By Aaron M Smith
Just as college basketball is coming to an end – baseball is starting to kick into full gear. As far as I am concerned, April is the best month in sports. College basketball is close to anointing a king.. and queen, the Masters, NHL playoffs, NBA playoffs and more importantly – Major League Baseball is back. And with the start of the 2009 MLB season, Pickin’ Splinters is proud to introduce the first ever ” Pickin’ Splinters Baseball Challenge.”
“Smitty, what is the Pickin’ Splinters Baseball Challenge?” Great question and I appreciate the enthusiasm. The challenge is for each of you to predict the winners of both the American League and National League. We want to know who you predict to win each division and who gets the Wild Card. We want to hear your predictions on who wins in the playoffs, who faces off in the World Series and who ultimately wins the World Series. But why stop there? We also want to know your choice for the MVPs and Cy Young Awards in each League.
“Smitty, what do I win ?” Another great question and I appreciate the confidence. You win pride – you get the chance to out guess Chas and show us all what you are made of. Crossword Pete, I know you have been waiting for another chance to get at Chas. Here is your chance. Here is everybody’s chance.
To help you get ready, Chas and I will be posting reviews of each League, starting this Friday with the National League and the American League on Saturday. So hold off on your posts until then… or if you are confident – let’s hear them now.
Good luck to everyone.
I’m game, but not confident, so will wait for your previews! Sounds fun!
I’m not sure if I would be considered an expert prognosticator, but I’m flattered that Smitty would suggest that beating me would be someone’s goal.
Wally, I’m not giving everything away in my preview…like, there will be no mention of how I think San Diego and Washington will meet up in the NLCS. 😉
How come there’s no NIT discussion on here? It’s the only tournament that really matters.
I had a shot at Chas when it was just my researching skills. I have NO chance when it comes to my own actual stored knowledge and prognostications, not only against Chas, but against the world in general. Nevertheless, I am in. I may wait for your previews, or I may not allow myself to be unduly influenced by common sense and good baseball knowledge.
PS: is A-rod playing this year? That certainly influences my choices.
Right now, they’re saying they expect A-Rod back around mid-May, which means he would miss one quarter of the season.
Not enough. Yankees have no chance with him playing at least half a season, especially if it is the second half. Oh, well, I don’t like picking the Yankees anyway. Would have if A-rod was out for the season. Thanks for the info Chas. That will be the extent of my research for the challenge.
I’ll participate but I can’t make predictions. I do all predictions with my heart. So no Yankees and Red Sox in the playoffs for me. Are you going to have a separate thread for all the predictions, or just to do it in either of your previews?
Smitty or Chas – who will Sheffield hit his 500th with? Haven’t heard if he has signed yet…
Sure I’m in. What’s the wager? Do we have to worry about Landis crashing the party? I sure would like to get a shot at that guy.
Do you think Johnson can have a repeat of last year when he won 23? If he does and Foster and Milan keep hitting the snot out of the ball, I’m thinking the Senators gotta be the favorite in the American League.
Rey- I think Sheffield is limited on where he is going to go, unless he is willing to accept a role as a 4th outfielder. His best bet will be somewhere with the DH and we just saw what happened with Manny. Are people going to take on a malcontent?
Teams that I see him potentially fitting – Baltimore and Toronto. Teams that both could use another bat. Then again if Rocco Baldelli doesn’t start off well, what is to say that the Red Sox wouldn’t take a chance on him as 4th outfielder. I think he stays in the American League.
Sheffield and his agent are saying there’s been interest already. The one one advantage he has over others who’ve had difficulty finding jobs is there’s no contract negotiation necessary. A team can sign him for the $400,000 minimum and the Tigers have to pay the remainder of this $14 million.
Somebody will give him one last chance, but–as Smitty said–it won’t be as a starter, although I wouldn’t rule out the National League. With some of the slugs who are playing corner outfield positions in the majors, I don’t think Sheffield rates as the worst.
Regardless, he won’t make my challenge picks in EITHER league!