AL East...(the middle)

[LOCOCO]

> > My rankings are based on the theory that strength up the middle wins ball
> > games. That means strength at Catcher, Shortstop, 2nd Base, and Center
> > Field. Pitching is a major factor. It is my opinion that this theory is
> > quite accurate and reflects why teams like the Expos of recent years or
> > the current Mets look real good on paper but fail to win.
> >
>
> Parrish Whitaker Trammell Lemon or Gibson excellent pitching
> Hassey Randolph Meacham Henderson ancient and
> questionable staff
>
> Is Henderson good enough to pick the Yanks for the AL East?
>
> Very biased for D,
> Tim Snyder

You make a good point concerning the Yankees middle compared to the Tigers
middle. But you just don't quite have it right. Hassey is the backup catcher
behind a quite capable switch-hitting man named Wynegar. Randolph compares
quite well with Whitaker defensively, is gutsy when needed, and has added
incentive this year being a co-captain. For your side I agree that the
SS position is better in Detroit (if only Robertson didn't take that car ride
a couple of years ago-he hasn't been right since). This could be the Yankees
critical weakpoint (not the pitching which will surprise this year!). Henderson
might well be good enough to pick the Yanks for the AL East. He carried them
well enough to keep the team close early last year while Mattingly recuped
and Winfield and the rest gained steam to their impressive form.

I am very biased for the Yanks. But I see either Baltimore or Detroit
contending with the Jays for the second, third, and fourth spot in the
AL East. The awesome hitting crew of the Yanks is loose and ready to
reincarnate Murderer's Row (well almost-it's kind of hard to believe that
Ruth and Gehrig and the like are on the field when it's only Mattingly,
Winfield, Henderson, Griffey, Hassey [oops, let's not mention the bench
that's not fair]). Should be real interesting...
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John B. Lo Coco
(...mhuxd!ogre)
(...szuxn!ogre)
1-201-467-7436