As Major League Baseball prepares to embark on the first 162-game season since 1993, the league finds itself at a crossroads. While last year's exciting new divisional playoff format featuring the Yankees and the Mariners did much to repair the damage done by the strike, it merely sugarcoated many of the problems the sport is currently facing.
Never has there been a year where the talent gap between the haves and the have-nots has been so considerably wide. The Indians won 100 games last year in a short season and could challenge the mark of 111 set by the 1954 Indians. Behind Tom Glavine's memorable Game Six shutout, the Braves won the World Series last year. Both teams have improved themselves. The American League East features three teams in the Yankees, Orioles, and Red Sox that could each win 90 or more games while the Dodgers, Astros, and Angels should win their divisions.
Even with the wild-card, there are going to be some teams that can start practicing their golf games in May. Say good-bye to Roberto Alomar, Devon White and Al Leiter. The days when Toronto challenged anything but the 100-loss mark are long gone. The Tigers are going to have problems even winning 50 games. The Twins are in such shambles they reconverted Rick Aguilera into a starter for the first time since 1987. The A's will receive a report card full of F's.
The main problem with baseball is the absolute dearth of good major league pitching. It used to be that teams would have problems filling the number five spot in the rotation. This year, numbers two on down have become tricky, with some team's opening day starters warranting a chuckle or two. Aside from the Braves' Fab Four, the improved Indians' rotation with Jack McDowell, the deep Yankees' staff featuring Cone, Key, and Rogers, the Dodgers' all-visa staff, and the Mets' young phenom core, questions abound.
Seattle, which went to the AL Championship last year, comes with three-and-a-half question marks in the form of Bob Walcott, Edwin Hurtado, and Paul Menhart after Big Unit Randy Johnson and Sterling Hitchcock. With the injuries they've had, the Phillies most consistent starter at this point is Sid Fernandez. The Rockies went to the playoffs last year, the quickest run ever for an expansion team, but with Bret Saberhagen and Billy Swift on the DL they now find themselves with a bunch of no-name starters. Felipe Lira was the opening day pitcher for Detroit. He leads a staff of excellent Triple-A hurlers.
Expansion has completely diluted major-league pitching. There are currently 28 teams and the league is set to add two more in 1998. There are not 150 major-league arms to be found in the universe, let alone down on the farm. The pitching has been so watered down that the talk this year concerns serious assaults on Roger Maris' 61 homers.
Think about it. How many home runs should Albert Belle, Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas and company smack during a weekend series against Omar Olivares, Scott Aldred, and Clint Sodowsky? Give those three stars along with Mo Vaughn, Barry Bonds and Matt Williams a slugger's shot at 60 in the very near future.
The other problem is the big-market verses small-market situation. The owners have finally agreed on some form of revenue-sharing after squabbling the past few years, which is the smartest move they've made in a long time.
Remember back in 1994 when the Expos had the best record in the league before the strike? Remember when the Pirates won NL East crowns in the early 90's? Remember the firesale of the Padres two years ago? Remember when the Twins won the Series in 1991? Remember when the Brewers won...well, never mind.
The point is that in 1996 none of these clubs will make any noise except for early appearances by the fat lady. This past offseason was a buyer's market. The Orioles reeled in Alomar and friends. The Yankees upped their payroll well into the $50 million range after originally wanting to keep it to $40. The Marlins brought in Kevin Brown and Al Leiter after jealousy from watching their Colorado expansion brethren win something. It has never been more apparent that the little guys cannot compete with the New Yorks, LAs, and the rest of the big-marketers.
However, for the lucky fans in Cleveland, Atlanta, New York, and many other cities the 1996 baseball season should be one to remember. Before the 1994 strike, Griffey Jr. and Matt Williams were both on a pace to hit 60 homers and last year Albert Belle hit 50 in 144 games. Tony Gwynn may have one more shot at .400, Greg Maddux has at least one more Cy Young award, and the Indians have a shot at being the best of all-time.
But when the smoke clears, all Red Sox and Orioles fans will be wiping their tears with the millions of dollars wasted as they watch the New York Yankees win the American League East and battle the Atlanta Braves in the October Classic. And if there is any question as to the winner of that duel, know that they will be partying and celebrating down Broadway when it's over.
Copyright 1996, The Yale Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
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