The triple crown run of Luis Pujols is one of the quietest in baseball history. Carl Yastrezmski did it last in 1967 for the Red Sox. Leading the league in batting average, runs batted in, and homers is simply amazing in today’s game of big time sluggers. Pujols is doing Mickey Mantle stuff with his .378 average, 26 homers, and 80 RBI’s heading into the game at Wrigley today.

The guy might hit .400 too, which is another complete story.

Until the Cradinals do something about closing a game with Jeff Fassero, Esteban Yan, and Cal Eldred I can’t take them all that seriously.

I’m just curious is Erubiel Durazo trying to hit all those balls the other way, is he only seeing pitches on the outside part of the plate, or is his bat speed slower than I think?

I know his average doesn’t reflect it, but Jermaine Dye has hit some balls very hard lately. His knee injury has sapped him of his ability to lift the ball regularly, but he can hit some shots for doubles and contribute to the team if this trend continues.

Miguel Tejada is a tough out, but he still looks like he is very uncomfortable once he has to make up his mind as to whether or not to swing at the pitch. It seems to me his head is up in the air instead of buried in his shoulder immediately after his swing.

Eric Chavez will hit 35 homers, drive in over 100 runs, but will still not be a 3 or 4 hitter. Amazing that he hasn’t stepped up his game in this his fifth year in the majors.

Folks therein lies the story of the A’s 3,4,5,and 6 hitters. Don’t blame the lack of little ball or any other supporting member of the offense, the big guys need to get it done just like they do it in NY, Boston, Toronto, Anaheim, and Seattle.

The A’s have 76 games to get it together, so all is not lost, but they sure don’t look like champions right now.

Click below for more.Kevin Brown is one of the most musclebound pitchers in the game today. Is it any wonder that he pulls muscles and misses time more often than any other big time pitcher in the game.

Is there anyone on the Brewers that you would want on your team other than Richie Sexson?

Damian Moss better be on his game today because the Padres are hitting the ball. I don’t think their good play against Seattle, LA, and the Giants is an aberration.

Rod Beck doesn’t throw over 82 MPH yet has seven saves in seven tries. He even struck Barry Bonds out with the game on the line. Billy Koch should watch Beck’s tapes and learn how to change speeds.

The Angels Ramon Ortiz throws around 90-92, then throws an 85 MPH changeup, not enough of a difference between pitches, that is why he gives up so many homers.

Jarrod Washburn thinks the A’s pitching mound is the best in the majors. He likes pitching in Oakland more than any other park. Guess where he pitches today?

Washburn leads the AL with 22 homers given up. Maybe the A’s will hit a few today and help Tim Hudson out.

The Mariners are disappointed with Randy Winn’s offense, however they love his defense in left.

If given the chance, Seattle would trade Jeff Cirillo in an heartbeat.

Brandon Webb is the most sought after Diamondback on the team when other teams call. His sinking fastball drops dramatically as it gets to home plate.

The Marlins are closing fast in the NL Wild Card race. Mark Redman today against Randy Wolf, this is a game worth watching.

Milwaukee’s Ben Sheets probably is the other Brewer worth pursuing.

Miguel Cabrera, Marlins rookie, is the best rookie hitter since Vladimir Guerrero and Pujols made the scene.

David Bell and Pat Burrell are killing the Phillies with their .200 averages.

The Twins are talking more than winning these days which is not good.

Roberto Alomar will hit .300 for the White Sox. The A’s could have used him at the top of the order.

By the way, if Billy McMillon stays in the A’s lineup who goes out?

Steve Trachsel can help a contender. The guy can pitch. Al Leiter probably will be the one to go, he can’t pitch effectively anymore, but has the reputation of a hardnosed no nonsense competitor.

Elmer Dessens is starting to pitch a little better each time out for the Arizonans.

Is Melvin Mora the real deal, some AL hitters say “let’s see him do it for a couple of years” before they give the current AL batting leader more props.

The Blue Jays are sinking quicker than you think. Toronto’s pitching has disappeared and the hitting won’t be able to save it much longer.

Other than Johnny Damon is there an easy out in the Boston lineup?

Baseball people are very skeptical of Byung Hyun Kim’s mental makeup and feel that he won’t last as a closer in Boston.

The Yankees againg pitchers were rocked by Anaheim in the playoffs last year. This year they could fall apart before the end of the season. Don’t Roger Clemens and David Wells seem tired looking these days.

Trust me, if Boston gets one more starter and Pedro stays healthy this could be the year they beat NY.

The Angels ain’t dead yet, they play the game, have a great bullpen, and Troy Glaus will get hot in the second half and lead them right into the race.

Bartolo Colon 119 pitches in 6 2/3 innings just too many, who does he think he is Rodrigo Lopez who threw that many for Baltimore in six innings his last start also?

With Carl Everett gone, Kevin Mench is playing full time in Texas and hitting .311.

Todd Jones will help the Boston pen, he could close also.

The All Star teams will be announced today at 4 PM Pacific, with all the bad PR from last year I’m not sure there will be much interest in the announcement. Also, why not announce the starters first and then the resereves a few days later? At least, that added some drama as fans could debate who the reserves should be.

Ted Williams died one year ago yesterday.

Hideki Matsui is up to .309, Jason Giambi hit homer number 23 yesterday, but that’s all the good news for NY.

Too bad.

See you later.