Random Thoughts May 31

More random thoughts while listening to "Pug Noises."

-What is it about the game of baseball/softball that grips us who have the fever?  The way one call, one move, one bad hop changes the way the rest of the game goes?  The difficulty in hitting a round ball square?  Is it because it is a game of speed, a game of power, and game of finesse all rolled into one?  Or is it just because we like the idea of spending 2 hours or more in good weather (frozen snot of March/April and September/October acknowledged!)  Jim Bouton got it right: "I spent my whole life gripping a baseball to find out it was the other way around.

-The Angels got off to a better start than they have the last couple of seasons and are looking serious in a competitive American League West.  The A's hold a 2 1/2 game lead, the Rangers are over .500 and the Mariners appear vastly improved.  The Astros have even won seven in a row.  It could be a real dogfight all season.  If Trout, Pujols, and Hamilton all get going simultaneously, or even better, alternately, I really believe the Angels could be the team to beat.  Gotta like the A's consistency so far.  Losing Prince Fielder could be a good thing for the Rangers: gotta be a team and Ron Washington has proved he can make them play like one.

-What is it about the Giants and their every other year thing?  They have the best record in baseball, and Tim Lincecum has become his every other season self.  Milwaukee has shown a similar level of consistency.  Pitching and defense are important, and both teams have adequate amounts of both.  What can be said about the Cubs?  Oye!

-What is it about the National League East and American League Central that makes them so...beatable?  Detroit looks good, but everyone else in both divisions are playing mediocre baseball.  Even Atlanta, who leads the NL East, solved the Red Sox 10 game losing streak.  By the end of the season, we could be talking about these two divisions because they will provide the closest pennant race.  It could be a mediocre one, though.

-The Opening of the World Cup is just two weeks away.  I look forward to the event the rest of the world watches.  Hope the U.S. can give a good accounting and reach the knockout stage.  A tall order it is, however.  The Group Stage opponents are Germany, Portugal, and Ghana.  Germany and Portugal are European powers, and Ghana has defeated the U.S. in past World Cup performances.  Landon Donovan staying home leaves the question of where veteran leadership, important in strong World Cup showings, will come from.  By the way, watch for Germany's Chrisoph Kramer: this could be his breakout into worldwide stardom.

So...am I off base?