Baseball shines through steroid cloud, By: C.J. Stroh, Senior Reporter
April 20, 2006
Its just two weeks into the 2006 Major League Baseball season, but already a great deal of action has taken place that has the fans and critics buzzing. Aside from the controversial steroid issues and pending investigation of Barry Bonds, which are currently plaguing America’s pastime, this season looks to be a good one. With many familiar faces finding homes on new rosters, there has already been an uproar from numerous teams who are hoping that this year will be their shot at the World Series.
AL East
The Red Sox find themselves atop the division early, led by the pitching of Curt Schilling and former World Series MVP Josh Beckett, who came over from the Marlins in an offseason trade. Both are 3-0 with sub-two earned run averages, and with youngster Jonathan Papelbon assuming the closer role, the Sox are looking good. Coco Crisp, Alex Gonzalez, Mike Lowell, Mark Loretta, J.T. Snow, and Willy Mo Pena are all new faces, while sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz return and will lead the Boston offense.
The New York Yankees’ biggest move this winter was the signing of Johnny Damon. Damon will play centerfield for the Bombers and lead off for one of the most feared lineups in the game. While it is no question that the Yanks will batter opposing pitchers with the likes of Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, and Alex Rodriguez, the shaky pitching staff is a major concern. Mariano Rivera is a stopper in the ninth, but how will the Yanks fare before they put the ball in his hands? Randy Johnson, who finshed with 17 wins in 2005, is great but getting older, Mike Mussina is solid, and Chien-Ming Wang, Shawn Chacon, and Jaret Wright fill out the staff, while Carl Pavano remains on the disabled list.
However, the AL East is no longer a two-team show. The Toronto Blue Jays spent some big bucks to bring in potential ace A.J. Burnett, closer B.J. Ryan, former Arizona sluggers Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay, and Bengie Molina behind the plate. The Jays are much improved this year and have already proven they can play with the AL’s best.
AL Central
The Cleveland Indians, in first, are poised to win the division after a strong showing in 2005. Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, Paul Byrd, and Jake Westbrook are the staff’s best, but Fausto Carmona may look to join them, as he pitched a gem in his major league debut this Sunday. The Tribe also has some dangerous bats in the forms of Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, and Grady Sizemore. They’re off to a hot start so far, and are showing no signs of slowing up.
The World Series Champion Chicago White Sox brought in Javier Vazquez to complete a deadly pitching rotation already stacked with Mark Buerhle, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, and John Garland. The south siders still remain tough with many of last year’s heroes; Paul Konerko, Tadahito Iguchi, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Bobby Jenks, and Joe Crede. The biggest story thus far, though, has been the rejuvenation of Jim Thome, who they acquired for Aaron Rowand. The powerful lefthander is off to a tremendous start, with seven home runs, and is as dangerous as anybody right now.
The Detroit Tigers are next, and are being led by Chris Shelton, who currently leads the majors with nine home runs. Who would have predicted that one? Detroit started out with an astounding 5-0, but dropped seven of their last nine. Though the Tigers have some nice young talent, chances are they will not win the central this year.
The Minnesota Twins have been able to run away with the division in years past, but perhaps the competition has finally caught up to them. The Twinkies have standouts Johan Santana and Torii Hunter to lead the way, in addition to solid players Shannon Stewart, Brad Radke, newly acquired speedster Luis Castillo, stud pitcher Francisco Liriano, and a very good closer in Joe Nathan.
AL West
The majority of the division looks the same. The competition is as close as always, with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim currently leading the division, and are headed by Vlad Guerrero, who is as dangerous as they come, alongside Garret Anderson, Orlando Cabrera, and Darin Erstad. Jeff Weaver joins Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar, Ervin Santana, and John Lackey in the rotation, with the nasty Francisco Rodriguez in the pen.
The Oakland Athletics added the Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, to their lineup, in addition to the troublesome Milton Bradley. Dan Johnson, who enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, has been dreadful at the plate, collecting one hit in 32 at bats, batting .031. Esteban Loaiza, also off to a poor start, joins the stellar staff of Rich Harden, Dan Haren, and Joe Blanton, with closer Huston Street controlling the ninth inning.
NL East
How about the Amazins? The Mets are rolling as they open the season 10-3. Pedro Martinez, despite pitching only seven innings in spring training, is 2-0 and just won his 200th career game. Newcomers Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado, and Xavier Nady have been great; Carlos Beltran is hitting, and David Wright is emerging as one of the league’s best. The Mets are in first and gaining respect.
Is it enough to hold off the perennial favorite Braves who have won the division for an unprecedented 14 straight years? Andruw Jones is at it again. Edgar Renteria is back at home in the national league and playing great, though he and Chipper Jones are both currently hurt. Marcus Giles packs a punch at second base, and sophomores Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann more than hold their own. Pitching has been a problem thus far, aside from John Smoltz, and mastermind Leo Mazzone is gone. Will Bobby Cox be able to straighten out their arms? Chances are yes.
The Phillies acquired Aaron Rowand, who plays a great centerfield, as well as Tom Gordon to replace Billy Wagner. Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley—a powerful middle infielder—Pat Burrell, and Jimmy Rollins, who is on a tear and developing into a tremendous hitter, are all reasons the Phils can make a run this season.
NL Central
The Houston Astros currently are in first, but have lost the Rocket, Roger Clemens. Andy Pettitte has been shaky to start the season, but Roy Oswalt has been very good. Newly acquired Preston Wilson has hit very well and should continue to thrive in the very cozy Minute Maid Park. Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, Morgan Ensberg, and Jeff Bagwell are all still around and give Houston a solid chance.
The lovable losers, the Cubs, have played pretty well to open the season. The problem is they have no pitching outside of Greg Maddux, who has been good, and Carlos Zambrano, who has not. Mark Prior and Kerry Wood remain hurt after being overused. Derrek Lee signed a big contract, and continues to develop as a phenomenal hitter, and with Juan Pierre now leading off and playing center, Lee’s RBIs can only go up. However, the Cubs rely too much on home runs, and in all likelihood will not overcome the curse of the Billy Goat.
The St. Louis Cardinals lost a number of players this off-season and heard it from critics. However, Scott Rolen is back and has looked great so far, playing in every inning up to this point. The Cards will continue to rely on strong pitching and defense as the hallmarks of their team, a formula that has led to 100-win seasons the past three years. Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter looks great, while Mark Mulder, Jeff Suppan, Jason Marquis, and Sidney Ponson have all contributed to the third best team ERA in the bigs. The bullpen is strong, though Jason Isringhausen has had a rough go of it so far, and with Jim Edmonds, Rolen, and MVP Albert Pujols, arguably the best hitter in the game, the Red Birds look to win the division for the fourth straight year.
Cincinnati is built on the bats of Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, Jr., Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Ryan Freel. But pitching remains a question, and it becomes harder and harder to bring strong arms to the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. Bronson Arroyo was added and has pitched well, but pitching may ultimately be the downfall of the Reds.
The Brewers are no longer a pushover. Carlos Lee is a horse in the middle of the lineup, and youngsters Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, and Brady Clark complement the stellar Geoff Jenkins very nicely. Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano are the staff’s best, while Derrick Turnbow has already made history, saving all of his team’s first four games to open the season.
NL West
The Giants are in first, but so far Barry Bonds hasn’t looked like himself. Perhaps age is finally slowing down the slugger. The team has played well, however, and certainly has some worthy veterans very capable of taking the team a long way.
The Dodgers brought in Rafael Furcal, Kenny Lofton, and Nomar Garciaparra, who is currently on the DL. Eric Gagne is having his second surgery in two years, and his season, as well as career, is in doubt. Danys Baez assumes the closer role, and has three saves; Los Angeles is one game under .500.
The division champs from last year currently find themselves in last place. San Diego certainly has talent with Jake Peavy, Brian Giles, Khalil Greene, and Trevor Hoffman leading the way, and have also given Mike Piazza a shot behind the plate. Josh Barfield and Adrian Gonzalez have a lot of potential and the Padres will likely turn things around this season.
