Godzilla's latest rampage, Contreras' crash and more

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Whether in the Far East or the eastern seaboard, both of these figures have shown their destructive capability. AP

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I. Godzilla's rampage: Originally created after World War II as a filmographic metaphor for the United States and its atomic devastation, Godzilla terrorized Japan for half a century over 28 Toho Company movies. In July, the tables were turned when Japanese native Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui obliterated American League pitching over an amazing 31-day stretch.

Overshadowed by all the hoopla surrounding Alex Rodriguez, Matsui quietly put together the finest stretch of his major league career. In his first full month as a 33-year-old, the fifth-year big leaguer earned July's AL player of the month honors, hitting .345 with 28 RBIs and league-highs in home runs (13), runs (31) and slugging percentage (.735). Matsui hit safely in 25 of his 28 July games, and even produced an 18-game hitting streak.

Behind Matsui and similarly sizzling Robinson Cano (.385, 6 HR, 24 RBI) and Bobby Abreu (.353, 5 HR, 29 RBI), the Yankees went 19-9 in July. Left for dead by many in May, this team sits just three games behind Cleveland in the wild card race.

But no matter how prolific his stats or how hot his team, this Godzilla always flies under the radar. Over his first three seasons in America (prior to last year's injury-shortened campaign), Matsui hit .297 and averaged 23 home runs, 40 doubles, 100 runs and 110 RBIs per year. Oh, and he played in every single game in that three-year span. But his excellence has always been lost in the shuffle of New York's more high-profile players -- Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, to name a few. Matsui's stoic, team-first demeanor just isn't very conducive to media coverage. As Time reported, though, Matsui does have one highly intriguing eccentricity: an "extensive private library of porn."Coming soon to a theater near you: Godzilla vs. Ron Jeremy.

II. Dave Trembley: Baltimore canned manager Sam Perlozzo after the Orioles stumbled out the gates to a 29-40 record. Subsequently, Trembley made the huge jump from bullpen coach to interim manager. Even though he's largely been without the services of superstar shortstop Miguel Tejada, starting third baseman Melvin Mora and closer Chris Ray, Trembley's led Baltimore to a 21-17 mark. On Tuesday, Orioles prez Andy MacPhail announced that Trembley had earned the right to keep his position, at least through the end of the season.

So the question must be raised: Will Trembley be Baltimore's long-term answer? He has received overwhelming support from the players, especially from the franchise stud. "I think he should be the manager this year and next year, too," Tejada said to the Baltimore Sun. "They have to give a shot to him. You never know. This guy could be one of the best managers in the big leagues if they gave him an opportunity."

Like Miggy, I'm rooting hard for Trembley. He's a manager who can really relate to us common folk. Seriously. You see, Trembley's only the seventh manager in MLB history without any professional playing experience.

III. The Royals: Once every four years, Americans elect a president ... Once every four years, February takes on an extra day ... And once every four years, the Royals post consecutive winning months. Kansas City went 15-12 in June and 13-12 in July, giving it back-to-back winning months for the first time since June-July 2003.

On Wednesday, however, Buddy Bell surprised everyone by announcing his resignation, effective at the end of the season. But according to the Kansas City Star, most Royals faithful think this is a step in the right direction.

Regardless, this team is loaded with young talent. First baseman Billy Butler was just named July's AL rookie of the month. The sweet-swinging 21-year-old hit .341 with six doubles, one triple, three home runs and 24 RBIs.

OK, so Kansas City's still holding down the AL Central cellar, 13 games out of first place. But folks, these are the Royals we're talking about. Baby steps. Let's just hope it doesn't take another four years for K.C. to take the next pace.

IV. Jason Tyner's power surge: Now, onto something even less plausible than a Royals hot streak ... Jason Tyner went yard! Since his debut in 2000, Tyner had gone 1,220 at-bats without hitting a homer before Saturday's homer off Jake Westbrook. Following a raucous dugout celebration by the Twins, commissioner Bud Selig put a damper on the mood, ordering Tyner to cooperate with George Mitchell's steroids investigation.

V. Pat The Bat's bounceback month: From June 1 to July 31, Pat Burrell must have experienced an extraordinary range of emotion. In terms of batting average, the eighth-year veteran encountered his worst month ever and then his best month ever.

During this crazy 61-day stretch, his batting average fluctuated at an uncanny rate (from .233 down to .201 back up to .260).

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