March 2012 DigiMag

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2012 MLB PREVIEW CLOSEUPS, EDITORIALS, DIVISION PREVIEWS AND SPORTS SPECTRUM TOP 10’s TO PREPARE FOR THE SEASON

W W W. S P O R T S S P E C T R U M . C O M

AIRING IT OUT: Our responsibility

Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton’s relapse raises questions about forgiveness, prayer and restoration.

BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

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CONTENTS FEATURES

SPORTS YAPP: Clayton Kershaw

Major League Baseball’s 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw talks about his new book and the upcoming season on the Sports Spectrum podcast. BY BRYCE JOHNSON

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REVIEW: MLB The Show

Sports Spectrum staff writer Aaron May reviews the latest MLB The Show video game, gaging it’s authenticity to the sport. BY AARON MAY PROVIDED BY AARON MAY

/ GETTY IMAGES

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CLOSEUPS

Quotes of faith from Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Washington Nationals reliever Brad Lidge, and New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.

KEVIN MAZUR / GETTY IMAGES

CAPSULES

Prepare for the upcoming MLB season by reading in-depth analysis and predictions for every team in the league.

BY BRETT HONEYCUTT AND AARON MAY

TOP TENS

Find out who we believe are this year’s top acquisitions, hitters, pitchers, relievers, young players, most interesting people, and top Christians to watch.

BY BRETT HONEYCUTT AND AARON MAY

OLD SCHOOL: Playoffs, PEDs and alcohol (do not mix)

What are this year’s top storylines entering the 2012 MLB season? Playoffs, Ryan Braun and alcohol. BY AAON MAY

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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AIRING IT OUT

BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

Our responsibility

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it’s like what (my wife) Katie says: ‘He can do all things and He does it in a perfect way.’ I can’t comprehend or think about what God is doing. All I can do is open my heart and try to listen.”

And later that year in his autobiography, Beyond Belief, he wrote, “Without Jesus. I would have been dead long

ago.”

Last fall, when talking to us about his relapse in 2009, he owned up to his mistake and admitted that the incident happened because “for three weeks I had stopped praying. I stopped fellowshipping with my accountability partner, and I stopped doing my devotions. Only for three weeks. I thought I could have just one drink, and I ended up right back where I had been.”

It was similar to what he said at the press conference after the relapse in

February.

He confessed, as I John 1:9 says to do, and God cleansed him from all unrighteousness (as that verse also says).

It is God’s promise, so we know it’s true.

So, where does all of that leave us as believers?

It should be simple, but it’s complicated because we’re fallen, too.

We have the choice to pile it on like others have and call him a hypocrite, or worse, question his Christianity. Or we can remember that God forgave David, Solomon, Peter, and others who have done similar things or worse.

How do we know that?

Because we have a guideline, and that guideline is scripture, specifically Galatians 6:1, which gives us the warning to restore gently.

Because if we don’t do that, Galatians says we could be tempted in the same way (even if we don’t struggle in that area).

The rest of that passage, Galatians 6:2-5, is worth reading, as well: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”

Our lesson? To restore, or pray for restoration, and forgive. If not, we have missed the entire point of Christ’s death on the cross, which gave us redemption, restoration and forgiveness despite our sin.

AARON MAY / SPORTS SPECTRUM

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Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 When we fall, we learn a lot about ourselves.

When others fall, we learn even more about ourselves because of how we treat the fallen —and most of the time what we learn in that moment, and through our actions, is just as bad, or worse, than what we learned when we fell.

The truth is often hard to deal with—especially when it deals with us.

It is a reminder about how we, as Christians, should deal with Josh Hamilton.

Every baseball fan knows about the much-publicized struggles of Hamilton, the can’t-miss baseball prospect who scouts drooled over and whose pro career was derailed and wrecked by drugs and alcohol in 2002 while he was in the minors and just three years after being the No. 1 overall choice (out of high school) in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft.

Fans had read how Hamilton’s life was consumed with drugs and alcohol from 2001-2006 (despite having a pristine reputation in high school and never consuming either), and they knew about his comeback in 2007 (after getting clean) with the Cincinnati Reds when he finally reached the majors.

They read about the slip up in 2009 when he was caught drinking at a bar and had photos taken with women, and they heard about the recent relapse with alcohol in February.

Fans also had read that he proclaimed to be a Christian, and not just an I-goto-church-on-Sunday-type-of-Christian, but a Christian whose heart follows after Christ.

When he appeared on the cover of Sports Spectrum in 2008, he said, “Just surrendering and letting God take over,

Brett Honeycutt is the managing editor of Sports Spectrum magazine. Follow him on Twitter: @Brett_Honeycutt

SPORTS YAPP

BY BRYCE JOHNSON Every week Bryce Johnson is joined on Sports Spectrum’s official podcast, SPORTS YAPP, by inspiring guests to discuss sports, faith and life. Listen to the full audio of all his interviews on sportsyapp.com. Below are some highlights from Bryce’s interview with 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw.

Bryce Johnson is the host of “SPORTS YAPP,” the official podcast of Sports Spectrum

BRYCE JOHNSON: How was the offeseason for you?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: It was good. We were at home for as much as we could be. The great part about winning the Cy Young is you get to do some cool award banquets and dinners. Then we got to get back to Africa this year, too. I also have a good group of guys back home in Dallas, and I like to hang out with them.

BRYCE JOHNSON: What’s it like being a star and hanging out with your buddies?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: They don’t care if I play baseball or not. They are just my friends. We can still hang out just like old times, like high school days. So it’s good.

BRYCE JOHNSON: You mentioned going back to Africa. What was the experience like this time?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: It was great. We got to work with kids—almost like a Vacation Bible School—pretty much playing with the kids. We had 200 kids in there, and each of us had a group, and we just kind of worked with them, had fun with them, played with them, and tried to teach them about the Gospel and share the good news with them and try to give them some hope. They end up teaching you so much because we are so blessed here in America, and we aren’t always happy about it. We think we always need more and more to be happy. But you go over there, and these kids just have their basic needs, if that. They are just so happy and joyful with a soccer ball made of paper towels or something. They are just happy. It definitely puts things into perspective.

BRYCE JOHNSON: How does it affect you when you get back into your routine here?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: It’s not always easy coming back just because you see all the excess we have, and it’s somewhat sad at times because we know we have all these resources. The way I

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try to look at it is this: we have been blessed so much, and since we have that responsibility, we have to give back to others. We didn’t do anything to deserve what we have. We should give back when we can. Those kids definitely remind me of that.

BRYCE JOHNSON: When did you start walking with the Lord?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: I always called myself a Christian, but I didn’t always know what that meant, and I just kind of did it because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. Not until my junior or senior year of high school did I start trying to make my walk with the Lord my own. That was when I really started thinking about it and tried to invest my time in having a relationship with God. From there, this whole baseball thing came into play, and I realized what a blessing that was and how I didn’t really deserve any of that, but God has blessed me with that. It’s been a constant communication with God since my junior or senior year of high school.

From there just having the right people around me, especially Ellen (wife), who keep me walking and accountable with the Lord.

BRYCE JOHNSON: You started dating your wife in high school, and now you’ve been married for over a year.

How’s the married life?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: It’s been great.

Marriage has been awesome. Ellen is great obviously and she’s out here right now at spring training with me. It’s just nice to have her at the end of the day to come home to. Obviously she’s great either way. She doesn’t care a whole lot about if I play well or if I don’t play well. She’s always there to tell me that I did great no matter what, so that’s always nice to have at the end of the day.

BRYCE JOHNSON: You wrote a new book with Ellen, entitled Arise, all about your life and time in Africa. I think it’s important that you are young and giving back, so how can that be an encouragement to others too?

CLAYTON KERSHAW: It doesn’t really matter what age you are. You don’t have to have your life figured out or have a steady job or earn “x” amount of money to start giving back. You can be a high school student, just whatever sphere of influence you surround yourself with or whatever circle you run with, there’s always somebody that needs help somewhere. That’s kind of the whole point of the book. It doesn’t matter what age you are to start making a difference.

Bryce’s Best: TOP 5 BASEBALL MOVIES 1) Rookie of the Year

2) The Sandlot

4) The Rookie

3) Little Big League

5) Angels in the Outfield

VIDEO GAME REVIEW B Y A A R O N M AY

The Show: A realistic baseball experience

Pitcher vs. Hitter The key to making a realistic-feeling baseball experience is getting the battle of the pitcher and the batter right. With The Show, there is a multitude of options.

This year Sony has added the new pitching pulse meter. You pick the pitch you want to throw, and a small pulsating circle pops up—shrinking and expanding—all while you must try and press “x” when the circle is the smallest in order to throw the most accurate pitch.

In addition to this control mechanic, you have the classic pitching meter, which surprisingly, uses a meter to control the accuracy of a pitch. Pure analog pitching incorporates the right stick on your controller to affect accuracy and a give you more simplified pitching control. All you have to do is simply pick your pitch and aim it—no timing involved for accuracy.

When you are hitting, you also have a plethora of control mechanics to try.

Simple timing involves pressing “x” to swing when the pitch comes in. Zone hitting works by pressing “square” for a power swing, “x” for a normal swing, or “circle” for a contact swing while using the left stick to place the bat on the ball. Pure analog hitting involves pulling back on the right stick to start your swing and pushing forward on the

stick to complete the swing. The newest addition to the hitting mechanics is pure analog plus zone hitting, which is a combination of the pure analog and zone hitting.

With all these options, it could be overwhelming to a new player. But if you experiment enough, you should be able to find a combination to your liking. Any of these control mechanics work pretty well and make the battle between the pitcher and batter feel realistic and fun.

A Season of Games Having a good franchise mode is key to having a sports game that gamers can play over and over again. There’s nothing more fun than getting to take your favorite team through a season or multiple seasons. The Show has a franchise mode, and you can make trades, sign free agents, move players throughout the minor leagues, sign TV deals, purchase stadium upgrades, go through spring training, and, oh yeah, play games.

And then there’s the “Road to the Show” mode. You create a player and take him through the ranks of the minor leagues, working your way up to the bigs and becoming the next great baseball legend. The better you perform, the more points you get to upgrade your player. You are rewarded for hits, home runs, steals, turning double plays, throwing to the correct base, and many other situations. It’s a highly addictive mode, as you can choose to only play the plays your player is involved in, and you can get though a game in about seven minutes. Because of that, you’ll find yourself playing many games in a row.

Show on the Go By far the coolest feature of this year’s game, though, is the ability to upload your franchise or “Road to the Show” save file to a PlayStation cloud from your PS3 and download that file to MLB 12 The Show for PlayStation Vita. That’s right, you can now play your season on the go! The great thing about the recently released Vita is the power of the little handheld device. The PS Vita has a 5-inch OLED screen and

is almost as powerful as the PS3 at the fraction of its size. The Show on Vita is almost a replica of the PS3 version. The graphics and gameplay are very close, with only a few shortcuts being taken, like the dynamic broadcast presentation being cut down and a slightly pixelated crowd. The frame rate is also a little bit slower, something I hope they fix for MLB 13.

One problem with this feature is the fact that you will have to buy a Vita, a Vita memory card, and a copy of the Vita version of The Show, which will run you about $300 or so. A pretty expensive feature if you want The Show on the go.

Batting Ninth...

For all of the love, I do have some complaints. The broadcast booth team of Matt Vasgersian, Dave Campbell, and Eric Karros have become a little stale. I would love to see them change up the announcers next year, just to give The Show a fresh coat of paint. Bob Costas and Harold Reynolds would be nice.

Also, the franchise mode has been relatively unchanged ever since the game came to PS3. It’s a good mode, but it would be nice to see updates in franchise mode next year, maybe the ability to start an expansion franchise or the ability to build a new stadium.

Overall, The Show is a great purchase and a fun simulation of America’s favorite past time. It’s the closest thing to playing with a real bat and ball.

AARON MAY / SPORTS SPECTRUM

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aseball is a game of inches and minor details, and that’s where Sony’s The Show video game does so many things right. Authentic batting stances and unique pitching motions? Check. Three-man broadcast group? Check. Television broadcast details like camera angles and graphics?

Check. Brian Wilson’s epic beard? Check.

Aquarium in the backstop of the new Marlins Park? Check.

And this year, the folks at Sony rebuilt the ball physics engine to give the baseball much more realistic movement—as the ball will skip off bases, carom off of walls, and slow down in the grass.

All of these little things and more add up to a realistic-looking baseball experience. But a pretty picture doesn’t mean a good game; you still need good gameplay mechanics, and thankfully, The Show has that as well.

Aaron May is a staff writer is and videographer for Sports Spectrum. You can catch his weekly columns on college football, college basketball, and Major League Baseball, depending on the season, each week at SportsSpectrum.com.

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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MLB PROFILE CLOSEUP

Adrian Gonzalez “I know that, once I put in all the effort and the time into my work, the results are up to Him and I can’t really control what happens to me on the field. God controls that. I just try to do the best I can every day I come to the ballpark and, at the end of the day, if my relationship with Christ is good, then I’m good. I don’t really care about statistical numbers because God controls that.”

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MLB PROFILE CLOSEUP

Brad Lidge “Baseball has never been the most important thing in the world to me and it never will be. My family, my God—Jesus Christ—are the most important things in the world, so important to me that I have a strong desire for the second part of my life to get started.”

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

Mark Teixeira “Everything I have is from God. It’s not my doing. I’ve been given a gift, just like we’re all given gifts from God. He expects us to use them to the best of our ability. So that’s why I work hard, and that’s why I don’t take anything for granted, because I know that God gave me this gift, and I just want to play for His glory.”

RICH PILLING / GETTY IMAGES

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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AMERICAN LEAG NEW YORK YANKEES 2011 Record: 97-65 Playoff Results: Lost best-of-5 AL Division Series (3-2) to the Detroit Tigers, who lost in the AL Championship Series to the Texas Rangers.

Last World Series Appearance: 2009, which they won for their 27th World Series title in 40 appearances (both are Major League Baseball records).

Christians to watch on the team: Mariano Rivera, RP; Mark Teixeira, 1B; Joe Girardi, Mgr. Outlook: The Bronx Bombers always hit well, but last year their pitching rotation really struggled. The Yankees may have solved their pitching woes by dumping the consistently inconsistent A.J. Burnett off on the Pirates and trading catching prospect Jesus Montero to Seattle for starting pitcher Michael Pineda (173 Ks in 2011). The Yankees also signed innings eater Hiroki Kuroda to solidify the rotation.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 1st AL East(99-63)

EAST

BOSTON RED SOX 2011 Record: 90-72 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2007, which they won for their seventh World Series title in 11 appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Daniel Bard, P; Adrian Gonzalez, INF. Outlook: Bobby Valentine is the new sheriff in town so there will be no more drinking in the clubhouse, before, during, or after games.

The clubhouse is losing leadership in Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek because of retirement, and guys like Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis will need to step in and fill the void. The Red Sox are very talented and as long as they keep a good attitude towards the manager’s ways, they should have a good season.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 2nd AL East, AL Wild Card (95-67) TAMPA BAY RAYS 2011 Record: 91-71 Playoff Results: Lost best-of 5 AL Division Series (3-1) to the Texas Rangers, who finished runner-up in the World Series.

Last World Series Appearance: 2008, which they lost (their only appearance).

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Christians to watch on the team: Carlos Pena, INF; Luke Scott, OF; Ben Zobrist, OF; Matt Joyce, DH. Outlook: Fireballers David Price and rookie Matt Moore will help anchor a strong rotation that includes “Big Game” James Shields, who pitched 11 complete games in 2011, the most in the American League. Carlos Pena is back with the Rays after spending a season with the Cubs and adds a great glove at first base and power in the lineup.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 3rd AL East (93-69) TORONTO BLUE JAYS 2011 Record: 81-81 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1993, which they won for their second straight World Series title in two appearances.

Outlook: Jose Bautista had another big power year in 2011, hitting 43 home runs and knocking in 103 runs and will anchor the Blue Jays offense again this season. The Blue Jays might be a playoff contender in any other division, but when you’re battling the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays every year, it’s just really tough to get there.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 4th AL East (83-79) BALTIMORE ORIOLES 2011 Record: 69-93 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1983, which they won for their third World Series title in seven appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Brad Bergesen, P; Brian Roberts, INF. Outlook: The Orioles only won 69 games last season and did very little to dramatically improve. Orioles fans will likely suffer through their 15th consecutive losing season.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 5th AL East (65-97)

AGUE CAPSULES DETROIT TIGERS 2011 Record: 95-67 Playoff Results: Won best-of-5 AL Division Series (3-2) against the New York Yankees; Lost best-of-7 AL Championship Series (4-2) to the Texas Rangers, who finished runner-up in the World Series.

Last World Series Appearance: 2006, which they lost. They have won four World Series titles (the last in 1984) in 10 appearances.

Christian to watch on the team: Brandon Inge, INF. Outlook: The Tigers lost their big bat in Victor Martinez to a season-ending injury in January, but gained a big bat to replace him with Prince Fielder. With the added pop in the lineup, and having Doug Fister in the pitching rotation for a full season to compliment Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, Detroit is the overwhelming favorite in the division.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 1st AL Central (94-68) CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2011 Record: 79-83 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2005, which they won for their third World Series title in five appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Jake Peavy, P; Adam Dunn, INF. Outlook: Controversial manager Ozzie Guillen is no longer in Chicago and the White Sox have hired former player Robin Ventura as manager. Bigger than that would be the performances of Jake Peavy and Adam Dunn. Dunn hit a career-low .159 (not a misprint!) and 11 home runs last year and only managed six hits against lefties. Not what you want from a guy you signed to be the anchor in the middle of the order. Peavy battled injuries last season and logged a career high 4.92 ERA. If these two can turn it around, Ventura will have a much easier rookie year as manager.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 2nd AL Central (87-75) CLEVELAND INDIANS 2011 Record: 80-82 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1997, which they lost. The Indians have won two World Series titles (the last in 1948) in five appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Justin Masterson, P; Kevin Slowey, P; Matt LaPorta, INF. Outlook: The Indians picked up Ubaldo Jimenez at last year’s trade deadline and hope he can find his 2010 form when he threw a nohitter, won 19 games, struck out 214 batters and finished third in Cy Young voting. If he can, and newest acquisition Derek Lowe can be an innings eater, with their pitching, the Indians could compete for one of the Wild Card spots.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 3rd Al Central (85-77)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS 2011 Record: 71-91 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1985, which they won for their first World Series title in two appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Jeff Francoeur, OF. Ned Yost, Manager Outlook: The Royals are slowly getting better by building their team through the draft and minor leagues. With guys like Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and Jeff Francoeur providing some pop in the lineup, this could be the year the Royals make it back to .500.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 4th AL Central 80-82 MINNESOTA TWINS 2011 Record: 63-99 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1991, which they won for their third World Series title in six appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Scott Baker, P; Nick Blackburn, P; Matt Capps, RP; Drew Butera, C; Denard Spann, OF; Josh Willingham, OF. Outlook: As Arizona went from worst to first, the Twins managed to go from first to worst. The Twins won the AL Central in 2010 then took a nosedive last season. What was troubling was the Twins were basically fielding the same team from 2010. The whole pitching rotation had a bad season and Justin Morneau still had issues from his 2010 concussion. Joe Mauer has struggled with his power since Minnesota moved outdoors, managing just one home run the past two seasons at Target field.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 5th AL Central (77-85)

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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LOS ANGELES ANGELS 2011 Record: 86-76 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2002, which they won in their only World Series appearance.

Christian to watch on the team: Albert Pujols, INF; Torii Hunter, OF. Outlook: The Angels were aggressive in the offseason, signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. Wilson strengthens an already strong pitching staff with Dan Haren and Jared Weaver in the rotation and Jordan Walden at closer. Adding Pujols gives them what they’ve been missing since Vladamir Guerrero left town.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 1st AL West (95-67)

TEXAS RANGERS 2011 Record: 96-66 Playoff Results: Won best-of-5 AL Division Series (3-2) against the Tampa Bay Rays; Won best-of-7 AL Championship Series (4-2) against the Detroit Tigers; Lost best-of-7 World Series (4-3) to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Last World Series Appearance: 2011, which they lost.

Christians to watch on the team: David Murphy, OF; Josh Hamilton, OF. Outlook: Gone from the rotation to the rival Angels is ace C.J. Wilson and in his place is Japanese phenom Yu Darvish. There will be little room for error this year with Albert Pujols and the Angels.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 2nd AL West, AL Wild Card (94-68)

SEATTLE MARINERS 2011 Record: 67-95 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: The Mariners have never appeared in a World Series.

Outlook: The Mariners hope that in trading for Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero they can start building a strong lineup for the future. Ichiro can still hit, but it seems as though his .300 years are behind him (he only batted .272 last season). This season is about building a foundation for the future.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 3rd AL West (76-86) OAKLAND ATHLETICS 2011 Record: 74-88 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1990, which they lost. The A’s have won nine World Series titles (the last in 1989) in 14 appearances.

Outlook: The A’s made a lot of trades in the offseason, with most of their trades involving their best players for prospects. But prospects are usually just that, unpolished players who may or may not be major leaguers.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 4th AL West (72-90)

NATIONAL LEAG

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES 2011 Record: 102-60 Playoff Results: Lost best-of-5 NL Division Series (3-2) against the St. Louis Cardinals, who went on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS and then the Texas Rangers in the World Series.

Last World Series Appearance: 2009, which they lost. The Phillies have won two World Series titles (the last in 2008) in seven appearances.

Outlook: The Phillies had a disappointing postseason finish by losing in the NLDS, but had an outstanding regular season, winning 102 games. Philadelphia added former Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon in the offseason and figure to be motivated more than ever, but the NL East has greatly improved its teams.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 1st NL East (97-59)

ATLANTA BRAVES 2011 Record: 89-73 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1999, which they lost. The Braves have won three World Series titles (the last in 1995) in nine appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Brandon Beachy, P; Tim Hudson, P; Jack Wilson, INF; Matt Diaz, OF; Jason Heyward, OF. Outlook: Boston’s late season collapse received more of the publicity, especially with the beer in the clubhouse stories, but Atlanta’s collapse was just as historically bad. The Braves lost an 8½ game lead on Sept. 5 to St. Louis and management did very little to improve the roster this offseason. GM Frank Wren is hoping he gets the Braves team that was leading the wild card race with an 81-55 record as opposed to the team that went 9-18 in September.

Chipper Jones, still one of Atlanta’s best hitters, has issues with his knees that could be a concern this season.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 2nd NL East, NL Wild Card (91-71) MIAMI MARLINS 2011 Record: 72-90 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2003, which they won for their second World Series title in two appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Omar Infante, INF; Chris Coghlan, OF. 18

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Outlook: Miami was aggressive in the offseason, signing SS Jose Reyes, SP Mark Buehrle, and closer Heath Bell. Hanley Ramirez is reluctantly moving to third base and new manager Ozzie Guillen will need to keep Ramirez in a positive frame of mind.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 3rd NL East, NL Wild Card (90-68) WASHINGTON NATIONALS 2011 Record: 80-81 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: The Washington Nationals have never appeared in a World Series.

Christian to watch on the team: Brad Lidge, RP. Outlook: Flamethrower Stephen Strasburg should be in the Nationals rotation all season after coming back last September from Tommy John surgery. Bryce Harper, the No. 1 pick of the 2011 draft, also figures to play in the Nationals outfield at some point this year.

These two will figure into the Nationals success, or lack of it.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 4th NL East (82-80)

NEW YORK METS 2011 Record: 77-85 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2000, which they lost. The Mets have won two World Series titles (the last in 1986) in four appearances.

Christian to watch on the team: R.A. Dickey, P. Outlook: New York lost starting shortstop Jose Reyes to a division rival (Miami Marlins), and the Wilpon family may lose the team because of all the money they lost in the Madoff scheme, but all is not lost. The Mets have some good young players, like Ike Davis, Justin Turner and Lucas Duda, and still have All-Star third baseman David Wright to keep them competitive in the NL East.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 5th NL East (81-81)

GUE CAPSULES ST. LOUIS CARDINALS 2011 Record: 90-72 Playoff Results: Won best-of-5 NL Division Series (3-2) against the Philadelphia Phillies; Won best-of-7 NL Championship Series (4-2) against the Milwaukee Brewers; Won best-of-7 World Series (4-3) against the Texas Rangers.

Last World Series Appearance: 2011, which they won for their 11th World Series title in 18 appearances (both victories and appearances are second only to the New York Yankees).

Christians to watch on the team: Adam Wainwright, P; Carlos Beltran, OF; Lance Berkman, OF; Matt Holliday, OF. Outlook: The strong rotation of Carpenter, Holliday and Garcia, and the strong middle of the order in Beltran, Berkman, and Holliday should help keep Cardinal fans from missing Pujols too much.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 1st NL Central (93-69) MILWAUKEE BREWERS 2011 Record: 96-66 Playoff Results: Won best-of-5 NL Division Series (3-2) against the Arizona Diamondbacks; Lost best-of-7 NL Championship Series (4-2) to the St. Louis Cardinals, who won the World Series.

Last World Series Appearance: 1982, which they lost. It has been their only World Series appearance.

Outlook: The Brew Crew was fortunate that Ryan Braun avoided a 50-game suspension because this season will be the first in many without power hitter Prince Fielder. Milwaukee still has great pitching with Yavanni Gallardo and Zack Greinke and closer John Axford, but they will likely see some regression as a team without Prince Fielder.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 2nd NL Central (89-75) CINCINNATI REDS 2011 Record: 79-83 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1990, which they won for their fifth World Series title in nine appearances.

Outlook: Cincinnati missed the playoffs a year after making the postseason in 2010. Pitching, the big reason for their success in 2010, was the reason for their decline in 2011.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 3rd NL Central (85-77)

PITTSBURGH PIRATES 2011 Record: 72-90 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1979, which they won for their fifth World Series title in seven appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Neil Walker, INF; Andrew McCutchen, OF; Nate McLouth, OF. Outlook: The Pirates hovered around .500 until mid-July, but plummeted at the end of the season. Pittsburgh has some young talent, but will need to get mentally tougher to break out of the longest losing season streak in North American sports history (20 consecutive years).

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 4th NL Central (80-82) CHICAGO CUBS 2011 Record: 71-91 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1945, which they lost. The Cubs have won two World Series (the last in 1908) in 10 appearances.

Christian to watch on the team: Paul Maholm, P. Outlook: The Cubs have a new GM in Theo Epstein, former GM of the Boston Red Sox, and will attempt to build the Cubs with homegrown players before spending big money on free agents. He has time to make the 2015 Cubs championship a reality that Back to the Future Part II predicted.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 5th NL Central (70-92) HOUSTON ASTROS 2011 Record: 56-106 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2005, which they lost. It has been their only World Series appearance.

Outlook: The Astros were by far the worst team in all of Major League Baseball and look to repeat the feat this season. Houston will move to the AL West next year, giving MLB five teams in each division; which will make interleague play a constant occurrence.

Traditionalists beware.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 6th NL Central (63-99)

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SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS 2011 Record: 86-76 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2010, which they won for their sixth World Series title in 18 appearances.

Christians to watch on the team: Jeremy Affeldt, RP; Brian Wilson, RP; Madison Bumgarner, P; Buster Posey, C; Freddy Sanchez, INF. Outlook: The 2010 World Series champions missed last year’s playoffs after battling injuries and a woeful offense. This season, catcher Buster Posey is back, and healthy, as is closer Brian Wilson. Pitching carried the Giants in 2010, and, with Posey back in the lineup, can carry them this season.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 1st NL West (90-72) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 2011 Record: 94-68 Playoff Results: Lost best-of-5 NL Division Series (3-2) against Milwaukee Brewers, who lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Last World Series Appearance: 2001, which they won in their only appearance in the World Series.

Christian to watch on the team: Stephen Drew, INF. Outlook: The D-Backs went from worst to first last season and pitcher Ian Kennedy was a big reason (21-4, 2.88 ERA). It also helped that San Francisco struggled in the last month of the season, leaving Arizona relatively unchallenged for the division crown.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 2nd NL West (88-74) LOS ANGELES DODGERS 2011 Record: 82-79 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1988, which they won for their sixth World Series title in 18 appearances.

Outlook: Clayton Kershaw won the CY Young and Matt Kemp probably should have won the MVP but after those two guys, the Dodgers roster is a little thin. The Dodgers also have the sale of their team to deal with as a potential distraction this season.

Christians to watch on the team: Clayton Kershaw, P; A.J. Ellis, C; James Loney, INF. Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 3rd NL West (82-79)

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COLORADO ROCKIES 2011 Record: 73-89 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 2007, which they lost. It has been their only World Series appearance.

Christian to watch on the team: Todd Helton, INF. Outlook: Pitching has always been tough to find in Colorado. So tough, 49-year-old Jamey Moyer is being given a chance to make the rotation. While it would be a great story if he made it, it’s doubtful he will be able to carry a pitching staff. The Rockies will win if they can outhit their opponents.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 4th NL West (79-83) SAN DIEGO PADRES 2011 Record: 71-91 Playoff Results: Did not make playoffs.

Last World Series Appearance: 1998, which they lost. It was their second World Series appearance, but they have never won a title.

Christians to watch on the team: Micah Owings, P; Chase Headley, INF. Outlook: As a small market team, San Diego has had a hard time holding on to their stars (Adrian Gonzalez, Jake Peavy). So the Padres have to build their team around young players like Chase Headley and Will Veneable. But it’s hard to expect to win when you have a lot of young players who may or may not develop into consistent major league players.

Sports Spectrum’s Prediction: 5th NL West (67-95)

TOP 10 ACQUISITIONS

1. Albert Pujols, L.A. Angels – Biggest acquisition in recent years, for any team.

2. Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers – Returning to the city where he watched his father play and give Detroit fans hope again.

3. C.J. Wilson, L.A. Angels – The combination of Pujols and Wilson could be what Angels need to win it all.

4. Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals – Can he replace the production of Pujols? Likely not, but having Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday in the lineup make it possible.

5. Brad Lidge, Washington Nationals – Some may question Lidge’s place on this list, but if you remember the Lidge from 2008 (41 saves in 41 save opportunities in the regular season and 7-for-7 in the playoffs), and you consider his numbers from last year (1.40 ERA as a set-up man) you’ll understand.

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TOP 10 MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE 1. Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants – This generation’s

Yogi Berra. Wilson is often over the top with everything he says or does— wearing a tuxedo leotard at the ESPY’s, giving a beat down to water coolers in the dugout after a blown save, or telling Jim Rome in a live interview that he has ninja skills.

2. Ozzie Guillen, Miami Marlins – You never know what this

man will say, but you don’t want to miss it. Either on Twitter, or in front of a camera.

3. Kevin Millar, Baseball TV Personality – Co-host of MLB Network’s Intentional Talk has baseball’s best TV segment in “Got Heem!”—a term originated by interesting man No. 1, Brian Wilson.

4.Bobby Valentine, Boston Red Sox – Back in the MLB,

after a stint managing in Japan and on ESPN, to manage the high-profile Red Sox. He’s already begun taking shots at the rival Yankees during spring training. After being ejected from a game during his managerial stint with the New York Mets, Valentine came back to the dugout wearing a disguise. It did not go unnoticed.

5. R.A. Dickey, N.Y. Mets – An avid writer, biker, knuckleballer, and

Mt. Kilimanjaro climber, Dickey is a man of faith without a boring bone in his body.

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TOP 10 HITTERS

1. Matt Kemp, L.A. Dodgers – Many thought Kemp should have

been the National League MVP after taking two-thirds of the triple crown (39 HRs, 126 RBIs) and finishing third in hitting (.324), so the chip on his shoulder will be noticeable as he tries to become the first 50-50 player (50 HRs, 50 stolen bases) in MLB history.

2. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers – The controversial

choice as NL MVP, he didn’t lead any of the big three categories (HR, RBI, BA), but he did hit .332, 33 HRs, and produce 111 RBIs, 109 runs and 33 stolen bases. However, with the alleged drug use that came out this past offseason, this could be a tough season.

3. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – If Cabrera can dupli-

cate his numbers from last season (30 HRs, 105 RBIs, 111 runs scored and a career-best .344), he and newly acquired star Prince Fielder could make this a memorable season for the Tigers.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox – Even though his

home run total (27) was the least productive since 2006 when he hit 24, he adjusted well to AL hitting and surprised with the best batting average of his career (.338 vs. .304 in 2006) and second-most RBIs (117 vs. 119 in 2008).

5. Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays – Hard to believe he

was a 20th round pick 12 years ago by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but his numbers last season (.302 BA, 43 HRs, 103 RBIs, 105 runs scored) are evidence that scouting isn’t always right.

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TOP 10 STARTING PITCHERS

1. Justin Verlander (RHP), Detroit Tigers – Won the American League Cy Young by winning pitching’s Triple Crown (24-5 record, 2.40 ERA, 250 Ks) and will be relied on to help Detroit to the World Series.

2. Clayton Kershaw (LHP), L.A. Dodgers – Like Verlander,

Kershaw won the Cy Young (in the National League) after winning pitching’s Triple Crown (21-5 record, 2.28 ERA, 248 Ks). History is on his side to have a similar season.

3. Roy Halladay (RHP), Philadelphia Phillies – In most years, Halladay’s numbers (19-6 record, 2.35 ERA, 220 Ks) would have made him a lock to win the Cy Young. Look for more greatness this season.

4. Cliff Lee (LHP), Philadelphia Phillies – The other half

of Philadelphia’s dynamic duo, Lee was impressive again last season (17-8 record, 2.40 ERA, 238 Ks) and hopes he and Halladay can carry the Phillies to the World Series after a disappointing exit last year.

5. Jered Weaver (RHP), L.A. Angels – Had career-bests in

wins (18-8) and ERA (2.41) and struck out 198. Look for those numbers to improve with the addition of C.J. Wilson (from Texas) to the starting rotation.

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TOP 10 RELIEVERS

1. Mariano Rivera, N.Y. Yankees – Still the best closer in base-

ball, despite being 42 years old. Rivera has amassed 603 career saves and last season finished second in the American League with 45. He has finished with a sub-2.00 ERA the past four seasons.

2. Jonny Venters, Atlanta Braves – Despite not being his

team’s closer, Venters might be the game’s most dominating reliever. He throws a mid-90’s fastball with wicked movement to go along with his knee buckling slider leaving many helpless in the batter’s box. In his first two seasons as a big-leaguer, Venters struck out 189 batters, pitched 171 innings, and gave up only three homers.

3. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves – The 23-year-old is the

only one standing in the way of Venters being the Braves full-time closer. If you can believe it, Kimbrel’s fastball is both harder (high 90‘s) and has more movement than Venters. Kimbrel set a National League rookie record by saving 46 games last year. If he can improve his control (3.7 BB/9 last year), he might challenge Rivera’s saves record by the time he’s 35.

4. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers - Has beaten out a

600-career saves man (Trevor Hoffman) and the single-season saves record holder (Francisco Rodriguez) the past two years to earn the closers job in Milwaukee. Axford led the NL in saves last season with 46.

5. Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers – Finished last season perfect, saving 49 of 49 games, and leading all of Major League Baseball in saves.

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TOP 10 YOUNG PLAYERS

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves – The Braves youngster won Rookie of the Year in 2011 and set a rookie saves record with 45 saves. If that’s what he can do in his first year on the job...

2. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers – The Rangers dished out more than $110 million to sign Darvish. First, the Rangers had to pay about $51 million to his Japanese team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, just to negotiate with him. Then they settled on a $60 million, six-year deal. Considering pitching expert Nolan Ryan has final say on all Rangers signings, Darvish must be good. Last year, he finished with a 1.44 ERA and had a Japanese career ERA of 1.72.

3. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals – It will be inter-

esting to see how quickly Harper continues to move up through the Nationals minor league system. The No. 1 pick of the 2010 draft, Harper tore apart Class A pitching by batting .318 and hitting 17 homeruns. His average was down once he moved to Class AA (.256), but he still knocked 14 over the fence. This spring training will likely determine where Harper starts out, but I’m sure many Nationals fans would love to have him on the big-league roster on Day One.

4. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals – After

spending most of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Strasburg should be good to go for his first full season as a major leaguer. Considering his starts before the injury were called “Strasmas,” the Nationals have a big ticket seller.

5. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves – Freeman lost out on

Rookie of the Year honors to his fireball-throwing Braves teammate, Craig Kimbrel, but Freeman’s numbers were solid. He hit 21 homers, knocked in 76 runs and finished the season with a .282 batting average. The slender first baseman figures to be a key cog in the middle of the order in Atlanta for many years.

AARON MAY

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TOP 5 CHRISTIANS TO WATCH 1. Albert Pujols, L.A. Angels – St. Louis Cardinals fans reading

this, and even some pure baseball fans, are either sighing or shaking their head because they can’t believe Pujols didn’t stay with the Cardinals. But he’s gone and the American League will be a new adventure. His numbers took a slight dip last year and he missed 15 games, so this season, and next, will tell if, at 31 years of age, Pujols is on the downside of his career or if last year was merely an aberration.

2. Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers – How will the 24-year-old

lefthander follow up last year’s performance of winning the National League Cy Young and the Triple Crown for pitchers (21 wins, 2.28 ERA and 248 Ks) in only his fourth season? If history is any indicator, he will fare pretty well. In the last 13 years in the National League, Randy Johnson won four consecutive Cy Youngs (1999-2002), Tim Lincecum won two (2008-09) and six of the last 10 winners have produced lower ERAs the year after winning the Cy Young.

3. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers – With this being the last

year of his contract, and with the revelations of his relapse with alcohol on every baseball fan’s mind, this could be a defining year for Hamilton. We’re hoping, and praying, he gets the help he needs and also the peace and victory of God to beat this dreadful addiction.

4. Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals – Replacing Albert

Pujols will be difficult considering Beltran has been often injured (he missed 81, 98 and 20 games in each of the past three years with the Giants and Mets) and the last time he had a solid season was in 2008 (27 HRs, 112 RBIs, .284 BA), which is barely comparable to Pujols’ worst season (37 HRs, 99 RBIs, .299 BA), which was last year.

5. Brad Lidge, Washington Nationals

– He signed a oneyear contract with the Nationals. So the question remains if he can regain the edge he had in 2009 when he was the top closer in baseball by making good on 48 of 48 save opportunities, including seven in the postseason and closing out the deciding game to help Philadelphia win the World Series?

BRETT HONEYCUTT

OLD SCHOOL B Y A A R O N M AY

Playoffs, PEDs and alcohol (do not mix)

Playoffs!?! We’re talking about playoffs!?!

Tampa Bay and St. Louis helped create one of the greatest days in baseball history last year with the way both teams won the wild card in comeback fashion on the final day of the regular season. So, of course, baseball felt the need to change the system.

The Major League Baseball playoffs have been expanded to 10 teams, with two wild card winners playing each other in a one-game playoff before moving to the division series. The reception to the change has been split throughout the majors.

“I would’ve taken it last year,” Atlanta Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez told the Associated Press. The Braves lost the wild card spot the last day of the season.

You can also count L.A. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly among the big supporters of the expanded playoffs. “... I like that,” Mattingly told MLB. com. “It gives the advantage to the team that wins the division; that’s the biggest key, because you may have to use your best pitcher to get in. It’s fair.

It gives the advantage to the team with the best record and the team that wins the division.”

But with supporters come detractors.

Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla is opposed to the thought of it being decided in just one game, “I’m not a fan of it,” he told the AP. “I don’t think if two teams are good enough to make the playoffs that it should be decided by one game like that.”

New Boston outfielder Cody Ross said this on ESPNBoston.com: “Say you win a wild card and you have a five-game lead over the other wild card, and the other team ends up winning the game.

That’s going to be controversial. That is

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a problem. I’m not a fan so far.”

I’m with Ross on this one.

Last year we had this exact scenario, so I don’t understand the need to fabricate it.

I have a feeling we will have this scenario or one like it: Boston and New York both finish with 99 wins with the best records in the American League. No

other teams in the AL have more than 94 wins. New York beats Boston in a one-game playoff to decide the AL East winner. Boston burns ace Josh Beckett in the game. Now Boston must play a Cleveland Indians team that only won 89 games in another one-game wild card playoff. The Indians start ace Ubaldo Jiminez while Boston trots out Jon Lester on three days rest. I think you see where I’m going here. Boston misses out on the real playoffs (as this wild card game will be thought of as a playin game just like the NCAA’s “First Four” first round) despite winning 99 games.

How is that going to decide the best team? The baseball season is played as a marathon, and then MLB changes the rules to a sprint.

That being said, these games will make great television, any winnertakes-all game does. But is it the right way to get to a champion?

The curious case of Ryan Braun The Ryan Braun performance enhancing drug story is quite the unusual one.

Braun’s 50-game suspension for PED use was overturned in an appeal. However, MLB vehemently came out against the overturned decision while Braun just as vehemently denied taking any kind of PED. I have no idea what to make of this since I am no scientist and don’t really understand what can and can’t grow in a petri dish of body fluid. I’m just kind of sick about baseball’s best being accused of or actually using PEDs. So here is some advice to baseball players: Don’t take anything.

No supplements, vitamins, protein shakes, energy drinks, etc. Just eat regular food. It worked for Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron and others, didn’t it?

Beer here!

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has banned beer from the clubhouse. As Christians, drinking alcohol is a personal decision all of us have to make, as there is no biblical command to not drink (rather, it says to not get drunk with wine as Ephesians 5:18 says). For the record, though, I don’t drink. However, the Bible does say that it is not wise to drink (Proverbs 20:1). It’s especially not wise to drink and play baseball—a sport where a ball is coming at you at 100 miles per hour. So I support Valentine’s wise decision to get rid of the beer. Fans can come to drink, but players come to play baseball.

Boston first baseman, David Ortiz, eloquently told Boston.com, “We’re not here to drink... It ain’t a bar.”

Besides, do you get to drink at work?

AARON MAY / SPORTS SPECTRUM

W

inter is over! (Was it ever here?) Finally, baseball has come back into our lives. Every team starts at 0-0 and theoretically has a chance to become World Champs, even the Cubs. And after the excitement of last season, I can’t wait to see what baseball will bring us this year. Speaking of last year...

Aaron May is a staff writer and videographer for Sports Spectrum. You can catch his weekly columns on college football, college basketball, and Major League Baseball, depending on the season, each week at SportsSpectrum.com.

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