With all of the anticipation of professional and college football seasons garnering most of the headlines, one must not forget about Major League Baseball. Major records are about to fall and pennant races are entering the stretch run as the excitement is building to a climax.
About the only sure thing in 2001 is that Seattle will clinch the best record in all the land.
Which leaves us the playoffs, record-breaking achievements, impressive pitching performances and other aspects that I could go on about.
But let's peer into my crystal ball and see what lies ahead.
I kind of hope he does not, but I have a feeling he will tie McGwire's record.
He will not break the record, but he is hitting well enough to perhaps tie McGwire, given that he only needs 11 home runs in the last 23 games in order to tie the mark. McGwire's 1998 record was too special to have it broken just three years later.
It is a pretty safe bet that Oakland will be the American League wild card entry, for the A's have a seven-game lead and THE best pitching staff in baseball. (I can hear all Yankee fans whining, 'What about Clemens, Pettitte and Mussina'?) That, my friends, is for another column, but for now, just trust me.
As for the Senior Circuit, the Fuzzy Cubbies, with the anticipated return of Kerry Wood Friday, should be in prime position to take the wild card spot.
Not likely, especially since the Arizona Diamondbacks are in the playoff chase. With only five starts maximum left, manager Bob Brenley wants to keep his ace healthy for the playoffs. Given Johnson's season average of 12 K's per outing, the 6'10\ lefty might fall one or two punchouts short.
Both races are close, but my money is on Jim Thome in the AL and Sammy Sosa in the NL.
While Ichiro makes a strong case with his batting average, runs scored and average with runners in scoring position, Thome has been the best player since the beginning of June, on pace for more than 50 homers and 140 RBIs.
Sosa, meanwhile, is invaluable to the Cubs' chances for the playoffs. He has a chance to set a record for the largest difference between first and second place in runs batted in. Sosa has 85 more RBIs than second-place Ricky Gutierrez. Bonds should end up with more homers, but Sosa deserves the MVP.
