2011 Major League Baseball First Half Recap

With the All-Star game now here for Major League Baseball I figured it would be a good time to now take a look back at a pretty exciting first half of the Major League Baseball season. There is a lot to look at such as the Divisional standings league leaders, and milestones that have been hit through the first half of the season. So lets get this show on the road with the standings. Here are the standings as they sit right now by division:

American League
AL East W L Pct. GB Home Road
Boston Red Sox 54 35 .607 — 27-17 27-18
New York Yankees 51 35 .593 1 28–19 23–16
Tampa Bay Rays 49 39 .557 3½ 21–21 28–18
Toronto Blue Jays 43 47 .478 11 19–22 24–25
Baltimore Orioles 36 49 .424 15 22–22 14–27

AL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cleveland Indians 47 41 .534 — 27–17 20–24
Detroit Tigers 48 43 .527 ½ 27–19 21–24
Chicago White Sox 44 47 .484 4½ 21–24 23–23
Minnesota Twins 40 48 .455 7 20–19 20–29
Kansas City Royals 37 53 .411 11 24–26 13–27

AL West W L Pct. GB Home Road
Texas Rangers 48 41 .539 — 28–18 20–23
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 47 42 .528 1 23–22 24–20
Seattle Mariners 43 45 .489 4½ 25–23 18–22
Oakland Athletics 39 50 .438 9 23–21 16–29


National League

NL East W L Pct. GB Home Road
Philadelphia Phillies 56 33 .629 — 33–14 23–19
Atlanta Braves 53 37 .589 3½ 28–18 25–19
New York Mets 46 44 .511 10 19–22 27–22
Washington Nationals 45 45 .500 11½ 27–17 18–28
Florida Marlins 41 48 .461 15 19–26 22–22

NL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
Milwaukee Brewers 48 43 .527 — 32–14 16–29
St. Louis Cardinals 48 43 .527 — 24–21 24–22
Pittsburgh Pirates 46 43 .517 1 22–22 24–21
Cincinnati Reds 45 46 .495 3 23–21 22–25
Chicago Cubs 37 54 .407 11 20–26 17–28
Houston Astros 30 61 .330 18 14–33 16–28

NL West W L Pct. GB Home Road
San Francisco Giants 51 40 .560 — 27–16 24–24
Arizona Diamondbacks 49 42 .538 2 23–19 26–23
Colorado Rockies 43 47 .478 7½ 22–22 21–25
Los Angeles Dodgers 40 51 .440 11 22–27 18–24
San Diego Padres 40 51 .440 11 19–27 21–24

The American League has a few surprises in it. The AL West is pretty much going the way most experts had predicted it. The Central is a good surprise. The biggest surprises in the AL Central are the fact that the Twins are in 4th place and under .500 and the Indians are over .500 and leading the AL Central. Nobody really saw this coming at all. The American League East was a surprise at the start of the year with both the Yankees and Red Sox struggling and the Orioles seeming to have found something. Then reality set in, the Orioles are back in last place and the Yankees and Red Sox are once again fighting for the division.

As for the National League, the only real surprise in that league is the NL Central. Let's face facts the NL East and NL West are sort of following the script, if you will, as to where the teams were gonna finish. The Central has been a big surprise with the Cardinals and Brewers tied for first place. The Cardinals are playing what I would consider average ball for them, while the Brew Crew has been playing pretty well. What is really surprising is the play of the Pittsburgh Pirates who are a game out of first place and over .500 for the first time in 12 years. A tip of the cap has to go out to the Pirates for the resurgence this year.

Now moving on we will take a look at the stats leaders through the first half:

American League:
Batting leaders:
AVG Adrian Gonzalez (BOS) .352
HR Jose Bautista (TOR) 31
RBI Adrian Gonzalez (BOS) 77
R Curtis Granderson (NYY) 79
H Adrian Gonzalez (BOS) 126
SB Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS) 28

Pitching leaders:
W CC Sabathia (NYY) 12
L Jeremy Guthrie (BAL) 11
ERA Jered Weaver (LAA) 1.86
K Justin Verlander (DET) 138
IP Justin Verlander (DET) 143.1
SV José Valverde (DET)
Brandon League (SEA) 23

Now for the National League:
National League:
Batting leaders:
AVG Jose Reyes (NYM) .354
HR Lance Berkman (STL) 24
RBI Prince Fielder (MIL) 72
R Jose Reyes (NYM)
Rickie Weeks (MIL) 65
H Jose Reyes (NYM) 124
SB Michael Bourn (HOU) 35

Pitching leaders:
W Jair Jurrjens (ATL) 12
L J.A. Happ (HOU) 11
ERA Jair Jurrjens (ATL) 1.87
K Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 147
IP Roy Halladay (PHI) 143.1
SV Craig Kimbrel (ATL) 28

So there you have it with your stats leaders in Major League Baseball. Now then there have been a few milestones and major records that have been hit in the Bigs this season. The following are the major mraks that have been achieved as of July 9th 2011:

Batters
David Ortiz (BOS):
Recorded his 350th career home run in the second inning against the Texas Rangers on April 2. He became the 82nd player to reach this mark.
Set the major league record for RBI by a designated hitter (1004) by driving in a run with a groundout in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers on April 2. He broke the record that was previously held by Edgar Martinez.
His home run on May 21 against the Chicago Cubs made him the fifth player to hit at least 300 with the Red Sox. The others are Ted Williams (521), Carl Yastrzemski (452), Jim Rice (382) and Dwight Evans (379).
Recorded his 1000th career run scored in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians on May 25. He became the 311th player to reach this mark.

Nelson Cruz (TEX):
Became the third player in Major League history, joining Willie Mays and Mark McGwire, and the first American League player to hit a home run in his fourth straight game to begin the baseball season.

Miguel Cabrera (DET):
Recorded his 250th career home run in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on April 6. He became the 201st player to reach this mark.

Chipper Jones (ATL):
Recorded his 2500th career hit in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 8. He became the 93rd player to reach this mark.
Recorded his 1500th career RBI by hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Florida Marlins on April 13. He became the 51st player to reach this mark.
Recorded his 500th career double in the 12th inning against the San Diego Padres on April 25. He became the 52nd player to reach this mark.
Passed Mickey Mantle for second all-time for RBI by a switch-hitter by driving in his 1510th run with a RBI groundout in the first inning against the San Diego Padres on April 27. Eddie Murray is the all-time leader with 1917 RBIs.

Jimmy Rollins (PHI):
Recorded his 1000th career run scored in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals on April 12. He became the 310th player to reach this mark.
Recorded his 350th career stolen base in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals on May 5. He became the 108th player to reach this mark.

Johnny Damon (TB):
Became the first player in Major League history to hit a walk-off HR with five different teams by hitting the game winning HR against the Minnesota Twins on April 14. He also hit walk-off HR with the Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox.
Recorded his 500th career double in the first inning against the Florida Marlins on June 18. He became the 53rd player to reach this mark. Damon also became the 11th player in Major League history to amass at least 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 home runs and 2500 hits for his career.[18]

Michael Young (TEX):
Became the all-time leader in doubles for the Senators/Rangers franchise on April 15 against the New York Yankees. Young hit his 353rd double in the third inning, breaking the team record that was previously held by Ivan Rodriguez.
Became the all-time leader in games played for the Senators/Rangers franchise on June 14 against the New York Yankees. Young played in his 1574th game, breaking the team record that was previously held by Rafael Palmeiro.
Became the all-time leader in runs scored for the Senators/Rangers franchise on July 7 against the Oakland Athletics. Young scored his 959th run on a home run in the fifth inning, breaking the team record that was previously held by Rafael Palmeiro.

Adam Dunn (CWS):
Recorded his 1000th career walk on April 24 against the Detroit Tigers. He became the 112th player to reach this mark.

Andre Ethier (LAD):
Set a Major League record by hitting in 23 consecutive games in April with a double in first inning against the Florida Marlins on April 26. He broke the record that was held by Joe Torre in 1971. Ethier extended his April hitting streak to 26 games on April 30.

Grady Sizemore (CLE):
Became the first player in franchise history to record 200 doubles, 100 home runs and 100 steals with a double in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals on April 26.

Ben Zobrist (TB):
Set franchise record for RBI in a game by driving in eight runs on April 28 against the Minnesota Twins in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. He broke the record of seven set by Carlos Peña in 2007.
Became the fourth player in Major League history to record at least seven hits and 10 RBIs in a single day since RBIs became an official stat in 1920. The other three are Jim Bottomley (1929), Pete Fox (1935) and Nate Colbert (1972).

Carl Crawford (BOS):
Recorded his 1500th career hit in the third inning with a single against the Los Angeles Angels on May 3. He became the 588th player to reach this mark.

Hanley Ramírez (FLA):
Recorded his 200th career stolen base in the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 3. He became the 339th player to reach this mark.

Prince Fielder (MIL):
Recorded his 200th career home run in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres on May 11. He became the 298th player to reach this mark.

Carlos Lee (HOU):
Recorded his 2000th career hit in the first inning with a single against the New York Mets on May 14. He became the 261st player to reach this mark.

Brian McCann (ATL):
Became the second player in Major League history to hit a pinch-hit, game-tying homerun in the ninth inning and end the game in extra innings with another homerun on May 17 against the Houston Astros. Jeff Heath, of the Boston Braves accomplished this feat on August 27, 1949 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Wilson Ramos (WAS):
Became the fifth catcher (joining Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jody Davis, Wes Westrum and Walker Cooper) since 1920 to score five runs in a single game and just the second catcher (the other is Westrum in 1950) to score five runs, hit a home run and a triple in the same game on May 20 against the Baltimore Orioles.

Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE):
Became the fifth shortstop (joining Barry Larkin, John Valentin, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Roy McMillan) since 1920 to have five hits and two home runs in a game on May 22 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Brandon Crawford (SF):
Became the sixth player in Major League history to hit a grand slam in his first Major League game on May 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

José Reyes (NYM):
Recorded his 350th career stolen base in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 28. He became the 109th player to reach this mark.
After 1000 career major-league games, Reyes has 98 triples and 360 stolen bases. The only other player in history with that many triples and stolen bases in their first 1000 games is Ty Cobb, who had 106 triples and 391 steals.

Torii Hunter (LAA):
Recorded his 1000th career RBI by hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals on May 30. He became the 269th to reach this mark.

Melvin Mora (ARI):
Recorded his 1500th career hit with a single in the seventh inning against the Florida Marlins on May 30. He became the 589th player to reach this mark.

José Bautista (TOR):
With 11 home runs during the month of May, the most in the American League, it was the fifth straight month in which he led the American League in home runs (excluding March and October) joining Jimmie Foxx in 1933–1934.

Danny Espinosa (WAS):
Became the first rookie second-baseman in Major League history to hit 10 home runs before June 1.

Curtis Granderson (NYY):
Became the second player in Major League history to have 17 or more home runs and five or more triples in a season before June 1. He joins Babe Ruth, who did it for the Yankees in 1928.

Raúl Ibáñez (PHI):
Recorded his 1000th career RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 5. He became the 270th player to reach this mark.

Paul Konerko (CWS):
Recorded his 1000th career run scored in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 7. He became the 312th player to reach this mark.

Orlando Cabrera (CLE):
Recorded his 2000th career hit with a single in the second inning against the New York Yankees on June 12. He became the 262nd player to reach this mark.

Michael Bourn (HOU):
Recorded his 200th career stolen base in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves on June 13. He became the 340th player to reach this mark.

Ichiro Suzuki (SEA):
Recorded his 400th career stolen base in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels on June 15. He became the 70th player to reach this mark.

Vladimir Guerrero (BAL):
Recorded his 2500th career hit with a double in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 16. He became the 94th player to reach this mark.

Mark Teixeira (NYY):
Recorded his 300th career home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 30. He became the 130th player to reach this mark.

Aramis Ramírez (CHI):
Recorded his 300th career home run in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox on July 1. He became the 131st player to reach this mark.

Scott Rolen (CIN):
Recorded his 2000th career hit with a single in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4. He became the 263rd player to reach this mark.

Lance Berkman (STL):
Recorded his 350th career home run in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds on July 5. He became the 83rd player to reach this mark.

Jim Thome (MIN):
Recorded his 1700th career walk on July 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays. He became the 9th player to reach this mark.

Derek Jeter (NYY):
Recorded his 3000th career hit with a home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 9. He became the 28th player to reach this mark.


Pitchers
No-hitters

Francisco Liriano (MIN):
Threw the fifth no-hitter in Minnesota Twins history and the seventh in franchise history (the other two came when the club was known as the Washington Senators) in a 1–0 win over the Chicago White Sox on May 3. It was also Liriano's first complete game in 95 major league starts.[19] Liriano also became just the fifth pitcher in the last 30 years to throw a no-hitter that included more walks (6) than strikeouts (2). In addition, he carried the second-highest ERA (minimum three starts) of 9.13 into the outing of any pitcher to go on to throw a no-hitter, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Justin Verlander (DET):
Threw the seventh no-hitter in Tigers history by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on May 7. This was Verlander's second no-hitter, his first coming against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007. Verlander allowed one walk but still faced the minimum of 27 batters. He became the second Tigers pitcher (Virgil Trucks) and the 30th pitcher in Major League history to throw multiple career no-hitters.

Other accomplishments

Huston Street (COL):
Recorded his 150th career save by closing out a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 2. He became the 70th player to reach this mark.

Chris Carpenter (STL):
Recorded his 1500th career strikeout against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 6. Josh Rodriguez was the victim as he struck out in the second inning. Carpenter became the 178th player to reach this mark.

Joe Nathan (MIN):
Recorded his 250th career save by closing out a win against the Oakland Athletics on April 8. He became the 30th player to reach this mark.

Kyle Lohse (STL):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 15. Aaron Miles was the victim as he struck out in the seventh inning. Lohse became the 442nd player to reach this mark.

Justin Verlander (DET):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Chicago White Sox on April 22. A.J. Pierzynski was the victim as he struck out in the seventh inning. Verlander became the 443rd player to reach this mark.

Jered Weaver (LAA):
Became the first pitcher in Major League history with six wins by April 25. He defeated the Oakland Athletics to set this record. He also became the sixth pitcher since 1900 with six wins by the end of April joining Vida Blue (1971), Dave Stewart (1988), Randy Johnson (2000, 2002) and Brandon Webb (2008).

Mark Buehrle (CWS):
Recorded his 150th career victory by defeating the Baltimore Orioles on May 2. He became the 246th player to reach this mark.

Joel Piñeiro (LAA):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Boston Red Sox on May 5. Kevin Youkilis was the victim as he struck out in the fourth inning. Piñeiro became the 444th player to reach this mark.
Recorded his 100th career victory by defeating the New York Mets on June 17. He became the 580th player to reach this mark. He also became the fourth Puerto Rico-born pitcher to win at least 100 games in the major leagues, joining Javier Vázquez, Juan Pizarro and Jaime Navarro.

José Valverde (DET):
Recorded his 200th career save by closing out a win against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 8. He became the 41st player to reach this mark.

Jason Marquis (WAS):
Recorded his 100th career victory by defeating the Atlanta Braves on May 10. He became the 578th player to reach this mark.

Ted Lilly (LAD):
Recorded his 1500th career strikeout against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 10. José Tábata was the victim as he struck out in the first inning. Lilly became the 179th player to reach this mark.

Heath Bell (SD):
Recorded his 100th career save by closing out a win against the Colorado Rockies on May 14. He became the 126th player to reach this mark.

Vin Mazzaro (KC):
According to The Elias Sports Bureau, Mazzaro became the first pitcher to give up at least 14 runs in fewer than three innings (2.1) in baseball's modern era (since 1900) against the Cleveland Indians on May 16.[21]

Josh Beckett (BOS):
Recorded his 1500th career strikeout against the Cleveland Indians on May 24. Carlos Santana was the victim as he struck out in the first inning. Beckett became the 180th player to reach this mark.

Jo-Jo Reyes (TOR):
Tied the major league record by making his 28th consecutive start without recording a win on May 25 against the New York Yankees. He ties the record that is currently held by Matt Keough (1978–79) and Cliff Curtis (1910–11).

Mariano Rivera (NYY):
Became the first pitcher in Major League history to have appeared in 1000 games for one team by closing out the Yankees win on May 25 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rivera became the 15th pitcher overall to reach this plateau.[22]
Recorded his 20th save of the season by closing out a victory against the Colorado Rockies on June 26. This is the 15th time that Rivera has reached 20 saves in one season, tying Trevor Hoffman for the most 20-plus save seasons in Major League history.

J.J. Putz (ARI):
By recording the save on May 25 against the Colorado Rockies, Putz registered a franchise-record 14th straight save to start the season.

Francisco Cordero (CIN):
Recorded his 300th career save by closing out a win against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 1. He became the 22nd player to reach this mark.

Carl Pavano (MIN):
Recorded his 100th career victory by defeating the Kansas City Royals on June 3. He became the 579th player to reach this mark.
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 26. Prince Fielder was the victim as he struck out in the fifth inning. Pavano became the 448th player to reach this mark.

Brian Wilson (SF):
Recorded his 150th career save by closing out a win against the Colorado Rockies on June 3. He became the 71st player to reach this mark.

Tim Lincecum (SF):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Washington Nationals on June 6. Jerry Hairston was the victim as he struck out in the second inning. Lincecum became the 445th player to reach this mark. He also became the eighth pitcher in baseball's modern era (since 1900) to amass 1000 strikeouts in his first five Major League seasons, joining Tom Seaver, Bert Blyleven, Dwight Gooden, Kerry Wood, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Hideo Nomo and Mark Langston.

Jonathan Papelbon (BOS):
Recorded his 200th career save by closing out a win against the New York Yankees on June 7. He became the 42nd player to reach this mark.

Carlos Zambrano (CHC):
Recorded his 1500th career strikeout against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 10. Jimmy Rollins was the victim as he struck out in the fourth inning. Zambrano became the 181st player to reach this mark.

Zack Greinke (MIL):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Chicago Cubs on June 16. Alfonso Soriano was the victim as he struck out in the fifth inning. Greinke became the 446th player to reach this mark.

Cole Hamels (PHI):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Seattle Mariners on June 19. Miguel Olivo was the victim as he struck out in the fourth inning. Hamels became the 447th player to reach this mark.

James Shields (TB):
Became the first pitcher in Tampa Bay's 14-year Major League history to toss three consecutive complete games by going the distance against the Houston Astros on June 24.

A.J. Burnett (NYY):
Became the first pitcher in Yankees history to register four strikeouts in one inning. He accomplished this feat on June 24 against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning.

Brandon Beachy (ATL):
Became the first Braves rookie since 1900 to record 20 or more strikeouts while winning consecutive starts by striking out nine batters in the Braves' win against the Seattle Mariners on June 27. Beachy struck out 11 in his previous start against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Matt Cain (SF):
Recorded his 1000th career strikeout against the Chicago Cubs on June 30. Koyie Hill was the victim as he struck out in the fifth inning. Cain became the 448th player to reach this mark.

Dan Haren (LAA):
Recorded his 100th career victory by defeating the Detroit Tigers on July 5. He became the 581st player to reach this mark.

Craig Kimbrel (ATL):
Tied the Major League record for most saves by a rookie before the All-Star break since 1969 that was set by Jonathan Papelbon in 2006 by closing out the game against the Colorado Rockies on July 5. It was Kimbrel's 26th save. He set the rookie record on July 7 with his 27th save by closing out a victory against the Colorado Rockies.


So there you have it a look back at the first half of the 2011 MLB season. Check back here again on Wednesday for a recap of the 2011 MLB All Star Game