2015 American League East Preview

***The Division Preview that follows is not betting advice in any way shape or form.  Please do not bet any money based in any part on these predictions.***

Don't forget to check out the National League East, National League Central and National League West previews and check back next week for the American League Central.

Toronto Blue Jays logo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Toronto Blue Jays

Who's New?: 

CATCHER/INFIELDER
Russell Martin, C (free agent from Pirates)
Justin Smoak, 1B (Waiver claim from Mariners)
Chris Colabello, 1B (Waiver Claim from Twins)
Daric Barton, 1B (Free Agent from Athletics)
Josh Donaldson, 3B (Trade from Athletics)
Ramon Santiago, IF (Free Agent from Reds)
OUTFIELDER
Andy Dirks, OF (Free agent from Tigers)
Ezequiel Carrera, OF (Free Agent from Tigers)
Ryan Kalish, OF (Free Agent from Cubs)
Caleb Gindl, OF (Free Agent from Brewers)
Michael Saunders, OF (Trade from Mariners)
Chris Dickerson, OF (Free Agent from Indians).
Dayan Viciedo, OF (Free Agent from White Sox)
STARTING PITCHERS
Marco Estradada, SP (Trade from Brewers)
Jeff Francis, SP (Free agent from Yankees)
Liam Hendricks, SP (Trade from Royals)
Johan Santana, SP (Free Agent from Blue Jays)
RELIEF PITCHERS
Wilton Lopez, RP (Free Agent from Rockies)
Preston Guilmet, RP (Waiver Claim from Pirates)
Scott Barnes, RP (From Rangers
Luis Perez, RP (Free Agent from Braves)
Matt West, RP (Waiver Claim from Rangers)
Greg Burke, RP (Free Agent from Rockies)

Who Left: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Juan Francisco, 3B (Free Agent to Red Sox)
Adam Lind, 1B (Trade to Brewers)
Nessy Santiago, C (Trade to Royals)
Brett Lawrie, 3B (Trade to Athletics)
Dan Johnson, 1B (Free Agent to Astros)
George Kottaras, C (Free Agent to White Sox)
Brett Wallace, IF (Free Agent to Padres)
Andy LaRoche, IF (Free Agent to White Sox)
George Kottaras, C (Free Agent to White Sox)
OUTFIELDERS
Anthony Gose, OF (Trade to Tiger)
Cole Gilespie, OF (Free Agent to Marlins)
Dustin Mastroiani, OF (Free agent to Phillies)
Melky Cabrera, OF (Free Agent to White Sox)
John Mayberry, Jr, OF (Free Agent to Mets)
Colby Rasmus, OF (Free Agent to Astros)
Adron Chambers, OF (Free Agent to Cubs)
STARTING PITCHERS
Brad Mills, SP (Free agent to A's)
Kendall Graveman, SP (Trade to Athletics)
Brandon Morrow, SP (Free Agent to Padres)
Sean Nolin, SP (Trade to Athletics)
J.A. Happ, SP (Trade to Mariners)
Radhames Liz, SP (Free Agent to Pirates)
RELIEF PITCHERS
Cassey Jansen, RP (Free Agent to Nationals)
Dustin McGowan, RP (Free Agent to Dodgers)
Sergio Santos, RP (Free Agent to Dodgers)
Raul Valdes, RP (Unsigned Free Agent)
What to Expect?:
I feel as though I have been saying this for the last four years but the Jays could be on the verge of something special.  In 2013 they looked like they were going all in when they picked up R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes.  It didn't work out because it may have been to much change at once.  To their credit they stuck with it and started to see results last year. A sustained winning streak had them in the playoff race late into the season.  They have added Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin, Justin Smoak and Michael Saunders to the talent pool and this could be the tipping point. The lineup has a nice combination of speed (Izturis, Reyes and rookie Dalton Pompey) and power (Bautista, Encarnacion, Martin and Donaldson).
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
Toronto has been putting everything they can into rebuilding this team.  They have shown that they are dedicated to this process and it would be nice to see them get the results they had been working towards
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Blue Jays Fans Want?:
For the same reason that it didn't work out the last two years.  Buehrle, Bautista and Reyes are injury prone and Justin Smoak is a big question mark.  Smoak could benefit from a change of scenery and reduced expectations or he could prove that his time in Seattle was the real Justin Smoak.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
R.A. Dickey had a Cy Young season with the Mets in 2012 but his two seasons in Toronto have been less than spectacular.  Expect him to eat innings, 200+, and to win about 15 but don't expect another Cy Young.
Expect Great Things From:
Russell Martin was the Dodgers' Catcher of the future until a serious hip injury led them to take a chance with A.J. Ellis as their new Catcher of the future.  Since then (with the exception of a few off years here and there with the Yankees) Martin has proven that he is a great Catcher.  Expect him to give the pitching staff the attitude it needs to win.
Is This His Last Chance?:
Justin Smoak was sent from the Rangers to the Mariners as part of the Cliff Lee deal  in 2010 and was immediately pointed to as the future of the franchise.  He failed to live up to those expectations.  A change of scenery and a reduced sense of expectations may be exactly what Smoak needs to succeed.
Prediction: 1st Place

Red Sox Logo Courtesy of Sports Logos.net

Boston Red Sox

Who's New:  

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS:
Pablo Sandoval, 3B (Free Agent from Giants)
Hanley Ramirez, SS (Free Agent from Dodgers)
Juan Francisco, 3B (Waiver Claim from Blue Jays)
Ryan Hannigan, C (Trade from Padres)
Luke Montz, UT (Free Agent from Athletics)
Jeff Bianchi, IF (Free Agent From Brewers)
Humberto Quintero, C (Free Agent from Mariners)
Bryan LaHair, 1B (Free Agent from Indians)
OUTFIELDERS:
Quintin Berry, OF (Free Agent from Orioles)
STARTING PITCHERS:
Justin Masterson (SP, Free Agent from Cardinals),
Rick Porcello, SP (Trade from Tigers)
Wade Miley, SP (Trade from Diamondbacks)
Casey Crosby, SP (Free Agent from Tigers)
Dana Eveland, SP (Free Agent from Mets)
Felipe Paulino, SP (Free Agent from White Sox)
Robbie Ross, JR (Trade from Rangers)
RELIEF PITCHERS
Anthony Varvaro, RP (Trade from Braves)
Zeke Spurill, RP (Trade from Padres)
Mitchell Boggs, RP (Free Agent from Giants)
Craig Breslow, RP (Free Agent from Mets)
Alexi Ogundo, RP (Free Agent frm Rangers)
Jess Todd, RP (Free Agent from Diamondbacks)

Who Left:  

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Ryan Roberts, 3B (free agent to Royals)
Carlos Rivera, IF (Free agent to Mariners)
Ivan DeJesus, IF (Free Agent to Reds)
Ryan Lavarnway, C (Waiver Claim by  Dodgers)
Johnathan Herrera, IF (Free Agent to Cubs)
David Ross, C (Free Agent to CUbs)
Wil Middlebrooks, 3B (Trade to Padres)
Juan Francisco, IF (Free Agent to Rays)
Dan Butler, C (Trade to Nationals)
OUTFIELDERS
Corey Brown, OF (Free Agent to Rays)
Yoenis Cespedes, OF (Trade to Tigers)
STARTING PITCHERS
Allen Webster, SP (Traded to Diamondbacks)
Anthony Ranaudo, SP (Trade to Rangers)
RELIEF PITCHERS
Ryan Verdugo, RP (Free Agent to A's)
John Ely, RP (Free Agent to Brewers)
Alex Wilson, RP (Trade to Tigers)
Ruby De La Rosa, RP (Trade to Diamondbacks)
Brayan Villareal, RP (Free agent to Twins)
Burke Badenhop, RP (Free Agent to Reds)
Winter Headlines:
Sox make big moves to get back on top of weakening AL East.
What to Expect?:
This division is suddenly very weak.  What was once the terror of the Major Leagues is now full of average or below average teams.  With that in mind, the Red Sox have improved themselves  greatly and will likely be most experts picks to win the division.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Red Sox Fans Want?:
Although the team has done quite a bit to improve themselves there are still quite a few questions. Age is starting to catch up with Victorino and Ortiz.  Rusney Castillo is a big question mark in center field and having Hanley Ramirez play the Green Monster in Left Field could be an adventure.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Rich Porcello had a great rookie season in 2009. Since then he seems to have alternating spectacular and poor or average seasons. The Tigers relied on Porcello quite a bit last season but he is really more of a fourth or fifth starter.  The Sox depth chart currently show Porcello projected as the second starter behind Bucholtz.  Don't expect Porcello to replace John Lester's numbers.
Expect Great Things From:
Dustin Pedroia had a slow year in 2014 but is coming back healthy for 2015.  Although David Ortiz is generally considered the leader of the team, it is Pedroia who truly get them moving.
Is This His Last Chance?:
David Ortiz will turn 40 about a month after the 2015 season ends.  With a highly paid Hanley Ramirez playing out of position in Right Field and a highly paid but less than Gold Glove fielding Pablo Sandoval playing third, the team may be forced to move Sandoval to DH, limiting Big Papi's At Bats.
Prediction: 2nd place. Wild Card

Orioles Logo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Baltimore Orioles

Who's New:

CATCHER/INFIELDERS
Paul Janish, IF (Free Agent from Royals)
J.P. Arincibia, C (Free Agent from Rangers)
Everth Cabrera, SS (Free Agent from Padres)
OUTFIELDERS
Matt Tuiasasopo, IF/OF (Free Agent from White Sox)
Chris Parmalee, OF (Free Agent from Twins)
Nolan Reimold, OF (Free Agent rom Diamondbacks)
Jayson Nix, OF (Free Agent from Royals)
STARTING PITCHERS
None.
RELIEF PITCHERS
Pat McCoy, RP (Waiver Claim from Tigers)
Scott Barnes, RP (Trade from Indians)
Pat McCoy, RP (Waiver claim from Tigers)
Wesley Wright, RP (Free Agent from Cubs)
Chaz Roe, RP (Free Agent from Pirates)
Dane De La Rosa, RP (Free Agent from Angels)
Cesar Cabral, RP (Free Agent from Yankees)
Pedro Beato, RP (Free Agent from Braves)

Who Left: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Cord Phelps, IF (Free Agent to Phillies)
Numan Romero, IF (Free Agent to Athletics)
Nick Hundley, C (Free Agent to Rockies)
Kelly Johnson, IF (Free Agent to Braves)
David Adams, IF (Free Agent to Marlins)
Niuman Romero, IF (Free Agent to Athletics)
Alexi Casillia, SS (Free Agent to Rays)
Steve Lombardozzi, 2B (Trade to Pirates)
OUTFIELDERS
Nick Markakis, OF (Free Agent to Braves)
Nelson Cruz, OF (Free Agent to Mariners)
Quintin Berry, OF (Free Agent to Red Sox)
STARTING PITCHERS
Johan Santana, SP (Free Agent to Bue Jays
Joe Saunders, SP (Free Agent to Mariners)
Anthony Vasquez, SP (Free Agent to Phillies)
RELIEF PITCHERS
Josh Stinson, RP (Free Agent to Pirates)
Andrew Miller, RP (Free Agent to Yankees)
Julio DePaula, RP (Free Agent to Diamondbacks)
Robert Coello, RP (Free Agent to Giants)
Evan Meek, RP (Free Agent to Nationals)
Ramon Ramirez, RP (Unsigned Free Agent)
Winter Headlines:  
Machado, Wieters and Davis want to make up for missing the ALCS.
What to Expect?: 
The Orioles nearly reached the World Series last season with no real ace and without their starting First Baseman, Third Baseman and Catcher.  With a weak division the Orioles are looking to continue their success under Buck Showalter.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
Baltimore is a great baseball city and the fans there have been starved for success for decades.  It  would be great for the loyal O's fans to get enjoy what has not been seen in Baltimore in over 30 years.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Orioles Fans Want?:
Pitching.  Plain and simple. Showalter is somehow able to get the most out of his players but there is not a true ace on this staff.  There are a few arms, including Dylan Bundy, in the minors that the team could need if they are going to improve on last year.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Matt Wieters is a tremendously talented Catcher and Buck Showalter trusts him implicitly behind the plate.  What he cold have done to help this team last post season is something we can never know.  Expect Wieters to contribute to any success thisteam has but give him time to regain his form.
Expect Great Things From:
The Orioles hit close to rock bottom in 2007.  The one bright spot of the year was Erik Bedard. At   13-5 he was the future of the O's franchise.  When Bedard was shipped to Seattle in the offseason Orioles fans shook their head in confusion.  What they got in return were George Sherill (an Orioles All Star Representative), Chris Tillman (their current "ace") and Adam Jones.  Jones is now the leader and future of this franchise.  Some day he may be enshrined with the likes of Palmer, Murray, Ripken and the Robinsons.
Is This His Last Chance?:
Ubaldo Jimenez was a big 2014 free agent signing for the O's but the results were less than impressive.  After a very near Cy Young year with the Rockies in 2010, Jimenez's performance has steadily declined.  If he fails to perform again this year he could be out of chances.
Prediction: 3rd Place.  Wild Card

New York Yankees Logo Courtesy of Wikipedia

New York Yankees

Who's New: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS:

Didi Gregorious, SS (Trade from Diamondbacks)
Garrett Jones, 1B (Trade from Marlins)
Cole Figueroa, 2B (Free Agent from Rays)
Nick Noonan, IF (Free Agent from Giants)

OUTFIELDERS
Chris Young, OF (Free Agent from Mets)

STARTING PITCHERS

Nathan Eovaldi, SP (Trade from Marlins)
Scott Baker, SP (Free Agent from Rangers)
Kyle Davies, SP (Free Agent from Indians)

RELIEF PITCHERS

Justin Wilson, RP (Trade from Pirates)
Andrew Miller, RP (Free Agent from Orioles)
David Carpenter, RP (Trade from Braves)
Johnny Barbato, RP (Trade from Padres)
Chasen Shreve, RP (Trade from Braves)
Jared Burton, RP (Free Agent from Twins)
Chris Martin, RP (Trade from Rockies)

Who Left:

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS

Francisco Cervelli, C. (Trade to Pirates)
Derek Jeter, SS (Retired)
Brian Roberts, 2B (Retired)
Martin Prado, 3B (Trade to Marlins)
Zelous Wheeler, 3B (Unsigned Free Agent)

OUTFIELDERS

Zolio Almonte, OF (Free agent to Braves)
Alfonso Soriano, OF (retired)
Antoan Richardson, OF (Free Agent to Rangers)
Scott Sizemore, OF(Free Agent to Marlins)
Ichiro Suzuki, OF (Free Agent to Marlins)
Eury Perez, OF (Waiver Claim by Braves)

STARTING PITCHERS

Shane Green, SP (Trade to Tigers)
David Phelps, SP (Trade to Marlins)
Brandon McCarthy, SP (Free Agent to Dodgers)
David Huff, SP (Free Agent to Dodgers)
Hiroki Kuroda, SP (Unsigned Free Agent)

RELIEF PITCHERS

,Jeff Francis, RP (Free Agent to Blue Jays)
David Robertson, RP (Free Agent to White Sox)
Shawn Kelly, RP (Traded to Padres)
Josh Outman, RP (Free Agent to Braves)
Cesar Cabral, RP (Free Agent to Orioles)
David Robertson, RP (Free Agent to White Sox)
Chris LeRoux, RP (Free Agent to Brewers)
David Herndon, RP (Free Agent to Brewers)
Rich Hill, RP (Free Agent to Nationals)
Alfredo Aceves, RP (Unsigned Free Agent)
Matt Daley, RP (Unsigned Free Agent)
Jim Miller, RP (Unsigned Free Agent)
Heath Bell, RP (Free Agent to Natonals)
Preston Claiborne, RP (Waiver Claim by Marlins)
Winter Headlines:  
Jeter is gone, A-Rod is back.
Yankees to retire three more numbers of Pettite, Williams and Posada.  At what point will they go to triple digits?
What to Expect?:
This is not a very strong division which will play to the Yankees' advantage.  They do have some talent but they also have no proven leader and a lot of aging, injury prone players struggling to stay on the field.  This season could be the tipping point between another playoff run or the start of a 1980s era drought.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?: 
There are several players on this team that have played for years and, although coming close,  have never won a World Series.  For players like Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Garret Jones and  Chris Capuano it would be a nice touch to already successful careers.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Yankees Fans Want?:
In the Yankees' universe the only successful season is a World Series.  This team, with age, injuries, and lack of leadership will fall far short of that goal.  They could surprise some and win a Wild Card spot but it would take a lot of things falling their way to advance in the playoffs.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Alex Rodriguez has been away from the game for more than a year and was very concerned with a degenerative hip issue in his last season.  Alex is chasing 700 Home Runs for his career but would likely need at least three more years to do so.
Is this his last chance?:
Mark Teixiera is signed through the end of 2016 but his production numbers have been on  a consistent decline over the last few years.  With his career winding down Tex may not have mayny more opportunities to win it all.
Prediction: 4th Place

Tampa Bay Rays Logo Courtesy of Sports Logos.net

Tampa Bay Rays

Who's New: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Bobby Wilson, C (Free Agent from Diamondbacks)
Renee Rivera, C (Trade from Padres)
Eugenio Velez, UT (Free Agent from Brewers)
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS (Free Agent from Nationals)
Alexi Casillia, SS (Free Agent from Orioles)
Juan Francisco, IF (Free Agent from Red Sox)
Jake Elmore, IF (Free Agent from Reds)
John Jaso, C (Trade from Athletics)
OUTFIELDERS
Corey Brown, OF (Free Agent from Red Sox)
Steven Souza, OF (Trade from Nationals)
STARTING PITCHERS
None
RELIEF PITCHERS
Michael Kohn, RP (free agent from Angels)
Ernesto Frieri, RP (Free agent from Pirates)
Kevin Jepsen, RP (Trade from Angels)
Jose Dominguez, RP (Trade from Dodgers)
Jhan Marinez, RP (Free Agent from Dodgers)
Ronald Bellisario, RP (Free Agent from White Sox)

Who Left:

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Cole Figueroa, 2B (Free Agent to Yankees)
Jerry Sands, IF/DH (Free Agent to Indians)
Ali Solis, C (Free Agent to Dodgers)
Jose Molina, C (Unsigned Free Agent)
Ben Zobrist, IF (Trade to Athletics)
Yunel Escobar, Ss (Trade to Athletics)
OUTFIELDERS
Wil Myers, OF (Trade to Padres)
Matt Joyce, OF (Trade to Angels)
STARTING PITCHERS
Jeremy Hellickson, SP (Trade to Diamondbacks)
Erik Bedard, SP (Free Agent to Dodgers)
RELIEF PITCHERS
Cesar Ramos, RP (Trade to Angels)
Joel Peralta, RP (Trade to Dodgers)
Michael Kohn, RP (Free Agent to Braves)
Josh Lueke, RP (Unsigned Free Agents)
Juan Carlos Oviedo, RP (Free Agent to Rangers)
Winter Headlines:  
Loss of Maddon could be biggest loss in Rays short history.
What to Expect?:
Rays fans should expect a return to the pre-2008 days.  With the exception of Longoria and Desmond Jennings, the Rays have little proven talent on the team.  They are in a clear rebuilding mode and may have a long climb back to the top.  Working to their benefit is the mediocrity of the other teams in this division.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
With a small budget and heading into a rebuild the Rays are clear Cinderella Story material.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Rays Fans Want?:
This team is heading into a rebuilding.  It is likely that the Rays will be on the down trend for the next few years.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Drew Smyly was the big piece in the David Price deal and the Tigers thought very highly of him.  He will be a very good starter but the lack of support behind him will likely limit his success.
Expect Great Things From:
Evan Longoria is a special player.  Regardless of the won-loss record expect Longoria to represent the team with class and probably in the All Star Game as well.
Is This His Last Chance?:
James Loney came up to the Dodgers with high expectations but his lack of power production led to an exit from Los Angeles.  He has had a few moderately successful  seasons in Tampa Bay but with the Rays in rebuilding mode Loney may not have many opportunities to prove he is part of their future.
Prediction: 5th Place

*-Please be aware that these predictions are based on the rosters as set in the beginning of March.  There are still several key free agents unsigned which could alter these previews.  Also, injuries during spring training could alter my outlook.  Check back next week for the AL Central Preview and continue following to see my final predictions at the start of the season.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

The Orioles won the AL East in 2014 for the first time since 1997.  Including these two division titles, dating back to the start of division play in 1969, how many times has Baltimore won the East?

Answer to Last Week's Question:

The National League Central has had a player lead the league in RBI 7 times:

Jeff Bagwell (1994)

Sammy Sosa (1998)

Mark McGwire (1999)

Sammy Sosa (2001)

Lance Berkman (2002)

Prince Fielder (2009)

Albert Pujols (2010)

2014 American League East Preseason Preview

***The Division Preview that follows is not betting advice in any way shape or form.  Please do not bet any money based in any part on these predictions.***

Red Sox Logo Courtesy of Sports Logos.net

Boston Red Sox

Who's New:  

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS:
A.J. Pierzynski (C) free agent from Rangers,
Jonathan Herrera (IF) trade from Rockies
OUTFIELDERS:
None
STARTING PITCHERS:
None
RELIEF PITCHERS
Tommy Layne (RP) free agent from Padres,
Burke Badenhop (RP) trade from Brewers,
Edward Mujica (RP) free agent from Cardinals,
Chris Resop (RP) free agent from Athletics

Who Left:  

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF) free agent to Yankees,
Jarrod Saltalamachia (C) free agent to Marlins,
John McDonald (IF) free agent to Angels
Jonathan Diaz (IF) free agent to Blue Jays
Stephen Drew (SS) unsigned free agent
OUTFIELDERS
 Quintin Berry (OF) free agent to Orioles,
STARTING PITCHERS
None
RELIEF PITCHERS
Jose Contreras (RP) free agent to Rangers,
Franklin Morales (RP) trade to Rockies,
Alfredo Aceves (RP) Free agent to Orioles,
Matt Thornton (RP) waiver claim by Yankees
Brandon Lyon (RP) free agent to Angels
Andrew Bailey (RP) unsigned free agent
Joel Hanrahan (RP) unsigned free agent
Winter Headlines:  
How much will the line up be revamped after World Series win?
What to Expect?:
At the start of the offseason there were questions about how much different this team would be on opening day.  There were several big contributors to the World Series victory who were free agents.  The team did lose Stephen Drew (still unsigned as of this writing) Saltalamachia and Jacoby Ellsbury but they replaced Saltalamachia with the fiesty A.J. Pierzynski.  The starting rotation, which stepped up last year, has returned almost unchanged and Koji Uehara has become the closer that the Orioles had hoped they were getting when they signed him in 2009.  The Red Sox should be a strong contender again this year.  Until someone knocks them off the upper perch in this tight division Boston has to remain the favorite here.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
The Red Sox nation (and most of the baseball nation) fell in love with the 2003-2004 Red Sox team.  After watching them suffer through the loss of Aaron Boone's Home Run and overcoming the Yankees to win the World Series, the team that called themselves "a bunch of idiots" is beloved.  This team should be just as beloved.  Although few of the idiots remain this Red Sox group is a professional group.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Red Sox Fans Want?:
The Sox will go as far as their pitching rotation will take them and that is the big question.  John Lester seems to be good for 15 or 16 wins every year.  Jake Peavey pitched well for the Sox but can he stay healthy all year?  Lackey is now 35 and although he had double digit wins last year, he also lost 13.  Bucholz had an amazing 12-1 record in only 16 games in 2013 but his arm continues to be a question.  Felix Doubront showed up big in the clutch and had a strong season but can he be consistent?  If the pitchers reach their potential as they did last year the Red Sox could repeat.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
David Ortiz had an unbelievable season last year, reaching the 30 HR, 100 RBI mark only a year after having only 23 HR and 60 RBI.  It is obvious the Red Sox success could not have happened without the magic moments Ortiz provided.  The question is how long can it go on. In his 20th professional season, Ortiz appears to still be going strong.  Expect Ortiz to provide leadership and to help Pedroia in guiding the ship but don't expect another 30 HR/100 RBI season.
Expect Great Things From:
Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz have become the face of the franchise.  Despite the magic of the 2004 "idiots" featuring Pedro, Manny, Varitek and Damon, it is Pedroia who has become the lasting monument of success in the Red Sox current run.  Pedroia has already won a Rookie of the Year and MVP award.  Expect him to continue playing at an MVP level.
Is This His Last Chance?:
A.J. Pierzynski is entering his 20th year in professional baseball.  He has been an All Star and a World Series champion.  After eight years in Chicago he moved to the Rangers last year and was a big reason the team made the playoffs.  After one year in the Texas heat A.J. has moved on to Boston with the World Champions.  As great as A.J. is father time has to catch up with him at some point.  Is this the time it happens?
Prediction: 1st in American League East

Tampa Bay Rays Logo Courtesy of Sports Logos.net

Tampa Bay Rays

Who's New: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Ryan Hannigan (C) trade from Reds,
Logan Forsythe (IF) trade from Padres,
Jayson Nix (IF) free agent from Yankees
Wilson Betemit (3B) free agent from Orioles
OUTFIELDERS
None.
STARTING PITCHERS
Nathan Karns (SP) trade from Nationals
RELIEF PITCHERS
Mark Lowe (RP) free agent from Nationals,
Heath Bell (RP) trade from Diamondbacks,
Grant Balfour (RP) free agent from Athletics,
Brad Boxberger (RP) trade from Padres,

Who Left:

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Kelly Johnson (IF) free agent to Yankees,
Ryan Roberts (IF) free agent to Cubs,
Luke Scott (DH) unsigned free agent
Jose Lobatan (C) trade to Nationals
OUTFIELDERS
Jason Bourgeois (OF) free agent to Reds,
Delmon Young (OF) Free agent to Orioles
Shelley Duncan (OF) free agent to Diamondbacks
Sam Fuld (OF) free agent to Athletics
Freddy Guzman (OF) free agent to Yankees
STARTING PITCHERS
Roberto Hernandez (SP) free agent to Phillies,
Jesse Hahn (SP) trade to Padres,
RELIEF PITCHERS
Wesley Wright (RP) free agent to Cubs
Jamey Wright (RP) free agent to Dodgers,
Jesse Crain (RP) free agent to Astros,
Ramon Ramirez (RP) free agent to Mariners,
Alex Torres (RP) trade to Padres,
Fernando Rodney (RP) free agent to Mariners
Winter Headlines:  
What is the price for Price? (David Price was rumored to be on the trade block)
Meyers a Royal Pain (Wil Meyers, traded from the Royals for James Shields last winter, won Rookie of the Year while Kansas City missed the playoffs, again).
What to Expect?:
With this organization there is nothing to do but wait and see what happens.  Every year you can look at this team and say they have lost too many key players to compete with the big guys and yet every year they are right there at the end.  They still have key players like Loney, Longoria, Price and rookie of the year Wil Meyers but they have done little to improve.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
When you talk about underdogs this organization is the definition.  No money.  Sporadic fan support (the die hard fans are truly amazing but there don't seem to be enough of them in the area).Constantly losing key players to other teams.  Yet somehow Joe Madden is always managing to find a way to stay in the playoff race.  If you like rooting for the little guy you will never make a better choice than this team.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Rays Fans Want?:
The Rays always seem to find a way to stay competitive but if your team is not willing to spend at the right time (ask Orioles fans) it makes it difficult to win.  If the Rays want to finally get over the hill and win it all they may need to take on salary, something ownership has been reluctant to do in the past.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Grant Balfour is returning to Tampa Bay, where he helped the Rays in their World Series push in 2008.  After several successful years in Oakland as the team's closer he is returning home.  Balfour is intense on the mound and, as we saw against the Tigers in the playoffs last year, he can get himself into some trouble.  Balfour certainly is an improvement over the option of Heath Bell as the closer but don't expect the season that Fernando Rodney had a few years ago.  Don't forget the Orioles passed on Balfour after a physical.  Balfour says the shoulder, which has caused problems for him in the past, is fine.  The Orioles said they were concerned about the shoulder but the knee was the real problem.
Expect Great Things From:
There have been three key pieces of this team since the start of their playoff run in 2008 and you can always count on great things from all of them:  Longoria, Price and Maddon.  As long as these three are together you can never count this team out.
Is This His Last Chance?:
Heath Bell was, at one point, the best closer in the game.  That was in San Diego with a bad team.  He moved to Miami for the big bucks and was immediately in a controversy with manager Ozzie Guillen.  The change of scenery last year was supposed to help but Bell was not able to regain the magic that gave him three straight 40 save seasons.  Rays fans should expect Bell to contribute but don't expect 40 saves.
Prediction: 2nd in American League East

New York Yankees Logo Courtesy of Wikipedia

New York Yankees

Who's New: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS:

Yamaico Navarro (IF) free agent from Orioles, 

Kelly Johnson (IF) free agent from Rays,

Brian McCann (C) free agent from Braves, 

Brian Roberts (2B) free agent from Orioles, 

Scott Sizemore (2B) free agent from Athletics,

OUTFIELDERS

Jacoby Ellsbury (OF) free agent from Red Sox,

Carlos Beltran (OF) free agent from Cardinals, 

STARTING PITCHERS

Masahiro Tanaka (SP) free agent from Japan,

RELIEF PITCHERS

Robert Coello (RP) free agent from Angels, 

Matt Thornton (RP) free agent from Red Sox,
Chris Leroux (RP) free agent from Pirates

Who Left:

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS

Reid Brignac (SS) free agent to Phillies,

Robinson Cano (2B) free agent to Mariners, 

Chris Stewart (C) trade to Pirates,

David Adams (IF) free agent to Indians,

Brent Lillibridge (IF) free agent to Rangers, 

Alberto Gonzalez (IF) free agent to Padres

Kevin Youkilis (3B) free agent to Japan, 

Mark Reynolds (3B) free agent to Brewers
Luis Cruz (IF) released
Travis Hafner (DH) unsigned free agent

OUTFIELDERS

Curtis Granderson (OF) free agent to Mets, 

 Melky Mesa (OF) free agent to Royals,
Brennan Boesch (OF) free agent to Angels
Fernando Martinez (OF) free agent to Astros
Vernon Wells (OF) released

STARTING PITCHERS

Andy Pettite (SP) retired, 

Phil Hughes (P) free agent to Twins, 

David Huff (SP) traded to Giants, 

Jayson Nix (OF) free agent to Rays, 

Lyle Overbay (OF) free agent to Brewers, 

RELIEF PITCHERS

Mariano Rivera (P) retired,
Mike Zagurski (RP) free agnt to Indians,
Joba Chamberlain (P) free agent to Tigers,
Boone Logan (RP) free agent to Rockies,
Chris Bootcheck (RP) free agent to Phillies,
Winter Headlines:  
No Mo, Pettite.  (Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettite retire)
Jeter says his legs are rested.  (Derek Jeter says he is ready to come back)
How's first, who's at second, I don't know's at third. (Teixeira is recovering from an injury, Cano is gone and A-Rod is suspended for the season.  The delay in reaching the decision made it difficult to find a third baseman replacement)
What to Expect?:
Yankees fans should keep their expectations low for this season but stay excited for the near future.  The addition of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran will certainly help an offense that struggled last year.  The problem this year is the number of questions that remain.  The biggest question is the infield but the rotation and bull pen are questionable as well.  Sabathia struggled last year and there have been concerns that his velocity is down.  Kuroda is getting older and although he is a great pitcher his won-loss record is not that great.  Only once in his career has he had a winning record (16-11 in 2012).  The team spent huge money on Tanaka but there is no guarantee that he will be able to adjust to the new surroundings.  True, the Yankees have added a lot of big names but with each one comes a question. The health of McCann and Ellsbury is unsure and the team seems to be overloaded with outfielders and overloaded with questions in the infield.  With five outfielders (Gardner, Ichiro, Beltran, Soriano and Ellsbury) that means someone will be on the bench.  For star players used to playing every day this could turn out to be a disaster.  On top of all of this is the hovering presence of Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod swears he will be at Spring Training to work out with the team, continuing the distraction he has already caused.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
This is not the evil empire.  This is a group of guys who are likable, professional and many are veterans looking to win their first World series.  Ichiro, Beltran, and McCann have all come close before but have never been able to make it over the hill.  Jeter, clearly near the end of a legendary career, would like nothing more than to win another title.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Yankees Fans Want?:
The biggest question is the infield.  With an over crowded outfield (Soriano, Carlos Beltran, Ichiro,Brent Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury) will the Yankees employ a defensive shift of six outfielders and Jeter at Short?
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Mark Texeira is clearly one of the best First Basemen (and defensively is probably the best) when he is healthy.  The past two seasons have been frustrating for Tex as he has battled through wrist problems that caused him to miss considerable time.  The rumor is that the surgery he had to repair a wrist tendon was a success and it would be nice to see him perform at full strength.  The best approach is to take a wait and see attitude before you pencil him in for an MVP.
Expect Great Things From:
Nothing that Derek Jeter does will surprise me again.  I will be honest, I don't like the Yankees.  To be even more honest, for a very long time I hated Derek Jeter.  I used to feel that he was over rated, over hyped by the New York media and not the legend he was built up to be.  And I will admit that I was 100% wrong.  Derek Jeter is one of the classiest players this sport has seen in years.  He may have had a lot of success at a very young age but he was succcessful because he is one of the hardest working people in sports.  Jeter was the first Yankee to get 3000 hits.  He has never won an MVP.  He has made 13 All Star Games, won five gold gloves, five silver slugger awards and been one of the great ambassadors of the sport.  None of that matters to Jeter.  The only number that matters to Jeter is 6.  He has won five World Series titles.  The only thing he focuses on when he is on the field is the fact that he hasn't gotten number 6 yet.
Prediction: 3rd in AL East

Orioles Logo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Baltimore Orioles

Who's New:  

CATCHER/INFIELDERS
Johnny Monell (C) trade from Giants,
Jemile Weeks (2B) trade from A's,
Chris Marrero (1B) free agent from Nationals,
Alex Gonzalez (IF) free agent from Brewers
OUTFIELDERS
Quintin Berry (OF) free agent from Red Sox,
Xavier Paul (OF) free agent from Reds,
Delmon Young (OF) free agent from Rays
STARTING PITCHERS
Aaron Laffey (SP) free agent from Brewers
RELIEF PITCHERS
Brad Brach (RP) free agent from Padres,
Edgmer Escalona (RP) free agent from Rockies,
Francisco Paguero (RP) free agent from Giants,
Ryan Webb (RP) free agent from Marlins.

Who Left: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Dan Johnson (1B) free agent to Blue Jays,
Alex Liddi (1B) free agent to White Sox,
Yamaico Navarro (IF) free agent to Yankees,
Brian Roberts (2B) free agent to Yankees,
Chris Snyder (C) free agent to Nationals,
Tyler Teagarden (C) free agent to Mets,
Wilson Betemit (3B) free agent to Rays
OUTFIELDERS
Nate McLouth (OF) free agent to Nationals,
Michael Morse (OF) free agent to Giants,
Jason Priddie (OF)free agent to Rockies,
Chris Dickerson (OF) free agent to Pirates
STARTING PITCHERS
Jairo Asencio (P) free agent to White Sox,
Scott Feldman (P) free agent to Astros,
Jason Hammel (SP) free agent to Cubs
RELIEF PITCHERS
Jim Johnson (RP) trade to A's,
Francisco Rodriguez (RP) free agent to Brewers
John Rauch (RP) free agent to Royals
Winter Headlines:  
Johnson traded. Balfour walks away from deal. K-Rod goes back to Milwaukee. Who will close?
The Brian Roberts era ends. (Longest tenured Oriole goes to the evil empire)
What to Expect?: 
I try to stay neutral when I write about baseball but as an Orioles fan I am sure that my bias comes through on occassion.  In the interest of being objective I will tell you this: this team could be really bad. It would be difficult to say you should have high hopes this year.  The thing that benefits the Orioles is the fact that the rest of the division is not great.  The Orioles offense is powerful with Wieters, Jones, Davis and Machado.  The rotation (theoretically) is set for the first four spots with Mike Gonzales, Chris Tillman, Bud Norris and Wei Yin Chen. The team is hopeful that Dylan Bundy will blossom into an ace but that is yet to be seen and how much he will contribute this season is questionable.  The question of who will close games also becomes a major issue as well after the debacle of the offseason.  Although this is not a terrible team, if the starting pitching does not come through this will not be a contending team and things could get very ugly very quickly.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
Orioles fans have suffered for a long time. (Trust me on this one). Since the departure of Cal Ripken there have been few bright spots in the lives of Orioles fans.  The 2012 playoff run was amazing but the fall off last year was disappointing. This core group of Orioles players (Jones, Wieters, Markakis and Machado) are excellent players and deserve to join the Orioles list of legends some day.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Orioles Fans Want?:
Although the organization, under the previous leadership of Andy McPhail, did a good job of building this organization, they seem to fail in getting the team the help they need when they need it.  The hall mark of the great Orioles teams was always great pitching.  The pitching staff is now the weak link.  If the Orioles do not get a legitimate leader for the rotation and a solid closer they will likely fall to the bottom of the division.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
Manny Machado had an amazing start to his career.  As a late season call up in 2012 he was a big reason for the Orioles playoff appearance.  Last year I told you not to expect too much from him because I feared he would not be able to live up to the glimpses we saw. I was wrong.  He was spectacular all year until he got injured.  Machado is working towards recovery but a recently published article said he may have to learn to run again.  Machado may not have much of an impact on the season if he does not recover.
Expect Great Things From:
Adam Jones is one of the best Centerfielders in the game but playing in Baltimore he sometimes gets overshadowed.  Orioles fans know how good he is and hopefully the rest of the country will soon pick up on it.  Jones has continuously grown as a player and as a clubhouse leader.
Is This His Last Chance?:
Buck Showalter is managing his fourth team.  He started with the Yankees in 1992 and led them to the playoffs in 1995.  He was then fired after the playoffs and the Yankees went on to win four out of five World Series.  Showalter moved on to the Diamodbacks and helped create that organization managing the team for the first three years.  He left at the end of 2000 and the Diamondbacks won the 2001 World Series.  He moved on to Texas and managed four years there.  Showalter appears to have a shelf life of about four years.  He is now starting his fifth year (fourth full year) with the Orioles.  There are rumors that he has become slightly upset with the ownership over what he perceives as their lack of aggressiveness in the free agent market and unwillingness to spend the money that the competition is willing to spend.  Showalter may run out of patience.
Prediction: 4th in AL East

Toronto Blue Jays logo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Toronto Blue Jays

Who's New?: 

CATCHER/INFIELDER
Dan Johnson (1B) free agent from Orioles,
Erik Kratz (C) trade from Phillies,
Dionner Navarro (C) free agent from Cubs,
Chris Getz (2B) free agent from Royals,
OUTFIELDER
None
STARTING PITCHERS
None
RELIEF PITCHERS
None

Who Left: 

CATCHERS/INFIELDERS
Ramon Hernandez (C) free agent to Royals
Mark DeRosa (2B) retired,
J.P. Arencibia (C) free agent to Rangers,
OUTFIELDERS
Rajai Davis (OF) free agent to Blue Jays,
Ryan Langerhans (OF) unsigned free agent
STARTING PITCHERS
Josh Johnson (SP) free agent to Padres,
Chien Ming Wan (SP) free agent to Reds,
Ramon Ortiz (SP) unsigned free agent
RELIEF PITCHERS
Brad Lincoln (RP) trade to Phillies,
Justin Germano (RP) free agent to Rangers
Darren Oliver (RP) unsigned free agent
What to Expect?:
In last year's preview I told you that it was possible the Jays made too many changes at once to be able to win immediately.  I still feel that this (along with key injuries) was the key reason Toronto struggled.  A year ago the Jays made some major trades for some major names and had high expectations.  Most of those names are back this year and have had a year to work together.  Jays fans should be cautiously optimistic for a playoff run since this division is so close.  Realistically though the team may not have enough to compete.
Why Should You Root for These Guys?:
This is a likable group of players, some of whom have been in Toronto for a very long time.  Jays fans have seen Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Lawrie grow over the last few years and the Jays organization is clearly putting all of their efforts into putting a competitive team on the field.  They went for broke last season and went broke but they appear to believe in those moves and we will have to see if it works better this year.
Why Might This Season Not Turn Out the Way Blue Jays Fans Want?:
This was still a last place team last year.  As hard as the ownership has tried to put a winner on the field, last year was a disaster.  Buehrle, Johnson and Dickey were not what was expected and Bautista's injury plagued year was unfortunate.  This division is extremely close but the Jays and Orioles are on the outside looking in.
Don't Expect Too Much From Him:
R.A. Dickey had a great 2012 season but 2013 was not a good follow up.  You can expect Dickey to make solid contributions but don't expect another Cy Young.
Expect Great Things From:
Jose Bautista has quietly become one of the best hitters in the game.  If Bautista stays healthy expect him to lead this team.  The Jays will fly as high as Bautista's health allows.
Is This His Last Chance?:
Mark Buehrle has been one of the best pitchers of the last fifteen years but his last few years have been below his normal expectations.  Granted, he had last place teams behind him but he is also in his mid 30's.
Prediction: 5th in AL East

*-Please be aware that these predictions are based on the rosters as set in the middle of February.  There are still several key free agents unsigned which could alter these previews.  Also, injuries during spring training could alter my outlook.  Check back next week for the AL Central Preview and continue following to see my final predictions at the start of the season.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Major League Baseball went to a divisional format to start the 1969 season.  From 1969 through 1993 there were two divisions (East and West) in each league.  From 1994 to the present there have been three divisions (East, Central, West) in each league.  How many times has the World Series Champion come out of the American League East?

Answer to Last Week's Trivia Question:
Congratulations to Hope and partial credit to TJD on last week's trivia question.

When Jimmy Fallon revived the Abbott and Costello characters they were played by Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal.

Disney Baseball Part 1

Baseball's off season is not the best time of the year.  It is cold.  Dark.  You can go days without seeing the sun.  You sometimes get that one, freak warm day that tricks you into thinking this winter will be different and it won't be so cold this year. Then the next day it goes right back to gray and cold.

Don't worry.  I do have hobbies other than baseball.  Normally I would get through the off season with the football season but since the Titans and Vikings were finished after week 4 that didn't help this year.  Then there's the basketball season.  As a Celtics fan that takes care of that.  Finally, I have the hockey season and as a Penguins fan it is a nice distraction.

The off season does give me one benefit.  I get to focus on some of my other interests and in this instance I get to combine two of my greatest interests into one.  Those of you who know me know that I have a passion for history.  This article combines two of my historical passions:  baseball history and Disney history. 

It will be broken up into two articles:
Part 1: Important dates in Disney history:  this will tell you what was happening in baseball during the important moments of Disney history,
Part 2:  Walt Disney's influence in baseball (focusing specifically on his impact on the Angels franchise).

I think even non baseball fans and non Disney fans will find something interesting in these articles, but for those of you choosing to opt out now, check back in two weeks for some more cool articles.

Important dates in Disney history:
6/24/1893:
The National League was in the middle of their seventh season and contained twelve teams.  The standings were deadlocked at the top with the Boston Beaneaters tied with the Philadelphia Phillies.  They were both one game ahead of the Brooklyn Grooms.  On June 24, the Boston Beaneaters, eventual National League Champions, won a game from the Baltimore Orioles, 4-2.  On that same day, Roy O. Disney was born in Chicago, IL.

12/5/1901:
December in 1901, as it is today, was dead center in  the baseball offseason.  Very little happened in those months.  There was no free agency or off season training programs.  There were no contract negotiations between owner and player but the American League was preparing for their second season.  Kip Selbach, eight year veteran outfielder and Giants star, decided on December 4th that he could get more money if he jumped to the Baltimore Orioles of the new American League.  The next day Walter Elias Disney was born.

Photo of Kip Selbach Courtesy of Wikipedia

6/8/1917: 
The Disney's are most often associated with Marcelline, MO, however, they spent a great deal of time in Chicago.  There is no indication of Walt being a fan of either the Cubs or White Sox but both teams were excellent as Walt was becoming a young adult.  On 6/8/1917 the White Sox took on the lowly Washington Senators.  The Sox had gone 16-3-1 over their last 20 games but had lost the last two games.  On June 8th they started another winning streak, pounding the Senators 11-3.  The offense was led by a few names that would be notorious just a few years from now.  Buck Weaver was 3-5 and scored 3 times. Joe Jackson was 3-5 with a double and two runs. Happy Felsch was 3-5 with a run.  Chick Gandil was 2-4 with a run and Swede Risberg was 1-4 with a run.  On that day, as the White Sox were demolishing the Senators, Walt Disney graduated from High School. 

January 1920:
The month of January 1920 set in motion a major shift in two separate industries that were well beyond anything anyone could imagine.  At the time of each event no one could have predicted the ramifications each would continue to have even up to the present day.  In the world of baseball everything changed on January 3, 1920 and although it was a big deal at the time no one could have imagined the major shift in balance that started when the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees.  The Red Sox, the class of the American League for the first two decades, would not win another World Series for 86 years.  The Yankees, the underachieving, overpaid joke of the first two decades, would start off on the path to becoming the most successful sports franchise ever.  While the Yankees took an unknown step towards domination, Walt Disney had recently started working at a company called Pesman-Rubin Commercial Art Studios.  In January 1920 he met the man who would be as important in creating the Disney domination as anyone: a young artist named Ub Iwerks.  Ub and Walt would start "Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists".  The venture would only last a month but the friendship and partnership would last (on and off) for decades.

July 1923:
The growth of the Walt Disney legend and the Yankee legend follow eerily similar paths which I was not aware of until I started writing this article.  When Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees in 1920 he began an assault on the record books that brought him personal accolades but his Yankees were still seen as the losers.  They had fallen to third in a close race in  1920, lost the World Series to the Giants in 1921 and fell again to the Giants in the 1922 World Series.  While the Yankees were struggling to reach the top, Walt Disney was finding similar challenges.  He had formed "Laugh-O-Grams" with Ub Iwerks and although the content was good for the time, the public was not very accepting of animation as an industry.  Silent movies were still the big business but other than Felix the Cat, animation had not caught the public's attention.  While the Yankees went 23-8 in July and took control of the American League (they built a 14 game lead by July 30), Walt was struggling.  Unable to pay his bills (he couldn't even go to meet clients because he had taken his shoes in for repairs and couldn't afford to pay to get them back), in July of 1923 Walt made a decision that would ultimately lead to his success.  He just didn't know it yet.  Walt declared bankruptcy, hopped a train west and moved to Hollywood.  Walt's uncle lived in the area and his brother Roy was at a veteran's convalescent hospital in Westwood, CA.  Walt found ways to work his way onto the lots at Paramount and would walk back and forth in front of the Charlie Chaplin Studios (now Jim Henson Studios) hoping to get a glimpse of Chaplin.  All the while he still held dreams of succeeding in animation.

10/16/1923: 
The papers in New York on October 16, 1923 carried the news of a the big eighth inning from the day before.  Ruth had hit a Home Run in the first to put the Yankees ahead 1-0 but the Giants had methodically taken a 4-1 lead, one run at a time.  The Giants held that lead into the top of the 8th.  Art Nehf had dominated the Yankees through seven innings and got Aaron Ward to pop out to first to start the 8th.  Back to back singles by Wally Schang and Everett Scott and a walk by pinch hitter Fred Hoffman loaded the bases with one out.  Bullet Joe Bush pinch hit for Whitey Witt and drew a walk to force in a run.  Art Nehf's day was over but the Yankees' day was just beginning.  Joe Dugan walked to force in a second run and keep the bases loaded and cut the lead to 4-3.  Stepping to the plate, ready to break the game wide open was Babe Ruth.  He struck out swinging for the second out.  The Giants' sigh of relief came one batter too early because Bob Meusel singled on the second pitch of the at bat.  The single should have only scored two but when Center Fielder Billy Cunningham threw wild, a third run scored giving the Yankees their 6-4 margin of victory and their first of 27 (so far) World Championships.

Walt and Roy Disney probably didn't take the time to read the headlines in the Los Angeles Times.  October 16 was a big day for them.  While trying to find a way to break into the business Walt and Roy had been trying to sell a project Walt had started before he left to come west.  The series is now known as "the Alice Comedies", a series of animation and live action combinations featuring a little girl named Alice who journeys to Wonderland, a cartoon world, with her cartoon cat, Julius. (Julius has been brought back into the Disney universe in the revamped Disney California Adventure.  You can find his name on the window of Julius Katz & Sons Appliances on Buena Vista Street.)    On October 16, 1923 Roy and Walt officially signed an agreement with Margaret J. Winkler to distribute their Alice cartoons.  Margaret Winkler would soon marry a man named Charles Mintz, from Pottstown, PA, who would play a large part in the Disney legend.

Photo of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Trolley Troubles Courtesy of Disney Shorts.org

9/5/1927: 
The 1927 Yankees are still considered by many as the greatest team of all time.  Known as Murderers Row the team relentlessly victimized American League pitching.  On Monday, September 5, 1927 the Yankees played a double header against the Red Sox. Everyone was there to see how many Home Runs Babe Ruth would hit.  In Game One Ruth went 1-7 with 2 walks, a double, a stolen base, got caught stealing once and struck out twice.  Lou Gehrig hit his 44th Home Run of the year, the Yankees scored 11 runs and lost in 18 innings.  That alone was news.  Having already played enough innings to make up the double header, they still had to actually play Game 2.  Fading daylight (this was before stadiums had lights installed for night baseball), they could only fit the minimum 5 innings to make the game official.  Ruth and Gehrig both went hitless but the Yankees won 5-0 giving Urban Shocker his 15th win of the year.

Walt and Roy again had little time to follow the antics of the Yankees.  They were likely nervous, waiting for critics reviews.  Premiering that day in theatres was the first "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" Cartoon, "Trolley Troubles".  The first produced Oswald short, "Poor Papa" did not meet the approval of either Charles Mintz or Universal Studios executives.  The "Poor Papa" short was shelved for nearly a year, by which point Oswald was a legitimate hit.

11/18/1928:
The offseason between 1928 and 1929 was relatively uneventful.  The biggest transaction taking place on November 7, 1928 saw the lowly Boston Braves trade future Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby to the Chicago Cubs for five Cubs players.  The Cubs had finished six games behind the  National League Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.  The trade was viewed as a hit or miss  proposition.  None of the five Cubs players who were sent to the Braves had much chance of impacting the struggling organization but the great "Rajah" could be an organization changer.  It had only been a few years since Hornsby had led the St. Louis Cardinals to their first ever World Series victory over the New York Yankees.  He had so angered the management in the process that they immediately traded their MVP to John McGraw and the Giants in exchange for the Giants' own unhappy star, Frankie Frisch.  Hornsby would spend one year in New York where he managed to infuriate McGraw more than he had infuriated the Cardinals' owners the year before.  He was sent to the Braves after one season as a Giant and won the 1928 batting title, his seventh and final.  1929 would see Hornsby and the Cubs become National League Champions, only to have the Philadelphia Athletics crush their hopes.  The trade helped change the landscape of the National League.  Just a week and a half later Walt Disney would do the same.

Photo of Rogers Hornsby Courtesy of Bleacher Report

On November 18, as Hornsby was settling into the idea of being a Cub, Walt and Roy Disney were again nervous.  They knew that the product they had was something the public hadn't seen before but whether the public would accept it was a different question.  Just slightly over a year since Al Jolson had starred in the first feature length film, The Jazz Singer and had become a sensation,Walt Disney would create his own sensation. although he wasn't sure it would get that far yet.  When Charles Mintz originally took Oswald to Universal he did so with Walt's blessing, although he didn't need it.  The contract said that although the Disney Brothers Studios were producing the cartoons, Mintz actually owned the rights of the character.  Mintz didn't need to include Walt in the negotiations at all and what was worse, Mintz had gotten almost all of Walt's artists to go with Mintz to Universal.  Only one artist stayed faithful to Walt, Ub Iwerks.  While Walt was forced to produce Oswald cartoons to satisfy his contract with Universal and Mintz, he secretly had Iwerks developing a new character.  It was a character that looked amazingly like Oswald but it wasn't a rabbit.  It was a Mouse.  He created three short subject animated films.  The first was "Plane Crazy" followed by The "Gallopin' Gaucho".  Neither did particularly well.  Then on November  18 everything changed when Walt debuted "Steamboat Willie", the first synchronized sound cartoon in the United States.  It was an instant hit and launched the Disney dynasty.

At the time no one knew the Disney dynasty was being cemented.  Meanwhile, half way across the country in Louisville, KY, unbeknownst to anyone, a baseball dynasty that would last for another 80 years was born.  On November 18, 1928 David Russell "Gus" Bell was born.  Gus would play for 15 years in the major leagues for the Pirates, Reds, Mets and Milwaukee Braves.  Although he was not a Hall of Fame player, his legacy lived on when Gus's son Buddy Bell (five time All Star, six time Gold Glove winner) played 18 years in the major leagues for the Indians, Rangers, Reds and Astros.  Buddy's son Mike continued the legacy by playing for the Reds in the 2000 season.  Also continuing the legacy was Buddy's son, Mike's brother and Gus's grandson, David.  David played 12 years in the major leagues with the Indians, Cardinals, Mariners, Giants, Phillies and Brewers.  David played on the Giants' 2002 World Series team.  That team was beaten by the Disney owned Angels.

5/29/1941: 
Joe DiMaggio made 1941 his own personal attack on the American League season.  On May 29 people had not started to pay strict attention to his exploits yet.  After all, he had gotten off to a "slow start".  Over the previous 13 games Joe had started to find his groove.  On May 29th the Yankees were scheduled to take on the Washington Senators but the weather was threatening to stop the game.  As the rains fell the Senators jumped out to a 1-0 lead.  Joe had flown out to center field to end the first but as he led off the fourth inning DiMaggio singled, making this the 14th consecutive game in which he got a hit, that is if they could reach the fifth inning to make it an official game.  The Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the fifth, only to have Washington tie the score in the bottom of the inning.  Then the skies really opened up.  As the Yankees poured on the offense in the sixth, the skies poured on the field and the umpires called the game.  The rains washed away five runs in the top of the 6th by the Yankees and the game was officially declared a tie.  The Yankees and Senators were sent home after an hour and three minute delay.

Photo of Disney Artists on Strike Courtesy of WDW Facts.com

Literally while all this was taking place in the nation's capital (the capital was three hours ahead of Pacific Disney Time), Walt Disney was on his daily drive to the the studios.  It had not been a good month or two.  His artists were talking about forming a union and Walt was trying to convince them it was not in their (or his) best interest.  He had given an impassioned plea to his artists to not unionize and to work with him on good faith.  What he saw as he arrived at the Burbank Studios on Buena Vista shocked him.  Marching with picket signs and chanting angry slogans while hanging him in effigy were artists that Walt considered his close friends.  The strike by Disney artists had begun.

10/27/1954:
The offseason of 1954 was an odd time.  To start off with, the Indians had beaten the Yankees to end New York's 1949-1953 run of AL Championships.  The Indians' win showed that things were not going to stick to the status quo and that things were about to change.  The baseball industry, dominated by the Yankees, could not just continue as it was and neither could the entertainment industry.  On 10/27, Walt Disney stepped in front of the cameras to debut the Disneyland Television show.  He had been told by his movie contemporaries that he was crazy.  Movies and TV did not mix.   If someone could see movies on TV and find entertainment in the comfort of their own home they would stop going to the theatres.  His contemporaries begged him to not hit the airwaves.  Disney, sensing the opportunity to cross promote, debuted on TV just a few days before Halloween 1954.  The visionary as always, Walt used the TV show to sell his movies and his future theme park (already in progress).  It was a drastic step.  One that many in his industry found less than acceptable.

During that same offseason, on November 17 (on the eve of Mickey Mouse's 26th birthday), the Yankees embraced the feeling of change and made a move that many found less than acceptable.  The Yankees celebrated the dawn of 26 A.M. (the year of our mouse) by making a gigantic trade with the brand new Baltimore Orioles (the extinct St.Louis Browns).  It was the best of trades.  It was the worst of trades.  They received Don Larsen, Bob Turley, and Billy Hunter (along with players to be named later).  Two years later Larsen (nicknamed "Googly Bird") would provide the greatest of great World Series moment when he pitched a perfect game.  Bob Turley would be part of a great moment himself.  In fact, Turley would be part of the great moment that was created by one of the people he was traded for.  In exchange for Billy Hunter, Larsen, Turley and the players to be named later, the Orioles received Harry Byrd, Willy Miranda, Jim Miranda, Gene Woodling, Gus Triandos and a  minor league Catcher named Hal Smith.  Smith would play for the Orioles in 1955 and parts of 1956.  He would then be sent to the Kansas City Athletics for the end of 1956 through the 1959 season.  To start the 1960 season he was shipped to Pittsburgh.  As a journeyman, veteran Catcher, he was an afterthought in Pittsburgh.  That was until he stepped to the plate in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.  The Yankees had clobbered the Pirates so far in this series, almost embarrassed them, though the Pirates had embarrassed the Yankees already by still being alive in the series.  Starting Game 7 for the Yankees was Turley, sitting on the bench for Pittsburgh was Hal Smith.  Turley lasted only one inning and gave up two runs.  Entering the top of the 8th the Yankees led 7-4 and Smith replaced Smoky Burgess for defensive purposes.  It looked as though Turley and the Yankees would win.  As the bottom of the 8th started, the Yankees looked to have the game in hand.  Three straight singles, a bad hop that nearly killed Tony Kubek (literally), a sac bunt,  and a fly out left the bases loaded but two out.  A ground ball single by Roberto Clemente extended the inning and then Hal Smith got his revenge for being traded.  He ripped a three run Home Run that tied the game, setting up Bill Mazeroski's legendary home run.

7/17/1955:
On Sunday, July 17, 1955, ABC cameras were rolling in Anaheim, CA as Art Linkletter and Ronald Reagan hosted a very special event.  The heat was intense.  The asphalt, newly poured, had not quite solidified yet so women's heels were sinking into the ground.  The event had been planned for a specified amount of attendees but counterfeit tickets led to overflow crowds and shortages of water.  The live broadcast was a mess.  There were repeated false starts with missed cues.  Incorrect cuts to unprepared parts of the park showed Reagan or Linkletter staring off into space (or in Linkletter's case, kissing a dancer).  Tomorrowland was essentially still in the future and although it was introduced on the broadcast there was little there.  The reviews from the press were harsh.  For Disney it came to be known as Black Sunday.  It could have been a disastrous confirmation of what Roy and several friends had been telling Walt from day one:  this theme park was a bad idea.

On the other side of the country the Dodgers were finishing up a double header as Walt stepped to the microphone for his famous dedication of Disneyland.  The Dodgers had a rookie pitcher making his Major League debut on the pitchers mound for the first game.  Facing the Reds, the rookie pitcher started off pretty shaky.  He started by getting the lead off hitter to pop up a bunt for the first out.  That was quickly followed by a triple and a single back to the pitcher.  One run in and only one out.  The pitcher settled down and got the next two batters.  He got some support in the bottom of the first.  Duke Snider launched a Home Run and that was followed immediately by a Carl Furillo Home Run.  The Dodgers went on to win the game and the rookie pitcher, who pitched a complete game shut out, was on his way to a successful career long past his playing days.  Roger Craig would play for 12 years (including going 10-24 for the terrible 1962 Mets) but there was more to his career.  Roger Craig became a pitching genius.  Credited with teaching many of the great 1980's pitchers what he called the "split finger fast ball", previously known as a fork ball.  Roger Craig was the pitching coach for Sparky Anderson's Detroit Tigers from 1980-1984.  Later as manager of the San Francisco Giants, he led them to two division titles and the 1989 World Series.  Craig's career may be over but his legacy lives on every time someone throws a cut fastball.

Photo of Mickey Mouse Club Courtesy of originalmmc.com

10/3/1955:
On the afternoon of 10/3/1955, Whitey Ford faced off against Karl Spooner at Yankee Stadium in a game that had the potential to end the Yankee dynasty of the 1950's.  The Dodgers sent Jim Gilliam to the plate to lead off the game and he lined out to Elston Howard in left field.  Pee Wee Reese followed and struck out looking.  Duke Snider did the same.  Then the Yankees, fighting to keep their domination in tact, made sure they kept their season alive early.  In the bottom of the first the Yankees scored five runs before Spooner got two outs and was removed from the game.  The Yankees went on to win 5-1 and force Game 7.

Kids everywhere couldn't be happier that the game was decided early.  For weeks they had anticipated 10/3.  They had seen advertisements for a new show that was different from anything they'd seen before.  If this game had gone extra innings or ran long, who knew how much of their show they would miss.  When the game was over children around the country sat down in front of the big console T.V. and watched as the Mickey Mouse March played through the speakers and Doreen, Darlene, Bobby and Annette introduced themselves  for the very first time.  The Mickey Mouse Club debuted at 5:00 P.M.

9/24/1961:
The week of  9/24/1961 was a big week for Major League Baseball but it wouldn't become apparent,  in some cases, for two decades.  On September 22,  in Jacksonville, FL, Vince Coleman was born.  Coleman would play 13 years in the majors.  Coleman won the Rookie of the Year award in 1985.  He led the league in Stolen Bases six straight years and helped the Cardinals reach two World Series (1985 and 1987).  On the same day in San Diego, Bob Geren was born.  Geren would play parts of five years in the majors with the Yankees and the Padres.  Geren would go on to manage five years in Oakland.  Also on September 22 Donn Clendenon played his first Major League game for the Pirates.  Clendenon would come in second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1962 but his biggest moment came in the 1969 World Series when he helped the Miracle Mets win the World Series.  On September 26th, in Lancaster, CA, Steve Buechele was born.  Buechele would go on to play 1334 games over 11 years in the majors for the Rangers, Pirates and Cubs.  On the same day the Buechele family welcomed the birth of their son, Bill Freehan was making his Major League Baseball debut.  Freehan would play 15 years, all with the Tigers.  He was an 11 time All Star, a five time Gold Glove winner and a World Series Champion.  The same day that Freehan made his debut for the Tigers, Boog Powell first put on a uniform for the Baltimore Orioles.  Powell would play 17 years in the Major Leagues and would greatly contribute to the Orioles dynasty of the 1960's and 1970's

On September 24, as Major League Baseball's future was being formed, Walt Disney was making history.  Walt's Sunday night television show on ABC had dipped in ratings since it debuted in 1954.  When ABC made it clear that they were not concerned with dumping more money into a show that was sagging in the ratings, Walt made a switch to NBC.  NBC was willing to do something ABC was not.  It was obvious that Disney productions looked better in color.  NBC was willing to spend the money to produce a color show, while ABC was not.  On September 24, Walt Disney premiered his Wonderful World of Color on NBC.

Photo of Walt Disney's Wonderful World Of Color Title Sequence Courtesy of Wikipedia

12/15/1966:
The baseball world was quite confused on 12/15.  The Yankees had now gone two years without reaching the World Series and had gone four years since winning the World Series.  Yankee fans were definitely not used to this. The team had been bought by CBS and was heading into a tumultuous time.  The confusion had come from the decision to trade Roger Maris.  The trade had been made on 12/8 but the shock had yet to wear off.  Maris had not only been traded, he had been traded for a man who would end up with only 8 career Home Runs more than Maris had accumulated in the magical 1961 season.  Yankees fans had no idea how bad the coming era would get but it was only beginning.  Maris would play two years in St.Louis and would make big contributions to the 1967 and 1968 Cardinals World Series teams.

While the baseball world was continuing to process the shift in the baseball landscape, Walt Disney was lying in a hospital bed.  He had gone into the hospital in November for an operation to repair an old polo injury and during preparation a tumor had been found in his lung. He was told he had six months to live. Just a few weeks later he was back in the hospital.  As his brother visited him Walt was envisioning the new Florida based theme park and mapping it out in his head, envisioning  a map of the park on the ceiling tiles.  The workaholic was working right up to the end.  Apparently planning a future project he had written the name of one of his favorite young actors, Kurt Russell. It was the last thing written by Walt Disney who passed away at 9:30 A.M. in St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California.  As the Yankee dynasty searched for new leadership and new direction, the Disney dynasty mourned the passing of their leader.

Photo of Disneyland's Partners Statue Courtesy of Disney Insider

TRIVIA QUESTION:

In this article I mentioned that Tony Kubek was literally almost killed by a ground ball during Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.  What happened on this ground ball?

Answer to Last Week's Trivia Question:
Congratulations to Hope on Last Week's Trivia Question.

On June 4, 1986 Barry Bonds and the Pirates faced off against the Atlanta Braves.  Few, if any, gave much importance to the game.  It was still early in the season but neither team had much chance at the playoffs (fast forward five years and the teams would be meeting again with more at stake).  Bonds did well in the first few innings.  He struck out looking to lead off the game but in the second he hit a two run single.  In the top of the 4th Bonds had another RBI single.  Two batters later, Braves starter Joe Johnson was out of the game.  His replacement was Craig McMurtry.  With two out and the bases empty in the 5th Bonds stepped up to face McMurtry and launched his first career Home Run.

While few were interested in the game on June 4, 1986, everyone was watching every moment on August 7, 2007.  In the bottom of the second Bonds connected to deep right-center but the ball stayed in the park and Bonds ended up with a double.  He singled on an 0-1 pitch in his second at bat and scored when the next batter, Benji Molina, launched a Home Run.  The score was tied with one out in the fifth as Bonds stepped to the plate.  The first two pitches were out of the zone and Bonds watched the 0-2 pitch for a called strike.  He was used to watching the ball since pitchers were terrified to give him anything close to the plate.  He fouled of the fourth pitch then watched ball three to bring the count full.  The sixth pitch of the at bat came in and it was fouled back.  On the 7th pitch of the at bat, Mike Bacsik of the Washington Nationals delivered a pitch to the plate that quickly flew in the opposite direction to set the all time record. Home Run #756.

On September 5, 2007 the Giants were well out of the playoff race.  The Diamondbacks, Padres and Rockies were the teams near the top of the division.  The Rockies were starting a magical run that would end with them in the World Series.  In the top of the first, with one out, Bonds stepped in to face Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies.  On the fifth pitch of the at bat, on a 1-2 count, Bonds launched a two run Home Run to left field in Colorado.  The Giants would win 5-3 and Bonds would never again launch a Home Run.

Rivalries:Mike Piazza vs Roger Clemens

When you have the first all New York World Series since 1956 the story kind of writes itself.  Dodgers-Yankees and Giants-Yankees was seemingly an every year tradition for nearly a decade but then the Dodgers and Giants up and left for the west coast and New York was given the pathetic Mets.  As the Mets started to improve, the Yankees collapsed until the Yankees dominated and the Mets rebuilt.  By the mid 1980's, as the Mets built a team around Strawberry, Gooden, Carter and Hernandez and the Yankees built around Mattingly, Winfield, Randolph and Rickey Henderson, experts dreamt of a Subway Series for the new generation.  It never came to be.  The Mets achieved some success but the Yankees underachieved every year.  Enter the Yankees dynasty of the late 1990's and the Mets resurgence around Mike Piazza.

Photo of Mike Piazza Courtesy of Bleacher Report

As the 2000 World Series got under way the story for the professionals and the marketing geniuses was simple:  the first subway series since Robinson, Snider, Hodges and Reese took on Mantle, Ford, Berra and that guy named Larsen.  Instead, less than two minutes into the Game 2 broadcast as Roger Clemens warmed up, the story became clear.  This was a grudge match between two players.

The grudge had started a few months earlier.  In what was unheard of in the 1980's as the New York writers dreamt of a Subway World Series, the Mets and Yankees faced off in a regular season interleague series.  In the second game of a double header on July 8, Mike Piazza stepped to the plate in the second inning.  Facing off against Roger Clemens, Piazza took a called strike 1.  The second pitch caused everyone in the stadium to hold their breath.

"I truly believe that if I hadn't gotten my head down at the last instant, Clemens' two seamer would have struck me in the eye and possibly killed me."  Piazza said later.

As Piazza lay in the dirt, motionless, the fans at the stadium and viewers at home weren't sure yet that he wasn't dead.  It was a terrifying moment.  Piazza was removed from the game and taken to the hospital for examination.  Piazza survived the beaning but the war had started.

Piazza and the Mets held a press conference the next day, allowing the flood of interested reporters to ask all the questions they wanted.  "I don't want to say he intentionally hit me in the head, but I think he intentionally threw at my head.  There's no place for that in baseball."  After being told that Clemens had shown concern for Piazza, the response was clear.  "I have no respect  or appreciation for his comments.  Roger Clemens is a great Pitcher but I don't have respect for him now at all."

Clemens' response was even clearer.  "I don't care"

Photo of Roger Clemens Courtesy of Bleacher Report

The anticipation built as the first inning of Game 2 got under way.  Piazza was in the lineup as the Catcher, batting third in the lineup.  As Clemens threw his warm up pitches the FOX broadcast crew ran a pregame interview with Clemens.

"I'm gonna go out there and battle and I expect the same from him.  It's my means of trying to get certain hitters out, to try and get in there.  It's not about intimidation or trying to hurt anyone in any shape or form.  I'm going to still be aggressive and try to pitch my game."

Clemens got Timo Perez swinging and got Edgardo Alfonso swinging at a ball in the dirt to start the first inning.  Alfonso was retired as Jorge Posada started chasing him down the line, then gave up on tagging him and just threw the ball to first base to end the brief chase.  Then it was the confrontation everyone was waiting for but realistically thought would be anticlimactic.

Camera flashes lit the stadium with every move either man made.  People wanted evidence of any history that was about to be made.

Piazza took the first pitch for a strike.

Piazza took the second pitch for a strike.

Piazza took the third pitch, low and outside, for a ball.

The 1-2 pitch came in and Piazza swung.  The pitch was in on Piazza's hands and jammed his powerful swing.  The bat shattered.  Piazza held the handle as he started running down to first.  One shard of the bat bounced in front of the plate and settled on the third base side of the field.  The barrel of the bat, the largest fragment, shot straight back to Clemens.  Clemens fielded the bat.  Set himself, pulled his arm back, and fired the jagged remains of the barrel of a baseball bat towards the same first base line that Piazza was running down.

Photo of Roger Clemens Courtesy of CNN.com

As Piazza was running towards first he saw the motion of Clemens winding up.  He stopped.  The spear bounced about two feet in front of his two feet and rolled towards the first base dugout.  If the beaning was an accident, this one was clear.  Clemens just threw a weapon at Piazza.  Benches cleared.  People were pushed around but the only thing thrown at the enemy were curses.

Clemens found the umpire and explained his position.  "I thought it was the ball."  Amateur lip readers can clearly see it on the replay.  Clemens expected the umpire (and the world) to believe that he thought a two foot piece of jagged wood shot directly back to him was a horsehide ball with a diameter of 9 inches.  It is entirely possible, at the speed of the game, that as he saw something coming right back at him that his initial reaction was that the ball was coming back to him.  However, as soon as he fielded the bat it would be clear that this was a foul ball.  If he did in fact think it was the ball that he fielded, it is not clear why he would have fired it at the feet of the runner heading down to first and not turned to throw the ball to first base to retire the side.

Calm was restored, the at bat came to an end and the Yankees took their turn at bat.  As he left the field Clemens turned to the umpire and said clearly "my fault".  Clemens gave his version of the incident following the game.  "I came back into the dugout and I said 'I've got to get control of my emotions and calm down.  I told Charlie, the umpire, I didn't know Mike was coming out.  I guess it came close to him.  That was my emotions."

Piazza faced Clemens again in the fourth after Edgardo Alfonso was hit by a Clemens pitch.  On the sixth pitch of the at bat, Piazza popped out to first.  Piazza faced Clemens again in the 6th and lined out to left field on an 0-2 pitch.  Piazza was set to bat in the top of the 9th but Clemens was replaced by Jeff Nelson.  With a runner on first Piazza homered to left field cutting the Yankee lead to 6-2. 

Clemens would not appear in the 2000 World Series again, winning his only start as the Yankees won their third straight title.

Piazza may have gotten some minor payback, although it was only speculation on the part of some writers.  Clemens joined the Houston Astros in 2004 and was named the All Star Game starter for the National League as the Astros hosted the mid summer classic.  The National League lineup was strong:  Edgar Renteria (SS), Albert Pujols (1B). Barry Bonds (LF), Scott Rolen (3B), Sammy Sosa (RF), Mike Piazza (C), Lance Berkman (CF), Jeff Kent (2B).

The American League lineup was just as strong.  As Clemens prepared to face the AL stars, Piazza crouched behind the plate.  Leading off was Ichiro Suzuki who doubled to Left Field.  Batting second was Ivan Rodriguez who tripled to right field.  Vladimir Guerrero grounded back to Clemens for out number one but the next batter, Manny Ramirez, launched a two run Home Run.  It was 3-0 and the AL was just starting.  Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging but Jason Giambi reached on an error, Derek Jeter singled and Alfonso Soriano launched a three run Home Run.  Finally, Mark Mulder, the AL starting pitcher, struck out to end the inning but the American League had batted around and scored six runs.  The AL was well on their way to a 9-4 win.  It was only speculation but the question was, did the American League know what was coming?  Were they possibly getting tips from the Catcher who wanted to see the pitcher humiliated?

TRIVIA QUESTION:

I mentioned in today's article that the all-New York Fall Classic was a nearly annual event in the 1950's.  Since the Dodgers and Giants left for the west coast, how many times has there been a Dodgers-Yankees or Giants-Yankees World Series?

Answer to Last Week's Trivia Question:
Congratulations to Hope and TJD for their correct answer to last week's trivia Question.
The Detroit Tigers 1984 World Series Champion team featured some great players of the 1980's and some of the greatest players in the very successful history of the Tigers organization (at least one of which will be featured in an upcoming series of player profiles). The Tiger's everyday lineup included Lance Parrish (C), Darrell Evans (1B) who struggled in 1984, Lou Whitaker (2B), Alan Trammell (SS) who hit .450 in the World Series and win the series MVP, Kirk Gibson (RF), Chet Lemon (CF), Larry Herndon (LF).  On the bench was future star Howard Johnson.  In the rotation was Jack Morris, Walt Terrell and Milt Wilcox.  In the bullpen was Aurelio Lopez and Willie Hernandez who would win both the Cy Young and MVP award in 1984.  Although Morris and Trammell are borderline Hall of Fame players (and some have made a case for Whitaker as well) the 1984 Tigers are the only World Series champions from the 1980's decade not to have a Hall of Fame representative.