Post by bernie51williams on Mar 23, 2008 18:54:21 GMT -5
Hey, I haven't posted here in a while but i'm gonna start doing so again . This is the best message board for Yankee fans.
Anyways, I just turned 18 years old and my dream is to become a sports writer or possibly even a broadcaster. I've been writing for a local newspaper in my area over the last few months, and I thought maybe i'd share one of my articles. Feel free to give me tips on how to improve this article. Thanks for the people who take the time to read it .
AL East preview
The American League East has been the toughest division in baseball over the last couple of seasons. The New York Yankees won nine straight division titles, up until last season when the Boston Red Sox won the division and went on to win their second World Series in four seasons.
So what will the Red Sox have to do to win back-to-back championships?
Curt Schilling, who is their number two starter, could miss the entire season due to injury. So Clay Buchholz, who threw a no hitter in his second career start, could replace Schilling in the rotation. Josh Beckett will be the ACE, but how will Daisuke Matsuzaka fair in his second big league season, after posting a 4.40 ERA in his first season?
Will Tim Wakefield be their number three starter after having a horrible second half of last season? Can Jon Lester, their young lefty, stay healthy and contribute in the rotation?
The Red Sox are hoping their home grown prospects can contribute this season. Will J.D. Drew have a better season, after having a bad year last season after signing a 5 year 70 million-dollar contract?
Who knows, but it will be interesting to find out the answers to these questions and many more this coming season.
The Yankees have a lot of changes this upcoming season as well. New York will be without Joe Torre for the first time since 1996. Joe Girardi has replaced Torre as the ball club’s new manager.
So what will the Yankees have to do to win their 27th World Series title? Well, in their dynasty years they won with home grown talent, and that’s what the Yankees will rely on this season and for seasons to come.
The Yankees could have Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy in the rotation. However, the bullpen is a question mark. Will Chamberlain begin the year in the bullpen and then move into the rotation later on? Or will youngsters such as Alan Horne, Edward Ramirez, or Ross Ohlendorf have to step up as the set up man? Or can Kyle Farnsworth rebound after a horrible 2007 season and pitch to his potential and be the bridge to Mariano Rivera?
Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain will be limited to less than 170 innings and Ian Kennedy can probably be stretched to 190 innings.
For the Yankees to win, their youngsters must step up! It won’t be the veterans who have to win it this year.
Spring Training will also decide who plays first base for the Yankees. Is it Shelley Duncan or can Morgan Ensberg step up and take the spot from him? Will Jason Giambi stay healthy and play some first base?
So what about other teams like Toronto? If the Blue Jays can play anywhere near their potential they could have a chance to win the AL East and surprise everyone.
Roy Halladay is the ACE of the staff after winning 16 games last season. But can A.J. Burnett stay healthy? If he does, he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. Burnett struck out 176 batters last season in 165 innings of work.
The Blue Jays will also have to have another good year from young right-hander Dustin McGowan, who looked impressive in 27 starts last season.
However, One of the big questions marks for them is B.J. Ryan, who before having Tommy John surgery last season, was one of the most dominant closers in the game. He saved 37 games in his first season with the Blue Jays and posted a 1.37 ERA. If Ryan can pitch anywhere near his potential, the Blue Jays will have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Vernon Wells must return to his 2006 numbers and be the Blue Jays’ clean up hitter. Wells hit only .245 with 16 homeruns and 80 RBIs in 2007 after hitting over .300, with 32 homeruns and 106 RBIs in 2006.
The Baltimore Orioles are in rebuilding mode after trading away ACE Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners and trading short stop Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros. However, they have a bright future with Adam Loewen (who is coming off surgery) in the rotation, along with Daniel Cabrera, who has struggled with his control throughout his career.
But, overall, there isn’t much hope for the Orioles this season and they may trade a lot of their veteran talent throughout the season.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are headed for what looks like could be their best season in team history. They signed reliever Troy Percival, who has 324 career saves. They also acquired pitcher Matt Garza, who is only 25 and posted a 3.69 ERA in 15 starts last season.
The Devil Rays have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league with lefty Scott Kazmir, who posted a 3.48 ERA last season and struck out 239 batters. James Shields emerged as the number two starter after going 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA. And in 215 innings pitched, Shields showed great control walking only 36 batters.
The big question mark in their lineup is: Can Carlos Pena have another great season? He hit a club record 46 homeruns last season along with 121 RBIs and won the come back player of the year award. Tampa Bay will be looking for him to have another big season this year.
Anyways, I just turned 18 years old and my dream is to become a sports writer or possibly even a broadcaster. I've been writing for a local newspaper in my area over the last few months, and I thought maybe i'd share one of my articles. Feel free to give me tips on how to improve this article. Thanks for the people who take the time to read it .
AL East preview
The American League East has been the toughest division in baseball over the last couple of seasons. The New York Yankees won nine straight division titles, up until last season when the Boston Red Sox won the division and went on to win their second World Series in four seasons.
So what will the Red Sox have to do to win back-to-back championships?
Curt Schilling, who is their number two starter, could miss the entire season due to injury. So Clay Buchholz, who threw a no hitter in his second career start, could replace Schilling in the rotation. Josh Beckett will be the ACE, but how will Daisuke Matsuzaka fair in his second big league season, after posting a 4.40 ERA in his first season?
Will Tim Wakefield be their number three starter after having a horrible second half of last season? Can Jon Lester, their young lefty, stay healthy and contribute in the rotation?
The Red Sox are hoping their home grown prospects can contribute this season. Will J.D. Drew have a better season, after having a bad year last season after signing a 5 year 70 million-dollar contract?
Who knows, but it will be interesting to find out the answers to these questions and many more this coming season.
The Yankees have a lot of changes this upcoming season as well. New York will be without Joe Torre for the first time since 1996. Joe Girardi has replaced Torre as the ball club’s new manager.
So what will the Yankees have to do to win their 27th World Series title? Well, in their dynasty years they won with home grown talent, and that’s what the Yankees will rely on this season and for seasons to come.
The Yankees could have Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy in the rotation. However, the bullpen is a question mark. Will Chamberlain begin the year in the bullpen and then move into the rotation later on? Or will youngsters such as Alan Horne, Edward Ramirez, or Ross Ohlendorf have to step up as the set up man? Or can Kyle Farnsworth rebound after a horrible 2007 season and pitch to his potential and be the bridge to Mariano Rivera?
Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain will be limited to less than 170 innings and Ian Kennedy can probably be stretched to 190 innings.
For the Yankees to win, their youngsters must step up! It won’t be the veterans who have to win it this year.
Spring Training will also decide who plays first base for the Yankees. Is it Shelley Duncan or can Morgan Ensberg step up and take the spot from him? Will Jason Giambi stay healthy and play some first base?
So what about other teams like Toronto? If the Blue Jays can play anywhere near their potential they could have a chance to win the AL East and surprise everyone.
Roy Halladay is the ACE of the staff after winning 16 games last season. But can A.J. Burnett stay healthy? If he does, he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. Burnett struck out 176 batters last season in 165 innings of work.
The Blue Jays will also have to have another good year from young right-hander Dustin McGowan, who looked impressive in 27 starts last season.
However, One of the big questions marks for them is B.J. Ryan, who before having Tommy John surgery last season, was one of the most dominant closers in the game. He saved 37 games in his first season with the Blue Jays and posted a 1.37 ERA. If Ryan can pitch anywhere near his potential, the Blue Jays will have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Vernon Wells must return to his 2006 numbers and be the Blue Jays’ clean up hitter. Wells hit only .245 with 16 homeruns and 80 RBIs in 2007 after hitting over .300, with 32 homeruns and 106 RBIs in 2006.
The Baltimore Orioles are in rebuilding mode after trading away ACE Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners and trading short stop Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros. However, they have a bright future with Adam Loewen (who is coming off surgery) in the rotation, along with Daniel Cabrera, who has struggled with his control throughout his career.
But, overall, there isn’t much hope for the Orioles this season and they may trade a lot of their veteran talent throughout the season.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are headed for what looks like could be their best season in team history. They signed reliever Troy Percival, who has 324 career saves. They also acquired pitcher Matt Garza, who is only 25 and posted a 3.69 ERA in 15 starts last season.
The Devil Rays have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league with lefty Scott Kazmir, who posted a 3.48 ERA last season and struck out 239 batters. James Shields emerged as the number two starter after going 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA. And in 215 innings pitched, Shields showed great control walking only 36 batters.
The big question mark in their lineup is: Can Carlos Pena have another great season? He hit a club record 46 homeruns last season along with 121 RBIs and won the come back player of the year award. Tampa Bay will be looking for him to have another big season this year.