2011 Major League Baseball season is half over

The first half of the Major League Baseball season came to a close Sunday, and the Atlanta Braves have held their own so far this year.

As of Sunday, the Braves were 3-1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the National League East. The Brewers and St. Louis were tied for first in the NL Central, and the Giants were first in the NL West.

Over in the American League, the Red Sox were first in the AL East. The Tigers were in the No. 1 spot in the AL Central, and the Rangers were in first in the AL West.

If I had to pick my World Series teams today, I’d go with the Phillies and the Red Sox. Both of these teams are very solid, but only time will tell if they’ll have what it takes to safely navigate the second half of the season.

More than a few players, many of whom were picked for the All-Star Game this year, have posted some impressive numbers already this season.

At the midway point in the season, Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista is leading the majors in the home run category with 31.

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is leading the big leagues in batting average (.354) and triples (15). New York Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson has scored the most runs with 79 to his credit.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is leading the majors in RBIs (77) and hits (126). Gonzalez and Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran are tied for the lead in doubles with 28 each.

Houston Astros center fielder Michael Bourn is leading the majors in stolen bases with 35.

When it comes to pitching wins, C.C. Sabathia of the New York Yankees is leading the big leagues with 13 wins. Atlanta pitcher Jair Jurrjens has 12 wins to his credit at the season’s midpoint and actually has a higher winning percentage than Sabathia.

Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers has the most strikeouts with 147 Ks to his credit. Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrel is leading the majors in saves with 28.

----- 0 -----

And as we approach the middle of July were down to just 36 days before the first official football game of the 2011 season in Conecuh County.

Sparta Academy will play its season opener on Fri., Aug. 19, when they play Escambia Academy at Stuart-McGehee Field in Evergreen.

Hillcrest High School will play its season opener on Fri., Aug. 26, when they travel to Monroeville to take on Monroe County High School.

We’ll have to wait even longer for the start of college football. We’ve got 51 days, that is, a little over seven weeks, remaining until the first Saturday of the college football season.

And, if the NFL season starts on time, and I suspect it will, the first game of the 2011 NFL season will be played on Thurs., Sept. 8, and will feature the Saints and the Packers in Green Bay. That’s 56 days away.