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.

Abbott and Costello: Creating the Greatest Comedy Sketch of All Time

Abbott: Well Costello, I'm going to New York with you. You know Bucky Harris, the Yankee's manager, gave me a job as coach for as long as you're on the team.

Costello: Look Abbott, if you're the coach, you must know all the players.

Abbott: I certainly do.

Costello: Well you know I've never met the guys. So you'll have to tell me their names, and then I'll know who's playing on the team.

Abbott: Oh, I'll tell you their names, but you know it seems to me they give these ball players now-a-days very peculiar names.

Costello: You mean funny names?

Abbott: Strange names, pet names...like Dizzy Dean...

Costello: His brother Daffy.

Abbott: Daffy Dean...

Costello: And their French cousin.

Abbott: French?

Costello: Goofè.

Baseball players have always had nicknames. Some are more common than others.  The nickname "Red" has been applied to many players including Red Rolfe, the third baseman on the Yankees great 1930's teams and manager of the Detroit Tigers for several years, as well as Red Dooin, Catcher for the Phillies and Red Schoendienst, the Hall of Fame Second Baseman of the Cardinals and Braves.  "Lefty" of course applies to a left hand pitcher.  "Lefty" Carlton, "Lefty" Grove and "Lefty" Gomez being the most common.  There are some truly great nicknames that have been applied throughout the years.  Hugh Mulcahy, a pitcher for the Phillies, who lost 20 games in a season twice became forever known as "Losing Pitcher" Mulcahy because Philadelphia Sports Writers said the only time they saw his name in the paper it was always preceded by the words Losing Pitcher. The Waner brothers (Paul and Lloyd) were called "big poison" and "little poison" because when they hit back to back you had to pitch to one of them so you could pick your poison.  Padres Catcher Doug Gwosdz was known as eye chart (think about it) and Cardinals Pitcher Mark Rzepczynski is known as scrabble.  Al Simmons of the A's was famously known as "Bucket Foot" because he would routinely "step in the bucket" when he swung.  Ron Cey, the Dodgers great third baseman, was known as "the Penguin" because of the funny way he ran.  My personal favorite of all time is Freddy "Boom-Boom" Beck.  "Boom-Boom" pitched for the Phillies and it was said there were two booms on almost every pitch.  The first boom was the ball hitting the bat, the second boom was the ball hitting the wall at Baker Bowl.  

Abbott: Goofè Dean. Well, let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...

Costello: That's what I want to find out.

Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.

Costello: Are you the manager?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: You gonna be the coach too?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names?

Abbott: Well I should.

Costello: Well then who's on first?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: I mean the fellow's name.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy on first.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The first baseman.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy playing...

Abbott: Who is on first!

Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.

Abbott: That's the man's name.

Costello: That's who's name?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.

Abbott: That's it.

Costello: That's who?

Abbott: Yes.

The Vaudeville stage and baseball had a strong connection.  Back at the turn of the century baseball stars took to the stage in the winter to make some extra cash.  John McGraw, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson and Rube Marquard all had strong connections to the stage.  Marquard even married a star of the stage in a story out of a soap opera.  Marquard and his future wife were having an affair.  Her husband accused her of infidelity.  She counter claimed abuse.  The husband tried to catch the two of them together which led to Marquard scrambling down a hotel fire escape to avoid being caught.  You can only imagine what McGraw felt about that kind of distraction.

Joe Tinker, of the famous Tinker to Evers to Chance combination, was a big enough hit to consider quitting the game.  "Turkey" Mike Donlin of the Giants actually left the game for a few years over a contract dispute and took to the stage.  Donlin was a good enough actor that after his retirement he appeared in several silent films including some Buster Keaton comedies.

Photo of Mike Donlin and his wife Courtesy of Wikipedia

The connection went two ways.  Don't forget it was a vaudeville man who wrote the baseball anthem.  At the turn of the century baseball sketches were all over the vaudeville map.  Bud Abbott would have been familiar with many of these.  His family was heavily involved in show business as part of the circus.  At the age of 16 Bud was working in the box office for a burlesque theater.  He went on to promote burlesque tours and by 1924 Bud was himself performing on stage with some of the most famous comedians.

Costello: Look, you gotta first baseman?

Abbott: Certainly.

Costello: Who's playing first?

Abbott: That's right.

Costello: When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money?

Abbott: Every dollar of it.

Costello: All I'm trying to find out is the fellow's name on first base.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy that gets...

Abbott: That's it.

Costello: Who gets the money...

Abbott: He does, every dollar. Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it.

Costello: Who's wife?

Abbott: Yes.

PAUSE

Abbott: What's wrong with that?

Costello: Look, all I wanna know is when you sign up the first baseman, how does he sign his name?

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: How does he sign...

Abbott: That's how he signs it.

Costello: Who?

Abbott: Yes.

Lou Costello, the younger of the famous team, was surprisingly athletic and an excellent basketball player.  Born in New Jersey, Lou moved to Hollywood to try his luck in the movies. Not possessing the good looks of Valentino, Costello was usually the one doing stunts or building the sets for the movies he would have preferred to star in.  By the 1930's few people could handle the strains of the depression and being a sometimes actor was not the best career path so Costello decided to head back home.  Half way there he ran out of money.  Stuck in Missouri, he took to the vaudeville stage to make some money and started to make a name for himself as a comedian.

Photo of Lou Costello Courtesy of Biography.com

Costello: All I'm trying to find out is what's the guy's name on first base.

Abbott: No. What is on second base.

Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.

Abbott: Who's on first.

Costello: One base at a time!

Abbott: Well, don't change the players around.

Costello: I'm not changing nobody!

Abbott: Take it easy, buddy.

Costello: I'm only asking you, who's the guy on first base?

Abbott: That's right.

Costello: Ok.

Abbott: All right.

The show business gods have a way of forcing people to meet.  If Pete Best hadn't had to miss a night playing with the Beatles in Hamburg, they may have never been forced to use the drummer from Rory Storm and the Hurricanes and Ringo Starr may never have been considered to replace Pete Best.  As Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones tried to convince John Bonham to join the New Yardbirds, Bonham insisted he would only join if they also hired the lead singer of his band.  Imagine what Led Zeppelin would have sounded like if Robert Plant was not the lead singer.  As NBC was preparing an American band to rival the Beatles two kid musicians decided to try out just for the hell of it.  Peter Tork was chosen to join the Monkees.  Steven Stills, his friend, was rejected.  Could you imagine Crosby Tork and Nash?

In 1930 as Lou Costello was gaining a reputation as an up and coming comedian.  He was all set to go on stage one night but his straight man fell ill.  Just his luck, the fates were literally waiting in the wings.  Bud Abbott stood in for Costello's wing man and the team worked together for the first time.  The two officially became a team in 1936 and by 1938 they were appearing together on the Kate Smith radio show.  In March 1938 they first performed the famous sketch.  It was an immediate hit.  In 1940 they appeared in a movie called One Night in the Tropics where they performed a short version of "Who's on First?".

Photo of Bud Abbott Courtesy of Wikipedia

Costello: What's the guy's name on first base?

Abbott: No. What is on second.

Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.

Abbott: Who's on first.

Costello: I don't know.

Abbott: He's on third, we're not talking about him.

Costello: Now how did I get on third base?

Abbott: Why you mentioned his name.

Costello: If I mentioned the third baseman's name, who did I say is playing third?

Abbott: No. Who's playing first.

Costello: What's on first?

Abbott: What's on second.

Costello: I don't know.

Abbott: He's on third.

Costello: There I go, back on third again!

PAUSE

Costello: Would you just stay on third base and don't go off it.

Abbott: All right, what do you want to know?

Costello: Now who's playing third base?

Abbott: Why do you insist on putting Who on third base?

Costello: What am I putting on third.

Abbott: No. What is on second.

Costello: You don't want who on second?

Abbott: Who is on first.

Costello: I don't know.

Abbott & Costello Together:Third base!

When the team were given their own radio program they performed the sketch several times.  The most famous version was recorded during either 1947 or 1948 as it references Bucky Harris as the Yankees manager.  Harris manged the pinstripes for two years, defeating Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers in the 1947 World Series. 

Harris started playing with the Washington Senators in 1919 and by 1924 was managing the Senators.  Known as Clark Griffith's "boy wonder" manager, Harris led the Senators to the World Series in both 1924 and 1925, winning the 1924 World Series.  He managed the Senators until 1928.  He then managed the Tigers from 1929-1933, never finishing higher than 5th.  He led the Red Sox in 1934 and finished 4th.  He returned to the Senators as manager from 1935-1942, managed the Phillies for 1943.  Then came his chance to manage the Yankees for two years (1947 and 1948).  The Yankees manager until 1946 had been Joe McCarthy.  Hired after Harris was the legendary Casey Stengel.  After leaving the Yankees in 1948 Harris returned for a third tour in Washington from  1950-1954 and finally managed in Detroit (second tour) for 1955 and 1956.  Harris was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Costello: Look, you gotta outfield?

Abbott: Sure.

Costello: The left fielder's name?

Abbott: Why.

Costello: I just thought I'd ask you.

Abbott: Well, I just thought I'd tell ya.

Costello: Then tell me who's playing left field.

Abbott: Who's playing first.

Costello: I'm not... stay out of the infield! I want to know what's the guy's name in left field?

Abbott: No, What is on second.

Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.

Abbott: Who's on first!

Costello: I don't know.

Abbott & Costello Together: Third base!

PAUSE

Costello: The left fielder's name?

Abbott: Why.

Costello: Because!

Abbott: Oh, he's centerfield.

Although the two had become synonymous with the sketch they were not the authors.  There is a question as to who wrote the sketch and numerous people claimed it was them.  Regardless of who wrote the lines, Abbott and Costello's timing perfected it.

Costello: Look, You gotta pitcher on this team?

Abbott: Sure.

Costello: The pitcher's name?

Abbott: Tomorrow.

Costello: You don't want to tell me today?

Abbott: I'm telling you now.

Costello: Then go ahead.

Abbott: Tomorrow!

Costello: What time?

Abbott: What time what?

Costello: What time tomorrow are you gonna tell me who's pitching?

Abbott: Now listen. Who is not pitching.

Costello: I'll break your arm, you say who's on first! I want to know what's the pitcher's name?

Abbott: What's on second.

Costello: I don't know.

Abbott & Costello Together: Third base!

Photo of Who's on First Courtesy of Matinee Classics

There is a danger in working closely with a partner.  There are cautionary tales everywhere of two partners who work together and have a public face of perfect harmony but have a strained relationship in real life.  Lennon and McCartney.  Crosby and Hope.  Astaire and Rogers.  Martin and Lewis.  The Sherman Brothers.  Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.  Even Tinker and Evers had a period where they wouldn't speak to each other under any circumstances, though they still turned a double play better than anyone.  Abbott and Costello had a period of not speaking as well.  For about two to three years the two would not speak unless they were performing.  Legend has it that Costello fired a domestic servant who was immediately hired by Abbott.  Costello took it personally and refused to speak to the other.  After a few years the frost thawed and the relationship appeared to repair itself.

Costello: Got a catcher?

Abbott: Certainly.

Costello: The catcher's name?

Abbott: Today.

Costello: Today, and tomorrow's pitching.

Abbott: Now you've got it.

Costello: All we got is a couple of days on the team.

PAUSE

Costello: You know I'm a catcher too.

Abbott: So they tell me.

Costello: I get behind the plate to do some fancy catching, Tomorrow's pitching on my team and a heavy hitter gets up. Now the heavy hitter bunts the ball. When he bunts the ball, me, being a good catcher, I'm gonna throw the guy out at first base. So I pick up the ball and throw it to who?

Abbott: Now that's the first thing you've said right.

Costello: I don't even know what I'm talking about!

PAUSE

Abbott: That's all you have to do.

Costello: Is to throw the ball to first base.

Abbott: Yes!

Costello: Now who's got it?

Abbott: Naturally.

Just as with any successful formula, there were plenty of copy cat sketches.  The most common variation was the use of rock band names.  Instead of Who, What and I Don't Know the most common bands used in the sketch were The Who, The Guess Who, The Band and Yes.  This sketch was done on SCTV with Eugene Levy and Tony Rosato and a similar sketch was seen on the animated tv series Animaniacs in the 1990's with Slappy the Squirrel and her nephew Skippy.  Another variation was seen on The Kids in the Hall when Dave Foley played the worst vaudeville comedian ever.  As Kevin McDonald's character is preparing to be exasperated by his partner Foley stops and explains to McDonald that the names, which sound like questions are really regular names.  Foley even goes so far as to explain that the third baseman is "Iduno, Phil Iduno.  I-D-U-N-O.  But I can see how if you say it fast it could sound like 'Gee, I don't know.' but it's not.  It's Phil Iduno."


Costello: Look, if I throw the ball to first base, somebody's gotta get it. Now who has it?

Abbott: Naturally.

Costello: Who?

Abbott: Naturally.

Costello: Naturally?

Abbott: Naturally.

Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally.

Abbott: No you don't, you throw the ball to Who.

Costello: Naturally.

Abbott: That's different.

Costello: That's what I said.

Abbott: You're not saying it...

Costello: I throw the ball to Naturally.

Abbott: You throw it to Who.

Costello: Naturally.

Abbott: That's it.

Costello: That's what I said!

Abbott: You ask me.

Costello: I throw the ball to who?

Abbott: Naturally.

Costello: Now you ask me.

Abbott: You throw the ball to Who?

Costello: Naturally.

Abbott: That's it.

Costello: Same as you! Same as YOU! I throw the ball to who. Whoever it is drops the ball and the guy runs to second. Who picks up the ball and throws it to What. What throws it to I Don't Know. I Don't Know throws it back to Tomorrow, Triple play. Another guy gets up and hits a long fly ball to Because. Why? I don't know! He's on third and I don't give a darn!

Abbott: What?

Costello: I said I don't give a darn!

Abbott: Oh, that's our shortstop.

Why has the sketch endured?  It is hard to say.  In  1999 Time magazine named "Who's on First" as the best comedy sketch of the century. Most people know the fictional starting lineup of Who, What and I Don't Know better than they do the starting infield of last year's World Series champs.  In 2007 the Dodgers called up a player late in the season for his first Major League experience.  As that player got his first Major League hit, a single, Vin Scully made the perfect call, as he always does.  Chin Ling Hu stood on first base with a single  and Vin said the perfect thing:  "Okay everbody, all together:  Hu's on first."

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Jimmy Fallon's late night show did a sketch featuring the character's of Who and I Don't Know.  What two legendary comedians played the two famous characters?

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
The expansion draft for The Angels and replacement Senators team was a disaster.  The two teams were given a list of players to choose from.  By the rules, no team could lose more than seven players total and neither of the new teams could choose more than four players from any one team.  At the end of the final round it was revealed that the Tigers had lost more than seven players, the Angels had selected more than the four player limit from several teams and the Senators had done the same.  At that point the two teams had to back track and choose again, return players and trade some players to even everything out.  At the end of the draft it was again determined that the Senators had taken too many players from one team.  Instead of backtracking again the Senators decided to trade one of the players to the Angels.  The Angels had a choice of three players and reportedly their representative said "I don't know who to take.  We'll take a chance on Chance."  They were referring to Dean Chance who went on to become one of the first stars of the organization finishing third in the 1962 Rookie of the Year voting and winning the Cy Young awared in 1964.

Disney Baseball Part2

Last week we looked at the special dates in Disney History and what was happening in the baseball world at that time.  Some readers probably tuned out but for those of you who stuck around I hope you enjoyed part 1.  This week, in the final part of the two part article, we will take a look at how Walt Disney played a part in baseball directly, specifically with the Angels franchise.

For those of you opting out again, check back next week for some more fun articles.

1960: Disney joins board of directors of Angels.  
Major League Baseball had been two leagues of eight teams since 1901.  Until the mid 1950's the same teams played in the same cities.  Some cities even had two teams.  The league was set.  The Yankees dominated the American League.  The Dodgers, Giants and Cardinals dominated the National League.  It worked.  New York was the baseball capital of the world and the money was pouring in to the owners.

Then in the mid 1950's Branch Rickey stepped in.  Rickey had been bought out (or forced out) of his spot with the Dodgers.  In an odd move against the league that Rickey played such a large part in establishing, Rickey planned to start a rival league, the Continental League, and planned to do it in cities that he said were being kept out by MLB.  True, Philadelphia and Boston at one time could support two teams but the country had changed since the league started.  Rickey decided it was time for a change in baseball too.

MLB knew that Rickey's challenge was real and they needed to rethink their strategy.  It was clear that the Braves were struggling in Boston while the Red Sox were thriving.  The Athletics were floundering in Philadelphia (and the Phillies weren't exactly raking it in). So the Braves moved west to Milwaukee, the Athletics moved west to Kansas City.  The Browns couldn't survive in St.Louis with the Cardinals success so they moved to Baltimore. The Dodgers did the unthinkable and moved to the West Coast and the Giants went with them.

So among the other things Branch Rickey did for baseball (developing the minor league system, creating the Cardinals logo, building the Cardinals and Dodgers dynasties and breaking the color barrier) he also put in motion what would turn out to be a chain of events that led to the expansion of the league.

As Rickey and his business partners started to realize the struggle they faced breaking the hold that MLB had on the public they started to play ball with the league.  They would agree not to start the rival league as long as MLB would agree to expand into the cities they said were being kept out.

The American League decided they would expand first, before the National League had the chance.  Instead of taking a year or two to develop a plan they dove right into the deep end.  They announced, in 1960, they would add two teams for the 1961 season. No one knew where the teams would be, what stadium they would play in, where they would get their players, who would run the teams.  They just made the announcement.

The American League looked at several cities as expansion options:  Dallas, Oakland, Denver, San Diego, Atlanta, St. Paul, Fort Worth.  But there was still no ownership in place.  The American League decided first of all to send a team back to a recently vacated flagship city.  The Senators had moved to Minnesota and became the Twins, which took St.Paul off the expansion map.  Now a new Senators team would start play in 1961 in Washington.

The other team would go north, way north, to Toronto.  It would be run by business man Jack Kent Cook and would make the league international.  While Cook was planning his 1961 logistics an even better opportunity for the AL evolved.  Hank Greenberg, a baseball legend, wanted to own a team and he wanted to place it in Los Angeles.  Greenberg not only saw the market that existed in Southern California he had investors to back him.  Then all hell broke loose.  Cook was furious (don't worry.  He turned out ok.  He eventually owned the Lakers and the Redskins and built both of them into successful franchises.)  The American League went with Greenberg and Cook was out. They announced that the second franchise would play in Los Angeles. Then Greenberg's investors got cold feet and he was out.

It was madness.  Toronto had a furious ownership group but no team.  Los Angeles had a team but no ownership/  There was no ownership for a team that was set to start play within a few months.  They still had no players, no stadium, no uniforms, no equipment.  It was a fantasy baseball team fifty years before fantasy baseball.

Enter Walt Disney.  Walt was still riding high on the success of Disneyland and he had the money to fix the problem.  He had no real interest in owning a baseball team but his good friend Gene Autry, who owned a set of Southern California radio stations, was looking to invest in something.  Walt convinced him to buy into the team.  Autry would do it but he needed help with the organization.  Walt agreed to be part of the board of directors.

1961 Angels Logo Courtesy of Sports Logos.net

1962:  The Long Beach Angels?
The first few years in Los Angeles for the Angels were hell.  They had barely made it through the expansion draft process with their sanity.  They paid rent to the Dodgers for the right to play in Dodgers Stadium.  Their offices at the stadium were basically the equipment shed.  They were even charged fees for window cleaning at the stadium as part of their rent (even though their offices were so shabby that they had no windows). The team needed a better situation.

Autry started looking at options. He told Walter O'Malley, the Dodgers owner and technically the Angels' land lord, that he intended to vacate Dodger Stadium and O'Malley couldn't have been happier. Southern California had a lot of options but where to go?  Walt Disney was on the board of directors but had very little involvement in the team at this point so Autry was making the decisions.  The city of Long Beach was making strong overtures toward the team.  They were willing to build them a stadium (although funding  for that was questionable).  They were willing to bend over backwards to accommodate them, although they insisted the team be called the Long Beach Angels.  Autry refused to be called the Long Beach Angels so the search continued.

Photo of 1961 Angels Logo Courtesy of Sports Logo.net. The Angels originally played at a Wrigley Field replica in Los Angeles. The field had been used to film the "Home Run Derby" television show.

Board member Walt Disney had an idea. He had a small business in the Southern California city of Anaheim, a nice little park.  It was a little thing he had built in the city of 15,000 residents.  He had no problem getting people to the park but wouldn't it be great if there were another big attraction down the street.  A second reason to come to Anaheim.

What about the name?  Did the city insist on having the team called Anaheim Angels?  Anaheim mayor Rex Coons said they could call themselves whatever the hell they wanted.  Coons realized that when the sports section was printed the morning after the game, the location of the game was listed as Anaheim for everyone to read.  When the Goodyear Blimp showed the wide shots it would be the city of Anaheim that was seen on the screen.  So Walt talked to the Singing Cowboy and worked together to scout the area (as close as possible to Disneyland of course) and a decision was made.  The Los Angeles Angels would play in the city of Anaheim.  The problem was they were still under agreement to O'Malley and the Dodgers.  So it was not until 4/9/1964 that they announced their intent to move the team.  Four months later, with Mickey, Minnie and the gang in attendance, the Angels broke ground on  the Big A.

Photo of Angels Stadium Ground Breaking Ceremony Courtesy of LA Times

1966: First year in Anaheim.  Lead AL in attendance.
Walt was always interested in improving attendance at the park.  What better way to improve attendance than to work with one of his other businesses.  Walt developed a promotional plan where you would get into the park for free when you bought a ticket to go see the Angels.  It was perfect.  You could spend all day with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy to make great memories for the kids at the home of America's greatest entertainer.  After dinner at the park you could head a few blocks over to the big A and spend the evening with the family watching America's greatest game.  That same year the Yankees stumbled in the standings and not surprisingly the Angels led the American League in attendance.

1996: Disney takes over controlling interest.
Walt Disney was long gone by 1996 but the Disney Corporation was stronger than ever.  Disney was years away from buying Marvel, Star Wars, and a million other subsidiaries.  In the early 1990's Disney had jumped into the sports business when the National Hockey League expanded.  The Disney corporation launched the Mighty Ducks movie series, created a Mighty Ducks cartoon and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks joined the NHL.  The success of the NHL franchise led the Disney Corporation to consider other ventures.  In 1994 the Disney Corporation released Angels in the Outfield, a remake of an older film, in which Angels help an underdog team win.  Starring Danny Glover, Tony Danza and a young Joseph Gordon Levitt, the film featured the California Angels as the team benefiting from the help of the Angels.  Shortly later the Disney Corporation bought the team.  Under the ownership of Disney the team became a consistent playoff team, even challenging the Dodgers for supremacy in the Southern California market.  The only World Series title in Angels history occurred during the Disney Corporation's reign.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Who was the final player taken in the Angels' expansion draft in 1961?

Answer to last week's question:

The Pirates started the bottom of the 8th inning in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series trailing the Yankees 7-4.  Gino Cimoli led off the inning with a single over short to right-center field.  With a three run lead a single runner was not necessarily a threat.  Bill Virdon followed the single with a routine ground ball to shortstop.  It looked like an easy double play ball as Kubek set himself to field the ball.  The ball took a funny hop and came straight up on Tony Kubek hitting him in the throat and smashing his windpipe.  The game paused as Casey Stengel came out to check on his Shortstop.  Kubek tried to convince Stengel he was fine but as he struggled to catch his breath he was also spitting out blood.  Wisely, Stengel took Kubek out of the game and the team doctors took him to the hospital.  The injury was bad enough to keep Kubek in the hospital for a few days.