Night Owl 9/Night Owl CD-ROM (NOPV9) (Night Owl Publisher) (1993).ISO/032a/1993prvw.zip/ALPRE.TXT

Text File | 1993-04-04 | 12KB | 259 lines

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SPORTSTICKER 1993 BASEBALL PREVIEW
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AMERICAN LEAGUE OUTLOOK
BY LARRY FATA
STAFF WRITER

The American League season will begin in the first week of April
because that's what the schedule says.  But for the Cleveland
Indians, the special optimism they brought to this particular
season is already gone.

The Indians will have to deal with the worst kind of tragedy --
two players dying tragically young and a third seriously injured
in a boating accident March 22nd at a place called Little Lake
Nellie, Florida.

Pitcher Steve Olin was killed instantly in the accident when the
boat in which they were riding crashed into a dock. Pitcher Tim
Crews died hours later from the severe injuries he suffered.  A
third pitcher, Bob Ojeda, is expected to make a complete
recovery -- at least physically.

The Indians already were going to be watched more closely this
season than in years past because it seemed the moribund
franchise was making definite strides towards contention.  Young
players were beginning to make their marks and the 27-year-old
Olin was a big reason for the optimism.

The submarine-style righthander had established himself as the
ace of the Tribe's bullpen last season with 29 saves to go along
with a 3.09 earned run average.  The sudden hole the accident
leaves in the Indians' psyche as well as their pitching staff
seems like a cruel twist to this franchise that has not won a
pennant since 1954.

The Indians' tragedy has served to knock the return of George
Steinbrenner from the top of the news as the 1993 season gets
underway.

The bombastic owner of the New York Yankees returned March 1st
after serving two years of a lifetime suspension for his
associations with gambler Howie Spira.  After his initial return
to the Yankees' spring training complex in Fort Lauderdale on
the morning of March 1st amid much media fanfare, Steinbrenner
has been conspicuous by his silence.

The main constants in the American League since 1985 have been
the Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics.  The two teams,
which met for the A-L pennant last season, each has won four
division crowns between them in the last eight years.  The world
champion Blue Jays were hit hard by free agent defections,
however, and the Athletics are suffering from the inevitable
effects of age.

The Jays still appear to have enough to be a major contender in
the East but it looks like the gap in the section has closed
considerably.  The Baltimore Orioles could have what it takes to
become the dominant bird in the East.

Baltimore has three fine young pitchers in Mike Mussina (18-5,
2.54), Ben McDonald and Arthur Rhodes.  The bullpen is ably
manned by Gregg Olson (36 saves).  Baltimore will be hoping for
near repeat seasons from outfielders Mike Devereaux and Brady
Anderson. Devereaux hit 24 homers and drove in 107 runs while
Anderson had 21 homers and knocked in 80 runs from the top of
the order.

Baltimore also improved in the speed and defense department by
signing second baseman Harold Reynolds.

Baltimore will need rebound seasons from Glenn Davis and Cal
Ripken and the Orioles also will try to coax one more double
figure season out of Rick Sutcliffe.

The Blue Jays lost starting pitcher David Cone, who was acquired
in a late-season trade, to free agency as well as fellow hurlers
Jimmy Key and Dave Stieb and bullpen stopper Tom Henke.  Also
gone are third baseman Kelly Gruber, shortstop Manuel Lee,
outfielder Candy Maldonado and designated hitter Dave Winfield,
all key contributors to the championship season.

Juan Guzman (16-5) takes over as the staff ace but can the aging
Jack Morris and Dave Stewart provide depth to the rotation? Paul
Molitor was signed as a free agent from Milwaukee and while he
remains an outstanding hitter, he can't replace the homers and
R-B-I that Winfield provided.  Joe Carter (119 RBI) and Roberto
Alomar (.310, 49 SB) remain two of the best players in the
league.

The Yankees took plenty of heat for their inability to sign a
number of big-name free agents despite lavish contract offers.
But when the dust settled, New York emerged with three standout
starting pitchers.

Melido Perez and trade acquisition Jim Abbott had the sixth and
fifth best E-R-A's in the league last season but finished with
records under .500 due to a lack of support.  They will be
joined by Key, who was signed from Toronto.

New York signed third baseman Wade Boggs from Boston with the
hopes he can find his .300-plus bat and the Yanks are also
hoping Don Mattingly rediscovers .300.  The bullpen of Steve
Farr and Steve Howe can be effective but questions about the
pair's age and Howe's drug past persist.  Danny Tartabull is the
key player for New York.  If he can stay healthy,  he provides
30-plus homers and 100 R-B-I.

The Milwaukee Brewers made a surprising late-season run at
Toronto last year before falling short despite 92 victories.
Milwaukee contended largely through the strength of an
outstanding rotation. Sixteen-game winner Chris Bosio left via
free agency but the Brewers still has a fine collection of
starters. Bill Wegman and Jaime Navarro are coming off
double-figure win seasons and Cal Eldred went 11-2 after his
recall from the minors.

The Brewers relied on speed last season, stealing 256 bases and
shortstop Pat Listach recorded 54 thefts while hitting .290 on
the way to Rookie of the Year honors.

The Indians still have a fine group of young players but dealing
with the tragedy and the subsequent practical loss of their
bullpen stopper will delay Cleveland's progress.

Carlos Baerga (.312, 105 RBI) had one of the best seasons by a
second baseman in recent years; Albert Belle (34 HR, 112 RBI)
continued to produce and Kenny Lofton finished second in the
Rookie of the Year voting after stealing 66 bases. Charles Nagy
(17-10, 2.96) heads the rotation. Cleveland's main prospects in
this area are still a year away.

The Detroit Tigers will continue their recent pattern of
football-like scores with lots of hitting but suspect pitching.

The Tigers will score plenty of runs with first baseman Cecil
Fielder leading the way.  Fielder led the majors in R-B-I for a
third straight season with 124.  Lou Whitaker (19 HR) and Travis
Fryman (20 HR, 96 RBI) give the Tigers a powerful infield.  Rob
Deer and Mickey Tettleton also had over 30 homers each.

The Tigers will need John Doherty and David Haas to blossom in
order for the pitching staff to improve.  Otherwise, the Tigers
will rely on veterans Bill Gullickson and Mike Moore.

The Boston Red Sox are coming off one of the worst seasons in
club history, finishing last for the first time in 60 years. The
poor finish resulted in 10 players being shown the door,
including Boggs and outfielders Ellis Burks and Tom Brunansky.
Boston has added some pop in outfielder Andre Dawson and Ivan
Calderon.  The right-handed Dawson should benefit from Fenway
Park but can his knees take the pounding of another year in the
outfield?

The Red Sox' primary strength is the 1-2 punch of pitchers Roger
Clemens (18-11) and Frank Viola.  Behind those two, however, is
an undistinguished array of question marks.  Boston also has no
proven stopper, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman or
center fielder.  The usual lack of speed is also present.

The Kansas City Royals got off to a disasterous 1-16 start last
season but rebounded to go a nearly respectable 71-74 the rest
of the season.  Kansas City has made some key trades and free
agent acquisitions in the winter that could lead to a return to
prominance in the West.

Cone was signed to a huge contract to entice him to return to
his original organization.  Cone, who led the majors with 261
strikeouts, will anchor a rotation that also includes Kevin
Appier (15-8).  If Mark Gubicza can overcome the myriad of
injury problems that have beset him the last two seasons, Kansas
City will have a formidable rotation.

Royals pitchers will love the defense up the middle with center
fielder Hal McRae and free agent signee Greg Gagne at short and
newcomer Jose Lind at second.  The Royals shored up a potential
power shortage by acquiring outfielder Felix Jose from St. Louis
in the Gregg Jefferies deal.  Future Hall of Famer George Brett
returns for a farewell campaign.

The Chicago White Sox have been perrenial bridesmaids the last
few seasons in the West.

The White Sox can count on superb pitching from Jack McDowell
(20-10) and production at the corners from first baseman Frank
Thomas (115 RBI) and Robin Ventura (93 RBI).  George Bell (112
RBI) gave the Sox a formidable middle of the order but he may
lose some at-bats this season as Bo Jackson continues his
improbable comeback from hip replacement surgery.

What Chicago is really hoping for is a full recovery from knee
surgery by shortstop Ozzie Guillen and help behind McDowell in
the rotation.  A return to form by reliever Bobby Thigpen, who
had a terrible year would also help.

The Minnesota Twins have taken some hits in their solid rotation
and now can only count on two starters as sure things. Kevin
Tapani and Scott Erickson are the aces of the staff followed by
question marks that include rookie Mike Trombley and Pat
Mahomes.  Leads should not be a problem with Rick Aguilera (41
saves) to protect them.

The Twins avoided a major public relations nightmare by
re-signing outfielder Kirby Puckett (.329, 19 HR, 110 RBI).  The
Twins then received a public relations boon by inking native
Minnesotan Winfield, who is coming off the best season ever by a
40-year-old (26 HR, 108 RBI).

The Seattle Mariners have a new manager in Lou Piniella, new
ownership, a new logo and new uniforms.  Now some new results
for this franchise that has been under .500 in 15 of 16 seasons
would be greatly appreciated in the Pacific Northwest.

The Mariners should actually have a solid rotation if Randy
Johnson stays to join Bosio and Dave Fleming.  Stopper Norm
Charlton (26 saves) was acquired in the Kevin Mitchell deal and
he should shore up what was the weakest area on the ballclub.
Ken Griffey (.308, 27 HR, 103 RBI), the franchise's most
recognizable player, has been locked up with a long-term deal
and Edgr Martinez (.343) became the first player in 60 years to
win a batting title with a last place club.

The Athletics have premier offensive players in first baseman
Mark McGwire (42 HR) and outfielders Rickey Henderson and Ruben
Sierra.  Terry Steinbach is the best all-around catcher in the
league.

Oakland's primary strength, quintessential bullpen ace Dennis
Eckersley (51 saves), could be neutralized by the lack of a
strong rotation which is counting on Bob Welch and Ron Darling
as stalwarts.

The Texas Rangers are frighteningly similar to the Athletics and
not merely because of the presence of Jose Canseco in the
outfield.

In addition to Canseco (26 HR, 87 RBI), Texas has the majors'
home run leader in Juan Gonzalez (43 HR, 109 RBI), Rafael
Palmeiro, Dean Palmer and Julio Franco so scoring runs should
not be a problem.  The Rangers also have a quality young catcher
in Ivan Rodriquez.

Texas also went out to get "The Terminator" Tom Henke.  However,
Texas, like Oakland, has an aging rotation after 20-game winner
Kevin Brown.  Nolan Ryan (5-9) finally began to show signs of
being mortal last year and will be making his farewell tour.

The California Angels have put the wheels in motion to rebuild
from top to bottom with youth.

California received starting first baseman J.T. Snow and pitcher
Russ Springer from the Yankees as part of the return in the
Abbott deal.  Other rookies manning starting roles will be
highly regarded outfielder Tim Salmon and second baseman Damion
Easley.