Guys, does it ever bug you, as it does me, when you let your beard go for, like, three days and everyone looks at you like they can't believe their eyes? Is it that awesome to see someone who hasn't shaved? "Whoa, what's going on, Grizzly Adams?" they say. Or, "Quit your job?" It's the beginnings of a beard, for God's sake, not a kitten doing a Sudoku puzzle! Don't look so bewildered.
But I digress. What's really bewildering is the American League being so much better than the National League. You especially could see the A.L.'s dominance this year in interleague play. It was like the Harlem Globetrotters against the Washington Generals, the little league Yankees versus the Bad News Bears (even with Kelly Leak) or Tony Soprano taking on a meatball sub.
It would take someone much smarter than I to give the real reasons for the disparity in baseball. Buster Olney and Ken Rosenthal, two respected writers, believe the spending of the Yankees and Red Sox has forced other teams in the A.L. to try to keep pace. They begin the year with decent-sized payrolls but no realistic chance of getting to the World Series. 1 believe there is some truth to that--just look at the Blue Jays' offseason. The Angels are another good example, as Artie Moreno has dumped millions into player salaries ever since he took the reins in Anaheim--I mean, Los Angeles.
I believe the real reason lies in scouting and player evaluation and development in the minor leagues. Therefore, it is cyclical, and soon the sun will shine on the N.L.
No doubt when A.L. and N.L. teams meet in an A.L. city, the presence of a high-dollar designated hitter in the lineup compared with a low-rent extra from the bench gives the American League a huge advantage. But look at the young guys who populate the rosters of the best teams. The White Sox are the best team in the league, and it was unproven players such as Juan Uribe, Tadahito Iguchi, Joe Crede, Bobby Jenks and Aaron Rowand who won it for them in '05. The Tigers are relying on people nobody had ever heard of before this year--Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Brandon Inge and Chris Shelton.
What is the most impressive piece of the high-priced, defense-minded Red Sox? The kids in the 'pen, led by Cy Young Award and MVP contender Jonathan Papelbon along with Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen. Even the Devil Rays have young studs such as Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford. How about Joe Mauer and Francisco Liriano in Minny?
The hope for the National League? Names such as David Wright, Jose Reyes and Aaron Heilman with the Mets. Matt Holliday with the Rockies and Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur with the Braves. Prince Fielder with the Brewers and Ryan Howard with the Phillies. The entire Marlins roster. Matt Kemp and Russell Martin with the Dodgers and Matt Cain with the Giants. Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright for St. Louis.
It will be a year or two, but the N.L. will be back on top. Until then, odds are, thanks to the All-Star Game format I love, Game 1 of the World Series will feature the designated hitter.
Or I could be wrong and the A.L. will always be better
