Another illustration of the American League's dominance is the balance of power. Among the best teams of both leagues, there are 4 or 5 AL teams (Detroit, Chicago, Boston, NY Yankees, Toronto, and possibly Minnesota) that are good enough to make it to the World Series. In the NL, there are really only two teams that can realistically match up with American League juggernauts. The Mets and the Cardinals (when healthy) are the class of the National League, and unless St. Louis can get its pitching to come around, it leaves the Mets as the only team with hope to win a World Series for the NL in 2006.
Why, though? Why this huge disparity between the two leagues? The answer can be found in just two letters: DH. The designated hitter is the main cause of talent disparity. More hitters, when they become free agents, are attracted to having an extra hitter in the lineup in lieu of the pitcher. With 9 hitters in a batting order, team batting average, on-base percentage, and almost every other major statistic is increased. More men on base means more opportunities for RBIs, a higher likelihood of inflated numbers. Playing in the American League is like having every game at a hitters park, even when you're at Safeco. Also, for many players, the lure of not having to play the field is very enticing. Frank Thomas, David Ortiz, and Jim Thome are all excellent hitters, but they are also defensive liabilities. By becoming a DH, they no longer have to play a position, these players can become true "professional hitters." Does anyone else remember the Mo Vaughn Experience in Shea Stadium? Needless to say, watching Mo try to lumber around first base was painful to watch. If Barry Bonds decides to leave the Giants after this year, does anyone believe that he'll sign with an NL team? Not when he can sit in the dugout every day, go to the plate 4 times a game, and then return to the dugout without having to field another baseball the rest of his life.
There is some hope for the NL, however. There have been several borderline great prospects to come out of National League clubs in recent years. Albert Pujols, although very young, has already established himself as the best hitter in baseball today. The left side of the Mets infield, with the electric Jose Reyes and the exciting David Wright (at 23, already an MVP candidate), should provide Mets fans with entertainment and talent for quite some time. In addition to Reyes and Wright, Mets fans got another glimpse of the future when Lasting Milledge was briefly called up from Triple-A this month. Although raw, he showed much promise and should be a star in short order.
Little Tidbits:
- Best wishes to Peter Gammons. Hopefully Mr. Gammons recovers quickly and completely.
- The Mets suffered a 1-hit shutout tonight at the hands of 5 Yankee pitchers as they lost their 4th game in a row. They're killing me right now.
- Gerry McNamara wasn't drafted, most likely because his lingering groin injury prevented him from participating in most predraft workouts. I'm still surprised Isiah Thomas didn't trade his next 4 1st-round draft picks to move up to number one and select G-Mac. Thomas was concerned Portland was going to snatch him up at No. 2.
- I'm convinced Adam Dunn should be working less on hitting the ball out of the ballpark and more about hitting it somewhere inside the ballpark, maybe on the ground or something. It's literally home run or strikeout for this guy.
- Ivan Basso and Jan Ulrich were both kicked out of the Tour de France for their involvement in a doping scandal. For the 10 or 15 American fans of the Tour that were planning on watching it without Lance Armstrong being involved, this is disappointing. I had Basso winning and Ulrich coming in 3rd.
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