Since the A's are currently 1.5 games ahead in the division and since that is an obviously insurmountable lead I suggest we end the season now and proceed directly to the playoffs.

The Dodgers had 5 of their opening day position players on the bench yesterday (Manny, Martin, DeTwitt, Blake, Ethier). They scored 10 runs. That's not a bad backup squad.

Surprised that it hasn't been mentioned yet, but for those who may have missed it, Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves) hit a home run not only at his first major league at bat, but off the first major league pitch he was ever thrown! And that was after catching the ceremonial first pitch off of none other than Hank Aaron.

I actually feel a little sorry for him; the expectations from him may be a wee bit high from here on out.

First pitch might be a little rare, but first at-bat home runs are surprisingly not all that rare. He becomes #104.

It was the first pitch thing that caught my attention.

He's the 13th.

ETA: I take that back. 13th in the NL. 25th overall.

We are in last place, a game behind. I don't see it getting any better than that. So sure.

What's amusing to me is that nearly 20% of the people who hit a home run in their first at bat never hit a second one (though one of those still made the Hall of Fame).

Wow - I am surprised there are that many. Do you have a link for the list? No biggie if not, I am just curious.

You are only one game below .500 AND you have a better record than Houston.

It's all in how you look at it!

Here you go. All the first at bat home runs, the ones bolded are first pitch.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats5.shtml