Kevin Sherrington

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And now the envelope, please, on the best and worst of the Rangers at mid-season:

Biggest surprise: The Rangers have been in first place most of the season. Who saw this coming? On the radio this spring, I predicted the Rangers would win 82 games. Nearly got laughed off the show. They’re now ahead of that pace. Will it last? When you’re 7-2 against the best lineup in your division, it’s a pretty good sign.

Best find: (tie) Andruw Jones and Darren O’Day. Acquiring them didn’t cost the Rangers anything but money, which, come to think of it, hurts more than it should. Jones found his home run stroke and has Josh Hamilton’s back. O’Day shored up a paper-thin bullpen. Jon Daniels’ low-level acquisitions continue to impress.

Biggest improvement, team category: (tie) Pitching and defense. Who are these guys, anyway?

Biggest improvement, pitchers: Kevin Millwood, obviously. He made a great case for the All-Star team and gives the Rangers their first ace since Kenny Rogers went postal.

Biggest improvement, non-pitchers: Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Going into spring training, I predicted Taylor Teagarden would come out as the starting catcher. But in big trades, the key figures get first dibs. Salty has improved tremendously blocking pitches and throwing. Still not enough offense, but it’s a start.

Biggest disappointment, non-pitchers: Chris Davis. If he’d given the Rangers more production out of the first base position, where they’re among baseball’s worst, June wouldn’t have been so miserable.

Worst foreshadowing: The outfield logjam means someone is going to be unhappy, and making the All-Star team will only make Nelson Cruz more bitter about sitting. All the more reason to make Hamilton the DH full-time and platoon Jones and Hank Blalock at first. Side benefit: Keeps Hamilton from throwing himself at the ground and walls.

Best catch: Hamilton trading paint with the Ballpark wall in center. Hey, I never said this stuff isn’t great theater.

Best throw: Elvis Andrus on his knees from deep in the hole.

Worst bunt: Elvis failing to get down a squeeze, hanging up Marlon Byrd in the process. Ron Washington doesn’t have many guys he can ask. Nolan Ryan remembers when the Astros worked 45 minutes a day on bunting in the spring. Where’s Bunny Mick when you need him?

Worst plate discipline: (tie) Too many to list. Bobby Abreu shows more restraint in BP.

Best coaching: Mike Maddux, by a landslide. The club’s ERA is a run better than it was last season. Besides Millwood’s improvement, Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy were putting together nice efforts before getting hurt. Tommy Hunter has been terrific, and Scott Feldman continues to develop. Maddux keeps plugging holes.

Best hype: Elvis. He’s been everything predicted: Great range, poise, charisma, the occasional careless error. He’s also hit better than expected. But that’s a bonus. He makes as much impact on defense as Hamilton’s presence makes on offense.

Worst hype: Yours truly, for complaining when Daniels moved Michael Young to third base last winter.

Best adjustment, defense: Young, who continues his circuit of the infield. He’s still adjusting to the reflex plays third base requires, but he’s improving. He’s also stabilized what was a shaky position last year.

Best adjustment, offense: David Murphy. Since going 3-for-31 (.097) in April, he’s raised his average nearly two hundred points.

Worst injury: Hamilton. Without him in June, the Rangers offense suffered. When he’s in the lineup, opposing pitchers have to be more careful with the hitters in front of him. Translation: Ian Kinsler and Young get more pitches to hit.

Worst injury, second place: Frankie Francisco. Before he went on the DL, he was the game’s best closer. His injury stretched the bullpen and raised questions about his health for the rest of the season.

Worst All-Star case: Hamilton. For the most part, if a guy hasn’t played, he shouldn’t start. Willie Mays or Cal Ripken, for lifetime achievement? Sure. Last year’s home run derby hero? Uh, no.

Best job confounding critics: Washington. Yet another rally saved the job of the manager. Take away these false starts the last three seasons, and Washington’s record is more than acceptable. He’s still learning, but whatever he’s doing, it’s working.

Best one-eyed play-by-play: Eric Nadel. Here’s to a healthy recovery. Loved the eye-patch, cap’n.