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legendsport · 10-28-2009, 07:08 PM

As is the case almost every season, the first month of play has again yielded some interesting storylines. The biggest: how in the world are the twice-defending World Series champion Washington Senators sitting in last place in the American League? And not just in last place, but legitimately in last with a 5-14 mark, eight games behind the league leaders (the Detroit Tigers)? Another might be the Jekyll & Hyde-like performance of the Cincinnati Reds. This is a team which competed in 1905, was fairly lackluster (to be polite) in 1906 and is now in second-place in the National League, 2.5 games behind Boston.

What's the common thread? It's early. Really early. In fact, far too early to read much into these standings. The Cleveland club was dismal in April last season, then came back to post the best record in the sport from May-September (unfortunately for them, it wasn't good enough to capture the AL pennant). Will Washington be atrocious in 1907? I expect not. The pitching has been adequate and though the lineup has struggled - and will be without keystone Emory Howard for three months - there is too much talent in the field for the Senators to struggle this badly. A fifth-straight pennant may be a Herculean task, but it is not out of the realm of possibility.

In the National League, everything's jumbled, as you would expect from a group of clubs who have shown over the past three seasons that there isn't much difference between the top clubs and the middling clubs. There is a balance of power among the clubs in the National League, so the fact that Boston currently sits atop the standings doesn't mean a ton - other than that the Beaneaters have enjoyed the best start. New York is third and they have shown that they will be in the chase, and probably leading it at some point this season. Likewise, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. All three of those clubs - which are the trio from which pundits would have you believe the champion club will emerge - have identical 9-8 records, three games behind Boston.

Another exciting season is underway. Which storylines will play out? Which team - if any - will shake off the early season doldrums and charge to the front? And which players will separate themselves from the crowd this time around? All of these questions, and more, will be answered over the next six months of base ball action.

10-28-2009, 07:08 PM	#144 (permalink)
legendsport Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Behind The Lens Posts: 2,155 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8x in 8 posts	May 1, 1907 Update As is the case almost every season, the first month of play has again yielded some interesting storylines. The biggest: how in the world are the twice-defending World Series champion Washington Senators sitting in last place in the American League? And not just in last place, but legitimately in last with a 5-14 mark, eight games behind the league leaders (the Detroit Tigers)? Another might be the Jekyll & Hyde-like performance of the Cincinnati Reds. This is a team which competed in 1905, was fairly lackluster (to be polite) in 1906 and is now in second-place in the National League, 2.5 games behind Boston. What's the common thread? It's early. Really early. In fact, far too early to read much into these standings. The Cleveland club was dismal in April last season, then came back to post the best record in the sport from May-September (unfortunately for them, it wasn't good enough to capture the AL pennant). Will Washington be atrocious in 1907? I expect not. The pitching has been adequate and though the lineup has struggled - and will be without keystone Emory Howard for three months - there is too much talent in the field for the Senators to struggle this badly. A fifth-straight pennant may be a Herculean task, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. In the National League, everything's jumbled, as you would expect from a group of clubs who have shown over the past three seasons that there isn't much difference between the top clubs and the middling clubs. There is a balance of power among the clubs in the National League, so the fact that Boston currently sits atop the standings doesn't mean a ton - other than that the Beaneaters have enjoyed the best start. New York is third and they have shown that they will be in the chase, and probably leading it at some point this season. Likewise, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. All three of those clubs - which are the trio from which pundits would have you believe the champion club will emerge - have identical 9-8 records, three games behind Boston. Another exciting season is underway. Which storylines will play out? Which team - if any - will shake off the early season doldrums and charge to the front? And which players will separate themselves from the crowd this time around? All of these questions, and more, will be answered over the next six months of base ball action. __________________ The Baseball Chronicle - Swinging thru History! The Football Chronicle - Hitting Hard Historically (PFS - 1962) Alternate Universe Football (FOF - 1994)