: 29-25 (14-13 in May); 8 GB in Central, 5 GB in Wild Card
AVG: 1B Sean Casey - .320
HR: CF Ken Griffey, Jr. - 19
RBI: CF Ken Griffey, Jr. - 45
SB: 2B Pokey Reese - 11
W: SP Luke Hudson, SP Lance Davis, SP John Lackey, LR John Riedling
ERA: SP John Lackey – 3.56
K: SP John Lackey - 64
SV: CL Scott Williamson – 10

What a month for Griffey! He batted .380, raising his average almost 80 points. He also slugged 13 home runs and drove in 29 RBI. Things were looking great after we swept the D’Backs, peeling off 8 straight wins, before we closed the month with 5 straight losses. Oh well.

STANDINGS (brought to you by Kilts: we stole all your pants. Now what are you going to wear!?)

ALE: Toronto (34-22), New York (28-28, 6 GB), Baltimore (24-29, 8 ½ GB), Boston (24-31, 9 ½ GB)
ALC: Minnesota (36-20), Cleveland (31-23, 4 GB), Chicago (28-28, 8 GB), Detroit (27-28, 8 ½ GB)
ALW: Oakland (37-19), Anaheim (28-29, 9 ½ GB)
ALWC: Cleveland (31-23), Chicago & New York (28-28, 4 GB), Anaheim & Detroit (28-29 & 27-28, 4 ½ GB)

NLE: Philadelphia (37-18), Florida (31-26, 7 GB), Atlanta (28-26, 8 ½ GB), New York (9 ½ GB)
NLC: Houston (38-18), St. Louis (35-21, 3 GB), Pittsburgh (31-25, 7 GB), Cincinnati (29-25, 8 GB)
NLW: San Francisco (33-24), San Diego (25-30, 7 GB), Colorado (23-32, 9 GB)
NLWC: St. Louis (35-21), Pittsburgh (31-25, 4 GB), Florida (31-26, 4 ½ GB), Cincinnati (29-25, 5 GB)

LEAGUE NOTES
Houston (38-18) and Philadelphia (37-18) are the class of the National League, while Oakland (37-19) and Minnesota (36-20) lead the way in the junior circuit.

Tampa Bay (15-40) is still the worst team in baseball, but the Milwaukee Brewers are making a case for themselves (16-37).

The first major trade went down between the Cardinals and the Rangers. Michael Young and Kiko Calero are headed to St. Louis, while

Will Thompson leads all players in A with 23 HR and 57 RBI.

Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols hit for the cycle.
Padres CF Tom Goodwin stole his 300th base.
Yankees 2B Chuck Knoblauch recorded his 2000th career hit.
Phillies OF Ron Gant hit his 300th career home run.
Indians RF Manny Ramirez knocked in his 1000th RBI.
Phillies SP Curt Schilling notched his 2000th career strikeout.
Braves SP Greg Maddux pitched his way to his 250th career victory.
Giants LF Barry Bonds became the newest member of the 500 Home Run Club.

***

BATTING STATS

2002 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Reese, Pokey              CIN   53  .285   239   68  10   0   3   15   50   11   0   37   17  .364  .332
Griffey, Ken              CIN   51  .299   201   60  10   0  19   33   42    5   0   42   45  .632  .400
Boone, Aaron              CIN   52  .266   199   53  14   1   6   10   44    7   0   25   29  .437  .316
Ochoa, Alex               CIN   53  .303   198   60  14   3   4   25   28    2   3   38   35  .465  .382
Dunn, Adam                CIN   53  .233   180   42   8   0  15   31   51    2   0   38   39  .528  .346
LaRue, Jason              CIN   51  .223   179   40   9   1   4   19   49    0   0   15   28  .352  .310
Casey, Sean               CIN   43  .320   178   57  12   0   4   15   27    1   0   38   23  .455  .382
Larkin, Barry             CIN   39  .286   154   44   5   4   2   13   21    8   2   22   10  .409  .345
Stynes, Chris             CIN   48  .316    98   31   7   1   1    7    7    4   0   14   11  .439  .355
Pickering, Calvin         CIN   43  .319    72   23   3   3   3    5   22    1   0   14   18  .569  .359
Clark, Brady              CIN   31  .281    32    9   2   0   1    2    3    1   0    5    5  .438  .361
Lewis, Mark               CIN   17  .370    27   10   1   0   1    1    4    1   0    4    3  .519  .379
Lackey, John              CIN   10  .148    27    4   0   0   0    1    7    0   0    1    2  .148  .179
Hammock, Robby            CIN   10  .217    23    5   0   0   0    4    7    0   0    2    2  .217  .333
Hudson, Luke              CIN   11  .217    23    5   0   0   0    1    6    0   0    1    2  .217  .250
Davis, Lance              CIN   10  .048    21    1   0   0   0    1    7    0   0    0    1  .048  .087
Smith, Dan                CIN   10  .278    18    5   0   0   0    0    6    0   0    0    0  .278  .278
Smitherman, Stephen       CIN   11  .182    11    2   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    1    0  .182  .182
Harnisch, Pete            CIN    5  .000     9    0   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    0    1  .000  .000
Acevedo, Jose             CIN    4  .125     8    1   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    1    0  .125  .125
Brown, Adrian             CIN    6  .143     7    1   1   0   0    1    1    0   0    1    0  .286  .250
Riedling, John            CIN   16  .400     5    2   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    1    1  .400  .400
Fernandez, Osvaldo        CIN    3  .600     5    3   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    2  .600  .500
Mercado, Hector           CIN   22  .000     4    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Olivares, Omar            CIN    2  .333     3    1   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .333  .333
Burton, Jared             CIN   21  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Quantrill, Paul           CIN   19  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING STATS

2002 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Hudson, Luke              CIN   69.0  4.70   11  11   4   1   0   53   26 12.26
Lackey, John              CIN   68.1  3.56   10  10   4   4   0   64   29 12.91
Smith, Dan                CIN   64.1  4.34   10  10   3   3   0   54   20 11.19
Davis, Lance              CIN   59.0  5.03   10   9   4   5   0   50   25 14.03
Burton, Jared             CIN   29.2  2.43   21   0   0   0   2   25   15 12.13
Mercado, Hector           CIN   29.1  2.45   22   0   3   0   0   28   17 12.58
Harnisch, Pete            CIN   29.0  4.97    5   5   1   1   0   29   17 15.21
Quantrill, Paul           CIN   27.0  4.67   19   0   0   1   1   15   15 14.33
Graves, Danny             CIN   25.1  3.55   26   0   2   1   1   13   10 11.72
Acevedo, Jose             CIN   25.0  4.32    4   4   2   1   0   16    6 11.52
Riedling, John            CIN   23.0  3.13   16   0   4   1   0   13    7 12.13
Williamson, Scott         CIN   19.2  7.78   19   0   1   4  10   29   20 18.76
Fernandez, Osvaldo        CIN   15.0  9.00    3   3   1   2   0   12    6 13.80
Olivares, Omar            CIN   11.0  5.73    2   2   0   1   0    6    7 15.55

LEAGUE LEADERS

BATTING AVERAGE
Chipper Jones (ATL)	.394
Ray Durham (OAK)	.386
Bobby Abreu (PHI)	.381
Juan Pierre (COL)	.378
Craig Biggio (HOU)	.369

HOME RUNS
Ken Griffey (CIN)	19
Carlos Delgado (TOR)	19
Richie Sexson (CLE)	18
Chipper Jones (ATL)	17
Manny Ramirez (ATL)	17

RUNS BATTED IN
Jeff Kent (SFG)		62
Chipper Jones (ATL)	61
Mark Quinn (ANA)	58
3 players tied with	55

STOLEN BASES
Luis Castillo (FLA)	21
Juan Pierre (COL)	19
David Eckstein (ANA)	13
Miguel Cairo (CHC)	13
Chuck Knoblauch (NYY)	12

WINS
Roy Oswalt (HOU)	8
Tim Hudson (OAK)	8
6 players tied with	7

EARNED RUN AVERAGE
Omar Daal (NYY)		2.26
Dwight Gooden (HOU)	2.49
Matt Morris (STL)	2.50
Darryl Kile (STL)	2.72
Greg Maddux (ATL)	2.85

STRIKEOUTS
Kerry Wood (CHC)	79
Johan Santana (MIN)	74
Curt Schilling (PHI)	72
Darryl Kile (STL)	68
3 players tied with	67

SAVES
Brad Lidge (HOU)	17
Jason Frasor (TOR)	16
Mike Gonzalez (PIT)	15
Ricky Bottalico (PHI)	14
4 players tied with	13

***

[PotatoOfCouch13]

BIG MOMENTS IN JUNE

JUNE 3, 2002
AMATEUR DRAFT HELD

NOTABLE PICKS
1. KCR – SP Jim Rouse
2. MIL – SP Herman Williams
3. CHW – SP Nambo Matsumura
4. BAL – SP Chris Shumate
5. TEX – SP Bob Bronshvag
6. LAD – RP Joel Zumaya
7. PIT – RP Alec Tatham
8. SDP – SP Matt Cain
9. ARZ – SP Elliott Garner
10. DET – SP Bryan Howells
18. FLA – SS Troy Tulowitzki
28. STL – SP Scott Kazmir
33. CHW – 1B Connor Farrell
42. CHC – SP Sandy Koufax, Jr.
73. BOS – 2B Jeffrey Lage

CINCINNATI REDS
19. SP Lyle Branwell
49. 1B Prince Fielder
79. RP Adrian Hardman
109. RP Romulo Sanchez
139. RP Boone Logan
169. RF Harvey Henderson

JUNE 7, 2002
REDS POUND ASTROS, 15-7

Ken Griffey, Jr. led the Reds’ charge into Houston, going 4-5 with 2 HR and a double, driving in 6 runs in the Reds 15-7 triumph over the Astros.

Aaron Boone and Jason LaRue also homered for the visitors.

JUNE 9, 2002
DÉJÀ VU FOR GRIFFEY

For the second time in 3 days, Ken Griffey, Jr. hit 2 home runs and drove in 6 RBI in a Reds victory, 11-4, over Houston.

Sean Casey went yard, collect 3 hits as well.

JUNE 10, 2002
REDS BEAT CUBS, 7-4
JUNIOR PASSES WILLIAMS & McCOVEY

Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 8th inning single opened the floodgates for a 3-run rally, providing the difference in the Reds 7-4 victory over the division rival Cubs.

Earlier in the game, Griffey hit his 522nd career home run, moving him past Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 11th place all-time. Junior will now try and break into the Top 10 by passing Jimmie Foxx at 534.

JUNE 18, 2002
REDS ACQUIRE PITCHING HELP
DENORFIA HEADING TO TAMPA FOR HARANG

The Reds made a trade to acquire some pitching help, receiving 24-year-old SP Aaron Harang from Tampa Bay in exchange for 21-year-old CF prospect Chris Denorfia.

Harang (84/94, 24y) began his career in Oakland, but was traded to Tampa prior to the 2001 season. It was then that he saw his first big league action, recording an 8-18 record for the Devil Rays, while posting a 5.30 ERA.

Denorfia (67/91, 21y) is the latest casualty of the Reds outfield logjam, although I’m sure he won’t be complaining about the warmer climate an opportunity for big-league playing time. He was hitting .406 for AA Chattanooga.

JUNE 20, 2002
REDS LOSE HARANG’S DEBUT; CASEY GONE FOR SEASON

Newcomer Aaron Harang went only 4 innings, giving up 5 runs to the Astros, and putting Reds too far behind to make up the deficit, as the Astros beat the home team, 6-5. The Reds have now lost 4 straight games.

In the loss, Sean Casey left with an injury. He will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. The Reds have placed him on the 60-day DL, and have called up the #1 prospect in baseball, RF Austin Kearns. Kearns will play every day in rightfield, while Alex Ochoa slides over to leftfield, and LF Adam Dunn will play first base.

***

[RedsoxRockies]

Yikes, that Casey injury will hurt. Lets see how Kearns does now...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RSR: Well, it certainly won't be easy replacing a career .320 hitter. I guess 'trial by fire' is certainly applicable here.

***

JUNE IN REVIEW

Cincinnati Reds: 44-38 (15-13 in June); 8 1/2 GB in Central, 7 1/2 GB in Wild Card
AVG: CF Ken Griffey, Jr. - .320
HR: CF Ken Griffey, Jr. - 27
RBI: CF Ken Griffey, Jr. - 78
SB: 2B Pokey Reese - 14
W: SP John Lackey - 8
ERA: SP Dan Smith – 3.86
K: SP John Lackey - 98
SV: CL Scott Williamson - 18

Another great start to a month ruined by losing 9 of our last 13 games. With Casey out for the year, I don’t know if we can honestly contend for much longer.

STANDINGS (brought to you by condoms: you’re welcome…)
ALE: Toronto (48-35), New York (45-39, 3 ½ GB), Boston (41-40, 6 GB)
ALC: Minnesota (47-36), Cleveland & Detroit (43-39, 3 ½ GB)
ALW: Oakland (58-24)
ALWC: New York (45-39), Cleveland & Detroit (43-39, 1 GB), Boston (41-40, 2 ½ GB), Anaheim & Seattle (42-42 & 40-40, 3 GB), Texas (39-44, 5 ½ GB), Baltimore & Chicago (36-47 & 37-48, 8 ½ GB)

NLE: Philadelphia (54-28), Florida (47-37, 8 GB), Atlanta (45-37, 9 GB)
NLC: Pittsburgh (53-30), Houston (52-31, 1 GB), St. Louis (50-35, 4 GB), Cincinnati (44-38, 8 ½ GB)
NLW: San Francisco (49-34)
NLWC: Houston (52-31), St. Louis (50-35, 3 GB), Florida (47-37, 5 ½ GB), Atlanta (45-37, 6 ½ GB), Cincinnati (44-38 7 ½ GB)

LEAGUE NOTES
The Oakland A’s are clearly the best team so far this season, holding the best record in baseball at the halfway mark – 58-24.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are the worst team in baseball, at 26-57. However, don’t count out the Milwaukee Brewers (27-54) or the Arizona Diamondbacks (28-56).

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded RP Terry Adams to the Detroit Tigers for SS Ramon Santiago, 3B Eric Munson, and RF Chris Wakeland.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded 3B Eric Hinske to the Seattle Mariners for SS Yunel Escobar.
The Cincinnati Reds traded CF Chris Denorfia to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for SP Aaron Harang.

Rangers 1B Rafael Palmeiro and Reds CF Ken Griffey, Jr. drove in their 1500th RBIs
Dodgers OF Gary Sheffield scored his 1000th career run
Phillies RF Bobby Abreu had his 31-game hitting streak ended.
Tigers 3B Dean Palmer, Indians RF Manny Ramirez, and Braves OF Bobby Bonilla hit their 300th career home runs
Giants 2B Jeff Kent drove in his 1000th RBI
Mariners DH Edgar Martinez notched his 2000th career hit
Big month for Mariners 1B John Olerud: he drove in his 1000th RBI on June 19, then scored his 1000th run on the 30th.

Tigers 1B prospect has not been shy about his criticism of the organization: “I want to be traded. This organization has done nothing but impede my progression. I’m better than A-level, but none of the higher-ups seem to notice.” Thompson leads all A-level players with 33 HR and 80 RBI. A few West Coast teams have taken notice of the brash youngster, and have placed calls to Tigers management inquiring about the first baseman.

BATTING STATS

2002 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Reese, Pokey              CIN   79  .246   334   82  12   0   3   24   74   14   0   50   21  .308  .302
Griffey, Ken              CIN   78  .320   297   95  20   0  27   52   59    6   1   63   78  .660  .423
Boone, Aaron              CIN   75  .255   294   75  22   2   9   12   58    8   2   32   41  .435  .294
Ochoa, Alex               CIN   80  .299   281   84  20   3   5   37   45    3   3   49   48  .445  .383
Dunn, Adam                CIN   81  .239   276   66  18   0  21   48   84    5   0   55   53  .533  .351
LaRue, Jason              CIN   74  .238   256   61  17   2   8   24   75    0   0   21   41  .414  .315
Casey, Sean               CIN   62  .316   250   79  19   0   6   24   41    1   0   52   32  .464  .383
Larkin, Barry             CIN   67  .305   249   76  12   4   4   31   34   11   5   41   19  .434  .384
Stynes, Chris             CIN   73  .288   139   40  10   1   3   17   15    4   1   23   15  .439  .361
Pickering, Calvin         CIN   59  .287    87   25   3   3   3    8   27    1   0   15   18  .494  .344
Clark, Brady              CIN   50  .277    65   18   2   0   1    4   10    2   0    8    7  .354  .356
Hammock, Robby            CIN   19  .260    50   13   2   0   1    5   13    0   2    5    4  .360  .327
Lewis, Mark               CIN   27  .333    39   13   2   0   1    3    7    1   0    5    6  .462  .372
Lackey, John              CIN   16  .184    38    7   0   1   0    2    9    0   0    2    5  .237  .225
Hudson, Luke              CIN   17  .206    34    7   0   0   0    3   13    0   0    1    3  .206  .270
Davis, Lance              CIN   13  .103    29    3   1   0   0    1   10    0   0    0    1  .138  .129
Kearns, Austin            CIN    9  .107    28    3   1   1   0    4    7    1   0    4    1  .214  .265
Smith, Dan                CIN   14  .179    28    5   0   0   0    0    9    0   0    0    0  .179  .179
Harnisch, Pete            CIN   10  .000    15    0   0   0   0    0    5    0   0    0    2  .000  .000
Smitherman, Stephen       CIN   11  .182    11    2   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    1    0  .182  .182
Brown, Adrian             CIN    7  .300    10    3   2   0   0    3    1    1   0    2    1  .500  .462
Acevedo, Jose             CIN    4  .125     8    1   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    1    0  .125  .125
Mercado, Hector           CIN   35  .000     6    0   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Quantrill, Paul           CIN   27  .000     6    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Olivares, Omar            CIN    3  .167     6    1   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    0    0  .167  .167
Riedling, John            CIN   20  .400     5    2   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    1    1  .400  .400
Fernandez, Osvaldo        CIN    3  .600     5    3   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    2  .600  .500
Burton, Jared             CIN   29  .250     4    1   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .250  .250
Randall, Scott            CIN    1  .000     4    0   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Harang, Aaron             CIN    2  .000     3    0   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Williamson, Scott         CIN   31  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING STATS

2002 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Hudson, Luke              CIN  105.1  4.61   17  17   5   3   0   87   38 11.96
Lackey, John              CIN  105.0  3.94   16  16   8   5   0   98   43 13.37
Harang, Aaron             CIN   97.0  5.29   16  16   4   9   0   81   44 14.57
Smith, Dan                CIN   91.0  3.86   14  14   5   4   0   79   37 11.77
Davis, Lance              CIN   80.2  4.35   13  12   5   5   0   63   30 13.17
Harnisch, Pete            CIN   55.1  5.53   10  10   1   4   0   44   32 14.64
Mercado, Hector           CIN   43.1  3.95   35   0   4   1   0   45   26 13.92
Quantrill, Paul           CIN   40.2  3.76   27   0   1   1   1   22   20 14.61
Graves, Danny             CIN   39.2  2.50   37   0   4   1   1   21   14 11.12
Burton, Jared             CIN   39.2  3.18   29   0   0   0   2   30   21 12.71
Williamson, Scott         CIN   31.1  7.47   31   0   1   8  18   46   30 17.23
Riedling, John            CIN   31.0  3.48   20   0   4   1   0   21    9 12.19
Acevedo, Jose             CIN   25.0  4.32    4   4   2   1   0   16    6 11.52
Olivares, Omar            CIN   18.2  3.38    3   3   1   1   0   11   13 14.46
Fernandez, Osvaldo        CIN   15.0  9.00    3   3   1   2   0   12    6 13.80
Randall, Scott            CIN    7.1  1.23    1   1   1   0   0    3    3  9.82

LEAGUE LEADERS

BATTING AVERAGE
Bobby Abreu (PHI)	.375
Manny Ramirez (CLE)	.366
Juan Pierre (COL)	.360
Albert Pujols (STL)	.358
Ray Durham (OAK)	.357

HOME RUNS
Richie Sexson (CLE)	31
Ramon Hernandez (OAK)	28
Ken Griffey (CIN)	27
Manny Ramirez (ATL)	27
Albert Pujols (STL)	26

RUNS BATTED IN
Albert Pujols (STL)	92
Richie Sexson (CLE)	83
Aramis Ramirez (PIT)	83
Manny Ramirez (CLE)	80
Jeff Kent (SFG)		80

STOLEN BASES
Juan Pierre (COL)	36
Luis Castillo (FLA)	34
Miguel Cairo (CHC)	18
Kenny Lofton (CLE)	18
2 players tied with	16

WINS
Roy Oswalt (HOU)	11
Tim Hudson (OAK)	11
4 players tied with	10

EARNED RUN AVERAGE
Greg Maddux (ATL)	2.57
Dwight Gooden (HOU)	2.76
Chris Carpenter (TOR)	2.83
Paul Byrd (PHI)		2.88
Joe Blanton (OAK)	2.97

STRIKEOUTS
Curt Schilling (PHI)	107
Johan Santana (MIN)	105
Darryl Kile (STL)	104
Greg Maddux (ATL)	103
3 players tied with	101

SAVES
Mike Gonzalez (PIT)	26
John Rocker (ATL)	21
Brad Lidge (HOU)	21
Jason Frasor (TOR)	20
Ricky Bottalico (PHI)	19

***

[RedsoxRockies]

Uh oh, Pokey is in trouble! Save him doc! Save him!!!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RSR: I'll do everything I can, but I can't promise anything. His condition is critical right now: as in, it's absolutely critical that he starts performing otherwise he'll be riding the pine!

***

BASEBALL AT THE TURN: A LOOK BACK…

As usual, the prediction game is back in action! Please pick one of the players below that you think will keep their hold on the award until the end of the season! First come, first serve! The winners will receive a draft pick in the 2003 amateur draft.

AL ROY: 3B Hank Blalock – Texas Rangers - .295/.363/.430, 10 HR, 43 RBI
Runner-up: 3B Freddy Sanchez – Boston Red Sox - .320/.336/.427, 2 HR, 22 RBI

NL ROY: 3B Morgan Ensberg – Houston Astros - .287/.391/.555, 19 HR, 57 RBI
Runner-up: SS Khalil Greene – San Diego Padres - .253/.322/.432, 10 HR, 40 RBI

AL CY: SP Tim Hudson – Oakland Athletics – 11-3, 3.70 ERA, 78 K, .218 BAA, 4.37 DICE
Runner-up: SP Joe Blanton – Oakland Athletics – 10-4, 2.97 ERA, 70 K, .235 BAA, 3.62 DICE

NL CY: SP Greg Maddux – Atlanta Braves – 10-1, 2.57 ERA, 103 K, .216 BAA, 2.52 DICE
Runner-up: SP Ian Snell – Pittsburgh Pirates – 10-3, 3.28 ERA, 101 K, .224 BAA, 3.25 DICE

AL MVP: RF Manny Ramirez – Cleveland Indians - .366/.458/.708, 27 HR, 80 RBI
Runner-up: 1B Richie Sexson – Cleveland Indians - .330/.427/.686, 31 HR, 83 RBI

NL MVP: RF Bobby Abreu – Philadelphia Phillies - .375/.504/.716, 25 HR, 78 RBI, 12 SB
Runner-up: 1B Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals - .358/.465/.679, 26 HR, 92 RBI

…AND A LOOK AHEAD: 5 BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Can someone win the Triple Crown?
Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, and Bobby Abreu all have a realistic shot at winning the first Triple Crown since 1967.

2. Can Phat Albert set a new RBI record?
Albert Pujols is on pace for 175 RBI, but with a strong second half (as is his custom), he could legitimately have a shot at Hack Wilson’s record of 191 RBI in a season.

3. Can the Pirates hang on to the Central division lead?
The biggest surprise of the season’s 1st half is the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have surged to the lead in the NL Central. If they can keep this going, it will be one of baseball’s greatest comeback stories.

4. What about the future of Cal Ripken, Jr., Harold Baines, Rickey Henderson, and others?
Many of the game’s greats are languishing away in the minor leagues. It’s a travesty, but its happening. What will happen to these great ballplayers?

5. Can the A’s win 116?
The Athletics have ridden their Smoking Aces (Hudson, Zito, Harden, Blanton, and Loaiza) to 58 wins at the halfway mark. Can they keep that pace and tie the 1906 Cubs’ record?

BONUS: Who will win the World Series?
At this point, it seems pretty foolhardy to predict anything but a Phillies-Athletics series. I’ll stick with the best team in baseball: Oakland in 6.

***

[SrMeowMeow]

If the A's are at 78 wins at the halfway point they're on pace for a pretty epic 156-6 season.

My prediction is Ensberg for NL RoY.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

78 wins? Who said that? Nice save.

Thanks for the vote. You're the first on the list!

[gosensgo101]

Manny for AL Cy.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Manny for AL Cy.

You mean MVP? Cuz that's what I'm putting down

[BINGLEBOP]

Oh and BINGLE? If you're out there reading, I know how much you like defensive catchers. Check out the RTO% of mine, Jason LaRue!

Jason LaRue has a bad fielding rating, his PBs will be a bit high... And Mogul HATES that

Of course I'm reading! I agree with Aressar. My standards are too high. Jason LaRue wouldn't cut it on the BINGLEBOPPERS. I need at least high 80's for all the "right column" ratings (arm, handling, fielding, health) for my catchers, if not all in the 90's. *reminisces about 1993 Brad Ausmus*

I like the picture name though (jasonlarueforbingle.jpg).

[EVEN11323]

I'll take Blalock for AL ROY.