djvh@drutx.UUCP (VanHandelDJ) (02/02/85)
> 1985 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GUESSTIMATES > > NATIONAL LEAGUE AMERICAN LEAGUE > > EAST WEST EAST WEST > > New York Atlanta Detroit Chicago > Chicago San Diego Toronto Minnesota > Pittsburgh Los Angeles Boston Oakland > Philadelphia Houston Baltimore Kansas City > Montreal Cincinnati New York California > St. Louis San Fransisco Cleveland Seattle > Milwaukee Texas > I have to agree with Atlanta in the NL West. However, I cannot see the Mets beating out the Cubbies. Terrell was a good pitcher, while newly acquired Howard Johnson will be of little or no help. Maybe Gary Carter has enough talent to offset the Terrell trade and help the Mets to the top, but I don't think so. In the American League, I agree with your top picks. I think that the Orioles will be more of a factor than you have them to be. The American League East will totally beat up on the hapless AL West once again. Being from Wisconsin, it really (and I mean REALLY) hurts to see the Cleveland Indians picked ahead of the Brewers. What has happened to the team which was so tremendous just 2 1/2 seasons ago? My theory is that the trade of Gorman Thomas for Rick Manning caused Milwaukee irrepairable damage. Milwaukee had always been a great HR team, with Thomas batting behind guys like Yount, Cooper, Simmons, Oglivie (and Money, Hisle, Lezcano). These guys jacked homers better than any other team in baseball, that is, until Manning arrived on the scene. As soon as Manning arrived, the Brewers enterred into a mysterious Home Run slump, which they have never recovered from. That is the same season in which the team went into a terrible offensive slump, going from 1st place at the end of August to nowhere. Nowhere is where they have remained and will remain as long as they have a loser like Manning starting on the team. I have lost all desire to be a Brewers' fan since Stormin' Gorman left. The team just isn't the same anymore without him. I think I'll jump on the Cubs' bandwagon; I hope there's room left. Dave Van Handel druut!djvh