The Royals are winning again. That's a story in the making that feels good. But even better than the script could write it, David Cone started for the Mets tonight against the Expos and pitched five shutout innings, giving up only three hits and struck out five. On top of that, he had his first Major League hit in years and went one for one. Remember, David Cone did not pitch last year for anyone. Remember that he is forty years old! He came to the Mets camp and no one gave him much of a chance to make the team. He was their best pitcher all Spring and made the club. Then in the feel great story of the day, the old man pitched five scoreless innings. Congratulations, Mr. Cone, on your welcome back night to the majors where you have shined and showed class and toughness for many, many years.


The American League West is a very difficult division to call. You only have four teams that are going to slug it out with each other day after day. That will make it difficult for one of the teams to continue winning the wildcard as they did last year. The A's don't look a whole lot improved as a team as their hitting is less effective while their pitching is probably more effective. The Angels have something intangible and much has been made of their spirit. But will Washburn hold up as spirit doesn't throw the ball. Lackey was lackluster (was that clever or what?) in his first start. Seattle has to be considered but everything has to fall into place for them to contend and much the same thing can be said for the Rangers who do look better. I think this will be a four team race for at least half the season and then one of the teams will pull away after the Allstar break.

The Oakland Athletics have to be considered the favorites in the division and so I will agree and state that it's their division to lose. Their pitching is unbelievable and reminds me of the Mets in the Seaver/Koosman glory days of power pitchers who could throw strikes and knew how to win. (Koosman should be in the Hall of Fame by the way.) I don't think the A's will hit like A's teams in the past and although Tejada and Chavez are two of the best players in the league, I don't believe the Longs, Gants, Menechinos of the world will get much done. The A's are vulnerable this year more so than last. I also think their relief pitching is much weaker as Foulke is a step down from the past two years.

Leaders
Homeruns: Chavez with 39
RBI and average: Tejada with 135 and .316
Surprise player of the year: Ted Lilly, who will win 17 games
Wins: Tim Hudson with 24
Saves: Foulke with 32 and 15 blown saves

The California Angels just want to make believers out of you. They don't look like they have enough talent to win it all and yet they did. Their pitching doesn't look strong enough, but it was. Somehow, their character overcomes their ability level and makes anything possible. Darin Erstad is one of those players whose fearless play limits his ability to physically perform. But if he is healthy, he could reverse two years on the down side of a remarkable year when he had 240 hits. 240 hits! If he has 210 hits and comes close to his guady average of a couple of years ago, this team becomes all that more dangerous. Tim Salmon seems to have resumed his career just when it appeared dead. He's another one who could have a big year and change things. Glaus will be super as always but can you imagine how he would do if he learned the strike zone and cut down on his strikeouts?

Homeruns: Glaus with 42
RBI: Garrett Anderson with 132
Average: Darin Erstad at .325
Surprise player of the year: Brad Fullmer
Wins: Ramon Ortiz with 18
Saves: Troy Percival with 42

The Texas Rangers have a new manager. They have a healthy and committed Juan Gonzalez, young stars in Blalock and Teixeira, an old reliable in Palmeiro, an improved bullpen (don't let today sway you) and what appears to be a productive Carl Everett. If they could get hot, this team could be dangerous! Oh yeah, and they have the best player in the game at shortstop.

Homeruns: Juan Gonzalez with 42
RBI: Gonzalez with 125
Average: Alex Rodriguez at .348
Surprise player of the year: Hank Blalock
Wins: Ismael Valdez with 17
Saves: Ugie Urbina with 46 (why did the Red Sox dump him!)

How can I pick the Seahawks last? How can I pick a team with Ichiro and Olerud and Edgar Martinez? Probably because their pitching hasn't gotten much better and they haven't really improved themselves at all. In fact they are weaker at catcher and third base. Winn was a nice pickup, especially now that he can shine away from Tampa Bay. Who knows, they could still contend, but I think their pitching and age will collapse them after the AllStar Break.

Homeruns: Bret Boone with 27
RBI: Olerud with 102
Average: Ichiro at .325
Surprise player of the year: Gil Meche
Wins: Gil Meche with 20
Saves: Sasaki with 24 (he'll breakdown and Nelson will have to take over)


And now I must celebrate because Sammy Sosa just hit his 500th homerun. What a great tribute to hard work and a will to succeed. He hit most of those homeruns with no one to protect him in the lineup. He's one of the best players of our time. Sammy Sosa is in the 500 club. Congratulations!