Opening Day is like the first day of school for most ballplayers.
Their facial hair is neatly trimmed, their jerseys are sparkling and the brim of their hats are still getting the curve shape worked into it (unless you’re Dontrelle Willis).
The New York Yankees are no longer the easy choice for World Series Champions — not after the Red Sox have two in the last four years — and the Philadelphia Phillies might actually be pretty good.
When the clock strikes 1 p.m. today, you can look forward to entertaining television until mid-October. No writer’s strike will interrupt this programming.
With the season scheduled to start in about an hour, here are my fearless predictions for the upcoming season:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East: Boston Red Sox – The Sox are no longer looking up at the Yankees.
Central: Detoit Tigers – This is as scary a lineup as the Yankees had a few years back.
West: Anaheim Angels – Vlad, Tori Hunter and Garrett Anderson make up a GREAT outfield.
Wild Card: Cleveland Indians – I really like the Indians and actually feel bad about putting them here. Offensively and defensively Detroit is better though. As for New York, not this year.
MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
CY Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit
Rookie Of The Year: Joba Chamberlain, New York
Manager Of The Year: Jim Leyland, Detroit
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East: New York Mets – Willie Randolph is under way too much pressure to lose the East to a young Atlanta Braves club.
Central: Chicago Cubs – They will regret not adding Brian Roberts to the top of their order.
West: Los Angeles Dodgers – You have to love Joe Torre’s chances anywhere he goes.
Wild Card: Arizona Diamondbacks - They’re good, young and I’d love to pick them over Los Angeles, but I just don’t think it will happen.
MVP: David Wright, New York
CY Young: Carlos Zambrano, Chicago
Rookie Of The Year: Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago
Manager Of The Year: Joe Torre, Los Angeles
Playoffs & World Series:
Detroit Tigers over Anaheim Angels
Boston Red Sox over Cleveland Indians
Chicago Cubs over Los Angeles Dodgers
New York Mets over Arizona Diamondbacks
New York Mets over Arizona Diamondbacks in World Series