TDA Bullpen - Our Writers' Blog

Monday, August 16, 2004

STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS

By Diane M. Grassi

Finishing only second to the Detroit Tigers in 2003, which had the worst team record in the American League, the Cleveland Indians are now enjoying a .529 winning percentage, just two games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central division. On August 1st, most did not even consider Cleveland to appear on the radar as competition for the Twins as they were 6.5 games out, in third place behind the Chicago White Sox. Far stranger things have happened in baseball. The question is whether this refigured young Cleveland tribe has the focus to continue to make inroads on the Twins these last few weeks. Could they be the Cinderella team everyone hopes for in the post-season?

Speaking of the Detroit Tigers, they were on the rise to crack a .500 winning percentage earlier in the season, but since August they have been going in the wrong direction. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has been a real shot in the arm for the Tigers by example of his leadership, aggressive playing style, and his handling of a young pitching staff. But it is going to take more than Pudge's efforts for them to be a winning club this year, and to enjoy their first winning season since 1993. They have a much improved record this year and are playing with considerably more confidence. Considering they had the worst record in MLB last year, it simply just won't be good enough for their fans and management if they do not reach .500. Had they not shown so much more promise earlier in the season, it would not be as much an issue. But they have raised the bar and should not finish worse off than they did in June and July.

And speaking of Pudge Rodriguez, he owned the race for the batting title most of the season, until Ichiro Suzuki got hot in July. However, Pudge is still third in batting behind Ichiro and Melvin Mora. For a catcher to win a batting title would be no less than historic, given the rigors of being a field general, but to do it on a team which lost 119 games the year before, and only the second worse record in the history of modern day baseball would make it even more of a feat. But Pudge is a lifetime .306 hitter and he has finished at .347 in 1999 with the Texas Rangers and at .338 in 2003 with the Florida Marlins, so he is not exactly in new territory. He has been quoted as saying he would be satisfied if he surpassed his previous batting average of .347 for the season.

And let us not forget the Wild Card standings where the battles for the Wild Card have been relentless with both leagues hosting three way ties. The American League has Boston, Texas and Anaheim duking it out, with Cleveland 2.5 games behind. In the National League Chicago, San Diego and San Francisco are also tied. And Oakland and Texas are still holding strong for the AL West title.

So the holders-on in the AL Central, the AL West and those in contention for the two Wild Cards continue to overshadow the numerous other division leaders that appear headed for division crowns; namely the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The distance these leaders have over their closest rivals is also a story, as no one expected as big a divide between first and second place finishers.

Had there been closer division races, the remaining races now for the Wild Cards certainly would not have garnered so much ink in the press. Yet with so much baseball still to be decided on the diamond, we continue to be teased and remain at the edge of our seats for photo finishes. The only other place where photo finishes are dominant these days is the 2004 Olympics. If MLB can still generate interest at the same time the Games are going on, they'll certainly take 2nd place. They haven't closed up shop, yet!

posted by Diane M. Grassi 2:39 PM