Stats

A .250 batting average, 291 home runs, and 964 runs batted in. Not exactly numbers you would associate with a Hall of Fame outfielder.

The reality is, analysis that only covers the superficial level, such as this, is lazy and has cost many players their rightful spot in baseball history.

Alex Rodriguez is currently three home runs from becoming the seventh member of the elite 600 Home Run Club.

The first half of the Major League Baseball season is now over. For some, this means discussions can start about MVP races, Cy Young races, the trading deadline, and of course division standings.

For me, it is instead a time to look at the types of statistics and awards not often looked at.

These awards are not for the best pitcher, or the best team.

Most baseball fans believe success in the Home Run Derby translates to a power outage in the second half of the season. Josh Hamilton in 2008 comes to mind, but it would be foolish to make assumptions based on that one particular instance.

To answer this presumption, I tallied the first and second half home run totals of each Home Run Derby winner since 2000. The results may surprise you.

This article is a look at the fascinating numbers, unexpected performances, and season projections from the first half of Major League baseball's 109th season. 

.454 - Josh Hamilton's batting average in the month of June.

18 - Days the NL West leading San Diego Padres have spent out of first place. Since April 19, they have been in first place for 70 out of 74 days.

82 - The number of All-Stars this season. 

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Marlins have proven that it can be done in baseball. The Miami Heat are about to prove it can be done in the NBA.

There are some things money can’t buy, and championships used to be one of them. But not anymore. It’s an unfortunate reality, but reality nonetheless.

As long as it’s done right.

The MLB All-Star Game is a great opportunity for fans to watch some of the best players in all of baseball take the field, pitting the National League against the American League for home field advantage in the World Series.

This year, the game takes place at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California.