Taryn Cooper and Rob Paravonian join The Sully Baseball Show

With Jose Reyes leaving the Mets and Ron Santo joining the Hall of Fame, there is a lot to talk about today.

I talk Mets with the fabulous Taryn Cooper, creator of A Gal For All Seasons.
Then I got the Cub fan point of view from the brilliant comic mind of Rob Paravonian.

It is the second hour of the Seamheads block on Monday night after What's On Second, the flagship show of the Seamheads National Podcasting Network.

Listen to internet radio with Seamheads on Blog Talk Radio

The All Time Former Cub World Championship Team - A New 25 Man Roster

If you have been a Cubs fan the past few generations, you have seen some of your favorite players experience post season glory.

In a 9 year span in the 1980s, three of your bullpen closers got the final out of the World Series.

And another was the starting pitcher in three consecutive World Series openers.

One homered in two straight LCS games to clinch the pennant and then won Game 1 of the World Series with a tie breaking shot.

Two earned NLCS MVP honors before leading their team to the World Series title in the 1980s.

One ended a marathon World Series game with a 12th inning single.

Another faced a mighty Oakland team and batted .750. Another sank Montreal with a 9th inning game tying homer.

One drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 9th inning of a playoff elimination game against Mariano Rivera, sparking an improbable come back.

Another won the World Series with a walk off 7th game hit off of Mariano Rivera.

And another hit one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history.


"Now WAIT A SECOND, Sully!" you might say. "The Cubs haven't even been in a World Series since 1945! How could this many Cubs have had recent World Series glory?"

Ah... I didn't say they were PLAYING for the Cubs when they won.
These are FORMER Cubs who left Wrigleyville. They helped lead another team to a World Championship that has eluded the Cubs since 1908 when they played in the West Side Grounds.

The origin of this blog post is a conversation I had with my good friend, the comedian Rob Paravonian. While doing an interview on my podcast that will be played next week, we were talking about great Cubs who went on to leave Chicago and win the World Series elsewhere.

Well in the world of Sully Baseball, we don't just make idle chit chat.
We create lists!

So I used my 25 man roster template that I have used for The Home Grown vs Acquired Series among others.

I have 25 roster spots to fill...
One starter for each position.
Five starting pitchers.
Five relievers.
A top pinch hitter off of the bench (No DH in the National League!)
Two reserve infielders.
Two reserve outfielders.
A reserve catcher.
And a 25th man, who could be either a pitcher or a position player.

They have to be players who played for the Cubs big league squad (not just the farm system). And they had to have played in the World Series for a championship team after their time in Chicago.

Sadly for Cub fans, there was a surplus of players to pick from.

Holy Cow, let's look at this roster... which includes many teammates... and imagine how many titles could have been won in Chicago if they kept a few!

The All Time Former Cub World Championship
25 Man Roster

Starting Catcher – SMOKY BURGESS

A product of the Cubs farm system, Burgess played briefly with the 1949 and 1951 Cubs before being traded to Cincinnati in a deal involving Johnny Pramesa (who played 22 games in Chicago) and Bob Usher (who played 1 game for the Cubs.)

As a member of the Phillies and the Pirates he became a six time All Star and one of the great pinch hitters of all time. He was the starting catcher for the 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, batting .333 in the World Series against the Yankees.


Starting First Baseman – MARK GRACE

One of the truly beloved Cubs of his generation, Grace played 13 seasons in Wrigley Field. He was a consistent .300 hitter with line drive power. He batted .647 with an OPS of 1.799 and 8 RBI in the Cubs 1989 NLCS loss to the Giants.

In 2001 he left the Cubs and joined the Diamondbacks. In the 4th game of the 2001 World Series, he hit a game tying home run in Yankee Stadium off of El Duque Hernandez. And in the climactic game 7, it was Mark Grace's 9th inning lead off single that sparked the World Series winning come from behind rally off of Mariano Rivera.

I know several Cubs fans who said that seeing Mark Grace win a World Series ring almost felt like the Cubs won it that year.


Starting Second Baseman – MANNY TRILLO

Trillo came to Chicago from Oakland as part of the Billy Williams trade after the 1974 World Series. He teamed up with Ivan DeJesus to create a tremendous defensive double play combination. He was named to the 1977 All Star team as a Cub.

After the 1978 season he was dealt to Philadelphia. In the 1980 NLCS, Trillo batted .381, made some key defensive plays and got a clutch 8th inning 2 run triple in the deciding 5th game. He was named the series MVP. In the 1980 World Series, he drove in the winning run of Game 5 and helped the Phillies win their first ever World Series title.

He would go on to make 3 more All Star teams, with 3 Gold Gloves and 2 Silver Slugger Awards. He returned to the Cubs in 1986 as a utility player.


Starting Shortstop – JOSE VIZCAINO

A classic survivor/utility man, Vizcaino played for 18 seasons as a good hitting, no power and versatile infielder. The Cubs were the second of the 8 teams he played for as he called Wrigley home from 1991 to 1993.

He was traded away to the Mets and eventually landed with the Yankees. In the first game of the 2000 World Series, Vizcaino got the start as Chuck Knoblauch's defensive woes regulated him to DHing. Vizcaino responded with 4 hits. One of the hits was a 2 out RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning off of Turk Wendell to give the Yankees a walk off victory. The Yankees would win the World Series in 5 games.

In 2005, Vizcaino got a 9th inning 2 out 2 run single to tie Game 2 of the World Series as a member of the Astros. Houston would lose that series but Vizcaino would get a World Series ring the next year as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

And, according to our friends at Hire Jim Essian, he was a classic Cub killer when he returned to Wrigley.


Starting Third Baseman – BILL MADLOCK

Part of the payment from Texas in the Fergie Jenkins trade, Madlock was one of the best right handed hitters of the 1970s. He won back to back batting titles with the Cubs in 1975 and 1976 and saw his OPS soar to .916 in 1976.

His famously bad temper got him into trouble and maybe wore out his welcome in Chicago as he was traded to San Francisco for Bobby Murcer before the 1977 season.

But it was in Pittsburgh where he became a champion. Dealt to the Pirates midway through the 1979 season, he was welcomed by the Fam-A-Lee and batted .375 in the World Series victory against Baltimore. He went on to win two more batting titles with the Pirates and later hit several dramatic playoff homers as a member of the Dodgers.


Starting Left Fielder – LOU BROCK

In my Cardinals Home Grown vs. Acquired entry, I defended the Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio trade. In 1964, the deal made sense. The Cubs needed pitching and Broglio was a Cy Young contender with an 18-8 record and a 2.99 ERA the year before. Plus the Cardinals included Bobby Shantz, a former MVP who was now a good reliever and young outfielder Doug Clemens.

The other players the Cubs gave up on, Jack Spring and Paul Toth, were throw ins. So basically in exchange for a promising young outfielder, the Cubs got a top pitcher, a solid reliever and a possible replacement in the outfield. All criticism of the deal was in retrospect.

Granted, the Cubs didn't know that not only would Brock go on to get 3,000 hits and become the stolen base king, but he would help lead the hated Cardinals to World Series titles in 1964 and 1967 and a pennant in 1968. By the way, he hit .391 in those three World Series with an OPS of 1.079. So yeah, looking back the deal didn't work.


Starting Center Fielder – BILLY HATCHER

After the 1985 season, the Cubs decided to trade for veteran outfield depth and struck a deal for Astros outfielder Jerry Mumphrey, who played with the Cubs until he retired after the 1988 season.

The price was young Billy Hatcher, who cemented his place in Astros lore with a game tying 14th inning home run to hold off elimination in the 1986 NLCS.

Later Hatcher landed in Cincinnati where he batted .333 in the 1990 NLCS against Pittsburgh. Then in the 1990 World Series he hit a mindboggling .750 with an OPS of 2.050 in the 4 game sweep of the Oakland A's.



Starting Right Fielder – ANDY PAFKO

Wisconsin born fan favorite "Handy Andy" was a four time All Star for the Cubs and starred on the 1945 National League Champs, to date the last Cubs team to play in the World Series. He was dealt to Brooklyn during the 1951 season, just in time to be part of the great collapse against the New York Giants.

After playing for the 1952 National League Champs in Brooklyn he was dealt to Milwaukee. There as a member of the Braves, he played in the 1957 World Series. He got two hits in the Braves 1-0 Game 5 win and was on the field when Milwaukee beat the Yankees in 7 games for the title.

Starting Rotation

GREG MADDUX

When I was producing at The Bonnie Hunt Show, one of my guests was the great comedian George Wallace. He was a huge Braves fan (literally and figuratively) and wanted to present Bonnie with a present. I didn't tell Bonnie he was going to do this because I always felt like the show was at its best when it was spontaneous.

He gave Bonnie an autographed Greg Maddux jersey. Bonnie, a devoted Cubs fan, loved the gift but saw there was a little jab in it as well. George said "I wanted you to have a Maddux jersey that he wore when he WON a World Series!" Even with a nice gesture, Cubs fans get grief.

I would argue that if the Braves signing of Greg Maddux isn't the GREATEST free agent move of all time, it can't be any lower than second. He left the Cubs after winning the 1992 Cy Young and proceeded to have one of the greatest runs a pitcher has had EVER... and doing it in the steroid era no less. His complete game victory got the 1995 World Series off to the right stuff and, as George alluded to, he won his ring.


KEN HOLTZMAN

The left hander was a star out of the University of Illinois. Being left handed and Jewish, he was billed as the next Sandy Koufax. He wasn't THAT good (who was?) but proceeded to put up some solid numbers for the Cubs. He threw a no hitter against a powerful Braves team in 1969 and then another one against the eventual NL Champion Reds in 1970.

He requested a trade after the 1971 season and landed in Oakland. His timing was outstanding. He made a pair of All Star teams in Oakland, won 21 games in 1973 and was the Game 1 starter for the 1972, 1973 and 1974 World Series. The A's won all three titles and Holtzman himself tallied a 4-1 series record. For good measure he won another ring with the 1977 Yankees before returning to the Cubs with 4 titles as a swing man in 1978.


BURT HOOTON

Hooton was the second pick in the 1971 June Secondary Phase draft (remember that?) He went right to the majors and threw a no hitter on the second day of the 1972 season. He pitched well for some less than stellar Cubs teams and a month into the 1975 season he was dealt to the Dodgers. There he blossomed.

He finished second in the 1978 Cy Young vote and helped pitch the Dodgers to the 1977 and 1978 World Series.

In the strike shortened 1981 season, Hooton went 11-6 with a 2.28 ERA. He went 4-1 in the post season, winning the 1981 NLCS MVP and being the winning pitcher in the clinching World Series Game 6 as the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the Bronx.



JAMIE MOYER

Moyer has been around for so long that I had to double check to see that he wasn't on the 1908 World Champion Cubs squad. Moyer broke in with the 1986 Cubs (along with Greg Maddux) and pitched well but hardly blew anyone away.

His fastball wouldn't get a speeding ticket even in a school zone and was not exactly imposing on the mound. He was dealt to Texas along with Rafael Palmeiro after the 1988 season and by 1991 he was flopping with the Cardinals and out of the majors in 1992.

Then... oddly... his career rebounded. And it wasn't a steroids renaissance. His fastball still was the stuff that batting practice was made of. But the 34 game winner pitched for another 18 seasons and raised his total to 267. He played in the post season first with the Mariners and then with the Phillies. He pitched 6 1/3 solid innings in his lone start in the 2008 World Series as he helped Philadelphia win the championship. As I wrote in my article in The Hardball Times, if he was just a little bit better in his Cubs days, he might be a borderline Hall of Famer.



MIKE MORGAN

Morgan played for 12 teams in his strange but wonderful career. He pitched from 1978 to 2002, with a few seasons lost here and there, spanning over a generation of players.

He had two tours with the Cubs. The first one began in 1992 when he went 16-8 with a 2.55 ERA, arguably his best season. He was dealt to the Cardinals in 1995 but returned to the Cubs in 1998. He gave up Mark McGwire's 61st homer and later made his first post season appearance in the Cubs loss to the Braves.

Later he pitched for the Diamondbacks out of the bullpen in the 2001 World Series and won his ring alongside Mark Grace. A year later he was out of baseball after 22 seasons.

Bullpen

BRUCE SUTTER

Bruce Sutter was drafted by the Cubs. He was developed by the Cubs. He learned his split finger pitch with the Cubs. He won the Rolaids Fireman of the Year with the Cubs. He won the Cy Young with the Cubs.

So when he was elected to the Hall of Fame, the hat on his plaque was naturally... a Cardinals hat.

For all of his great moments in Chicago, nothing shone brighter than his Babe Ruth Award Winning performance in the 1982 post season where he clinched both the pennant and the World Championship for St. Louis.

I am sure that doesn't sting in Cubs Country.

DENNIS ECKERSLEY

When Eck was dealt from the Red Sox to the Cubs for Bill Buckner during the 1984 season, he looked like a starting pitcher whose best days were behind him. Gone were the All Star appearances and the Cy Young contending seasons.

He pitched well for the Cubs in 1984, helping them win the Division. But by 1986 he looked done and just before the 1987 season began, the Cubs dumped him off to Oakland in exchange for Mark Leonette, Dave Wilder and Brian Guinn. Who? Exactly.

The A's had the idea of trying him out as a closer. It kind of worked as he picked up an MVP, a Cy Young Award and the 1988 ALCS MVP. He got the final out of the 1989 World Series, sealing the title for the A's... the same year that bullpen issues derailed the Cubs in the NLCS.

He went to the Hall of Fame wearing an A's cap. Maybe the Cubs should have thought of making him a closer.


WILLIE HERNANDEZ

In 6 and a half seasons in Wrigley Field, Willie Hernandez didn't exactly set the National League on fire.

He was a serviceable reliever and an ineffective starter between 1977 and 1983. The Cubs sent him packing during the 1983 season to Philadelphia where he helped the Phillies clinch the pennant.

The Phillies then dealt him to Detroit. Maybe the American League was better suited for him. In his first season in Detroit, he anchored one of the best teams of the decade and became a lock down closer. He pitched 140 1/3 innings out of the pen, winning 9, saving 32 and pitching to a 1.92 ERA.

He not only won the American League Cy Young but also the AL MVP for 1984 and was on the mound when the Tigers clinched the World Series... the same year late inning collapses prevented the Cubs from winning the pennant.

JAY HOWELL

The Cubs stole Howell from the Reds organization for perennial reserve catcher Mike O'Berry. Instead of holding on to him, the Cubs dealt him away after a season to the Yankees for Pat Tabler.

Eventually Howell was dealt to the A's in the Rickey Henderson trade and later to the Dodgers in the amazingly complex three team deal that sent Bob Welch to Oakland and Alfredo Griffin and Jesse Orosco to the Dodgers.

Howell became the bullpen closer for the Dodgers 1988 Division winner but was suspended in the playoffs when pine tar was discovered in his glove. Later in the World Series he let up a walk off homer to Mark McGwire. But the very next night pitched 2 1/3 strong shutout innings to get a key save and give the Dodgers a 3-1 series lead. They clinched the next night giving the eventual 2 time All Star a World Series ring.



MOE DRABOWSKY

Myron Walter Drabowsky was born in Poland in 1935. That must have been a fun time to be Polish. He ended up in Connecticut and then joined the Cubs as a bonus baby in 1956. His starting pitching days never did lead to stardom. The Cubs traded him away after the 1960 season.

Eventually he landed in Baltimore where in 1966 be blossomed into a solid reliever. His greatest moment came in Game 1 of the 1966 World Series. In the third inning, the Orioles were already up 4-1 over the defending World Champion Dodgers, but L. A. was rallying. They loaded the bases against Dave McNally with only one out.

Moe Drabowsky came in to relieve McNally. One inherited runner scored (former Cub, Lou Johnson) but he escaped the inning relatively unharmed. He pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, giving up only 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 11. He won the game and Lou Johnson's run was the final Dodger run of the SERIES! The Orioles would sweep the series. Drabowsky would also be a part of the 1970 World Champion Orioles team. Not bad for a Bonus Baby.

Bench

Top Pinch Hitter – LUIS GONZALEZ

In 1995, the Astros and Cubs swapped catchers. Rick Wilkins was sent packing to Houston while Scott Servais went to Wrigleyville. The Astros also sent Gonzalez to Chicago in the deal. He was a 27 year old left handed line drive hitting outfielder. He hit for a decent average, but nothing spectacular. And he was a 10-15 home run hitter whose OPS would hover around .780 to .800.

He hit well in his year and a half with the Cubs before returning to the Astros as a free agent in 1997. When he reached his 30s, after never hitting more than 15 home runs in a season, he suddenly exploded into one of the most feared sluggers in the league, hitting 57 home runs at age 33 for the 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. That was 42 more homers than he hit in any season in his 20s. Not saying anything. Just stating facts.

Of course his biggest hit wasn't a home run. It was a bloop single off of Mariano Rivera that drove in Jay Bell and ended the 2001 World Series.


Reserve Infielder – MARK BELLHORN

After cups of coffee with the A's over four different seasons, the Boston born Bellhorn was traded to Chicago in a minor league deal. He put up some big league numbers in 2002, his one full season in Wrigley. He hit 27 homers that year. On August 29th, 2002, he became the first National Leaguer to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning.

He was dealt to Colorado the next year and landed in Boston in 2004. After an up and down season in Fenway, he hit the key 3 run homer in the dramatic Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS. The next day his home run off of Tom Gordon put Game 7 out of reach. Then his home run in Game 1 of the 2004 World Series broke an 8th inning tie and was the game winner. Then he doubled home 2 key runs in the Red Sox Game 2 World Series win. He batted .300 and had an OPS that was a team high 1.263. I believed he should have been the World Series MVP.


Reserve Infielder - BILL MUELLER

Mueller (pronounced Miller... not ME-You-Ler) was a slick fielding, strong hitting third baseman who played on two Division Winners with San Francisco before being traded after the 2000 playoffs to the Cubs for reliever Tim Worrell.

He hit well in 70 games for the Cubs in 2001 but was not exactly an impact player in 2002 when he was traded back to the Giants.

In 2003, he landed in Boston where he won a surprising batting title. The next season he became Mariano Rivera's personal tormentor. He hit a walk off homer off of Rivera in July of 2004. Then in Game 4 of the ALCS, it was Mueller's single that scored Dave Roberts and tied the game in the 9th. He went on to bat .429 in the 2004 World Series with an OPS of 1.127, helping the Red Sox end the curse.

Meanwhile people are STILL talking about Billy Goats.


Reserve Outfielder – BILL NORTH

North was developed by the Cubs to be a speed demon outfielder. He hit for a solid average and stole his share of bases for the Cubs farm teams in San Antonio and Wichita before making the big league club for good in 1972.

He hit poorly (a .181 average stinks no matter what curve you are grading on) and only stole 6 bases in 66 games. The Cubs traded him to Oakland for Bob Locker before the 1973 season. In Oakland he became the premier base stealer in the league. He stole 53 in 1973. In 1974 and 1976 he led the league in steals. (He would also lead the league in caught stealing four times in his career!)

An injury kept him out of the 1973 post season but he was the starting center fielder for the 1974 World Champion Oakland A's.

That was the same year he got into a clubhouse fight with Reggie Jackson and Ray Fosse and all three wound up injured. Does that make him a BAD clubhouse guy?


Reserve Outfielder - RICK MONDAY

The first player ever drafted in the inaugural Amateur Draft of 1965, he was the hope for the Kansas City A's and later the Oakland A's. He became an All Star in Oakland and played in the 1971 playoffs. But Monday was traded to the Cubs for Ken Holtzman, thus missing out on the A's three straight World Championships.

With the Cubs, Monday became a solid left handed hitting center fielder. He hit a career high 32 homers in 1976 and famously saved an American flag from being burned in Dodger Stadium.

I guess he made an impression on the Dodgers who traded for him the next year for Bill Buckner. His home run in the deciding Game 5 of the 1981 NLCS broke a 9th inning tie and sunk the Expos hopes for a pennant. The Dodgers would go on to win the World Series against the Yankees.

Reserve Catcher – JOE GIRARDI

Joe Girardi seemed destined to be part of the Cubs. He was born in Peoria, Illinois where he was a high school football and baseball star. He went to college at Northwestern University and was drafted by the Cubs in the 5th round of the 1986 draft.

In 1989, when injuries forced Cubs catcher Damon Berryhill to the disabled list, Giradi found himself as the starting catcher for the Cubs in the NLCS. He made an impression on his manager, Don Zimmer. When Zimmer became a coach for the expansion Rockies in 1993, he made sure Colorado brought Girardi along. When Zimmer became Joe Torre's bench coach with the Yankees, once again Girardi made the trip with him.

It was with the Yankees that he became a champion several times over. Girardi's triple off of Greg Maddux gave New York the lead for good in the World Series clinching Game 6 of the 1996 World Series. He would be the starting catcher for the World Series clinchers of 1996 and 1998 and be on the 1999 World Series winners for good measure.

Later he managed the Yankees to the 2009 World Championship. There have been rumors that he wants to return to the Cubs as a manager. It IS the role he seems to be born to play.


25th Man – JOE CARTER

For the 25th man, I decided to pick a World Champion who had the unique opportunity to live every Little Leaguer's fantasy, and I assume every Cubs fans fantasy as well.

The 1981 College Player of the Year at Wichita State, Carter shot up to the majors in 1983 at age 23. He didn't make too much of an impression in 52 plate appearances over 23 games in Wrigley. He didn't hit a homer and batted .176 with a .235 slugging percentage.

But he was a good enough prospect to send packing to Cleveland in the Rick Sutcliffe trade. He became an MVP candidate in Cleveland and after a cameo with the Padres landed in Toronto where he put up terrific power numbers and recorded the final out in the 1992 World Series win over the Braves.

He hit 209 home runs as a Blue Jay, including regular season and post season. But of course none was bigger than his walk off, 3 run, World Series ending home run in 1993. His tour around the bases is one of my favorite expressions of pure joy in a sporting event. It wasn't choreographed nor planned ahead. It was a wild, crazed sincere dance around the bases... one that came at the expense of ANOTHER former Cub, Mitch Williams.

Watch that clip, Cubs fans, and imagine it took place at Wrigley Field. I used to watch it and pretend it was at Fenway Park.



So there you have it. A collection of post season heroes, MVPs and players who got some of the great World Series highlights in their team's history.

They were all Cubs... they just didn't win WITH the Cubs.
That's nit picking.

Leave Cub fans alone for a little bit

Seriously, give them some space.

If you know a big time Cubs fan, like I know my boss Frank or my good pal Rob Paravonian, don't call them.

Obviously don't taunt them... but don't call them to say "I'm sorry" or "hang in there."

Don't say "you'll get them next time" or "relax, you are an award winning TV producer with a strong marriage and three loving kids."

This one hurts... and they all knew it too.
Last year's sweep by Arizona was the dry run for this year's charge for at least the pennant.

This team could hit, pitch, had swagger and was the team to beat.

And boy were they beat.

Give the Cub fans a break.
They are like a guy who found out his wife slept with his best friend...
You don't say "Hey man, it sucks that your wife did that."
Let HIM bring it up in conversation.

The entire Cubs fan base has that "how could I have been so wrong about this?!" malaise. Let them get through it.

They are like Harvey Keitel at the end of Reservoir Dogs when he realizes he put everything including his own life to defend Tim Roth only to find out he was wrong.

Give the Cub fans some space.
Assume they won't be watching any more playoff baseball this year.

And let them shoot Tim Roth in the head.

How can things get worse for Cubs fans?

I know for some people the script has been written out already:

On the 100th anniversary of the Cubs 1908 World Series title, the new look Cubs win their second straight NL Central title, their first pennant since WWII and finally their long awaited series.

The Red Sox had won 2, the White Sox 1... now it is the Cubs turn to wipe away bad memories and have their parade.

This decade of good will would let long suffering Cub fans visit their grandparents graves and give the baseball world a World Series call from Ron Santo that would probably sound like a drunken Chewbacca.

And it looks more and more like this will be the year.

They've got the bats and now with Harden and Zambrano they have the arms.

Fukudome has been as advertised and Soriano is back.

They currently have the best record in the National League... a league that has no powerhouse and where 90 wins will probably give a team home field until the World Series.

Which team in the NL is going to knock them out? The Psychitzophrenic Mets? The barely over .500 NL West Champs?

And destiny will be on their side. Lou Pinella has been here before... his Reds seemed overmatched by the 1990 A's and the Reds swept them for the World Series and never ending discussions on Dibble and Kennedy's XM Show.

The Cubs will be World Champions... and the Junior Senator from Illinois will become President... rides on Navy Pier will be for free and the winter will be mild.

It could happen.

Or something else could happen.

I remember in 1986, I felt the Red Sox were charmed... especially after coming back down to their last strike against the Angels and winning the first two against the Mets. And then getting those 2 runs in the 10th of game 6.

It seemed perfect. The perfect team of veterans like Rice and Evans along with new comers like Boggs and Clemens.

I also felt the 1995 team had destiny on its side... before being swept away by the Indians.

And 2003... the team stormed back against the A's on my wedding night... and had that 5-2 lead in Yankee Stadium in the 8th of game 7.

Each time it felt like destiny.
Each time ended worse than Tony Montana falling into the fountain.

You do know it can happen, right?
There could be a new Garvey Homer... there could be a new black cat... a new botched double play... another ball through the first baseman's legs... another brutal decision to leave a pitcher in like in 1989 and 1998... or to take the ace out like in 2007.

(Notice I didn't include Bartman... he didn't let up 8 runs. Leave the guy alone.)

And if you don't win, just like the Cubs haven't won since Teddy Roosevelt was in office, then someone else will.

Since that fateful 8th inning of game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, Cubs fans have watched the Marlins celebrate on their field only to later match them in total World Championships (2).

They've seen their compadre in misery, the Red Sox, win 2.
They've seen their stepbrother on the South Side, the White Sox, win it and hold a parade.
They've seen their blood rival, the Cardinals win.

But there's another scenario that might throw salt into the wounds:
What if the Brewers won?
You know that team just to the North... that team that Cub fans turn into "Wrigley North" when they play?

Can you imagine continuing to search for a title into a second century while being surrounded by White Sox, Cardinals and even Brewers fans who have won since W was reelected?

Would that be too much?

Let me ask you... do the fans who Bleed Cubbie Blue really think this is their year?

Do the Goat Riders of the Apocalypse think a Cubs victory will bring peace or Armageddon?

Is The Ghost of Paul Noce prepared for more demons or bad spirits?

Will the Wrigleyville 23 folks lose it when Brewer fans have some ammunition?

Or will A Hundred Next Years be resigned to postponing the party for another century?

Let me know Cub fans... and while you are at it, support the brilliant comic and devoted Cub fan Rob Paravonian.
Rob P opened for George Carlin for the last year or so... and sadly the Cubs drought outlived Carlin in every way.

Let's hope Rob gets to see one... and avoid hearing Pachebel

SULLY'S INSANELY LONG FAN BASE PREVIEW FOR THE SEASON

Well, the net is filled with forecasts and predictions for 2008.
I'll make mine, but let's face it... you can't possibly predict what happens over a 162 game season.

Oh, I guess you saw the Tigers and Mets collapsing, the Red Sox nearly going wire to wire and the Diamondbacks and Rockies being the two best teams in the NL!

So we here at Sully Baseball do things a little differently.

Instead of forecasting how the teams will do, I try to figure out what a championship will affect the team and its players.

Let's get started



Arizona Diamondbacks

Team's Last Title: 2001

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
None. This is a young team folks

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Brandon Webb is putting together a nice career. It's early but some World Series glory now will go a long way.

Randy Johnson. His resume is already overwhelming, but how could another ring hurt?

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Manager Bob Melvin, who let Jose Valverde throw 4,291 pitches in game 2 of last year's NLCS, blowing the D'Backs best chance to make it a series.


Fan base's last title:
The 2001 World Series.

Who could root AGAINST them:
Fans of a team formed before 1998 who want a single title.
Mongoose.

Outlook:
Despite having the best record in the NL and homefield in the NLCS, the D'Backs couldn't sell out their home games. Dibble and Kennedy said "The fans haven't warmed up to the team yet." If you can't embrace a team in the playoffs, then maybe you can live through another year without a title. Besides, this city would probably trade another D'Back title for a Suns NBA Championship.




Atlanta Braves

Team's Last Title: 1995

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Mike Hampton
Mark Kotsay

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Tim Hudson if he is the ace.
Chipper Jones and John Smoltz... nothing like padding the ole resume
Bobby Cox... who will have the words "He only won it once" removed from his resume.


Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Alejandro Pena, Jeff Reardon, Kerry Lightenberg, Mark Wohlers, John Rocker, Kyle Farnsworth, Joey Devine and every other reliever who blew games for the Braves during their playoff run.

Fan base's last title: 1995

Who could root AGAINST them:
People who root for teams where the fans actually show up to playoff games.
Native Americans.
People who are sick of Ted Turner

Outlook:
It's hard to feel bad for a fanbase who couldn't sell out their own playoff games. Who knows if they would get excited for a title in 2008? I'm sure Jimmy Carter will be happy.



Baltimore Orioles

Team's Last Title: 1983

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Chad Bradford
Jay Payton

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
If there is a Hall of Famer on this roster, he's a rookie or a second year player. So let me bold and say:
Adam Jones

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Peter Angelos, who has run one of the proudest franchises in the game into the ground and made one of the most loyal fanbases in baseball stay home.

Fan base's last title:
Baltimore Ravens winning the 2001 Super Bowl.

Who could root AGAINST them:
Anyone who has a pathological hatred of Peter Angelos... which right now is everyone in the city of Baltimore

Outlook:
Orioles fans are dying for their team to be relevant again and when they contend, they will sell out every game. But it will take nothing less than a title to have anything resembling good will towards Angelos.



Boston Red Sox... oh I'm sorry... The Defending World Champion Boston Red Sox

Team's Last Title: 1918... oh wait I'm sorry. 2004.... oh wait I'm sorry 2007

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Sean Casey...
That's a hell of a rallying cry. Win one for Sean Casey

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Having 3 rings will go a long way for David Ortiz's Hall of Fame campaign.
Same will go for Josh Beckett.
It's early but piling up rings early can only help for Dustin Pedroia and Jonathan Papelbon.
Manny Ramirez will have to commit a felony to be out of the World Series.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Daisuke Matsusaka. He had an OK first season and won 2 post season games including ALCS Game 7, but he still has the stigma of being overpaid. A second ring will silence any critics.


Fan base's last title:
Thanks to the New York Giants, it remains the 2007 World Series. But don't count out the Celtics!


Who could root AGAINST them:

The Steinbrenner family.
Everyone who hates Red Sox fans, which seems to be everyone these days.

Outlook:
I'm the wrong guy to ask... but another Sox title will mean this team is a dynasty. You think we're obnoxious NOW? Just wait! We went from wanting just one title in our lifetime to doing the math in our head to see how long it would get to title #26.



California Angels (which is what they should be called)

Team's Last Title: 2002 (don't remind my dad)

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Kelvim Escobar... but he might be gone for the year
Darren Oliver
Justin Speier
Vlad Guerrero
Torii Hunter


Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Vladimir Guerrero
Francisco Rodriguez could use a second one.


Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:

Francisco Rodriguez after coughing up Manny's walk off last year.
Josh Paul for walking off the field after AJ Pierzynski's 9th inning strike out allowing him to reach first and start a game winning rally. (Yeah, I remember this stuff)

Fan base's last title:
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks won the Stanley Cup last year. Yeah, I count hockey

Who could root AGAINST them:
Oakland A's fans... San Francisco Giants fans... LA Dodgers fans...
People who HATE Gene Autry songs.

Outlook:
Angel fans have come out in droves for a perennial contender... but last year with the Halos down 2-0 to the Red Sox, fans had signs that read "Thanks For The Great Season." That doesn't strike me as the hungriest fan base in the country.




Chicago Cubs

Team's Last Title: 1908. Yup, it's been 100 years

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Ryan Dempster
Scott Eyre
Bobby Howry
Jon Leiber
Kerry Wood
Henry Blanco
Mark DeRosa
Daryle Ward

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Alfonso Soriano was a September call up for the 1999 and 2000 Yankees, but he needs to earn this ring.
A ring would go a long way for Carlos Zambrano

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Where to start?

That guy with the Billy Goat.
Leo the Lip for the 1969 collapse.
Lee Smith and Leon Durham for the 1984 collapse
Don Zimmer and Mitch Williams for the 1989 collapse.
And Steve Bartman could get some peace.

Fan base's last title:
I'm guessing that not a lot of Cubs fans saw the White Sox win in 2005 and thought "We Won!" So let's go back to the 1998 Bulls.


Who could root AGAINST them:
Cardinal fans
White Sox fans who want to rub it into Cubs fans faces a little more
People want to see little children cry and baby ducklings die.

Outlook:
The "we're happy even when the Cubs lose" happy go lucky attitude that North Side fans had for so long is fading fast. Cubs fans seem a lot angrier these days... waiting 100 years for a title will do that to you. And since the collapse of 2003, they have seen their American League counterpart in breaking hearts, the Red Sox, have two parades... their mean cousin from the South Side, the White Sox celebrate... their rival Cardinals win a title... the tandem of Wood and Prior explode from injury... Sammy Sosa went from all time beloved Cub to persona non grata and the Cubs were swept so fast from last years playoffs that Dane Cook couldn't even do a crappy promo for them. It's been a Century and Cubs fans don't need a hug nor a beer... they need a parade. And they need it soon!



Chicago White Sox

Team's Last Title: 2005

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Javier Vasquez
Jim Thome

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Jim Thome needs to not only win but be a big part of a title team
Ozzie Guillen. He might be a pain, but winning twice in Chicago would be quite a feat.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Ozzie Guillen. His style was beloved when they won the World Series but now has him on the hot seat.

Fan base's last title:
2005. The team video is still available at Borders

Who could root AGAINST them:
Cub fans who can't stand the sight of ANOTHER parade in Chicago.
People who hate Journey

Outlook:
White Sox fans looked like they were going to be experiencing a potential repeat title before a late season swoon in 2006. While Sox fans will be into the season, if their team stinks there will be a sensation of just wanting the Cubs to not make the playoffs. It must be fun to have that title to rub in their faces.




Cincinnati Reds

Team's Last Title: 1990

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Javier Valentin
Juan Castro
Scott Hatteberg
Ken Griffey Jr.

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Ken Griffey Jr, not that he needs it

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Former GM Dan O'Brien who just couldn't do anything right and took a team that nearly made the 1999 playoffs into a dreadful club this whole decade.

Fan base's last title:
The 1990 World Series.

Who could root AGAINST them:
People who think their name is pro Communist
People who want to keep harping about how small market teams can't compete.
People who don't like WKRP in Cincinnati

Outlook:

Reds fans, like Orioles fans, are drooling to have a team to embrace. They have a great new park and Griffey Jr, who is one of the few superstars that hasn't received as much as a suspicious whisper in the steroid scandal. If the Reds put a winner on the field, The Great American Ballpark will be filled every night.



Cleveland Indians

Team's Last Title: 1948

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Joe Borowski
Paul Byrd

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
If any of their stars, such as C. C. Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko, want to get in, winning a ring in Cleveland will go a long way

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
A few...
Vic Wertz
Jose Mesa
Third base coach Joel Skinner
Everyone who has worn a Cleveland uniform in anysport since 1964... including LeBron James.

Fan base's last title:
1964 Browns winning the NFL title

Who could root AGAINST them:
Sensitive native Americans
Depressed people who want to be able to say "Hey, at least I'm not a Cleveland Sports Fan!"

Outlook:
More than any city in the country, Cleveland needs a title. NOW! 44 year old Clevelanders can say "No team of mine has won in my lifetime." That's insane. That puts Bambino Curses and Billy Goats to shame. Seriously, I think Cleveland is almost numb to the losing. Enough is enough.


Colorado Rockies

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Todd Helton

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Todd Helton
And yeah it's early, but it would behoove Troy Tulowitski to get that ring early

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
The 2007 Rockies pitching staff and their 7.68 World Series ERA

Fan base's last title:
2001 Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche

Who could root AGAINST them:
People who think that purple does not belong on a baseball uniform
People who hate John Denver

Outlook:
Denver is an underrated sports town, but I know some people who grew up in Denver. I bet they'd take a perfect pre season for the Broncos than a World Series title.


Detroit Tigers

Team's Last Title: 1984

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Todd Jones
Carlos Guillen
Placido Polanco
Magglio Ordonez

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Another would help Gary Sheffield, although being connected to BALCO doesn't help.
Another for Pudge Rodriguez would be nice padding of the resume.
Magglio Ordonez could use it.
Miguel Cabrera could use a second ring
It's early in Justin Verlander's case, but never to early to get that ring out of the way.
And Jim Leyland is a lock if he wins in both leagues.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
The 2006 Tigers pitching staff, whose Bad News Bears-esque fielding basically cost them the World Series

Fan base's last title:
2004 Pistons... but look out for this year's Pistons and Red Wings

Who could root AGAINST them:
Marlins fans who hate to see former World Series heroes Sheffield, Renteria, Willis, Cabrera and manager Leyland in another uniform.
Boston fans who might come to the realization that Detroit is actually the city of champions this decade.

Outlook:
GM Dombrowski has pushed the chips all in this year and the fans of Detroit have embraced the team. Watching the dormant Tiger fans is great for baseball and they would go nuts for a Tiger title. Let's face it, the city needs all the good news it can get!





Florida Marlins

Team's Last Title: 2003

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
None.
Zilch.
This is one young team.

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
It's early for Hanley Ramirez but it would behoove him to get a ring before leaving Florida (presumably to Detroit)
Luis Gonzalez is already a World Series hero... do it again and maybe the Hall will call.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Marlins management for dismantling another World Champion.

Fan base's last title:
2006 Miami Heat... also dismantled. Why don't people like to stay in Miami?

Who could root AGAINST them:
Cub, Indian and Giant fans who all saw their title dreams blow up to a team with no fan base, no stadium and no following.
People who hate the color teal.

Outlook:
The Marlins are the strangest franchise in any of the 4 major sports in that they are a symbol of futility, except when they are winning multiple World Series. The fans won't care nor will they show up until the World Series. Remember when everyone thought Miami was going to be a great baseball city?



Houston Astros

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Doug Brocail
Woody Williams
Mark Loretta
Miguel Tejada

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Roy Oswalt is putting together a hell of a resume. A ring would help.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Brad Lidge. It's one thing to let up a huge homer to Albert Pujols. But to then let up a walk off to Scott Podsednik, who had as many homers as me that regular season... and then 2 games later cough up the World Series winning hit? Folks, THAT is a hook.

Fan base's last title:
The back to back titles for the Rockets in 1994 and 1995

Who could root AGAINST them:
Still bitter Enron shareholders
People who really love the Orange rainbow uniforms

Outlook:
Let's face it, Houston is not a baseball town and they'd probably trade an Astros World Series win for a Houston Texans Super Bowl. But since the Astros have been in town the longest and have the deepest roots (lest we forget the franchise is 46 years old) a championship would be most welcome deep in the heart of Texas (clap clap clap clap).





Kansas City Royals

Team's Last Title: 1985

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Ron Mahay
Brett Tomko
Mark Grudzielanek
Jose Guillen

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Hall of Famers? On the Royals? Maybe Alex Gordon will be the next Mike Schmidt...
If so, get that ring!

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Anyone involved in Royals management after Ewing Kaufmann's death. The Royals were one of the marquee powerhouse teams of my youth. Now they are synonymous with futility.

Fan base's last title: 1985 World Series

Who could root AGAINST them:
Cardinal fans still angry about Don Denkinger

Outlook:
Like Cincinnati and Baltimore, Kansas City is a great baseball town dying to have a team to root for. When they contended in 2003, they had an electric following. A revived Kansas City fanbase is good for baseball.




Los Angeles Dodgers

Team's Last Title: 1988

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Esteban Loaiza
Jason Schmidt
Nomar Garciaparra
Jeff Kent
Mark Sweeney
Andruw Jones

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
If Andruw Jones ever wants to get in, he'll need a big series.
Same goes for Jeff Kent
Young stars like Russell Martin and Andre Ethier would get a boost from an early ring

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Every manager they've had since Tommy Lasorda. The Dodgers have played in 3 post seasons since he retired and they've won a grand total of 1 playoff game.

Fan base's last title:
2002 Los Angeles Lakers (no, I am not counting the Mighty Ducks for Los Angeles.)

Who could root AGAINST them:
Giants fans who have been waiting 50 years for 1 title in San Francisco.
Anyone in Brooklyn who hasn't forgiven them after 50 years.
The Steinbrenner family who don't want to look bad for letting Torre go

Outlook:
Remember the clip of the Kirk Gibson home run? When you see the ball sailing over Canseco's head into the stands, you can also see there are people already in the parking lot leaving. You really think that fan base gives a damn?



Milwaukee Brewers

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Solomon Torres
Jason Kendall
Mike Cameron

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Prince Fielder needs a World Series ring to rub into his dad's face.
Young stars like Ben Sheets, J. J. Hardy and Rickie Weeks should get that ring out of the way

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Bud Selig for being a colluding creep when the Brewers actually had a contender.

Fan base's last title:
1997 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.

Who could root AGAINST them:
Lovers of fine wine.
People who hate Bob Ueker

Outlook:
Milwaukee should be a great baseball town and they should form a great rivalry with the Cubs. My friend the great Rob Paravonian once told me "Women in Wisconsin are only interested in Brett Favre and the only reason they talk to you is because Brett Favre isn't in the room." Well Brett is gone... no better time for the fan base to fall in love with baseball



Minnesota Twins

Team's Last Title: 1991

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Dennys Reyes


Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Young stats like Delmon Young, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are off to good starts. Nothing like an early ring to make their case even better.
Joe Nathan needs to be on the mound for a World Series win to be in any conversation

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Johan Santana, Eddie Guardado, Torii Hunter and everyone else who couldn't get it done with the most recent group of Twins

Carl Pohlad for threatening to contract the team

Fan base's last title:
1991 World Series

Who could root AGAINST them:
People who hate twins...
Triplets

Outlook:
Twin fans have been burned by free agency and economics, but a title this year would make them the only team to win a World Series in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Not even the Yankees can say that. Wouldn't it be nice to see the once retractable Twins rub it in the big market teams?



New York Mets

Team's Last Title: 1986

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Billy Wagner
Carlos DelGado
Damion Easley
Marlon Anderson
Carlos Beltran

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Pedro Martinez is already in, but how could another ring hurt?
Johan Santana already has an amazing case at this point in his career. Winning titles in New York tend to give you a boost.
El Duque Hernandez doesn't have the resume, but this would be his fifth ring!
Veterans like Carlos BEltran and Carlos DelGado need a ring to be in the conversation.
As for Jose Reyes and David Wright, winning a title early in New York can only add to their legend. (Yes, legend.)

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Carlos Beltran for looking at called third in 2006
The entire 2007 Mets for a collapse that only gets more incredible the more you think of it

Fan base's last title:
For Met fans who are also Giants fans... this last Super Bowl
For Met fans who are also Devils fans... 2003 Stanley Cup
For Met fans who are also Rangers fans... 1994 Stanley Cup
For Met fans who are also Knicks and Jets fans... pray for them

Who could root AGAINST them:
Yankee fans who are already getting it from Red Sox fans
Phillies fans who want someone to pick on

Outlook:
There's a little bit of pushing all the chips to the center of the table with this Mets team and Met fans know it. They can be a bitter angry group and want to rub it in both Yankee fans and Phillie fans faces. Man, they sound the way we Red Sox fans used to be



New York Yankees

Team's Last Title: 2000 (clap clap clap-clap-clap)

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
LaTroy Hawkins
Mike Mussina
Alex Rodriguez
Bobby Abreu
Jason Giambi

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Alex Rodriguez belongs in right now obviously. But winning a ring would be the difference in reputation between say John Elway and Dan Marino.
It's easy to forget that Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui are still ringless.
With exaggerated praise for champions in New York, a ring would look good on the fingers of Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano.
A fifth ring wouldn't hurt for Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and a fourth for Jorge Posada.
And winning a title as a manager after already winning a manager of the year gets Joe Girardi off to a good start.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Did someone say A-Rod?

Fan base's last title:
See The Mets

Who could root AGAINST them:
Did you see the musical "Damn Yankees"? Hating the Yankees isn't a new thing.

Outlook:
It's starting to sink into Yankee fans that maybe winning the World Series every year ISN'T their birthright. There is some long term hope for the Girardi era and right now the Yankee Universe is saying things like "Take a step back to take two forward." We'll see how well that sits with the new Steinbrenner regime come the trade deadline.



Oakland Athletics

Team's Last Title: 1989

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Eric Chavez
Mike Sweeney
Emil Brown

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
GM Billy Beane.
If Bobby Crosby and Rich Harden could stay healthy... God Forbid.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Billy Beane, who has volumes written about what a genius he is, yet his teams have yet to win a post season game past the first round.
Huston Street for coughing up the Magglio Ordonez shot

Fan base's last title:
1989 World Series

Who could root AGAINST them:
Giants fans who just want one of their own.
People sick of Billy Beane.

Outlook:
I've seen up close how passionate Oakland can be for their team. I've also seen empty seats at playoff games. I was in the Bay Area when the A's made it to the 2006 ALCS and there was zero buzz for it.

I'm sure A's fans want their team to win... but I am also sure they'd like to get an extra fortune cookie in the bag when they order Chinese. No pressure this year.



Philadelphia Phillies

Team's Last Title: 1980

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Tom Gordon
Jamie Moyer
Wes Helms
Geoff Jenkins

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Take a look at Jamie Moyer's career. A World Series title might really put him in the conversation.
The Phillies have 3 of the biggest young superstars in the game. If Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley win a ring early, in Philadelphia no less, all they would have to do is pile up the stats to get in.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Mitch Williams.
Also every other Philly star since 1983 including Barkley, Iverson, Lindros and McNabb.

Fan base's last title:
1983 NBA Champion 76ers... they've made 3 Rocky films since then

Who could root AGAINST them:
Mets fans who don't want to hear it
Cleveland and Cubs fans who want company

Outlook:
Philadelphia has replaced Boston as the sports city near New York that is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It's not just that they've lost title chances. They've blown titles with great stars on their team. This city needs a sports pick me up and one bigger than a Mark Wahlberg Eagles movie. This is Philly... if one of their teams doesn't win soon, someone might get whacked.



Pittsburgh Pirates

Team's Last Title: 1979

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Matt Morris
Chris Gomez

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Jason Bay and Freddie Sanchez are the best candidates here.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Sid Bream for scoring from second.

Fan base's last title:
2006 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers

Who could root AGAINST them:
People attacked by actual pirates.

Outlook:
Look, Pittsburgh fans would like to see a World Series win. But I'm guessing the topic of conversation at the World Series would be the Steelers. The Steelers won a few years ago and the Penguins are good now. Don't worry Pirates you are out of the spotlight... why not take another 15 years to put a winning team on the field.



San Diego Padres

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Trevor Hoffman
Glendon Rusch
Michael Barrett
Tony Clark
Brian Giles

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Anything less than a ring means Trevor Hoffman shouldn't be in
Greg Maddux doesn't need it, but it would look nice
An early ring for Jake Peavy would look nice with that Cy Young

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Trevor Hoffman for the Brosius homer... and almost single handedly keeping the Padres out of the playoffs last year

Fan base's last title:
Never had one

Who could root AGAINST them:
People who thought brown and yellow was an unforgivable combination

Outlook:
You'd think San Diego would be like Cleveland... a city starved for a sports title. But seriously look at that sentence again. In what way is San Diego like Cleveland? Where would YOU rather suffer as a sports fan?




San Francisco Giants

Team's Last Title: 1954... as the New York Giants... don't remind my dad

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Steve Kline
Rich Aurillia
Ray Durham
Omar Vizquel
Randy Winn

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Barry Zito will need to win a ring to start earning that paycheck

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Willie McCovey for lining out to Richardson
Candy Maldonado for losing that ball in the lights in 1987
The San Andreas Fault for screwing up the 1989 World Series
Don Baylor for not playing his regulars at the end of 1993
Roberto Hernandez for screwing up the first two games of the 1997 Division Series
Robb Nen and the entire bullpen who blew a 7-0 lead on the last day that would have clinched a playoff spot.
Aaron Fultz for letting up a walk off shot to Benny Agbayani in the 2000 Division Series
Dusty Baker for handing the game ball to Russ Ortiz in the 2002 World Series
JT Snow for being thrown out at the plate in the 2003 Division Series
Steve Finley for hitting that division clinching grandslam in 2004.

Man, that's a big hook!

Fan base's last title:
1995 Super Bowl Champion 49ers

Who could root AGAINST them:
Dodger fans who care (both of them.)
Self righteous people who hate Bonds and don't realize he's no longer on the team

Outlook:
My dad's team is the most underrated suffering fan base in all of baseball. Since arriving in the Bay Area 50 years ago they have found ways to lose that even impress this Red Sox fan. San Francisco fans have seen 49er Super Bowls... but this place will go nuts for a Giants World Championship.




Seattle Mariners

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Adrian Beltre
Miguel Cairo
Richie Sexson
Raul Ibanez
Jose Vidro

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Ichiro Suzuki might be in the Hall already, but wouldn't a ring lock it up?

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Lou Piniella, who couldn't win a pennant despite having A-Rod, Griffey Jr, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Jay Buhner and Jamie Moyer in their primes

Fan base's last title:
1979 NBA Champion SuperSonics.

Who could root AGAINST them:
People angry about the cost of Starbucks coffee.

Outlook:
Like Giants fans, Seattle fans are long suffering and never get the press for it. Maybe it's because they are way up in Seattle. Only Cleveland has waited longer for a title of any kind for a city with 3 or more teams. It's been nearly 3 decades since this city has had a parade. That's not right.



St. Louis Cardinals

Team's Last Title: 2006 (bet you forgot that)

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Russ Springer

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Albert Pujols doesn't need another ring, but how could it hurt?
Tony LaRussa also doesn't need one but I am sure wants one.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Tony LaRussa, who hasn't had a happy moment since winning the 2006 World Series

Fan base's last title:
2006 World Series... yes that happened

Who could root AGAINST them:
Cubs fans who are just sick of everything

Outlook:
Cardinal fans got their World Series win and lots of playoff appearances from LaRussa. That should satisfy them during what will be some rebuilding years. Cardinal fans are great fans, but so are Reds and Orioles fans. Don't stink for too long! They might not always show up!



Tampa Bay Rays

Team's Last Title: Um... the team has yet to reach the 71 win mark in a season

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Trever Miller
Al Reyes

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Carl Crawford might put together a Hall of Fame career somewhere else.
Troy Percival has had an underrated career. Maybe not Hall of Fame, but another ring with be nice

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Whoever thought it was a good idea to put a team in Tampa Bay

Fan base's last title:
2004 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning... like they cared.

Who could root AGAINST them:
Yankees and Red Sox fans who look forward to playing the Rays like kids look forward to Christmas morning.

Outlook:
Who knows? Can you believe it has been 10 years since the Devil Rays were vomitted onto the field and they have yet to win 71 games in a season. Who knows what their fan base is like or if they actually have one.



Texas Rangers

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Eddie Guardado
Kevin Millwood
Frank Catalanotto

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Michael Young has had a nice career so far.
So has Hank Blalock
Everyone else on the team is 6 years old.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
George W. Bush... but don't get cocky. It doesn't get you off the hook for EVERYTHING

Fan base's last title:
1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars
But who am I kidding, nobody cares about the Stars.... so let's just say 1996 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys

Who could root AGAINST them:
Democrats

Outlook:
This is Dallas... it's Cowboy country. I think the euphoria for a Rangers World Series title might last until the next Sunday.




Toronto Blue Jays

Team's Last Title: 1993

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Roy Halladay
Matt Sairs

Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Frank Thomas could actually play in a World Series.
Vernon Wells and Roy Halladay could use one.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
Whomever designed those god awful new uniforms

Fan base's last title:
1993 World Series

Who could root AGAINST them:
Xenophobes

Outlook:
It wasn't that long ago that the Blue Jays had one of the most rabid fan bases in all of baseball. I wonder if that was a novelty or a great team will capture the nation of Canada again. They would need either the Red Sox or the Yankees to collapse. This is as good a year as any to see.




Washington Nationals

Team's Last Title: Never won a World Series

10 season+ veterans without a ring:
Odalis Perez
Paul LoDuca
Aaron Boone
Dmitri Young


Whose Hall of Fame resume needs a ring:
Paul LoDuca, Dmitri Young and Elijah Dukes could create a felon wing of the Hall.

Who will be let off the hook by winning a World Series:
The owners of the first Senators and the second Senators

Fan base's last title:
1988 Super Bowl won by the Redskins

Who could root AGAINST them:
Expos fans who still hate Rick Monday
Peter Angelos.

Outlook:
The only Washington World Series title was in 1923... with a new park, a new owner and a lousy league who knows what will happen this year. The fanbase is still too green right now for it to be real euphoria, but I bet there are some old Senator fans who will go nuts.



So there you have it.
Each team examined, each fanbase condescended to.

Let's get this season started already!