The Baseball Report Volume IV Issue 13 - Playoff Preview
Edition!
October 2, 2000
From The Editor,
Before you read the issue, I'd just like to remind you all to forward TBR to
anyone who you think may be interested, as the more people that read, the better.
The issue covers the playoffs, so if you are here to read about the Montreal
Expos or the Texas Rangers, you will have to wait until next issue.
As always, the staff of The Baseball Report encourages and welcomes feedback,
so if you have an opinion or a comment on the issue, drop me a line. Similarly,
if you'd like to advertise in TBR or on the website, email
baseballreport@aol.com.
Now, onto the issue...
Michael Frankel
Editor-in-Chief
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The National League Beat by Eric D. Larson
The battle lines for the 2000 National League playoffs are finally set. Still,
it seems that the major contenders have yet to assert themselves. At the
all-star break this year, a Mets-Braves Championship Series seemed to be the
expected match-up. Now, in order to ensure this modern day rivalry is
revisited, both teams will have to win on the road.
The Atlanta Braves will not head into the post-season with a great deal of
momentum. They clinched the division in the first of a three-game series with
the New York Mets, only to follow with two consecutive losses, leaving plenty
of unresolved issues between these two teams. In addition, John Rocker and
Chipper Jones combined to blow a two run lead in the ninth inning against the
Colorado Rockies in Sunday's final regular season game. A win would have
granted Atlanta home-field advantage in the first series against St. Louis. For
now, the Braves will have to defend their league title on the road.
The New York Mets find themselves matched against the team with the best record
in the National League, the San Francisco Giants. Only a few months ago,
Atlanta and New York were fighting for the Eastern division lead, as well as
the best record in the Majors. Now, both teams stand as the statistical
underdog in the first round of the post-season.
The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off a season-ending surge and a 4-3 record
against the Braves in regular season play. The acquisition of Will Clark and
the sensational play of Jim Edmonds and Fernando Vina have vaulted this St.
Louis team to serious World Series contention. If they can continue their
trend, perhaps they can steal the St. Louis headlines from their gridiron
counterparts and de-throne Atlanta. To do so, they will have to beat a team
quite accustomed to October games, even if they have to play most of them
outside of Turner Field.
The San Francisco Giants were the first team to ensure a seat for October. They
may be the most surprising of all four contenders. On paper, they look heavily
favored against the Mets, besting them five games in eight chances this year.
The last time they enjoyed an extended season was in 1998, in a one-game
playoff with the Cubs. This year might produce a different outcome. They face
Mike Hampton in the first game on Wednesday, whose career record against San
Francisco is a staggering 9-0.
At least two of these teams have post-season stories to rewrite. The Mets would
certainly like to avenge their heartbreaking dispatch in the Fall of 1999,
fueled further by the off-season remarks of Atlanta closer, John Rocker. The
Braves, too, would like to shake their image as World Series doormats, winning
the big one only once in the midst of a record number of consecutive
post-season appearances.
The Mets-Braves conflict has seemed more of a soap opera than an athletic
contest. John Rocker's bashing of New Yorkers and the recent projectile-bottle
incident at Shea Stadium has only served to add another confrontational
dimension to the games. This seems to be the type of hysteria that Rocker feeds
on.
"I've been waiting for this for two months," Rocker said after
helping clinch the division last week. "I've got something to throw back,
too."
Despite their own rivalries with each other, both teams have an interest in
facing the Yankees in the World Series. The Braves want another shot at their
inter-league nemesis, while the Mets are pushing to gain the coveted New York
dominance in a subway series. Mets pitching may also want to see Roger Clemens
step up to plate, after the Bronx pitcher hit Mike Piazza in the face during
the regular season.
Despite the current match-ups, the Mets and Braves are primed to face each
other. Expectations in the baseball community are high for another go-around,
complete with pitch-by-pitch drama, extra inning heroics, and locker room
banter, reminiscent of last year's NLCS.
Mike Piazza's response to the hype is simple and diplomatic. "The team
that finds its form will win the league."
Rocker managed a more individualistic and combative approach. "I play
whoever's our there. I don't mind pitching to them [Mets]." While this
possible series brings a certain degree of anticipation and excitement to
baseball fans, one must not forget the basic truth. If St. Louis and San
Francisco continue their yearly trends, Atlanta and New York will have nothing
more for their efforts than another disappointing winter to endure.
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The American League Side by Emily Liner
The American League has been full of surprises this season. The Chicago White
Sox exploded and ended with the league's best record (95-67). The Texas Rangers
fell to last place in the AL West after winning their division the past three
of four years. Of course, the New York Yankees winning the AL East was not much
of a surprise, but the closeness of the race between them, the Toronto Blue
Jays, and the Boston Red Sox was unexpected.
The White Sox have not won a division title since 1993. Led by skipper Jerry
Manuel, they unpredictably took the AL Central title away from the Cleveland
Indians. They had the majors' twenty-sixth lowest opening day payroll,
$31,133,500.
The starting rotation for the Pale Hose will be announced later, but probable
pitchers are Mike Sirotka, James Baldwin (May AL Pitcher of the Month), Jim
Parque, and the returning Cal Eldred (June AL Pitcher of the Month). Keith
Foulke anchors the bullpen. Offensive forces Magglio Ordoņez, Paul Konerko,
Carlos Lee, and Frank Thomas, who is looking to win his third MVP Award, power
the Sox. However, their shoddy defense (133 errors, well over the league
average) will hurt them.
The Yankees clinched the AL East with a record of 87-74. They have not had that
many losses since 1993. Joe Torre's Bronx Bombers will head into the playoffs
looking to win the World Series a third straight time. They were able to
overcome the struggles of David Cone and Chuck Knoblauch, the disabled list
visits by Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Knoblauch, Shane Spencer, and the
entire starting pitching staff, as well as Ramiro Mendoza's season-ending
injuries. The mid-season pickups of Glenallen Hill (August AL Player of the
Month), David Justice, Denny Neagle, Luis Sojo, Luis Polonia, Jose Viscaino,
and Jose Canseco have helped the team.
Roger Clemens (July AL Pitcher of the Month), Andy Pettitte, and Orlando
Hernandez will be the Yankees' first three starters in the playoffs. Mariano
Rivera, the 1999 World Series MVP, will continue his closing duties. Roster
regulars such as Jeter, Williams, Justice, Paul O'Neill, Scott Brosius, and
Jorge Posada will provide the runs.
The A's, managed by Art Howe, made a dramatic push at the end of the season to
win the AL West with a 91-70 record. It was their first division title in eight
years. They have three pitchers with at least fifteen wins, three players with
at least one hundred RBIs, and three players with at least one hundred runs.
Their first starter will be Gil Heredia, followed by Kevin Appier and twenty
game winner Tim Hudson. Jason Isringhausen remains as the closer. Miguel
Tejada, Eric Chavez, MVP contender Jason Giambi, and Rookie of the Year
candidate Terrence Long will be in the lineup.
The Seattle Mariners' late slump cost them the AL West title, but they were
able to hang on and win the wild card berth. Lou Pinella's team ended their
first full season at Safeco Field with a 91-71 record. Edgar Martinez, John
Olerud, Mike Cameron, and MVP candidate Alex Rodriguez bolster the offense.
Closer Kazuhiro Sasaki is a Rookie of the Year candidate at thirty-two years
old. Freddie Garcia will be the first starter. The rest of the rotation will be
announced later.
The White Sox have the home field advantage against the Mariners. The first
game will be aired on Tuesday, October 3, on ESPN at 4:07pm Eastern time.
Wednesday's game will be on ESPN at 1:07pm Eastern time. The third game, on
Friday, is to be announced, as well as the following two games, if they are
necessary.
The Yankees do not have the home field advantage against the A's. The first
game, on Tuesday, will be on NBC at 8:08pm Eastern time. FOX will broadcast
Wednesday's game at 8:18pm Eastern time. Friday's game and the next two games,
if necessary, are to be announced.
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Identifying the Species by Hollis T. Russell
The Voice From The Stands
Listen up, concentrate on the birdcall of Boston. There it is now, it is as
plain as day. That must be the Boston Boo Bird sounding the seasonal refrain of
"Wait 'til next year". The Fenway Faithful send this hopeful cry
resounding across New England into the heartland of America every year. Some
years, 1932 for instance when the beleaguered Bosox won 43 games, the hue and
cry begins as early as June. Other years, when the hometown team has a
superstar like Rocket Roger to lead them, the plaintiff call is quieted until
the final out of the World Series as it was in 1986.
It may seem strange, in this new millennium to use 1932 as a reference point.
The Red Sox though have not hung a World Series banner on Fenway Park since
1918, a season shortened by World War I.
The Boston Boo Bird will tell you that the Beantown Nine has won the World
Series six times. That would be correct, although two of those Championships
occurred while the team was called the Boston Pilgrims, in 1903 and 1904. To
give them their due, they also won the World Series in 1912, 1915 and 1916.
Since 1918, with the passing of 82 seasons, "Wait 'til next year" has
become as much a battle cry as an excuse. During the 1986 World Series, a
television camera focused on a fan flashing a sign that simply said,
"Every 62 years, just like clockwork". Unfortunately, once again, it
wasn't meant to be. As the ball rolled between Bill Buckner's legs, one could
sense the Red Sox Nation raising as one in frustration and screaming the
familiar slogan once again.
Yes, there have been other chances, '46 and '67. Don't forget the drama of
recently enshrined Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, when he willed his homer to stay
fair in '75. The other American League pennants were in '88, '90 and '95. All
for naught, the elusive championship ring seems destined for others.
But wait, Pedro will surely have another great year next year. Nomar is coming
off another batting championship. Saberhagen and Valentin should be ready to go
and it is impossible for Offerman to have 2 bad years in a row. Trot Nixon's
injuries have healed and he will be ready to finish what he started in the
spring of this year. With the playoff acquisition of Dante Bichette to go along
with Carl Everett, the time has come for a loud and deeply resonant, "Wait
'til next year!"
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Playing The Short Hop by Michael Frankel
Some Quick Thoughts
How impressive is A's GM Billy Beane? He built a division winning team with
less than $40 million. And Yankees GM Brian Cashman built a team that came
thisclose to blowing the division...with over $100 million.
Speaking of the Yankees...so much for Andy Pettitte's outside shot at the CY
Young Award. Not only did he miss out on winning twenty games, which alone
should take him out of contention, but his own manager does not think he was
the Yankees best pitcher this season. Joe Torre tabbed Roger Clemens the game
one starter.
All I can do is laugh at the Cleveland Indians. They go out and overpay Chuck
Finley with the sole purpose of beating the Yankees, and then they do not even
make the playoffs. Reminds me of the Texas Rangers signing John Wetteland...though
at least they made it to the Division Series.
All those pitcher deals made in July, and the traded pitcher with the best
record after was Rolando Arrojo at 5-2...pitching for a team that did not make
the playoffs.
Back to Texas...what happened to Johnny Oates? Didn't he say he would quit if
any of his coaches were fired? Wasn't Dick Brosnan fired? So much for loyalty.
And speaking of being fired...you really have to feel for Terry Francona. Sure,
he has yet to manage the Phillies to a winning season, and will not get the
chance to do so, but, can you really say he had a chance? Sure he had Scott
Rolen. Bobby Abreu has emerged. But what else? Schilling has been hurt. The
bullpen has been awful, no matter whom it has been. And the rest of the team
from Rico Brogna to Lenny Dykstra to Ron Gant has suffered injury after injury.
If you are Alex Rodriguez, do you really want to sign with the Dodgers? They
only have Garry Sheffield, Shawn Green, and Kevin Brown...and still cannot win!
As the playoffs start, one cannot help but wonder...will the Mets ever beat the
Braves? Will the Cardinals?
Can the Yankees beat the Mariners, and Edgar Martinez?
*Got some random thoughts or one-liners? Send them in to
baseballreport@aol.com.
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Questions
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Answers
Questions & Answers will return next issue!
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TRIVIA QUESTION
Last Issue: In 1981, the New York Yankees lost the World Series to
the LA Dodgers. What
Dodger pitcher, who later became a NY Yankee,
recorded the last out?
Answer(s): (submitted by readers daisypart3@aol.com and choirboy75@aol.com)
Steve Howe
This Issue's Question: Who are the only two people in the
baseball Hall of Fame that were not involved with the game of baseball?
To answer, email baseballreport@aol.com subject trivia answer.
To submit a question to be asked, email baseballreport@aol.com subject trivia
question.
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Email baseballreport@aol.com with any comments, suggestions, or opinions you
may have.
That's all for this issue.
Till next time,
Michael Frankel
Editor-in-Chief
Feel free to forward this to anyone and everyone.
copyright 2000 The Baseball Report