League Preview Part 4-Continuing with the American League West

Chicago White Sox
Post Season Appearances: 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 1983, 1993, 2000, 2005, 2008 (total-9)
World Series Titles: 1906, 1917, 2005 (total-3)
Best Season: 1917 (100-54)
Worst Season: 1932 (49-102)

The White Sox have not had too much to shout about in their history, mainly due to the stigma of the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. The fix of the 1919 WS led to the lifetime bans of eight members of the team (including potential HOFers Joe Jackson and Ed Cicotte) and sent the team into a tailspin that led to a 40 year drought as far as postseason play is concerned and 88 as far as winning it all-setting a new record that only will be broken if and when their counterparts from the North Side ever get back to the WS winners circle.

Pitching-The Pale Hose have had strong pitching during their whole history-it's been the O that has been a problem until the 1980s. The rotation will consist of Ed Walsh 1911 (27-18-4, 2.22), Wilbur Wood 1971 (22-13, 1.91), Red Faber 1920 (23-13, 2.99), Mark Bueherle 2001 (16-8, 3.29) and Ted Lyons 1927 22-14, 2.84). Lyons, Faber and Walsh are in the Hall of Fame and Beuhrle co9uld be on his way with a few more good years. Backing them up is Joe Horlen 1964 (13-9 but a 1.88 ERA), who will serve as the long man and spot starter. In reserve are Cy Young winners Jack McDowell 1993 (22-10, 3.37) and LaMarr Hoyt 1983 (24-10, 3.66), plus Thornton Lee 1941 (22-11, 2.37).The bullpen is headed by the master of the knuckleball, Hoyt Wilhelm 1964 (12-9,27, 1.99), helped by Keith Foulke 1999 (3-3-9, 2.22), Damaso Marte 2003 (4-2-11, 1.58), and Bob James 1985 (8-7-32, 2.13). In reserve are the two closers from the '05 champion team, Dustin Hermanson (34 saves, 2.04 ERA) and Bobby Jenks (2007 version with 40 saves), plus Gerry Staley from the 1959 Go Go Sox team (8-5-14, 2.25).

Catching-You could make a strong case for Carlton Fisk being the catcher here, but I put him with Boston instead. Who does that leave? The sox, always a defensive minded team, have HOFer Ray Schalk 1920 and Sherm Lollar 1956 as their backstops. Both bring 1 gloves with -4 arms to the table, although Lollar will get the majority of the starts with his .293 average, 11 HR and .368 OBP. Two lefty hitting catchers are in reserve-A.J. Pierzynski 2006 (.295, 16 HR) and Ed Herrmann 1970 (.283, 19 HR in 297 AB).

Infield-Punch at the corners and HOF D up the middle describes this infield. The D comes from SS Luis Aparicio 1960 (.277, 51 SB) and 2B Nellie Fox 1959 (.306, 70 RBI). The sock comes from 1B 1972 Dick Allen (37, 113, .308), 3B Robin Ventura 1996 (34, 105, .287) and DH Frank Thomas 1994 (54, 145, .353). Paul Konerko 2006 (35, 113, .313) backs up Thomas & Allen, and Pete Ward 1963 (22, 84, .295) is the utility infielder. Should Aparicio fail to hit, 1941 Luke Appling (.314) could take over at short.

Outfield-In left is the aforementioned Jackson 1920 (12, 121, .382), in center is Jim Landis 1961 (22, 85, .283, 19 SB) and in right is Minnie Minoso 1954 (19, 116, .320). Backing them up are Carl Reynolds 1930 (.359, 22 HR) and Harold Baines 1984 (.304, 29 HR), with Magglio Ordones 2002 (38, 135, .320) in reserve.

Outlook-This is the AL version of the Mets-strong pitching and defense, OK hitting. Good enough to win the division? Maybe. Win it all? Doubtful.

Kansas City Royals
Postseason appearances: 1976-78, 1980-81, 1984-85 (total-7)
World Series Titles: 1985 (1)
Best Season: 1977 (102-60)
Worst Season: 2005 (56-106)

The Royals did not take long to get good (just 8 years to their first post season appearance), then stayed good for 10 seasons, capping it off with a WS crown in 1985. Sadly, that's been it, and the worst period in franchise history has been the past fifteen years, with four 100 loss seasons and only one winning record in that time. A better indication of the decay of late is that only seven members of the 51 man roster are from 1995 and on. Quite simply, if David Glass continues running his team into the ground, it may become time to force him to sell the team to someone who will move forward with the franchise. The people of K.C. deserve better.

Pitching-The Royals got good in a hurry mainly by focusing on pitching, defense and speed. The rotation consists of three members of the 1985 champions-Bret Saberhagen (1989 version, 23-6, 2.16), Charlie Leibrandt ('85 version, 17-9, 2.69) and Mark Gubicza (1988 version, 20-8, 2.70). Kevin Appier 1993 (18-8, 2.56) and 2009 Cy Young Award champ Zach Greinke (16-8, 2.16) round out the starting five. In reserve are several early members of the Royal rotation-Paul Splittorff 1978 (19-13, 3.40), Steve Busby 1975 (18-12, 3.08) and Dennis Leonard 1977 (20-12, 3.04). Dan Quisenberry 1983 (5-3-45, 1.94) heads up the capable bullpen, helped out by Steve Farr 1990 (13-7, 1.98), Jeff Montgomery 1989 (7-3-18, 1.37), Steve Mingori 1976 (5-5-10, 2.33) and long man Roger Nelson 1972 (11-6-2, 2.08). Tom "Flash" Gordon 1989 (17-9-14, 3.64) and 2008 Joaquin Soria (40 saves, 1.60 ERA) are among the reserves.

Catching-Some say the best trade in club history was when K.C. received Darrell Porter from the Brewers for Jamie Quirk and Jim Wohlford (Jim Colborn also went to K.C. in the trade-I dispute that, the top trade in team history will be revealed later). By 1979, Porter had an All Star caliber season (20, 112, .291, 121 walks). Backing him up is John Wathan 1980 (.305, 17 SB) and in reserve are Mike Macfarlane 1993 (.273, 20 HR) and Hector Ortiz 2000 (.386 in 88 AB with a .443 OBP).

Infield-John Mayberry (another great deal prior to the 1972 season) will start at first (1975 version-34, 106, .291, 119 walks), Frank White 1982 (11, 56, .298) is at second, Freddie Patek 1971 (.267, 49 SB) is at short and HOFer George Brett 1985 (30, 112, .335, 103 walks) is at third. Mike Sweeney 2000 (29, 144, .333) can help spell Mayberry against some lefties, and utility men Jose Offerman 1996 (.303, 24 SB), Kevin Seitzer 1987 (.323, 15, 83) and Bill Pecota 1991 (.286) can help out. In reserve are two men from the inaugural season of 1969, Mike Fiore (.274, 12, 35, .421 OBP) and Joe Foy (11, 71, .262, 37 SB). The Royals then consummated the best trade in history during the 69-70 offseason, swapping Foy to the Mets for...

Outfield-Amos Otis (with Bob Johnson thrown in to boot, who would be traded to Pittsburgh after one season for Patek). Otis will play CF (1978 version-22, 96, .298, 32 SB) for the Royals instead of Carlos Beltran, who ironically will be patrolling the center garden in Flushing. Flanking Otis are Johnny Damon 2000 (.327, 46 SB) and Al Cowens 1977 (23, 112, .312). Hal McRae 1982 (27, 133, .308) assumes his customary DH role. Backing this crew up are Willie Wilson 1982 (.332, 37 SB) and the aforementioned Wathan, Seitzer and Pecota.

Outlook-The Royals do have a big problem-lack of power. It's hard to believe that no Royal has hit more HRs in a season than Steve Balboni's 36 in 1985. While this is a strong team overall, the lack of punch will be K.C.'s undoing in the long run.

Next time-continuing with the AL West, starting with Milwaukee and Minnesota.