Tribune baseball writers predict the playoff teams and big winners in the 1998 season.
SKIP BAYLESS
EAST: Atlanta
CENTRAL: St. Louis
WEST: San Francisco
WILD CARD: San Diego
NL Champion: San Francisco
Batting: Tony Gwynn, S.D.
MVP: Barry Bonds, S.F.
Cy Young: Kevin Brown, S.D.
Rookie of the Year: Todd Helton, Colo
Manager of the Year: Bruce Bochy, S.D.
TEDDY GREENSTEIN
EAST: Atlanta
CENTRAL: St. Louis
WEST: Colorado
WILD CARD: L.A.
NL champion: Atlanta
Batting champion: Tony Gwynn, S.D.
MVP: Mike Piazza, L.A.
Cy Young: Kevin Brown, S.D.
Rookie of the Year: Travis Lee, Ariz.
Manager of the Year: Bruce Bochy, S.D.
JEROME HOLTZMAN
EAST: Atlanta
CENTRAL: Houston
WEST: L.A.
WILD CARD: San Diego
NL champion: Atlanta
Batting Champion: Larry Walker, Colo.
MVP: Mike Piazza, L.A.
Cy Young: Shawn Estes, S.F.
Rookie of the Year: Paul Konerko, L.A.
Manager of the Year: Bruce Bochy, S.D.
BERNIE LINCICOME
EAST: New York
CENTRAL: St. Louis
WEST: L.A.
WILD CARD: Atlanta
NL Champion: Los Angeles
Batting champion: Mike Piazza, L.A.
MVP: Mike Piazza, L.A.
Cy Young: Denny Neagle, Atl.
Rookie of the Year: Todd Helton, Colo.
Manager of the Year: Bill Russell, L.A.
PHIL ROGERS
EAST: Atlanta
CENTRAL: St. Louis
WEST: L.A.
WILD CARD: San Diego.
Batting champion: Tony Gwynn, SD.
MVP: Tony Gwynn, SD.
Cy Young: Kevin Brown, S.D.
Rookie of the Year: Todd Helton, Colo.
Manager of the Year: Tony La Russa, St. L.
PAUL SULLIVAN
EAST: Atlanta
CENTRAL: St. Louis
WEST: L.A.
WILD CARD: San Diego
NL champion: Los Angeles
Batting champion: Tony Gwynn, S.D.
MVP: Tony Gwynn, S.D.
Cy Young: Curt Schilling, Pha.
Rookie of the Year: Mark Kotsay, Fla.
Manager of the Year: Phil Garner, S.D.
