I think Alou will do much better in San Francisco than he did in Chicago (and he was pretty good in Chicago at times...but very streaky). He was supposed to protect Sosa but by the end of the year last year Sosa was the one they were pitching to and Alou was the one they pitched around. I don't think Bonds will slip as much as Sammy did.
sb
sb
My thoughts on a few things:
I think the Cubs will be very good. They had all the expectations last year and proceeded to let down the fans. I think Nomar is going to have a great year as he just signed a 1 year deal and needs to step up and claim his contract that he rejected from Boston a couple of years back. It all comes down to Prior and Wood of course, but I think they will be fine. They do need a upgrade over Ryan DUMPSTER at closer though. Maybe they can get Uggie or Julio.
Houston is done and Clemens will be back with the Yankees in July.
Cardinals: Well this is my team and I am scared, the expectations are high and the Cardinals do better when they are suppose to finish back in the pack. I hate Larussa, but maybe he can come through with another division crown. Mulder second half last year needs to be a fluke and he needs to be back on track. Duncan needs to get Morris' head out of his arse. Marquis and Carpenter need to prove that they really are the same pitchers that we saw last year. It all comes down to Grudz and eckstein to step up as they are vital. They need to get on base. Expect Bo Hart to get a lot of fan support, so Grudz better step up early or he may be sitting some. Molina behind the plate should be solid, he was close with Matheny and I am sure picked up soe thing.
Milwaukee- Has a solid lineup, but after Sheets and maybe Davis there is not much left. Mike Adams is going to close? I dont think so, they too need a closer.
NY Mets- Well who knows? They certainly have the horses, it just all depends how the mesh.
ATL- I learned my lesson years ago about discounting them.
FL- About a solid a lineup as there is in the league. The pressure on Beckett and Burnett is going to be tremendous though. If the youngsters can stay healthy and produce they can get the Braves and Mets.
San Fran- I know alot of people here like the Giants and Hopefully my complete dislike of Barry Bonds is not clouding my judgement, but I think the Giants are going to give the Dbacks and Rockies a run for their money for the cellar out west. First off the are OLD, very OLD in comparison. How many of these guys have the heart to go out and give it their all day in and day out? They may have the worst defensive outfield that I can remember in baseball for many years. Mix that in with a very complex home field in the first palce and I think we are going to see a ton of extra base hits. Schmidt is a stud, no denying that, but after him you have Rueter, Tomko, Williams and Lowry? Matheny is a great game caller, but has his work cut out for him there. Lastly, you have Benetiz saving games. I think everyone is letting a brilliant first half last year cloud their judgement. He can not pitch under pressure. He could not do it in NY and he could not do it in FL last year down the stretch. I have a lot of respect for Felipe Alou, but he is in trouble this year. Lets not forget about Moises Alou either, He had a great contact year last year, but now that he is once again "fat" does he regress to his 2002 and 2003 numbers?
Just my thoughts on these teams, but let me add one more thing...............I LOVE BAEBALL!!
I think the Cubs will be very good. They had all the expectations last year and proceeded to let down the fans. I think Nomar is going to have a great year as he just signed a 1 year deal and needs to step up and claim his contract that he rejected from Boston a couple of years back. It all comes down to Prior and Wood of course, but I think they will be fine. They do need a upgrade over Ryan DUMPSTER at closer though. Maybe they can get Uggie or Julio.
Houston is done and Clemens will be back with the Yankees in July.
Cardinals: Well this is my team and I am scared, the expectations are high and the Cardinals do better when they are suppose to finish back in the pack. I hate Larussa, but maybe he can come through with another division crown. Mulder second half last year needs to be a fluke and he needs to be back on track. Duncan needs to get Morris' head out of his arse. Marquis and Carpenter need to prove that they really are the same pitchers that we saw last year. It all comes down to Grudz and eckstein to step up as they are vital. They need to get on base. Expect Bo Hart to get a lot of fan support, so Grudz better step up early or he may be sitting some. Molina behind the plate should be solid, he was close with Matheny and I am sure picked up soe thing.
Milwaukee- Has a solid lineup, but after Sheets and maybe Davis there is not much left. Mike Adams is going to close? I dont think so, they too need a closer.
NY Mets- Well who knows? They certainly have the horses, it just all depends how the mesh.
ATL- I learned my lesson years ago about discounting them.
FL- About a solid a lineup as there is in the league. The pressure on Beckett and Burnett is going to be tremendous though. If the youngsters can stay healthy and produce they can get the Braves and Mets.
San Fran- I know alot of people here like the Giants and Hopefully my complete dislike of Barry Bonds is not clouding my judgement, but I think the Giants are going to give the Dbacks and Rockies a run for their money for the cellar out west. First off the are OLD, very OLD in comparison. How many of these guys have the heart to go out and give it their all day in and day out? They may have the worst defensive outfield that I can remember in baseball for many years. Mix that in with a very complex home field in the first palce and I think we are going to see a ton of extra base hits. Schmidt is a stud, no denying that, but after him you have Rueter, Tomko, Williams and Lowry? Matheny is a great game caller, but has his work cut out for him there. Lastly, you have Benetiz saving games. I think everyone is letting a brilliant first half last year cloud their judgement. He can not pitch under pressure. He could not do it in NY and he could not do it in FL last year down the stretch. I have a lot of respect for Felipe Alou, but he is in trouble this year. Lets not forget about Moises Alou either, He had a great contact year last year, but now that he is once again "fat" does he regress to his 2002 and 2003 numbers?
Just my thoughts on these teams, but let me add one more thing...............I LOVE BAEBALL!!
Seems the NL Central as a whole is weaker. Cubbies could contend as mentioned before if Prior/Wood start 30 times each. Plus it is good that their top 3 starters are strikeout pitchers considering Walker/Nomar will be the worst DP combo in the majors excluding whoever is teamed with Jeter. Would not be surprised if Maddux has a ERA in the mid 4.00s this year. As for the Padres, they do have good arms but Eaton and Lawrence need to improve. Woody Williams is solid. Nice bullpen. Otsuka is awesome and would close on alot of clubs. That was a super signing last year. Offense is ok. Perhaps Sean Burroughs needs to visit Barry's chemist, errr, personal trainer.
:muscles:
:muscles:
All I will add is that I get to watch the Giants everyday and know their character and desire from top to bottom. This team, with all it's components, in the end knows how to win, day in and day out. Don't underestimate their ability to play defense or their pitching staff. Just check the numbers during the stretch drive of last season and for the past three years. They speak for themselves. This team continues to be built by a great GM and is primed for one last run at a title. Will they get it done? Maybe, maybe not. But it won't be from lack of desire and heart.
OMT- Thanks for the input, I was hoping someone who knew the Giants would chime in about their desire to win. I do not get a chance to see the Giants enough as I always choose to watch either LA or ANA when they are playing at the same time. I know that the Giants seem to have good fans that help instill passion into them. I think Matheny, Snow and Vizquel play the game to win, I just question Fonzie, Alou and especially most of all Bonds.
Do you play and post your baseball picks the was you do football? I hope that you do as I could use some furthor insight into the Giants. I find myself going against them more than I should be.
Do you play and post your baseball picks the was you do football? I hope that you do as I could use some furthor insight into the Giants. I find myself going against them more than I should be.
aceduecetrey:
I can tell you first hand that Barry Bonds wants to win a championship for the City of San Francisco more then most realize. He plays hard everytime he steps on the field. Of course, he has lost a step or two in the field but his game intelligence is always there. He will lose a little time in spring training because of the recent work on his knee, but will be ready by opening day. He knows his body extremely well and protects himself well for the long season. It is Alou that has to give him a rest, because if Barry could, he would play everyday.
Every player on this team wants to win including Durham, Vizquel, Snow, Bonds, Alou, Alfonzo, Matheny, Grissom and the pitching staff. Alou manages to win each and every game like it is the last game. Getting rid of Dusty Baker was the smartest thing the Giants did. I will be stunned if this team does not win the West easily. Only injuries should slow them down.
As to my betting on baseball, it is rare and normally only during the playoffs, although there will be a few times that I might pick a spot throughout the season. This is one sport where I am more a fan. That being a lifetime fan of the Giants because I've grown up with them here in the Bay Area since the late 50's. I use the summer to rest and prepare for the upcoming football season. My wagering year commences in August with football and essentially ends in June with the completion of basketball. There may be a rare post but nothing to be followed regularly.
I can tell you first hand that Barry Bonds wants to win a championship for the City of San Francisco more then most realize. He plays hard everytime he steps on the field. Of course, he has lost a step or two in the field but his game intelligence is always there. He will lose a little time in spring training because of the recent work on his knee, but will be ready by opening day. He knows his body extremely well and protects himself well for the long season. It is Alou that has to give him a rest, because if Barry could, he would play everyday.
Every player on this team wants to win including Durham, Vizquel, Snow, Bonds, Alou, Alfonzo, Matheny, Grissom and the pitching staff. Alou manages to win each and every game like it is the last game. Getting rid of Dusty Baker was the smartest thing the Giants did. I will be stunned if this team does not win the West easily. Only injuries should slow them down.
As to my betting on baseball, it is rare and normally only during the playoffs, although there will be a few times that I might pick a spot throughout the season. This is one sport where I am more a fan. That being a lifetime fan of the Giants because I've grown up with them here in the Bay Area since the late 50's. I use the summer to rest and prepare for the upcoming football season. My wagering year commences in August with football and essentially ends in June with the completion of basketball. There may be a rare post but nothing to be followed regularly.
OMT- Thanks again and I hope that you do realize that my statements about Bonds has no reflection in my repect for you and the insight that you share. Being a Life long Cardinal fan and a part time Brave supporter, I just have a extreme dislike for Bonds and everything that he represents. I wish that baseball had less people like Bonds, people who at least somewhat played the game for the sake of enjoyment. I know I am being naive in todays time , but when someone,like Bonds, is just so over the top with greed it just I feel tarnishes the game some what. I point to one of the more recent examples of him wanting to be compensated for participating in the Home Run Derby as it was reported. That being said I do know what it is like to be on the other side of the Issue as I am a huge Deion Sanders fan who most would say is much worse than Bonds could ever be. I just have the benifit of knowing Deion on a different level and know that it is only his persona that most people judge him on. Bonds may be the same way, but for me I just do not see it that way.
aceduecetrey:
No offense was taken. I will tell you that most of the country doesn't really know Barry Bonds. More what is presented in the media and thus the distain. If you saw him in the community and how hard he prepares himself for his profession, you would see him in a different light. I have had the opportunity to watch Willy Mays, Willy McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, and many others wear a Giants uniform and am very pleased to be able to enjoy what Barry does on the playing field and in the community. In the off season, we sometimes can forget just how dominant he is even at his age. When the season begins, watch once again as managers try to figure out how to get around him in the lineup. The numbers that he puts up, particularly at his age, are absolutely unbelieveable. His batting eye and bat speed are still remarkable. I expect more of the same this year.
No offense was taken. I will tell you that most of the country doesn't really know Barry Bonds. More what is presented in the media and thus the distain. If you saw him in the community and how hard he prepares himself for his profession, you would see him in a different light. I have had the opportunity to watch Willy Mays, Willy McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, and many others wear a Giants uniform and am very pleased to be able to enjoy what Barry does on the playing field and in the community. In the off season, we sometimes can forget just how dominant he is even at his age. When the season begins, watch once again as managers try to figure out how to get around him in the lineup. The numbers that he puts up, particularly at his age, are absolutely unbelieveable. His batting eye and bat speed are still remarkable. I expect more of the same this year.
FairWarning:
Believe it or not, even though I'm right here in the Bay Area, I hardly even follow the A's. Even during their championship runs. Absolutely a diehard Giants fan. Been to one A's game in my lifetime and didn't even enjoy their stadium. Wish I could help you with your question, but I don't even read about the A's. Weird, I know. But just the way it is. I guess it's like the Yankees and Mets fans or the Cubs and White Sox fans.
Believe it or not, even though I'm right here in the Bay Area, I hardly even follow the A's. Even during their championship runs. Absolutely a diehard Giants fan. Been to one A's game in my lifetime and didn't even enjoy their stadium. Wish I could help you with your question, but I don't even read about the A's. Weird, I know. But just the way it is. I guess it's like the Yankees and Mets fans or the Cubs and White Sox fans.
That is amazing Ted..I have seen this kind of loyalty many times though...In a state where we only have one team its puzzling to see this kind of support for one but not the other...A good friend of mine lives in Louisville, Kentucky...she hates the Cardinals but loves the Cats..lol, go figure!
Jman:
I think it has to do with the fact that the Giants arrived in the Bay Area when I was a little leaguer and got the opportunity to go to Candlestick when it was being constructed and met the players and stood on the field and threw the baseball as far as my little arm would allow, plus the fact that I was born and raised in San Francisco and not Oakland. Futhermore, by the time the A's arrived, I was much older and fully engulfed with the greats playing in a Giants uniform.
I think it has to do with the fact that the Giants arrived in the Bay Area when I was a little leaguer and got the opportunity to go to Candlestick when it was being constructed and met the players and stood on the field and threw the baseball as far as my little arm would allow, plus the fact that I was born and raised in San Francisco and not Oakland. Futhermore, by the time the A's arrived, I was much older and fully engulfed with the greats playing in a Giants uniform.
Jman:
SBC Park is one beautiful place to watch a game. Not only how with every seat you feel right on top of the game, but inside, the nostalgia and all the inside shops. Just a great place to enjoy a game. As for #715 or #756, the Cove should be covered with no room to spare. I might try to take a guess at where Barry might put one in the seats and try to be in that location, but it's all about luck at that point. When I get it, should I give the ball back?:lolBIG:
SBC Park is one beautiful place to watch a game. Not only how with every seat you feel right on top of the game, but inside, the nostalgia and all the inside shops. Just a great place to enjoy a game. As for #715 or #756, the Cove should be covered with no room to spare. I might try to take a guess at where Barry might put one in the seats and try to be in that location, but it's all about luck at that point. When I get it, should I give the ball back?:lolBIG:
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