MLB's Biggest Surprises of 2008
Mike Mussina, Josh Hamilton and Tampa Bay All Playing Great Baseball
Jun 5, 2008
It's a little more than two months into the 2008 baseball season, and already there have been a lot of big surprises. Mike Mussinais pitching better than he has in years, the Tampa Bay Raysare in first place, and Ryan Howard is on pace to set the ML strikeout record for the second year in row. While many of these players and teams are playing above (or well below) expectations, all have been big surprises in this 2008 baseball season.
1. Mike Mussina, New York Yankees. By the end of the 2007 season, Mike Mussina appeared to be dangerously close to the end of his career. He finished the year with the fewest wins (just 11) and the highest ERA (5.15) in his big league career. But an offseason adjustment, one where Mussina actually decided to slow down some of his pitches, has made all of the difference. By focusing on changing speeds (from his 65 MPH changeup to his 84 MPH fastball) and hitting his spots, Mussina has revived his career. Through the season's first 60 games, Moose leads the American League with 9 wins, and is on the verge of pushing his ERA below 4.00. Not bad for a guy who's pushing 40 years old.
2. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers. Hamilton's life story, complete with drug difficulties, MLB suspensions and a rash of injuries, all of which he has overcome, is fascinating. But the most astounding thing about this guy may not be his storied comeback to the game. What's even more miraculous is the way he's hitting the baseball. As of June 4, Hamilton leads the American League in home runs (17) and RBI (68), and he trails Hideki Matsui of the Yankees by just a few points in the batting race. If Hamilton can keep up the pace, he could become the first Triple Crown winner in more than 40 years.
3. The Tampa Bay Rays. Don't call them the Devil Rays! The team officially changed its name in the offseason to just "The Rays," which should make them this writer's favorite team. While that is not the case, one could certainly argue that Tampa is the best team in the American League. That's big news for a team that has never won 70 games in its 10-year history.
While guys like Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria are providing the offense, it's really been the Rays' pitching that has set them apart from their past teams. Andy Sonnanstine, James Shields, Matt Garza, Edwin Jackson and Scott Kazmir may be the best young starting pitching staff in baseball. Maybe. The addition of Troy Percival as a closer has also been a huge plus. Who thought that guy had anything left? Oh yeah, Tampa Bay. There is obviously one question on the minds of many fans: can they keep this up?
4. Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds. Volquez came to the Reds in a trade for another 2008 surprise, Josh Hamilton. The trade has clearly worked out well for both teams. Volquez, who came into the season with a lifetime record of 3-11 and an ERA over 7.00, has been perhaps the best pitcher in the National League in 2008. He ranks second in wins (8), and has the best ERA (1.32) and the most strikeouts (91) in the Senior Circuit. Still just 24 years old, his breakout year is causing a lot of excitement in Cincy.
5. Ryan Howard's Hitting Woes. In his three years in the big leagues, Ryan Howard has been a hitting machine. He won the Rookie of the Year in 2006, the MVP in 2006, and hit 47 homers and drove in 136 RBI in 2007. Sure, he always struck out quite a bit, but his liftetime average was still above .280 entering the 2008 season, so it seemed like the Ks were acceptable. Not this year. Howard is batting just .205 and is on pace to shatter his major league record of 199 strike outs in a season. His power numbers are still good, but if he doesn't start putting a few more balls in play, the Phillies might not be able to keep up their hot pace.
