Yeah, thats right, the season is half over and the hot, sticky dog days of summer are looming. With all the milestones already achieved and many more to come, along with a few surprise teams playing good baseball, this is set to be one of the most interesting years in recent baseball history.

A few players have already reached milestones this year, Frank Thomas crushed his 500th homer, pulling the ball into the left-field bleachers and Craig Biggio slapped his 3000th hit to right field, fitting for these players. Both of these all-stars of years past appear to be slowing down as age plays a factor , but they have been top teir for a long long time and should each get their own plaque in Cooperstown.

In addition to these milestones a few more could be reached before seasons end, in fact 5 players could reach 500 career dingers this season. Manny Ramirez, Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez and Jim Thome could all join Frank Thomas, Sheffield being the farthest from this achievement, with 473 career four baggers.

Oh yes, someone on the west coast is on his way to being the new home run king, but instead of a crown and a scepter i picture him with a syringe and a bottle of pills, sad isnt it ? I almost feel sorry for Bonds when i hear the fans getting on his case in every ballpark but his own, but then he goes and says something in his usual pompous tone and i remember why id like to wake up and see a headline in the paper read, BONDS SLIPS ON BANNANA PEEL IN CLUBHOUSE: OUT FOR REMAINDER OF YEAR. The fact of the matter is, he is going to hit 755 and most likely even play another year and hit a few more, it doesnt mean i have to salute him, but i will anyways, here's to you BB. Its ok the hall really doesnt want whats left of your balls anyways, they dont want you either.

On to a more pleasent topic, surprises. The yankees appear to be going down the tube fast and will probably miss the playoffs, a prime example of how pitching really is the key to winning. Sticking with the AL east my Jays just cant seem to put it all together, on paper it looks like the best offense in all of baseball, but again it all comes back to pitching. Boston, has the pitching and seems untouchable atop the division, Schilling is wounded but Theo Epstein has a few cards up his sleeve im sure, perhaps a Mark Buehrle?

Moving out of the AL east, there are alot of teams exceeding expectations and then some. In the National League, the Brewers are really widening the gap in the central with Prince Fielder leading the way. It will be a real treat to see him launching ball after ball into the bay in the home run derby. Other surprises include, the Diamondbacks, heck the whole NL west is competing, including the rockies. The Rocks can really hit the ball and the youngsters on that team are under the wings of one of the finest in that category, Todd Helton. The rockies have provided some real exciting baseball this year, including the first unassisted triple play ive ever seen, thanks to Troy Tulowitzki.

This MLB season has no doubt provided a few surprises and nothing seems to be etched in stone just yet, ok except maybe boston finishing first. Here are some of my predictions of what is yet to come...

July 28th - Boston, now 12 games ahead of the second place Jays (22 ahead of the reeling yanks) acquires Mark Beuhrle from the White Sox in exchange for Coco Crisp, Kason Gabbard a few minor leaguers and a few hundred deep dish chicago style pizzas.

July 30th (minutes before the trade deadline) - The Mariners tied with Detroit for the wildcard spot, give Griffey Jr. his wish and bring him back to retire as a Mariner. 3 days later, Jr. breaks his arm wrestling with his son on a yacht... then announces his retirement.

August 3rd - Barry Bonds, at 754 career home runs is indicted for perjury and tax evasion. A frustrated Bonds appears in a parking lot, surrounded by reporters, crying, mumbling something about how the whole world is against him.

August 22nd - With the Yankees now 19 games under .500 , a senile George Steinbrenner suffering from various forms of dementia fires Joe Torre and decides to take the helm as the yankees new skipper. Rioting ensues in the streets of New York.