Baseball

The San Diego Padres have seemingly been the joke of the NL West.

Even in the years they ended the season as the Western Division champions, there were still people who didn't take the Padres or the NL West seriously. Some even said the Padres shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs due to how weak the division was.

But in 2010, all that has changed. The entire division, from top to bottom, has become both younger and stronger. 

With one week of Spring Training left, it's time to get the crystal ball down from the attic, dust it off, and see what the future holds for baseball in 2010.

Last year this was a lot easier. Just pick the Yankees to win it all and be done with it.

While I was tempted to do the same thing for 2010, I just don't see it that way for this season. Not to say that the Yanks won't win the American League, but things will definitely be a little tougher for the game's richest team this
season.

Hopefully after reading these next few pages you will know exactly where your team stands for 2010.

Some pests are hard to get rid of.

Like Yankee fans.

As anyone who follows American League ball can tell you, they show up in droves at opposing ballparks whenever the Bronx Bombers visit.

With their charming ways, chainsaw accents, and oh-so-gentle demeanor, they continue to be ambassadors for the civility and "live and let live" attitude that their home city is so well known for.

But few realize that the entire Yankee fan species (blowhardus obnoxious) is actually split into several subsets or, from those who remember your high school biology days, phylum.

Okay, so I did part one (a look at the one-two starting pitchers of each NL West squad) a couple of days ago.

I figured, with all the hoopla about Jeremy Affeldt and Brian Wilson getting two-year extensions (which I'm not exactly thrilled about), that a look at all the late-inning specialists of each NL West squad was in order.

Craig Stammen was all but guaranteed a spot in the Washington Nationals’ starting rotation prior to his Saturday start against the Mets.

Heading into that game, Stammen had a 1-1 record with a crisp 2.89 ERA, striking out eight while walking just two.

I've never heard so much talk of rumors and speculation about a free agent class before.

The class of 2010-2011 already has had a ton of speculation surrounding it. Now Jayson Werth's name is being added in.

Werth has finally caught on as an emerging star with the Phillies and will be in the final year of his contract in 2010. Werth will then join a free agent class with Lance Berkman, Carl Crawford, Manny Ramirez, Cliff Lee, Josh Beckett, Carlos Pena, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and possibly, Albert Pujols.

That's a pretty impressive list.

When Joba Chamberlain took the mound in his first major league appearance, he piqued everyone's interest. The Yankees hyped him up as a special pitcher.

Chamberlain backed it up by pitching well in relief for the first few weeks of his callup in 2007. For good measure, he earned a standing ovation from the fans and respect from his teammates for throwing the ball at Kevin Youkilis’ head.

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

The Phillies have certainly proven that cliché true in recent seasons.

But is this the year the Fightins finally look like a championship-caliber club from April through the end of Autumn? The answer is yes, because the Phillies are just that complete of a team in 2010.

Once again, the offense is the least of the Phils’ concerns. This team will hit.

Joba Chamberlain got his first taste of action as a reliever this spring. He had a save in today’s 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Here is some other news on a nice Saturday afternoon:

 "I can't wait for it to end."

With one simple comment, Cole Hamels sparked a searing firestorm of questions from his team, baseball fans, and the nationwide sports media alike.

Was he quitting on his team at the most crucial point in the season?

The Phillies were on the brink of elimination at the hands of the mighty New York Yankees in last season's World Series. Times were tough and here was a young man, who just one season ago helped guide them to the promised land, ready now to hang up his cleats and put the glove away for the winter.