League Preview-Part 1

League Preview-Part 1-American League East-Baltimore and Boston (these previews will be done in alphabetical order, with my picks for final standing to follow)-note, player stats from the strike years 1981, 1994 and 1995 are prorated over 162 games

Baltimore Orioles-Also known as St. Louis Browns (1901-53)
Postseason Appearances-1944, 1966, 1969-71, 1973-74, 1979, 1983, 1996-97 (total-11)
World Series Titles-1966, 1970, 1983 (total-3)
Best Record, season-1969, 109-53
Worst record, season-1939, 43-111

The Orioles, for their first half-century when they were the St. Louis Browns, were the butt of many jokes around the American League. They only exceeded 90 wins once in that time (1922, and even then it fell one game short of a pennant), and their only pennant came in 1944 when the rosters of MLB were decimated by players serving in World War II. A new lease on life came in 1954 when the team was moved to Baltimore-by 1960 the Orioles became contenders and in 1966 (following the best trade in their history, acquiring Frank Robinson from the Reds), champions. From 1966-1983, the Orioles would reach the post season 8 times (winning it all 3 times) and finishing under .500 only once (1967). Most of this period was managed by the legendary Earl Weaver, who parlayed a roster full of talent (including Hall of Famers Frank and Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murrary and Cal Ripken), innovative strategy, and yes, umpire baiting (91 ejections, including Game 4 of the 1969 World Series) into one of the most successful managerial runs of all time and induction into the Hall fo Fame in 1996. That was also the year the Orioles, in their fifth season in Camden Yards, returned to the post season under Weaver's former second baseman, Davey Johnson. After 1997, however, the Orioles entered a dry spell from which they have yet to emerge-consider that only 3 of the O's 51 players on their roster are from 1998 and later.

Pitching-The Orioles are well stocked in the pitching department. The rotation has the aforementioned Palmer as the ace (1975, 23-11, 2.09, one of Palmer's 3 Cy Yound seasons), backed by Dave McNally (1968, 22-10, 1.95), Mike Cuellar (1969, 23-11, 2.38, co-Cy Young winner), Mike Mussina (1992, 18-5, 2.54), and Ned Garver (1951, 20-12, 3.73). Depth is added from Wally Bunker (1964, 19-5, 2.69) and Cy Yound awardees Mike Flanagan (1979, 23-9, 3.08) and Steve Stone (1980, 25-7, 3.23). The pen is deep too, with the five arms (Moe Drabowsky 1967, Pete Richert 1969, B.J. Ryan 2004, Bob Reynolds 1973 and the closer, 1965 Stu Miller) all having ERA's of 2.28 and lower. Four other arms (Eddie Watt and Dick Hall 1969, Grant Jackson 1973 and Gregg Olson 1993) lie in wait with Hall's 1.91 ERA being the highest of the quartet.

Catching-Chris Hoiles 1993 is the surprise choice for starting catcher, but his numbers are too good to ignore (29 HR, 82 RBI, .310 BA, 1.001 OPS in only 419 AB). Rick Dempsey 1980 provides late inning D and some pop as the backup (9 HR, .262 BA). Gus Triandos and HOF Rick Ferrell add depth.

Infield-Hard hitting and solid D are the qualities of the O's infield. George Sisler 1920 gets the call at 1B (19, 122, .407, 1.081, 42 SB), Brian Roberts 2005 plays second (18, 73, .314, 27 SB), Cal "Iron Man" Ripken 1991 (one of his two MVP years) is at SS (34, 114, .323), and the Human Vacuum Cleaner, Brooks Robinson 1964, is at third (28, 118, .317, and one of his 16 Gold Gloves). All four infielders are rated 1 by SOM, meaning the defense will be airtight. Jim Gentile 1961 (46, 141, .302, 1.064) will be the DH). Depth is provided by many of the members of the Weaver squads (Powell, Johnson, Belanger, Salmon) as well as HOFer Eddie Murray.

Outfield-A newcomer, Nick Markakis 2008, changes the structure of the OF. His 2008 season (20, 87, .306, .406 OBP, and 1 (-3) defense in RF) moves HOFer Frank Robinson 1966 (49, 122, .316, MVP of both regular season and World Series) to LF. Paul Blair 1969 (26, 76, .285, 20 SB) holds down the fort in CF. Backing him up is the famed John Lowenstein 1982/Gary Roenicke 1979 platoon (combined for 49 HR, 130 RBI in 698 AB), as well as Brady Anderson 1992, William "Baby Doll" Jacobson 1920, Al Bumbry 1980, Curt Motton 1969 and Merv Rettenmund 1970.

Outlook-The Orioles have what it takes to contend. Do they have what it takes to win? Maybe-the key to their season is to knock off the Red Sox and Yankees in head to head play.

Boston Red Sox
Postseason Appearances-1903, 1912, 1915-16, 1918, 1946, 1967, 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998-99, 2003-05, 2007-09 (total-20)
World Series Titles-1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007 (total-7)
Best Record, season-1912 (105-47)
Worst Record, season-1932 (43-111)

The Red Sox have been one of baseball's most hard luck franchises. Through poor personnel decisions, questionable dugout and on-field decisions, some say a racist attitude towards players of color, and just dumb luck, the BoSox went an incredible 86 years without a World Series win (only the White Sox at 88, and the Cubs at 102 (and counting) have had longer streaks). Nonetheless, the Red Sox remain one of MLB's flagship franchises.

Pitching-The Sox have had generations of great pitching. From Cy Young to Mel Parnell to Jim Lonborg to Luis Tiant to Roger Clemens to Pedro Martinez, a Sox ace has often startled the baseball world. Four of these five (Young HOF (24-8, 2.28), Lonborg 1967 (22-9, 3.16), Clemens 1986 (24-4, 2.48) and Pedro 2000 (18-6, 1.74)) comprise 80% of the BoSox starting rotation, with Derek Lowe 2002 (21-8, 2.58) bringing up the rear. Parnell 1952 (18-11, 3.26), Tiant 1974 (22-13, 2.92), Tim Wakefield 1995 (18-9, 2.95) and Bill Lee 1973 (17-11, 2.75) add some depth. In the pen, it's Dick Radatz 1964 (16-9-29, 2.29) setting it up for Jonathan Papelbon 2006 (45-2-36, 0.92). Alan Embree 2002 (2.03), Hideki Okajima 2007 (2.22) and Ellis Kinder 1951 (11-2-14, 2.55) round out the bullpen.

Catching-The original Pudge, Carlton Fisk 1977 (26, 102, .315), gets the call behind the dish for Boston. Jason Varitek 2004 (18, 73, .296) is the backup, with Rich Gedman 1985 (18, 80, .295) and Doub Mirabelli 2004 (.281, 9 HR in only 160 AB) adding depth-should Wakefield need a start, Mirabelli will likely catch that elusive knuckler.

Infield-The Sox boast 3/4 of an all HOF infield, and for a while it looked like the 4th would be covered as well before injuries intervened. At first it's Carl Yastrzemski 1970 (40, 102, .329, 1.045 OPS, 23 SB), at second Bobby Doerr 1948 (27, 111, .285) and at third Wade Boggs 1987 (.363, 24, 89). The only non-HOF in the infield is Nomar Garciaparra 1999 (27, 104, .357). Yaz has to play first due to a logjam in left field (as you might imagine with HOFers Williams, Yaz and Rice playing LF from 1939 to 1986). This also leaves the Big Papi, David Ortiz 2006 (club record 54 HR) out in the cold and in reserve. Billy Goodman 1950 (league leading .354 avg), Kevin Youkilis 2008 (29, 115, .312) and Felix Mantilla 1964 (30 HR) add versatility and infield depth.

Outfield-It's quite a battle for 2 of the 3 positions, with the "loser" of one getting the DH role. This would be in LF, where Jim Rice 1978 (46, 139, .315) wins out over Ted Williams 1941 (.406, 37, 120, 1.286 OPS-a record for anyone not named Ruth or Bonds) due to better defense. Williams gets the DH role. In CF, Tris Speaker 1911 (8, 80, .334) loses out to Fred Lynn 1979 (39, 122, .333). Dwight Evans 1981 (33, 107, .296, 1 (-5) defense) wins out over Harry Hooper 1920 (7, 53, .312). Mike Greenwell 1988 (22, 119, .325) is relegated to pinch hitting duties and all time "ringer" Rudy Pemberton 1996 (.512, 1, 10-still the highest carded BA ever for a Strato player) will be a force in September, when rosters expand.

Outlook-if the Yankees don't win, the Red Sox should. This team is too strong and too deep except maybe at the back end of the rotation.

Next time-continuing the AL East preview, starting with Cleveland.