MLB
It was a golden age for Atlanta: 14 consecutive division titles, 5 National League pennants, 1 World Series victory. From the improbable turnaround from obscurity in 1991 to the final playoff meltdown in the 2005 Division Series, the Braves were royalty in the baseball realm and were consequently perpetual targets, adding even more mystique to one of the most impressive runs in the history of sports.
The Legend of U L Washington and his unique trademark…
With the 2006 playoffs starting Tuesday that means there will be a million predictions between now and the World Series. With that in mind I felt I could give some of my knowledge and predictions for the playoffs even though none of my “favorite” teams are in. So lets get our hands dirty and diagnose this thing.
Well, folks, it’s finally here. The baseball season has ended, award votes have been cast, and the playoffs are about to begin. The Astros and Phillies both made last-second runs at the postseason, but came up just short. The Dodgers put the pressure on the Padres to win their last game of the season, and San Diego responded by winning the game, and tying for the lead in the West. The Padres get the pennant on the basis of the tie-breaker, defeating the Dodgers in 13 of 18 meetings, a stat that might be worth remembering if they both win their opening round matches. Also, the last team to take the Wild Card on the basis of a tie in standings, but a loss of the tie-breaker, was the ’04 Red Sox who beat the Yankees in seven, and swept the Cardinals in the Series.
On the American League side, the Twins captured the AL Central pennant on the last day of the season, and will face the playoff-pitiful Oakland A’s. Detroit, by reason of losing the Central pennant will have to face the mighty Yankees. One way or another, it should be an interesting couple of weeks. I, personally, have a busy schedule planned for the next three weeks- three games on Tuesday, three more games on Wednesday, two on Thursday… I might have to buy new couch cushions by the end of October.
On a different note, this is the last MLB Power Rankings article of the season, and I’d like to thank everybody who’s read the articles, and the people who have made comments. Enjoy the rankings, and a first round playoff preview, and as always, questions, comments, and complaints, are welcomed.
The past two weeks in baseball will be two weeks that I could hardly forget. I mean sure the American League playoff teams are set with the Yankees, Twins, Tigers, and A’s making the post-season this year. But now it is the National League’s turn as only one of the four playoffs spots have been secured. So as I speak six teams are fighting for three more spots in this years playoffs. And you better believe all six teams have as realistic a chance as the Mets to play baseball in October. So let’s see the teams involved.
The terrible injustice against Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada must be addressed.
By C. Eric Lincoln
It’s autumn, and along with falling leaves around the Midwest, you can almost be sure that if there’s a pennant race the Minnesota Twins are in it. They are like a good hunting dog that smells the scent of wounded prey — Detroit Tigers slipping, Chicago White Sox stumbling out of sight. If it’s September, it is likely that the beloved Twinkies will be here. The secret to their annual success may well surprise you.
Welcome everybody to the second-to-last MLB Power Rankings of the season. By this time next week we’ll know who’s going to be playing baseball in October and who’s going to be playing golf. We’ll know whether or not Ryan Howard joined the 60-homerun club (he needs three), and whether Alfonso Soriano became the charter member of the 50-50 club (he’ll need a massive last couple days, 5 homeruns and 10 stolen bases). We’ll also know exactly how many homeruns Barry Bonds will need to catch Hank Aaron if he comes back and plays next year, and how many wins Roger Clemens will need to catch Denton True Young, better known as Cy (it’ll be somewhere in the 170 range, but I think he might be able to do it.).
So baseball fans… read on, enjoy, feel free to question, comment, and complain, and I’ll talk to you again next week for the season wrap-up.
by Trevor Freeman
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great player but he’s got a lot of guys in that lineup. Top to bottom, you’ve got a guy who can hurt you. Come hit in this lineup, see how good you can be.”
-David Ortiz
I’m not thinking about the MVP right now. We’re thinking about winning a division. We’ve still got something to play for.
-Derek Jeter
All week long, the only commentary I have read from various sports pundits in regards to the race for AL MVP revolves around Derek Jeter and David Ortiz. However, before we coronate another Yankee or Red Sox with the award, let me be so bold as to insert one more name into the argument. It is a name that you all once knew. It is a renaissance that is happening in an often-overlooked town on a classic baseball franchise. His name is Frank Thomas and he has once again become “The Big Hurt”.
The Florida Marlins, over the past year, have experienced more turnovers than a fast food restaurant. 20 games under .500 early in the season, the Marlins are poised to defeat all odds and return to the playoffs for only the third time in team history.