"They got in the way!" or "I didn't know it was there" are some of the best excuses that have been given for accidental bird murders. Things can sometimes get out of hand and lead to PETA coming after you or being suspended by the league.

But C'mon! Most of the time the excuses are true and it was the bird's fault.

Bleacher Report examines some of the oddest and most peculiar instances where a bird was not lucky in the end.

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Kickoff Notes

The Atlanta Braves had to move to the top of the list of teams that are racing towards the National League crown with their move today to bring in SS Alex Gonzalez.

The Braves traded once heralded players, SS Yunel Escobar and Jo-Jo Reyes, to the Toronto Blue Jays for SS Alex Gonzalez and two minor league players.

The move is sure to bolster the middle of the lineup that has been struggling in the power department (Chipper Jones 6 HR, McCann 10 HR, Glaus 14 HR, Hinske 6 HR, and Escobar 0 HR).

To kick-off the second-half of the baseball season the New York Yankees will play host to the Tampa Bay Rays

It is the number one team vs. the number two team of not only the AL East, but all of the MLB.

Entering the All-Star break the Yankees lead the Rays by two games, but this series will be watched because it will set a tone for the two teams. It's a great reality check for the Rays to show their stuff, as this battle might go down to the wire.

Pitching will dictate the series, so let's break down the two AL East Rival weekend matchups:

Let's continue with summing up the wild first-half of the MLB season, by looking at the National League.

One thing is for sure, the NL is no longer “the other” league in baseball. The NL is providing plenty of drama and talent to compete with their AL counterparts.

With the All-Star break upon us and the game’s most promising players enjoying the sunny weather in Anaheim, we here at FBS take a look at the Top 10 starting pitchers from the first half of the season.

It’s been an amazing start to the season for a man from Colorado, but there are plenty of others who have been absolutely electric for fantasy owners this season.

If this is what he truly believes, then it's no wonder that former Cubs broadcaster and current Sox color man Steve Stone was never hired as a GM.

I understand that Zambrano has not fared well in recent years as a pitcher—starter or reliever.

I also know that Big Z has not lived up to his humongous contract.

But to seriously suggest that the Cubs try and make their former ace a first baseman is about as stupid of an idea as I've ever heard.

One of life’s simple pleasures during the summer, especially for a sports fan, is the joy of listening to a baseball game on the radio.

Whether it’s at the lake, in the yard, on the deck, or in the car, a baseball broadcast is like sharing a sports bar conversation with a good friend, reminiscing about past times, current events, and debating which team or player is better.

Baseball is the perfect summer companion…the game has a rhythm that mirrors summer—the pace is gradual, sometimes slow, and often laidback.

The baseball world has lost a legend.

George Steinbrenner, though he never played a game in a Yankees' uniform, was by far, one of the sport world's most influential persons. 

Arguably, outside of Manchester United, the New York Yankees are the most recognizable franchise on the planet.

He did it by re-establishing the Yankees glory by winning championships.

When he purchased the team in 1973, it had been 15 years since their last world championship.

We are at the break in the 2010 MLB season; a much needed break for some teams.

It has been a year full of surprises, great pitching and not too much negativity surrounding the sport unlike the previous decade with the steroid issue.

Here are your power rankings for the first half of the season.

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