Daily Dirt for Saturday, July 5, 2025
We have some predictions for you at this point in the baseball season. Welcome to The Daily Dirt’s Vol. 1,333, which consists of three thoughts for today.
1. We re roughly at the halfway point of the MLB season, and for teams in our region it s been a relatively decent first three months.
Even the Cardinals’ most ardent supporters have probably been taken aback by their play in the first half of 2025.
The Cubs have established themselves as a serious contender and are likely just one significant roster change away from disappearing into the National League Central.
Compared to their club from a year ago, the White Sox are a far superior team now. At least the Sox are entertaining to watch, even though it will likely be another two years before they can compete. It hurt at this time a year ago.
Of the four, the Royals have undoubtedly been the most disappointing. I thought they had a chance to flee and hide in the American League Central before the season started, but now? Kansas City should just be grateful that the Chisox are in their division; else, they might end up in last place.
Baseball is halfway through, and this is one man’s prediction for the big award winners as the second half draws near:
League of Nations
MVP: If you’re not sure Shohei Ohtani deserves this award, keep in mind that he will also establish himself as a reliable member of the Dodgers rotation as the season progresses. We may be discussing the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong if it weren’t for Shohei.
Cy Young: Robbie Ray of the Giants is a player to watch, but my favorite is Zack Wheeler of the Phillies. For Philadelphia, Wheeler has been everything Aaron Nola, who was inconsistent before getting hurt, was meant to be.
Manager of the Year: In my opinion, Oli Marmol merits careful thought. St. Louis started the season with a mediocre (at best) start and had no genuine postseason hopes going into it. In July, August, and September, Cardinal supporters should have a chance to enjoy a run at the playoffs after he somehow managed to rally the troops. But the Cubs’ Craig Counsell is the most likely winner.
PUBLISHER S NOTE: Please read my retort to Steve s suggestion regarding Mr. Marmol. JRG
Rookie:Due to a spate of injuries among some of the best rookies, this prize is up for grabs. I’m currently leaning toward the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski because I believe he will be a major contributor to Milwaukee’s postseason run.
James Wood of the Nationals had a breakout season. This slugger seems to have a bright career ahead of him.
The American League
MVP: Present the Yankees’ Aaron Judge with this honor immediately. Judge has now hit 44 home runs in his career. A man by the name of Babe has the Yankees’ record at 68. Judge has passed Lou Gehrig and is just two spots away from The Mick’s No. 2 spot on the list.
Cy Young: It’s entertaining to watch Tigers player Tariki Skubal analyze rival lineups because he shows his emotions. Right now, if it weren’t Skubal, I would pick Max Fried of the Yankees.
The Tigers’ A.J. Hinch was named manager of the year. It’s a no-brainer.
Rookie: Infielder Jacob Wilson is good while playing in relative anonymity with the relocated Athletics in Sacramento. Excellent.
Season of breakout: Is there a better option than The Big Dumper? Cal Raleigh, a catcher for Seattle, has made a reputation for himself with his 35 home runs in the first half. It could be time to examine his pee.
2. Did you know (Part 416)
- That since Joe DiMaggio of the Yankees hit in 56 straight games back in 1941 (84 years ago!), the closest any player has come to that mark was Pete Rose in 1978 when he hit in 44 consecutive games.
- That Tony Gwynn could have gone 0-for-his-last 1,183 at-bats and still batted .300 for his career.
- That in 2008, C.C. Sabathia led BOTH major leagues in shutouts. Sabathia had two shutouts for Cleveland, before being traded to Milwaukee, where he threw three.
- That father Cecil and son Prince Fielder each ended their MLB careers with 319 home runs.
- That Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye of the 2009 White Sox each hit their 300th career home runs in back-to-back at-bats.
3. Celebrity birthdays this week include:
-
Singer
Huey Lewis, who
is 74 today. The Power Of Love will always be my No. 1 fave from Huey and The News. -
Actor
Sylvester Stallone
, who turns 79 on Sunday. If you have not watched Stallone on Tulsa King, do yourself a favor and watch. Both he and the show are tremendous. -
Drummer
Ringo Starr
, who will be 85 on Monday. And he s still going strong. -
Actor
Kevin Bacon
, who turns 67 on Tuesday. He will always be the guy from
Footloose
. -
Actor
Tom Hanks
, who turns 69 on Wednesday. Best-ever Hanks movie? It s tough to get past Forrest Gump, but there are definitely some other possibilities.
Steve’s Daily ThoughtYou’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, and a sleeper: That Thing You Do are a few more Hanks potentials.
Every day, Steve Eighinger contributes to Muddy River News. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Sylvester Stallone costarred with Michael Rooker, who costarred with Kevin Bacon in JFK. Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon costarred in Apollo 13.
