T-minus two days.
That’s when the first anthem will be sung, the first fireworks will go off and the first pitch will be thrown.
MLB opening day is truly a special occasion, even though it is a bit overrated in some places (Kansas City and Detroit will sell-out their first game but won’t see another packed house for months).
With that, I offer a season’s-worth of predictions, observations, and general (useless) facts that I’m sure will have you citing this piece again and again as the summer unfolds.
Playoff teams in 2003:
In the American League, it will be the Yankees, Red Sox (wild card), Twins and Angels. The A’s will barely miss a playoff spot, only because they are forced to play most of their games against the Anaheim Angels, the defending champions, and the Mariners. Meanwhile, Boston will have a plethora of wins against Tampa and Baltimore, as well as a better showing against the Bronx Bombers this year, to get a better record.
In the National League, the playoff teams will be the Cardinals, Astros (wild card), Braves and Giants. The D-backs still have the Unit and Schilling, but their lineup is quite mediocre (Luis Gonzalez will never reproduce his magical 2001 season). Meanwhile, while the Phillies look much-improved with Jim Thome, recent history shows that power hitters who switch leagues don’t have much of an impact in the win column.
Big spenders, big losers:
The Dodgers and the Mets will fall into this category. They both have virtually forgotten about their player development, while signing suspect players to superstar contracts. Another member of this club will be the Yankees, since their spending is only justified by winning a championship… a feat at which they will once again fall short.
I have no idea why they won’t win… but they won’t:
The Cubs. They have one of the best starting rotations, and one of the best power-hitters around in Sammy Sosa. They have solid role-players in Moises Alou and Alex Gonzalez, as well as a managerial whiz in Dusty Baker.
Maybe it’s because their fans will support them regardless of their record, or maybe its some curse that isn’t as publicized as the one in Bean-town. Regardless, Chicago fans would be better off rooting for the White Sox.
New ballparks opening:
There’s just one opening this year, and it’s Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark.
What a name. It surely beats Minute Maid Park and Network Associates Coliseum as one of the best naming-right ballpark monikers in history.
Best name in the Majors:
That would belong to Devil Ray pitcher Nick Bierbrodt (pronounced “BEER-BRAT”). Indeed, his name encompasses the only two things men would ever need as sustenance. I’m getting hungry just by typing it. His first name isn’t too bad either.
Why even bother trying?:
Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Detroit, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Texas, and San Diego. None of these teams will even be close to .500, let alone contend for a division title. Why not just play in your own league so that at least one of you can emerge as some kind of winner? The only star we’d miss is A-rod.
Best reason to follow baseball:
Your team plays almost every day. It makes winning often that much sweeter, and even if you’re losing, you don’t have to wait long for your team to get a chance to bounce back.
Worst part of following baseball:
Your team plays almost every day. You’ll never get a chance to savor a victory, because your team could get squashed the very next day. Individual games seem meaningless in such a long season, and, unless you’re in contention, following your team will seem like a thankless chore.
Bring on the boys of summer, and let’s get ready to play ball.