Would you believe the Yankees open the season at No. 1?
Posted: Monday March 25, 2002 7:43 PM
Be afraid, be very afraid: The addition of Jason Giambi gives the Yankees their most feared slugger since Reggie Jackson. M. David Leeds/Getty Images
By Dan George, CNNSI.com
So where were we?
Oh, yeah. The Seattle Mariners, en route to a record-tying 116 victories, were solidly entrenched atop the final 2001 Power Rankings. We were remarking how vulnerable the New York Yankees looked. And the biggest question with the Arizona Diamondbacks was whether Albie Lopez would actually lose 20 games.
Amazing how much things can change from the end of September to -- well, in this case early November -- isn't it?
And they hardly stopped there.
How about Bud Selig, in a New Coke-style PR move, trying to abort the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins, then backing off as the lawsuits started to stack up. (Hey, we know Bud would come in well under 1600 on the SATs, but how could he forget that this is America, where an unpleasant smell in a small room can send personal injury lawyers scrambling to the courthouse?)
How about George Steinbrenner -- the nerve of those Diamondbacks, winning the World Series! -- doing just about everything in his shameless pursuit of Jason Giambi except formally proposing on the Yankee Stadium scoreboard?
How about the Boston Red Sox being bought by a group headed by John Henry (for $40 million less than the highest bid), who had to sell his share in the Marlins, which were bought by Jeffrey Loria, who had to sell the Expos to Major League Baseball?
How about ... well, you get the picture.
At any rate, it's a new season and we're ready to do it all again. (Well, maybe not Dan Duquette.) So without further ado, the first Power Rankings of 2002:
CNNSI.com's Power Rankings
Rank
LW
Team
1
NR
New York Yankees Last year's record: 95-65
OK, they've had few ouchies this spring. But with Giambi, Wells and White, you'll excuse us if we save our sympathy for someone else. Like maybe Ruben Rivera's agent.
2
NR
Seattle Mariners Last year's record: 116-46 Jeff Cirillo may not be the upgrade a lot of people think at third and it's hard to get excited about 36-year-old Ruben Sierra in left field. But Ichiro and that pitching make up for a lot of shortcomings.
St. Louis Cardinals Last year's record: 93-69
Remember how Mark McGwire and Jim Edmonds found new leases on life beneath the Arch? Look for more of the same from ex-Yankee Tino Martinez.
Atlanta Braves Last year's record: 88-74 Gary Sheffield's positive attitude is the talk of Orlando. We'd probably feel a little bit better if everyone didn't sound so surprised.
Houston Astros Last year's record: 93-69
We know spring training stats mean little, but their 15-7 Grapefruit League mark indicates they're on the same page with new manager Jimy Williams. A nice change for everyone involved.
San Francisco Giants Last year's record: 90-72
Forget that magazine commercial. Jeff Kent should be talking to Harley-Davidson. Of course, they might prefer someone who can actually stay on one.
11
NR
Cleveland Indians Last year's record: 91-71
Suddenly, the everyday lineup looks a little creaky. And the pitching, unless Chuck Finley bounces back, seems awfully young. No wonder the White Sox and Twins think they hear a door opening.
12
NR
Minnesota Twins Last year's record: 85-77
How many new Twins fans do you think Bud Selig created over the winter?
13
NR
Boston Red Sox Last year's record: 82-79
We'll miss Dan Duquette, if for no other reason than pure entertainment value. But, these being the Red Sox, we're confident someone will step in to fill the void.
14
NR
Los Angeles Dodgers Last year's record: 86-76
If we were Jim Tracy and had all the injuries he had to deal with last season, we'd find Kevin Brown's tender elbow a really disturbing sign this spring.
15
NR
Chicago Cubs Last year's record: 88-74
If Don Baylor ever writes a horror novel, we've got his title: The Shoulder Surgeon Who Loved Tom Gordon.
16
NR
Philadelphia Phillies Last year's record: 86-76
We're still in spring training and Larry Bowa has already been suspended. Who says you can't depend on anything any more?
17
NR
Texas Rangers Last year's record: 73-89
Rookie third baseman Hank Blalock has been compared to George Brett so often, the Royals' Hall of Famer should get a cut of his bonus.
Toronto Blue Jays Last year's record: 80-82
Youngsters like third baseman Eric Hinske, shortstop Felipe Lopez and outfielder Vernon Wells have fans talking. Although not as much as recently demoted second baseman Orlando Hudson and his comments about GM J.P. Ricciardi looking "like a pimp."
21
NR
Colorado Rockies Last year's record: 73-89 Mike Hampton's poor spring has got to make the powers that be nervous as Opening Day -- and Coors Field -- draw ever closer.
22
NR
Florida Marlins Last year's record: 76-86
Lots of potential here, although we'd feel a lot better if the gang that did such a swell job in Montreal weren't running the show.
23
NR
Detroit Tigers Last year's record: 66-96
It may not be obvious, but things are definitely on the upswing -- if only because Dave Dombrowski is in charge now, not Randy Smith.
Milwaukee Brewers Last year's record: 68-94
They fired hitting coach Rod Carew after striking out a major-league record 1,399 times. Problem is, Jose Hernandez (185 K's) and Richie Sexson (178) are still around.
26
NR
Kansas City Royals Last year's record: 65-97
A week before the season begins, and they're suggesting Mike Sweeney -- the franchise -- could be traded. Way to pump up those Opening Day ticket sales, guys.
27
NR
Baltimore Orioles Last year's record: 63-98
The encouraging thing is they've finally said good-bye to longtime O's Cal Ripken and Brady Anderson. Less encouraging is that Chris Singleton is the best guy they've said hello to.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays Last year's record: 62-100
Some solid talent on the horizon, but Josh Hamilton's lingering back problems are becoming more and more worrisome.
30
NR
Montreal Expos Last year's record: 68-94
Dead franchise walking.
Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.
