Which one of these events was the biggest surprise of the first half of the 2006 season:
1) The Detroit Tigers having the best record in baseball.
2) Jim Thome tied for the ML lead in homeruns.
3) Atlanta having a losing record.
2006-07-07 15:21:08 · 17 answers · asked by Cardinals = Greatness 6 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Has to be 1.
Thome has always been a power hitter, and Atlanta's dismal record comes as no shock to me.
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Out of everything, biggest suprise would be the rise of the rookies (Uggla, Papelbon, Liriano) and the Cubs. Oh what a season they are having.
2006-07-07 15:25:48 · answer #1 · answered by ~O.N.E.~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say the Tigers, because they were never considered much of a team. Also Detroit is currently the city with the most decline of population in the whole US. So, I mean for the tigers to be doing good, shows people they should move back!
I am not that surprised about the other two. Jim Thome is a great player, and Atlanta isn't invincible, even though they like to think they are.
2006-07-07 15:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This one's not as tough as I first thought.
The Braves weren't that big a shock to me.
I've always thought Thome was a horse (remember the HR Derby in Cle?) but didn't expect this much production from him.
So I'd have to go with the Tigers unforeseen pennant run. There wasn't really a June swoon for them. It'd be nice if they can make it a 2 or 3 team race in the AL Central. With the White Sox and Twins the AL wildcard should be coming out of that division. ( I don't want to hear it Red Sox/Yankee fans. On the left coast your rivalry is second to Dodgers/Giants, not the end-all-beat-all)
A quick aside to FamGuy---During a September 1980 call-up, a Pudgy Mexican lefthander began his MLB career by going 17.2innings, 2 wins, a save and a 0.00 ERA. Fernando Valenzuela went 8-0 with an ERA under 1.00 to begin his Cy Young Rookie Of The Year season.
THINK BLUE!!!
2006-07-07 17:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by Rick H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tiger has got to be.
Alot of people doubted Jim Thome, But I knew he'd be awesome being back in the AL, some people just don't do well when they switch leagues.
Alot of people suspected that this wont be atlanta's year because of the Mets.
2006-07-07 16:01:35 · answer #4 · answered by numbah1mizfit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely the tigers. i bet u cant tell me a single person (other than actual tigers fans, and most of them would probably agree) that said before the season started that the tigers would be leading the white sox in the al central. bravo tigers. ur fans deserve it. now all detroit sucks in is football lol. however, i am a braves fan and i cant believe the season we're having. i dont see how anyone can say its not a shock this happened. i can under stand saying they'll finally lose the division, but nobody expected theyd be about 14 games back to the mets this deep in the season. bullpen is HORRIBLE. watch out for kevin barry, a new relief pitcher for atlanta. he made his major league debut in yankee stadium last week and pitched 3 scoreless innings. to date he has pitched 9 innings and still hasnt allowed a run. how many pitchers have started their career like that?
2006-07-07 15:51:54 · answer #5 · answered by familyguynnascar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
West: Surprises = Minnesota, St. Louis, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Disappointments = la, Anaheim East: Surprises = Florida, Winnipeg, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, James Neal Disappointments = Montreal, Washington, Buffalo, Tampa, Ovechkin, Semin
2016-11-06 01:57:08 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the biggest surprise is the Tigers in first place because all of the years back I can remember they were in second to last place almost every year.
I am also surprised that the Braves are in last place but I am glad because that gives someone else a chance to win the division.
2006-07-07 15:53:27 · answer #7 · answered by hiptothehop 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ooo, so hard!! I think probably . . . ooo, REALLY hard!! Well, Atlanta has been so good for so long that it's really strange to see them lose so often. And the Tigers, well, they've sucked for so long it's strange to see them win! Very surprising. I'm not too shocked about Thome though. He's good. Good question!
2006-07-07 15:26:53 · answer #8 · answered by *AstrosChick* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has to be the Tigers ,their manager has them going in a right direction, I think the Braves losing record was kinda expected, which I'm happy about
2006-07-07 17:58:33 · answer #9 · answered by sarge21066 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Detroit Tigers.....considering that just 3 short years ago they lost 119 games.
That is a long way!
and to the people who think they will "collapse" in the 2nd half are just plain jealous!
2006-07-08 01:00:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the detroit tigers having the best record in baseball
2006-07-07 15:27:09 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋