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Matt from TN · 03-03-2004, 11:05 PM

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1928

Three teams currently sit atop the AL as the season nears. The defending champion Yankees remain strong, but their offense has some question marks. The Senators still have a top-notch offense, but young pitchers like Brett Smith and Colin Turtle must take on a bigger role. The Athletics are dangerous as ever, but their improving pitching needs to take that next step. Last season, the AL had no dominant team, and most clubs hovered around .500. The Red Sox, White Sox and Tigers remain in the mix, but no one really knows who will stand out.

The Phillies enter the season as the class of the NL. They are also considered to be the class of the major leagues. Their pitching staff could become the best in history. The biggest question across the major leagues is whether or not the Braves can finally make some noise and break their miserable 14-year losing streak. Their pitching staff is strong and their offense easily stacks up as the best in the NL. It is time to "put up or shut up" for Boston. Their players are very young and on the verge of breaking out. Manager "Dragon" McKim is likely on his last leg. If he does not turn around this team immediately, he will likely be out of a job by autumn. The Cubs have built an impressive team, and if their youngsters continue their rate of improvement, they could easily challenge for the pennant. The Reds and Cardinals are the next tier of teams. They are both talented, but will likely not have what it takes to take down the NL heavyweights.

After becoming the first team to win a pennant (let alone the World Series) and then finish in last the next season, Brooklyn is looking for answers. With their top three stars nearing the end of their careers - outfielder Charlie Mathews and pitchers Johnny Swinson and Brandon Felmet - the Robins decided to retain longtime manager Ben Lafayette as the team starts building for the future. The organization wants to keep Lafayette around in hopes that he will share his wealth of experience with younger players. Lafayette has managed the team since 1912 and led them to their only two World Series titles, but even this veteran knows his days could be numbered if he does not show improvement over last season.

Ancestors Added:

Frank Smith, SP, Brooklyn Robins

Smith is a top-notch pitcher with a great career ahead of him. He will begin the season in AA, but with his talents and Brooklyn's need for depth, he will likely be in the majors soon.

Francis Xavier "F.X." Ditty, 2B, New York Giants

F.X. Ditty, the son of longtime Giants great Campbell Ditty, will not only join his father in the major leagues this season, but he will actually play on the same team as him! This will be the first time in history that a father and son were on the same team. The Giants have little hope of winning a pennant this season and Campbell is at the end of his career (perhaps he stuck around to play one year with his son?), but F.X. is an exceptional hitter with a great future ahead of him.

Dewey Mickelsen, CF, Chicago Cubs

Mickelsen is destined to be a star in this league. He is a solid hitter and solid defensive outfielder with good speed, but his strong suit is power. He has the potential to hit a lot of home runs in comfy Wrigley Field, and he also has a keen eye and draws a lot of walks. The Cubs already have an up-and-coming centerfielder in 20-year-old Dave "Red Fox" Arkless, so Dewey's future could be in left field.

Wolter "Boeken" Tjeenk-Willink, LF, Washington Senators

With easily the most interesting name in baseball history, "Boeken" has great hitting ability and a lot of power. He is a solid defensive leftfielder, who can also play third base. He will begin the season in AA, but with Washington's aging outfield, his future in the major leagues should come soon. If only he could play center....

Virgil "Tank" Lusk, C, Philadelphia Athletics

Lusk joins a strong Athletics offense, but he is stuck in the middle of a heated battle for playing time behind the plate. With catchers Daniel Hastings, King Hodson and Joey Wright in the mix, Lusk will have to fight for every bit of playing time this season. However, over the long term, Lusk has the best potential to stick around as a full-time catcher. He's a solid hitter with a very good eye, but his strength is defense. Even at his young age, he has been lauded for his ability to handle even the eldest of pitchers and call a good game. He can also play first base, and should be the team's only backup at that position.

03-03-2004, 11:05 PM	#723
Matt from TN Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a funk.... Posts: 3,413	WEB PAGES UPDATED... INCLUDING PLAYER PAGES... 1928 Three teams currently sit atop the AL as the season nears. The defending champion Yankees remain strong, but their offense has some question marks. The Senators still have a top-notch offense, but young pitchers like Brett Smith and Colin Turtle must take on a bigger role. The Athletics are dangerous as ever, but their improving pitching needs to take that next step. Last season, the AL had no dominant team, and most clubs hovered around .500. The Red Sox, White Sox and Tigers remain in the mix, but no one really knows who will stand out. The Phillies enter the season as the class of the NL. They are also considered to be the class of the major leagues. Their pitching staff could become the best in history. The biggest question across the major leagues is whether or not the Braves can finally make some noise and break their miserable 14-year losing streak. Their pitching staff is strong and their offense easily stacks up as the best in the NL. It is time to "put up or shut up" for Boston. Their players are very young and on the verge of breaking out. Manager "Dragon" McKim is likely on his last leg. If he does not turn around this team immediately, he will likely be out of a job by autumn. The Cubs have built an impressive team, and if their youngsters continue their rate of improvement, they could easily challenge for the pennant. The Reds and Cardinals are the next tier of teams. They are both talented, but will likely not have what it takes to take down the NL heavyweights. After becoming the first team to win a pennant (let alone the World Series) and then finish in last the next season, Brooklyn is looking for answers. With their top three stars nearing the end of their careers - outfielder Charlie Mathews and pitchers Johnny Swinson and Brandon Felmet - the Robins decided to retain longtime manager Ben Lafayette as the team starts building for the future. The organization wants to keep Lafayette around in hopes that he will share his wealth of experience with younger players. Lafayette has managed the team since 1912 and led them to their only two World Series titles, but even this veteran knows his days could be numbered if he does not show improvement over last season. Ancestors Added: Frank Smith, SP, Brooklyn Robins Smith is a top-notch pitcher with a great career ahead of him. He will begin the season in AA, but with his talents and Brooklyn's need for depth, he will likely be in the majors soon. Francis Xavier "F.X." Ditty, 2B, New York Giants F.X. Ditty, the son of longtime Giants great Campbell Ditty, will not only join his father in the major leagues this season, but he will actually play on the same team as him! This will be the first time in history that a father and son were on the same team. The Giants have little hope of winning a pennant this season and Campbell is at the end of his career (perhaps he stuck around to play one year with his son?), but F.X. is an exceptional hitter with a great future ahead of him. Dewey Mickelsen, CF, Chicago Cubs Mickelsen is destined to be a star in this league. He is a solid hitter and solid defensive outfielder with good speed, but his strong suit is power. He has the potential to hit a lot of home runs in comfy Wrigley Field, and he also has a keen eye and draws a lot of walks. The Cubs already have an up-and-coming centerfielder in 20-year-old Dave "Red Fox" Arkless, so Dewey's future could be in left field. Wolter "Boeken" Tjeenk-Willink, LF, Washington Senators With easily the most interesting name in baseball history, "Boeken" has great hitting ability and a lot of power. He is a solid defensive leftfielder, who can also play third base. He will begin the season in AA, but with Washington's aging outfield, his future in the major leagues should come soon. If only he could play center.... Virgil "Tank" Lusk, C, Philadelphia Athletics Lusk joins a strong Athletics offense, but he is stuck in the middle of a heated battle for playing time behind the plate. With catchers Daniel Hastings, King Hodson and Joey Wright in the mix, Lusk will have to fight for every bit of playing time this season. However, over the long term, Lusk has the best potential to stick around as a full-time catcher. He's a solid hitter with a very good eye, but his strength is defense. Even at his young age, he has been lauded for his ability to handle even the eldest of pitchers and call a good game. He can also play first base, and should be the team's only backup at that position. Last edited by Matt from TN; 02-08-2005 at 11:28 AM.