Around the Horn

Predictions for the 2003 season

[Editor's Note: This column was received April 14, two weeks into the season. The division leaders at this time were Montreal, Houston, San Francisco, New York Yankees, Kansas City, and Oakland.]

So we made it through the Iraq war in less than a month, and Tampa Bay has a world championship team. Boy if you were to bet on either one of those last year at this time you would own the casino. Last year the Phils dumped big time, and even more of a surprise the Angels were truly in the outfield.

The National League
Well with the acquisitions of Thome, Bell, Millwood, and newcomer Bret Myers, the Frightens are a formidable foe for any team in the best division in baseball: the NL East. I like the Phils and the Mets this year to finish 1 and 2. The Slaves/ Braves look old, too old to contend. Even though the Expos and Marlins will be tough with some promising young talent, the dog days of August will end their seasons by Labor Day.

In the Central the Running Redbirds look to rebound over last year's debacle in the playoffs. The Astros/ Stros, and Cubs/ Drubs and Bucs will also be there till the end in the second strongest division in baseball.

In the West I see a true emergence of the Dodgers, that's right the Dodgers to finish first. With the Diamondbacks and Giants fighting till the end. The one two punch of Johnson and Schilling are now officially old. The Giants are still heartbroken from last year's series loss to the Angels. I know I'm setting myself up for a big letdown when Marty looks at this in October, but that's the beauty of it all, Marty wins sometimes and I win most of the time.

The American League
Since the Crankees win the AL every year and have a payroll bigger then the state of Arkansas, who cares? In a league where the pitcher doesn't bat there will be no write up this year for the diaper league.