The 2016 Major League Baseball season has officially hit the halfway point. We as baseball fans have been graced with several key moments and memories that occurred during the season's first half. From retirement announcements, to no-hitters, to cycles, to other history-making moments, this year has featured it all so far. Here were the top three moments of the first half of the 2016 season:
3. Jake Arrieta throws his second career no-hitter.
In front of a small crowd of 16,000, Jake Arrieta made history for the second time in his career by tossing his second career no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ballpark. The Cubs put on an offensive showcase, providing Arrieta with 16 runs of support, but it was Arrieta who was the star on that night. Arrieta pitched at his best once again, striking out six, inducing 11 groundouts. Arrieta allowed no runs, no hits, and worked around four walks to make history for the second time. Arrieta joined an exclusive group of pitchers, which includes the likes of Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan in the multiple no-hit club.
2. Big Sexy proves that age does not matter.
James Shields is an ace-worthy pitcher. He has been relatively consistent throughout his entire career. However, his weakness is the number of home runs he has allowed. No home run has been bigger than the one he allowed on May 7, in front of his home supporters in San Diego. In a Mets lineup consisting of Yoenis Cespedes, Neil Walker, Curtis Granderson, and David Wright, Shields surrendered a home run...to Bartolo Colon. Yes, the 43-year-old former Cy Young winner gave baseball fans another reason to love the sport, as he smacked a James Shields pitch over the left field wall for his first career home run. He became the oldest player in the history of the game to hit his first career home run, and the home run sent the crowd at PETCO Park in a frenzy.
1. Ichiro breaks an unbreakable record.
Even the Pete Rose supporters cannot deny that Ichiro Suzuki is the all-time hits leader in baseball. On June 15, Ichiro made history by surpassing Pete Rose's unbreakable hits record. The hit officially makes Ichiro the "Hit King" of baseball, a title that should not go unnoticed. Despite the controversy that surrounds whether Ichiro should be considered the record-holder, this accomplishment is something that nobody can take away from him
