MLB Preview Part One: The National League

What is a baseball blog without a preview of the year ahead, yes? On the heels of the 2011 campaign, here is the first part of my MLB Preview, covering the National League. So, without further ado, here we go.

Jason Heyward looks to improve on a stellar rookie campaign in 2011

NL East – winner: Atlanta Braves

Order of Finish:

1. Atlanta Braves

• This year's team is as good, if not better, than the 90s teams. Freddie Freeman has a bat at first base good enough to win Rookie of the Year, while Jason Heyward will follow his phenomenal rookie year with another strong outing. The Dan Uggla signing immediately made this team a contender, and the pitching is as strong as it's been in years. This is not only going to be an impressive final season for Chipper Jones, it will likely bring an NL Pennant back to the ATL, and possibly even a World Series ring.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

• Remember that Mark Wahlberg movie about the Eagles holding open tryouts? It might come down to that in Philly. Second baseman Chase Utley is out for the year, and possibly his career. Closer Brad Lidge is starting the season on the DL, and ditto for rightfielder Dominic Brown, who took the place of Jayson Werth, who took the money and ran for DC. A weak division is all that keeps Philly in second, but they will likely miss the playoffs.

3. Florida Marlins

• Losing Dan Uggla hurts, but this is still a damn fine team. The 2-3-4 spots are solid with Omar Infante (2B), Hanley Ramirez (SS) and Mike Stanton (RF), while the addition of John Buck behind the plate adds some pop to help recoup the loss of Uggla. Pitching outside of ace Josh Johnson is iffy, though, and will ultimately keep these guys out contention. Steps are being made in the right direction, though, so expect to see Miami in the thick of it in a couple seasons.

4. Washington Nationals

• If Strasburg were healthy, this team would be much higher. Bryce Harper's likely September callup will add some major pop in the outfield, while the signings of Adam LaRoche and Jayson Werth immediately fill the gap created by Adam Dunn's departure. There will be some major offensive fireworks throughout the season with this team, but until the pitching improves (Livan Hernandez and John Lannan are not the answer here), this team is still a couple years from contention.

5. New York Mets

• There aren't many good things to say about this team outside of the much-needed firing of GM Omar Minaya, replaced by Sandy Alderson. Jose Reyes is only getting older and slower, while David Wright is nowhere near the powerhouse he used to be. Jason Bay is overpaid and underperforming in left field, and the bench is full of has-been's and never-were's. RA Dickey is a nice glimmer of light in the rotation, but about all the Mets have to look forward to in 2011 is not being the Pirates.

NL Central – winner: Cincinnati Reds

Last year: the NL Central. This year: the NLCS?

Order of Finish:

1. Cincinnati Reds

• Man, is this team fun to watch, or what? Last year's incredible run to the NL Central title showed the nation what NL Central fans already know: Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Edinson Volquez are all damn good players. There is nothing but upside with this offense, although Scott Rolen isn't getting any younger. The velocity out of young Aroldis Chapman's fastball has brought comparisons to Steve Strasburg, while closer Francisco Cordero is simply dominating. There's no reason this team can't win a second straight Central title.

2. Milwaukee Brewers

• This year's team is as good as it was during the battle with the Cubs for the division in 2008. Once Zack Greinke comes back from the DL, the rotation will be stout, with Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum being solid 2-3 guys. John Axford looks to improve on a surprising rookie season at closer, in which he managed 24 saves, and the lineup is nothing but production. Expect massive numbers out of Prince Fielder in a contract year, while Ryan Braun and Casey McGehee will look to add to their All-Star resumes. If Cincy stumbles, Milwaukee can win the division.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

• Losing Adam Wainwright to Tommy John surgery is devastating for this team. While Jaime Garcia and Chris Carpenter are bright spots in the rotation, Carpenter's health is a concern. Ryan Franklin has been mulling retirement, which leads some to question his motivation. If the Albert Pujols situation remains a distraction without a resolution, his production may not be enough. Numbers out of the top of the lineup (Ryan Theriot, Lance Berkman, Pujols, and Matt Holliday) will have to be titanic for this team to make any noise in a tough division.

4. Chicago Cubs

• Not their year. The same problems that plagued this team in 2010 (high contracts, low production) will be there in 2011, though the additions of Carlos Pena at first and Matt Garza to the rotation definitely help. Kosuke Fukudome and Alfonso Soriano continue to be paid too much for their middling production, while Aramis Ramirez continues to be a liability at third. The good news is, second-year players Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro will only improve on monumentally impressive rookie campaigns, and the return of Kerry Wood to the Friendly Confines adds stability and a fan favorite to the bullpen. Getting there.

5. Houston Astros

• They're making progress, and they'll be good eventually, but “competitive” is not a fair description yet. They have arguably the best leadoff man in the majors in centerfielder Michael Bourn, while the addition of Clint Barmes at short helps a shaky infield. Carlos Lee has to recover from a dismal 2010, while Chris Johnson needs to prove his rookie numbers were not a fluke. Pitching is finally what it needs to be with Brett Myers and JA Happ, but there are too many other inconsistencies and simply not enough power.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

• Oh, Jesus. There is virtually nothing to look forward to with this team. A year after 2010, they just hope to avoid another 105-loss season. Andrew McCutchen is a bright spot at the top of the order in centerfield, but this is a team with no stars and little offense. The pitching is dismal, with number-one guy Paul Maholm just hoping to improve on a 9-15 season a year earlier. This squad is a disaster, and there are very few signs of improvement on the horizon.

NL West – winner: San Francisco Giants

NL Wild Card - Colorado Rockies

Order of Finish:

1. 

   A great pitcher, sure. But also the most productive stoner EVER.

   San Francisco Giants

• A year after winning the World Series, the Giants have a squad capable of a repeat. Tim Lincecum is one of the best pitchers in the game, and there is nothing but upside in that offense. Sophomore catcher Buster Posey will only get better after his ROY campaign a year ago, while Andres Torres (CF) and Freddy Sanchez (2B) will be fun at the top of the lineup. Pitching will be dominant out of Lincecum and Matt Cain, but Jon Sanchez has to lower his walks. Brian Wilson is the best closer in baseball right now.

2. Colorado Rockies

• Any other division, they win it easily. Ubaldo Jimenez anchors a dominant rotation that includes Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin. Huston Street is not the answer at closer, but there will be plenty of offense out of recent re-sign Troy Tulowitski, powerful CF Carlos Gonzalez and the speedy Dexter Fowler. Todd Helton is getting old, and likely at the end of his career. The team has the potential to win the wild card, and will be a hell of a lot of fun to watch in 2011.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

• The Dodgers won't compete this year. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of great players on this team. Casey Blake is fun to watch, and there will always be immediate production out of Andre Ethier and Marcus Thames. However, Rafael Furcal is a massive injury risk (and there is no immediate answer at short if he goes down) and the rotation is a big question mark outside of Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley. If they don't make a move to firm up the rotation and add a bat, third place may even be wishful thinking.

4. San Diego Padres

• This team is tough to predict, as they are often so Jekyll-and-Hyde. They have solid bats, but losing Adrian Gonzalez is going to hurt a lot. Pitching will be fun to watch out of Mat Latos and Clayton Richard, but there is not much upside with the rest of a shaky rotation. Chase Headley has to start hitting for power for this team to compete, while Jason Bartlett needs to remind everyone why he was an All-Star in 2009. The 2010 campaign with 90 wins and the wild card was a fun story, but don't expect a repeat performance.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

• The definition of rebuilding. This team will be fun to watch in spurts, but there is a lot to fix. Stephen Drew and Justin Upton are productive in the 3-4 holes, while Juan Miranda has upside at first base. Plenty of potential in the rotaiton with Dan Hudson and Joe Saunders, but too many questions otherwise.
  SOURCES: 2011 AthlonSports MLB Preview Issue, MLB.com, ESPN.com, WikiMedia (for pictures).

John Olerud: Champion, Slugger, Survivor

255 HR, 2,200 hits, two World Series...and no Hall?

Okay, shoot me. Yes, John Olerud is another Blue Jay. So many of these players on this blog seem to have put in time with the Blue Jays, don't they? Furthermore, quite a bit of West Coast collegiate experience. I certainly don't think the Blue Jays are a favorite team (Go Cubs!), and I'm not a huge fan of Canadian baseball (or what's left of it), but it certainly does seem that the guys who play up in the Frozen Tundra seem to be forgotten about, while guys from the States end up legends. Unless, of course, you're World Series hero Joe Carter, but that's a different story. Not everyone can hit a Series-clinching home run, alright, Joe? Show off.

Go Cougars!

What is really surprising, however, is how forgotten John Olerud seems to have become. The guy played on two All-Star teams (1993 with the Jays and 2001 with the Seattle Mariners). He won two World Championships (1992 and 1993, both with the Jays) and he notched himself three Gold Gloves (2000, 2002, and 2003, all with the Mariners). While playing with the Washington State Cougars, he split time as a pitcher and a first baseman, playing his 1989 season while, get this, recovering from a brain aneurysm. His collegiate career completed with a .412 batting average, 33 home runs, 131 RBI and a 26-4 pitching record.

His professional career was no less impressive. He played in the Show as soon as he was drafted, putting in time as soon as the September call-up arrived. (No pressure, Bryce Harper...) 1993 was not only the year of his second World Championship, it was universally seen as his breakout season. He led the American League in average (.363), on-base percentage (.473), on-base-plus-slugging (1.072) and doubles (54, a career high), while notching career bests in home runs (24), RBI (107), runs (109) and hits (200). He finished third in MVP voting, losing to White Sox slugger Frank Thomas. Jays teammate Paul Molitor finished second.

However, as is often unfortunately the case, expectations were astronomical. Despite another stellar season in 1998 with the New York Mets in which he hit .354 with 22 home runs, 93 RBI and a .998 OPS, Olerud never nabbed the important hardware. He won rings, sure, but never won an MVP award. (Shockingly, his 1998 season had him finishing twelfth in MVP voting) He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1989 (losing to Indians catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr) despite the amazingly quick call-up. Although he finished his career with 255 home runs, 2,239 hits, 1,230 RBI and a .295 batting average, talk is minimal of the Hall of Fame. Why? Well, playing for multiple teams never helps someone's case, although five in seventeen seasons (Jays, Mets, Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox) is certainly not terrible, especially with eight years spent with the original team. While a .295 average and 2,200 hits are certainly impressive, the lack of an MVP award is tough if you don't have what are seen as the surefire numbers: a .300 average and either 2,500 hits or 500 home runs. The HOF voters are a stubborn group of guys, and the assumption is that with 40 men on a roster anyone can win a World Series, but not everyone can win Most Valuable Player. However, in the court of public opinion, Olerud is a near-legend. Message boards threads have been written about whether Olerud is a Hall of Fame guy. A blog run by a Jays fan lists Olerud as the tenth-best Toronto player of all-time. Sports Illustrated listed him as part of the “Greatest Infield Ever” while with the Mets, playing with Edgardo Alfonso (third base), Rey Ordóñez (short stop), and Robin Ventura (second base). He comes from a baseball family, being the cousin of former journeyman infielder Dale Sveum, who played for seven teams between 1986 and 1999, now serving as a hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Also, I feel it should be reiterated, he played after surviving a brain aneurysm. Hall of Fame resumè be damned, Olerud's career was almost over before it began.

Hopefully time will favor Johnny O's Hall of Fame campaign, but until then, he can be proud of two World Series rings and a set of numbers and accomplishments that are impressive and, if there was any justice in the baseball world, would have been deserving of more prolific awards.

Play Nice, Boys

As a Cubs fan, I've been privy to a lot of drama, heartache and excitement in my days. There was Sosa's battle with Mark McGwire for Roger Maris's single-season home run record, Steve Bartman being a better left-fielder than the Cubs had in decades, and 2008's battle for the NL Central title with the Milwaukee Brewers. Recently added to this, however, is a troubling rash of Cub-on-Cub violence. There have been three intrasquad skirmishes in the last four years, two in the last 9 months, and one as recently as last Wednesday, March 2nd. While all the details as to WHY the fight broke out are not available (let's face it; are they ever?), what is known is that pitcher Carlos Silva and third baseman Aramis Ramirez took exception to each other's perceived lack of effort in the loss to the division rival Milwaukee Brewers and decided that fisticuffs were the best way to handle it.

Any time there's even a hint of violence in a baseball game, many start the talk of the more memorable brawls in the sport's past, going back as far as 1965 and involving everyone from Nolan Ryan to Pedro Martinez. Here now are a five of the more memorable tussles, dustups and throwdowns of years past.

1. 8/22/1965 - Juan Marichal (San Francisco Giants) vs. John Roseboro (Los Angeles Dodgers)
• Hoo, boy. If you want storied baseball rivalries, Giants-Dodgers is definitely up there, and this brawl is a major reason why. In the heat of a pennant race, this game had stakes as high as the tension. After Marichal brushed back three Dodger batters and LA pitcher Sandy Koufax refused to retaliate, catcher John Roseboro took matters into his own hands. After catching a called strike with Marichal up to bat, Roseboro threw the ball just in front of Marichal's nose, then another behind his ear, and arguably the most famous diamond brawl was underway. Marichal unloaded with the bat, opening a cut on Roseboro's head that required fourteen stitches. The brawl itself, with benches cleared, lasted fourteen minutes and earned Marichal an 8-game suspension and a $1,750 fine. With the first $500,000 salary twelve years away (Mike Schmidt of the Phillies), $1,750 was quite a sum of cash.

2. 8/4/1993 - Nolan Ryan (Texas Rangers) vs. Robin Ventura (Chicago White Sox)

•  I want to preface this one by saying, clearly, that I think fighting is wrong. It doesn't solve anything, it ends in suspensions, it's an ugly thing for young fans to see, and it really focuses on the wrong part of the sport. That said, sometimes, they're unavoidable, even when a legend is involved. Nolan Ryan is universally seen as one of the best pitchers to ever play the game, having pitched for twenty-seven years (1966-1993) and amassing a record 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters. Robin Ventura is seen as a guy who, while certainly accomplished with 294 home runs, six Gold Gloves and two All-Star games, is no HOF-er. What ensued when these two met has made both the stuff of legend. Taking offense to Ryan's fastball to the back (can you blame the guy? Ryan was clocked at 102 mph in his career), Ventura charged the mound and was immediately put in a Texas-size headlock by the 6'2" flamethrower. While some fights may have been more exciting, none have ever been so one-sided, with Ventura never getting a solid shot against the pitcher.

Nolan Ryan: 5,714 Strikeouts, 7 No-Hitters, 1 Texas-Sized Haymaker

3. 2003 ALCS, Game 3 - Pedro Martinez (Boston Red Sox) vs. Don Zimmer (New York Yankees)

• Another unsolicited PSA here: don't hit old people, even if they're part of the Yankees organization, especially if you're a member of the Red Sox facing the Yankees, and especially if it's in the midst of the American League Championship Series. Known as the Best Rivalry in Sports, the Sox and Yanks make no bones about hating each other passionately. Game 3 of the ALCS was no different, with the highly-anticipated pitching match-up of Pedro Martinez against Roger Clemens and the series tied at one apiece. After drilling outfielder Karim Garcia with a fastball, Martinez made a threatening gesture towards Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, and Garcia responded with a hard slide into the leg of Sox 2B Todd Walker. The next inning, Sox left-fielder Manny Ramirez, unhappy with a high pitch high and inside from Clemens, charged the mound inciting both benches to clear. In the midst of the thirteen-minute melee, Martinez was rushed by 72-year-old bench coach Don Zimmer, who swung wildly at the pitcher's head. Instead of handling the situation maturely, Martinez grabbed (again, 72-year-old) Zimmer by the head and threw him to the ground, shifting the attention of the brawl from Sox vs. Yanks, to Yanks vs. Pedro. The Yankees went on to win the game and the ALCS before losing to the Marlins in the World Series.

 4. 5/20/2006 - Michael Barrett (Chicago Cubs) vs. A.J. Pierzynski (Chicago White Sox)

• Are there two guys more hated in baseball than Michael Barrett and A.J. Pierzynski? Are there two guys more susceptible to barnburning fights? A year prior to a fight with teammate Carlos Zambrano that some say got him traded out of Cubbie blue, Barrett was involved in the first big Cubs-White Sox fight of the 21st century. Awaiting the throw to tag out the hard-charging Sox catcher Pierzynski on his way to home plate, Barrett was instead bowled over by AJ, and responded to the Sox catcher's hard slide, slap of home plate and bumped shoulder with a punch to Pierzynski's jaw. The benches cleared, the two catchers scuffled, and Barrett, Pierzynski, John Mabry (Cubs OF/1B) and Brian Anderson (Sox OF) were handed ejections. The Sox went on to win 7-0, and the fight became another chapter in a very storied rivalry.

Pierzynski and Barrett post-tackle, pre-home plate slap, pre-brawl.

5. 8/12/1984 - San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves vs. the fans

• Something about August baseball seems to bring out the worst in people. Maybe it's the high temperatures, maybe it's the gravity of each game at this point in the season, or maybe it's the memory of those awful 80's uniforms. Whatever the cause, nothing will ever match up to what is known "affectionately" as the Bean-Brawl and the Brawl to Settle Them All between the Padres, Braves, and a few overly-enthused Braves fans at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium. The game included three separate fights, thirteen players and managers ejected, five fans arrested after tackling (!) one Padres player and spilling beer on another, (this make anyone else think Pacers-Pistons?) and one of many moments that showed that sometimes, even baseball is a contact sport.

Padres OF Tony Gwynn with a spear to Braves OF Brad Komminsk