The grass that grows inside the track of sand bordering a baseball field has a distinct sound when stepped on, like crumbled pieces of crackers mixed with the bristles of a wire brush. The grass’ air-like quality under your feet feels like you’re walking on a cloud. These two reasons are why it’s one of my favorite places to stand.
The first pitch of the 2011 Major League Baseball season will be thrown on Thursday afternoon. Opening day is the single day of the year where games that matter are being played, and every team is at .500. For the next seven months, there is finally something to watch on television every night.
It was May 2000 when I first started covering professional baseball. I started with the independent leagues before moving up to the minor leagues. Eventually, I got to the majors. Truth be told, it was a gratifying experience. To be able to stand on the Yankee Stadium (the old and new) field and cover a sport that means so much to so many, including myself, is as exciting as it comes. I hope to return this season on occasion and will bring any of that coverage right here to “The Cheap Seats: Notebook.”
Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time looking over rosters and feel confident with my selections. That confidence is no more than any other season, but I need to tell myself it is.
Here are my fearless predictions for the 2011 season:
American League
East: Boston Red Sox – One through five, the Red Sox have the most well rounded rotation in the American League. Throw in new additions Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to the batting order and they might have the best one through nine, as well.
Central: Chicago White Sox – I’m going out on the edge here because none of the A.L. Central teams have me feeling super confident. A core of Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn is good for 80 home runs. I’m also rooting for the return of former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy.
West: Los Angeles Angels – I watched Jered Weaver anchor the Camden Rivershaks’ rotation in 2005. Now, he’s the number-one starter for the Angels. Los Angeles is playing with many new pieces this year, including outfielder Vernon Wells. They still have a Top 3 rotation without Lacky.
Wild Card: New York Yankees – What would the postseason be without the New York Yankees? Question marks at catcher and in the middle of the rotation are still lingering. Manager Joe Girardi doesn’t seem concerned, but would you either with Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano anchoring your lineup? And, mark it down, Jeter will hit .300 this year.
MVP: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox
CY Young: CC Sabathia, New York Yankees
Rookie Of The Year: Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles
Manager Of The Year: Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox
National League
East: Philadelphia Phillies – I don’t know if there’s a better one-two punch in the league in terms of pitching and hitting. The addition of Cliff Lee gives the Phillies one of the most formidable rotations in league history. The biggest question marks, however, are Chase Utley’s (right knee) injury and Jimmy Rollins’ bat.
Central: St. Louis Cardinals – The loss of Adam Wainwright certainly put a damper on the season before it even began. Their lineup, however, is just so power-packed, including Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman.
West: San Francisco Giants – The reigning champions will try to become the first repeat winners since the Yankees in the late 90s. While Barry Zito tries to become the best fifth starter in the game, closer Brian Wilson aims to have the best beard.
Wild Card: Atlanta Braves – New skipper Fredi Gonzalez was handed a young, yet experienced team for his second go-round as a MLB manager. This could be Chipper Jones’ last year, and while he has a ring from 2005, a second would be sweeter.
MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
CY Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies
Rookie Of The Year: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
Manager Of The Year: Fredi Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves
Playoffs & World Series:
Red Sox over Yankees
Angels over White Sox
Phillies over Braves
Giants over Cardinals
Phillies over Red Sox in the World Series
Past MLB Season Previews: 2010 | 2009 | 2008