mlb-general
In Major League Baseball, we all know who is `now.’ Alex Rodriguez has established himself as far and away, the most dominant offensive force in the sport; Josh Beckett and Jake Peavy lead the way in respective Cy Young races; and new stars like Colorado’s Matt Holliday are bursting onto the scene.
Someone once uttered, “The future is now.” Taking those words to heart, here are the top 50 future stars of Major League Baseball.
How MLB differs in the late 20th and early 21st centuries from its historic past, is by virtue of its yearly multi-billion dollar revenues it now enjoys, enabling it more unilateral power over the game of baseball in spite of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and the World Umpires Association (WUA) with which it must collectively bargain.
Now the whole Barry Bonds lovefest is over, what do we do?
I don’t know if ESPN gave you the impression that the 2007 baseball season was all about Barry Bonds, but it certainly gave me it. I live in the UK, where you can only watch one or two games a day – and one of them – almost every day of the week – were the San Francisco Giants.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great watching Bonds intimidate pitchers. And whether he’s juiced or not, seeing a home run from the San Francisco leftfielder is pretty big thing to watch. But having to watch Ryan Klesko (who last hit .300 in 2002 and last hit over over 20 homers in 2003) day after day – twinned with the Giants bullpen and the non-stop Barry conversation, is really beginning to get to me.
Heck, I’m a Yankees fan and I even had to turn the sound off to ignore Michael Kay’s constant jawing about A-Rod and Number 500.
Like every other person with any interest in sports, I was watching Barry Bonds at close to midnight Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, August 7, 2007. Number 756 went to right center field, the deepest part of a huge ballpark. The flashbulbs, the cheers, the spectacle, were all there. Conspicuously absent, of course, was Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. Should he have been there? Does Barry Bonds even care if he was? These are just a few of the lingering questions from this night.
Just out of the gate from the All-Star break, the Cubs have been hot, jumping up two spots by winning their last three games and seven out of their last ten, while in the American League the Athletics have pretty much done the opposite, losing seven in a row and dropping four spots.
The playoff races are starting to shape up and has the makings of a very exciting summer, with 14 teams within five games of the division lead or the wild card.
The American League has continued its dominance in the All-Star Game, going 10-0 with one tie over the last 11 contests, and they continue to dominate the Power Rankings as well, with the top four teams all coming from the junior circuit.
In other news, it appears Mark Buerhle will officially not be leaving Chicago, and All-Star MVP Ichiro Suzuki could be on the verge of signing a monster contract worth about $100 million, that would make him one of the ten highest paid players per season, in the game.
Alex Ferguson looks at the National League’s first half of the season….
Fourth of July is a time for fireworks, barbecues, apple pie, and of course, the National Pastime, so enjoy week 13 of SportsColumn’s MLB Power Rankings.
As always, questions, comments, and complaints are welcome.
It’s the halfway point of the major league season, and the elite teams are starting to separate themselves. Many clubs, such as the Brewers, Red Sox, and Angels, are already running away with their respective divisions. The Mets, Tigers, Indians, Padres, and Dodgers are facing greater competition in their divisions, though they all should make the playoffs. But which of these teams has the best shot at winning the World Series? It’s a loaded question, but I gave my best shot at ranking them. Here are the eight teams that can win the World Series.
Are You tired of hearing about steroids in baseball? Me Too. It’s time to get back to enjoying the game.