2004 JSONLINE Baseball Preview

[645]

<b><font size=4>2004 Milwaukee Brewers at a glance</font>

CATCHER GARY BENNETT</b>

Number: 29
Age: 31
Height: 6-0
Weight: 208
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Wadsworth, Ill.
In the majors: 4 years, 133 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Had a career-high 42 RBI last year. . . . Hit .292 with 26 RBI after the all-star break. . . . Batted .419 against the NL East last year but .179 vs. the Central.

<b>PITCHER JEFF BENNETT</b>

Number: 57
Age: 23
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Brush Creek, Tenn.
In the majors: None
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Selected by Milwaukee in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 15. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 19th round in 1998. . . . David is his first name and Jeffrey is his middle name.

<b>PITCHER DAVE BURBA</b>

Number: 43
Age: 37
Height: 6-4
Weight: 255
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Gilbert, Ariz.
In the majors: 11 years, 150 days
Contract status: Invited to camp as non-roster player.
Did you know? Made two starts (June 28 and July 4) with Milwaukee last season before pitching 15 games out of the bullpen. . . . His uncle, Ray Hathaway, pitched for Brooklyn in 1945.

<b>PITCHER CHRIS CAPUANO</b>

Number: 39
Age: 25
Height: 6-2
Weight: 219
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Resides: Springfield, Mass.
In the majors: 45 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? His first big-league appearance last season with Arizona came exactly one year after injuring his elbow in the minors. . . . Graduated from Duke with a degree in Economics.

<b>OUTFIELDER BRADY CLARK</b>

Number: 27
Age: 29
Height: 6-2
Weight: 202
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Beaverton, Ore.
In the majors: 2 years, 83 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Equaled a Brewers' National League record scoring four runs Sept. 3 against Cincinnati. . . . Led team with 10 pinch-hits, seven pinch-hit RBI and seven sacrifice flies.

<b>INFIELDER CRAIG COUNSELL</b>

Number: 30
Age: 33
Height: 6-0
Weight: 184
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Resides: Mequon
In the majors: 6 years, 37 days
Contract status: Signed through 2005
Did you know? The spikes he wore to score the game-winning run in the 1997 World Series are in the Hall of Fame. . . . He and his wife, Michelle, have been together since high school.

<b>PITCHER DOUG DAVIS</b>

Number: 49
Age: 28
Height: 6-4
Weight: 213
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
Resides: Cedar Hill, Texas
In the majors: 2 years, 138 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Compiled a team-best 16 consecutive scoreless innings streak Aug. 16-31. . . . In 18 games in May, he is 5-10 with a 6.37 ERA. . . . Started out with Texas last year.

<b>INFIELDER TRENT DURRINGTON</b>

Number: 78
Age: 28
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Broadbeach Waters, Australia
In the majors: 107 days
Contract status: Invited to camp as non-roster player.
Did you know? Is the first major-leaguer with the first name Trent, according to Elias Sports Bureau. . . . Did not play baseball until he was 14 years old. . . . Enjoys surfing.

<b>PITCHER BEN FORD</b>

Number: 79
Age: 28
Height: 6-7
Weight: 230
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
In the majors: 1 year
Contract status: Invited to camp as non-roster player.
Did you know? Struck out 80 batters in 84 innings last season with Class AAA Indianapolis. . . . Pitched in four games with the Yankees (2000) and eight with Arizona (1998).
Did you know? Led the N.L. in runs allowed (129), earned runs allowed (119), home runs allowed (36) and was tied for first in balks (four). . . . Played winter ball for Magallanes.

<b>INFIELDER KEITH GINTER</b>

Number: 6
Age: 27
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Fullerton, Calif.
In the majors: 1 year, 61 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Led N.L. rookies with 14 home runs last season. . . . Hit .379 on artificial turf and was .310 as a pinch-hitter. . . . Has career average of .467 against Philadelphia.

<b>OUTFIELDER BEN GRIEVE</b>

Number: 12
Age: 27
Height: 6-4
Weight: 216
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Resides: Flower Mound, Texas
In the majors: 6 years, 26 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Father, Tom, currently a broadcaster for Texas, spent nine seasons in the majors. . . . Became the first father-son combination to be drafted in the first round.

<b>INFIELDER BILL HALL</b>

Number: 2
Age: 24
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Nettleton, Miss.
In the majors: 99 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Batted .310 (9-29) over the course of his last eight games. . . . Hits .193 at Miller Park. . . . Favorite teams are the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers.

<b>INFIELDER WES HELMS</b>

Number: 18
Age: 27
Height: 6-4
Weight: 231
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Atlanta
In the majors: 4 years, 18 days
Contract status: Signed through 2005
Did you know? Was considered a pitching prospect following senior season at Ashbrook (North Carolina) High School. . . . Enjoys electronics and cooking. . . . Hits .344 vs. Florida.

<b>PITCHER ADRIAN HERNANDEZ</b>

Number: 69
Age: 29
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Tampa
In the majors: 74 days
Contract status: Invited to camp as non-roster player.
Did you know? Spent the season at Triple A Columbus (Yankees) last year. . . . Fled his native Cuba in January of 2000. . . . Pitched in eight games with the Yankees in 2001-'02.

<b>OUTFIELDER GEOFF JENKINS</b>

Number: 5
Age: 29
Height: 6-1
Weight: 212
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Resides: Scottsdale, Ariz.
In the majors: 5 years, 109 days
Contract status: Signed through 2007
Did you know? Did not commit an error last season. . . . Career batting average in August is .327 but it's .257 in September and October. . . . Is a fan of Jim Carrey movies.

<b>PITCHER/OUTFIELDER BROOKS KIESCHNICK</b>

Number: 55
Age: 31
Height: 6-4
Weight: 251
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Resides: Caldwell, Texas
In the majors: 2 years, 54 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Hosts the Brooks Kieschnick Show on MLB Radio. . . . First job was tarping cotton modules for his uncle in Corpus Christi at age 13. . . . Hits .313 at Miller Park.

<b>PITCHER MATT KINNEY</b>

Number: 50
Age: 27
Height: 6-5
Weight: 228
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Bangor, Maine
In the majors: 2 years
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Picked up first Major League hit July 13 at Miller Park, snapping an 0-for-33 career hitless streak. . . . His little league coach was novelist Stephen King.

<b>PITCHER DAN KOLB</b>

Number: 41
Age: 29
Height: 6-4
Weight: 240
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Walnut, Ill.
In the majors: 3 years, 119 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Earned Brewers' Unsung Hero Award. . . . Is cousins with Gary Kolb, former Major League outfielder from 1960-'69. . . . His high school did not have a baseball team.

<b>CATCHER CHAD MOELLER</b>

Number: 21
Age: 29
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Manhattan Beach, Calif.
In the majors: 2 years, 95 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Appeared in 57 games prior to the all-star game with Arizona last season but got in just 21 games after. . . . During his career he has hit .352 in March and April but only .202 in July.

<b>PITCHER WES OBERMUELLER</b>

Number: 33
Age: 27
Height: 6-2
Weight: 209
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: North Liberty, Iowa
In the majors: 76 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Lost his first five decisions with Milwaukee last year. . . . Got first big-league victory Sept. 21. . . . Graduated from Iowa with a degree in Commercial Recreation.

<b>INFIELDER LYLE OVERBAY</b>

Number: 11
Age: 27
Height: 6-2
Weight: 227
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Resides: Centralia, Wash.
In the majors: 1 year, 26 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Was hit by a batted ball in a soft-toss accident in January, 2003, incurring a non-displaced fracture of the zygomatic arch on the left side of his face.

<b>OUTFIELDER SCOTT PODSEDNIK</b>

Number: 20
Age: 28
Height: 6-0
Weight: 188
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Resides: Dallas
In the majors: 1 year, 50 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Began last season as Milwaukee's fifth outfielder. . . . Received college offers from Texas, Texas A&M and TCU to run the 200-meter dash and hurdles.

<b>PITCHER BEN SHEETS</b>

Number: 15
Age: 25
Height: 6-1
Weight: 218
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: St. Amant, La.
In the majors: 3 years
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Became the first Milwaukee pitcher to throw at least 200 innings in consecutive seasons since Jamie Navarro in 1992-'93. . . . Won 11 games for the third straight season.

<b>INFIELDER JUNIOR SPIVEY</b>

Number: 37
Age: 28
Height: 6-0
Weight: 201
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Phoenix
In the majors: 3 years, 26 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Attended Northwestern Oklahoma State for a semester, intending to play basketball. . . . Has never had a multi-home run game. . . . Hits .269 at Miller Park.

<b>PITCHER LUIS VIZCAINO</b>

Number: 51
Age: 26
Height: 5-11
Weight: 184
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Bani, D.R.
In the majors: 2 years, 140 days
Contract status: Signed through 2004
Did you know? Had an 8.05 ERA before the all-star break and a 4.28 mark in 33 games after. . . . Was 0-5 in save opportunities. . . . Went 2-0 with 3.00 ERA last two months.

<b>MANAGER NED YOST</b>

Number: 3
Age: 48
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Resides: Hartland
In the majors: Second season as manager.
Contract status: Signed through 2005 with a club option for 2006.
Did you know? Full name is Edgar Frederick Yost, Jr. . . . His father, Ned, was an All-American football player at Santa Rosa Junior College in California.

<b>BULLPEN COACH BILL CASTRO</b>

Number: 35
Age: 52
Resides: Greendale
Did you know? His wife, Mary, is from Two Rivers.

<b>BENCH COACH RICH DAUER</b>

Number: 25
Age: 51
Resides: Hinckley, Ohio
Did you know? Has three children, Casey, Kelsey and Katie.

<b>THIRD BASE COACH RICH DONNELLY</b>

Number: 45
Age: 57
Resides: Hopedale, Ohio
Did you know? Has a Bachelor's Degree in education.

<b>PITCHING COACH MIKE MADDUX</b>

Number: 36
Age: 42
Resides: Las Vegas
Did you know? Contributed to a baseball video for the Milwaukee Public Museum.

<b>FIRST BASE COACH DAVE NELSON</b>

Number: 14
Age: 59
Resides: Haines City, Fla.
Did you know? Was student body vice president in high school.

<b>HITTING COACH BUTCH WYNEGAR</b>

Number: 16
Age: 48
Resides: Longwood, Fla.
Did you know? Full name is Harold Delano Wynegar, Jr.

[645]

<b><font size=4>2004 National League Capsules</font></b>

Frank Clines looks at the National League clubs in projected order of finish:

<b>NL CENTRAL</b>

1. Houston Astros

Manager: Jimy Williams (third season, 171-153; 866-746 overall)
2004 payroll: $80 million.
Big additions: LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Roger Clemens
Big subtraction: LHP Billy Wagner
Why they'll soar: Pettitte and Clemens solidify the pitching to go with big-time offense.
Why they'll sink: As a closer, Octavio Dotel is no Wagner.
Projected lineup: CF Craig Biggio SS Adam Everett LF Lance Berkman 2B Jeff Kent 1B Jeff Bagwell RF Richard Hidalgo 3B Morgan Ensberg C Brad Ausmus
Projected rotation: RH Roy Oswalt; LH Andy Pettitte; RH Roger Clemens; RH Wade Miller; Tim Redding.
Closer: RH Octavio Dotel

2. Chicago Cubs

2003 record: 88-74 (first place)
Manager: Dusty Baker (second season; 928-789 overall)
2004 payroll: $91 million
Additions: RHP Greg Maddux, 1B Derrek Lee
Subtraction: C Damian Miller
Why they'll soar: A great rotation and tons of offense; how can they lose?
Why they'll sink: The burden of being expected to win is too heavy.
Projected lineup: 2B Mark Grudzielanek SS Alex Gonzalez RF Sammy Sosa LF Moises Alou 1B Derrek Lee 3B Aramis Ramirez CF Corey Patterson C Michael Barrett
Projected rotation: RH Kerry Wood; RH Mark Prior; RH Greg Maddux; RH Matt Clement; RH Carlos Zambrano.
Closer: RH Joe Borowski

3. St. Louis Cardinals

2003 record: 85-77 (third)
Manager: Tony La Russa (ninth season, 689-606; 2,009-1,789 overall)
2004 payroll: $84.5 million
Addition: OF Reggie Sanders
Subtraction: OF J.D. Drew
Why they'll soar: Pujols' mega-contract just makes him better, and the pitching holds up.
Why they'll sink: Too many "ifs" in the rotation, especially competing with Chicago and Houston.
Projected lineup: 2B Bo Hart CF Jim Edmonds 1B Albert Pujols LF Ray Lankford 3B Scott Rolen SS Edgar Renteria RF Reggie Sanders C Mike Matheny
Projected rotation: RH Matt Morris; RH Jason Marquis; RH Woody Williams; RH Chris Carpenter; RH Jeff Suppan
Closer: RH Jason Isringhausen

4. Milwaukee Brewers

2003 record: 68-94 (sixth)
Manager: Ned Yost (second season)
2004 payroll: $27.6 million
Additions: C Chad Moeller, SS Craig Counsell
Subtraction: 1B Richie Sexson
Why they'll soar: Scrappy role players more than make up for the loss of Sexson's homers.
Why they'll sink: It's all about the pitching, which remains mediocre or worse.
Projected lineup: CF Scott Podsednik SS Craig Counsell 1B Lyle Overbay LF Geoff Jenkins 2B Junior Spivey RF Ben Grieve 3B Wes Helms C Chad Moeller
Projected rotation: RH Ben Sheets; LH Doug Davis; RH Wes Obermueller; LH Chris Capuano; RH Matt Kinney
Closer: RH Dan Kolb

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

2003 record: 75-87 (fourth)
Manager: Lloyd McClendon (fourth season, 209-276
2004 payroll: $35 million
Addition: OF Raul Mondesi
Subtraction: OF Reggie Sanders
Why they'll soar: Kris Benson and Kip Wells lead a pitching revival.
Why they'll sink: Terrible offense, and management's main goal is peddling Jason Kendall.
Projected lineup: CF Tike Redman C Jason Kendall LF Raul Mondesi 1B Randall Simon RF Jason Bay 3B Chris Stynes 2B Bobby Hill SS Jack Wilson
Projected rotation: RH Kip Wells; RH Kris Benson; RH Josh Fogg; LH Oliver Perez; RH Rick Reed or RH Ryan Vogelsong
Closer: RH Jose Mesa.

6. Cincinnati Reds

2003 record: 69-93 (fifth)
Manager: Dave Miley (first full season; 22-35)
2004 payroll: $40 million
Addition: RHP Cory Lidle
Subtraction: IF Russell Branyan
Why they'll soar: Ken Griffey Jr. returns to form and leads an offensive surge.
Why they'll sink: Payroll dump continues, sending Griffey and others packing.
Projected lineup: 2B D'Angelo Jimenez SS Barry Larkin CF Ken Griffey Jr. RF Austin Kearns 1B Sean Casey LF Adam Dunn 3B Brandon Larson C Jason LaRue
Projected rotation: RH Cory Lidle; RH Paul Wilson; RH Jimmy Haynes; RH Aaron Harang; RH Jose Acevedo.
Closer: RH Danny Graves.

<b>NL EAST</b>

1. Philadelphia Phillies

2003 record: 86-76 (third)
Manager: Larry Bowa (fourth season, 252-233; 333-360 overall)
2004 payroll: $93 million
Additions: LHP Billy Wagner, LHP Eric Milton
Subtraction: RHP Jose Mesa
Why they'll soar: Big spending of last couple years reaps dividends amid the excitement of a new stadium.
Why they'll sink: Pat Burrell and David Bell don't rebound from dismal '03 seasons.
Projected lineup: CF Marlon Byrd 2B Placido Polanco RF Bobby Abreu LF Pat Burrell 1B Jim Thome C Mike Lieberthal SS Jimmy Rollins 3B David Bell
Projected rotation: RH Kevin Millwood; LH Randy Wolf; RH Vicente Padilla; LH Eric Milton; RH Brett Myers.
Closer: LH Billy Wagner

2. Atlanta Braves

2003 record: 101-61 (first)
Manager: Bobby Cox (15th season, 1,285-850; 1,906-1,465 overall)
2004 payroll: $78 million
Addition: OF J.D. Drew
Subtractions: RHP Greg Maddux, C Javy Lopez, OF Gary Sheffield
Why they'll soar: Sure, they've lost a lot, but Cox will find a way to a 13th straight divisional title.
Why they'll sink: They're as vulnerable as John Smoltz's elbow, which won't hold up.
Projected lineup: SS Rafael Furcal 2B Marcus Giles LF Chipper Jones RF J.D. Drew CF Andruw Jones 1B Adam LaRoche C Johnny Estrada 3B Mark DeRosa
Projected rotation: RH Russ Ortiz; LH Mike Hampton; RH John Thomson; LH Horacio Ramirez; RH Jaret Wright
Closer: RH John Smoltz

3. New York Mets

2003 record: 66-95 (fifth)
Manager: Art Howe (second season; 1,058-1,046 overall)
2004 payroll: $82 million
Addition: SS Kazuo Matsui.
Subtraction: OF Jeromy Burnitz
Why they'll soar: The dead wood is gone; Mike Piazza gets comfy as a part-time 1B; the old Glavine returns.
Why they'll sink: Piazza gets banged up again; much-touted double-play combo just getting started.
Projected lineup: SS Kazuo Matsui 2B Jose Reyes LF Cliff Floyd C Mike Piazza CF Mike Cameron RF Karim Garcia 1B Jason Phillips 3B Ty Wigginton
Projected rotation: LH Tom Glavine; LH Al Leiter; RH Steve Trachsel; RH Jae Weong Seo; RH Grant Roberts
Closer: RH Braden Looper

4. Florida Marlins

2003 record: 91-71 (second, wild card)
Manager: Jack McKeon (first full season; 845-782 overall)
2004 payroll: $52.9 million
Addition: RHP Armando Benitez
Subtractions: C Ivan Rodriguez, 1B Derrek Lee
Why they'll soar: The rotation is solid and playoff-tested, the offense unheralded but effective.
Why they'll sink: Lightning doesn't strike in the same place for two straight years.
Projected lineup: CF Juan Pierre 2B Luis Castillo RF Miguel Cabrera 3B Mike Lowell LF Jeff Conine 1B Hee Seop Choi C Ramon Castro SS Alex Gonzalez
Projected rotation: RH Josh Beckett; RH Brad Penny; LH Dontrelle Willis; RH Carl Pavano; LH Darren Oliver
Closer: RH Armando Benitez.

5. Montreal Expos

2003 record: 83-79 (fourth)
Manager: Frank Robinson (third season, 166-158; 846-909 overall)
2004 payroll: $41 million
Addition: 1B Nick Johnson
Subtractions: OF Vladimir Guerrero, RHP Javier Vazquez
Why they'll soar: They'll convince themselves they're this year's Marlins and play accordingly.
Why they'll sink: No way to make up for losing their best player and best pitcher.
Projected lineup: CF Peter Bergeron LF Brad Wilkerson 2B Jose Vidro RF Carl Everett 1B Nick Johnson SS Orlando Cabrera 3B Tony Batista C Brian Schneider
Projected rotation: RH Livan Hernandez; RH Tomo Ohka; RH Claudio Vargas; RH Zach Day; RH Tony Armas Jr.
Closer: RH Rocky Biddle

<b>NL WEST</b>

1. Arizona Diamondbacks

2003 record: 84-78 (third)
Manager: Bob Brenly (fourth season, 274-212)
2004 payroll: $80 million
Addition: 1B Richie Sexson
Subtraction: RHP Curt Schilling
Why they'll soar: Randy Johnson bounces back from injury-plagued '03 and Sexson thrives in the West.
Why they'll sink: They lost too much pitching, and age catches up with key players.
Projected lineup: CF Steve Finley 2B Roberto Alomar LF Luis Gonzalez 1B Richie Sexson SS Alex Cintron 3B Shea Hillenbrand RF Danny Bautista C Brent Mayne
Projected rotation: LH Randy Johnson; RH Brandon Webb; RH Elmer Dessens; RH Shane Reynolds; RH Steve Sparks or RH Casey Daigle
Closer: RH Matt Mantei

2. San Francisco Giants

2003 record: 100-61 (first)
Manager: Felipe Alou (second season; 791-778 overall)
2004 payroll: $80 million
Addition: C A.J. Pierzynski
Subtraction: SS Rich Aurilia
Why they'll soar: Barry Bonds can carry both a team and the pressure of all that steroid suspicion.
Why they'll sink: Early aches for key pitchers prove serious and the distractions eventually drag Bonds down.
Projected lineup: 2B Ray Durham 1B J.T. Snow CF Marquis Grissom LF Barry Bonds 3B Edgardo Alfonzo RF Michael Tucker C A.J. Pierzynski SS Neifi Perez
Projected rotation: RH Jason Schmidt; LH Kirk Rueter; RH Dustin Hermanson; RH Jerome Williams; RH Brett Tomko.
Closer: RH Robb Nen.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

2003 record: 85-77 (second)
Manager: Jim Tracy (fourth season, 263-223)
2004 payroll: $99 million
Addition: OF Juan Encarnacion
Subtraction: RHP Kevin Brown
Why they'll soar: The tradition of good pitching holds true, and somehow enough runs materialize.
Why they'll sink: Very little was done to improve the lowest-scoring '03 lineup in the majors.
Projected lineup: CF Dave Roberts SS Cesar Izturis 3B Adrian Beltre RF Shawn Green C Paul Lo Duca LF Juan Encarnacion 1B Robin Ventura 2B Alex Cora
Projected rotation: RH Hideo Nomo; LH Odalis Perez; LH Kazuhisa Ishii; RH Jeff Weaver; RH Edwin Jackson
Closer: RH Eric Gagne

4. San Diego Padres

2003 record: 64-98 (fifth)
Manager: Bruce Bochy (10th season, 694-746)
2004 payroll: $60 million
Addition: LHP David Wells
Subtraction: OF Mark Kotsay
Why they'll soar: Phil Nevin and Trevor Hoffman rebound from injuries and the Padres get energized by their new stadium.
Why they'll sink: Wells' back gives out again and rookie Khalil Greene struggles at shortstop.
Projected lineup: 3B Sean Burroughs 2B Mark Loretta RF Brian Giles 1B Phil Nevin LF Ryan Klesko CF Jay Payton C Ramon Hernandez SS Khalil Greene
Projected rotation: RH Brian Lawrence; RH Jake Peavy; LH David Wells; RH Adam Eaton; LH Sterling Hitchcock
Closer: RH Trevor Hoffman

5. Colorado Rockies

2003 record: 74-88 (fourth)
Manager: Clint Hurdle (third season, 141-161)
2004 payroll: $67.5 million
Additions: LHP Shawn Estes, OF Jeromy Burnitz
Subtraction: OF Jay Payton
Why they'll soar: Burnitz adds to the bombardment at Coors Field and the gamble of turning Shawn Chacon into a closer pays off.
Why they'll sink: As always, pitching is the fatal flaw for the Texas Rangers of the NL.
Projected lineup: 2B Aaron Miles SS Royce Clayton 1B Todd Helton CF Preston Wilson 3B Vinny Castilla RF Jeromy Burnitz LF Kit Pellow (Larry Walker on DL) C Charles Johnson
Projected rotation: LH Shawn Estes; RH Jason Jennings; LH Joe Kennedy; RH Scott Elarton; RH Denny Stark or RH Chin-hui Tsao
Closer: RH Shawn Chacon

[645]

<b><font size=4>2004 American League Capsules</font></b>

Frank Clines looks at the American League clubs, in projected order of finish:

<b>AL CENTRAL</b>

1. Chicago White Sox

2003 record: 86-76 (second place)
Manager: Ozzie Guillen (first season)
2004 payroll: $61 million
Big addition: IF Juan Uribe
Big subtraction: RHP Bartolo Colon
Why they'll soar: A spark from Guillen; a happier Frank Thomas; a weak division.
Why they'll sink: Pitching, and Thomas' attitude, won't hold up.
Projected lineup: 2B Willie Harris CF Aaron Rowand RF Magglio Ordonez DH Frank Thomas LF Carlos Lee 1B Paul Konerko SS Jose Valentin 3B Joe Crede 3B C Miguel Olivo
Projected rotation: LH Mark Buehrle; RH Esteban Loaiza; LH Scott Schoeneweis; RH Jon Garland; RH Danny Wright.
Closer: RH Billy Koch

2. Kansas City Royals

2003 record: 83-79 (third)
Manager: Tony Pena (second full season, 132-156)
2004 payroll: $46 million
Addition: OF Juan Gonzalez
Subtraction: OF Raul Ibanez
Why they'll soar: Gonzalez and Benito Santiago will complete the puzzle.
Why they'll sink: Gonzalez and Santiago will show their age.
Projected lineup: SS Angel Berroa CF Carlos Beltran 1B Mike Sweeney RF Juan Gonzalez 3B Joe Randa C Benito Santiago LF Aaron Guiel DH Ken Harvey 2B Desi Relaford
Projected rotation: LH Brian Anderson; LH Darrell May; LH Jeremy Affeldt; LH Jimmy Gobble; RH Kevin Appier
Closer: RH Mike MacDougal

3. Minnesota Twins

2003 record: 90-72 (first)
Manager: Ron Gardenhire (third season, 184-139)
2004 payroll: $54 million
Addition: C Joe Mauer
Subtraction: LHP Eddie Guardado
Why they'll soar: They've mastered making a little go a long way.
Why they'll sink: Bullpen took a huge hit with loss of Guardado and LaTroy Hawkins.
Projected lineup: LF Shannon Stewart 2B Luis Rivas 1B Doug Mientkiewicz 3B Corey Koskie CF Torii Hunter RF Jacque Jones DH Matt LeCroy C Joe Mauer SS Cristian Guzman
Projected rotation: RH Brad Radke; LH Johan Santana; RH Kyle Lohse; RH Carlos Silva; RH Grant Balfour
Closer: RH Joe Nathan

4. Cleveland Indians

2003 record: 68-94 (fourth)
Manager: Eric Wedge (second season, 68-94)
2004 payroll: $43 million
Addition: 2B Ronnie Belliard
Subtraction: DH Ellis Burks
Why they'll soar: Good rebuilding choices will kick in.
Why they'll sink: Underachievers, not angels, in the outfield.
Projected lineup: LF Matt Lawton SS Omar Vizquel RF Jody Gerut CF Milton Bradley 3B Casey Blake DH Travis Hafner C Victor Martinez 1B Ben Broussard 2B Ronnie Belliard
Projected rotation: LH C.C. Sabathia; RH Jason Davis; LH Cliff Lee; RH Jeff D'Amico; LH Jason Stanford.
Closer: RH David Riske

5. Detroit Tigers

2003 record: 43-119 (fifth)
Manager: Alan Trammell (second season, 43-119)
2004 payroll: $60 million
Addition: C Ivan Rodriguez
Subtraction: SS Ramon Santiago
Why they'll soar: Good signings, and there's nowhere to go but up.
Why they'll sink: Pitching won't hold up.
Projected lineup: CF Alex Sanchez 2B Fernando Vina C Ivan Rodriguez DH Dmitri Young LF Rondell White RF Bobby Higginson 3B Eric Munson 1B Carlos Pena SS Carlos Guillen
Projected rotation: RH Jason Johnson; LH Mike Maroth; RH Jeremy Bonderman; RH Nate Cornejo; LH Nate Robertson.
Closer: RH Fernando Rodney

<b>AL EAST</b>

1. New York Yankees

2003 record: 101-61 (first)
Manager: Joe Torre (Ninth season, 685-445; 1,680-1,509 overall)
2004 payroll: $190 million
Additions: 3B Alex Rodriguez, OF Gary Sheffield, RHP Javier Vazquez
Subtraction: LHP Andy Pettitte
Why they'll soar: The 21st century Murderers' Row out-scores anybody.
Why they'll sink: Even the Yankees need pitching, and they have less.
Projected lineup: SS Derek Jeter LF Hideki Matsui 3B Alex Rodriguez 1B Jason Giambi RF Gary Sheffield C Jorge Posada DH Ruben Sierra 2B Enrique Wilson CF Kenny Lofton (Bernie Williams out)
Projected rotation: RH Mike Mussina; RH Kevin Brown; RH Javier Vazquez; RH Jose Contreras; LH Donovan Osborne
Closer: RH Mariano Rivera

2. Boston Red Sox

2003 record: 95-67 (second)
Manager: Terry Francona (first season; 285-383 overall)
2004 payroll: $125 million
Addition: RHP Curt Schilling, RHP Keith Foulke
Subtraction: 2B Todd Walker
Why they'll soar: Schilling and closer Foulke seal the deal, at long last.
Why they'll sink: As usual, lots of clubhouse intrigue. As usual, the Yankees find a way.
Projected lineup: CF Johnny Damon 3B Bill Mueller LF Manny Ramirez SS Nomar Garciaparra DH David Ortiz 1B Kevin Millar C Jason Varitek RF Gabe Kapler 2B Pokey Reese
Projected rotation: RH Pedro Martinez; RH Curt Schilling; RH Derek Lowe; RH Tim Wakefield; RH Bronson Arroyo
Closer: RH Keith Foulke

3. Baltimore Orioles

2003 record: 71-91 (fourth)
Manager: Lee Mazzilli (first season)
2004 payroll: $55 million
Additions: SS Miguel Tejada, C Javy Lopez
Subtraction: RHP Pat Hentgen
Why they'll soar: Major improvement with Tejada, Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro.
Why they'll sink: It's a killer division, and after Ponson the pitching is shaky.
Projected lineup: 2B Brian Roberts LF Larry Bigbie SS Miguel Tejada 1B Rafael Palmeiro C Javy Lopez RF Jay Gibbons 3B Melvin Mora DH David Segui CF Luis Matos
Projected rotation: RH Sidney Ponson; RH Kurt Ainsworth; RH Rodrigo Lopez; LH Eric DuBose; LH Omar Daal
Closer: RH Jorge Julio

4. Toronto Blue Jays

2003 record: 86-76 (third)
Manager: Carlos Tosca (Second full season, 144-127)
2004 payroll: $50 million
Addition: RHP Miguel Batista
Subtraction: RHP Kelvim Escobar
Why they'll soar: Retooled rotation shines; Wisconsin's Eric Hinske rebounds from sophomore slump.
Why they'll sink: Retooled rotation doesn't get it done.
Projected lineup: RF Reed Johnson LF Frank Catalanotto CF Vernon Wells 1B Carlos Delgado DH Josh Phelps 3B Eric Hinske C Greg Myers 2B Orlando Hudson SS Chris Woodward
Projected rotation: RH Roy Halladay; RH Miguel Batista; LH Ted Lilly; RH Pat Hentgen; RH Josh Towers.
Closer: RH Aquilino Lopez

5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2003 record: 63-99 (fifth)
Manager: Lou Piniella (Second season; 1,382-1,234 overall)
2004 payroll: $22 million
Addition: RF Jose Cruz Jr.
Subtraction: 1B Travis Lee
Why they'll soar: Young talent starts showing in the record.
Why they'll sink: How can they succeed in this division?
Projected lineup: LF Carl Crawford SS Julio Lugo CF Rocco Baldelli DH Aubrey Huff RF Jose Cruz Jr. 1B Tino Martinez 3B Geoff Blum C Toby Hall 2B Rey Sanchez
Projected rotation: RH Victor Zambrano; RH Jeremi Gonzalez; LH Mark Hendrickson; RH Paul Abbott; RH Doug Waechter
Closer: RH Danys Baez

<b>AL WEST</b>

1. Anaheim Angels

2003 record: 77-85 (third)
Manager: Mike Scioscia (fifth season, 333-315)
2004 payroll: $108 million
Additions: RF Vladimir Guerrero, RHP Bartolo Colon
Subtraction: IF Scott Spiezio
Why they'll soar: $121 million purchase of Guerrero and Bartolo Colon pays off.
Why they'll sink: Injuries hound Troy Glaus and Darin Erstad; division looks mighty tough.
Projected lineup: SS David Eckstein 1B Darin Erstad RF Vladimir Guerrero CF Garret Anderson LF Jose Guillen 3B Troy Glaus DH Tim Salmon C Bengie Molina 2B Adam Kennedy
Projected rotation: RH Bartolo Colon; LH Jarrod Washburn; RH Kelvim Escobar; RH John Lackey; RH Ramon Ortiz.
Closer: RH Troy Percival

2. Seattle Mariners

2003 record: 93-69 (second)
Manager: Bob Melvin (second season, 93-69)
2004 payroll: $90 million
Addition: OF Raul Ibanez
Subtraction: OF Mike Cameron
Why they'll soar: Ibanez and Rich Aurilia boost the offense and Eddie Guardado stabilizes the bullpen.
Why they'll sink: Age catches up with key players; Anaheim and Oakland are too tough.
Projected lineup: RF Ichiro Suzuki CF Randy Winn 2B Bret Boone LF Raul Ibanez DH Edgar Martinez 3B Scott Spiezio 1B John Olerud SS Rich Aurilia C Ben Davis / Dan Wilson
Projected rotation: LH Jamie Moyer; RH Joel Pineiro; RH Freddy Garcia; RH Ryan Franklin; RH Gil Meche
Closer: LH Eddie Guardado

3. Oakland Athletics

2003 record: 96-66 (first)
Manager: Ken Macha (second season, 96-66)
2004 payroll: $57.5 million
Addition: CF Mark Kotsay
Subtractions: SS Miguel Tejada, RHP Keith Foulke
Why they'll soar: Three aces in the rotation and just enough offense.
Why they'll sink: No more Tejada, and no more Foulke to close games.
Projected lineup: CF Mark Kotsay LF Bobby Kielty 3B Eric Chavez RF Jermaine Dye DH Erubiel Durazo 1B Eric Karros 2B Mark Ellis SS Bobby Crosby C Damian Miller
Projected rotation: RH Tim Hudson; LH Mark Mulder; LH Barry Zito; RH Mark Redman; RH Rich Harden
Closer: LH Arthur Rhodes

4. Texas Rangers

2003 record: 71-91 (fourth)
Manager: Buck Showalter (second season; 634-595 overall)
2004 payroll: $65 million
Addition: 2B Alfonso Soriano
Subtraction: SS Alex Rodriguez
Why they'll soar: Without the A-Rod debt load (most of it, anyway), rebuilding gets going.
Why they'll sink: Does anyone think the pitching is any better?
Projected lineup: 2B Eric Young 3B Hank Blalock CF Alfonso Soriano DH Brad Fullmer 1B Mark Teixeira RF Brian Jordan LF Laynce Nix C Gerald Laird SS Michael Young
Projected rotation: LH Kenny Rogers; RH Chan Ho Park; RH Colby Lewis; RH R.A. Dickey; LH Glendon Rusch
Closer: RH Francisco Cordero

[645]

<b><font size=4>Brewers' minor league affiliates</font></b>

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Class AAA International League
2003 finish: 64-78
Home: Victory Field -- 501 W. Maryland St, Indianapolis, Ind. 46225
General manager: Cal Burleson
Field manager: Cecil Cooper
Regular season: April 8-Sept. 6
For tickets: (317) 269-3542
Internet: www.indyindians.com
Notable: If Indianapolis wants to better its fourth-place finish from last season, it will have to get off to a better start. The team hit a league-low .238 in April and May and still finished 14 games below .500 despite going 46-44 over the final three months.

HUNTSVILLE STARS

Class AA Southern League
2003 finish: 75-63
Home: Joe W. Davis Municipal Stadium --3125 Leeman Ferry Road, P.O. Box 2769 Huntsville, Ala. 35804
General manager: Bryan Dingo
Field manager: Frank Kremblas
Regular season: April 8-Sept. 6
For tickets: (256) 882-2562
Internet: www.huntsvillestars.com
Notable: Led by Kremblas, the Southern League manager of the year, and Southern League most valuable player Corey Hart, Huntsville won the first half of the season (41-27) by seven games. The Stars beat Birmingham in the West Division Championship Series.

HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS

Class A California League
2003 finish: 42-98
Home: Mavericks Stadium -- 12000 Stadium Way, Adelanto, Calif. 92301
General manager: Bruce Mann
Field manager: Mel Queen
Regular season: April 8-Sept. 6
For tickets: (760) 246-6287
Internet: www.hdmavs.com
Notable: Queen, who hasn't managed since he was interim manager for nine games with Toronto in 1997, replaces Tim Blackwell. High Desert struggled throughout most of the 2003 season and finished in fifth place in the South Division.

BELOIT SNAPPERS

Class A Midwest League
2003 finish: 75-61
Home: Pohlman Field -- 2301 Skyline Drive P.O. Box 855, Beloit, Wis. 53511
General manager: Brian Barkowski
Field manager: Don Money
Regular season: April 8-Sept. 6
For tickets: (608) 362-2272
Internet: www.snappersbaseball.com
Notable: Beloit won the second half of the season and finished as runner-up in the Midwest League Championship Series. It was the second time in five seasons Money finished above .500.

HELENA BREWERS

Rookie Pioneer League
2003 finish: 48-28
Home: Kindrick Legion Field1300 N. Ewing, P.O. Box 6756 Helena, Mont. 59604
General manager: Paul Fetz
Field manager: Johnny Narron
Regular season: June 18-Sept. 6
For tickets: (406) 495-0500
Internet: www.helenabrewers.net

ARIZONA BREWERS

Rookie Arizona League
2003 finish: 18-37
Home: Maryvale Baseball Park -- 3805 N. 53rd Ave. Phoenix, Ariz. 95031
Field manager: Mike Guerrero
Regular season: To be announced
For tickets: (623) 245-5600
Internet: www.milwaukeebrewers.com

[645]

<b><font size=4>Brewers' Radio Network</font></b>

WISCONSIN
Milwaukee WTMJ-AM (620)
Antigo WACD-FM (106.1)
Appleton WHBY-AM (1150)
Ashland WATW-AM (1400)
Beaver Dam WBEV-AM (1430)
Berlin WISS-AM (1090)
Black River Falls WWIS (1260 AM, 99.7 FM)
Eau Claire WBIZ-AM (1400)
Fond du Lac KFIZ-AM (1450)
Fort Atkinson WFAW-AM (940)
Green Bay WDUZ-AM (1400)
Hayward WRLS-FM (92.3)
Iron River WNXR-FM (107.3)
Janesville WCLO-AM (1230)
La Crosse WKTY-AM (580)
Lancaster WGLR-AM (1590)
Madison WIBA-AM (1310)
Manitowoc WOMT-AM (1240)
Marinette WMAM-AM (570)
Marshfield WDLB-AM (1450)
Monroe WEKZ-AM (1260)
Park Falls WCQM-FM (98.3)
Platteville WPVL-AM (1590)
Prairie du Chien WQPC-FM (94.3)
Reedsburg WRDB-AM (1400)
Rhinelander WOBT-AM (1240)
Rice Lake WJMC-AM (1240)
Richland Center WRCO-AM (1450)
Shawano WTCH-AM (960)
Sheboygan WHBL-AM (1330)
South Beloit WTJK-AM (1380)
Sturgeon Bay WDOR-FM (93.9)
Waupaca WDUX-FM (92.7)
Wisconsin Rapids WFHR-AM (1320)
MICHIGAN
Ironwood WJMS/WIMI (590 AM/99.7 FM)

[645]

<b><font size=4>Measure of success</font>

Improvement is main goal for Yost's Brewers

Phoenix</b> - Because it is preceded by six months of anticipation and six weeks of spring training, the start of the baseball season is assigned more significance than it justifiably deserves.

Opening day is a rite of spring, they tell us. It's a day of spiritual renewal; a blooming of hope and faith.

Teams feed into this by decorating the ballpark with red, white and blue bunting, letting high school bands play during the pregame and allowing TV stations to broadcast live from the parking lot because it adds to the excitement and, gosh darn it, the viewing public can always use tail-gaiting tips from shirtless guys who called in sick that day at work.

Strip away the hype and the season opener is just a game.

If your favorite team wins, that's great, because it's always important to get off to a good start. If your team loses, well, it's no big deal. There are 161 to go. In the grand scheme, there simply isn't a lot that can be accomplished on Day One.

Unless, of course, you happen to be the Milwaukee Brewers.

If the Brewers manage to win their opener Monday against host St. Louis, a team that manhandled them 13 times in 16 meetings last season, their resulting 1-0 record will represent their first foray above the .500 mark in more than two years.

That's right.

After taking a 9-3 victory in their inaugural game in 2002 (April 2 at Houston), the Brewers went on to lose two in a row and nine of their next 10. They haven't seen .500 since and many experts don't expect them to reach that figure any time soon, at least not in October.

Heading into the final week of spring training, three Las Vegas sports books tabbed the Milwaukee Brewers as a 300-to-1 shot to win the 2004 World Series. While those were the longest odds on the board, they also represented a slight improvement. When they took the field on opening day last year, USA Today odds guru Danny Sheridan listed the Brewers as a 100 million to 1 underdog.

It's safe to say Sheridan didn't lose any sleep over that projection.

<b>Positive moves</b>

At the time, the Brewers were coming off a 106-loss season with a revamped front office, a rookie manager (Ned Yost) and a handful of untested and somewhat unknown players. While they didn't snap their string of losing seasons, which now stands at 11, the Brewers did improve their victory total by 12 games from the previous season. They unearthed a promising rookie (Scott Podsednik), got rid of some overpaid and largely unproductive veterans (Jeffrey Hammonds) and continued to upgrade a farm system that many are calling the best in baseball.

That might not be enough to impress the sports sages who set odds in Las Vegas, but those developments definitely pass for positives in these parts. They have to, because the negatives are simply overwhelming.

Consider:

The Brewers' streak of 11 straight losing seasons matches Pittsburgh for the longest in the four major professional sports in North America. Their 21-year playoff drought is surpassed only by Montreal, whose 22-year skid comes with an asterisk because the Expos were in first place when a players strike prompted Bud Selig to cancel the remainder of the season.

The major-league record for consecutive losing seasons is 16, set by the Philadelphia Athletics from 1933-'48. Only six other franchises and five years stand between the Brewers and the top of the list.

Last year's 12-game improvement snapped a six-season stretch in which the Brewers failed to improve their victory total from one season to the next.

Seattle hitting coach Paul Molitor, who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer with a Brewers cap on his plaque in Cooperstown, left Milwaukee in 1992 and played six more seasons - three with Toronto and three with Minnesota. The Brewers haven't had a winning record since he left.

The Brewers enter the season with a payroll of about $27.6 million, which is their lowest since 1997, a season that started five months after the ceremonial groundbreaking at Miller Park.

Considering those factors, the World Series seems totally out of the question. Given the off-season escalation by Chicago and Houston, both a Central Division title and wild-card berth are distant dreams. Even the .500 mark seems like it will be difficult to attain.

"I'm not sure we're quite there yet," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "It's a good goal to have, but we'll need some breaks to get there."

<b>Individual improvement</b>

What then, can we use as a measuring stick to determine whether the Brewers are making progress in 2004?

"When we started last year, we wanted to eliminate the losing mentality and get the guys playing hard every inning of every game," manager Ned Yost said. "I think we pretty much accomplished that. Now, it's time to take the next step.

"The key question to me is 'Are our players getting better?' Are they improving? Is Ben Sheets getting better? Is Matt Kinney more consistent? Can Wes Helms put the ball in play more often and hit 25 or 30 homers?

"Those are the types of things to look for. Based on what I've seen this spring, I think our guys are ready to take that next step. I think they will keep getting better. In fact, I know they will, because we're not going to give them a choice. It's going to happen. When the guys we have here get better and we start mixing in some of the kids that we had here this spring - guys like Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy - it's going to be exciting."

Barring a further overhaul of the revenue-sharing system, the Brewers will probably never approach the payroll levels of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the other big-market behemoths. General manager Doug Melvin is hoping that the home-grown talent, coupled with the payroll flexibility afforded by a lack of long-term deals, will provide a window of opportunity.

"I think we're making strides at closing the gap in our own division," Melvin said. "Maybe we have some better minor-leaguers at this point. If you look at the other clubs and their commitments down the road and some of the decisions they'll have to make, they'll end up losing a player or two. If they make a mistake, we can close the gap."

<b>Young pitching key</b>

The fastest way to close that gap, Melvin said, is to develop strong starting pitching.

"That's one thing we have to get better at," he said. "If you look at the teams that are competing, they have quality pitching. Look at (Mark) Mulder, (Tim) Hudson and (Barry) Zito in Oakland and (Roy) Oswalt, (Wade) Miller and (Tim) Redding in Houston. They've done a good job with those guys.

"If you can develop good young starting pitching, that can help you get better without spending a lot of money. I think we've got three good young starters in Triple-A right now. We've got Ben Hendrickson, Jorge De La Rosa and Mike Jones. Two years from now, they could be with us."

Until then, the Brewers will try to get the most out of the talent on hand. Most scouts feel they improved their overall talent level and depth during the off-season, particularly in the Richie Sexson trade. At the same time, though, the improvements made by Houston and Chicago, coupled with the unbalanced schedule, could result in a better team that loses more games.

"Winning games is always important," Ash said. "What's probably more important for us than that is the improvement of the players we do have. As the next wave of young players comes, are the guys we have ready to blend in there with them? That's what we're going to find out this year."

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Brewers manager Ned Yost expects his team to "play hard every inning of every game."

[645]

<b><font size=4>Hackin' stance</font>

Counsell's setup looks odd but helps him get job done</b>

Craig Counsell can't help laughing when people ask if his batting stance is uncomfortable.

"I wouldn't do it if it was uncomfortable," he says, with that sort of "duh" expression such inquiries merit.

But the questions are understandable, because nobody - and we mean nobody - has a batting stance like the one used by the Milwaukee Brewers' veteran shortstop. Counsell's stance is so unusual that it's almost impossible to describe.

At times, he resembles a guy trying to change a light bulb without a ladder. Or someone trying to clear a cobweb from a ceiling corner while facing the center of the room.

With his bat held as high as Counsell can manage and his back arched in pronounced fashion, the stance appears to be a chiropractor's dream. Yet, somehow, some way, it works for him.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Brewers manager Ned Yost. "That doesn't mean it's right or wrong. He's successful with it.

"I don't care if you stand on your head, with the bat between your legs. If you're in a good hitting position at the release of the ball and you're successful at it, you'll be in good shape."

In other words, it doesn't matter what gyrations you're doing when the pitcher peers in for his sign. But when he goes into his windup and turns the ball loose, you better be in a proper hitting position.

Or, as Brewers hitting coach Butch Wynegar puts it, what you do at Point A of your swing isn't critical. What you do at Point B and Point C is.

"You see some guys with unorthodox approaches, like Tony Batista, with his wide-open stance," said Wynegar. "But they all get to the same position at the same time.

"That's why I say, 'I don't care how you stand up there, how you hold your hands, what you do. But once you start your mechanics, we'll watch and see what happens.'

"I just want them to be consistent. We're looking over 162 games, not a five- or 10-day span."

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. And in the spring of 2000, Counsell was in the mother of all batting slumps - bad enough to get his walking papers from the Los Angeles Dodgers during training camp.

The left-handed-hitting infielder signed a minor-league contract with Arizona, and it was on the back fields of the Diamondbacks' complex in Tucson that Counsell began experimenting with different batting stances.

"I was searching for something," he recalled. "I started doing this and it worked for me. When you're not hitting, you'll try anything. That's what clicked for me.

"All it does is get my hands into a good spot before I hit. It's just where I start from. A lot of guys have unique stances, but everybody has to get their hands to the same point when the pitcher releases the ball."

Actually, Wynegar was more concerned about other aspects of Counsell's hitting mechanics during spring camp. For one thing, he thought Counsell could generate more force with his legs during his approach to the ball.

"He's actually a negative strider," explained Wynegar. "He starts out longer and ends up shorter. That gives him a narrow base. That's the biggest thing I approached him about.

"He agrees with it, but he just wants to give himself a chance with what feels good. He's very intelligent. He knows what he wants to do. I'm not out to make any major changes because the guy's been around awhile and had some success."

Two World Series rings definitely qualify as success. Counsell picked up his first finger adornment in 1997 with Florida when he scored the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 against Cleveland. It was a magical season for Counsell, who began the year with Colorado's Class AAA club.

Counsell, who grew up in Whitefisy Bay, Wis., came home with ring No. 2 in 2001 when the Arizona Diamondbacks overcame the favored New York Yankees in another thrilling seven-game Series. Once again, Counsell was a part of the winning rally, getting hit by a pitch to load the bases for Luis Gonzalez's clinching hit off Mariano Rivera.

That fall, Counsell was named MVP of the NLCS after hitting .381 with five runs scored, three doubles and four RBI against the Atlanta Braves.

Obviously, he must be doing something right. His career .266 batting average might be modest, but his career achievements are another matter. All of which explains why Wynegar was in no hurry to change Counsell's one-of-a-kind batting stance.

"I understand it's a little more high-maintenance for me," said Counsell, who might have a second career as a Cirque du Soleil contortionist.

"There are more moving parts than most people have to start out with. I've tried putting my bat on my shoulder, but it doesn't work for me.

"I know guys make fun of it. You see guys with their bat in the air (during practice), and you know who they're imitating. At least it makes people remember when they see you."

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Craig Counsell says he developed his unusual stance while battling a horrible hitting slump in 2000.

[645]

<b><font size=4>Prospects offer a ray of hope</font></b>

As brutal as Milwaukee Brewers' recent history has been, believe Ned Yost when he says he has seen worse.

As manager of Atlanta's Class A affiliate in Sumter, S.C., from 1988 through 1990, Yost saw from a distance the utter despair at the major-league level. The Braves were persistent 100-game losers, lucky during the mid-to-late '80s to draw a half-million fans for an entire season at the inadequate Fulton County Stadium.

There may have been no sadder franchise in all of baseball at the time than the Braves, who were judged terminally hopeless by the handful of fans who deigned to attend the off-season banquet circuit. Yost, though, would look them in the eye, smile and say, "You people have no idea what's coming."

As a minor-league skipper, Yost knew. He had helped process the stars who would soon become the foundation of the Braves' astonishing divisional championship run. He had personally witnessed the development of Chipper Jones, Javy Lopez, Ron Gant, Ryan Klesko, Tom Glavine and the rest of Atlanta's homegrown talent, the prospects who would quickly transform the Braves from laughingstock to superpower.

<b>Reasons to believe</b>

Fifteen years later as manager of the Brewers, Yost is asked if he sees any parallels between what happened with the Braves and what is now happening within the Milwaukee farm system.

Yes, Yost says, the Brewers' prospects are better.

Now, if you're a Brewers fan, this does not give you license to begin saving for 2007 World Series tickets. At the same time, the hope that has been discarded these past 11 seasons need not be permanently abandoned, either.

But even if the kids will eventually play to a level that compelled Baseball America to rank the Brewers' farm system No. 1 in the sport, why should any righteously skeptical fan believe that anything will change with an organization that alienated all but the seriously indoctrinated through gross mismanagement?

For one thing, there is fresh management. The general manager, the assistant general manager, the vice presidents, the scouting director and the farm director haven't been around long enough to become tainted by the sins of previous regimes. The Ulice Payne debacle has been relegated to old news, and perhaps soon enough even the Seligs will be out of the picture if the team is sold in an expeditious manner.

And if the product gradually improves and attendance increases, there is reason to believe that the absurdly low $27.6 million payroll will rise to an acceptable big-league level. If this happens, the prospects who are committed to the organization for six years can be retained because the Brewers will be able to afford them.

<b>The big gamble</b>

This, of course, is the best-case scenario for a franchise that has been constantly maimed with self-inflicted wounds. Don't think for a minute that the current front office isn't sweating the plan to bank the entire future on the farm system. If the kids can't play, the Brewers have set themselves up for another long, hard fall, and if that happens, well . . . the possibilities are too grim to consider.

But for anyone who cares to see beyond the gloom that has shrouded the franchise since 1992, the outlook is finally acceptable. The Richie Sexson trade has returned four starters who could be the bridge to the prospects, there is actually a little pitching depth, the GM routinely finds talent and the eternally optimistic manager continues to be the right man for the job.

For 2004, all that could mean little. The Brewers will have a better team than last season, but their record might not reflect the improvement. Playing as they do in baseball's second-toughest division, the Brewers cannot escape the 53 games scheduled against Chicago, Houston and St. Louis.

But you knew that going in. The real vista is just beyond the horizon, which Yost is hoping may be no farther for the Brewers than the distance between Sumter and Atlanta.

[645]

<b><font size=4>Creating some fun at the old ballpark</font>

Brewers have activities they hope will be cool for fans</b>

Once the Milwaukee Brewers get you to come to Miller Park for a baseball game, the team hopes you'll enjoy more than just the game.

And while the franchise can't guarantee a victory, it does have some control over the game experience.

With limited resources, the Brewers have tried to make the experience at Miller Park an enjoyable one. Last season, they experimented with different entertainment ideas, some of which worked and some of which didn't. Anyone remember speed dating?

This season, there will be some new ideas and some revamped ones. And, as always, the team wants to hear from the fans on what they enjoy the most and what needs to be changed.

Perhaps the biggest change the Brewers made last year was to introduce a host for the game. The person, a local radio personality, normally was stationed in the outfield and would appear on the video screen before and during the games.

According to Aleta Mercer, the Brewers' director of entertainment, the reaction to the host was mixed.

"At any given time, half the people enjoyed the host, the other half didn't see the value," Mercer said.

This season the host is back but will appear less often, perhaps as much as five times, both before and during the game.

"What we want to do is make it more of an entertaining kind of a position, less infomercial. We want it to be more, 'Hey, welcome to the park, here's what we have going on today,' " Mercer said.

The two hosts will be Ginger Jordan of WXSS-FM (Kiss FM), and Sandy Maxx of WMYX-FM. The two will alternate hosting but will appear on consistent days all season.

"We hope this will get the 50% back who didn't see the value of the host," Mercer said.

Mercer said the hosts will do stand-ups from other parts of the park. "We want them to help us make coming to the park a more enjoyable experience," Mercer said.

Brewers fans also will see Bernie Brewer more often. In past seasons, Bernie spent most of his time in his home high up in left field. But Mercer said that, in the past few years, Bernie has become more of a mascot for the fans, especially children.

As a result, Bernie will interact with fans more this year, Mercer said.

"He will ride his cart on the field during the pregame," Mercer said. "And then we'll have him randomly pick kids out in the crowd and play T-ball. We want him with the crowd, and the crowd likes that."

The Rally Rabbit is back as well this season. The rabbit began as a video creation but has morphed into a character that will appear in the stands when the Brewers are trying to rally to win a game, Mercer said.

Other entertainment highlights:

At each home game, a young person will be randomly selected to be a guest public-address announcer. "The child will get a chance to announce the first three batters in the third inning," Mercer said.

You don't have to go to the Potawatomi Casino or your church basement to play bingo anymore. The Brewers will be offering baseball bingo, a different sort of bingo, on games played on Thursdays.

The Kiss Cam, which showed couples in lip-lock mode, will be back, as well as a T-shirt toss and other fan interactive features.

Women on Wednesdays, in which Kohl's Department Stores and other vendors bring items or activities of interest to women, is back for another season. The event is staged on the field level in the right-field corner.

[645]

<b><font size=4>Staying in tune</font>

Powell has all the bases covered</b>

Starting his ninth season as the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, Jim Powell might be one of Wisconsin's more underappreciated broadcasting talents.

Part of that has to do with calling the games of a team that has not had a winning season since four seasons before he began broadcasting their games in 1996.

Part of if has to with working in the shadow of Bob Uecker, who last year was inducted into the broadcast wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

And part of it has to do with Powell's self-effacing personality. He prefers quiet professionalism and authority to in-your-ear posturing or grandstanding.

He's old-school.

Of all the Brewers broadcasters, he might be the most knowledgeable about what's happening in the league game by game and story by story as the season unfolds.

But he isn't so removed he won't share with listeners his opinion about bad umpiring when he sees it, for example.

But Powell, the 39-year-old native of Atlanta, also is new-school.

He finds his laptop computer to be an indispensable tool for his trade. He thinks there is some truth to be found in those statistical studies Bill James baseball thinkers use to predict a prospect's future in the major leagues. He's an Xbox guy.

On his way back from Brewers spring training in Phoenix, Ariz., Powell, on his laptop, answered a few of our questions:

Q. Are you a "Moneyball" guy?

A. There has long been a correlation between statistics which are taken in the proper context of park effects, league, and player age and the eventual performance of players at higher levels. This is not new. What is new is the book. Billy Beane didn't invent this, Bill James did. A lot of GMs use stats in this way, but they haven't had books written about them. This whole situation reminds me a lot of George Will's book "Men At Work," in which he glorified Tony La Russa as a great manager. Tony is no better or worse than a lot of other managers, but the publicity he received from that book led to a reputation as the best manager in the game. I think Billy Beane is now getting more credit than he deserves.

Q. How do you wall yourself off from all the losing the Brewers have gone through in the now nine years you have been in Milwaukee?

A. I grew up in Atlanta where the Braves were kind enough to prepare me for it in my childhood when they were perennial losers. Despite their woes, I still loved the Braves and loved baseball and couldn't get enough of either.

Q. Are you thumbs up or thumbs down on sports radio?

A. I have to be thumbs up on sports radio if only because I hosted a sports talk show in South Carolina for almost 10 years and it would be hypocritical to change my mind now. I don't listen to that much sports talk anymore just because I lived it for so long that I got a bit burned out on it. I like to hear comments from the fans just to know what is being said around the water coolers of the area, but it does drive me nuts sometimes when I hear erroneous information passed off as fact as much as I do.

Q. How often do you think you need to tell listeners the score?

A. I think the score should be given every couple of minutes. I am sure I have lapses at times, but I am trying to get it on the air as much as possible.

Q. You spend a great amount of time during broadcasts talking about the Brewers' minor leagues. Why?

A. Major-league baseball teams are just a part of much larger organizations, and I think you have to keep fans updated on the rest of that organization so that you give them proper context for the team they are following. Especially in the case of a team which is building like the Brewers, I feel like I need to give the fans as many story lines to follow as I can.

Q. Have you run into Brewers fans away from the park who give you advice about your call?

A. Not as much as you might think. Sometimes I get suggestions for things that they would like to hear more of, but usually people are just very nice and want to talk about the team and the sport.

Q. You get irritated with umpiring in certain games. How much criticism of umps do you allow yourself?

A. I get irritated with umpires who are trying to become the show. The best umpires are the ones you never notice. You don't hear me ripping into an umpire just for missing a call. The ones who bait players or managers or who don't hustle to get in position to make the right call deserve to be singled out, in my opinion. I love Bruce Froemming. I think he is an excellent umpire and while he doesn't allow people to walk all over him or abuse him, he doesn't seek confrontations with the participants in the game. He'll let a guy have his say and then walk away. You can tell he was trained extremely well as an umpire, and I hope the young guys learn from him. I have a lot of respect for most of the umpires, and you can see their performance and responsiveness improving dramatically in the last few years as Sandy Alderson has worked with them. Ed Montague is a great umpire. Ed Rapuano. Tim McClelland. There are a lot of really good umpires.

Q. Have you ever talked with any other clubs about a play-by-play job?

A. A few teams have made indirect inquiries in the last couple of years, but I haven't been interested in pursuing anything. Ideally, I would like to stay with the Brewers for a long time, but that is up to them and to WTMJ. I can't say I would never leave because you just never know what the future will bring, but I can say that my family would kill me if I told them we were moving.

Q. If you could recommend just one baseball movie and one baseball book to a non-fan, which movie and book would you choose?

A. "The Natural" is the movie for sure. I think it does a great job of capturing the greatness of the game. If I don't say "Catcher in the Wry," there could be trouble in the booth.

Q. You take interest in knowing much about the issues in the major leagues as the season unfolds. Is that something you think is important to your work?

A. I have loved and studied the game since I was a little kid, and I like to pride myself on being on top of everything related to it as much as is possible. I don't consider myself pro-owner or pro-player. I am on the side of the fans. I want the sport to be the best that it can be. I think I voice a perspective that a lot of fans have and would like to hear voiced instead of always hearing the partisan opinions of those who are in the game. I really enjoy debating and discussing the issues which are crucial to the game. I guess that is the sport talk show host that still lurks inside me.

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<b><font size=4>Over their heads</font>

Money divides NL Central</b>

According to baseball's standings, the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates are in the same division as the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals.

In essence, however, the Brewers, Reds and Pirates aren't even in the same league as the Cubs, Astros and Cardinals. Certainly not the same financial league, which creates tremendous obstacles.

Despite a new economic system that is supposed to even the playing field in the major leagues, the National League Central is evenly divided into the "haves" and "have-nots." Just call it the division within the division.

The Cubs, who have a projected payroll of $91 million for the 2004 season, the Cardinals ($84.5 million) and the Astros ($80 million) are among the biggest spenders in the league. On the flip side, the Brewers, who have the NL's lowest projected payroll at $27.6 million, the Reds ($40 million) and the Pirates ($35 million) are among the most frugal clubs.

Yet, the three bargain-basement teams are supposed to compete with the three free spenders. In theory, at least.

"We want to get to that level," said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who has seen his payroll drop by nearly 50% in two years. "From a financial standpoint, I don't know if we'll get there, unless we have some success (on the field)."

Making the task more difficult for the NL Central bottom-feeders is an unbalanced schedule in which teams play opponents within their division many more times than non-division foes. The Brewers, for instance, play 19 games against Houston and 17 each against Chicago and St. Louis.

The David vs. Goliath competition starts early for the Brewers, who open the season with four games in St. Louis, where they were 1-6 last season. Seven of the following 10 games are against Houston.

"If you weren't playing them, you'd probably be playing more games against the top teams from the other divisions," said Melvin, whose team went 3-13 vs. the Cubs and Cardinals last season and 8-9 against the Astros.

"You just have to take each series one at a time. You try to win each series - that's your goal. You can beat them in a series, but it's tougher over the full season.

"It also matters when you play them. They could have an injury or two that drops them closer to us. You never know. That's why you play the games. Obviously, something has to happen from both sides to close the gap."

Making the matter even more frustrating for the Brewers, Pirates and Reds is that in recent years they all moved into new ballparks that were supposed to help close the financial gap. The state-of-the-art facilities were anything but a panacea, however.

In 2001, the Brewers moved into Miller Park and the Pirates checked into PNC Park. Since taking occupancy, those teams have recorded their ninth, 10th and 11th consecutive losing seasons.

Those clubs had significant attendance bumps in the first year in the new ballparks but fielded lousy teams and watched customers walk away in droves. The Brewers' season-ticket base has dropped below levels achieved in the final years of County Stadium, a serious problem that is costing the team millions of dollars.

The honeymoon was even shorter after the Reds moved into the Great American Ballpark last season. A poor product created pressures that led to the in-season firing of general manager Jim Bowden and manager Bob Boone, and club officials soon embarked on cost-cutting measures guaranteed to keep the Reds at or near the bottom of the NL Central.

<b>Mistakes more costly</b>

According to the MLB mantra, revenue generated by new ballparks would make teams competitive that previously hadn't had the financial wherewithal. That has not been the case for the Brewers, Reds and Pirates, however.

Since last season, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh slashed their payrolls by $20 million each. The Brewers, who trimmed $10 million from their payroll the previous winter, cut another $12.7 million in salaries after the 2003 season.

Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee figure to rank No. 27, 28 and 29, respectively, among the 30 major-league clubs in payroll levels this year. The Cubs rank sixth in the majors and second in the NL behind Philadelphia ($93 million), with St. Louis eighth among the 30 clubs and Houston 11th.

"Those teams boosted their payrolls when they moved into their stadiums," said Melvin, referring to the Brewers, Pirates and Reds. "They all signed players that didn't work out for them.

"Other teams (with better finances) can do those things and if they don't work out, they just walk away (from the player). We can't do that. We pay for those mistakes on the field."

If not for the expanded revenue-sharing plan negotiated in the current labor agreement, the Brewers, Reds and Pirates would be in worse shape. Milwaukee received more than $15 million in revenue sharing in 2003, one of the largest payouts, and stands to collect about $20 million this year.

<b>Proof is in the pitching</b>

When teams slash payroll, the first thing to go - if it was there to begin with - is quality pitching, the most sought-after and costly commodity in the majors. That's why the Brewers, Reds and Pirates have little or no hope of matching up against the starting rotations of Chicago, Houston and St. Louis.

The Cubs' starting five of Kerry Wood, Mark Prior (now on the DL), Greg Maddux, Matt Clement and Carlos Zambrano will draw a combined $22.6 million in salaries this season. Houston counters with a $17.5 million rotation of Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Wade Miller and Tim Redding.

St. Louis tops the NL Central by paying the rotation of Matt Morris, Jason Marquis, Woody Williams, Chris Carpenter and Jeff Suppan a combined $23.4 million.

Milwaukee is expected to go with Ben Sheets, Doug Davis, Matt Kinney, Chris Capuano and Wes Obermueller, who will make $3.9 million among them. Cincinnati features a $7.9 million rotation of Cory Lidle, Paul Wilson, Jimmy Haynes, Aaron Harang and Jose Acevedo. And Pittsburgh plans to start Kip Wells, Kris Benson, Josh Fogg, Oliver Perez and Rick Reed, who combine to make $10 million.

<b>Hope on the horizon</b>

One thing the Brewers have going for them is the top-ranked farm system in the majors. But it takes time to develop young players into winners, leaving much work to be done before they catch up to the likes of Chicago, Houston and St. Louis.

"People thought the new ballparks would automatically bring new revenues and winning teams," said Melvin. "That didn't happen.

"That's why we're trying to build with young players and bring the franchise back to that competitive stage with the top teams in our division. We think we're gaining on them.

"We think our minor-league system is stronger than a couple of those clubs. We're making strides, but we have to make them at the big-league level. That will be a big step."

And, in the meantime, most likely a painful one.

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The Cubs, Cardinals and Astros have spent big money to make a run at the NL Central title, while the Reds, Pirates and Brewers have payrolls far below their competitors.

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<b><font size=4>Doing their own thing</font></b>

A look at some other unusual stances, past and present:

<b>Carl Yastrzemski:</b> Much like Counsell, Yaz held his bat high above his head in an upright stance. As the years progressed, he dropped the bat a bit lower.

<b>Joe Morgan:</b> Another hitter who held his bat high. Morgan added the unique "chicken wing" habit of flapping his back arm before going into his swing.

<b>Pete Rose:</b> "Charlie Hustle" leaned back in an extreme crouch, giving the pitcher a small strike zone while springing forward with great bat speed. George Brett and Rickey Henderson employed similar tactics during their careers. At times, so did Rod Carew.

<b>Moises Alou:</b> Using a wide stance, Alou points his feet toward each other in an exaggerated pigeon-toed stance. "It hurts me just to watch it," said Brewers hitting coach Butch Wynegar.

<b>Dick McAuliffe:</b> Detroit's star infielder, a left-handed hitter, used an extreme open stance, with his front foot pointed toward the first base dugout. When the pitcher released the ball, McAuliffe quickly brought the foot in to a more normal position. Former Angels leadoff hitter Brian Downing also used a wide-open stance, as do Andres Galarraga and Tony Batista today.

<b>Mickey Tettleton:</b> The versatile slugger held his hands down and his bat in a straight line behind him, pointing toward the backstop. In earlier days, Wes Covington used a similar approach but tucked under his chin.

<b>John Wockenfuss:</b> Planted his feet on the back line in linear fashion and wiggled his fingers dramatically on the bat. "Butterfly fingers" is what he called them.

<b>Gary Sheffield:</b> The knock-kneed stance is somewhat unusual, but Sheffield sets himself apart from others by vigorously waving his bat back and forth in menacing fashion.

<b>Danny Ford:</b> His stance was so closed, with his front foot pointing toward the back of the plate, all the pitcher saw was the back of his uniform.

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<b><font size=4>Baseball's roller-coaster ride continues</font></b>

Baseball is a shipwreck. Its records are suspect, its stars are selling out, the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and everybody's being investigated by Congress.

Baseball is a shooting star. Fans are flocking to spring training, season ticket sales are up, last year's World Series was classic, the game's biggest rivalry is hotter than ever, and the Cubs are for real.

You're free to believe any or all of the above, and nobody can prove you're wrong. Chances are your age will impact your opinion.

Millions will be outraged if Barry Bonds ever passes Hank Aaron's home run record of 755, but most of them will be fans who were alive to see Aaron actually hit one.

If it's ever proved that Bonds did more with a needle than Aaron could do with his wrists, tradition will suffer a crippling blow, and tradition is huge in baseball. Its defenders are as fierce as ever, but they're getting older.

<b>Different expectations</b>

They might not buy a ticket to watch Bonds as he closes in on the record, but you can take it to the bank that the seats will be full for every swing he takes after he hits his 750th.

"The game has never been more popular," says Bud Selig at the same time he warns about the real dangers of steroids. The commissioner is right both ways, because baseball could be unique in its ability to gain support while losing credibility. That's a blessing or a curse, and your age might also determine which you think it is.

Does Bonds have a crooked trainer or a healthy appetite? Has Jason Giambi cut down on carbs or chemicals? Questions like that turned baseball writers into weight watchers this spring, a hilarious concept all by itself, but do the customers care?

They're paying record prices, and they'd like some bang for their buck. Maybe they can afford to go to only two or three games a year. Maybe a pitcher's dual was more gripping when the bleachers were cheap and you could always come back next week to see somebody knock one out of the yard.

Steroids are terrible for too many reasons to count, and Major League Baseball will have to go after them, even if it's just to keep the government out of its hair. It must improve on a laughably weak agreement with its union, but don't kid yourself. It would make the same deal today if the alternative were a strike.

<b>Pick and choose</b>

Power sells, and the only time people ever really threatened to walk away from the game is when it shut itself down. They came back to something that wasn't as good as it used to be, but was better than it might have been. Fans still love baseball enough to compromise for it.

If the left side of the Yankees' infield costs more this season than the entire payrolls of half the teams in the league, the other half takes comfort in the fact that it might be able to sneak into the playoffs once in a while. No one expects a level playing field anymore. Anything short of a mountain will do.

Fans who have little chance of seeing a World Series in their cities still get a kick out of watching the millionaires from Boston and New York going for each other's throats. George Steinbrenner understands that, and so does Selig.

Lightning rod that he is, Selig is a good commissioner with a bad job. The saving grace is he loves it. He has the background, the brains and the determination to balance the good with the necessary, and that's all we can ask of anyone in that office.

Baseball is a shipwreck or a shooting star. It just depends on where you're coming from.

[645]

<b><font size=4>AL East rivals up the ante</font>

Money is no object for Yankees, Red Sox

Phoenix</b> - In years past, April 16 was just another day on the calendar. It was a day to recover from doing your taxes at the last minute. It was a day to procrastinate fertilizing the lawn or starting on the flower beds. And, as the morning radio guys will tell you, it is the birthday of an eclectic foursome of celebrities: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charlie Chaplain, Martin Lawrence and Bobby Vinton.

This year, April 16 has taken on a new dimension. If you haven't heard about it yet, don't worry; you will.

On April 16, the New York Yankees are to play the Boston Red Sox in a regular-season game at Fenway Park. The matchup, long regarded as the best rivalry in baseball and one of the fiercer pairings in all of sport, has always come with a lot of sizzle. It had a century of history. It had The Curse of the Bambino. It had Bucky Dent. And, thanks to what happened last season, it had Pedro vs. Zimmer and Aaron Boone in Game 7.

Now, it has all of those things and A-Rod.

New York's off-season acquisition, Alex Rodriguez, the American League MVP and a player whom Boston tried unsuccessfully to acquire earlier in the winter, kicked this year's Yankees-Red Sox matchup from the front page of sports to the front page of the entire paper.

Last month, when the teams played an exhibition game in Florida, scalpers were asking $150 for $21 tickets and the line to buy standing room tickets began forming about 24 hours before the first pitch. One veteran baseball writer who covered the game called it "an absolute circus."

<b>Operation escalation</b>

The regular-season matchup, which will be broadcast nationally on Fox, promises to be an even bigger freak show.

"That is going to be huge," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "The Yankees always get a lot of attention no matter where they go. With A-Rod this year, it's going to be more intense. In Boston, I can't even imagine - It's going to be really big."

While pitcher Curt Schilling was the Red Sox's major addition in the off-season, the Yankees added Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield and Kenny Lofton along with pitchers Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez.

Melvin has a unique perspective on what many called the "nuclear arms race" that took place between Boston and New York this winter and the events that led Red Sox president Larry Lucchino to refer to the Yankees, whose $190 million payroll this season almost matches the asking price for the Brewers' franchise, as "the Evil Empire."

Melvin worked for the Yankees from 1979-'85, working his way up from batting practice pitcher to scouting director. After a nine-year stint in Baltimore, Melvin became the general manager in Texas. The Rangers, who had never made the playoffs, reached the post-season three times during his tenure - in 1995, 1998 and '99 - and were eliminated by New York in the first round all three times. After winning the first game of the first series, the Rangers went 0-9 against the Yankees in subsequent games. Melvin was also the GM when the Rangers gave Rodriguez his record $252 million contract.

<b>Talent will tell</b>

Given that history, Melvin is a good person to ask the question that will surely dominate the talk-radio and chat-room circuit leading up to April 16: Is the Yankees-Red Sox infatuation good for baseball or is it demoralizing for other clubs that can't match their payroll or marquee power?

"It gets to be a little tough, I think, on some clubs," Melvin said. "If you look at Tampa Bay and Baltimore, they both went out and did a pretty good job of improving their clubs during the off-season. But it's not really going to matter a whole lot.

"Obviously, it's the other league. I don't have to worry about it so much now. But the thing you have to remember is that you've still got to win the games that are on the schedule. In baseball, fewer teams make the playoffs than in any other sport. Maybe that's why so much money is spent. In baseball, there are times when you can win 89 or 90 games and still not make the playoffs. That's a good year, but people don't see it that way.

"With the Yankees and Red Sox spending all the money they do, it almost assures them of making the playoffs. It doesn't assure they'll win the World Series. Anything can happen in a short series, sort of like the NCAA (basketball) tournament, but over a 162-game schedule, there is no doubt those teams have an edge that eliminates the chance of getting to the playoffs with teams that have slim hopes."

Melvin's assistant, Gord Ash, spent more than two decades chasing the Yankees and Red Sox while he worked in the front office in Toronto. To Ash, the New York-Boston situation has pros and cons.

"Years ago, when Detroit moved to the Central Division in the American League, I believe they asked (Toronto) to do it first," he said. "There was some sentiment that it might help. On the other hand, the Yankees and Red Sox were the best rivalries that the Blue Jays had. That's when we did our best attendance. All those games had a playoff atmosphere."

Over the past six years, the Yankees and Red Sox are the only teams from the American League East to make the playoffs. In fact, the division has finished each of the last six years with the teams placed in identical order.

"In the late 1980s and early '90s, we were on par with the Yankees and Red Sox, payroll-wise," Ash said. "There really wasn't a gap at that time. It's widened since then.

"The biggest difference is the depth. The nine guys on the field, you can match up half-decent with. When they'd get injuries or poor performance, the guy they put in is better than what you have.

"It got really disheartening. Another area we'd notice it was when it came to player development and scouting. We were still big in Latin America at the time and we'd go to sign a guy and we'd offer him a contract that we thought was fair and he'd say, 'Well, the Yankees are going to give me twice as much.' "

<b>Mistake-proof</b>

Although other general managers marvel at the Yankees' seemingly unlimited supply of cash, there is another thing that makes them more envious than all the green.

"They can bury their mistakes," Ash said. "Our mistakes have flashing red lights and announcements attached to them. Theirs are buried."

A perfect example happened this spring, when Boone blew out his knee in a pickup basketball game. Rather than give their third base job to Drew Henson, a highly paid draft pick who bombed so badly in the minors that he decided to return to playing football, the Yankees picked up the most expensive player in the history of pro sports.

When Jeffrey Hammonds bombed for the Brewers last season, they replaced him with John Vander Wal and Brady Clark.

"That's how it is," Melvin said. "When they have to get rid of a guy, they just release him and go get somebody better. We have to replace him with a minimum salary guy."

Dick Groch, who serves as Melvin's special assistant for scouting, spent 20 years with the Yankees and heard principal owner George Steinbrenner use the phrase "You're fired," more than Donald Trump. Now that he's out of that situation, Groch feels some empathy for the teams that are chasing the Yankees and Red Sox.

"There are tough decisions you have to make as to what you're going to do with your own club," he said. "If you worry about what you have to do rather than what somebody else is doing, it all falls into place. Too often, people worry about what somebody else does.

"You have to take care of yourself. When my neighbor bought a new automobile, I didn't let my wife do the same thing."

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Pedro Martinez added fuel to the fire when he tossed Don Zimmer, who was a New York coach at the time, to the ground during the ALCS.

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<b><font size=4>Yankees-Red Sox: Love-hate relationship</font>

5 REASONS TO LOVE THE YANKEES</b>

1. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle. Twenty-six World Series crowns. In many ways, the Yankees are Major League Baseball.

2. Those cool pinstripes. Anyone else wearing them is an imitator. And no need for names on the back of those jerseys.

3. For those who endorse the policy "you have to spend money to make money," we present Exhibit A in the world of sports.

4. Yankee Stadium. Sort of a dump compared to modern stadiums, and certainly not in the best of neighborhoods, but a stroll through Monument Park reels you in.

5. George Steinbrenner. His win-or-else mentality (and bank account) makes the Yankees the favorite to win it all every season.

<b>5 REASONS TO HATE THE YANKEES</b>

1. That $190 million payroll is a good place to start.

2. A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield in the same lineup? Just trade for Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols and get it over with.

3. Regis Philbin likes them. Enough said.

4. They once allowed George Costanza to work for them.

5. George Steinbrenner. Depending on which hour you catch him, he's a bully, a tyrant, an egomaniac or just plain nuts. And what's with the white turtlenecks?

<b>5 REASONS TO LOVE THE RED SOX</b>

1. The Green Monster. Every other team wishes it had thought of it first.

2. Carlton Fisk hopping and waving his '75 World Series home run fair.

3. Fenway franks and clam chowder. You can keep your peanuts and Cracker Jack.

4. Red Sox nation. New Englanders live and die with the team. You have to admire that passion, even if it's suicidal at times.

5. Stephen King likes them, perhaps because of their frightening post-season history.

<b>5 REASONS TO HATE THE RED SOX</b>

1. Curse of the Bambino. Enough already. You made a bad deal more than 80 years ago. Get over it.

2. They got cheap at the end and lost A-Rod - to the Yankees, of all teams.

3. Ben Affleck likes them. How smart can a guy be who made the movie "Gigli" and then dumped J-Lo?

4. The hole in Bill Buckner's glove.

5. When it comes to the Yankees, the Sox have elevated whining to an art form. Have to admit that "Evil Empire" tag was funny, though.

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<b><font size=4>All the right moves</font>

Grudzielanek keeps landing on his feet</b>

Mark Grudzielanek is honest. If his family hadn't moved from Oak Creek to Texas when he was a teenager, he wouldn't be playing in the major leagues right now.

"No offense to the city of Oak Creek, but it's not up to par with the South, especially at that time," said Grudzielanek, a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. "There's no question in my mind if we didn't move, I wouldn't be here today."

In fact, when Grudzielanek was a freshman at Oak Creek in 1986, he says the high school didn't even have a baseball team. His family then had to relocate to Texas, and that was just fine with Grudzielanek.

"I didn't mind it," he said. "I was going down to a climate where I could play all the sports and enjoy it a way I didn't experience in Wisconsin. It was a welcome move. I didn't look at it as a problem."

Six years after graduating from J.M. Hanks High School in El Paso, Grudzielanek made his major-league debut with Montreal in 1995.

"It was overwhelming with the fans and the ballparks," Grudzielanek said. "That was the true realization I was in the big leagues. It's how reality hits you. 'The Show.' It's everything people talk about."

<b>Change of scenery</b>

But after 31/2 seasons with Montreal, Grudzielanek was traded to Los Angeles in July 1998.

"At first, it was definitely overwhelming. A Midwest boy going into a city like that," Grudzielanek said. "Tom Hanks would be in the clubhouse. Actor after actor would come down there. It was definitely overwhelming."

In 1996, Grudzielanek made the all-star team and batted .306 to go with 201 hits and 33 stolen bases. He was the first shortstop to have a .300-average/200-hit/30-steal season since Hall of Famer Honus Wagner in 1908.

Grudzielanek established the National League mark for shortstops with 54 doubles in 1997, surpassing Dick Bartell's record of 48 set in 1932.

In 1999, Grudzielanek hit .326, a Dodgers shortstop record and the highest mark for any NL shortstop since Arky Vaughan hit .335 in 1936.

Grudzielanek moved to second base in 2000 and scored a career-high 101 runs. He added a career-best 13 home runs in 2001. But after the 2002 season, Grudzielanek was traded to the Chicago Cubs.

"I knew they were making a strong bid to become a contender," Grudzielanek said.

But Grudzielanek, and the entire city, for that matter, never expected what took place last season in Chicago.

"Last year was absolutely incredible," Grudzielanek said. "It was just absolutely remarkable. It was an experience I'll never forget and it was the best year I had all-around."

Grudzielanek, who was on the disabled list from Aug. 3 to Sept. 2 with a fractured right hand, still led the team with 38 doubles. His .314 batting average ranked 10th in the National League and he hit .418 over his final 16 games to help Chicago win the NL Central.

But in the playoffs against Florida, things suddenly fell apart for the Cubs, who were just five outs away from clinching their first World Series berth since 1945.

<b>Not buying into jinx</b>

Even though Grudzielanek was new to the city, he didn't buy the jinxes, Billy Goats and the whole Steve Bartman-foul ball ordeal.

"I'm not really one who believes in that," Grudzielanek said. "It's just there because people keep bringing it up. Last year was a situation where we just came up a little short. Everybody didn't think we were even supposed to be there. Maybe there was a little bad luck, but that's part of the game.

"This game is so unpredictable and so crazy, weird things can happen."

Grudzielanek, 34, says he still is "kind of working the kinks out" after having shoulder surgery in October. And although Chicago added second baseman Todd Walker to its roster, Grudzielanek isn't worried about his upcoming season.

"I believe I'm the everyday second baseman until I'm told otherwise," Grudzielanek said.

Grudzielanek has no doubt Chicago can finish with its second consecutive winning season for the first time since 1972-'73.

"We're supposed to win this year and people know about us," he said. "We're nothing but confident. We believe in our team, our ability. We don't think like, 'Oh, my God, we didn't do that since '73.'

"Whatever happens, so be it. But it isn't because of some goat."

<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/apr04/grudz401.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/apr04/sgrudz401.jpg border=0></a>

Oak Creek's Mark Grudzielanek and the Cubs are taking aim at the title.