The Spectrum

Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Brady Clark and the young Brewers are primed to become baseball's newest hit.

In 2005, the Milwaukee Brewers began their quest to become major league baseball's up and coming team that displays excitement and youthful talent. Fans became acclimated to several rising stars such as closer Derrick Turnbow, young bopper Prince Fielder, speedsters Brady Clark, Rickie Weekes, and J.J. Hardy. Carlos Lee thrived in his first campaign, and the front end of the rotation made up of Ben Sheets, Chris Capuano, and Doug Davis opened a lot of eyes. In 2006, we could be introduced to something else in Milwaukee: the most dangerous contender to capture the National League Wild Card.

The NL Central division endured quite a shakeup during the off-season, mostly stemming from teams that succeeded in 2005. The Cardinals return stars Albert Pujols, a healthy (maybe, but who knows) Scott Rolen, Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder and Jason Isringhausen and are poised for another division title. However, contributors Reggie Sanders, Julian Tavarez, and Matt Morris all parted ways for other teams via free agency, which could expose some new weaknesses in key spots. Carpenter, who was last season's Cy Young recipient, enjoyed a career year and such fantastic numbers could be hard to repeat. Braden Looper will take over as the ace set-up man for Tavarez after leaving the Mets, but we all know how dependant he is. The Cardinals are still good enough to win the division, but vulnerable enough to make the race interesting.

The Astros and Cubs will have too many questions to answer and by the time September rolls around, it could be too late for both squads. Roger Clemens may not pitch for Houston this season, and its offense it yet another year older. As for the Cubs, their current state is about as stable as Kerry Wood's health.

Since the Braves and Mets will have the East division wrapped up by the end of April, the Brew Crew will have to beat out one of them for a wild card selection. The Mets offense is remarkable with their key off-season acquisitions, but their rotation is paper-thin after a brittle Pedro Martinez.

The fans who appreciate franchises that manage to positively change their image will enjoy watching the baby Brewers develop into something special in 2006. Their infield is by far the youngest in baseball, but it doesn't show in between the lines.

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