2008 Woodie Awards
Yank out Those Red Sox
Can Boston and the rest of the league overthrow the 'Evil Empire?'
Brian Moser
Issue date: 3/4/04 Section: Sports
Figuring out which teams will make the playoffs has become as redundant due to the Yankees and millions and millions of dollars.
The Yankees almost always win the AL East with the Red Sox hot on their tail. The last time these teams didn't finish first and second was 1997, respectively. Information like this and the acquisition of star players such as Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, and even Kenny Lofton lead this team beyond regular season play even without ace pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.
On the other hand, the Red Sox have countered by signing Curt Schilling to strengthen their pitching rotation, which already boasted Pedro Martinez and Tim Wakefield. Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra should provide their production at the plate to make them a contender for the AL East pennant.
Watching the AL Central may create hallucinations that will scar you for life, such as the Detroit Tigers winning more games because of Ivan Rodriguez. The real contenders will not be the Tigers as the White Sox and Twins will most likely battle it out for the chance at the Central Crown.
The Athletics have lost Miguel Tejada to the Orioles, which might stop the A's machine from producing wins. The Old Man and the Sea-ttle will be rewritten this season for the Mariners with much of their roster battling injury and age, but another consistent year from Ichiro Suzuki could propel them above those pesky A's in the AL West.
Looking for the National League contender might be more difficult than saying "Yankees." It was even difficult to say the word "contender" as if the National League matters this year.
The usual perennial teams such as the Braves might not even make the playoffs due to the resurgence of talent of the lesser ball clubs. With the addition of Billy Wagner and a solid returning cast, the Phillies might close out the deal in the NL East.
Winning the NL Central wasn't enough for the Cubs. They signed Greg Maddux and LaTroy Hawkins to supplement their already incredible pitching staff consisting of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, who were first and second in strikeouts last year. Their offensive productivity should not slip as Hollandsworth, Alou, and Sosa will frighten most pitching staffs. If it wasn't for Houston bolstering up their bullpen with superstars Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, the Cubs would only have an easy walk down the yellow brick road to repeat the NL Central title.
Picking the NL West winner should be done out of a hat. Yes, even the Padres could vault past the competition and win the division. The Diamondbacks should stay in contention this year if Randy Johnson remains healthy and don't forget about the Giants; they didn't win the NL West last year by default.
The Yankees almost always win the AL East with the Red Sox hot on their tail. The last time these teams didn't finish first and second was 1997, respectively. Information like this and the acquisition of star players such as Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, and even Kenny Lofton lead this team beyond regular season play even without ace pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.
On the other hand, the Red Sox have countered by signing Curt Schilling to strengthen their pitching rotation, which already boasted Pedro Martinez and Tim Wakefield. Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra should provide their production at the plate to make them a contender for the AL East pennant.
Watching the AL Central may create hallucinations that will scar you for life, such as the Detroit Tigers winning more games because of Ivan Rodriguez. The real contenders will not be the Tigers as the White Sox and Twins will most likely battle it out for the chance at the Central Crown.
The Athletics have lost Miguel Tejada to the Orioles, which might stop the A's machine from producing wins. The Old Man and the Sea-ttle will be rewritten this season for the Mariners with much of their roster battling injury and age, but another consistent year from Ichiro Suzuki could propel them above those pesky A's in the AL West.
Looking for the National League contender might be more difficult than saying "Yankees." It was even difficult to say the word "contender" as if the National League matters this year.
The usual perennial teams such as the Braves might not even make the playoffs due to the resurgence of talent of the lesser ball clubs. With the addition of Billy Wagner and a solid returning cast, the Phillies might close out the deal in the NL East.
Winning the NL Central wasn't enough for the Cubs. They signed Greg Maddux and LaTroy Hawkins to supplement their already incredible pitching staff consisting of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, who were first and second in strikeouts last year. Their offensive productivity should not slip as Hollandsworth, Alou, and Sosa will frighten most pitching staffs. If it wasn't for Houston bolstering up their bullpen with superstars Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, the Cubs would only have an easy walk down the yellow brick road to repeat the NL Central title.
Picking the NL West winner should be done out of a hat. Yes, even the Padres could vault past the competition and win the division. The Diamondbacks should stay in contention this year if Randy Johnson remains healthy and don't forget about the Giants; they didn't win the NL West last year by default.