League Preview-Part 8
Continuing the National League East

Florida Marlins
Postseason Appearances: 2 (1997, 2003)
World Series Titles: 2 (1997, 2003)
Best Season: 1997 (92-70)
Worst Season: 1998 (54-108)

For a team that has only been around for less than 20 years, the Fish sure have packed a lot in. They are the only franchise that has never lost a postseason series (6-0), yet they are remembered more for the fire sales that followed these titles. One can only hope that once the Marlins move into their retractable roof stadium in 2012 that this vicious cycle of build, tear down and rebuild will finally stop. Of course, the alternative (the team moving) would have been far worse of a legacy (ask Montreal, more on them later).

Pitching-Not the strongest or deepest of rotations, and the man who had the lowest ERA in Marlin history is pitching for the Texas Rangers (Kevin Brown, 1.89, 1996). The Fish rotation consists of Dontrelle Willis 2005 (22-10, 2.63), Josh Johnson 2009 (15-5, 3.23), Carl Pavano 2004 (18-8, 3.00), Ricky Nolasco 2008 (15-8, 3.52) and Ryan Dempster 2000 (14-10, 3.66). World Series 2003 MVP Josh Beckett (15-8, 3.38) and A.J. Burnett 2002 (12-9, 3.30) help add needed depth. The pen is headed by Bryan Harvey 1993 (45 saves, 1.70), helped by fellow 1993 alum Matt Turner (2.91), Braden Looper 2003 (28 saves), Vladimir Nunez 2002 (20 saves), Lee Gardner 2007 (1.94) and Yorkis Perez 1994 (4-0, 3.58). "Uggie" Urbina 2003 (32 saves) adds some depth.

Catching-Weak, and if not for Charles Johnson 1997 (19, 63, .250), the Marlins would have the worst catching of all 32 teams. Mike Redmond 2001 (4, 14, .312) backs him up, with Ramon Castro 2003 (5 HR in only 53 AB) and Miguel Olivo 2006 (he of the 9 walk, 103 K season-did hit 16 HR) adding needed spaces on the depth chart.

Infield-A defensively challenged infield, this team will hit. Jeff Conine 1995 (28, 118, .302) is at first, Luis Castillo 2003 (.314, 21 SB) is at second, Hanley Ramirez 2009 (league leading .342 avg, 24, 106, 27 SB) and Miguel Cabrera 2005 (33, 116, .323) is at third. Mike Lowell 2004 (27, 85, .293) will provide late inning defense at third, and Andy Fox 2002 (31 SB) and Alfredo Amezaga 2007 (.263, 13 SB) add versatility. Dan Uggla 2006 (27, 90, .282) would fill in if Castillo gets hurt.

Outfield-Cliff Floyd 2001 (31, 103, .317) is in left, Juan Pierre 2003 (.305, 65 SB) is in center, and Gary Sheffield 1996 (42, 120, .314, .465 OBP) is in right. Josh Willingham 2006 (26, 74, .277), Mark Kotsay 2000 (.298, RF 1 defense) and Cody Ross 2007 (12, 39, .335 in only 173 AB) provide backup. Preston Wilson 1999 (26, 74, .280), Cameron Maybin 2008 (.500 in 32 AB with 4 SB) and 2009 ROY Chris Coghlan (.321) add depth.

Outlook-in this tough division, the Fish will get fried regularly and likely finish last. They won't even get to spoil the Mets season at the end as they wrap up the season in Philly-maybe they could do the Amazins a favor for a change and play spoiler...

New York Mets
Postseason Appearances: 7 (1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 1999-2000, 2006)
World Series Titles: 2 (1969, 1986)
Best Season: 1986 (108-54)
Worst Season: 1962 (40-120)

It's now time to "meet the Mets, meet the Mets...", the team I will be managing through this season. This team has always been amazin', whether it's improbable wins (1969, 1973), incredible post season games (1986, 1999, 2006) or just plain horrid (any season prior to '69 (particularly their first season in 1962), the late 70s-early 80s or the wretched 2009 season where the team picture, it was said, was an MRI). Never a dull moment in Flushing, that's for sure.

Pitching-Since the late 60s, this has been the strong point of the best Mets teams. The rotation starts off with the one Met who has a plaque in Cooperstown, Tom Seaver 1971 (20-10, 1.76). Following Tom Terrific are Dwight Gooden 1985 (24-4, 1.53), Jerry Koosman 1976 (21-10, 2.76), David Cone 1988 (20-3, 2.22) and Sid Fernandez 1989 (14-5, 2.83). Bob Ojeda 1986 (18-5, 2.57), Al Leiter 1998 (17-6, 2.47) and Craig Swan 1978 (2.43) would start for a lot of teams. The pen is wide and deep, with Jesse Orosco 1983 (13-7-17, 1.47), Roger McDowell 1986 (14-9-22, 3.02), John Franco 1995 (6-3-33, 2.44), Armando Benitez 1999 (4-3-22, 1.85) and Bob Apodaca 1975 (13 saves, 1.48 ERA). Not an era over 3.02 in the entire 10 man staff-that's impressive. Skip Lockwood 1975 (1.50, 61 K in 48 IP) and Terry Leach 1987 (11-1, 3.22) add more depth.

Catching-Quite a platoon here, with Todd Hundley 1996 (41, 112, .259) sharing time with Mike Piazza 2000 (38, 113, .324). Put their lefty righty stats together and it reads: 466 AB, 85 runs, 46 HR, 111 RBI, .296 average. Scary. Long time Met backstops Jerry Grote 1975 (.295) and John Stearns 1978 (15, 73, .264, 25 SB) add depth.

Infield-The interesting part here is that half of this infield only joined the Mets within the last 7 years-that would be David Wright 2007 (30, 107, .325, 34 SB) and Jose Reyes 2006 (19, 81, .300, 64 SB). The other half consists of older heroes like Edgardo Alfonzo 2000 (25, 94, .324) at second and Keith Hernandez 1986 (13, 83, .310) at first. Dave Magadan 1990 (.328), Howard Johnson 1989 (36, 101, .287) and Gregg Jefferies 1988 (.321, 6 HR among 16 XBH in only 109 AB) add infield depth. In reserve are once (and current) first baseman Mike Jacobs 2005 (11, 23, .310 in only 105 AB), Tim Teufel 1987 (.308, 14 HR in 299 AB), Bud Harrelson 1971 (28 SB, Gold Glove), and Ray Knight 1986 (11, 74, .298, WS MVP).

Outfield-Key components of the two Met champs and a current star comprise the Mets OF-that would be Cleon Jones 1969 (12, 75, .340) in left, Carlos Beltran 2006 (41, 116, .275) in center and Darrtyl Strawberry 1987 (39, 104, .287) in right. Acrobatic Endy Chavez 2006 (.306 and a catch no one will forget, even if it was ultimately in vain), Lee Mazzilli 1987 (.306) and Benny Agbayani 1999 (14, 42, .286) add speed/defense (ask Scott Rolen), veteran pinch hitting and (Hawaiian) punch off the bench, respectively. Dave Kingman 1976 (37 HR, 32 of them by July 19 before a finger injury sidelined Kong for 6 weeks), Tommie Agee 1969 (26, 76, .271 and monster Game 3 or the WS) and Kevin McReynolds 1988 (27, 99, .288, 21 SB without being caught) add insurance.

Outlook-definitely the dark horse of the division, the Metsies should finish at least third on talent, and proper managing by me could add a few more wins-which could mean the difference between third place and first place.

Philadelphia Phillies
Postseason Appearances: 1915, 1950, 1976-78, 1980-81, 1983, 1993, 2007-09 (total-12)
World Series Titles: 2 (1980, 2008)
Best Season: 1976 & 1977 (101-61)
Worst Season: 1941 (43-111)

Except for the brief flashes of glory in 1915 and 1950, the Phils may have been the worst team in baseball for the first three-quarters of the 20th century. That all changed with a run of 6 post season appearances in 8 seasons, with their first WS crown thrown in (1980). A similar drought followed (only 1 postseason appearance between 1984 and 2006, ending with the Joe Carter Nightmare), but the current period (three appearances in the postseason in a row with a 2nd title in 2008) may be looked back upon as another great era in Phille history.

Pitching-An all Hall of Fame foursome will do the starting pitching for the Fightin Phils-G.C. Alexander 1911 (28-13, 2.57), Robin Roberts 1954 (23-15, 2.96), Jim Bunning 1966 (19-14, 2.41) and Steve Carlton 1972 (27-10, 1.98). This leaves the Phils in the unique position of having six men in the bullpen, starting with Barry Lersch 1970 (6-3-3, 3.26), Jim Konstanty 1950 (16-7-22, 2.66), Dick Selma 1970 (22 saves, 2.75), Tug McGraw 1980 (20 saves, 1.47 ERA-here's a scary thought; imagine if I put the Tugger's '72 season (27 saves, 1.70) with the Mets instead-that would make an already tough bullpen even tougher), Ron Reed 1978 (17 saves, 2.23) and the Wild Thing, Mitch Williams 1991 (12-5-30, 2.34). Adding depth on both ends are Chris Short 1964 (17-9, 2.20), Rick Wise 1971 (17-14, 2.88), Cole Hamels 2008 (14-10, 3.09), Al Holland 1983 (8-4-25, 2.26) and Ricky Bottalico 1995 (2.46).

Catching-Mike Lieberthal 1999 (31, 96, .300) gets the call behind the dish, with Darren Daulton 1992 (27, 109, .270) backing him up. "Dutch" could spell Lieberthal against the tough righties in this division (Smoltz, Seaver, Law, Rogers et al). Adding depth are Stan Lopata 1956 (32 HR) and Andy Seminick 1950 (24, 68, .288 in less than 400 AB).

Infield-Even more so that their counterparts 90 miles to the northeast, the Phillies infield is composed of 3/4 of their current infield. Ryan Howard 2006 (58, 149, .313) is at first, Chase Utley 2009 (31, 93, .282) is at second, and Jimmy "Big Mouth" Rollins 2007 (30, 94, .296, 41 SB) at short. Third base is the domain of one Michael Jack Schmidt (as the late Harry Kalas referred to him). Schmitty's 1981 season (47, 138, .316) garnered him one of his three MVPs, eventually leading to his HOF induction in 1995. Tony Taylor 1970 (.301) and Deron Johnson 1971 (34 HR) add infield depth, while components of three generations of Phillie champion teams (50s-Willie Jones 1950 (25, 88, .267) and Granny Hamner 1954 (13, 89, .299)/70s-Dave Cash and Larry Bowa 1975; both of whom hit .305/90s-John Kruk 1992 (10, 70 .323)) are in reserve.

Outfield-The man who now mans "Bull's BBQ" stand at Citizens Bank Park, Greg Luzinski, is in left. His 1977 season (39, 130, .309) was peppered with many long distance blasts. Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn 1955 (.338, 105 walks) beats out Lenny "Nails" Dykstra 1993 (19, 66, .305) in center (Dykstra wasn't beating out Beltran and Agee in NY), and fellow HOFer Chuck Klein 1930 (40, 170, .386) is in right. Subbing for the defensively challenged Klien and Luzinski in the late innings are Bobby Abreu 1999 (20, 93, .335, 27 SB) and Jayson Werth 2009 (36, 99, .268, 20 SB). The Flying Hawaiian, Shane Victorino 2008 (14, 58, .293, 36 SB) also provides depth in the outfield.

Outlook-on paper, the Phils should win this division, but as their history (until recently) has shown, heartbreak in Philly is usually as sure as a good cheesesteak.

Next time-we conclude the National League East and start the National League West.