Kingdom

I think the media (cough ESPN), idiot fans, and other very uninformative talking heads like to ring the bell at such an early stage in any sporting season. It's two weeks into the 2010 season, and I'm sure we're all ready to write off the Boston Red Sox, hail the Rays as champs, declare Oakland as an IT team again, and hand Livan Hernandez the Cy Young. Right..., no, wait, wrong.

I don't need to cite fantastic examples of people jumping on the bandwagon, or jumping overboard too soon. Remember Chris Shelton being hailed as the next Mark McGwire years ago? That was even a month of data. I think it's quite hilarious for people to panic so soon. I know, some teams are used to it (i.e. Cubs, Mariners, Mets, etc.) but realistically, do we expect every early trend to continue? Do I also need to remind you thatt Mark Teixeira sucks every Spring but ends up with 30-40 homeruns, 100 plus RBIs, high OPS? No of course not, you know this.

Carlos Lee is barely hitting.. anything. Yet he's a career 25 homerun, 100 rbi, .500 slugging guy. What're the odds?

Livan Hernandez has only had two starts, but no ER. We know he's a career average to mediocre pitcher who simply eats innings, takes a beating, and doesn't care. He's not keeping up the early pace.

Of course, there are those random freakish "flukes" or aberrations. Ben Zobrist comes to mind, from last season. Jason Bartlett as well. Zobrist has traded in his power from last season for speed this season, Bartlett just hit the ball earlier today. No one saw them coming in 2009, certainly neither the Astros or Twins (although let's be honest, before the career year in 2009, Bartlett was a Minnesota guy- speed and defense).

So I really don't care what people are doing, or how well or bad teams are doing right now. Yes, I do hope Javy Vazquez continues to completely and helplessly suck in New York. And it's cool to see Boston not in 1st or 2nd. But if things are holding up like they are now, in mid-July, then, maybe will it have real significance. Maybe Derek Lowe will stop sucking.