It’s that time of year again folks; baseball is back and so are are my highly unanticipated predictions for the upcoming 2009 baseball season. This years list promises to be half as funny as 2008’s version boasting half as many predictions – making it 75% worse than last time. Remember, baseball is 90% mental and 50% physical. Enjoy.
1. The Phillies will not repeat as World Series Champions in 2009; it was a great run but it is one and done.
2. If the Mets understood the importance of a strong starting rotation they would be a major force. The bullpen additions of J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez give them a devastating 8th and 9th inning presence.
3. For the first time in decades Joe Torre will be questioned in his own clubhouse.
4. Despite a completely ravaged economy, New Yankee Stadium will not have an empty seat all season – even with exorbitant ticket prices.
5. Even less people will care about the World Baseball Classic this year.
6. The very talented pitching staff of the Tampa Bay Rays will validate that this team is a legit contender and not just a fluke.
7. Joe Torre’s book The Yankee Years will be on the New York Times bestseller list for a very long time. The questions and opinions will last even longer.
8. The Baseball Public Relations Machine knows how to grab more off-season headlines than any other sport. Example: The Torre manifesto dominated national sporting news during the week leading up to the Super Bowl and then was completely blown away by the A-Rod steroid fiasco.
9. Sports blogging will continue to prove itself as the ultimate way to deliver baseball news to the fans. Peter Abraham’s Lohud blog is a prime example. Savvy beat writers now access the fans in real time to deliver baseball news as it happens. For Yankees fans, Pete’s blog is a must.
10. Jon Lester, who is way more than a feel good story, will make a strong run at the AL Cy Young award.
11. Boston will be sitting home this October.
12. The NL West is awful – Torre’s Dodgers should be able to snooze their way to a division crown by being 1 game over .500.
13. The pressure is on big time for the militant Joe Girardi. The Yankees are well-armed and a failure to reach the postseason will ensure that he is dishonorably discharged. After Girardi’s tenuous relationship with the New York media last year, the writers are out for Girardi’s blood. If Joe cannot maintain composure in the face of an extended losing streak it will get ugly.
14. The Yankees will go 103-59 and take the AL East.
15. Cries for a salary cap will be put to bed once the Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals of the world find out that the institution of said cap will bring about a salary minimum which will force them to double, perhaps even triple their annual payrolls.
16. C.C. Sabathia does not come riding a White Horse. Yankee fans will not be patient if C.C. struggles to acclimate in the Big City.
17. B.J. Upton will continue to trot lazily to first base on routine ground balls; meanwhile Jose Reyes will be seen moonwalking to first during the All Star Game.
18. Tampa Bay’s Joe Maddon is the best manager in the game today, right behind him is Mike Scioscia of course. Who wouldn’t want to play for a dude that rocks a Mohawk and wears glasses that were worn in Revenge of the Nerds?
19. Minnesota Twins fans please cherish the waning comforts of the Metrodome for one more season. Next year frost bite is all but guaranteed at the brand new Target Field, which boasts an open air stadium conspicuously lacking a retractable dome. Open air? April? Minnesota? What? Can you say postponed due to snow?
20. Ron Gardenhire is my runner-up behind Mike Scioscia.
21. Yankee trainer Steve Donahue will not be burdened with rubbing ointment on Roger Clemens testicles. A-Rod’s nuts are another matter…
22. Another big name from the remaining 103 “anonymous” drug test failures will be released this year; planting another black eye on the game. For the love of God, please let Albert Pujols be clean.
23. Selena Roberts’ book A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez will be released the day of the inaugural home opener in the New Yankee Stadium and will sell millions of copies. There is no doubt more bad news awaits A-Rod.
24. It’s clear I pay no attention to the National League.
25. Annual Awards:
- AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
- AL Batting Champion: Derek Jeter
- AL MVP: Josh Hamilton
- NL Cy Young: Edison Volquez
- NL Batting Champion: Hanley Ramirez
- NL MVP: Albert Pujols
26. World Series Prediction: Yankees vs. Cubs – Yanks in six.
Images Used in this Post
Joe Torre Bobblehead image courtesy of Flickr user xero79 published under the CC license.
Jose Reyes and the NYC Mets image courtesy of Flickr user ajagendorf25 published under the CC license.
Curves image courtesy of Flickr user skedonk published under the CC license.
12 Comments
One NL prediction: The Pirates will still have a losing season, even after signing the two prospects from India who apparently can throw a ball really hard, but have never played baseball, ever.
No, I’m not making this up.
Fire-ballers from India? Is that even possible? I know they love their cricket over there, but this sounds crazy. I have not a heard of this yet, I’m going to have to do some research right now.
Three, thanks for the tip. Not that it helps, but the baseball situation in Pittsburgh is a real shame. Such a great franchise, with rich history and a beautiful new ballpark. I have a question for you, is the team being victimized by stingy ownership that refuses to invest in the team and put a winning product on the field? Or is the team legitimately being squeezed by the large market bullies?
OK, I’m not a huge baseball fan, so it’s kinda hard for me to answer your question fairly, so I’ll just wing it.
Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to blames the owners. Fans aren’t expecting them to pay out huge contracts that other teams can, but since this is Pgh, we expect them to at least be competitive. And to do so in this era, you have to spend some cash on players. You can’t do it otherwise.
PNC Park will still sell out on certain fireworks nights. In the majority of people’s minds, if the owners put some money into them and had a winning team, there’s no doubt PNC Park would sell out quite often. Tickets are relatively cheap (you can get great seats for under $30) and it’s a fantastic venue. Not a bad seat in the house.
The fans are disgusted. I’ve seen guys rip off the emblems from their hats in protest. But let’s face it, baseball is a business, and the Nuttings must be happy with their returns, because they seem to be content to not make any significant changes.
I enjoyed reading #11.
Well Three, at least you’ve got your Steelers.
Derek Jeter as the AL batting champion?!?!?!?!? that is so gay! how has he been the last 3 years? Joe Mauer 2006 and Joe Mauer 2008! sorry i dont know about 2007 but it wasnt Jeter! i think it was a red sox! too bad the yankee sucks!
I think these teams are in the playoffs
Arizona
Washington
Chicago
wild card Philadelphia
New york
La angels
Cleavland
Wild card Tampa Bay
Yannkees over Cleavland in 4
Tampa over Angels in5
Arizona over chicago in 3
Philly over Washington in 5
Tampa over yankees in 7
Arizona over philly in 7
Tampa over Arizona in 7
AL Cy Young C.C Sabathia
AL Batting Champion Mark Terxeria
AL MVP Josh Hamilton
AL Manager of the year Joe Girardi
NL Cy Young Tim Lincicum
NL Batting champion Chase Utley
NL MVP Justin Upton
NL Manager of the year Bob Melvin
Home run Derby champion Albert Pojols
All star game NL over AL 6-5
Solid picks Brandon, but do you really think that Washington can win the division in the N.L. East? I mean the Phils are defending champs and the Mets are formidable, that one is going to be tough.
Tampa has a great shot at the Series and I think you may be right about the N.L. finally posting an All Star Game victory. They are beyond overdue, I believe 1997 was the last year they managed to win the Mid Summer Classic.
No, in 1997 the All-Star Game was won by the American League at Jacob’s Field in Cleveland, and the MVP was none other than Sandy Alomar, Jr. And Cleveland is not spelled like Cleavland.
You’re correct, it was 1996 that the A.L. last lost. I was just going on memory knowing it was sometime in the mid-late 90’s.
All Star games aside, Cleveland had some great teams, offense especially, back in those days.
Not meaning to nitpick, but you do realize that the Royals are no longer a small market team in terms of payroll, right? You’re looking at a $70-80 million payroll this year.
I realize they have a history of spending like the Marlins, but it doesn’t look like they will return to that trend anytime soon.
That’s a very good point Jeff. The Royals seem committed to winning again and being back on board with putting money into the team. With Kauffman Stadium undergoing renovations the Royals are looking to make a comeback. Perhaps they can work on restoring some of the rivalry that existed with the Yankees in the 70s and 80s.
And as fall as small markets are concerned, you have to excuse me ignorance. Being a spoiled Yankee fan all teams seem small market.