2014 World Series: Good vs. Evil

Tomorrow night at 7:07pm at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, pitcher James Shields will throw the first pitch officially starting the 2014 World Series. The American League champion Kansas City Royals will take on the National League champion San Francisco Giants in what is supposed to be a matchup for the ages. There's more to this season's "Fall Classic" than determining who will win baseballs ultimate crown, it is a struggle between good and evil.

The Kansas City Royals are truly a "cinderella story". The Royals, who haven't been to the playoffs since 1985, won this years AL Wildcard by beating the Oakland Athletics in a 12-inning game that has gone down as one of the greatest games in recent baseball history. Since September 30th, the Royals have swept through the AL playoffs by defeating powerhouses the Anaheim Angels and the Baltimore Orioles.

This season's Royals have proved that the "money ball' system can successfully work. Lead by fifth-year manager Ned Yost, the Royals have put together a team combining great young talent defensively, offensively, and on the mound. With 13 stolen bases and 8 home runs through their 8 postseason games, it's safe to say these Royals can do it all. Backed by their incredible fan base, who have waited through 29 years of pain for a moment like this, it's hard to route against such and incredible team and story.

The Kansas City Royals celebrate defeating the Oakland
Athletics in walk off fashion in the 2014 AL Wildcard game
(Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

On the National League side, however, things are a little different. The San Francisco Giants beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0 in Pittsburgh to win the 2014 NL Wildcard. Since then, the Giants have blown through the NL East champion Washington Nationals in the NLDS and the NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Even though their record may not have shown it, the 2014 San Francisco Giants are a powerhouse. With starting pitchers like Tim Lincecum, Jake Peavy, Madison Baumgarner and Matt Cain one could argue the Giants pitching staff is baseball's best.

Backed by arguably baseball's greatest (and most annoying) fan base, the San Francisco Giants won the National League qualifying it to their 3rd world series in 5 years after winning the "fall classic" in both 2010 over the Texas Rangers and in 2012 over the Detroit Tigers.

This year's World Series is more than just Major League Baseball's championship series, it determines the future of this sport. It will show us if a fan base can really carry their team to glory and it will show us if courage and good coaching can actually beat bought talent.


For More Information See:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2014.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/2014.shtml

Derek Jeter: The Truth Behind 'The Captain'

The ticket prices for tonight's Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees game range anywhere from $300 to $15,000! This is not because the Yankees are looking for a playoff berth (they've already been eliminated), and it's not because Yankees' fans want to see the Orioles miss a playoff berth (they've already won their division), it's because tonight is the last time SS Derek Jeter will step onto the diamond at Yankee Stadium.

As Derek Jeter's baseball career comes to a close, many people have been reflecting on the impact he had on the sport. He has been praised by writers, analysts and fans alike as one of the greatest skilled players to ever dawn a MLB uniform. Even with all of the "Jeter-Mania" that has been taking place this past season, there is one question in the back of all baseball fan's minds: "Was Derek Jeter ever that good of a baseball player?" The answer to this very controversial question was simple to find. Sorry to break the news to his fans, but judging by the statistics, Derek Jeter is NOT the greatest ball player of all time.

Out of all 19 seasons Derek Jeter stepped into the batters box wearing a Yankees uniform, only once did he exceed 100 RBI's in a season (102 in 1999). I understand that as a leadoff hitter his job is to get on base and not bring runs in, this is noted by his 1,922 career runs scored, but batting leadoff with the Yankees is very different. From 1995 to present, some notable 7-9 guys in the Yankees' batting order have included Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Jorge Posada, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Vizcaino and Alfonso Soriano. Four of the men listed were multiple time Silver Slugger Award winners.

Derek Jeter stands in the batters box awaiting the pitch
during a 2014 regular season game. (Getty Images)

"What about on defense Trevor? He's the greatest shortstop to ever play the game." Derek Jeter is a no-doubt a great defender, but he is certainly not one of the greatest. Of all 19 seasons in which he played shortstop, Jeter won 5 Gold Glove awards. Although his career fielding percentage as of today is an astounding .976, you must also take into account his 253 career errors. People seem to judge Derek Jeter's defensive skills based on one "flip-play" during the 2001 ALDS.

Putting aside all the statistics and all the arguments made against him, I personally believe Derek Jeter is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Derek Jeter is more then all the hits, RBIs, runs scored and stolen bases, Derek Jeter is one of the greatest ambassadors of the game. Jeter has never used performance enhancing drugs, and he gives back as much of his salary to charities and organizations every year. Jeter is a great idol to kids all over the world.

No matter your opinion of Derek Jeter, on or off the field, there is no arguing the impact he has had on the sport of baseball, or more importantly, the impact he has had on our culture.


For More Information See:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jeterde01.shtml?redir
http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-yankees-tickets/yankees-vs-orioles-9-25-2014-4378929/

Trout vs. Harper: The Future of Baseball

Yesterday's matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the Washington Nationals at National's Park in Washington D.C. wasn't your typical Monday night, April baseball game. Instead, it was one of the most important nights in recent baseball history.

Mike Trout was taken 25th overall in the 2009 MLB Draft by the Angels straight out of high school while Bryce Harper was taken 1st overall in the 2010 MLB Draft by the National also directly out of high school. It's safe to say both men have made their respective splash's on the league so far.

Mike Trout and Bryce Harper talk during practice at
the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City (US Presswire)

In 2012, at the age of 21-22, in his first full season in the league, Mike Trout won AL Rookie of the Year with a .326 batting average, 30 HR and 83 RBI. He also led the league with 49 SB. Trout then answered those stats in his sophomore season of 2013 with a .323 AVG, 27 HR, 97 RBI, 33 SB and his second straight Silver Slugger Award. The outfielder was selected as an All-Star game starter his first two seasons in the league.

Bryce Harper, on the other hand, has produced his own eye opening numbers in his first couple of years in the NL. In the young outfielders first season in 2012, at the age of 19, he posted a batting average of .270 with 59 RBI, 22 HR and 26 doubles on his way to winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. Even though he missed part of the 2013 season due to a knee injury, Harper still posted a .274 batting average and was selected as a starter in the All-Star Game.

Trout went 2-5 while Harper went 0-3 as both men faced each other for the first time in their young careers. Although this seemed like an unimportant regular season game, many baseball reporters, writers, and fans tuned in to witness what many consider the future of the game itself.

For more information see:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml

Baseball's Back!

Ahhhhh... It's that time of year again, the sun is beating, the earth is thawing, and the hotdogs are grilling, this can only mean one thing, baseball season is upon us.

After an incredible world series last year between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox finished off the season at Fenway Park on October 30th, baseball fans were left to die in the cold winter ahead. But if last years Fall Classic means anything, it's that this is going to be one hell of a season.

Although it's hard to do, I'm going to attempt to predict how this season will play out, so here it goes:

Red Sox Closer Koji Uehara celebrates after striking out 
Matt Carpenter to win the 2013 world series at Fenway Park.

AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays (97-65)
2. Boston Red Sox (94-68) *wildcard
3. Baltimore Orioles (80-72)
4. New York Yankees (80-72)
5. Toronto Blue Jays (76-86)

Just like last year, the AL East could easily be the tightest division in baseball. With teams like the 2012 AL wildcard winning Baltimore Orioles who are coming off of a season of disappointment, the 2012 AL East champion New York Yankees who have made some bold moves this offseason to push the team forward, and the defending world series champion Boston Red Sox who have arguably the best roster depth in baseball, we are in for a close race. But no team looks more promising than the defending AL wildcard champion Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays, led by baseball's best manager in Joe Maddon, have a prefect offensive and defensive balance. With roster pieces including matured versions of both Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist, and a pitching staff led by former Cy Young winner David Price, this Rays' team could be the best one yet. Although I feel the Red Sox win the wildcard, I firmly believe the Rays win this division. Watch out for Tampa Bay come october.

AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers (95-67)
2. Kansas City Royals (93-69)
3. Cleveland Indians (89-73)
4. Chicago White Sox (69-93)
5. Minnesota Twins (63-99)

The AL Central, just like last year, should also be a very tight division race. Last season the division boasted both having a wildcard winner in the young Cleveland Indians. The Indians, led by future HOF manager Terry Francona are on track for another season of coming up close but not finishing out. My sleeper from this division is the Kansas City Royals who have a very powerful and young offense led by DH Billy Butler, LF Alex Gordon, and the young powerful 3B Mike Moustakas. Although the Royals are great, this division still belongs to the Tigers. After trading away their power hitting 1B Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers, the Tigers in exchange got shortstop Ian Kinsler. With a new manager in Brad Ausmus (who has big shoes to fill from Jim Leyland), the best pitcher in baseball with Justin Verlander, and the defending MVP and former triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers are as ready as they have ever been to make a deep postseason run.

AL West
1. Texas Rangers (97-65)
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (95-67) *wildcard
3. Oakland Athletics (84-78)
4. Seattle Mariners (80-82)
5. Houston Astros (0-162)?

The AL West may end up looking way different than it did last season. The defending division champion Oakland Athletics are no longer going to have the hold they have recently had on the division as they begin to fall off. The Seattle Mariners have made several offseason moves to put themselves in contention, but it may still take a season or two for those plans to fall into place. After two years of disappointment after being projected as a playoff team, I believe the high spending of the Angels will finally pay off. As a team with a good combination of old and young, led by 22-year-old phenom outfielder Mike Trout (my prediction for this seasons MVP) playing alongside pitchers like Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson, and hitters including future HOF Albert Pujols and home-run hitting outfielder Josh Hamilton the Angels will win the wildcard. Ron Washington's Rangers are the team to beat from the AL West though. Led by baseball's future pitching legend Yu Darvish, the Rangers roster is too deep to lose games down the stretch. With the addition of both 1B Prince Fielder and OF Shin Soo-Choo to fill that much needed power hitting position, the Rangers have pieced together an almost unstoppable offense.

Mike Trout watches a ball he hit soar toward right field.

NL East
1. Washington Nationals (95-67)
2. Atlanta Braves (90-72) *wildcard
3. Philadelphia Phillies (74-88)
4. New York Mets (73-89)
5. Miami Marlins (65-97)

The NL East has been for the past two years, and will be again this season, a battle between only two teams. The Marlins have a young squad, they still need time to mature though. The Mets are getting older, the only problem is they aren't getting any better. Their pitching staff is solid, but they have no depth in their offense. The Phillies will be better than they were last year, but still not great. With a solid starting pitching core behind Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee the Phillies could make some moves, but their young and immature offense mixed with washed up veterans will bring them down. The Atlanta Braves will win the wildcard simply because their pitching staff is not capable of keeping up with the Nationals. Even though their offense, led by the Upton brothers, Jason Heyward, Dan Uggla, and Freddie Freeman, is way better than Washington's, the Nationals pitching rotation is too good to be beaten. The Nationals, forwarded by young OF Bryce Harper and veteran OF Jason Werth are too good to lose the division. Washington also boasts the bet bullpen in baseball, which will help them in october.

NL Central
1. Pittsburgh Pirates (101-61)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (98-64) *wildcard
3. Cincinnati Reds (82-80)
4. Chicago Cubs (79-83)
5. Milwaukee Brewers (70-92)

If there is any division race to watch this year, it would have to be the NL Central. The defending wildcard champion Cincinnati Reds' reign of the NL Central will come an end this year due to the loss of too many key components. With the Chicago Cubs in the works of rebuilding the franchise, and the Milwaukee Brewers on the decline after their loss of Corey Hart, the division is only left to two teams. The defending NL champion St. Louis Cardinals are in for another year of success. Although they lost both Carlos Beltran and David Frees, their offense is still armed and dangerous. The Cardinals also boast an outstanding pitching rotation led by veterans like Chris Carpenter and he young ace out of Texas A&M, Michael Wacha. Although the Cardinals are stacked, they will only win the wildcard, all because their rival/counterpart, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are better than ever before. After an awesome finish last year to win the wildcard and reach the NLDS, Clint Hurdle's Pirates only built a better roster, led by the defending NL MVP, Andrew McCutchen, and young utility 2B Neil Walker, the Pirates have the most consistent hitting lineup in baseball. Match all this with one of the greatest and most loyal fan bases in the Major Leagues and you've got all the makings of a winner.

NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (102-60)
2. San Francisco Giants (90-72)
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (90-72)
4. Colorado Rockies (80-82)
5. San Diego Padres (65-97)

The NL West is the one division where you can truly predict a team capable of dominating. The Rockies and Padres are both going through some major changes as organizations, the Diamondbacks and Giants are both recovering from sub-par seasons and each have yet to find that missing piece to put them over the top. The clear ruler of the NL West is Don Mattingly's Dodgers. The Dodgers debatably have both the best pitching staff and offense in baseball. With a starting pitching rotation that goes Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-jin Ryu, Zack Greinke, and Ricky Nolasco, (No, that is not a joke, this is actually an MLB teams rotation!) a bullpen led by former Giants' closer Brian Wilson, and an offense stacked to the top with talent, including the young prodigy Yasiel Puig, it's hard to imagine the Dodgers even lose the world series.

Yasiel Puig squares up to hit a ball one summer afternoon
at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

For more information see:
http://www.baseball-reference.com