And people say Leyland's one world championship was in the way past.

It is coming up nearly 30 years since Davey won a world championship. :)

If the Old Coot can do it, he'll find a way.

Double digits seem to be a given. I already have the margin down to eight, just cause of the history.

No 13 game winning streak, no breakaway from the pack. No breakaway, always a chance to blow it.

Given a chance, I'll play the smart money. Better hope the division is as weak as it appears to be.

Tigers win by 13 games. I think they're a far better team this year than last.

I might have missed it down here but I didn't see anything about Lannan wanting to leave until they dumped him.

I do agree that JL is (for me) too much of a "player's coach". Although in some instances I don't know that the problem doesn't start somewhere above him.

I do think that he has the authority to make the lineup as he wants it, and I think he will make a mess of the DL situation this year, trying "not to offend" certain players (3 or 4) with this "authority"

we shall see

as with most, you are expecting to see what you did last year repeat itself

it may, it may not

we lead by 10 on Fathers Day, I'll be impressed and surprised.

The Royals improved themselves but not vastly.

The Indians improved themselves but not vastly.

The Sox dropped big time.

The Twins stayed in neutral.

Hence why I like our chances.

<Lannan>

three days ago, named the 5th. Today, he gotta go. Something going on behind the scenes. I gotta figure it is manage/player, and if the player is marginal he is too much a distraction to the team.

<JL>

As you so well stated, not so good.

<I can't wait>

to see who's gonna go get the Bus.

They are warming up the engines as we speak.

I thought predictions of a 30- 5 start were a little optimistic.

I don't know if you noticed the other post but, for what it's worth, Lannan and Mr Rick seem to have about the same level of capabilities.

Davey Johnson............

Like the style or not, he's a combative guy. Good & bad. Johnson has drawn the ire of a few of his former employers.

Cincinnati he quarreled with a lot of people including front office. Similar issues in Baltimore. While there are no known issues of problems with the Dodgers, Johnson was gone by season two after finishing 2nd. Sounds like he burns bridges wherever he goes. Going to be very interesting with a young squad this year though.

If he gets stubborn with the wrong people and the players don't respond to him, he might be out of a job after the season is over and the Nats lose 90 games, thus blaming your prediction on the meds. :)

Just had to say that last part for a laugh.

<pennants/WS wins>

JL...2/1
DJ...1/1

W/L pct. Old Coot, just over 500. Johnson, .561

Average teams finish

Leyland 3rd place. Davey 2nd.

<one year contract>

Better hope we're not wishing Johnson would happen to be available next year. He won't be.

The other one will be, if he don't do what everyone expects.

<other options>

Everyone always wanted Valentine, or maybe wait for Franconia. I always wanted Johnson. You think that I have other motives to like the Natinals. For me, it starts with the manager.

I see his daughter died a few years ago.

It'll change a guy. Base wise, I'd bet his perspective is better. Old habits die hard though, so it's probably a very good mix of both styles.

I'm thoroughly convinced if he can get enough out of the boys, he'll win this division. I am hopeful they can survive (and not blow games) while Storen is out. Then hope he returns well. Ramos has every chance of being better than Avila.

I also like two guys we should have went after (first Wilson, then Gio) are on the two teams that I believe have very good chance to make the World Series. The fact I noticed this after I made my picks, makes me even more convinced that it is very possible it happens.

<six pack>

"....I like your thoughts, all but Duncan"

Look at the 162 game averages at the bottom of the hitting stats.

<http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/duncash01.shtml>

First time as a regular. If he is one, should play in 120+.

<potential>

Of a breakout.

He must first reach at least 360 ABs on the season, then if he does.....

He must hit 18 HRs
He must plate 77 RBI
He must hit .255

Would you consider that a breakout season ???
Will ya risk a cold one that he can't do it ???

Couple hrs till first pitch (for the Wahoo's)....any opinion on the Shelly D Beer wager ???

If ya don't like it, submit a proposal for a possible 6th sudsy beverage.

I have no idea why you think Gordon Beckham is going to breakout. He stinks.

Same thing to you about Shelly Duncan. Really? Shelly Duncan?

I'd sooner bet Victoria Beckham becomes a breakout star for the White Sox.

I'd break her out of her underpants, fo sho.

I don't think Johnson will be much of an upgrade. Plus, his days in LA where there was talent, he did not have great years.

How I look at it is offensively, I think this team is incredibly thin. Outfield looks awful including Werth with Storen out and I will think it will be hard pressed for Storen to repeat last yaer. I think on the infield you have Zimmerman, LaRoche, and Espinoza.

Pitching wise they should be pretty strong, I'll adhere to that. But Washington and what makes the NL East so wide open has a very weak lineup right now. I'd still put the Braves offense ahead of them and 1 game notwithstanding, Florida's offense is better as well.

I put them on the similar road to Philadelphia's offense.

Wait til next year for your adopted NL team.

<He must hit 18 HRs
He must plate 77 RBI
He must hit .255

Would you consider that a breakout season ???>

I don't think with those other two numbers 77 RBI is feasible. If you said Duncan hitting .285, 18, 77, then yes, I'd consider it.

But no, I wouldn't.

People laughed at me for saying Choo would bust last year.

And he did.