2002 BASEBALL PREVIEW |
EASTERN DIVISION
1. New York Mets 101-61 2. Florida Marlins 86-76 3. Atlanta Braves 85-77 4. Philadelphia Phillies 78-84 5. Montreal Expos 74-88 |
EASTERN DIVISION 1. New York Yankee 104-58 2. Boston Red Sox 84-78 3. Toronto Blue Jays 74-88 4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 61-101 5. Baltimore Orioles 58-104 |
LEAGUE LEADERS AND AWARDS |
American League
National League Ichiro Suzuki Mariners Batting Crown Todd Helton Rockies Alex Rodriguez Rangers HR Leader Sammy Sosa Cubs Jason Giambi Yankees RBI Leader Mike Piazza Mets Ichiro Suzuki Mariners SB Leader Roger Cede�o Mets Mike Mussina Yankees Win Leader Matt Morris Cardinals Mariano Rivera Yankees Saves Leader Armando Benitez Mets Mike Mussina Yankees ERA Leader Matt Morris Cardinals Roger Clemens Yankees K Leader Randy Johnson Diamond Backs Anaheim Angels Surprise Team Florida Marlins Minnesota Twins Disappointing Team Philadelphia Phillies Nomar Garciaparra Red Sox Comeback Player Mo Vaughn Mets Orlando Hernandez Yankees Comeback Pitcher Jeff D'Amico Mets Jason Giambi Yankees Best Acquisition Roberto Alomar Mets John Burkett Red Sox Worst Acquisition Todd Jones Rockies Mike Hargrove Orioles First Fired Buddy Bell Rockies Mike Scioscia Angels Manager of The Year Bobby Valentine Mets Eric Hinskie Blue Jays Rookie of The Year Sean Burroughs Padres Jason Giambi Yankees Hank Aaron Award Sammy Sosa Cubs Mike Mussina Yankees Cy Young Matt Morris Cardinals Jason Giambi Yankees MVP Mike Piazza Mets |
The Mets power acquisitions have overshadow what is still a decent pitching staff
if all clicks there will be no stopping them. The Marlins are a young team on
the rise that may surprise a few. The Braves time is up this will be the last they
will even contend for a playoff spot. The Phillies were a fluke last year,
and will return to their losing ways. The Expos are hurt by a lame duck status
but they do have talent to scare some teams. |
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. St. Louis Cardinals 94-68 2. Chciago Cubs 89-73* 3. Houston Astros 85-77 4. Milwaukee Brewers 68-94 5. Cincinnati Reds 66-96 6. Pittsburgh Pirates 64-98 |
This is clearly the Cardinals division to lose, but with Tony LaRussa's over managing
that can happen. The Cubs with addition of Moises Alou will make a serious
run for the playoffs. While the Astros will sorely miss Alou. The Brewers will
be kicking themselves every day watching Jeff D'Amico, and Jeromy Burnitz star
with Mets. The Reds are quickly learning that trading for Junior was a mistake,
and his talent will never be fully realized with his shellfish attitude. While
the Pirates might as well abandon ship now. |
WESTERN DIVISION
1. San Francisco Giants 91-71 2. Arizona Diamondbacks 88-74 3. Los Angeles Dodgers 80-82 4. San Deigo Padres 76-86 5. Colorado Rockies 70-92 |
The Giants will narrowly win this division with help of Reggie Sanders who will give
Barry some much needed help. The D-backs will struggle with compliancy, and
lack of offense, nut will contend al year. The Dodgers are set adrift with no
sense of direction. If the Padres can find some pitching they could contend for
a Wild Card. The Rockies will be looking to dump the salaries of Mike Hampton
and Larry Walker by season's end. |
PLAYOFFS NLDS: New York Mets 3 Chicago Cubs 1; St. Louis Cardinals 3 San Francisco Giants 2 NLCS: New York Mets 4 St. Louis Cardinals 2 |
The Yankees will win this division with 1 hand tied behind their backs. The Red Sox
still need a pitcher to win when Pedro dose not pitch. The Blue Jays will lose
allot, but will also learn allot, and will be in position to be a contender
again sooner then people think. The Devils Rays are hopeless the only thing they
have going for them is the Orioles may be worse. The Orioles are not only gonna
lose but their is no help in sight. |
CENTRAL DIVISION 1. Chicago White Sox 86-76 2. Minnesota Twins 80-82 3. Cleveland Indians 79-83 4. Detroit TIgers 73-89 5. Kansas City Royals 64-98 |
The White Sox are the best of a bad lot and should win this putrid division. The
Twins won't surprise anyone this year, and won't have Tom Kelly to guide them.
The Indians will be turning back the clock to the 70's when they didn't win, and
nobody in Cleveland cared. The Tigers won't win until they get new Management.
The Royals will be hearing contraction or relocation rumors by the end of the
season. |
WESTERN DIVISION 1. Seattle Mariners 94-68 2. Anaheim Angels 90-72* 3. Oakland Athletics 89-73 4. Texas Rangers 83-79 |
The Mariners are still the class of the division, but won't come close to last year's
win total. The Angels pitching staff is the most underrated in all of baseball.
The Athletics will miss the runs that Jason Giambi produced, and will struggle
all season to find some one to fill his shoes. If you like offense Rangers
games will be fun for you, but the pitching is beyond bad. |
PLAYOFFS ALDS: New York Yankees 3 Anaheim Angels 1; Seattle Mariners 3 Chicago White Sox 0 ALCS: New York Yankees 4 Seattle Mariners 2 WORLD SERIES New York Mets 4 New York Yankees 3 |