2008 Woodie Awards
The Meat: Quest to dethrone White Sox begins
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 3/30/06 Section: Sports
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Amidst the launch of a successful inaugural World Baseball Classic and the release of the controversial best-selling novel by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams that documents the steroid case involving Barry Bonds, the White Sox strolled into camp with new jewelry on their ring fingers. The 2006 season is days away and the other 30 Major League baseball squads begin their journeys to make sure Chicago doesn't add another ring to its collection.
Changes have been made: more owners emptied their wallets to acquire key free agents and many franchises improved their clubs, but the goal for every team hasn't been altered. That particular goal is and always will be to pile on each other in a fall classic victory on a cool October night.
The American League experienced the most significant modifications and the league title is more up for grabs than people think.
The New York Yankees stole centerfielder Johnny Damon from the Boston Red Sox in what was the most publicized acquisition of the winter. Damon, who is referred to as Judas instead of Johnny of Nazareth in Red Sox nation, gives the Yankees the first true leadoff presence since Chuck Knoblauch and will allow Bernie Williams to serve as the designated hitter in his last go-around in the Bronx.
Contrary to the bats, their pitching once again remains their glaring weakness. Randy Johnson isn't getting any younger and could show his age even more this season. Mike Mussina's contract option won't be picked up in 2007, so his motivation could be questionable. Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright are both already complaining of injuries, and Shawn Chacon, Aaron Small and Chien Ming Wang may have to play the role of saviors again, which doesn't leave new pitching coach Ron Guidry with a tall comfort level.
Boston went through another dramatic episode with Manny Ramirez. Nonetheless, he is back to hit alongside David Ortiz, but they will fall short of first and the wild card.
In the Central, the defending champions will barley beat out the Indians and Twins because they improved their already potent starting pitching staff by signing Javier Vasquez. A repeat is clearly reachable despite concerns of having too many career years by key players in 2005.
Changes have been made: more owners emptied their wallets to acquire key free agents and many franchises improved their clubs, but the goal for every team hasn't been altered. That particular goal is and always will be to pile on each other in a fall classic victory on a cool October night.
The American League experienced the most significant modifications and the league title is more up for grabs than people think.
The New York Yankees stole centerfielder Johnny Damon from the Boston Red Sox in what was the most publicized acquisition of the winter. Damon, who is referred to as Judas instead of Johnny of Nazareth in Red Sox nation, gives the Yankees the first true leadoff presence since Chuck Knoblauch and will allow Bernie Williams to serve as the designated hitter in his last go-around in the Bronx.
Contrary to the bats, their pitching once again remains their glaring weakness. Randy Johnson isn't getting any younger and could show his age even more this season. Mike Mussina's contract option won't be picked up in 2007, so his motivation could be questionable. Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright are both already complaining of injuries, and Shawn Chacon, Aaron Small and Chien Ming Wang may have to play the role of saviors again, which doesn't leave new pitching coach Ron Guidry with a tall comfort level.
Boston went through another dramatic episode with Manny Ramirez. Nonetheless, he is back to hit alongside David Ortiz, but they will fall short of first and the wild card.
In the Central, the defending champions will barley beat out the Indians and Twins because they improved their already potent starting pitching staff by signing Javier Vasquez. A repeat is clearly reachable despite concerns of having too many career years by key players in 2005.