It was April of 1985. The Detroit Tigers had just opened defense of their 1984 World Series title by winning it�s first six games. After starting the previous year 9-0 en route to eventually an unprecedented 35-5 before cruising wire-to-wire, the dreaded �D� word was making its ways in describing the Tigers. However, the rest of the �85 season would not be nearly as kind to Detroit, with the Tigers finishing a distant third to Toronto. Detroit would also finish third the following year before winning the 1987 AL East title thanks to a final week collapse by the Blue Jays. That would be the final post season appearance by the organization, which soon after would fall upon hard times with it�s last winning season coming in 1993.
Which takes us to the present. The Tigers started 3-0 for the first time since �85 with a three game sweep in Toronto. That is 3-0 compared to 3-25 at one point last year. Jason Johnson, Mike Maroth and Jeremy Bonderman were Mulder/Hudson/Zito-like in virtually keeping the Blue Jays in check for the entire series. But no one is talking dynasty yet, although the fast start comes on the heels of winning five of the final six games of 2003, which improved the Tigers record to 43-119, and thus avoiding setting the Major League record for losses in one season. In the words of one player, it was a mark that seemingly all of the baseball world wanted to see them break as with obsessed with some sort of morbid curiosity. Many also rooted openly for Maroth and Bonderman to lose 20 games, Maroth succeeded at 9-21 and Bonderman came close at 6-19.
But this is a new year � in the words of first baseman Dmitri Young �We have a big fat chip on our shoulder, we�re not going to be the laughingstock, we were confident, borderline confident cocky out there today� Although Young himself would go down during the series with a broken leg, the new attitude remains. Everyone laughed at Pudge Rodriguez signing with the team this year, just like they laughed at Pudge signing with the Marlins at this time last year. But the AL Central is not exactly a powerhouse, and I wouldn�t count anyone out of contention. I wouldn�t start printing playoff tickets yet, but the great thing about April is that it�s a new season, and almost anything is possible.Kaz Matsui � So much for the sub .200 spring batting average, Kaz hits a home run off Russ Ortiz on the first major league pitch he EVER SEES (I�m still waiting for something from Elias telling me how many times that�s happened) and ends up reaching base in all five plate appearances in his debut, I�m also waiting to find out how many times that�s ever happened. Go ahead and rank Kaz among the top-ten shortstops fantasy-wise if you prematurely dropped him.
Best 53rd Round Draft Choice EVER � In case you thought last year was a fluke, Marcus Giles opens the year 5-8 with five RBI in just two games. And here�s the kicker, Marcus has been going without eating solids after having his wisdom teeth pulled last week. Whomever was scouting Grossmont Junior College for the Braves back in 1996 definitely deserves a raise if he�s still around. Meanwhile, big brother Brian has started the year 1-13 with the Padres.
Billy Koch � Much maligned closer had a very short leash on Opening day, retiring a batter and allowing a double before giving way to Damaso Marte, who gave up a pair of home runs as the Royals rallied to beat the White Sox with a six run ninth. Koch did get another chance in the next game, and recorded the save without incident. Jury is still out here.
Braden Looper Award Candidate � To the closer who wastes no time getting demoted once the season starts, as Looper did with a pair of shaky outings in the first series of 2002. Tampa Bay�s Jesus Colome was the inaugural winner last year, and this year�s possibility is Cleveland�s David Riske, who may be that after all after giving up a game-tying home run to Jacque Jones this week. Riske had no time to atone for the blown save, as he had to immediately fly to Cleveland as his wife was going into labor (there has to be a way for fantasy players to know that kind of stuff), which will cause him to miss 1-2 games. Ex-Colorado closer Jose Jimenez (41 saves in 2002) is on the staff and could work his way into some saves. Another classic example on why you can�t trust first time closers, there is always someone else waiting in the wings.
Scott Podsednik � There had to be whispers of one-year wonder after hitting .173 in the Spring, but Poddy quickly put that to rest by lining a two-iron off Matt Morris for a three-run homer on Opening Day, with Po also chalking up his first stolen base during the first week. The Brewers in general showed rare power in belting five home runs from the likes of Craig Consuell, Ben Grieve, Lyle Overbay and Chad Moeller in winning it�s first two games. And don�t discount reliever Danny Kolb who picked off where he left off last year with a pair of quick saves.
Over 40 Pitchers � At this age, it has become much better to be a pitcher than a NASCAR driver at this age. Randy Johnson had a decent first outing and the un-retired Roger Clemens went seven innings allowing only one hit and nine strikeouts in his long-awaited National League debut. Roger even belted out his first Major League hit as a batter (who said he was going to be scared up there???). Randy Johnson also had a decent outing (albeit in a loss) in his first start. Then there is 39-year old Kevin Brown who is off to a quick 2-0 start and ranks as the #2 pitcher in the AL in the early going next to 37-year old Curt Schilling. Who says age has to be a negative???
Eric Gagne � I�m concerned here, sure Gagne has two scoreless innings and a win to his credit, but the Dodger closer has only struck out two in two innings. What�s going on here???
Ken Griffey Jr � Missed opening day, but belted a three-run homer off Greg Maddux in his season debut two days later. He still belts them out with regularity when he plays, but do you really want to bet the house on him making it through the weekend in one piece.
Barry Bonds � Sure, he�s an asshole, but he�s as dangerous as ever. He won�t play every day (I�d say three out of every 4) but he�ll still get his 40+ bombs. Bonds might hang around until he gets to 900 home runs just to shut everyone up.
Pedro Martinez � Notice I said Kevin Brown is second next to Schilling in the AL. I think Pedro is no longer the clear-cut #1 starter in the majors, and you can�t count on his health from one start till the next.
Troy Glaus � Has always been capable of the monster MVP-type season, and he�s off to a good start with a couple of bombs in his first two games, and the big man even has a stolen base for good measure. His shoulder is still a concern but so far so good.
Todd Helton � Another player who has bulked up considerably, Helton went 4-4 in the season opener. That is 4-4 at sea level off Randy Johnson. Helton may get really sick this year.
Jermaine Dye - Was left off many cheat sheets after hitting just .172 in 65 games last year - but a bid towards possible Comeback Player of the year award honors may have started this week, going 4-11 with 2 HR and five RBI in his first three games.
Pat Burrell - Another would-be star who flirted with the Mendoza line for much of 2003, Burrell went 5-8 with a pair of RBI in his first two games.
Opening Day Jitters � Roy Halladay, Kerry Wood, Matt Morris and Roy Oswalt all had their problems on Monday. Halladay was strong for five innings, then got roughed up, but sill recorded 9 K�s in 6 2/3 IP so that�s not a bad sign. Kerry Wood was cuffed around a little but got the win since the Cubs were able to hold onto their lead thanks to some stout relieving. Wood had the best stats of any pitcher this spring so he shouldn�t be a problem neither. Oswalt was cruising before giving up a couple hits followed by giving up a three-run homer to Barry Bonds in the seventh, no shame in that. Morris was a head-scratcher, for it was the second straight opener that the Brewers roughed him up in, but I wouldn�t even worry much there.
Injuries � Besides the before mentioned broken leg suffered by Dmitri Young (out six weeks), rookie Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer is out 4-6 weeks with a trick knee that will require surgery. In the same game, Twins ace Johan Santana was also removed with what was described as �spasms� in his forearm. He is not expected to miss his next start but the situation bears monitoring.
 |
JEN GRANT HOSTS A MORNING HIGHLIGHT SHOW DAILY ON MLB.COM |
San Diego � A blighted tract of land in the warehouse/harbor downtown district near the Barrios was redeveloped with Petco Park as its centerpiece. Back in the day I didn�t dare venture near that area after dark. Petco is also just a block away from the rejuvenated �Gaslamp� bar area, David Wells has already suggested that the bartenders serve visiting players �double-shots� to make sure they are still plastered for the next game. The fa�ade of the park is made out of sandstone imported from India so it would resemble the bluffs of Torrey Pines. Like they couldn�t have gone simply across the border to get that.
 |
PETCO PARK IS THE SPACIOUS NEW HOME OF THE PADRES |
BEST OF THE TWO-STEPS � Kevin Brown (including TB at home), Estaban Loiaza (TB on the road), Barry Zito, Roger Clemens (including MIL at home), Brandon Webb (but one at COL).
OTHER ATTRACTIVE STARTS � Javier Vazquez (TB/home), Roy Oswalt (MIL/home), Kerry Wood (CIN/home), Matt Morris (COL/home)
YANKEES V. RED SOX � Schillng, Pedro, Mussina and Kevin Brown are slated to see action here.
SEVEN GAME SCHEDULES � Anaheim (six at home), Texas (four at home), Houston (four at home v. Milwaukee), Milwuakee
FIVE GAME SCHEDULES � Tampa Bay, Yankees
TEAMS AT HOME: Anaheim, Boston, Cleveland, Cubs, Mets, Philadelphia, St Louis, San Diego, San Francisco
TEAMS ON THE ROAD: Baltimore, Kansas City, Oakland, Arizona (but three in Colorado), Cincinnati, Florida (but three in San Juan), Los Angeles, Pittsburgh