Fearless predictions

SI scribes take a stab at what the 2002 season has in store

It's never too early for predictions. Sports Illustrated's three wise men -- Tom Verducci, Jeff Pearlman and Stephen Cannella -- step up to the plate and select their studs and few duds for the upcoming season.

	Tom Verducci	Stephen Cannella	Jeff Pearlman
AL MVP	Jason Giambi, Yankees	Jason Giambi, Yankees	Eric Chavez, A's
NL MVP	Gary Sheffield, Braves	Chipper Jones, Braves	Ryan Klesko, Padres
AL Cy Young	Barry Zito, A's	Mark Mulder, A's	Pedro Martinez, Red Sox
NL Cy Young	Matt Morris, Cardinals	Matt Morris, Cardinals	Shawn Estes, Mets
AL Rookie of the Year	Jon Rauch, White Sox	Carlos Pena, A's	Carlos Pena, A's
NL Rookie of the Year	Josh Beckett, Marlins	Sean Burroughs, Padres	Josh Beckett, Marlins
AL Home Run Leader	Alex Rodriguez, Rangers	Alex Rodriguez, Rangers	Troy Glaus, Angels
NL Home Run Leader	Ken Griffey Jr., Reds	Sammy Sosa, Cubs	Gary Sheffield, Braves
AL Batting Title	Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners	Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox	Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
NL Batting Title	Todd Helton, Rockies	Todd Helton, Rockies	Jose Vidro, Expos
AL Pitching Victories	Mike Mussina, Yankees	Freddy Garcia, Mariners	Tim Hudson, A's
NL Pitching Victories	Russ Ortiz, Giants	Curt Schilling, Diamondbacks	Matt Morris, Cardinals
AL Comeback Player of the Year	Frank Thomas, White Sox	Darin Erstad, Angels	Ryan Rupe, Devil Rays
NL Comeback Player of the Year	Mike Lieberthal, Phillies	Kevin Millwood, Braves	Jeffrey Hammonds, Brewers
AL Most Overrated Player	Raul Mondesi, Blue Jays	Tony Batista, Orioles	Carlos Delgado, Blue Jays
NL Most Overrated Player	Jason Kendall, Pirates	Jason Kendall, Pirates	Craig Biggio, Astros
AL Most Underrated Player	Mike Sweeney, Royals	Keith Foulke, White Sox	Jeff Conine, Orioles
NL Most Underrated Player	Juan Pierre, Rockies	Fernando Vina, Cardinals	Brian Giles, Pirates
AL Breakout Player	Toby Hall, Devil Rays	Eric Chavez, A's	David Ortiz, Twins
NL Breakout Player	J.D. Drew, Cardinals	Adrian Beltre, Dodgers	Adam Dunn, Reds
AL Surprise Team	Angels	Angels	Tigers
NL Surprise Team	Marlins	Marlins	Padres
AL Disappointing Team	Indians	Indians	White Sox
NL Disappointing Team	Mets	Mets	Diamondbacks
AL Manager of the Year	Mike Scioscia, Angels	Ron Gardenhire, Twins	Ron Gardenhire, Twins
NL Manager of the Year	Bruce Bochy, Padres	Jim Tracy, Dodgers	Jim Tracy, Dodgers
First AL Manager Fired	Jerry Narron, Rangers	Buck Martinez, Blue Jays	Tony Muser, Royals
First NL Manager Fired	Bob Boone, Reds	Lloyd McClendon, Pirates	Davey Lopes, Brewers
AL Division Winners	Yankees, White Sox, Mariners	Yankees, Twins, Mariners	Yankees, Twins, A's
NL Division Winners	Braves, Cardinals, Diamondbacks	Phillies, Cardinals, Diamondbacks	Mets, Cardinals, Dodgers
AL Wild Card	A's	A's	Angels
NL Wild Card	Astros	Braves	Braves
ALCS	Yankees over White Sox	Yankees over Mariners	Twins over A's
NLCS	Cardinals over Astros	Cardinals over Diamondbacks	Mets over Braves
World Series	Yankees over Cardinals	Yankees over Cardinals	Twins over Mets

 

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