With the 1978 WPK season about to commence, the experts have spoken and delivered the following pre-season predictions:
SJL:
And some things never change. Once again, the expectation is that the Columbus Whalers will remain at the top of the Shoeless Joe League this season. The surprising prediction, however, is that the Philadelphia Mud Hens, who finished a disappointing 9th last season, 2 games under .500, will be the primary competitors with Columbus for the SJL pennant.
The once lowliest of the lowly El Paso Dawgs are also expected to contend and get into the mid-90's in wins.
Two 1977 contenders- the Pittsburgh Roadrunners and the Jacksonville Wolf Pack- are thought likely to sink to the bottom of the SJL standings this season. The Boston Berserkers, who finished in 2nd place in 1977, are thought to be a middle-of-the-pack club going into this season.
Among individual players expected to be at the top of the league in performance, the biggest surprise inclusion on the list is San Antonio first baseman Jon Parsons, who hasn't been particularly highly rated up until now. Mike Lovett, who was traded to Philadelphia by the Denver Brewers in the off-season, is expected to be one of the hitters leading the Mud Hens into contention. Bud Lindsay, who has won the SJL MVP 2-years running, is expected to again be one of the stars in the league as are the 3 young talented center fielders who have emerged in the past few seasons: PIttsburgh's Matt Van der Heyden, El Paso's Pete Wiederkehr, and San Antonio's Zach McClelland. And the experts expect another wonderful season from future Hall of Fame veteran outfielder Felix Lopez.
In terms of pitchers, the thought is that Columbus lefty Jim Norris, who has won the past 2 SJL Pitcher of the Year awards, will again contend for the honor, along with his teammates Luis Ramirez and Juan Olguin. But perhaps the pitcher expected to shine most is two-way player Vincent Medina, who was picked up by El Paso in a trade with Baltimore in the off-season.
MGL:
And in the Moonlight Graham League, the same three teams are always predicted at the top of the table, just not always in the same order. This year, the reigning WPK champions, the Denver Brewers, are expected to prevail and to possibly be the only WPK team to break 100 wins. Their main competition is once again expected to come in the form of L.A., with Brooklyn again finishing 3rd. It is thought that the Detroit Falcons might be the surprise team in the MGL this season, with Oklahoma City also continuing to push for first division status. The slugging Phoenix Speed Devils are expected to be a bit better than they were in 1977, with a slightly less disastrous team ERA. The Charlotte Sting are expected to finish last.
This would be a good time to mention that the feeling is that offense will take a bit of a step back in 1978 from the levels of 1977, with home runs in particular down a bit. The Brewers are expected to pretty easily lead the MGL in runs scored, with only the SJL's San Antonio Keys slightly outscoring them.
Denver's offense is expected to be led by
Brett Taranto and
Joe McPhillips. John Hemmah of Detroit is expected to follow up his fine rookie season with a tremendous sophomore year in which he might win the batting title. The biggest surprise on the list is Baltimore's 26-year old rookie right fielder Robert Mustard. The experts also expect veteran L.A. sluggers Nate Bennett and Jesus Hernandez, at 38 and 37 respectively, to continue to batter MGL pitchers this season.
On the pitching side the thinking seems to be that Denver's
Sadahige Kawasaki and L.A.'s Kerry Krieg might be the main contenders for MGL Pitcher of the Year, with Brooklyn's great Aaron McNally also being in the mix. The biggest surprise inclusion is San Francisco's 23-year old Jon Harrington, who pitched 37 games out of the bullpen last year with very modest results, but profiles as a future Pitcher of the Year candidate as a starter and could have his breakout season in 1978. And somehow, some way, 42-year old Jaime Schardein of L.A. is expected to once again add to his Hall of Fame credentials, in spite of his fragile injury reputation, this season.