In the big inning, part II

And now, one day behind, the American League preview.

Central Division

1st, Cleveland Indians (92-70): Let's take a moment here to wonder why there is still a professional sports team named the Washington Redskins. I suppose the Atlanta Crackers were already taken. I learn from Wikipedia that the Indians have apparently retired the jersey number "455" in honor of "The Fans." So in addition to being Time's Man of the Year, I also have my jersey number retired! I'd have preferred "28" though. Cleveland's disappointing seasons the past two years have been somewhat illusory, they've dramatically underperformed their Pythagorean record both years. Their luck is due to turn around. Plus, they're loaded.

2nd. Detroit Tigers (89-73): I forgot to put the Tigers on my list of no-hopers having a turnaround yesterday, but they deserve to be there more than anyone, going to the World Series three years after losing 119 games. The offense is still inconsistent and strikeout prone, and getting Gary Sheffield at this point is his career isn't likely to help them, but having all that young pitching talent ought to be illegal, and Joel Zumaya may be the most exciting player to watch in all of baseball.

3rd. Minnesota Twins (84-78): The Twins got some bad news last weekend with the passing of Herb Carneal, a radio broadcaster for the team since it moved from Washington in 1962. They play in a ballpark that looks like it should have been a model for some kind of early-Nintendo video game. Still, they have the best pitcher in baseball, who is perhaps the best left-hander since Sandy Koufax. Perhaps in the future this blog will be a recipient of a Santana Award, though at this point I'd settle for an Eric Milton Award.

4th. Chicago White Sox (78-84): Jim Thome is one of four players with a chance to hit 500 home runs this year, which would double the number of active players in that group. They are Frank Thomas, who needs only 13 to reach 500, then Thome (28), Manny Ramirez (30) and Alex Rodriguez (36). One of these is much younger than the others. The White Sox are a team pereptually on the verge of collapse, they may experience some turbulence and then...explode.

5th. Kansas City Royals (70-92): If Cubs fans had the hearts they claimed to have, they'd be Royals fans. They have numerous bright lights on the horizon, but we've seen that act before and it hasn't panned out. Player to watch: Pitcher Zack Greinke, attempting to recover from massive depression and regain his status as a former superprospect.

Eastern Division

1st. New York Yankees (96-66): In the past eight months, the Yankees have dumped fragile, overpaid veterans Randy Johnson and Gary Sheffield and acquired Bobby Abreu, long one of the most underrated players in baseball. If this signals a new pattern of behavior, the rest of baseball might want to consider a change of vocation. The Yankees' massive budget edge has always been mitigated by the Big George's impatience and willingness to flush money away on one-hit wonders and overrated, overripe old folks. Apparently George left to run the Cubs this winter and put somebody sane in charge. The rotation is still fragile, though, so another Yankee pennant is far from certain.

2nd. Boston Red Sox (92-70): So many Red Sox Fans, So Few Lions.

3rd. Toronto Blue Jays (83-79): I was in fifth grade when the Blue Jays were in their first World Series against Atlanta, and the second day of the series the recess monitor let the kids rooting for the Jays to go back in the building first. Atlanta had won Game 1 on a three-run homer by Damon Berryhill, and at the time I hadn't really made up my mind who to pull for, but after only about five kids went for Toronto, I was with them the rest of the way.

4th. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (74-88): All three Tampa-area major league sports teams have, at one time or another, been considered the absolute dregs of their particular league. Two have gone on to win championships in the last five years. Only the Devil Rays remain to complete the trilogy. Don't count them out; the incompetent, moribund ownership that saddled the team for years has sold out, and a new progressive front office was put in place before last season. They have a long road to climb in this division, which is the richest in baseball.

5th. Baltimore Orioles (72-90): The Baltimore-Washington area now has two teams, but still no good ones. I can't seem to figure the Orioles out, they're always shuffling pieces, but to little effect. Wasn't Melvin Mora going to run for President of Venezuela? At this point that might be a good career move. Speaking of Venezuela, I just read that Ugueth Urbina is serving a 14-year prison sentence. I used to like that guy...

Western Division

1st. Oakland A's (86-76): The A's franchise, like the Braves, has moved twice while keeping the same nickname. That used to be standard practice, and still persists occasionally, but I've always felt moving franchises should change nicknames, because the legacy of the team is tied primarily to the city. Is Walter Johnson part of Twins history? Is Jimmie Foxx part of A's history? Not really. I'm willing to allow a little optimism on the A's here, they have to hope DH'ing full time breathes the same life into Mike Piazza as it did to Frank Thomas one year ago.

2nd. Greater Lower California Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles and Orange County (85-77): All the good jokes may be used, but that monstrosity never gets old. What is it with that area anyway? At least the hockey team stopped the charade and now call themselves simply "Anaheim Ducks" like any proper, non-pretentious outfit should. Mercifully, the legal battle is due to be decided this year.

3rd. Seattle Mariners (78-84): I clearly should've done more thinking before I set about to do this, because I'm near the end and I realize I don't have any idea what to write about the Mariners. A question we will have to wrestle with in the next 10-15 years is whether Ichiro belongs in the Hall of Fame, provided he continues to post seasons at his current level for a few more years. Typically, it isn't fair to "project" careers on to people when they aren't there, but the difference with Ichiro is we are projecting what he might have done in American baseball in his under-30 years, which I think is a given. In the end, I don't think there will be much of a debate.

4th: Texas Rangers (75-87): Both Texas teams will continue their World Series virginity for another season in 2007, which is now nearing 90. Why does America hate Texas? Let's see, Texas; no wins in 80+ years, Boston; 1 win in 90 years, Chicago and Philadelphia, 1 win in 100 years. I knew there was a reason I liked baseball.

AL and World Series Champ: Cleveland