I’ve read his stuff for years. Mindless fun.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at Walker’s progression back from injury/suckatude.

FIRST.

He hasn’t been flawless either, obviously. But he’s still been a pleasant surprise.

I remember last year it seemed like we would give up a lot of runs early and played catch-up for most of the game, which in most cases I would not stay around to see the final out. Apart from a few games (in which the starting pitchers last name begins with Z and ends in O), we have played close games. I even found myself watching all the way to last nights game even though the Astros pulled ahead in the eighth.

Its exciting, I like.

Consistently strong returns from Walker when I was sure he was done about three times before this, Merkin emerging as a reliable late-innings guy (injury stuff notwithstanding, he’s been great when healthy), Wilson stepping into the closer role, et al.

Plus Fred. Fred’s been a very welcome surprise in the field and in the lineup. Good job, Freddy.

Tim Lincecum’s total dominance. It’s one thing to have a nickname like “The Franchise.” Living up to the hype is a totally different story.

Tim has been masterful all season, and after watching several “can’t miss” Giants pitching prospects implode, the fact that Lincecum is the REAL DEAL has been a pleasant surprise for jaded veteran Giants fans like me. Tim is a once in a generation talent.

I’ll go with Sanchez. I’ve said before that I was pretty worried he’d never have the control to keep his walk rate down enough to really be effective, but this season he’s mostly been really really good, and damn is he striking out a lot of guys. He looks like a legitimate part of the rotation for the foreseeable future.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at our ability to compete with the big dogs on the NL.

We all knew he was a better option than Dave Roberts. Now we know he is one of the better options on the roster.

Pleasantly surprised that he’s Naga… Naga… Naga… Not gonna work here anymore, anyway.

though it’s hard to imagine him keeping up his crazy line the whole season, i’m enjoying his contributions (offensively) and really like watching him play…. though his defense has been sorta disappointing for me

Dude’s been solid.

And that’s no slam on BLB, who was obviously the highlight of the 2007 season. But so far, in the first month-and-a-half, I’ve seen more energy, enthusiasm, spirit - whatever you want to call it - than I did all last year. I’ve seen this team actually score first. I’ve seen them come from two and three runs down to have a big inning and tie up the game. It’s really refreshing. I’m still not planning on ordering playoff tickets until 2010 or 2011, but I like what I see.

I had been resigned to sit at the bottom of the NL West all season

...the over-100 OPS+’s currently belonging to Lewis, Bowker, Ortmeier and Holm. Rookies FTW!

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I like Aaron Rowand. The gamer stuff is still annoying but he’s been a legitimately good player for us so far. 17th best VORP in the NL (by the way… Kevin Youkilis leads the AL in VORP? WHAT??) and 4th highest RZR for CF. Very very nice season so far.

The fact Grant knows who Alexander Pope is.

(Favorite Pope quote: “We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow; Our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so.”)

...how much fun going to games is again. For all the reasons Kitspool and others else said, but I’ve also noticed fans around me being more into the games.

Last season, it seemed like people knew the team sucked and didn’t care whether they won; they’d just “blah blah blah” until BLB’s turn to bat. All people seeemed to care about was:
- Would Barry get to 756? and
- Would Barry make the all-star team?

Now it seems like people are talking about different players, coaching strategy (or lack thereof), pitch sequences, guys we should/shouldn’t trade and counting out days on the calendar to figure out who’s starting which games. People are cheering productive outs, great defensive plays and relievers who pitch out of a jam.

Not to rip on BLB either, but I’m glad that people are realizing that life goes on and can be fun.