SEASON 21 PREVIEW

The Baltimore Orioles Wins the Fall Classic

New York, NY (McC) Season 21 is finally here! As we have done in the past, we here at McCabe Magazine would like to thank the beat writers in all 32 major cities, the baseball contributors at yahoo sports.com, the Sporting News Magazine, SI.com, Baseball American, Playboy, and the GMs, and front office folks that help this year’s preview be the most in-depth and comprehensive baseball magazine on the web.

McCabe Magazine and the noted contributors spent the entire off season analyzing the 40-man rosters of each organization and their top minor leaguers at every level. The consensus here is the San Diego Padres will win the National League pennant for the fourth year in a row, and the American League East will win the American League pennant again, as they have done the last five years. The only problem was which AL East team had what it takes to defend the division’s pennant? Despite the early odds posted by the Las Vegas Hilton, which has installed the Padres as a 2-1 favorite to win back to back titles, we’re going in a different direction. According to the data we have we select the Baltimore Orioles as the American League champions. They will go on to upset the Padres in the fall classic, 4-3.     

       

The Playoff Teams

In the American League we pick the Orioles to knock off the Toronto Blues in the league championship series, 4-2. The National League pennant will be another western divisional slugfest with San Diego winning the championship series 4-3 over the Colorado Rockies. The American League divisional winners will be; the Blues Jays (94-68), Orioles (96-66), Kansas City Royals (91-71), and Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67). The National League divisional winners will be; the Chicago Cubs (88-74), New York Mets (84-78), Atlanta Braves (91-71), and the Padres (109-53). Our Wildcard teams will be; New York Yankees (90-66), Boston Red Sox (88-74), Rockies (99-63), and the Seattle Mariners (96-66).  

  

Award Winners

As we noted, the Las Vegas Hilton along with McCabe Magazine contributors has posted its opening lines and prop wages for the upcoming season. Besides San Diego being the favorite to win the World Series (we disagree, Baltimore is our choice), they have also listed Kris Guerrero, (SS) of the Orioles as the favorite to win the AL MVP, Padres catcher Murray Higgins as the NL MVP. The CY Young award winners will be Don Seaver (P) Houston Astros, and 31 year-old Chicago Cub pitcher Vince Garcia. Rookie of the Year in the AL will be Angel Anderson (LF) Anaheim Angels, the NL ROY will be Alan Drese (SS) Cleveland Indians.

Season 21 Final Standings

American League
Norrth
Team	Owner	W	L
Toronto Blue Jays	dimestoregin	94	68
Chicago White Sox	kgrffth	86	76
Milwaukee Brewers	brentcnb *	82	80
Minnesota Twins	optistrat *	76	86
East
Team	Owner	W	L
Baltimore Orioles	bourboncask	96	66
New York Yankees	ARomano	90	72
Boston Red Sox	pat007ohmss	88	74
Washington D.C. Nationals	Saffron	73	89
South
Team	Owner	W	L
Kansas City Royals	TenaciousTYT	91	71
Houston Astros	ajaxx88	87	75
St. Louis Cardinals	421werd	78	84
Texas Rangers	goldenbaer88	73	89
West
Team	Owner	W	L
Los Angeles Dodgers	Arte	95	67
Oakland Athletics	jefepwnzer	87	75
San Francisco Giants	wylie715	82	80
Anaheim Angels	captain10a	79	83
National League
North
Team	Owner	W	L
Chicago Cubs	mitt0108	88	74
Detroit Tigers	patrickkm	87	75
Cleveland Indians	Fantasy Frea	80	82
Cincinnati Reds	cpintens	75	87
East
Team	Owner	W	L
New York Mets	basebalguru	84	78
Philadelphia Phillies	egw18	81	81
Pittsburgh Pirates	nbaker10	80	82
Rochester Broncos	coinguy	71	91
South
Team	Owner	W	L
Atlanta Braves	bigsammich	91	71
Tampa Bay Rays	rsskfs23	88	74
Richmond Virginians	sylemark	85	77
Florida Marlins	lido9613	70	92
West
Team	Owner	W	L
San Diego Padres	jgarron *	109	53
Colorado Rockies	axtell	99	63
Seattle Mariners	toothdoc7	96	66
Arizona Diamondbacks	yoker70	83	79

WELCOME TO SEASON 21

HALL of FAME INDUCTEES 

Goodyear, AZ (McC) The crack of the bat, the pop of the glove, catchers and pitchers report, and we're off and running. Welcome to all and good luck in season twenty-one  (21). The first order of business is to thank  all the owners for voting in the Hall of Fame balloting and to congratulate the new inductees; Octavio Colon, Hulk Kingland, Jolbert Veras, and Francisco Gandarilla. The four inductees brings the McCabe League Hall of Fame total to eleven (11).

SEASON 21 SPRING TRAINING RESULTS 

Spring Training Results
Castus League Standings				Grapefruit League Standing
Team	Owner	W-L		Team	Owner	W-L
Boston Red Sox	pat007ohmss	13-5		Chicago Cubs	mitt0108	12-6
New York Yankees	ARomano	13-5		Detroit Tigers	patrickkm	11-7
Toronto Blue Jays	dimestoregin	12-6		Tampa Bay Rays	rsskfs23	11-7
Washington Nationals	Saffron	12-6		Colorado Rockies	axtell	11-7
Baltimore Orioles	bourboncask	10-8		Cincinnati Reds	cpintens	10-8
Houston Astros	ajaxx88	10-8		Rochester Broncos	coinguy	9-9
Oakland Athletics	jefepwnzer	10-8		Florida Marlins	lido9613	9-9
Chicago White Sox	kgrffth	9-9		Arizona Diamondbacks	yoker70 *	9-9
Kansas City Royals	TenaciousTYT	9-9		Cleveland Indians	Fantasy Frea	8-10
Texas Rangers	goldenbaer88	8-10		Philadelphia Phillies	egw18	8-10
Los Angeles Dodgers	Arte	8-10		Pittsburgh Pirates	nbaker10	8-10
San Francisco Giants	wylie715	8-10		Richmond Virginians	sylemark	8-10
Milwaukee Brewers	brentcnb *	7-11		Atlanta Braves	bigsammich	7-11
St. Louis Cardinals	421werd	7-11		Seattle Mariners	toothdoc7	7-11
Anaheim Angels	captain10a	7-11		New York Mets	basebalguru	6-12
Minnesota Twins	optistrat *	6-12		San Diego Padres	jgarron *	5-13

SOME YOUNG TALENT to keep an EYE ON

These minor leaguers didn't make the final Major League rosters. Our crack staff ranked them base on spring training stats and major league potential.

1. 

Angel Anderson Anaheim Angels Age: 26 B/T: R/R Born: Hartwell, GA Position(s): LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This AAA talent batted .325 in 10 spring training games and had an eye popping 180 RBIs in AAA last year with 43 Homers.

2.

Yorman Sanchez Detroit Tigers Age: 22 B/T: L/L Born: Santa Ana, CA Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This 22 year-old only has one year of pro experience, but looks like he can crack more than a few Major League starting lineups this year. He batted .519 in 11 spring training games with an 1,478 OPS.

3.

Mariano Elcano Oakland Athletics Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Havana, CU Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Elcano is a season 19 International free-agent currently assigned to Low-A. He received a $29 million dollar signing bonus making him the highest paid IFA for season 19. He has a major league fastball and slider. Spring training stats; 2-0, 19 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched, .203 OAV, 0.98 WHIP with a 1.56 ERA.

4.

Brian White San Francisco Giants Age: 20 B/T: L/R Born: HSenectady, NY Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This season 19 first round draft pick (11 overall) spent his first season as a pro split between Rookie ball (40 games) and Low-A (40 games) where he batted .326. Last year this organization jumped him up to AA where he batted .315 in 119 games. Spring training stats; 17 games, 34 at bats, . 353 BA.

5.

Adam Bradford Anaheim Angels Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Fairview, MT Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Bradford is currently assigned to High A (SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!). He'll be moving up shortly to AA or AAA. The Angels are moving him along slowly and he is developing into the number one pitching prospect on our board. Look for this phenom to be on a major league roster by season 23.

6.

Storm Weaver New York Mets Age: 20 B/T: S/R Born: Madison, IN Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Storm Weaver only batted .303 in spring training, however the scouts we spoke to say this switch hitting first baseman is going to win 5-7 batting titles once he makes the big club. Another Tony Cortes?

7.

Rudy Levis Chicago White Sox Age: 20 B/T: S/L Born: Mangum, OK Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Spring training stats; three starts with an .143 OVA, WHIP 0.50 and a 0.90 ERA. In two minor league seasons he has a 27-6 record, 1.12 WHIP, and a 2.50 ERA.

8.

Terrence Patterson Washington D.C. Nationals Age: 22 B/T: S/L Born: Coleman, MI Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This future Closer was assigned to AAA right out of high school where he has struggled since signing with Washington as a first round draft pick (15 overall) in season 17. One more year in AAA and he should be ready for the big time. Spring training stats; 10 games, .205 OAV, 1.10 WHIP, and a 0.90 ERA.

9.

Jack Gray Chicago Cubs Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Wewoka, OK Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Gray was the 3rd overall pick in season 19 amuture draft. He is considered by many G.M.s as the best defensive shortstop in the minors and should win a number of Gold Gloves once he makes it to the bigs. Batted .393 in spring training with an 1.000 OPS. Played 29 innings at SS with 0 errors, and 29 innings at 3rd base with 1 errors.  

10.

Derrick Kearns Tampa Bay Rays Age: 25 B/T: L/L Born: Sidney, MT Position(s): P (ClA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Spring training stats; 2-0 record in 3 starts, 17 innings pitched, .172 OAV, 1.00 WHIP, with a 1.59 ERA. This ground ball pitcher has been on the 40-man roster for two-years and should be on the Major League roster before the All-Star break.

Next issue: McCabe Magazines season 21 preview. 

Hall of Fame Injustice.

The Jolbert Veras Tragedy  

Lakeland, FL (McC) The first thing I will like to say is McCabe magazine  normally does not take a position on whether a player should be inducted into the Hall of Fame are not. However, after last year’s tragedy of Jolbert Veras getting only one vote, we could not sit back and watch this body fail to do what is right.

Jolbert Veras retired after season 18 second on the McCabe all-time career Home Run list (673), and forth on the Runs Batted In career list (1,728). Veras played 15 years in the majors (2,211 games), collected 2,430 hits, and scored a total of 1,399 runs with three different major-league teams, the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics. He is also a two-time MVP a World Series winner with San Diego, a silver slugger award winner and gold glove winner at first base. Gentlemen, he received ONE VOTE!  That is more than a tragedy, it is an injustice. We urge all Hall of Fame voters to take this information into consideration. 

If he is not elected into the Hall of Fame this year, McCabe magazine is prepared to show our displeasure with the process by giving our Hall of Fame Vote to the website "Deadspin" and we will also be boycotting the induction ceremonies. We will not send any correspondents, or reporters to this event as a protest. Please help us correct this injustice by voting for the most deserving candidate on the ballot, Jolbert Veras.   

Jolbert Veras none none Age: 38 B/T: R/R Born: Sabana Grande De Boya, DO Position(s): 1B/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Season 20 Wrap Up

The San Diego Padres Win the World Series over the Kansas City Royals

San Diego, CA (McC) The San Diego Padres (116-46) dominated the major league regular season and postseason, winning the World Series over the New York Yankees (88-74) four games to three. The staff here at McCabe Magazine have jokingly named the fall classic the “Padre Invitational.” They have won the last 3 National League Pennants, and 2 of the last 3 World Series. The past four seasons we have seen this organization win 434 games (lost 214), and a postseason record of 38-22 over that same period.

The Postseason

The Yankees (5^th seed) won the American League Pennant by knocking off the Los Angeles Dodgers (82-80) in the opening round, the number one seed Kansas City Royals (110-52) in the divisional round, and the number 2 seed Boston Red Sox in the league championship round.  

           

San Diego swept divisional rival Colorado Rockies (99-63) in the divisional round 3-0, and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks (97-65) in the league championship series 4-3. It doesn't take a PhD to know the Padres secret, it’s that incredible starting rotation in which they had three (3) pitchers win twenty games, and a fourth pitcher win fifteen. The staff included Wandy Duran (26-7, 2.99 ERA), Asdrubal Pelaez (23-2, 2.52 ERA), Moose Martin (20-11, 2.73 ERA), and Tony Tanaka (15-8, 3.95 ERA). How are they fixed for the future you might ask? Well it’s like this, Duran signed a free agent contract at the end of season 19 that runs threw season 24, and he’ll be a FA at the beginning of season 25. Pelaez is locked up until the end of season 23, and 24 year-old Martin won’t be arbitration eligible until season 22. Tanaka is the only Padre starter on the free-agent market this season. It is truly amazing how he has maintained his 4 pitches; sinker, slider, change-up, and curve during his 3-year time in San Diego. Mr. Tanaka is a 37 year-old pitcher, that showed steady decline in all areas after season 18 and was consider just another washed up starter needing someone to take a lit match to his uniform in order to get it off of him. The folks we talked to say he has lost nothing except a little velocity and should be a solid 5^th starter or long reliever in season 21. However, buyer beware, he’s 37 for crying OUT LOUD!

    

McCabe Magazines Postseason Awards

World Series and National League Postseason Most Valuable Player

Moose Martin San Diego Padres Age: 24 B/T: R/R Born: Scottsdale, AZ Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

G	GS	CG	W	L	OAV	OBP	SLG	WHIP	ERA
7	7	0	5	1	0.186	0.258	0.253	0.98	1.80

American League Postseason Most Valuable Player

David Wang New York Yankees Age: 31 B/T: L/R Born: El Reno, OK Position(s): 1B/C/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
24	99	16	35	6	21	0.354	0.385	0.586	0.970

McCabe Magazine Final Major League Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Owner	W-L	PCT
1	San Diego Padres	jgarron *	116-46	0.716
2	New York Yankees	ARomano *	88-74	0.543
3	Kansas City Royals	TenaciousTYT *	110-52	0.679
4	Colorado Rockies	axtell *	99-63	0.611
5	Arizona Diamondbacks	yoker70 *	97-65	0.599
6	Boston Red Sox	pat007ohmss *	98-64	0.605
7	Detroit Tigers	patrickkm *	96-66	0.593
8	Toronto Blue Jays	dimestoregin *	90-72	0.556
9	New York Mets	basebalguru *	93-69	0.574
10	Tampa Bay Rays	rsskfs23 *	87-75	0.537
11	St. Louis Cardinals	421werd *	85-77	0.525
12	Los Angeles Dodgers	Arte *	82-80	0.506