Early Season Predictions Revisited

This week I looked back at some articles that I wrote back in March-April just to see if I said anything that made sense. I was looking for any predictions that I made back then. Its surprising how quickly I forget what I predicted once the season starts. Here's a few, good and bad:

"Who are the favorites for 2001? With the injury to Garciaparra, the Yankees look to win their division again. The White Sox will have to have a second magical season to overtake the depth of the Indians. The A's and the Mariners may see another tough race... The Cardinals will face some competition from a rebounding Houston team and the perenial overachievers, the Reds. The NL West could have the best competition of all with the Giants, the Rockies, and the Dodgers." March 28

OK, I got most of the teams right in the American League, but who wouldn't have guessed that? Houston had bad luck last season, but its been their young pitchers (Miller, Oswalt, Dotel)that have carried them all year.

"Overrated: Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers (every year), New York Yankees. Underrated: Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies." March 16

Saying the Royals are underrated is probably as crazy as anything I've written.

"As of right now, the Minnesota Twins are 5-2, atop the A.L. Central...its only April, but we're not talking about marginal pitchers who are off to a hot start. These are young and talented pitchers who could be putting it all together much sooner than anyone expected... The keys will be how they fare against top teams (Indians, Yankees, White Sox)" April 13

As expected, it was the inability of the Twins to beat the Indians that hurt them the most.

"Watch Griffey unload and become the best player in baseball again. Prediction: .315, 53 homers, 155 RBI." February 16

Griffey has played well of late, but he's been hurt too often to come anywhere in the galaxy of what I guessed.

"The Cards also have Bud Smith waiting at AAA Memphis." February 16

I watched Bud Smith pitch in Memphis for a year. Anyone watching him work knew that he was a solid big-leaguer.

"Mesa and Bottalico? These guys are well past their primes and probably can't effectively set-up, much less close." February 2

Jose Mesa has gotten the job done all year.

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