In at least one respect, baseball is mimicking life.
Quite simply, it’s all about power.
Sure, you know the pitch count of Sammy Sosa’s 63rd home run, but can you name the man who won the National League batting title in 1999? (It was Larry Walker.)
These days, more than ever, power equals popularity. And that makes the National League Central the marquee division.
It won’t be only Sosa and Mark McGwire battling it out this season. Ken Griffey Jr. will join the fun from Cincinnati. And Jeff Bagwell, whose Astros move into a hitters’ park named Enron Field, could crack the magical 60-home run mark.
Many others could top 30, including Sean Casey, Dante Bichette, Moises Alou, Fernando Tatis, Henry Rodriguez, Brian Giles and Jeromy Burnitz.
It’s almost enough to give a pitcher tendinitis in his shoulder. By the way, how is Ismael Valdes doing these days?
BEST OFF-SEASON ACQUISITION
Eric Young, Cubs. Forget that Young hit and fielded very well this spring. Despite playing in just 119 games last year, the man stole almost as many bases–51–as the entire Cubs team. And he did it under a manager, Davey Johnson, who made him feel as welcome as mold. “He has a little chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove to people,” Cubs manager Don Baylor said. “And when E.Y. has a lot to prove, he plays better.”
WORST OFF-SEASON ACQUISITION
Jaime Navarro, Milwaukee. You have to admire Navarro for his moxie. Despite being the worst starter in baseball for three straight years, he will earn $5 million in 2000. And despite being traded by the White Sox to Milwaukee–the site of his best years and his off-season home–Navarro still wasn’t satisfied.
He told anybody with a notepad the Sox could take their marketing campaign and stuff it. “This is not a kid’s game,” he said. “This is a man’s game.”
STRANGEST OFF-SEASON ACQUISITION
Wil Cordero. It’s one thing not to care about public relations. It’s another not to care about defense. The Pirates gave Cordero $9 million over three seasons even though he’s an admitted wife beater who played only 29 games in the field in ’99. Last time we checked, the National League doesn’t have a designated hitter.
MINOR OFFENSE?
No one ever accused criminals of being smart. Two burglars tried to rob six minor-league players in the Astros’ system last month. The men tied up the players at gunpoint and took cash. The players eventually untied themselves, called 911 and the police shot one of the suspects.
That’ll teach ’em. Next time, go straight for the big-leaguers.
TASTE LIKE CHICKEN?
The San Francisco Giants open a new stadium this season, so naturally they brought in Milwaukee and the Yankees to christen their new park before the regular season. Whatever happened to the annual Bay Bridge Series between the Giants and A’s?
“We didn’t think the A’s would be interested in a one-game series,” Giants owner Peter McGowan claimed. “We had a chance to bring in Milwaukee and we did so before the A’s came to us and asked about a game.”
Sure. It’s worth noting the A’s are 60-25-2 against the Giants in exhibition play (including spring training) since 1989.
LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND
If the old baseball thing doesn’t work out, Marlins reliever Dan Miceli could find work as a fiction writer. Last month he concocted a detailed story about a bar fight to cover up a brawl he had with his older brother.
After Miceli reported to spring training with five stitches in his right hand, he told teammates and reporters that he had been knifed by a “hippie redneck” outside a bar near Orlando. He added the drunken man had insulted his wife.
Local police read Miceli’s bogus story and blew his cover.
“I apologize,” Miceli said afterward. “What do you want me to do? I was protecting my family’s name.”
INDECENT EXPOSURE
Four Florida Marlins–plus one sportswriter who covers the team–were quarantined with the mumps last month.
One of the players was the aforementioned Miceli. No word on whether he told teammates he contracted the virus from children at the local orphanage.
YOU SHOW ‘EM, GRACIE
After being named one of the Cubs’ four captains, Mark Grace tried to explain what the designation entailed. While speaking to reporters, he reached inside his locker for a cigarette and smiled.
“Lead by example, right?” he asked.
NOT HIGH ON HENTGEN
St. Louis right-hander Pat Hentgen hopes to establish a better relationship with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa than he had with Jim Fregosi in Toronto. “We’re not best friends,” Hentgen said of Fregosi. “Whether it was my tenure or my salary or my performance or my personality–one of these or all four–he didn’t like me.”
HE SAID IT
After giving up 11 earned runs in three innings in a spring training game against Anaheim, Arizona fireballer Randy Johnson was asked if was going through a dead-arm period. His reply: “No, a dead-brain period.”
ATTENTION DEFICIT?
Rickey Henderson changes moods more than Elton John changes clothes. One day he’s sullen, the next he’s gabby.
After arriving late in camp, Henderson sparked a mild controversy by telling reporters that officials in the Mets’ front office had told his agent they were trying to trade him. Henderson waxed for 30 minutes about what a loss he would be.
One problem: The conversation with Mets officials never took place.
“God bless Rickey,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “He makes all of our jobs easier, doesn’t he?”
The experts’ picks
Bernie Lincicome
EAST-Mets, CENTRAL-Astros, WEST-Dodgers, WILD CARD-Reds
WORLD SERIES: Yankees over Astros
MVP: NL Jeff Bagwell, Houston,
Batting champion: Larry Walker, Colorado
Cy Young winner: Kevin Brown, L.A.
Rookie of the Year: Chad Hermanson, Pitt.
Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson, L.A.
Skip Bayless
EAST-Braves, CENTRAL-Cardinals, WEST-Diamondbacks, WILD CARD-Astros
WORLD SERIES: Indians over Braves
MVP: Moises Alou, Houston
Batting champion: Larry Walker, Colorado
Cy Young winner: Randy Johnson, Arizona
Rookie of the Year: Rick Ankiel, St. Louis
Manager of the Year: Tony La Russa, St. Louis
Phil Rogers
EAST-Mets, CENTRAL-Reds, WEST-Diamondbacks, WILD CARD-Giants
WORLD SERIES: Mets over Yankees
MVP: Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati
Batting champion: Erubiel Durazo, Arizona
Cy Young winner: Kevin Brown, L.A.
Rookie of the Year: Rick Ankiel, St. Louis
Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker, San Fran.
Paul Sullivan
EAST-Mets, CENTRAL-Astros, WEST-Giants, WILD CARD-Reds
WORLD SERIES: Indians over Mets
MVP: Jeff Bagwell, Houston
Batting champion: Larry Walker, Colorado
Cy Young winner: Greg Maddux, Atlanta
Rookie of the Year: Rick Ankiel, St. Louis
Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker, San Fran.
Teddy Greenstein
EAST-Mets, CENTRAL-Cardinals, WEST-Giants, WILD CARD-Diamondbacks
WORLD SERIES: Yankees over Diamondbacks
MVP: Jeff Bagwell, Houston
Batting champion: Bobby Abreu, Philadelphia
Cy Young winner: Mike Hampton, New York
Rookie of the Year: Rick Ankiel, St. Louis
Manager of the year: Dusty Baker, San Fran.
