The O-Man at his best was one of THE best in his glory years. Big-game pitcher, Cy Young Award, 59 scoreless innings... Yeah, it's a gamble, but then, what's a couple a mill in this environment? And Grandpa Henderson, the 1998 stolen base king, gonna score a couple a runs fer him...
(Boston, February 28, 1999) Rumour of Boomer Wells f*cking around Flushing is premature. They tried...
(Boston, December 5, 1998) When the New York Mets signed C Mike Piazza (32/111/.328) to a record-breaking 7-year contract, their loyal followers smiled. For this man is one of the elite... few have broken into this great game as Piazza has. And the bad fortune of the LA Dodgers has become the good fortune of the Mets, because signing the game's best offensive catcher is a serious start when you are trying to build a championship club. The Mets have subsequently signed the 5-time Gold-Glove 3B Robin Ventura (21/91/.263), solidifying an impressive infield. They've locked up pitchers Al Leiter (17-6/2.47) and Dennis Cook (8-4/2.38) as well. They are, from this viewpoint, getting serious!
(Boston, February 28, 1999) 1B Andres Gallaraga has been diagnosed with cancer, and will be out for the season. Prayers for Andre.
(Boston, March 16, 1999) Chicago Cubs rookie RHP Kerry Woods, who just last May struck out 20 Houston Astros, damaged the ulna collateral ligament in his right elbow, and will miss the season. He will undergo "Tommy John" surgery, and hopefully recover in the fashion of the operation's namesake. From a Cub fan's standpoint, this is disasterous. For the rest of us, he will surely be missed, as a gifted hurler with the potential to dominate in the fashion of a Clemens or Ryan.
(Boston, February 28, 1999) Roger Clemens is now the staff ace, in exchange for David Wells, Homer Bush and Graeme Lloyd, who are now Blue Jays.
Baltimore Orioles
(Boston, December 6, 1998) Perhaps I was premature in discounting the intent and drive of the Orioles. They have indeed lost Rafael Palmeiro (back to the Rangers), Eric Davis (to the Cards), and Roberto Alomar, but they've shaken the free-agent tree and gathered it's fruits. And they may just have tied up a Wild-Card spot for the 1999 Tournament! Bad boy LF Albert Belle (49/152/.328) was the first, and 2B Delino Deshields (7/44/.290/ 26 steals) and 1B Will Clark (23/102/.305) were subsequently swiftly signed, then OF BJ Surhoff was re-signed, and now there is rumor of prized RHP Kevin Brown...
(Boston, February 28, 1999) Nyet on Brownie who became a Dodger. Can't help thinking this team is still without a closer and aging fast. Me thinks C Charles Johnson was their best acquisition, but he'll enter the bottom of their lineup with SS Bordick, Ironman Ripkin (14/61/.271), and OF Brady Anderson (18/51/.236). The rebound of these veteran stars and the performance of their bullpen will make or break the Orioles.
Toronto Blue Jays
(Boston, December 6, 1998) And the
Toronto Blue Jays are now shopping Roger Clemens, at his request, since the team has no ambition to compete this coming season.
(Boston, February 25, 1999) Okay, I take it back. Although I'm not impressed by the way this team runs it's operation, they could in fact compete for the wildcard. Roger Clemens was traded to the Yankees for Series hero LHP David Wells, speedy prospect 2B Homer Bush, and reliever LHP Graeme Lloyd. They lost Canseco and Clemens, perhaps their best slugger and pitcher, but solidified the troublesome second base position (they also acquired Joey Cora) and added two quality lefties to a promising pitching staff. Put another 100-rbi guy in this lineup and maybe you have the start of something - pitching, youthful potential... the window of opportunity is small these days, but if they start out on the right foot (or the left arm), they could surprise.
Boston Red Sox
(Boston, March 26, 1999) Things are looking OK at this point... RHP Ramon Martinez (Pedro's bro) has been signed. He's recovering from roto-cuff surgery and is projected to return after the break. And Nomar's experiencing tendonitis, nothing serious. Matter of fact, he drove the first pitch he saw over the wall, than added another 'tater two at-bats later... Manager Jimy Williams has moved Jose Offerman into the leadoff slot, with John Valentin in the 3-hole. Logical. The Bosox have hit a slew of 'taters this spring, but, seems to me, could use another 100-RBI man or two... M o . . . . . . .
(Boston, February 28, 1999) To the folks in Beantown: keep repeating, Nomar, Pedro, Nomar, Pedro, Nomar, Pedro, Nomar, Pedro, and maybe Flash... There is a quality core to this ballclub, but the devil is in the details, as they say. If you're a dreamer, this club would certainly be SOMETHIN' if Rocket Roger and Mo Vaughn were still in the fold, but when the reality of Basic Beanball hits you in the ass, Big Stein wants a calzone!!!
Lofton Vizquel R. Alomar S. Alomar
The acquisition of 2B Roberto "Clamsauce" Alomar could indeed put the Tribe over the top. And not just in the Central Division, where their dominance is a given. Alomar's at second, Omar Vizquel at short, Kenny Lofton in center, and Sandy Alomar behind the plate. Gold Glove Central... Throw Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Dave Justice, and Travis Fryman into that lineup, and... well, you get the idea.
This is a team that can take the field in the Bronx with confidence. And perhaps this is a reason why the Bombers went hard for Roger Clemens. If the Rocket had joined Charles Nagy and young bucks Bartolo Colon and Jaret Wright, the balance of power in the AL could have turned... BIG TIME! And even without rocketfuel this staff's got some wheels... In the words of the great Satchel Paige: Don't look back, something may be gaining...
