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Baseball returns to a sea of red, white and blue

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	• Storylines • Series to See • Heroes & Bums • Fantasy Fare • Short Hops • Yogi-isms • Peanut Gallery

By Lonny Krasnow, CNNSI.com

The American flags were everywhere. There were moments of silence and renditions of God Bless America. There was plenty of emotion, and once again, there was baseball.

A sea of red, white and blue, solitude and song marked the return of major league baseball Monday night after a six-day hiatus due to terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Other than player strikes, it was the longest regular-season stoppage since World War I forced the cancellation of the final month of the 1918 season. For some the layoff was too long. For others, it wasn't nearly long enough.

In time, the emotions will diminish and the game will return to normal. Pregame talk will be of the playoff chase, not the search for terrorists. How long it takes for baseball to return to the forefront is anybody's guess.

So where were we? The American League returns from the hiatus with playoff teams basically determined, but the National League is another matter with eight teams competing for four playoff spots. Play ball!

Stars and stripes Beginning Monday, all players will wear American flags on the back of their uniforms and miniature flags will be distributed to fans, who will be asked to sing God Bless America along with The Star Spangled Banner. Ballparks tighten security To ensure the safety of fans, coolers and backpacks will be banned from stadiums and all bags will be inspected, but there will be no metal detectors or more drastic measures. A cinch to clinch With all the drama in the NL, the AL powers will try to reduce their magic numbers -- Mariners (3), Yankees (8), A's (9) and Indians (13) -- and begin to set up their postseason rotations. Back in the swing How will the six-day layoff affect Barry Bonds' record pursuit? Bonds hit just one homer in six games following the All-Star break. He needs eight homers in the Giants' final 18 games to break Mark McGwire's record of 70. Rocket science Roger Clemens, who has won his last 15 decisions, can become a six-time 20-game winner this week. A victory Wednesday night will also make Clemens the first pitcher to start a season 20-1. Farewell tours The revised schedule will permit Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn to end their careers at home. That's great, unless you paid $2,000 for a ticket to Yankee Stadium on Sept. 30, which was supposed to be Ripken's finale.

Atlanta at Philadelphia, Monday-Thursday Baseball returns to one of the nation's most patriotic cities for a series that could help determine the NL East race. Seven more head-to-head meetings. San Francisco at Houston, Tuesday-Thursday In a possible playoff preview, Barry Bonds resumes his chase for Mark McGwire's record of 70 home runs. The Astros have won 17 of 23 games. Seattle at Anaheim, Tuesday-Thursday The mighty Mariners can wrap up the AL West at Safeco Field this week, though their celebration will be much more subdued than expected. Cleveland at Minnesota, Friday-Sunday Last call for the Twins, who enter the week six games behind the Indians. Cleveland has taken 10 of 13 meetings, outscoring the Twins 89-53.

Hero: Bud Selig The commissioner has bad eyes and can't handle the high-inside fastball, but he hit a home run with his decision to postpone last weekend's games. Bum: Carl Everett The soap opera continues in Boston. Everett was suspended four games and fined Monday, one day after a run-in with manager Joe Kerrigan. Hero: Albert Pujols What a phenomenal rookie season. The Cardinals MVP is a lock to become the eighth rookie to hit at least .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs. Bum: Pedro Astacio The Astros gave up two former No. 1 draft picks to acquire Astacio. Now it appears he's done for the season because of a partial tear in his shoulder.

With three weeks left in the season, every at-bat is important if you have a chance to finish in the money. Don't be the guy who loses your league by three RBIs or two strikeouts. A few names to consider for the stretch drive: Terry Adams is 10-4 with a 4.12 ERA as a starter and should get five more starts with the Dodgers going to a four-man rotation. ... White Sox shortstop Royce Clayton is hitting .341 since the All-Star break. ... Toronto's Chris Carpenter has put together four strong starts. See if he's available. ... In Milwaukee, Luis Lopez will get lots of playing time with Tyler Houston out for the season. ... Arizona's Bobby Witt has been effective since coming off the disabled list. If you're desperate for a starter, he might be worth the risk. Check out Fantasy Central for more insight and analysis.

The Florida Marlins have lost 21 games in their opponents' last at bat. The Philadelphia Phillies' rookie trio of Dave Coggin, Nelson Figueroa and Brandon Duckworth are winless since Aug. 14. Barry Bonds, Luis Gonzalez and Sammy Sosa are on pace to become the 10th, 11th and 12th players with 100 extra-base hits in a season. The latest any World Series has been played was Oct. 28: In 1981, because the midseason players strike extended the season, and also in 1989, when an earthquake in San Francisco delayed the third game 11 days. Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling are within 26 strikeouts of breaking the all-time record for strikeouts by two teammates. Nolan Ryan and Bill Singer combined to fan 624 batters in 1973 for the California Angels. Pedro Martinez is winless in his last seven starts, dating back to his May 30 victory over the Yankees when he said, "I don't believe in curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass."

Our tribute to the banter of baseball "Everyone's been shaken to the core. Baseball is a great sport, it's fun, it's entertaining, it provides a service to society. But in the grand scheme of things, it's very minuscule. When you're thinking about what's happened, you don't really get too energized about baseball."   -- Orioles third baseman Cal Ripken Jr.

If Barry Bonds finishes the season with 70-plus homers, 140 RBIs and an on-base percentage around .500, is his the greatest individual season of all-time? If not, who holds that distinction?

No. Sosa and Gonzalez will get 60, and several others could get 50. Babe Ruth hit 60 when entire teams didn't hit 60. Trenton Roth, Rockford, Ill. Mickey Mantle's Triple Crown season in 1957 (.353-52-130). NO live ball, NO watered down pitching, NO steroids, NO Coors Field. Ray Hargat, Plymouth, Mass. Bonds is the man. And he also has a good chance of setting the single-season records for walks and slugging percentage. Gabriel Smith, Atwater, Calif. Lou Gehrig's 1927 season was the greatest season ever on the best team ever: .373-47-175 with 218 hits, 52 doubles, 18 triples and 149 runs. Matt Soliday, Mansfield, Ohio One would think a 39-year-old pitcher going 19-1 (Roger Clemens) would be a pretty remarkable individual season. With elbow pads, maple bats and weak NL pitching, Bonds has had more than enough advantages while pitching is still the hardest job in baseball. Matt Capetan, New York Babe Ruth in 1921 (.378, 177 runs, 204 hits, 59 homers, 171 RBIs, .512 on-base percentage and.846 slugging percentage) -- in the Dead Ball Era! John Baker, Anchorage, Alaska It's RBIs that win games; Hack Wilson's .356-56-191 season for the Cubs in 1930 was the best of all time. Ben Capoeman, Vancouver, B.C. Without a doubt this is the greatest individual season. Now, if he would only run out routine grounders. Scott Helt, Hallstead, Pa.

This week's topic: Which team will be most adversely affected by major league baseball's revised schedule? Or, which team benefits most?

Your name: Your e-mail address: Your hometown: Your take here (in 25 words or less)

 

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