Baseball is back and, as of today, the games count for real. The 162-game regular season is here.
Who will have a fall to remember? Who will flop? So many questions, so few answers. You’ll just have to wait out the six-month regular season like everyone else, right?
Wrong! We’ll give you a few key questions (and a few of our own inexpert answers) as baseball kicks off with the speed of a Randy Johnson fastball.
Can the Yankees repeat as World Series champs?
Beats us. Maybe we need to ask Jeffrey Maier that one. Remember him? He was the 12-year-old Yankee fan who caught — then dropped — Derek Jeter’s homer during last year’s playoffs.
Can money buy a title?
Well, if so, the White Sox were in good shape until Robin Ventura broke his ankle (he’ll be out for ages). Consider this: The Sox will pay Albert Belle, Frank Thomas and Ventura a combined $24.1 million this year. The entire Milwaukee Brewers are paid a combined $22 million.
Who’s really the better team, the Cubs or the White Sox?
Now we can find out for sure. Well, maybe. The two teams play a three-game series starting June 16 at Comiskey Park.
OK, OK, so who will win the Series, hotshots?
Everyone thinks they know who is gonna win the World Series. Here are our predictions: The National League champion will be Los Angeles.
The White Sox will win the American League pennant.
As for the biggie, the World Series, it’ll be the White Sox over Los Angeles in six games.
Here are a few more facts to consider this season:
–Aloha! The San Diego Padres play a “home” series against the St. Louis Cardinals April 18-20 in Honolulu because of construction on Jack Murphy Stadium.
–Where’s The Wizard? Ozzie Smith, nicknamed The Wizard, has retired. He is now broad-casting. Royce Clayton is the new St. Louis shortstop.
–It’s deep! Ryne Sandberg’s first home run will be No. 266 of his career, tying him for the all-time home run mark for a second baseman, held by Joe Morgan.
–You look familiar! Gene Lamont, who used to manage the White Sox, is now in charge of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
–You don’t look familiar! Detroit will be without its dynamic duo of shortstop Alan Trammell and second baseman Lou Whitaker. This is the first time since 1976 neither has been on the Detroit roster. The two played 4,683 games together.
–Buckeroos. Minimum wage this year is, oh, a mere $150,000.
–In the cards. The editors at Sports Collectors Digest say the top five hottest players on the trading card market are: Chipper Jones of Atlanta, Derek Jeter of the Yankees, Andruw Jones of Atlanta, and Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez, both of Seattle.
–Who’s new? Our fave rookies to watch are Vladimir Guerrero of Montreal, Scott Rolen of Philadelphia and Todd Walker of Minnesota. (Remember, a player’s rookie card is usually his most valuable.)
