Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Season Is Upon Us!!

So much has happened in the first two weeks of the year. Some of the happenings were truly heartbreaking. Nick Aydenhart's passing was truly tragic and I will be rooting for the Angels the rest of the year. Mark Fidrych dying in an accident in Northborough, Ma at his home hit the baseball world hard. He was only around a few years but Fidrych left an impression on all of us. Also losing Harry Kalas to death's grip after a life of service to the Philadelphia Phillies and baseball was a great loss. Also lets not forget NFL Films and the great work he did for them. He breathed life into the narrations describing the great moments in the NFL.

We also saw two new stadiums open up in New York. It's still mind-boggling to me to see one city open not only one brand new stadium but TWO new stadiums in the same year in this struggling and stagnant economy. I realize that the plans were in the works a few years ago but it still amazes me being a fan in small market San Diego, Ca. In San Diego, it took practically an act of Congress to get the funds approved for Petco Park in 1998. I believe had the Padres not had a World Series appearance that year, the Padres would no longer be in San Diego.

How about the surprises so far in this young season? The Marlins and their fast start definitely top the list. They currently have an 11-2 record as of April 21 and they are doing it by mashing the baseball and getting solid performances from a group of young pitchers led by Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. We know they are going to be strong offensively but if their pitching holds up and performs, we could be looking at this year's Tampa Bay Rays. The Mets and Phillies are the favorites in the NL East but that's why the games are played. The Padres as well have surprised the city of San Diego with their current 9-4 record. Expectations are low for this team this year but if they can manage to play .500 baseball, it would be a pleasant surprise.

This season looks to be very promising as far as storylines go. Who will come out of the National League, aka the superior league? Can you tell I'm a huge NL guy by the previous statement? Will the Phillies repeat or the Dodgers get over the hump this year? How about the Mets? The Mets seemed to have fixed their achilles heel, their bullpen, with new acquisitions JJ Putz and K-Rod. Can the Yankees and their large payroll finally win a World Series again or will all that lavish spending be for not? Will the Rays do it again and overcome the Nation and the evil empire two years in a row? I guess we will find out in October...

1 comments:

Batboy said...

It's hard to add anything to a pretty good overview of the young season. One question, will the new bandbox in New York continue to be a launching pad all year long? If so, the AL East is definitely going to be affected by what appears to be another hitters park in the division.

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