The great thing about MLB is that each month and year brings pleasant surprises. The Flagrant Fan talked a couple of days ago about disappointments. But the pleasant surprises usually outweigh the unpleasant ones. Here is a short list for you on what is normally the Fan's night off:

- Buck Showalter has kept to his word and is playing Blalock and Teixeira. Blalock was given a real short leash last year and was demoted after a tough start. This year he is hitting over .400 and playing great. Teixeira started slow like Blalock last year but Showalter stuck with him and he's coming around now with several RBI in his last two games. Showalter must know how to motivate as badass Carl Everett is hitting over .340 and is playing really well.

- The play of the Royals (who have now lost two in a row) and the Pirates has been a fun development. The most pleasant development of these two stories is the starts of Kris Benson and his catcher Kendell. Kendell had never really been the same after breaking his leg three years ago but is back with a bang. Benson has an ERA under 1 after three super starts.

- The Cubs are pounding the ball but it is so great to see Ricky Ledee hitting so well. Way to go, Ricky! Keep it going!

- Kerry Wood has started 3-0. Prior is the big story but Wood is the ace.

- Tim Worrell has been around a long time. With Robb Nen out with a bum shoulder, Worrell already has six saves (already a career high) after a great year last year going 8-2 in long relief with a 2.25 ERA. Todd Worrell is the one noted for saves with 256 in his career. But it's fun to see Tim get the saves at this stage of his career.

- Roger Clemens started strong this season with three quality starts. At 2-0, he could easily have been 3-0. After last season's playoff meltdown and with only seven wins needed for 300, it's been great for the big pitcher to start so well.

- Kevin Millar has been lighting it up for the Red Sox. He leads the team (and Manny Ramirez) in RBI and seems as if he was born and bred to play in Fenway. Speaking of Fenway, isn't it weird to have those seats at the top of the Green Monster? Very weird!

- Felipe Alou has started with great success in San Francisco. The man is class and I remember watching him as a boy at Yankee Stadium. After all those years with the cash strapped Expos (a pleasant surprise in their own right), it's great to see Alou succeed. Oh, for you trivia buffs! The Alou brothers: Felipe, Matty and Jesus once played together for the Giants in the same outfield and combined for 5024 hits in their combined careers. Felipe's son Moises has added 1400+ hits of his own and is probably the best hitter of all the great Family Alou.

Tomorrow...the fine line of pitching without a blazing fastball...