2008 Major League Baseball Guide
April 3rd, 2008 Posted in Sports
Here is your guide to this year’s MLB 2008 Season…
Ball One: Watch the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs
Sports Illustrated has predicted that these two teams will face off in the World Series. And although SI usually gets those predictions wrong (remember when they picked the Carolina Panthers to win it all?), these two teams will be exciting to watch. With the addition of Fukudome for the Lovable Losers and the Murderers’ Row for Motown, these two teams will be producing all year long (barring the SI curse).
Strike One: The Mitchell Report
Yeah…uhh…that’s kind of put a damper on things. This whole “performance enhancing drug mess” is a bit of a bummer. When guys like Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, and Roger Clemens are reported to have dabbled in such things it does hurt the game a bit.
Ball Two: The Up-And-Comers
Steroids has put a shadow over the game. But wait until you see some of the new kids on the block (no…not Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Danny, and Donnie). The new stars of baseball understand that they have a responsibility to restore the game. Sluggers like Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies), Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals), and Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston Red Sox) are young, fast, powerful, and…just freaking good. And so far, so clean.
Ball Three: Now Hiring Managers
Every offseason the MLB is filled with teams looking to hire the next great manager. And this offseason was no different. But the two new manages to watch have a strong connection. From 1996-2007, Joe Torre was the laid-back skipper of the New York Yankees and winning four World Series championships in the process. The Big Boss (George Steinbrenner) was still not happy. Long story short, Torre is now the manager of another legendary team on the other side of the country – the Los Angeles Dodgers. Taking his place is former manager of the year (Florida Marlins) Joe Girardi. Will Torre succeed without the money and players in New York? Can Girardi bring the Yankees back to glory?
Strike Two: Money, Money, Money
When one baseball player (A-Rod) earns more money than a team (Florida Marlins), there is a problem. Teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and other high profile teams have budgets that rival small countries. Other teams like the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and other small market franchises are struggling to pay for guys like Jose Guillen and Gil Meche. Something is very wrong. Our guess is that we are still a long way away from a Tampa Bay Rays – Pittsburgh Pirates World Series.
Ball Four: There’s Nothing Like It
Sure, Baseball has its problems. But doesn’t everybody? So this season, just sit back and enjoy because there is nothing like a beautiful day at Wrigley or Fenway. There’s nothing like a hot dog, some friends, and a good game of ball. And there’s nothing like America’s pastime.
So… take your base and enjoy the 2008 MLB Season!
And that’s another Daily Idea.
