Who’s Lovin Life … in the NL Central?

By C.G. Morelli
Love of Sports Correspondent

A wise friend once told me, “There’s a fine line between love and hate.”

Of course, he’s the same guy who also told me “There’s a fine line between clever and stupid.”

So, you never know what you’re getting there.

Through it all, however, what’s become quite clear to me is that there’s certainly a very wide gap between those who are lovin’ it and those who are hatin’ it when it comes to baseball.

With that in mind, we must visit middle America to find out who’s Lovin’ Life in the NL Central.

Definitely Lovin’ Life

Ben Sheets, Milwaukee

The Milwaukee right hander won the honor of starting the All-Star Game as the National League’s best pitcher in the first half. It was an easy decision for NL manager Clint Hurdle when you consider Sheets is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. And, boy, did he make his chance count. Sheets worked nicely out of a first inning jam and struck out three in two innings of scoreless work. Life in Ben’s future appears to be looking pretty rosy as well. He’ll team with CC Sabathia in the second half to form a lethal 1-2 punch for the Brewers, who appear poised to challenge the Cubs and Cards for a division title.

Tony LaRussa, St. Louis

The Cardinals start the second half in second place, just 4.5 games behind Chicago. Albert Pujols is still in the lineup, and we’ve heard little on the injury front from the St. Louis slugger. Did anyone think we’d be making these statements just a few months ago? Is it possible we’ve all just fallen into some kind of bizarre sub reality where Tony LaRussa’s our puppet master? Probably not. But it’s still true that he’ll go down as one of the greatest managers in baseball history. The guy could teach a group of bespectacled, second grade spelling champions how to win baseball games in the bigs. Still, you have to think even LaRussa is feeling a bit thankful after the Cardinals’ recent string of overachievement.

Dominic DiAngi

On July 9, seven-year-old Dominic went to Wrigley Field with his dad to see his very first ballgame. He never thought it would end with a trip to the intensive care unit. But that’s exactly what happened after a bat slipped from the swing of Ted Lilly, flew into the stands and struck the young boy in the head. It left him with a fractured skull and a bruised brain. Brain damage was a major concern. Just six days later, though, Dominic was able to walk out of the hospital with no signs of impairment. When asked what the first thing he wanted to do after getting out of the hospital, Dominic responded without hesitation, “I want to play baseball.”

Goodyear, Arizona

The good folks of Goodyear, Arizona, recently reeled the Reds in on a deal that brings Cincinnati to the old Southwest for spring training. They’ll begin play in the Cactus League in 2010 and will share the small streets of Goodyear with another sheriff in town, the Cleveland Indians. The city agreed to spend $32 million building practice fields, accommodations and a 38,000 square foot clubhouse for the team. But they’ll easily rake in 10 times that amount when people flock to the stadium to catch a glimpse of Ken Griffey, Jr. before he retires.

Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh

That’s right, McLouth’s the guy you mistook for Andy Van Slyke at first glance. It’s probably because, like Van Slyke, the Pirate centerfielder’s done his fair share of flying under the radar. Sure, he’s had a great first half and his two run shot in the bottom of the eighth drove the Buckos past the Yanks in a dramatic one before the All-Star break. But I think he really showed the masses he could play once he got to New York on Tuesday after being voted to the NL All-Star squad by the players. McLouth threw a guy out at the plate, hit a single and ranged center into the wee hours of the morning. He quietly had himself a very solid game on the biggest stage he’s seen in his career. So, let the excitement build in Steel City. I don’t want to speak too soon, but adding McLouth’s production to the mix with Jack Wilson’s and Xavier Nady’s could mean we’re talking Pirates in the next couple of years.

Cubs Fans

I think the current standings are far more beautiful to a Wrigley faithful than any word I can possibly ink. Have a look for yourself.

Definitely NOT Lovin’ Life

Lance Berkman, Houston

He’s hitting .347 with 22 homers, 73 RBI and 15 stolen bases coming out of the All-Star break and has five hits and has knocked in a trio of runs in the past five games. He just played in his fifth All-Star Game and is widely considered to be the best switch hitter in baseball. So, why is Lance hatin’ life? He plays for the Astros, people. They’re in dead last.

Ed Wade, Houston

I hate to pile it up on one team, but Astros GM Ed Wade just has to be hatin’ life. He pulled his family out of Philly, moved all the way to Houston and made a couple of immediate blockbuster moves with the Astros. The problem is he’s getting the same results he did in Philly, only now it’s 40 degrees hotter. Speaking of which, maybe you can do me a little favor, Ed. How about trading Roy Oswalt to the Phillies for a couple of low-level prospects and a really cold air conditioner? Come on, Ed, you know it sounds pretty sweet. I promise it’s really cold.

Me

After all the trash I talked to my friends about how the East would be the dominant division in the National League, I have to admit it’s the Central that’s done most of the moving and/or shaking. With the Cubbies looking to end a century-long draught and two solid teams in the Cards and Brewers nipping at their heels, the Central pennant figures to be the race to watch. Add to that the new acquisitions of marquee pitchers Rich Harden and CC Sabathia, and even some emerging talent towards the bottom of the division in Pittsburgh, and we could be talking fireworks, people. And isn’t that why we all love baseball?

Hey, would you look at that? I’m back to Lovin’ Life after all.

(C.G. Morelli’s column appears in this spot each and every weekend.)