BALTIMORE
ORIOLES |
| Grade: |
A- Led wire-to-wire despite major injuries to second baseman Robby Alomar and rightfielder Eric Davis. |
| Good News: |
Outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds (21 HR) proved he's a player. Davis made a remarkable comeback from colon cancer. |
| Bad News: |
Centerfielder Brady Anderson and closer Randy Myers are unsigned for 1998. Look for Anderson to sign a long-term contract, Myers to leave. |
MVP:
|
Myers. Not an overwhelming choice, but he saved 45 games and anchored the league's best bullpen. |
| Needed for '98: |
Another starting pitcher. |
NEW YORK
YANKEES |
| Grade: |
B Too many injuries and distractions to catch the
Orioles.
|
| Good News: |
Despite their problems, they enter the playoffs with as
good a chance to win as anyone. |
| Bad News: |
Pitcher Hideki Irabu (5-4, 7.09 ERA, allowed 15 HR in 53
1/3
innings) looks like a $12.8 million
bust. |
MVP:
|
First baseman Tino Martinez became the first player since
Roy Campanella in 1953 to drive in 40 runs in his first 30
games. Martinez hit 44 homers, most by a Yankee since Roger Maris
(61) and Mickey Mantle
(54) in '61.
|
| Needed for '98: |
An everyday left fielder.
|
DETROIT
TIGERS |
| Grade: |
B+
They were supposed to finish last, with 100 losses.
Instead, they finished 79-83 record, good for third place.
Buddy Bell is a candidate for manager of the
year.
|
| Good News: |
Righthander Willie Blair, beaned by a line drive in May,
won 16
games. |
| Bad News: |
Five Tigers—Tony Clark, Travis Fryman, Brian Hunter,
Melvin Nieves and Damion Easley—struck out more than 100
times this
year. |
MVP:
|
First baseman Tony
Clark—30+ homers, 100+ RBIs, great attitude, good
guy.
|
| Needed for '98: |
Two more starting
pitchers.
|
BOSTON RED
SOX |
| Grade: |
C
It's not easy to hit over .290 as a team and finish below
.500.
|
| Good News: |
Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (.306, 30 HR, 98 RBI, 22
steals) became a monster player in his first
year. |
| Bad News: |
Next year is Mo Vaughn's last in Boston, then he's
promised to test the free-agent market. That is, unless the
Red Sox trade him
first. |
MVP:
|
Garciaparra. What, you were expecting Wil
Cordero? |
| Needed for '98: |
Three more
pitchers.
|
TORONTO BLUE
JAYS |
| Grade: |
D
Supposedly a contender, the Jays finished last because, as
many knew, they can't
hit.
|
| Good News: |
They stole outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. from the Mariners for
two ordinary
relievers. |
| Bad News: |
After Roger Clemens (21-7, 2.05 ERA and 292 K to win the
pitching Triple
Crown) and Pat Hentgen (15-10, 3.68 ERA, 160 K), the other
starters were
terrible. |
MVP:
|
Clemens. The Rocket will tie a record for most years (six)
between Cy Young
awards.
|
| Needed for '98: |
A new manager. Cito Gaston is gone. More changes will
follow.
|
The season is over, and the grades are in
